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.
David Moore
Co-founder, Sludge
Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Set up to Smash Super PAC Spending Records
The groups are sitting on massive war chests for 2026 midterms, according to new disclosures.
Hudson River Park Trust to End Longstanding ICE Contract Following Sludge Report
After contracting with ICE since 2004, the Trust tells Sludge it will stop when the current contract ends in June.
The Companies Behind ICE
Sludge built an interactive map of every ICE contractor working with the Trump administration.
GOP Stock Trading Bill Leaves Glaring Conflicts Untouched
Senators and reps could continue to hold stock in companies they oversee on their committees under a GOP leadership-backed stock bill that is being fast-tracked through the House.
Right-Wing Group Trains State Lawmakers to Cut the Safety Net
Sludge obtained a conference agenda from the Foundation for Government Accountability that uses the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" as a launch pad for sweeping conservative policies like cuts to SNAP and Medicaid programs.
House Dems Gave Millions in ‘Dark Money’ to AIPAC-Linked 314 Action
314 Action is one of the groups that AIPAC diverted its PAC money through in 2024.
Dem Governors Gathered With AI Lobbyists Ahead of Trump Preemption EO
OpenAI and Meta were among the tech companies that sent lobbyists to the Democratic Governors Association's annual meeting, according to a list obtained by Sludge.
The Democrats’ New AI Panel Is Led by Big Tech Allies
Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a co-chair of the AI commission, owns up to tens of millions of dollars worth of stock in tech giants pushing to block states from regulating AI.
House GOP Advances Clean Energy Rollbacks
Gas hookup bans, showerhead water limits, and mobile home energy efficiency requirements were among the measures targeted by Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans this week.