Pastor Steve Berger, Speaker Johnson, Rep. Ogles: D.C. roomies?
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The Big Story

March 06, 2025 · View in browser

In today’s newsletter: An influence campaign in a D.C. townhouse; a mother’s “pain, anguish, despair”; political ad targeting based on sensitive information from gun owners; and more from our newsroom.

Secretive D.C. Influence Project Appears to Be Running a Group House for Right-Wing Lawmakers

Evangelical pastor Steve Berger’s political influence campaign operates out of his D.C. townhouse. In addition to House Speaker Mike Johnson living there, a prominent Trump ally, Rep. Andy Ogles, has the keys.

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The New Immigration

 
Yoiker Sequera's mother Angela

Yoiker Sequera was among the close to 180 Venezuelans the Trump administration initially flew to the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a facility better known for having held those suspected of plotting the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The administration has claimed that immigrants being detained at Guantanamo are the “worst of the worst” kinds of criminals. Government officials have not provided evidence to support this claim. Records show Sequera has no criminal charges except for his illegal entry into the U.S.

Officials have also not released information about the identities of the people sent to Guantanamo or why they are being detained at that site. That lack of transparency is leaving families and lawyers in the dark.

Sequera was held at Guantanamo for nearly two weeks before being deported to Venezuela.

In an interview with ProPublica, Sequera’s mother, Angela, reflects on finding out her son had been sent to the infamous prison and the effects it had on her. “Pain, anguish, despair. As a mother, that is what I feel,” she said.

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That Stat

 

378 million

The number of Facebook views political advertisements developed by Cambridge Analytica received during a 2016 campaign from America’s chief gun lobby that used personal data to directly target gun owners.

Reporter Corey G. Johnson explains how for years, some of America’s most iconic gun-makers turned over sensitive information on customers — without their knowledge or consent — to the gun industry’s main lobbying group. The political consultancy analyzed thousands of details, including gambling history and underwear size, about the lives of people in the trade organization’s enormous database. 

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More from the newsroom

 

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As Idaho Pushes to Reform Its Coroner System, Counties Seek to Make It Less Transparent

How DOGE’s Cuts to the IRS Threaten to Cost More Than DOGE Will Ever Save

A New Missouri Bill Would Let Residents Donate to Anti-Abortion Centers Instead of Paying Any Taxes

 
 
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