Courts & Law

Privacy and Constitutional Concerns Arise from New Chemical Detectors

Jay Stanley / ACLU Dec 11, 2023 Is that ibuprofen in your bag, or something else? Despite what the TSA says, that’s nobody’s business but your own. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

American Cities Are Becoming Shell Companies for the Rich

Aaron Glantz / Reveal Dec 26, 2019 New Census data reveals nearly 3 million U.S. homes and 13 million apartment units are now owned by LLC, LLP and other corporate vehicles. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

A Look at Some of Trump’s Under-the-Radar Appointees

By Nisa Khan / ProPublica Jul 31, 2018 Since April, at least 69 people have been appointed or transferred to political jobs within the administration with little or no fanfare. A ProPublica investigation reveals who some of them are. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Watchdog Group Sues for Information: Did Ivanka Work Against Equal Pay?

Emily Wells / Truthdig Apr 11, 2018 Though the president's elder daughter says she champions women’s issues, she has defended the rollback of an Obama-era rule intended to help close the gender pay gap. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

It’s Not the Upholstery, Secretary Carson, It’s the Cover-up

Gregory Glover / Truthdig Mar 15, 2018 In the controversy over a $31,000 dining set, the HUD chief and his staff have been caught in a falsehood worthy of the president himself. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Documents Show Government Payments to Trump Businesses

By Lance Williams and Matt Smith / Reveal Sep 21, 2017 Although the sum is tiny—less than $2,000—it represents the first in what could be many such disclosures of Trump-owned entities receiving money from federal agencies. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Millions Paid to Administrator, Zero to Victims of Madoff

By Eric Larson / Bloomberg News May 24, 2017 For investors who lost money in Bernie Madoff's infamous Ponzi scheme and are waiting for payback from a firm enlisted by the Department of Justice, the check's (still) in the mail. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

18 Journalism Groups Send Letter to President-Elect Donald Trump for Press Access

Eric Ortiz / Truthdig Nov 18, 2016 Journalists are concerned that the incoming chief executive will be a threat to freedom of the press and government transparency during his presidency. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Nine FOIA Requests Seek to Find the Extent of Government Spying on Climate Protesters

By Deirdre Fulton / Common Dreams Aug 12, 2016 The Intercept revealed last month that federal agents went undercover at a fossil fuel auction protest. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Robert Scheer Talks With Journalist Jason Leopold About the Power of the FOIA (Audio)

BLANK Apr 16, 2016 A reporter for Vice News, Leopold spent years using the Freedom of Information Act to sue the U.S. government to obtain documents he believes Americans are entitled to know about, leading some in the government to brand him a “FOIA terrorist.” Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

2015: The Year in Government Secrecy

Staff / Truthdig Dec 24, 2015 Here's a rundown on how this past year shaped up on the issue of government accountability (hint: not well) from someone who knows quite a bit on the subject: reporter Jason Leopold, who's familiarized himself thoroughly on the secrecy tip as well as on the Freedom of Information Act and its uses. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

In the Public Interest: Monsanto and Its Promoters vs. Freedom of Information

Staff / Truthdig Oct 3, 2015 As the Freedom of Information Act approaches its 50th year, it faces a disturbing backlash from scientists tied to the agrichemical company Monsanto and its allies. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )