Selected stories by Andy Kroll. Click the story's title to read it in full where it first appeared.
We Don’t Talk About Leonard — A Three-Part Podcast
Click here to listen to all three episodes. The series is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.
ProPublica and WNYC’s “On the Media” | Sept. - Oct. 2023
We Don’t Talk About Leonard: The Man Behind the Right’s Supreme Court Supermajority
The inside story of how Leonard Leo built a machine that remade the American legal system — and what he plans to do next.
ProPublica | Oct. 11, 2023
Inside the “Private and Confidential” Conservative Group That Promises to “Crush Liberal Dominance”
Leonard Leo, a key architect of the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority, is now the chairman of Teneo Network, a group that aims to influence all aspects of American politics and culture.
ProPublica and Documented | March 9, 2023
How a Billionaire’s “Attack Philanthropy” Secretly Funded Climate Denialism and Right-Wing Causes
Emails and interviews reveal privacy-obsessed electronics magnate Barre Seid’s long history of backing efforts to attack climate science, fight Medicaid expansion, and remake the higher education system in a conservative mold.
ProPublica and The Lever | Sept. 6, 2022
How a Secretive Billionaire Handed His Fortune to the Architect of the Right-Wing Takeover of the Courts
In the largest known political advocacy donation in U.S. history, industrialist Barre Seid funded a new group run by Federalist Society co-chair Leonard Leo, who guided Trump’s Supreme Court picks and helped end federal abortion rights.
ProPublica and The Lever | Aug. 22, 2022
FBI Documents Expose Bureau’s Big Jan. 6 ‘Lie’
The bureau says it lacked the authority to monitor social media activity ahead of the pro-Trump insurrection, but it did exactly that during 2020 racial justice and police violence protests
Rolling Stone | April 14, 2022
Wisconsin Is Ground Zero for the MAGA Effort to Steal the Next Election
Republicans, convinced Trump won, are pushing to decertify his 2020 loss — and lay the groundwork to overturn the next election if it doesn’t go their way
Rolling Stone | Feb. 6, 2022
Start the Steal: New MAGA Emails Reveal Plot to Hand Arizona to Trump
Exclusive emails obtained by Rolling Stone expose an attempt to recertify the state as a victory for Donald Trump — and reveal top Trumpworld figures were complicit
Rolling Stone | January 23, 2022
Revealed: The Billionaires Funding the Coup’s Brain Trust
Conservative mega-donors including the DeVoses and Bradleys are pumping big money into the Claremont Institute think tank that fueled Trump’s election-fraud fantasies
Rolling Stone | January 12, 2022
Sham GOP Election ‘Auditors’ Want to See Your Ballot — But Hide Their Own Work
While looking to cast doubt over democracy and restrict ballot access, the Republicans behind the phony election “audits” are fighting transparency at every turn
Rolling Stone | December 6, 2021
FBI Document Says the Feds Can Get Your WhatsApp Data — in Real Time
A previously unreported FBI document obtained by Rolling Stone reveals that “private” messaging apps WhatsApp and iMessage are deeply vulnerable to law-enforcement searches
Rolling Stone | November 29, 2021
He Helped Bring Down a Top Trump Crony. Now He’s Driving for Uber
He exposed Scott Pruitt’s corruption. So why is Kevin Chmielewski’s life ruined while the official he brought down continues to escape justice?
Rolling Stone | October 14, 2021
Kevin McCarthy’s Extreme MAGA Makeover
An exclusive investigation into how establishment Republican donors posed as a "Tea Party" group to help Kevin McCarthy boost his MAGA cred — and climb to the top of the GOP
Rolling Stone | September 19, 2021
Trumpworld’s Fingerprints Are All Over Arizona’s Phony Audit
National Republicans have sought distance from the “fraudit” as the embarrassments pile up, but new documents tie Giuliani, Priebus, and other major GOP figures to the effort
Rolling Stone | September 16, 2021
EXCLUSIVE: Biden Tells Top Democrats He’s Preparing Lobbying Blitz on Filibuster Reform, Voting Rights
The president, sources say, has promised to lean on centrists to change the filibuster rules and save Democrats’ imperiled effort to pass a new voting rights bill
Rolling Stone | September 12, 2021
EXCLUSIVE: Trump Is Telling His Dinner Pals He’s Planning to Run for President in 2024
In conversations with at least 3 people, a top GOP source says, Trump has said he wants another run at the White House
Rolling Stone | July 19, 2021
How Democrats Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Nuking the Filibuster
There are risks in changing the rules of the Senate, but the party is realizing there’s more danger in allowing McConnell to veto most of their agenda
Rolling Stone | May 14, 2021
What Joe Manchin Wants
A guide to the centrist Democrat who can make or break President Biden’s agenda
Rolling Stone | May 10, 2021
Meet the Undercover Anti-Fascists
Embedded with the team of anti-fascist researchers and activists who infiltrate and expose Proud Boys, neo-Nazis, militias, and other members of the violent far right
Rolling Stone | February 14, 2021
The Democrats Have Power. How Can They Keep It?
The party reclaimed the White House and the Senate, but there are signs of trouble for Team Blue. Rolling Stone talked to some two dozen experts about what they think is the party’s best path forward
Rolling Stone | January 21, 2021
‘I Called My Wife and Told Her I Loved Her’: One Congressman’s Story From Inside a Capitol Under Attack
Rep. Jason Crow’s firsthand account from the House of Representatives when the mob breached the Capitol: “I was certain at that point we would have to fight our way out, and so I resolved to do that”
Rolling Stone | January 7, 2021
An American Powder Keg
In Alamance County, North Carolina, the nation’s future and past collide — often in terrifying fashion?
Rolling Stone | November 3, 2020
Can Joe Biden and the Democrats Win Back Rural Voters in 2020?
Rural Democrats have spent four years rebuilding after Trump’s 2016 trouncing. On Tuesday, they’ll find out if it worked
Rolling Stone | November 1, 2020
‘We Merely Need to Dampen Turnout’: Leaked Docs Show Top Trump Allies’ 2016 Plan to Suppress Black Voters
A shadowy group tied to Roger Stone and promoted by Erik Prince pushed a conspiracy theory about an illegitimate Clinton son to depress the black vote in 2016
Rolling Stone | October 28, 2020
A Murder, a Conspiracy Theory, and the Lies of Fox News
The murder of Seth Rich was a family tragedy. Fox News helped make it a national spectacle that has haunted his loved ones for years
Rolling Stone | August 16, 2020
The Plot Against America
Blocking ballots, intimidating voters, spreading misinformation — undermining democracy is at the heart of Trump’s 2020 campaign
Rolling Stone | July 16, 2020
‘Absolute Clusterf–k’: Inside the Denial and Dysfunction of Trump’s Coronavirus Task Force Missed warnings, conflicting messages, and broken promises — how the White House fumbled its response to the worst pandemic in a century
Rolling Stone | April 13, 2020
Inside the Making of Andrew Yang 2.0
The dark-horse Democrat just raised $10 million. He’s on a hiring spree and building a legit campaign. But how far can he go?
Rolling Stone | October 4, 2019
Meet the Lawyers Beating Back Trump’s Reckless Environmental Policies — and Winning
On the front lines of the David-and-Goliath battle to thwart Trump’s planet-wrecking agenda
Rolling Stone | September 20, 2019
‘I Came From the Internet’: Inside Andrew Yang’s Wild Ride
Embedded with the rogue Democratic presidential contender and his rabid online following
Rolling Stone | July 19, 2019
The Shadow Cabinet: How a Group of Powerful Business Leaders Drove Trump’s Agenda
The full member list of the Trump Leadership Council, a group of corporate influencers who guided the president’s anti-regulatory policy blitz
Rolling Stone | June 19, 2019
How Trump’s Swamp Works Now
The new Washington, D.C., is awash in foreign money and shady lobbyists — and Elliott Broidy fits right in
Rolling Stone | February 12, 2019
Documents Reveal Successful Cyberattack in California Congressional Race
The FBI investigated hacking attempts targeting a Democrat who ran against “Putin’s favorite congressman”
Rolling Stone | August 15, 2018
The Quiet Anger of Adam Schiff
Two years ago, he was a respected but little-known congressman from Los Angeles. Today, he’s the face of the Democrats’ opposition to Trump.
The California Sunday Magazine | July 18, 2018
The Parkland Parents Are Not Backing Down
Less than five months after tragedy struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, the families of the deceased are teaming up to stop the next mass shooting
Rolling Stone | June 28, 2018
Cloak and Data: The Real Story Behind Cambridge Analytica’s Rise and Fall
The secretive data firm said it could move the minds of American voters. That wasn’t its real victory.
Mother Jones | May/June 2018
The Last Days of Jerry Brown
After more than 40 years in public life, 15 as governor of California, he is as combative and contradictory as ever—and still trying to save the world from itself.
The California Sunday Magazine | March 18, 2018
The EPA Hired a Major Republican Opposition Research Firm to Track Press Activity
It promises “war room” style media monitoring.
Mother Jones | December 15, 2017
The EPA’s Ties to a GOP Opposition Firm Go Far Beyond a PR Contract
Definers Corp. won a no-bid contract to monitor the media for the EPA. But the group’s founders are closely tied to Republican politics.
Mother Jones | December 19, 2017
Senators Want EPA to “Immediately” Cancel Contract With Republican Research Firm
“Everything about this contract looks bad.”
Mother Jones | December 19, 2017
Republican PR Firm Ends Controversial Contract With EPA
Definers says it will no longer pursue other federal contracts.
Mother Jones | December 19, 2017
Underwear of Uncertain Origin
On the strange afterlife of the goods we return to the store.
Pacific Standard | November 9, 2017
Ready for Trump TV? Inside Sinclair Broadcasting’s Plot to Take Over Your Local News
Its mix of terrorism alerts, right-wing commentary, and “classic propaganda” could soon reach three-quarters of US households.
Mother Jones | November/December 2017
The Quiet Crusader
How Tim Gill turned a $500 million fortune into the nation's most powerful force for LGBTQ rights
Rolling Stone | June 23, 2017
How a Crew of Hardliners Hijacked Donald Trump’s Cuba Policy
Trump is rolling back Barack Obama’s normalization efforts. Here's how it happened.
Mother Jones | June 16, 2017
Clean Up on Aisle Trump
White House counsel Don McGahn has the hardest job in Washington: keeping the president on the right side of the law.
Mother Jones | May/June 2017
Why Is Elizabeth Warren So Hard to Love?
With her populist proposals and fierce criticism of President Donald Trump, Senator Elizabeth Warren has become the new face of the Democratic Party and a favorite for the 2020 presidential race. So why are so many Massachusetts voters souring on her?
Boston magazine | April 2017
Trump Just Sold a $15.8 Million Condo to a Consultant Who Peddles Access to Powerful People
Meet the new owner of a Trump Park Avenue penthouse.
Mother Jones | February 27, 2017
Businesswoman Who Bought Trump Penthouse Is Connected to Chinese Intelligence Front Group
The president's company won't explain this $15.8 million deal.
Mother Jones | March 15, 2016
The Trump Organization Says It's Vetting Deals for Conflicts—But Refuses to Say How
A recent deal raises serious questions about the company's process.
Mother Jones | March 21, 2017
The Great Exception
California vs. Trump. Part One.
The California Sunday Magazine | January 17, 2016
How Trump Diagnosed American Politics
A hater repents—sort of—and gives thanks for the unorthodox candidate.
TheAtlantic.com | November 7, 2016
Gospel of the Climate Deniers
Why do Republicans still reject the science of global warming?
Rolling Stone | November 3, 2016
The Billionaire Creator of the Power Rangers Has Invested Millions in Hillary Clinton. So What Does He Want?
Haim Saban's not-so-secret agenda.
Mother Jones | November/December 2016
Terry McAuliffe Wants to Prove He’s Not a Crony. But First He Has to Get Hillary Elected.
Washingtonian Magazine | September 6, 2016
Conservatives Anonymous
In liberal Hollywood, Republicans have formed one of the industry’s most influential (and most discreet) political organizations.
The California Sunday Magazine | May 19, 2016
Trump at War
How the military is preparing for the possibility of a very different kind of commander in chief.
Huffington Post Highline | April 25, 2016
Death and Politics: Did a Vicious Campaign Drive a Candidate to Suicide?
A Republican kingmaker, Ted Cruz's campaign manager and questions of faith hounded an "anti-corruption" crusader until his tragic end.
Rolling Stone | February 26, 2016
Ted Cruz's Howitzer
Equal parts drill sergeant, data junkie, brawler, and entrepreneur, Jeff Roe will do anything to win. Just watch.
The New Republic | January 20, 2016
The Endless Trial of Trey Gowdy's Benghazi Committee
Twenty months, $5 million, and one Michael Bay movie later, the GOP's Hillary slayer is still searching for answers.
Rolling Stone | January 14, 2016
The Bernie Revolution: What’s so appealing about a grumpy 74-year-old?
On the road with the Sanderistas.
Yahoo! News | December 3, 2015
The Chairwoman Who’s At War With Her Own Agency
Ann Ravel says the Federal Election Commission is badly broken. But is her very public crusade the way to fix it?
National Journal | Oct 13, 2015
The Staying Power of Nancy Pelosi
And its consequences.
National Journal | September 11, 2015
An Endeavor to Take Trump Seriously
What happens when a reporter tries to take the GOP's man of the moment seriously?
National Journal | July 31, 2015
Ted Cruz's Secret Weapon to Win the Right
On the trail with Rafael Cruz—dad, preacher, and Ted's ambassador to the true believers of the Right.
National Journal | June 26, 2015
The Scandal That Could Blow Up Rand Paul's Machine
A criminal probe involving his father's 2012 campaign is inching dangerously close to Paul's inner circle.
Mother Jones | April 8, 2015
The Power of Two: Inside the Rise of the Castro Brothers
America has never seen a political team quite like the Castro brothers.
National Journal | January 23, 2015
Is Your Judge for Sale?
Thanks to Karl Rove and Citizens United, judicial elections have been overtaken by secretive interest groups, nasty ads, and the constant hustle for campaign cash.
Mother Jones | November/December 2014
Meet the Fortune 500 Companies Funding the Political Resegregation of America
Mother Jones | November 21, 2014
The Evangelist
Jim Gilliam of NationBuilder says his software will "democratize democracy." So why do many of his progressive friends consider him a traitor?
The American Prospect | October 3, 2013
Access Hollywood
Lights, camera, super-PAC! How DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg became the Democrats' high-grossing showbiz money man.
Mother Jones | May/June 2013
Walmart's Shadow Factories
In China, the retail giant's push for a green makeover clashes with its mandate for everyday low prices.
Mother Jones | March/April 2013
Follow the Dark Money
The down and dirty history of secret spending, PACs gone wild, and the epic four-decade fight over the only kind of political capital that matters.
Mother Jones | July/August 2012
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Home Wreckers
How fishy foreclosures earned millions for lawyers like David J. Stern—and made the housing crisis even worse.
Mother Jones | August 4, 2010