Swamp Watch / Topics
What we coverTopics
Our beats, each with a short guide and every receipt we have published on it.
Campaign finance and super PACs39 receiptsCampaign finance is the money that pays for American elections: contributions to candidates, which federal law caps, and spending by super PACs, which it does not.
Political hypocrisy11 receiptsHypocrisy is the gap between what politicians say and what they do: the senator who campaigns against fraud while taking money from fraudsters, or the official who preaches restraint while billing taxpayers..
Trump-world self-dealing22 receiptsSelf-dealing is when officials use public power in ways that benefit their own finances or those of their family and associates.
Conflicts of interest in federal agencies13 receiptsFederal agencies hand out contracts, grants, waivers, and enforcement decisions worth billions of dollars.
Energy, utilities, and data centers21 receiptsUtilities are regulated monopolies: state regulators decide what they can charge and which mergers they can make, and those regulators are often appointed by the lawmakers utilities fund.
Florida12 receiptsFlorida's 2026 governor's race and its statehouse have produced some of our most read receipts.
Texas7 receiptsTexas has no limits on how much an individual can give to a state candidate, which makes the state a magnet for large checks.
Maryland3 receiptsOur Maryland receipts focus on the 2026 governor's race and on state decisions that affect consumers.
Virginia8 receiptsIn Virginia, the State Corporation Commission regulates utilities, and its judges are elected by the General Assembly.- Crypto and the Trump meme coin7 receiptsCrypto has become one of the largest sources of money in American politics and one of the most direct ways to do business with the president's family.
Pardons and clemency5 receiptsThe president's pardon power is nearly absolute for federal crimes, and there is no requirement to explain a pardon.
ICE detention contractors3 receiptsPrivate companies run most of the facilities where U.S.
Elon Musk's political spending4 receiptsElon Musk has spent more on the 2026 midterm elections than any other individual, most of it through super PACs supporting Republicans.- Trump ballroom donors5 receiptsThe White House ballroom is being built with private donations rather than appropriated funds.