DCReport

08/14/2026

From DCReport Co-Founder David Crook: What if the Democratic Party’s problem isn’t that progressives have pushed it too far left — but that its so-called moderates moved it too far right?

In “Make Democrats Democrats Again,” Crook looks back at decades of Democratic politics, from Reaganomics and Bill Clinton to today’s battles between progressives and moderates. His argument: many policies now branded as too far left have deep roots in the Democratic Party’s 20th-century economic agenda.

Read his latest commentary and decide for yourself: What does it mean to be a Democrat today?

https://www.dcreport.org/2026/08/13/democratic-party-identity-crisis/

Democrats blame progressives for the party’s problems, but decades of moving to the right may be the real source of its identity crisis.

08/13/2026

A Hawaii Supreme Court justice is taking direct aim at the U.S. Supreme Court’s approach to race — and David Cay Johnston says the criticism deserves attention.

In the latest Reality Check, David examines Justice Todd Eddins’ 91-page opinion, including his assertion that “The Supreme Court sees only white” and his criticism of the Court’s interpretation of the 14th Amendment.

What could this extraordinary rebuke from a state supreme court mean for the continuing fight over voting rights, civil rights and equal protection?

Watch the latest Reality Check with David Cay Johnston and hear why David believes this is an important development.

08/12/2026

Epstein survivors spent months urging senators to reject Todd Blanche’s nomination to lead the Justice Department. Now, following his 50–49 confirmation, survivor Liz Stein says the decision is a setback — but their fight for transparency and accountability is far from over.

“We’re not going away.”

In this report from Candice Norwood of The 19th, survivors describe their frustrations with the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files, their efforts to push lawmakers to act, and why they believe the issue has become dangerously politicized.

Read the full story on DCReport:
https://www.dcreport.org/2026/08/12/epstein-survivors-doj-todd-blanche-confirmation/

Epstein survivors say DOJ failed them after Todd Blanche’s confirmation, citing transparency and accountability concerns.

08/11/2026

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?!? Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum just opened an exhibit honoring Dorothy Height — the "godmother of the Civil Rights Movement" — and whether intended or not, it's a direct challenge to the Trump administration's push to whitewash American history.

Height helped organize the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. As a woman, she was kept off the speaker's platform — but her contributions were enormous. Now, as this administration strips the names of people of color, Indigenous Americans, and women from our shared story, this exhibit stands as quiet resistance.

David Cay Johnston asks the question worth watching: if it comes to Donald Trump's attention, how long will it stand?

📖 Read David's article on this topic: https://www.dcreport.org/2026/08/10/trump-smithsonian-dorothy-height-exhibit/

🏛️ If you're near Washington, go see it the exhibit— and bring your kids and grandkids.

08/10/2026

JUST IN FROM David Cay Johnston! The Trump administration has spent months scrubbing Black, Brown, Asian, Indigenous, and female Americans from public history. So it's a genuine surprise that the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum just opened an exhibit honoring Dorothy Height — the "godmother" of the civil rights movement, who helped organize the 1963 March on Washington yet was never allowed to speak that day.

David asks the question the exhibit itself raises: how long will they let it stay up? If you're in Washington, go see it while you can — and bring the kids. Read the piece, and let us know if you hear of any effort to close or change it. 🔗 https://www.dcreport.org/2026/08/10/trump-smithsonian-dorothy-height-exhibit/

The Smithsonian just opened an exhibit honoring civil rights icon Dorothy Height. Given Trump's drive to scrub minority history, how long will it last?

08/10/2026

Is the phrase "Democratic Socialism" helping or hurting the ideas it’s meant to promote?

In this latest opinion piece, Tom Cantlon argues that the label has become a marketing problem—one that means vastly different things to different people and often gets in the way of meaningful conversations about policy.

Democratic Socialism: Good or Bad association? What's your opinion?

Read the full commentary here:
https://www.dcreport.org/2026/08/10/democratic-socialism-marketing-problem/

Why Democratic socialism can be a political marketing liability — and why voter frustration, not ideology, may be Democrats’ bigger problem.

08/09/2026

Young people in the Bronx spent years building trust with mentors, educators, and health professionals through a nationally recognized teen pregnancy prevention program. Now, federal funding cuts have forced that work to stop, leaving many wondering what comes next.

Read how the loss of funding is affecting students, families, and community organizations striving to support New York City's youth: https://www.dcreport.org/2026/08/09/teen-pregnancy-funding-cuts-nyc-youth/

Originally published by our friends at The 19th.

Trump budget cuts stripped Children’s Aid of nearly $937,000 annually, disrupting services for 1,200 NYC youth.

08/09/2026

The debate over birthright citizenship is back in the spotlight as President Trump issues new executive orders aimed at limiting the practice despite recent Supreme Court rulings. This analysis examines the legal questions, constitutional arguments, and the potential implications of the administration's latest actions.

Read more: https://www.dcreport.org/2026/08/09/trump-birthright-citizenship-executive-orders/

Trump is again trying to restrict birthright citizenship despite a Supreme Court ruling affirming constitutional protections for U.S.-born children.

08/08/2026

Dr. Erica Schwartz is making history as the first Black woman confirmed to lead the CDC—but she steps into an agency reshaped by years of political battles over science, public health, and vaccines.

What challenges lie ahead as she works to restore trust while navigating a deeply polarized landscape? Read the full story:

https://www.dcreport.org/2026/08/07/erica-schwartz-cdc-director-political-turmoil/

Originally published by our friends at The 19th News.

Erica Schwartz becomes the first Black woman to lead the CDC, inheriting an agency battered by vaccine fights, staff cuts and distrust in science.

08/05/2026

🎉 15,000 subscribers and growing!

What started as a mission to bring independent, nonprofit journalism to more people has grown into a community of more than 15,000 YouTube subscribers.

Thank you for watching, sharing, commenting, and supporting journalism that puts facts, accountability, and people first. Every view, every conversation, and every subscription helps us continue telling the stories that matter. It's where you can watch all of David Cay Johnston's Reality Check videos!!

If you haven't joined us yet, we'd love to have you along for what's next: https://www.youtube.com/

Here's to the next milestone! 🚀