Michael Beckel
@mjbeckel.bsky.social
Research Director: @issueonereform.bsky.social. Following money in politics and dark money since 2009. Alum: @opensecrets.org
How toxic will campaign cash from ICE contractors to candidates and groups be this election cycle?
We may be about to find out.
We may be about to find out.
From 2017 through at least 2025, @DemGovs took in more than $1.2m over 46 donations from a longtime ICE contractor that runs some of its most criticized detention facilities.
DGA spox says they’re keeping the money:
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
DGA spox says they’re keeping the money:
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Exclusive: Democrats reckon with ICE contractor donations
And a federal judge bars the Trump administration from freezing $16 billion in funding for the huge Gateway tunnel project...
www.politico.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 AM
How toxic will campaign cash from ICE contractors to candidates and groups be this election cycle?
We may be about to find out.
We may be about to find out.
Reposted by Michael Beckel
New: Binance holds 87% of the Trump family's stablecoin—$4.7 billion—a higher concentration than any other major stablecoin has at any single exchange.
Its U.S. affiliate holds $1,119.
me, for @forbes.com
Its U.S. affiliate holds $1,119.
me, for @forbes.com
Trump's Stablecoin USD1: Binance Holds 87% After Founder's Pardon
World Liberty Financial's founding document describes the company as "pioneering a new era of Decentralized Finance." Its flagship stablecoin is anything but.
www.forbes.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:48 PM
New: Binance holds 87% of the Trump family's stablecoin—$4.7 billion—a higher concentration than any other major stablecoin has at any single exchange.
Its U.S. affiliate holds $1,119.
me, for @forbes.com
Its U.S. affiliate holds $1,119.
me, for @forbes.com
👀
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ICE to begin detaining immigrants inside Social Circle warehouse in April
Homeland Security plans to build warehouse detention facilities in other cities being met with opposition.
www.ajc.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:34 PM
👀
Must read from @issueonereform.bsky.social: "Election Officials Are Under Siege. Here’s How We Can Support Them." thereformcompass.substack.com/p/election-o...
Election Officials Are Under Siege. Here’s How We Can Support Them.
New report shows why protecting election officials can’t wait
thereformcompass.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Must read from @issueonereform.bsky.social: "Election Officials Are Under Siege. Here’s How We Can Support Them." thereformcompass.substack.com/p/election-o...
DraftKings also formed a PAC last year to make donations to candidates and political groups.
As of Dec. 31, according to the most recent FEC filings, it was sitting on about $127,000
www.fec.gov/data/committ...
As of Dec. 31, according to the most recent FEC filings, it was sitting on about $127,000
www.fec.gov/data/committ...
DRAFTKINGS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE DBA DRAFTKINGS PAC - committee overview - FEC.gov
Explore current and historic federal campaign finance data on the new fec.gov. Look at totals and trends, and see how candidates and committees raise and spend money. When you find what you need, expo...
www.fec.gov
February 9, 2026 at 3:29 PM
DraftKings also formed a PAC last year to make donations to candidates and political groups.
As of Dec. 31, according to the most recent FEC filings, it was sitting on about $127,000
www.fec.gov/data/committ...
As of Dec. 31, according to the most recent FEC filings, it was sitting on about $127,000
www.fec.gov/data/committ...
Reminder: DraftKings donated $502,000 to Donald Trump's inauguration last year, in the form of "in-kind" event staging expenses
docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/form...
docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/form...
February 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Reminder: DraftKings donated $502,000 to Donald Trump's inauguration last year, in the form of "in-kind" event staging expenses
docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/form...
docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/form...
We at @issueonereform.bsky.social produced this report because high turnover rates among election officials are alarm bells that should not be ignored.
Election officials are the unsung heroes of our democracy, and they need additional support now more than ever.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
Election officials are the unsung heroes of our democracy, and they need additional support now more than ever.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
Turning the Tide on Turnover
Understanding and mitigating election official turnover to build election workforce resiliency.
issueone.org
February 9, 2026 at 3:19 PM
We at @issueonereform.bsky.social produced this report because high turnover rates among election officials are alarm bells that should not be ignored.
Election officials are the unsung heroes of our democracy, and they need additional support now more than ever.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
Election officials are the unsung heroes of our democracy, and they need additional support now more than ever.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In New Mexico — which has one chief local election official per county — 91% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025.
Uniquely among states in the region, 77% of this turnover was due to term limits.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
Uniquely among states in the region, 77% of this turnover was due to term limits.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:18 PM
In New Mexico — which has one chief local election official per county — 91% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025.
Uniquely among states in the region, 77% of this turnover was due to term limits.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
Uniquely among states in the region, 77% of this turnover was due to term limits.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In Washington — which has one chief local election official per county — 26% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025.
This was the lowest turnover in the region.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
This was the lowest turnover in the region.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:18 PM
In Washington — which has one chief local election official per county — 26% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025.
This was the lowest turnover in the region.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
This was the lowest turnover in the region.
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In Wyoming — which has one chief local election official per county — 39% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:17 PM
In Wyoming — which has one chief local election official per county — 39% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In Idaho — which has one chief local election official per county — 39% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:17 PM
In Idaho — which has one chief local election official per county — 39% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In Colorado — which has one chief local election official per county — 44% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:16 PM
In Colorado — which has one chief local election official per county — 44% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In Montana — which has one chief local election official per county — 45% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:16 PM
In Montana — which has one chief local election official per county — 45% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In Oregon — which has one chief local election official per county — 47% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:15 PM
In Oregon — which has one chief local election official per county — 47% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In California — which has one chief local election official per county — 53% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:15 PM
In California — which has one chief local election official per county — 53% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In Utah — which has one chief local election official per county — 62% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:14 PM
In Utah — which has one chief local election official per county — 62% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In the battleground state of Nevada — which has one chief local election official per county — 65% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:13 PM
In the battleground state of Nevada — which has one chief local election official per county — 65% of counties experienced turnover among chief local election officials between November 2020 and November 2025, @issueonereform.bsky.social found
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In the battleground state of Arizona — which typically has two chief local election officials per county — 100% of counties experienced turnover among at least one chief local election official between November 2020 and November 2025
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:12 PM
In the battleground state of Arizona — which typically has two chief local election officials per county — 100% of counties experienced turnover among at least one chief local election official between November 2020 and November 2025
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
A case study analysis from @issueonereform.bsky.social found that 50% of chief local election officials in Western states left their jobs between November 2020 and November 2025, often leaving their positions partway through their terms for personal reasons
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
February 9, 2026 at 3:10 PM
A case study analysis from @issueonereform.bsky.social found that 50% of chief local election officials in Western states left their jobs between November 2020 and November 2025, often leaving their positions partway through their terms for personal reasons
issueone.org/articles/tur...
issueone.org/articles/tur...
In the face of heightened political rhetoric, harassment, and threats since the 2020 election, election officials across the country have been leaving their jobs and taking with them immense amounts of institutional knowledge.
A new report from @issueonereform.bsky.social details the turnover 🧵
A new report from @issueonereform.bsky.social details the turnover 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 3:09 PM
In the face of heightened political rhetoric, harassment, and threats since the 2020 election, election officials across the country have been leaving their jobs and taking with them immense amounts of institutional knowledge.
A new report from @issueonereform.bsky.social details the turnover 🧵
A new report from @issueonereform.bsky.social details the turnover 🧵
Yet another new frontier for big-money special interest to curry favor with the Trump administration, via @kenvogel.bsky.social @nytimes.com 👇🏼
SCOOP: Freedom 250 — the group launched by Trump to oversee projects including the @UFC fight on the WH lawn & his arch overlooking DC — is offering access to him for donors who give $1M.
For $2.5M, donors are being offered the chance to speak at the national July 4 celebration. 🎁🔗
For $2.5M, donors are being offered the chance to speak at the national July 4 celebration. 🎁🔗
For $1 Million, Donors to U.S.A. Birthday Group Offered Access to Trump
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Yet another new frontier for big-money special interest to curry favor with the Trump administration, via @kenvogel.bsky.social @nytimes.com 👇🏼
Reposted by Michael Beckel
Britain has dethroned a prince, forced Mandelson to resign, & lost confidence in Starmer because Rep. Thomas Massie & I forced the release of the Epstein files.
What is America doing to hold the Epstein class accountable?
We need to haul these powerful men before Congress.
What is America doing to hold the Epstein class accountable?
We need to haul these powerful men before Congress.
February 6, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Britain has dethroned a prince, forced Mandelson to resign, & lost confidence in Starmer because Rep. Thomas Massie & I forced the release of the Epstein files.
What is America doing to hold the Epstein class accountable?
We need to haul these powerful men before Congress.
What is America doing to hold the Epstein class accountable?
We need to haul these powerful men before Congress.
How exciting! @issueonereform.bsky.social on the front page of the Independent Record today in Helena, Montana:
"Montana saw a 45% turnover in election officials. A new study says hostility is to blame"
helenair.com/news/state-r...
"Montana saw a 45% turnover in election officials. A new study says hostility is to blame"
helenair.com/news/state-r...
February 7, 2026 at 4:32 PM
How exciting! @issueonereform.bsky.social on the front page of the Independent Record today in Helena, Montana:
"Montana saw a 45% turnover in election officials. A new study says hostility is to blame"
helenair.com/news/state-r...
"Montana saw a 45% turnover in election officials. A new study says hostility is to blame"
helenair.com/news/state-r...
Reposted by Michael Beckel
“Trump laying groundwork to contest 2026 results, election experts warn” electionlawblog.org?p=154173
"Trump laying groundwork to contest 2026 results, election experts warn" #ELB
MS NOW: Last week, the FBI raided election offices in Fulton County, Georgia, searching for ballots that would prove fraud in the 2020 election. On hand was Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gab...
electionlawblog.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
“Trump laying groundwork to contest 2026 results, election experts warn” electionlawblog.org?p=154173
Reposted by Michael Beckel
Trump's fundraiser's firm became the top lobbying shop in D.C. and set a new revenue record, raking in millions from foreign clients. We took a close look at who they are (including some previously unreported details) and their wins from Trump's administration.
Foreign Interests Are Paying Millions to a Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm
Ballard Partners’ foreign-interest lobbying business has boomed since Trump took office, signing up new clients from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Albania, Uzbekistan, and more.
readsludge.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Trump's fundraiser's firm became the top lobbying shop in D.C. and set a new revenue record, raking in millions from foreign clients. We took a close look at who they are (including some previously unreported details) and their wins from Trump's administration.