The Trump administration’s aggressive pursuit of leakers, mirroring actions under previous administrations, represents a direct attack on journalistic freedoms. Attorney General Bondi’s announcement to revive the practice of seizing reporters’ phone records and compelling testimony, coupled with her threat to prosecute whistleblowers for “treason,” significantly escalates this assault on the First Amendment. This move reverses recent, albeit insufficient, protections implemented by the Biden administration, furthering a pattern of government actions that jeopardize the ability of journalists to protect their sources and report critically on the government. The lack of a federal shield law exacerbates this situation, highlighting the vulnerability of journalists to government overreach.
Read More
Readers are encouraged to submit news tips to The Daily Beast. The publication welcomes information from all sources. Submissions can be made through a designated online portal. Details regarding the submission process can be found on the website. The Daily Beast values its readers’ contributions to its investigative journalism.
Read More
A federal judge temporarily reinstated Hampton Dellinger as head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) after President Trump fired him via email. Dellinger’s lawsuit argued that his dismissal violated federal law, which mandates removal only for cause. The judge’s order prevents the Trump administration from denying Dellinger access to OSC resources pending further review. This action follows a pattern of Trump removing appointees from previous administrations, sparking controversy over his disregard for established legal procedures.
Read More
Yolanda Borucki, a childcare centre manager, was acquitted of computer hacking charges after reporting her colleague, Ashley Paul Griffith, to authorities. Despite initial dismissal of her concerns, Griffith was later convicted of 307 child sexual offences and sentenced to life imprisonment. The magistrate found insufficient evidence that Borucki acted without permission or caused significant harm by sharing information to alert the media. Borucki’s lawyer called her actions heroic, highlighting the need for an inquiry into how Griffith was allowed to work with children for so long.
Read More
The tragic story of the Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, has shaken many of us to our core. The circumstances surrounding his death, with his ominous prediction that “if anything happens, it’s not suicide,” raise disturbing questions about the state of whistleblower protection in our country. As someone who comes from a family with a history of whistleblowing, I understand the immense courage it takes to speak out against powerful corporations and individuals.
My own father faced the wrath of a corporate giant after exposing insider trading by the CEO. The fallout was brutal, with my father being fired, dragged through the mud, and ultimately reinstated in a position where he was marginalized and ultimately forced to leave.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker