The new presidential administration, led by Donald J. Trump, promises to be a boon for investigative journalists. His controversial stances and key cabinet picks, some with past sexual misconduct allegations¹, will increase public interest in governmental activities.

The administration’s stated plans—including mass deportations, overhauling of the federal government through Project 2025, reshaping of departments and agencies, imposing significant tariffs (and the resulting inflation), and exerting political pressure on the Federal Reserve—will undoubtedly come under intense scrutiny. These planned changes will provide journalists with abundant opportunities to uncover and report on critical issues.

Significant policy shifts will open new avenues for investigation, allowing journalists to examine their implications and consequences. For instance, modifications to environmental regulations could shed light on their impacts on climate change efforts, such as increased carbon emissions or the rollback of protections for endangered species. Similarly, changes in healthcare policies might reveal disparities in access to medical services, while new economic policies could expose the effects on income inequality and job markets. These investigations will not only inform the public but also hold policymakers accountable for their decisions, ensuring that the true impact of these shifts is thoroughly examined and understood.

The oppositional attitude and lax approach to ethics procedures, background checks, and vetting will lead to the very failures that such processes are designed to avoid. The refusal by members of the new administration to sign ethics documents, disclose financials, or abide by General Services Administration (GSA) requirements for presidential transitions has just begun. The incoming administration has thus far bypassed the State Department on calls to foreign leaders, has so far excluded the FBI from conducting background checks, and has to date ignored Department of Defense (DoD) clearance protocols.

Rather than adhering to established norms, the administration has signaled that it will rely heavily on executive orders and presidential fiat, often disregarding traditional checks and balances. This approach not only undermines transparency and accountability but also poses risks to national security and the integrity of governmental operations.

Unorthodox and divisive choices for key positions will provide a wealth of material for investigative journalists. The confirmation process alone, and its shortcomings, will offer many opportunities to delve into the backgrounds and qualifications of the new president’s nominees, and explore their conflicts of interest.

Many of these individuals may lack substantial experience, with their primary qualification being their unwavering loyalty to a President Trump. The nominees’ lack of relevant expertise is likely to result in significant missteps, creating newsworthy events and situations that will need thorough investigative reporting.

In the current climate, the number of whistleblowers is likely to increase, providing investigative journalists with leads, tips and sources, with some identifying agency records that journalists can request themselves. Whistleblowers often serve as a crucial safety valve, surfacing significant problems and failures that may not be discovered by traditional oversight mechanisms, such as Inspectors General.

Foreign policy decisions and international relations will have global impacts, offering rich material for investigative stories. With a heightened focus on the border, national security, and the military, numerous opportunities will arise to investigate and report on defense policies, military actions, and intelligence matters. Changes in economic policies, such as tax reforms, tariffs, and trade agreements, will allow investigative reporters to analyze and report on their effects on businesses, inflation, and the economy. The administration’s significant shifts in climate and environmental policies will provide opportunities to report on the impact of these changes. The administration’s stances on healthcare, immigration, and education will lead to significant social policy changes.

Trump and his surrogates have signaled significant changes to banking and financial regulations. The new administration will reduce or eliminate behavioral guardrails from the previous Trump Administration. Journalists will be crucial in uncovering the effects of deregulation, changes to consumer protection laws, and oversight adjustments. Potential changes include reducing financial institution regulations, altering the powers of financial regulatory bodies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and others. The administration may also push for looser capital requirements and more permissive merger policies, leading to increased risk-taking by banks. Unfettered cryptocurrency markets without regulation could pose significant risks, leading to financial instability and consumer harm. Reporting on these changes will help the public understand how these shifts affect financial stability, consumer rights, and the broader economy.

The administration’s goal of consolidating, relocating or eliminating multiple federal agencies will create significant reporting opportunities. Arbitrary relocations to distant locations would lead to staffing challenges, loss of institutional knowledge, and decreased efficiency. Additionally, the administration’s efforts to limit or eliminate telework options further strain experienced staff, potentially driving them away. Journalists can obtain copies of impact studies and investigate how these changes affect or damage each agency’s statutory mission, revealing the broader impact on governmental effectiveness and public service delivery.

Plans to dismiss military leaders for political reasons, along with actual dismissals and removals from responsibility, will prompt investigative reporting, as will the attempted use of the military for addressing ad hoc national emergencies and law enforcement. Such actions will lead to ousted leaders who are willing to speak out about public matters and military misuse.

White House pressure on the Federal Reserve could influence its decisions, potentially causing economic instability. Journalists can report on how political influence affects monetary policy, interest rates, and economic health, examining attempts to sway the Federal Reserve’s actions for political gain.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and state-level records access laws will be crucial for investigative journalists, providing access to hidden government documents. Efforts to constrain FOIA, as seen in the last Trump Administration, may add review levels by senior appointees. Potential slowdowns and cuts to agency resources could limit request processing, making persistence and vigilance essential.

The next Administration has in effect promised to use government resources to exact revenge against Trump’s perceived enemies. This could involve investigations, audits, and other forms of pressure, including firings, dismissals, reassignments, or administrative leave for government employees. There may also be penalties and loss of contracts or grants for companies and organizations. Investigative journalists will play a crucial role in uncovering and reporting these actions.

There have been numerous instances where President Trump has attacked journalists for doing their jobs, often suggesting, jokingly or otherwise, that violence against them is acceptable. This climate of hostility invites aggression towards reporters. In the previous Trump Administration, the press faced challenges, including being labeled “the enemy of the people,” threats of violence, and attempts to revoke licenses. Reporters may well risk life and limb just to do their jobs.

An attack on one investigative journalist or news organization is an attack on all. In such extraordinary circumstances, journalists must stand together to report critical stories. This was exemplified by the Arizona Project, which followed the murder of Don Bolles and led to the founding of the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) organization. Similar initiatives, like Forbidden Stories, continue this legacy by completing the work of silenced journalists, ensuring that their crucial investigations see the light of day.

Investigative journalists should embrace their heightened responsibility to hold the new administration accountable. The deliberately controversial nature of the administration will increase engagement in governmental affairs, and can elevate the profession, leading to more resources, support, and professional development opportunities. Organizations like IRE are crucial in this endeavor, offering essential support, fellowships and grants, tremendous data resources, training opportunities, and a network for journalists to collaborate and protect each other. IRE’s work has been instrumental in strengthening the capacity of journalists to conduct thorough investigations, bringing crucial stories to light and informing the public. Organizations like ProPublica, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and outlets such as Mother Jones, Frontline, The Center for Investigative Reporting and the Intercept play a crucial role in maintaining accountability and informing the public through their relentless pursuit of truth and rigorous investigative reporting.

The next four years present a critical period for diligent and fearless investigative reporting, ensuring that the administration’s actions are thoroughly examined and the public remains well-informed. Investigative reporting from the previous Trump Administration will be invaluable for understanding the current administration’s dynamics and impacts, providing a historical context that helps journalists draw parallels, identify patterns, and offer deeper insights into ongoing developments. This transformative era for investigative journalism reinforces its vital role in a democratic society and enhances its capacity to uncover and report on significant issues.