Kirsten Berg@kirstenberg

research reporter @ProPublica @kirstenberg.bsky.social elsewhere

propublica.org/people/kirste…
Joined March 2009
35 Photos and videos
Kirsten Berg retweeted
Avi Asher-Schapiro
@AASchapiro
Sep 24
Susan Collins & her staff have tried to debunk our reporting. They've said we took the word of a convicted felon, that the Biden FBI cleared her, & that we're regurgitating 7 year old allegations. None of that is true. Read our rebuttal: propublica.org/article/debun…

Susan Collins Dismissed Our Reporting as Old News. Some of Her Claims Aren’t True.

ProPublica revealed that the FBI was circling Sen. Collins over a defense contractor’s donations — until President Trump gutted the unit in charge. Collins has since mustered a defense with a series...

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Kirsten Berg retweeted
Molly Redden@mtredden
Sep 24
Sen. Susan Collins has been on the defense since our @propublica story about the FBI anti-corruption probe. And there are things she's said that are outright false. propublica.org/article/debun…

Susan Collins Dismissed Our Reporting as Old News. Some of Her Claims Aren’t True.

ProPublica revealed that the FBI was circling Sen. Collins over a defense contractor’s donations — until President Trump gutted the unit in charge. Collins has since mustered a defense with a series...

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Kirsten Berg retweeted
ProPublica
@propublica
Sep 22
Replying to @annieclark25
Senator Collins’ office says we “took the word of someone who pled guilty,” but ProPublica conducted its own investigation of the former CEO’s assertions. We have the receipts. Our reporters independently corroborated much of the account by former Navatek CEO Martin Kao by reviewing a trove of evidence, legal records and interviewing dozens of people. And we reported that anti-corruption agents at the FBI were asking questions about Susan Collins as recently as late 2024. But after the reelection of President Trump, the FBI and DOJ teams handling public corruption probes were dismantled. Here is the full story: propublica.org/article/fbi-s…
Excerpt from article: ProPublica is revealing the existence of the case for the first time. We reviewed a trove of evidence gathered by the FBI and thousands of pages of legal records, and interviewed dozens of people familiar with Navatek, its Washington operations, and the FBI inquiry to conduct our own investigation. We independently corroborated much of Kao’s account. Whether or not Kao’s dealings with politicians amount to criminal bribery, the Trump Justice Department has little interest in finding out, and his sheer success reveals how easily influence is purchased in Washington today. This is the first in a series of stories drawn from our reporting.

ALT Excerpt from article: ProPublica is revealing the existence of the case for the first time. We reviewed a trove of evidence gathered by the FBI and thousands of pages of legal records, and interviewed dozens of people familiar with Navatek, its Washington operations, and the FBI inquiry to conduct our own investigation. We independently corroborated much of Kao’s account. Whether or not Kao’s dealings with politicians amount to criminal bribery, the Trump Justice Department has little interest in finding out, and his sheer success reveals how easily influence is purchased in Washington today. This is the first in a series of stories drawn from our reporting.

Emails Between Martin Kao and Scott Reed, Discussing Contributions to the Susan Collins Super PAC, 1820 PAC “Hi Scott: Had a chance to discuss 1820 with my CFO and attorney last night. They are suggesting setting up a separate new LLC to make the donations. Name of new LLC: Society of Young Women Scientists and Engineers. In my personal real estate investments, we often use LLCs that can be set up to "facilitate" transactions. They are super vague and very difficult to get any background info on. Totally legal and typically used in real estate transactions to conceal the identity of buyer/seller. Wanted to get your thoughts/concerns.” — email from Martin Kao to Scott Reed, Nov. 22, 2019 “Very smart and glad your counsel understands. Thanks for doing this.” — email from Scott Reed to Martin Kao, Nov. 22, 2019 “Great! We will proceed on getting this set up ASAP. Have a nice weekend.” — email from Martin Kao to Scott Reed, Nov. 22, 2019

ALT Emails Between Martin Kao and Scott Reed, Discussing Contributions to the Susan Collins Super PAC, 1820 PAC “Hi Scott: Had a chance to discuss 1820 with my CFO and attorney last night. They are suggesting setting up a separate new LLC to make the donations. Name of new LLC: Society of Young Women Scientists and Engineers. In my personal real estate investments, we often use LLCs that can be set up to "facilitate" transactions. They are super vague and very difficult to get any background info on. Totally legal and typically used in real estate transactions to conceal the identity of buyer/seller. Wanted to get your thoughts/concerns.” — email from Martin Kao to Scott Reed, Nov. 22, 2019 “Very smart and glad your counsel understands. Thanks for doing this.” — email from Scott Reed to Martin Kao, Nov. 22, 2019 “Great! We will proceed on getting this set up ASAP. Have a nice weekend.” — email from Martin Kao to Scott Reed, Nov. 22, 2019

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Kirsten Berg retweeted
ProPublica
@propublica
Sep 22
Sen. Susan Collins helped steer millions in federal defense contracts to Navatek, whose CEO illegally funneled thousands of dollars to her campaign. The FBI sought to launch a probe and was eyeing Collins and other lawmakers. Then Trump gutted the unit in charge. THREAD 🧵
Martin Kao, CEO of defense contractor Navatek, poses next to Sen. Susan Collins for a photo. Collins is holding a model of a boat in her hands. Behind them is a large sign with the Navatek logo.

ALT Martin Kao, CEO of defense contractor Navatek, poses next to Sen. Susan Collins for a photo. Collins is holding a model of a boat in her hands. Behind them is a large sign with the Navatek logo.

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Kirsten Berg retweeted
Molly Redden@mtredden
Sep 22
Exclusive: In late 2024, FBI agents were looking at Sen. Susan Collins’ role in a massive illegal bribery scheme alleged by a former federal contractor. Then Trump gutted the FBI and DOJ, leaving no one to carry on the investigation – it’s dead. 🧵
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
ProPublica
@propublica
Aug 25
New: After U.S. missile strikes killed hundreds of civilians in Iran and Yemen, the Defense Department is poised to reinstate a program meant to reduce civilian harm during military operations. Pete Hegseth gutted it over the objections of top commanders. propub.li/4gPU0r7

Top Commanders Told Hegseth Not to Cut Civilian Protection Program, Poll Showed. He Did It Anyway.

The U.S. military has killed hundreds of noncombatants since gutting its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response mission last year. After significant blowback, the Defense Department is considering...

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Kirsten Berg retweeted
ProPublica
@propublica
Jul 16
We found that thousands of parents have been separated from U.S. citizen children and at least 79 kids were doused with chemical agents. On July 21, join us for a virtual discussion on how children have been caught in Trump's immigration crackdown: events.propublica.org/trump-…
Text: How Children Have Been Caught in Trump's Immigration Crackdown: Join us for a discussion about how families and children are being affected in new ways by President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign. Tuesday, July 21. 4 p.m. EST. Register at propublica.org/events. Events supported by the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation. Image: A woman walks a young boy down a dimly lit hallway with blue walls.

ALT Text: How Children Have Been Caught in Trump's Immigration Crackdown: Join us for a discussion about how families and children are being affected in new ways by President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign. Tuesday, July 21. 4 p.m. EST. Register at propublica.org/events. Events supported by the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation. Image: A woman walks a young boy down a dimly lit hallway with blue walls.

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Kirsten Berg retweeted
ProPublica
@propublica
Jul 16
New: It can be really difficult to get transparent, comprehensive information about private schools. Our investigative reporters share some suggestions for parents and guardians who want to collect it themselves. propub.li/4vxOPjS

How to Research Private Schools Like an Investigative Reporter

It can be really hard to get transparent, comprehensive information about private schools. Our investigative reporters share some suggestions for parents and guardians who want to collect it themse...

propublica.org
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
Pamela Colloff@pamelacolloff
Jul 14
My cover story for @NYTmag, in partnership with @propublica, shows how Florida is executing more condemned prisoners than all other states combined. Ron DeSantis just signed a new death warrant. With it, TWO men will be executed on the same day, July 28. nytimes.com/2026/06/30/magaz…

Why Is Florida Executing So Many Prisoners?

In most of the country, executions are a thing of the past. But one state has been carrying them out at a record pace.

nytimes.com
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
Nicole Foy@nicoleMfoy
Jul 13
"security cameras at the business captured footage of the man’s car rolling into the intersection after shots were fired. Other images from the scene showed the car going in circles and bullet holes in its windshield." apnews.com/article/ice-shoot…

ICE officer who fatally shot driver in Maine was 'fearing for public safety,' agency says

Sen. Angus King says the motorist killed by ICE officers in a Maine shooting was not the target of the warrant the officers were executing.

apnews.com
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
ProPublica Guild@propublicaguild
Jul 15
“ProPublica should be the example for the industry,” says reporter Mark Olalde, “that means fair pay… that means layoff protections, and that means guardrails around artificial intelligence.” Learn more about our fight for a fair contract at propublicaguild.org
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
ProPublica Guild@propublicaguild
Jul 2
“I love my job … I love the people I work with,” says reporter Duaa Eldeib, “and to continue to do that work, we need wages that keep up with inflation.” Visit propublicaguild.org to help ProPublica workers win a strong first contract.
ProPublica Guild@propublicaguild
Jul 2
“ProPublica is … a shining light in a very troubled journalism industry,” says reporter Anna Barry-Jester, but “management is refusing to agree to basic layoff protections.” Help us win a fair contract with strong layoff protections: propublicaguild.org
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
ProPublica Guild@propublicaguild
Jul 8
“I started about three months ago, right after I got laid off at the Washington Post,” says audio producer Sabby Robinson, “layoff protections are really important to me.” Our message to @propublica management: we need strong layoff protections in our contract!
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
ProPublica Guild@propublicaguild
Jun 24
“We have disparities across teams, across regions. No one who works at ProPublica — where we say we hire the best — should be living paycheck to paycheck.” This is why we’re fighting for fair wages: propublicaguild.org/
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
Danielle Ivory@danielle_ivory
Jun 22
We estimate that about 200-400 pedestrians a year would not have died if vehicles had remained approximately the same size over the past quarter century. nytimes.com/interactive/2026…

The Deadly Rise of Giant Trucks and S.U.V.s (Gift Article)

The vehicles on American roads have grown larger — and they are killing thousands more pedestrians, a Times investigation found.

nytimes.com
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
Mica Rosenberg@micarosenberg
Jun 9
Last year, we @ProPublica reported extensively on irregularities around the contracting for the tent facility, now known as Camp East Montana, which was originally awarded to one contractor for nearly double the price and then cancelled propublica.org/article/ice-c…

ICE Awarded a $3.8 Billion Contract to Hold Immigrants on a Military Base. Days Later, It Was...

The administration still intends to move ahead with the plan to build a tent detention camp at Fort Bliss, sources said. It’s a job that promises to be highly sought after as Trump officials plan to...

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Kirsten Berg retweeted
Molly Redden@mtredden
Jun 8
After a decade+ of nonstop pollution offenses, GOP Sen. Jim Justice's coal empire learned earlier this year that it was under federal criminal investigation. But before prosecutors could gather crucial evidence, Todd Blanche's office told them "pencils down."
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
Avi Asher-Schapiro
@AASchapiro
Jun 8
Senator Jim Justice is a GOP Senator, a coal baron, and a friend of President Trump. Earlier this year, his coal company found out it was under criminal investigation for environmental crimes. But then Todd Blanche's office got involved & told investigators: pencils down.
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
Mohamad El Chamaa@MohamdEch
Jun 7
Medical records, call logs, satellite & ground images, along w/ 17 interviews w/ survivors, witnesses, first responders & military officials found that rescuers were denied access to Amal Khalil during a crucial period when she was still alive Our report: washingtonpost.com/business/…

An airstrike trapped a journalist. She died as rescuers waited for permission to save her.

A Post reconstruction of Amal Khalil’s final hours in Lebanon found that Israel’s military denied rescuers access to her during a key period when she was still alive.

washingtonpost.com
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Kirsten Berg retweeted
Siddhartha Mahanta@sidhubaba
Jun 2
“The whole situation is completely unacceptable,” Jo Floto, the BBC’s Middle East bureau chief, told me. “We all know why we’re not allowed into Gaza: it’s because the impact of our reporting would be so much greater.” via the great @gerryshih: cjr.org/feature/subversion-o…

Subversion of reality.

The Faustian bargain of embedding with the Israeli military in Gaza.  

cjr.org
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