Politics and Influence Reporter @washingtonsun & Fellow @AJIJournalism • Signal: MarkAlfred.14 “It rains because you’re sad, baby”
markalfred@washsun.com
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NEW: The White House plans to finance Trump’s proposed arch with $15 million from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The spending plan confirms for the first time that taxpayer dollars will be used for the project.
notus.org/donald-trump/trump…
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Mark Alfred retweeted
SCOOP: The State Dept has started asking career diplomats up for promotion if they voted for Trump in 16, 20, 24.
Federal law prohibits politically based hiring for career staff.
State tells @washingtonsun it's screening for "fidelity" and execution of the president's vision👇
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DOJ Investigating Corey Lewandowski Over Alleged Contract Misconduct At DHS
washingtonsun.com/legal/core…
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comes after:
BREAKING and EXCLUSIVE: The purchase of several airplanes by the Department of Homeland Security during then-Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure is tied to an “ongoing criminal law enforcement investigation.”
washingtonsun.com/legal/kris…
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Mark Alfred retweeted
New: The Justice Department is examining allegations that Corey Lewandowski profited off his top position at the Department of Homeland Security via @sgurman @jdawsey1 @MHackman
wsj.com/politics/policy/just…
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Mark Alfred retweeted
Justice Department prosecutors are investigating allegations of contract misconduct at the Department of Homeland Security, including the role of Corey Lewandowski who worked as de facto chief of staff to former Secretary Kristi Noem, per CNN team.
cnn.com/2026/10/22/politics/…
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Mark Alfred retweeted
Alex Graf has adapted to life in a wheelchair. He wishes D.C. would, too.
Wrote about wheelchair-accessible vehicles, Metro elevators and an incredible community of disability advocates for @washsunmetro. Excellent photography by @kainazamaria:
washingtonsun.com/metro/dc-w…
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Update:
Following publication, DHS told The Sun in a statement: “The previous response was sent in error.”
“The FoIa request is under review to determine appropriate action consistent with applicable legal requirements.”
BREAKING and EXCLUSIVE: The purchase of several airplanes by the Department of Homeland Security during then-Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure is tied to an “ongoing criminal law enforcement investigation.”
washingtonsun.com/legal/kris…
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Mark Alfred retweeted
Trying to look and smell like Donald Trump? It's going to cost you more than it used to.
I explored how inflation is hitting Trump's merch machine for @washingtonsun
washingtonsun.com/influence/…
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Mark Alfred retweeted
The purchase of several aircraft by the DHS during the final days of former Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure is tied to an “ongoing criminal law enforcement investigation,” the department’s Privacy Office told The Washington Sun. washingtonsun.com/legal/kris…
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Mark Alfred retweeted
EXCLUSIVE: The purchase of several airplanes by the Department of Homeland Security during then-Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure is tied to an “ongoing criminal law enforcement investigation.”
Via @byMarkAlfred of @washingtonsun: washingtonsun.com/legal/kris…
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BREAKING and EXCLUSIVE: The purchase of several airplanes by the Department of Homeland Security during then-Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure is tied to an “ongoing criminal law enforcement investigation.”
washingtonsun.com/legal/kris…
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Scoop: The NIH said DOGE disruptions scuttled plans to recompete a $112 million contract.
Instead, NIH handed a $20 million no-bid extension to a healthcare company — and directly blamed DOGE for preventing for open competition.
washingtonsun.com/health/nih…
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.@Politico Influence furthering our reporting on Scott Wiener and his super PACs:
Scott Wiener’s congressional campaign is directly coordinating with a super PAC in an unusual arrangement that at times appears to stretch the bounds of campaign finance law:
washingtonsun.com/influence/…
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Rep. Michael McCaul finally released his annual disclosure for 2025 — 62 days after his already extended deadline.
To give you an idea of just how many stocks he traded here is page one of 46:
News: Reps. Lauren Boebert, Dan Crenshaw and Michael McCaul have yet to file their annual financial disclosure reports in violation of a federal transparency law.
washingtonsun.com/money/boeb…
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Mark Alfred retweeted
Scoop: Healthcare.gov premiums for benchmark plans are set to rise 11% on average in 2027. It's the 2nd year in a row for double-digit spikes but not nearly as bad as last yr's 30%. Insurer participation is down 14%. washingtonsun.com/health/aca…
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Scoop: “Unknown actors” twice targeted Iowa state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott in attempts to steal tens of thousands of dollars from her congressional campaign committee. washingtonsun.com/influence/…
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Mark Alfred retweeted
New: HHS employees have to submit 6,000 character self-assessments as part of the revamped performance review process. It’s giving some staff flashbacks to the DOGE “what did you do this week” emails statnews.com/2026/10/16/fede…
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The committees can only coordinate on canvassing activities.
In May, the super PAC split the cost of the DJ at Wiener’s bday party/HQ opening 2:1.
The super PAC spent $1,338 at Costco for “food and beverage for canvassing.” The campaign paid it back $446 for “office supplies.”
Scott Wiener’s congressional campaign is directly coordinating with a super PAC in an unusual arrangement that at times appears to stretch the bounds of campaign finance law:
washingtonsun.com/influence/…
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Scott Wiener’s congressional campaign is directly coordinating with a super PAC in an unusual arrangement that at times appears to stretch the bounds of campaign finance law:
washingtonsun.com/influence/…
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Mark Alfred retweeted
In the Dem-on-Dem race to succeed @SpeakerPelosi, one of the two general election candidates is pushing the legal boundaries of coordinating with a super PAC.
Deep dive from @byMarkAlfred of @washingtonsun: washingtonsun.com/influence/…
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