Accountability Reporter

The Bulwark; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 135,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Full employer-sponsored health plans

401(k) plan with employer match

Generous vacation and paid time off

Commuter benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Bulwark in Washington, DC seeks an experienced investigative reporter to cover corruption, ethics, and accountability across federal institutions. You will build sources, mine public records, and break news with rigor and fairness.

You\'ll helm an accountability newsletter, appear on Bulwark shows, and collaborate with editors and producers to craft compelling coverage for a national audience.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of reporting experience, with investigative focus.

Responsibilities

• Cover corruption, conflicts of interest, and misuse of public office.

Skills

Investigative reporting

Sourcing public records

News writing

On-camera presence

Tools

FOIA requests

Data analysis

Job description

Compensation: $135,000 - $170,000 / year

Department: Content

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $135,000 - $170,000 / year

Description

In just a few years, The Bulwark has grown into a profitable, audience-supported business with more than one million subscribers across newsletters, podcasts, video, live events, and memberships. We’ve done it by trusting our audience with sharp, honest coverage of the forces shaping American democracy, and they’ve rewarded us by showing up every day.

Now we’re expanding that coverage where it matters most. The fights over the rule of law, the independence of the courts, and accountability for those in power are some of the defining stories of this era, and we’re investing in a dedicated team to cover them across writing, newsletters, and video. That’s where you come in.

About the Role

Reporting

• Cover corruption, conflicts of interest, and misuse of public office across the Executive Branch, Congress, and federal agencies.
• Track the enforcement side of the story: DOJ decisions, inspector general reports, ethics complaints, pardons, and court cases.
• Break news from investigations happening on the Hill, covering hearings and interviewing lawmakers and witnesses.
• Pursue longer investigations when the reporting warrants it.

Sourcing and documents

• Build and maintain sources across government, watchdog groups, legal practitioners, members of Congress and former officials.
• Mine public records (including filing FOIA requests), financial disclosures, lobbying filings, and court dockets.
• Hold every story to rigorous standards for accuracy, fairness, and legal review.

Newsletter

• Write and helm an accountability newsletter that publishes at least once and often twice per week.
• Develop a distinct voice that gives readers a reason to open every newsletter and subscribe to it.

Audience

• Appear on Bulwark shows and videos to explain your reporting.
• Contribute to social packaging that helps stories travel.
• Collaborate with editors, producers, and other reporters on coverage plans.

Who You Are

• 5+ years of reporting experience, with a track record of investigative stories and/or coverage of a similar beat.
• Fast and accurate: you can turn a scoop or a filing into a clean story on deadline without cutting corners.
• A relentless sourcer who knows how to unearth documents and scan public records.
• A clear, direct writer who can explain complex stories to a general audience.
• Comfortable on camera, or eager to get there.
• Sound judgment on sourcing, fairness, and legal risk.
• Aligned with The Bulwark's commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

Preferred

• Experience covering DOJ, federal courts, legal and public office ethics, or campaign finance.
• Skills in data reporting or financial records analysis.
• Experience appearing on podcasts, video, or TV.

What We Offer

We want people at The Bulwark to thrive. We provide:

• Competitive pay
• Full employer-sponsored health plans
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Generous vacation and paid time off
• Commuter benefits and Employee Assistance Program

Our team works together in person five days a week at our DC office. We’re mission-driven, collaborative, and direct — and we value people who bring ideas and energy to the table.