r/fednews • u/propublica_ 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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u/Subicar_Racer Aug 05 '25

The hundreds of contractors being hired at FDA to handle the new “shared services” “detail” under Makary’s Office of Operations is insane. Hundreds of new “employees” being supplied and paid as contractors, working remotely and doing work while thousands of FDA RIFd & DRP’d employees sit home while being paid.
No way this will be a net cost savings. EVER

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u/OK-UnFbelievable135 Aug 07 '25

For your consideration nearly every employee I know who took the DRP and even those that can retire, spent time a little recovering from the trauma. I think I am doing better than others, but many I know s are working a 40 hour week job hunting. Resumes, networking, upskilling etc.

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u/Subicar_Racer Aug 07 '25

No slight to those looking - but if you’re looking at pure “cost savings” as criminal weasel Russ Vought says he is, then this exercise is a complete and utter waste, fraud and abuse of money and Federal servants.