NLGJA 2026 National Convention

When the federal government undergoes seismic shifts, critical stories can remain hidden behind a climate of uncertainty. For journalists, the challenge is twofold: breaking through the silence of a shell-shocked federal workforce and ensuring the safety of those who risk their livelihoods to speak. This session offers a deep dive into high-stakes sourcing during the sweeping policy changes of the second Trump administration. This discussion will go beyond basic beat reporting. Attendees will examine techniques for identifying and cultivating internal sources — particularly those who remain inside agencies despite vast layoffs and abrupt policy shifts — and the logistics and ethics of protecting LGBTQ+ sources and other vulnerable whistleblowers who fear retaliation.