Sign in

Chris Bing

@chrisbing.bsky.social
11K followers 1.5K following 169 posts

Cyber, natsec and foreign affairs. Formers with ProPublica, Reuters and CyberScoop bing-chris.medium.com/how-to-contac…

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Chris Bing
Josh Kaplan @josh-kaplan.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Blockbuster story about Susan Collins — a shocking, detailed window into the dark side of money in politics.
13433117
Reposted by Chris Bing
Jesse Eisinger @jeisinger.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
And don’t sleep on the part where we bust Cleta Mitchell (yes, that one) for helping to hatch a campaign finance cover-up:
14690251
Reposted by Chris Bing
Tim O’Brien @timobrien.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
“Kao laid out in devastating detail how his operation worked. He gave agents a 50-page document naming dozens of lobbyists, congressional staffers and members of Congress who he said helped him trade cash for contracts.” www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
propublica.org
The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...
1319994
Reposted by Chris Bing
William Turton @williamturton.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
In 2024 the former CEO of a defense contractor made a stunning confession to two FBI agents. He alleged that was the ringleader of a massive pay-to-play operation, bribing senators with campaign contributions in exchange for govt contracts. www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
propublica.org
The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...
21775339
Reposted by Chris Bing
Molly Redden @mtredden.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
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. 🧵
8712253
Reposted by Chris Bing
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This seems like a pretty big deal: donors made illegal contributions to Susan Collins and then were awarded lucrative contracts after her office intervened with the Navy. An FBI investigation was dropped under Trump. www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
To skirt campaign finance laws and conceal the source of the funds, Navatek planned to funnel the donation through a shell company. The CEO wanted assurance that Collins would know where
the money came from. Reed confirmed that she would, the executive said - and that Navatek would get its government contracts.
After the Corner Bakery meeting, Navatek's CEO, Martin Kao, sent an initial $150,000 to the Collins super PAC using the shell company. Two months later, he told Navatek executives that Collins committed to getting the company $32 million in naval contracts, according to an internal company email reviewed by ProPublica.
6226691083
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Legendary journalism here: We never get to see how the campaign finance system is corrupted. It’s shrouded in everyday DC influence games. Now you can
031
Reposted by Chris Bing
ProPublica @propublica.org · 22/09/2026
NEW: In late 2024, FBI investigators had enough evidence to launch a sweeping bribery probe that could ensnare top lawmakers, including Sen. Susan Collins. Then Trump was reelected and eviscerated the FBI and DOJ teams handling public corruption probes.
propublica.org
The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...
13646332244
Reposted by Chris Bing
ProPublica @propublica.org · 22/09/2026
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.
412114176090
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Group of bipartisan lawmakers ask US government to ban several hack-for-hire firms techcrunch.com/2026/09/09/g...
techcrunch.com
Group of bipartisan lawmakers ask US government to ban several hack-for-hire firms | TechCrunch
The three Indian companies are accused of using hackers to steal information used to sway litigation.
000
Reposted by Chris Bing
Raphael Satter @raphae.li · 15/07/2026
New: The alleged "Void Blizzard" hacker being prosecuted in Boston on charges connected to a sweeping spy campaign against US companies and European governments is a former Kaspersky Lab employee, according to data reviewed by and a source who talked to Reuters. www.reuters.com/world/allege...
reuters.com
EXCLUSIVE: Alleged Russian cyber spy in Boston case previously worked for Kaspersky, source says and documents show
A computer expert facing U.S. hacking charges previously held ​a senior position at Moscow-based antivirus firm Kaspersky Lab, according to a person familiar with the matter and records reviewed by Re...
12614
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
It couldn’t have helped. You don’t want big distractions like that. But I feel like there’s more direct things that impacted our play more dorectly. For example, Belgium’s intense possession meant Dest couldn’t stay high+wide, leading him to play farther central which is a weakness
010
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
😔
000
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
For freese to make that kind of mistake, at that moment, in this stage, entirely against the run of play… it’s really bad. Whole tournament has looked relatively poor. Can’t remember the US having this bad of a goalkeeper roster in a very long time
020
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Can’t have some of your most important players have their worst games in memory… Pulisic, Dest, Freese really rough
310
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
National Geographic is still so good. A breath of fresh air - with stories of exploration and new mystery. If you haven’t read a copy in a while it’s a great time to subscribe again 🙌
130
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Saddened to hear the news of the passing of Stewart Baker. Stewart was an important person in my career, providing contrarian view points, smart analysis and the occasional bombastic quote. Even when we disagreed, I learned a lot speaking to him on any number of natsec topics.
110
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
For once, very good news! So cool www.cnn.com/2026/04/01/s...
cnn.com
4 astronauts launch on historic moon mission | CNN
NASA’s Artemis II will circumnavigate the moon on the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
070
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
The thing about metro-ing an hour into Virginia is you get to see every form of weapons grade depression that exists
130
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
020
Reposted by Chris Bing
ProPublica @propublica.org · 20/03/2026
NEW: To dramatically increase the amount of energy available to power artificial intelligence, the Trump administration is rewriting thousands of pages of nuclear power regulations while downplaying safety issues and focusing on industry incentives.
propublica.org
DOGE Goes Nuclear: How Trump Invited Silicon Valley Into America's Nuclear Power Regulator
In its rush to boost nuclear energy, the Trump administration is rapidly rewriting rules to ease regulations and provide financial breaks for industry. “The safety culture is under threat,” a former head of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said.
51671376
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
propublica.org
DOGE Goes Nuclear: How Trump Invited Silicon Valley Into America’s Nuclear Power Regulator
In its rush to boost nuclear energy, the Trump administration is rapidly rewriting rules to ease regulations and provide financial breaks for industry. “The safety culture is under threat,” a former h...
140
Reposted by Chris Bing
Techmeme @techmeme.com · 12/02/2026
Russia confirms it has blocked WhatsApp, citing Meta's "unwillingness to comply with Russian law", and proposes that Russians switch to the state-owned Max app (Reuters) Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
076
Reposted by Chris Bing
Sam Levin @samtlevin.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
After Border Patrol shot two people in Portland, DHS claimed they were "vicious gang members" tied to a past shooting. But records I obtained reveal a US prosecutor has since directly contradicted DHS, saying, "We're not suggesting he is a gang member." My dive into how DHS' claims have collapsed:
theguardian.com
DHS’s account of two Venezuelans shot by border patrol falls apart in court: ‘A smear campaign’
Immigration officials said agent shot two ‘vicious gang members’ in Portland, but records obtained by the Guardian reveal US prosecutor contradicted claims
442634983
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Thanks to those that supported and placed their trust in me over this past decade. Onto the next adventure.
160
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
I still believe this work is vital for our democracy though the number of people doing it is shrinking and they face more challenges today than arguably ever before. Become a ProPublica donor if you can, support the Post, support the Times, the Journal, whatever you want.
160
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
The people I worked with closely over the last year are among the best I have seen in journalism – folks like @AASchapiro @WilliamTurton @HannahAllam @AndyKroll @mtredden and others. If you’ve gotten this far, my one request is support them and other investigative reporting efforts where you can.
130
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
I have other thoughts on my time in journalism and what it’s meant to me, which maybe I’ll write about sometime in the future. Some of my final/recent reporting will hopefully assist with upcoming stories in 2026 by my impressive colleagues.
120
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Like with many jobs, the vast majority of the work we do isn’t visible. I tried to break a bunch of different stories and I failed to deliver on most of them because I didn’t reach my own high bar for the necessary sourcing or clarity of information needed to publish.
120
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
And to close the year, for the last several months, I was deeply focused on how the FBI was being reshaped under its new and unconventional director, Kash Patel. That’s where we found that Patel was writing waivers for his top staff to not have to pass polygraphs. www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
propublica.org
FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff
As the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau…
130
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
After that, we explored how civilian agencies were breaking norms and sharing their own data on taxpayers with DHS to empower deportation raids. For example, we discovered how the IRS was building a system in secret to automate the mass sharing of records: www.propublica.org/article/trum...
propublica.org
The IRS Is Building a Vast System to Share Millions of Taxpayers’ Data With ICE
ProPublica has obtained the blueprint for the Trump administration’s unprecedented plan to turn over IRS records to Homeland Security in order to speed up the agency’s mass deportation efforts.
141
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Then we dug into the story of one under-covered office: USIP. We discovered how DOGE had blown up a sensitive mission in Afghanistan – not realizing the initiative was meant to be kept secret – resulting in the family of a US ally being kidnapped by the Taliban www.propublica.org/article/doge...
propublica.org
DOGE Targeted Him on Social Media. Then the Taliban Took His Family.
Afghan scholar Mohammad Halimi, who fled the Taliban in 2021, had worked to help U.S. diplomats understand his homeland. Then DOGE put his family’s lives at risk by exposing his sensitive work for a…
143
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
For the first part of last year, I covered closely how this confusing entity reshaped the federal workforce often through a misunderstanding of what it was or how it functioned. www.propublica.org/topics/depar...
propublica.org
DOGE Archives
43 stories published since 2024
130
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
So, with the support of colleagues, I tried to dig into what seemed important. I wish I could have done more, but I am proud of the work we did together. From early in 2025, several of us recognized the importance of DOGE and its consequences.
130
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
This was a decision I made for myself that felt like the right call. The idea of covering the latest scattered spider intrusion in February or a new Russian APT’s breach of the state department during the summer just didn’t seem like the best use of my time.
130
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
I came here from Reuters, having spent the last 7 years focused on cybersecurity, intelligence and foreign affairs. But from the start of 2025, with a new administration taking power and wielding government influence in an unprecedented manner, I became more of a generalist.
130
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Some personal news: Friday was my last day at ProPublica after joining last January. More on what’s next later. It was an incredible journey in that short time. ProPublica’s mission and its ability to attract top talent is what makes it special – the people who work here are really good.
2201
Reposted by Chris Bing
Ivan the K ™ @ivanthek.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
The reporting I've seen from @startribune.com over the last few days is a great endorsement of the need for quality local journalism, which is suffering from fiscal setbacks across the country.
4847120
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
That individual was fired if I recall correctly. Although you’re right that the article is vague on it.
110
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
www.nytimes.com/interactive/... impressively reported and deeply embarrassing
8379167
Reposted by Chris Bing
Sean Lyngaas @snlyngaas.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Sources: US officials are telling multiple agencies, including FBI, to pull pple from attending the RSA conference after Jen Easterly, who led CISA under Biden, was named RSAC CEO: www.cnn.com/politics/liv...
cnn.com
Live updates: Trump keeping Machado’s Nobel prize after Venezuelan opposition leader presents it to him | CNN Politics
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, met with President Donald Trump today. Follow for live updates.
43221
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
sharing a theory I am researching below 1.) claims of cyber-related effect in Venezuela darkreading.com/cybersecurit... 2.) potential BGP anomaly event fits timeframe x.com/blackorbird/... 3.) leaked snowden doc suggests possible relevant tooling blog.fox-it.com/2015/04/20/d...
211
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
FBI Director Kash Patel earlier this year fired a group of FBI employees who had knelt during a confrontation with DC protestors during the George Floyd protests of 2020. Seems he unknowingly fired someone who was actively working the Charlie Kirk case (per new lawsuit)
1135
Chris Bing @chrisbing.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
An article that perhaps got lost in the shuffle - on record interviews with senior Dutch intelligence officials where they lament the firing of fmr NSA director Tim Haugh and reveal they are being more careful sharing intel with US partners volkskrant.nl/binnenland/n...
02316
Reposted by Chris Bing
ProPublica @propublica.org · 17/11/2025
As the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau background check is unprecedented, insiders say. By @williamturton.bsky.social @chrisbing.bsky.social
propublica.org
FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff
As the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau backgr...
511197480
Reposted by Chris Bing
Josh Kaplan @josh-kaplan.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
We’re still reporting on Kristi Noem, contracts at DHS, and the ad deal. If you have any information we should know, my email is joshua.kaplan@propublica.org and I’m on the encrypted messaging app Signal (you can message me at js_kaplan.85)
7637144
Reposted by Chris Bing
ProPublica @propublica.org · 14/11/2025
NEW: FBI Director Kash Patel granted waivers to Deputy Director Dan Bongino and two newly hired senior FBI staff, exempting them from polygraph exams normally required to gain access to America’s most sensitive classified information, officials said.
propublica.org
FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff
As the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau backgr...
1431758831
Reposted by Chris Bing
William Turton @williamturton.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
New: FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
propublica.org
FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff
As the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau backgr...
20356148
Reposted by Chris Bing
Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
As the FBI’s deputy director, Dan Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau background check is unprecedented, insiders say. @williamturton.bsky.social @chrisbing.bsky.social
propublica.org
FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff
As the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau backgr...
412057
Reposted by Chris Bing
Chris Morran @themorrancave.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
NEW: Kash Patel granted waivers to Dan Bongino and two other newly hired senior FBI staffers, exempting them from passing polygraph exams normally required to gain access to America’s most sensitive classified information. @williamturton.bsky.social @chrisbing.bsky.social @propublica.org
propublica.org
FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff
As the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau backgr...
179867