Neil Gordon
@neilegordon.bsky.social
Senior Researcher at the Project On Government Oversight - @pogo.org
Subscribe to POGO's newsletters and alerts - https://www.pogo.org/newsletters-publications
Subscribe to POGO's newsletters and alerts - https://www.pogo.org/newsletters-publications
A new feature on X that allows users to see what country accounts are based in reveals that many of the site’s top MAGA influencers are actually foreign actors based in Russia, India and Nigeria
www.thedailybeast.com/top-maga-inf...
www.thedailybeast.com/top-maga-inf...
Top MAGA Influencers Accidentally Unmasked as Foreign Actors
A new feature on Elon Musk’s X has given deeper insight into the online “America First” movement.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:08 PM
A new feature on X that allows users to see what country accounts are based in reveals that many of the site’s top MAGA influencers are actually foreign actors based in Russia, India and Nigeria
www.thedailybeast.com/top-maga-inf...
www.thedailybeast.com/top-maga-inf...
Pete Hegseth "is removing capable military leaders for political theater rather than actual performance concerns": @pogo.org Senior Defense Policy Analyst Virginia Burger explains why Congress must strengthen oversight of the removal of senior military officers www.pogo.org/analysis/inc...
Increasing Oversight of the Relief of Military Leaders
Congress can stop the politicization of the armed services and reverse the defense secretary’s abuse of power.
www.pogo.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Pete Hegseth "is removing capable military leaders for political theater rather than actual performance concerns": @pogo.org Senior Defense Policy Analyst Virginia Burger explains why Congress must strengthen oversight of the removal of senior military officers www.pogo.org/analysis/inc...
"There is no nuance to it—if any service member receives an order that is unlawful, they must refuse to execute it": Q&A with @pogo.org Senior Defense Policy Analyst and former Marine Captain Virginia Burger
www.pogo.org/analysis/mil...
www.pogo.org/analysis/mil...
Military Oaths and Unlawful Orders
A few important questions and answers from our senior defense policy analyst
www.pogo.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 PM
"There is no nuance to it—if any service member receives an order that is unlawful, they must refuse to execute it": Q&A with @pogo.org Senior Defense Policy Analyst and former Marine Captain Virginia Burger
www.pogo.org/analysis/mil...
www.pogo.org/analysis/mil...
In June, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem directed that any DHS spending above $100K requires her sign-off. Since then, @schwellenbach.bsky.social noticed that an unusual number of DHS contracts have been valued at $1 or less below that threshold www.pogo.org/investigatio...
$99,999 DHS Contracts Balloon Under Kristi Noem’s Directive
Secretary Noem requiring her sign-off on spending above $100,000 has reportedly created backlogs of DHS contract awards. Some awards appear to skirt her review.
www.pogo.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
In June, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem directed that any DHS spending above $100K requires her sign-off. Since then, @schwellenbach.bsky.social noticed that an unusual number of DHS contracts have been valued at $1 or less below that threshold www.pogo.org/investigatio...
We at @pogo.org condemn President Trump’s calling for the death of the members of Congress who urged the military and intelligence community to refuse illegal orders www.pogo.org/post/white-h...
White House’s Death Threats Against Lawmakers Are a Dangerous…
We cannot become a country where pushing back on abuses of power causes people to fear for their lives or the lives of their families.
www.pogo.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:39 PM
We at @pogo.org condemn President Trump’s calling for the death of the members of Congress who urged the military and intelligence community to refuse illegal orders www.pogo.org/post/white-h...
U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino has presided over a disproportionate amount of use-of-force incidents, according to an analysis of federal data by @pogo.org and @irworkshop
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
Greg Bovino’s Border Patrol Agents Use Disproportionate Force, Data…
Border Patrol agents in the El Centro Sector have reported using force on other people more than three times as many times as they have faced assaults – a ratio higher than anywhere else in the agency...
www.pogo.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino has presided over a disproportionate amount of use-of-force incidents, according to an analysis of federal data by @pogo.org and @irworkshop
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
Reposted by Neil Gordon
The 2030 census is fast approaching. Read @pogo.org's new report on why it's important to get an accurate count—TRILLIONS of dollars are at stake
www.pogo.org/reports/cens...
www.pogo.org/reports/cens...
Census Matters: Why an Accurate Count is Essential to Funding Our…
The Census directs trillions of dollars to federal programs across the country. Here's what Census-directed spending looks like in your state.
www.pogo.org
October 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The 2030 census is fast approaching. Read @pogo.org's new report on why it's important to get an accurate count—TRILLIONS of dollars are at stake
www.pogo.org/reports/cens...
www.pogo.org/reports/cens...
Reposted by Neil Gordon
More honors keep rolling in for #BadWatchdog! The second season of our podcast has won gold at the #DaveyAwards.
Congratulations to @marenmachles.bsky.social and the entire Bad Watchdog team! 🎉
Congratulations to @marenmachles.bsky.social and the entire Bad Watchdog team! 🎉
Winners Gallery - Davey Awards
daveyawards.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM
More honors keep rolling in for #BadWatchdog! The second season of our podcast has won gold at the #DaveyAwards.
Congratulations to @marenmachles.bsky.social and the entire Bad Watchdog team! 🎉
Congratulations to @marenmachles.bsky.social and the entire Bad Watchdog team! 🎉
"These restrictions will erode trust at every level."
"The American people will suffer from a dearth of information."
Former USMC press officer Virginia Burger and Pulitzer-winning reporter Mark Thompson evaluate the Pentagon's new press rules
www.pogo.org/analysis/pen...
"The American people will suffer from a dearth of information."
Former USMC press officer Virginia Burger and Pulitzer-winning reporter Mark Thompson evaluate the Pentagon's new press rules
www.pogo.org/analysis/pen...
Pentagon Press Restrictions – Experts Weigh In
A Pulitzer Prize-winning Pentagon reporter and former USMC press officer reflect on the latest restrictions from Hegseth’s DOD.
www.pogo.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
"These restrictions will erode trust at every level."
"The American people will suffer from a dearth of information."
Former USMC press officer Virginia Burger and Pulitzer-winning reporter Mark Thompson evaluate the Pentagon's new press rules
www.pogo.org/analysis/pen...
"The American people will suffer from a dearth of information."
Former USMC press officer Virginia Burger and Pulitzer-winning reporter Mark Thompson evaluate the Pentagon's new press rules
www.pogo.org/analysis/pen...
Reposted by Neil Gordon
Big news! @ziembavision.bsky.social won a @milreporters.bsky.social Award for Investigative Reporting, for her incredible series on oversight failures in military housing.
Read this essential investigation:
Read this essential investigation:
“Operation Counter-Mold”: The Hidden Battle in Military Homes
Newly obtained documents reveal the scale of the military’s mold problem amid a gaping hole in federal standards.
www.pogo.org
October 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Big news! @ziembavision.bsky.social won a @milreporters.bsky.social Award for Investigative Reporting, for her incredible series on oversight failures in military housing.
Read this essential investigation:
Read this essential investigation:
Reposted by Neil Gordon
THE LATEST FROM POGO'S INVESTIGATIONS DESK:
Earlier this year, DHS handed a massive contract to a relatively new company with no federal contracting experience.
Records obtained by @motherjones.com reveal the involvement of a senior DHS official who once worked with the company’s CEO.
Learn more:
Earlier this year, DHS handed a massive contract to a relatively new company with no federal contracting experience.
Records obtained by @motherjones.com reveal the involvement of a senior DHS official who once worked with the company’s CEO.
Learn more:
Massive DHS "Self-Deportation" Contract Challenged as Secretive and…
The “rushed” deal worth up to $915 million was handed to a firm with “no track record” as a federal contractor, a rival's lawsuit alleges.
www.pogo.org
October 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
THE LATEST FROM POGO'S INVESTIGATIONS DESK:
Earlier this year, DHS handed a massive contract to a relatively new company with no federal contracting experience.
Records obtained by @motherjones.com reveal the involvement of a senior DHS official who once worked with the company’s CEO.
Learn more:
Earlier this year, DHS handed a massive contract to a relatively new company with no federal contracting experience.
Records obtained by @motherjones.com reveal the involvement of a senior DHS official who once worked with the company’s CEO.
Learn more:
Reposted by Neil Gordon
The Program Integrity Alliance is doing a great public service by restoring access to oversight reports and recommendations, after thousands of oversight websites were shut down earlier this week.
It's essential that these documents remain available! https://programintegrity.org/search/
It's essential that these documents remain available! https://programintegrity.org/search/
Search - Program Integrity Alliance
Explore government data sources with our custom search engine.Learn about our approach and what makes it unique in the FAQ.
programintegrity.org
October 3, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The Program Integrity Alliance is doing a great public service by restoring access to oversight reports and recommendations, after thousands of oversight websites were shut down earlier this week.
It's essential that these documents remain available! https://programintegrity.org/search/
It's essential that these documents remain available! https://programintegrity.org/search/
Reposted by Neil Gordon
friends with large accounts, I'm not going to pester you personally but just generally speaking, I would sure appreciate a signal boost on this thing. We seem to have leveled out, and since this is a one-shot (won't be in bookstores) I'd like to get it out there as much as possible.
Our Long National Nightmare by Tom Tomorrow
Relive the trauma of the last five years through the cartoons of Herblock Award winner and Pulitzer nominee Tom Tomorrow.
www.kickstarter.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:46 PM
friends with large accounts, I'm not going to pester you personally but just generally speaking, I would sure appreciate a signal boost on this thing. We seem to have leveled out, and since this is a one-shot (won't be in bookstores) I'd like to get it out there as much as possible.
The Supreme Court’s recent decision allowing immigration detention without individual suspicion is wrong on the law and the facts — and it's incredibly dangerous to our basic rights. Analysis by @krhawkins.bsky.social www.pogo.org/analysis/sup...
Supreme Court Allows Unconstitutional Racial Profiling
The Supreme Court’s order to allow immigration detentions without individual suspicion is wrong on the law and the facts — and dangerous to us all.
www.pogo.org
September 25, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The Supreme Court’s recent decision allowing immigration detention without individual suspicion is wrong on the law and the facts — and it's incredibly dangerous to our basic rights. Analysis by @krhawkins.bsky.social www.pogo.org/analysis/sup...
Ballard Partners, a lobbying shop with deep ties to Trumpworld, is helping surveillance tech firms land lucrative, no-bid contracts in the administration’s immigration crackdown. Investigation by @schwellenbach.bsky.social and @russchoma.bsky.social www.pogo.org/investigatio...
Trump-Tied Lobbyists’ Clients Keep Winning No-Bid ICE Contracts
Ballard Partners is helping companies cash-in on the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
www.pogo.org
September 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Ballard Partners, a lobbying shop with deep ties to Trumpworld, is helping surveillance tech firms land lucrative, no-bid contracts in the administration’s immigration crackdown. Investigation by @schwellenbach.bsky.social and @russchoma.bsky.social www.pogo.org/investigatio...
"This is no way to run our government": Lawmakers and a former ethics czar worry that senior White House aide Eric Ueland’s concurrent role leading the Office of Government Ethics will compromise that office’s work
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
White House Official Doubling as Ethics Czar Sparks Concern
Lawmakers and a former head of OGE say an OMB official’s concurrent role leading the Office of Government Ethics will compromise its work.
www.pogo.org
September 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
"This is no way to run our government": Lawmakers and a former ethics czar worry that senior White House aide Eric Ueland’s concurrent role leading the Office of Government Ethics will compromise that office’s work
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
Reposted by Neil Gordon
Tune in: Today, POGO's Joe Spielberger is testifying before the House Oversight Committee on the importance of whistleblower protections. The hearing is set to start at 10AM ET.
Restoring Public Trust Through UAP Transparency and Whistleblower Protection - United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
oversight.house.gov
September 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Tune in: Today, POGO's Joe Spielberger is testifying before the House Oversight Committee on the importance of whistleblower protections. The hearing is set to start at 10AM ET.
“Potential corruption related to the Golden Dome, and these conflicts of interests raise new questions about whether the program is being used to enrich Trump administration officials rather than keep our country safe.” @warren.senate.gov www.pogo.org/investigatio...
Gold Rush: Top Trump Officials’ Silicon Valley Ties
The Golden Dome missile defense project could be a “slush fund” for tech companies like Palantir — and for high-level officials with financial stakes.
www.pogo.org
August 25, 2025 at 8:51 PM
“Potential corruption related to the Golden Dome, and these conflicts of interests raise new questions about whether the program is being used to enrich Trump administration officials rather than keep our country safe.” @warren.senate.gov www.pogo.org/investigatio...
“People shouldn’t come to Washington to get rich, they should come to serve the American people,” says Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
www.politico.com/news/2025/08..., who has his own glaring financial conflicts of interest: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/u...
www.politico.com/news/2025/08..., who has his own glaring financial conflicts of interest: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/u...
Bessent says he’ll push to end congressional stock trading
House and Senate GOP leaders have sought to address bipartisan efforts to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks.
www.politico.com
August 15, 2025 at 2:24 PM
“People shouldn’t come to Washington to get rich, they should come to serve the American people,” says Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
www.politico.com/news/2025/08..., who has his own glaring financial conflicts of interest: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/u...
www.politico.com/news/2025/08..., who has his own glaring financial conflicts of interest: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/u...
"We’ve reached a critical moment in the American experiment." @pogo.org is launching a program that will provide a roadmap for democratic safeguards we'll need post-Trump. We don't intend to simply rebuild existing structures www.pogo.org/analysis/rec...
Reclaiming Democracy: How to Build a Government That Deserves Our…
We must create a new vision for government accountability that will withstand the test of time.
www.pogo.org
August 11, 2025 at 7:40 PM
"We’ve reached a critical moment in the American experiment." @pogo.org is launching a program that will provide a roadmap for democratic safeguards we'll need post-Trump. We don't intend to simply rebuild existing structures www.pogo.org/analysis/rec...
Reposted by Neil Gordon
Should someone who called government workers "parasites" be leading an office that's meant to protect whistleblowers?
We don't think so. We think it makes Paul Ingrassia an unfit, unserious nominee.
We led 20+ organizations calling on the Senate to reject his nomination:
We don't think so. We think it makes Paul Ingrassia an unfit, unserious nominee.
We led 20+ organizations calling on the Senate to reject his nomination:
Good Government Groups to Senate: Oppose OSC nominee Paul Ingrassia
The Office of Special Council is responsible for protecting federal workers. Ingrassia would undermine their rights instead.
www.pogo.org
July 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Should someone who called government workers "parasites" be leading an office that's meant to protect whistleblowers?
We don't think so. We think it makes Paul Ingrassia an unfit, unserious nominee.
We led 20+ organizations calling on the Senate to reject his nomination:
We don't think so. We think it makes Paul Ingrassia an unfit, unserious nominee.
We led 20+ organizations calling on the Senate to reject his nomination:
This is CRAZY: Since May, federal district courts have ruled against Trump 94.3% of the time. The Supreme Court has sided with the administration in 93.7% of its cases data4democracy.substack.com/p/the-suprem...
The Supreme Court Is at War With Its Own Judiciary
Between May 1 and June 23, federal judges ruled against the Trump administration 94% of the time. The Supreme Court backed it 94% of the time.
data4democracy.substack.com
June 25, 2025 at 9:14 PM
This is CRAZY: Since May, federal district courts have ruled against Trump 94.3% of the time. The Supreme Court has sided with the administration in 93.7% of its cases data4democracy.substack.com/p/the-suprem...
The strikes against Iran are the latest in a series of presidential power grabs that threaten to not only contradict the Constitution, but to condemn “We The People” to spectator status. Here's what Congress must do now:
www.pogo.org/analysis/ira...
www.pogo.org/analysis/ira...
Iran and the War Powers Problem
The Constitution gives Congress – not the president – the power to declare war.
www.pogo.org
June 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The strikes against Iran are the latest in a series of presidential power grabs that threaten to not only contradict the Constitution, but to condemn “We The People” to spectator status. Here's what Congress must do now:
www.pogo.org/analysis/ira...
www.pogo.org/analysis/ira...