Dave Levinthal

Dave Levinthal

@davelevinthal.com

Investigative journalist, Washington Sun senior editor, fake arctic explorer, free agent placekicker, #BillsMafia. DaveLevinthal.com

22.7K followers287 following1.5K posts

Dave Levinthal reposted

Taylor Giorno
@taylorgiorno.bsky.social

Super PACs closely aligned with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders have disclosed record donations from affiliated “dark money” groups. Those dark donations make up a greater percentage of the super PACs’ overall fundraising than ever before. www.washingtonsun.com/influence/da...

washingtonsun.comSuper PACs Are Supposed to Be Transparent. They’re Still Awash in ‘Dark Money.’Groups tied to both Democratic and Republican leaders are regularly using a legal provision that lets them hide root funding sources.

Dave Levinthal reposted

The Washington Sun
@washingtonsun.com

Catholic leaders who were photographed praying with President Trump in the Oval Office said they felt “manipulated” and “exploited” by the photo op. https://www.washingtonsun.com/whitehouse/catholic-leaders-feel-manipulated-and-exploited-after-trumps-oval-office-photo-op

washingtonsun.comCatholic Leaders Feel ‘Manipulated’ and ‘Exploited’ After Trump’s Oval Office Photo Op“I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple,” one bishop wrote.

Dave Levinthal reposted

Michael McAuliff
@mcauliff.bsky.social

Are you as big a fan of @kadiagoba.bsky.social, @pkcapitol.bsky.social, @reesegorman.bsky.social, @stephenneukam.bsky.social, Al Weaver, Avani Kalra as I am? Not to mention the legion of @washingtonsun.com beat reporters who also pull Hill news. You definitely want to subscribe to this.

The Washington Sun@washingtonsun.com

Introducing “The Stakeout,” a new afternoon newsletter helmed by Sun congressional reporters Igor Bobic and @oriana.bsky.social. Subscribe today: https://www.washingtonsun.com/congress-newsletter-sign-up

Dave Levinthal reposted

Mark
@markalfred.bsky.social

BREAKING and EXCLUSIVE: The purchase of several airplanes by the Department of Homeland Security during then-Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure is tied to an “ongoing criminal law enforcement investigation.” www.washingtonsun.com/legal/kristi...

washingtonsun.comDHS Plane Purchases Tied to ‘Ongoing Criminal Law Enforcement Investigation’The department, while under Kristi Noem’s leadership, bought several aircraft over market value from a donor to a Noem-linked super PAC.

Dave Levinthal reposted

Zach Everson
@zacheverson.com

10 years ago today, Trump’s DC hotel opened. It taught him people will pay a sitting president, and there will be no repercussions. Want to understand the second term’s corruption? Start with the hotel:

forbes.comGoodbye To Trump’s Easy-Access, President-Ingratiating, Emoluments-Busting Washington HotelWhen the Trump Organization gives up its lease to the Trump International Hotel at the end of April, sycophants, political campaigns and foreign governments will have one less venue where they can cur...

Dave Levinthal reposted

The Washington Sun
@washingtonsun.com

Former U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle disclosed sizable mortgage and boat loans among her personal liabilities, according to an unpublished federal ethics document obtained by The Washington Sun from the State Department. www.washingtonsun.com/influence/ki...

washingtonsun.comNew Kimberly Guilfoyle Financial Report Illuminates DebtsThe former U.S. ambassador reported mortgage and boat liabilities — but no credit card debt — amid allegations of financial misconduct she denies.
Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com

In a very related matter, from @markalfred.bsky.social of the @washingtonsun.com, who reported this Tuesday: www.washingtonsun.com/legal/kristi...

washingtonsun.comDHS Plane Purchases Tied to ‘Ongoing Criminal Law Enforcement Investigation’The department, while under Kristi Noem’s leadership, bought several aircraft over market value from a donor to a Noem-linked super PAC.
CNN@cnn.com

Justice Department prosecutors are investigating allegations of contract misconduct at the Department of Homeland Security, including the role of Corey Lewandowski who worked as de facto chief of staff to former Secretary Kristi Noem, according to multiple people. https://cnn.it/4iehDsW

Dave Levinthal reposted

Michael Beckel
@mjbeckel.bsky.social

How much pressure are lawmakers under to raise $$$? LOTS. New @issueonereform.bsky.social review of FEC filings shows the typical House member in a competitive re-election race raised an average of about $13,000 PER DAY during the third quarter of 2026. 👇

Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com

NEW: Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Florida) has violated the disclosure provisions of the STOCK Act. Again. She’s the vice chair of a House committee that conducted a hearing last year on how shambolic the STOCK Act has become. In @washingtonsun.com:

Dave Levinthal reposted

Ken Vogel
@kenvogel.bsky.social

NEW: A firm started late last year by the family of the Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini offered to pay Alina Habba $10m/year while she was an administration advisor. Weeks after she started at the company, Trump pardoned Herrera Velutini, who had been charged in a bribery case.

nytimes.comA Billionaire Wanted a Trump Pardon. His Family Gave Alina Habba a $50 Million Deal. (Gift Article)Julio Herrera Velutini, a prominent Venezuelan, was seeking clemency. He got it not long after his daughter gave Ms. Habba, a lawyer close to President Trump, an extraordinarily lucrative job.
Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com

UPDATE: Following the publication of this story, DHS sent the Sun a statement about its statement: “The previous response was sent in error. The Foia request is under review to determine appropriate action consistent with applicable legal requirements.” www.washingtonsun.com/legal/kristi...

washingtonsun.comDHS Plane Purchases Tied to ‘Ongoing Criminal Law Enforcement Investigation’The department, while under Kristi Noem’s leadership, bought several aircraft over market value from a donor to a Noem-linked super PAC.

Dave Levinthal reposted

Taylor Giorno
@taylorgiorno.bsky.social

BREAKING: Eric Pan, president & CEO of the Investment Company Institute, is leaving by June 2027. Pan’s tenure has been marked by high staff turnover and criticism of his leadership style. “Six years is a long time for a CEO," Pan said in a statement. www.washingtonsun.com/influence/er...

washingtonsun.comInvestment Company Institute CEO Eric Pan Is LeavingPan stoked a “crisis of confidence” at the trade association, according to letters first reported by The Washington Sun.
Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com

BREAKING: Eric Pan — subject of a @taylorgiorno.bsky.social / @washingtonsun.com investigation earlier this year — is out as Investment Company Institute CEO. ICI is a major financial trade group that counts Vanguard, Fidelity & BlackRock among its members. www.washingtonsun.com/influence/er...

washingtonsun.comInvestment Company Institute CEO Eric Pan Is LeavingPan stoked a “crisis of confidence” at the trade association, according to letters first reported by The Washington Sun.
Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com

You lose your Texas congressional seat 🤠 in a primary. But then your campaign committee spends a bunch of money in 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇭🇷 🇵🇭. Scoop from @kylechouinard.bsky.social of the @washingtonsun.com: www.washingtonsun.com/influence/da...

washingtonsun.comFilipino Nightclub, Parisian Restaurant: Rep. Dan Crenshaw’s Campaign Went TravelingFederal records indicate the Texas Republican, who lost reelection, made a series of uncommon international expenditures.

Dave Levinthal reposted

Jesse Dougherty
@jessedougherty.bsky.social

It’s been almost a year since the Nationals made Blake Butera the youngest manager since 1972. A few weeks ago, I sat down with him about his first season in the job. The blown saves came up a lot. So did his feelings. For @washingtonsun.com: www.washingtonsun.com/sports/blake...

washingtonsun.comBlake Butera, One Year InThe Nationals’ young manager learned a lot in his first year — including the toll of repeated disappointment.
Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com

In the Dem-on-Dem race to succeed @SpeakerPelosi, one of the two general election candidates is pushing the legal boundaries of coordinating with a super PAC. Deep dive from @markalfred.bsky.social of @washingtonsun.com: www.washingtonsun.com/influence/sc...

washingtonsun.comPelosi’s Potential Successor Is Pushing the Limits of Super PAC CoordinationSpending records raise questions about Democrat Scott Wiener’s open coordination with Families for an Affordable San Francisco.
Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com

It was early June, and the White House had an “urgent and compelling” job: Four chandeliers needed to be installed in the West Wing. Why the rush? A "birthday" was about to take place. Scoop from @markalfred.bsky.social of @washingtonsun.com: www.washingtonsun.com/whitehouse/d...

washingtonsun.comWhite House Rushed to Install Chandeliers Ahead of a ‘Birthday’A small firm received a no-bid contract for nearly $50,000, with government officials citing “unusual and compelling urgency.”
Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com

NEW: An official helping spearhead RFK Jr.'s MAHA initiative has “disqualifying” family financial interests that conflict with her work — but officials gave her a waiver b/c they're "not likely to affect the integrity” of her service. In @washingtonsun.com: www.washingtonsun.com/influence/ta...

washingtonsun.comMAHA Adviser Gets a Waiver for Conflicts of InterestHealth officials ruled that Tammy Born Huizenga’s financial conflicts are “not so substantial as to be likely to affect the integrity” of her public service.

Dave Levinthal reposted

The Washington Sun
@washingtonsun.com

Press-freedom groups urged Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to stop scuttling media inquiries from Sinclair-owned news outlets amid his defamation quarrel with the broadcast group’s chair, comparing the practice to President Trump’s recent White House media ban.

washingtonsun.comPress Groups Compare Gov. Moore’s ‘Censorship’ of Sinclair News Outlets to Trump's Media BanThe accusations come amid the Maryland Democrat’s personal defamation suit against the broadcast group’s chair, David Smith.
Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com

In Florida, the state passed a law requiring congressional candidates to declare in writing whether they’d trade stocks if elected. One problem: it’s become a hot mess. New from @washingtonsun.com: www.washingtonsun.com/influence/fl...

washingtonsun.comFlorida Law Is Pressuring Congressional Candidates on Stock Trades — And It’s Causing Major ConfusionSome candidates are facing questions about their responses to Florida’s new, vaguely-worded requirement for detailing their stock trading intentions if elected.
Dave Levinthal
@davelevinthal.com

Watching football this weekend? Don’t be surprised if you see more political ads for elections you can’t vote in — because they’re in states hundreds of miles away from you. Via @kylechouinard.bsky.social of @washingtonsun.com, who explains here: www.washingtonsun.com/influence/po...

washingtonsun.comExpect to See More Political Ads for Candidates You Can’t Vote ForMedia buying experts anticipate there will be more nationwide ad campaigns for Senate candidates in Texas — and maybe Ohio and Michigan.