Alexander B. Howard

A Signal Truth: Posts that Conduct Public Business are Public Records.

Good morning from Washington, where the cherry blossoms are at peak bloom and I am at peak lividity about public records. I wanted to share a short reflection today. More on Sunshine Week, soon. Yesterday, I published a post from the archives, sharing an interview in which the former Chief

What #SignalGate means for transparency & accountability — and what Congress & the Justice Department should do now.

Good afternoon from Washington, where I’m watching a historic scandal unfold in real-time. I’m sorry to have been out of pocket for a bit, dealing with family and medical issues. That ends today. I'm glad to see more folks subscribing to Civic Texts these last weeks:

Weaponized transparency at DOGE makes a mockery of good governance

Good afternoon from rainy Washington, where I’ve been mourning on behalf of the thousands of civil servants across the United States and around the world who have been fired over the past 48 hours. Glad to see more new subscribers today: welcome. Breaking the backbone of good government Additional

The Truman Committee showed Americans why Congress must not ignore the world’s wealthiest “dollar a year man” at DOGE

Good afternoon from Washington, where yesterday’s snowfall is melting faster than ethics standards and watchdogs in the Trump administration. Glad to see more folks subscribing to Civic Texts today: thank you. Please consider upgrading to a paid membership if you are able, or let me know alex@governing.digital

As Trump purges prosecutors, ethics officials and watchdogs, courts check his authoritarian overreach

Good evening from wintery Washington, where the steady snowfall doesn’t obscure a wave of firings across the United States government that is raising the probability of historic corruption unchecked by lobotomized institutions and defanged watchdogs. The first three weeks of the Trump administration have been characterized by pattern and

In a harbinger of illiberalism, Trump fired the Archivist of the United States without telling her or Congress why

Good afternoon from Washington, where my daughter and I made blueberry pancakes and took the dogs for a walk before the rains rolled in. I hope you and yours are well this morning. It’s good to see more new subscribers since yesterday! If you continue find what I send

A Constitutional crisis in Washington mixes with a civic information emergency

If you’re reading this, you’ve subscribed to Civic Texts: thank you for your attention, trust, and support. This newsletter remains free and open on the World Wide Web to all. If you are able to upgrade to a paid membership to support the work that goes into it,

On the USA’s authoritarian transition

Good morning from Washington, where we are alone again in a winter of our discontent, “made inglorious bummer by this son of Queens,” as I observed on December 6, 2020, a month before Trump’s apparently final act on the world stage enshrined him in ignominy. We are now all

Direct File shows how civic tech can work for good

Good evening from Washington, where the news cycles are moving faster than rats on a hot tin roof. Thanks to all of the news subscribers over the weekend and everyone whose become a member since soft launch last year. My last dispatch broke through more than most, including the recommendations

Trump's "blatantly unconstitutional" acts test the rule of law in the United States

Good morning from frigid Washington DC. It was quite a week. Thank you to new subscribers and long-standing members. Like many of you, I have been following the torrent of executive actions Trump has taken since he was sworn in on Monday. If you need to tune out to protect

Thoughts on Inauguration Day and MLK Day: On pardons, oligarchy, and good governance

Good afternoon from Washington, where I‘m staying warm watching C-SPAN. As you may have heard, the ceremony was moved indoors and the parade was cancelled, along with a military flyover at noon. Canceling the inaugural parade means the time and money spent on viewing stands will be for naught.

Good news for the open social web and open government data

Good evening from Washington, where I’m feeling cautious optimism about a ceasefire in Gaza, followed by a surge in humanitarian aid and return of hostages to their families. Thanks to everyone who has subscribed to CivicTexts since I last wrote, particularly the members who are supporting this work. Editor’