Government Accountability Project

08/20/2026

Our recent whistleblower disclosure outlines how last year's Title VI investigations into top U.S. universities were designed to coerce concessions and extract settlement money—under the guise of rooting out antisemitism.

Our whistleblower and former DOJ attorney Haley Van Erem worked on these cases. When she pressed to close the matter, an HHS official acknowledged there was "no way" a letter finding no violation would be approved because unspecified "stakeholders" had "approached the Task Force" demanding action.

During the Harvard probe, Trump administration officials considered “extraordinary funding freezes and sweeping proposed settlement terms” before their Title VI investigations even began. Internal records show officials assumed Harvard would settle because they would "over a barrel."

Brown University agreed to pay $50 million to workforce development organizations to resolve three federal investigations into racial bias and antisemitism allegations, with no evidence of wrongdoing found.

Government Accountability Project welcomes congressional oversight and independent investigation into the allegations raised, to ensure civil rights enforcement is never again used as a tool for political pressure.

Learn more: https://whistleblower.org/press/former-doj-attorneys-blow-the-whistle-on-university-title-vi-investigations/ 🗞️

08/19/2026

Happy Aviation Day! ✈️ Our world is made safer by the courage of airline .

Over the years, we've partnered with them to expose safety risks and demand accountability from airline giants, while advising oversight groups on best-practice whistleblower protections.

Our whistleblower client and Boeing quality manager John Barnett spent years exposing safety violations, including the use of substandard parts. Boeing retaliated. While trying to hold Boeing accountable in court over multiple years for unlawful reprisals, Barnett sacrificed his career, and tragically in 2024, his life.

In 2003, our client and Air Marshal Robert MacLean revealed the Department of Homeland Security’s plan to cut long-distance coverage—even amid a 9/11 anniversary threat—to save costs. We represented him through years of litigation, culminating in a substantial Supreme Court victory. In 2018, the Office of Special Counsel ordered an investigation to hold DHS accountable.

Learn more: https://whistleblower.org/press-release/whistleblower-agency-orders-new-investigations-aviation-security-breakdowns-exposed-air/

08/18/2026

🗞️ Our whistleblower's disclosure is now featured on the AP, outlining how Trump administration investigations into top U.S. universities were designed to coerce concessions and extract settlement money—under the guise of rooting out antisemitism.

Congressman Jamie Raskin sent a letter to Harmeet Dhillon of the DOJ Civil Rights Division, demanding testimony regarding this alleged political interference, which may have inappropriately influenced Title VI investigations into universities.

In his letter, Raskin said antisemitism at colleges is a legitimate problem. "But," he stated, "Your ‘investigation’ into antisemitism was fake, a pre-baked frame-up operation thoroughly political in nature.”

Brown University agreed to pay $50 million to workforce development organizations to resolve multiple federal investigations into racial bias and antisemitism allegations, with no evidence of wrongdoing found.

During the Harvard probe, Trump administration officials considered “extraordinary funding freezes and sweeping proposed settlement terms” before their Title VI investigations even began. Internal records show officials assumed Harvard would settle because they would "over a barrel."

Read the full story:

Associated Press: Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools This article features Government Accountability Project whistleblower client, Haley Van Erem, and was originally published here. A Trump administration task force created to combat a...

08/18/2026

Happy ! 💫 We’re proud to recognize the vital role nonprofits play in addressing societal needs, serving communities who have been left behind, and advancing causes that improve our world.

From the pharmaceutical industry to Wall Street, to local and international governments, Government Accountability Project has tirelessly defended and advocated for whistleblowers since 1977.

Attacks on whistleblowers are relentless because truth terrifies the corrupt. To all our supporters: thank you. Your generosity has ensured we have the resources necessary to continue representing whistleblowers in court, campaigning for their rights, and holding the powerful accountable.

Donate today to join our movement of truth-tellers: https://crm.whistleblower.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=2

08/17/2026

⚖️ Did you know OPM’s new proposal would allow federal agencies to require NDAs for their employees?

An effective government relies on employees who can raise concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse without fear. OPM's proposed rule cannot override federal workers' whistleblowing rights—they’ve just been buried in the fine print.

Our latest guide helps to educate and empower those impacted by NDAs and gag orders. 💪🏾

Learn about your rights as a federal employee or send it to someone who needs it:https://whistleblower.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/KYR-OPMs-Gag-Order.pdf

08/09/2026

Can you guess the top reason whistleblowers cited for waiting to go public with their concerns?

Fear of retaliation. 🫵🏽

Almost all whistleblowers raise concerns internally first. It is only after their attempts to address misconduct are ignored by their organization that they decide to “blow the whistle” publicly.

For the employees who opt *not* to expose misconduct, the top reason they listed was they believed their organization would fail to take corrective action (59% of respondents), with the second most common reason being fear of retaliation (46% of respondents), according to a 2005 National Business Ethics Survey.

Statistics like these emphasize how essential whistleblower protections and anti-retaliation laws are, to ensure that as a country, we defend professional integrity and hold powerful actors accountable.

Learn more in our public guide, "Why Whistleblowers Wait," athttps://whistleblower.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/GAP_Report_Why_Whistleblowers_Wait.pdf 🗞️

Government Accountability Project serves as a strategic advocate for employees exposing corruption by protecting them from retaliation, empowering them to expose wrongdoing safely, and working for systemic reform. Learn more: https://whistleblower.org/

08/04/2026

"Success" for whistleblowers hinges on what happens post-disclosure.

Now, Congress is considering improving protections for contractor employees who report misconduct—this could lead to stronger safeguards and more impactful reform.

Hear from our Legal Director Tom Devine, now featured on Federal News Network, as he outlines what is so powerful about this new legislation and how we can ensure whistleblower voices actually make a difference. 📣

Listen in:

Federal News Network: Encouraging people to speak up is one challenge, protecting them afterward is another This podcast features Government Accountability Project's Legal Director, Tom Devine, and was originally published here. Whether whistleblower programs succeed often depends on what happens af...

07/31/2026

🏆 Last night, four Government Accountability Project whistleblowers were granted Pillar Awards for their courageous truth-telling: Patsy Widakuswara, Kathryn Neeper, Rick Ward, and Scott Smith.

These whistleblowers were recognized for their work as "notable civil and human rights champions," marking the culmination of the 2026 Whistleblower Summit on .

Patsy Widakuswara and Kathryn Neeper were named plaintiffs in the lawsuit against USAGM acting-CEO Kari Lake to save independent broadcast service Voice of America (VOA) from shuttering. As both were unable to attend the ceremony, their attorney, Of Counsel David Z. Seide, accepted the award on their behalf: "Voice of America is coming back. It's coming back because of Patsy and Kate."

Former military safety chief Rick Ward blew the whistle on military branches' sloppy handling of explosives and persistent safety issues at Crane Army Ammunition Activity, for which he was severely retaliated against.

Scott Smith is an independent scientist whose testing revealed dangerous levels of dioxins in East Palestine, OH after the 2023 train derailment, rebutting EPA’s claims that residents were safe to continue living in the aftermath.

"We're proud these brave whistleblowers who have spoken out against wrongdoing are being honored,” stated Louis Clark, Government Accountability Project CEO. "It is a privilege to represent and be associated with these incredible truth-tellers.”

07/30/2026

From shutting down unsafe nuclear plants to pulling dangerous pharmaceuticals off the shelves, whistleblowers help make our world a much safer place to be.

This , we’re proud to uplift the countless ways these employees of conscience hold our corporations and government accountable.

Help us represent whistleblowers in court by donating today: https://crm.whistleblower.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=20 🖤

Pictured: Panels from the 2026 Whistleblower Summit

07/27/2026

We're proud to uplift the Make It Safe Coalition—a nonpartisan network of 75+ orgs utilizing advocacy, education and community to amplify whistleblower voices. 📢

Explore their initiatives to protect AI whistleblowers, bolster Whistleblower Protection Act rights, and more:

The Make It Safe Coalition is a nonpartisan group of non-profits, NGOs, and advocacy organizations fighting for stronger whistleblower protections and legislation through education & advocacy.