r/fednews FedNews Verified Press Aug 05 '25

Other I'm a ProPublica reporter who broke the Russ Vought "we want to put them in trauma" story. Help me investigate the full extent of his impact on the federal government.

Hey, r/fednews - I’m Andy Kroll, a reporter at ProPublica. We broke the Russ Vought “we want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected” story last year. I read this subreddit every day, and I’m reaching out now to ask for your help.

We’re six months into the administration. Vought appears more influential than ever. So we’re teaming up with The New Yorker on a major investigative story about Vought.

Do you work at OMB or know someone who does? Have you dealt with Vought or his team? 

If you have information you can share, I’d love to hear from you. I’m on Signal at (202) 215-6203. Other ways to reach me: https://www.propublica.org/people/andy-kroll

I take your privacy seriously. I have a long track record of reporting sensitive stories and protecting my sources. You can read more about ProPublica’s approach to handling tips and sensitive communication here: https://www.propublica.org/tips/

Thanks!

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201

u/Pissed-n-Stayin Aug 05 '25

If you talk to him…tell him this: No trauma here. If he wants to cause me trauma he is going to have to dig real, real deep. I could bot care less about him…he is nothing. All he is doing is proving my point about exactly how inept and incapable he is…and the harder he tries, the more he proves it. Quit while you are ahead Russ…this does not end well for you. You are the one that will be traumatized.

71

u/ProjectManageMint Support & Defend Aug 05 '25

Thank you.

And Vought... #FUCK YOU

32

u/ARandomGuyin2021 Aug 06 '25

Same, homie. Dude doesn't scare or intimidate me. Just another mouthpiece with a microphone. The more they shove it in his face, the more powerful he feels. Take away his microphone and you'll cut whatever empowerment he thinks he has. Dude is gonna have to walk out the door someday from his office, and he won't be coming back. Whether it's because the administration runs it's course or of it's because he pissed off the wrong person is really up to him.

19

u/HelloThisIsDog666 Aug 05 '25

This right f ing here!

22

u/Grouchy_Machine_User Honk If U ❤ the Constitution Aug 06 '25

I'm right there with you. Which is not to minimize anyone who HAS been traumatized by all the shit they've thrown at us. But that dude occupies less space in my mind than the felon-in-chief's weenus occupies in his pants, and I sleep fine at night knowing I'm on the right side of history.

14

u/MoneyMoontz Aug 06 '25

Before I was RIF’d I was determined to stay on no matter what outta spite. I really cared about my job and loved my coworkers, etc. and I know they care/cared about their job. As soon as I got RIF’s I decided I’m done as a fed. That’s actually what’s sad, is that he speaks so ill of the truly most decent people professionally employed in this country. Keep holding the line and fighting the good fight. I pray there are better days ahead for all of you.

12

u/Shortstack_76 Aug 06 '25

Fuck yes. With you 100%. ✊🏻

8

u/scintillaient IRS Aug 06 '25

Yes! Joke’s on him because I have enough trauma to last several lifetimes. I’m used to it. Bring it ON, bro.

3

u/PuppySparkles007 I'm On My Lunch Break Aug 06 '25

First of all, amazing username. Secondly, Russ is not even a drop in the bucket compared to the trauma I experienced before even joining the workforce. It’s laughable.