David A. Graham is a Pulitzer-finalist journalist specializing in U.S. power structures and their societal impacts. As a staff writer at The Atlantic, his work bridges policy analysis with cultural commentary.
"The most dangerous policies often hide in plain sight – our job is to make readers see the filing cabinet behind the podium."
David A. Graham’s journalism career began at The National in Abu Dhabi, where he honed his skills covering Middle Eastern business and culture. His early work demonstrated a knack for dissecting complex systems, a theme that persists in his current political analysis. After transitioning to The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek, Graham joined The Atlantic in 2011, where he’s become a leading voice decoding U.S. power structures.
"Project 2025 isn’t just a policy document – it’s a blueprint for reinventing constitutional governance."
This 2025 analysis dissects the paradox of Trump’s isolationist policies amid promises of national revival. Graham traces the administration’s withdrawal from NATO climate accords and UN health initiatives, using diplomatic cables and policy drafts to show how strategic disengagement created power vacuues filled by China and the EU. The piece’s impact led to congressional hearings about executive branch authority over international treaties.
Graham’s book-length investigation into the Heritage Foundation’s 900-page policy manifesto reveals how think tank proposals become operational reality. Through interviews with 43 Project 2025 architects and analysis of staffing patterns, he demonstrates the plan’s systematic approach to expanding presidential authority while constraining civil service independence. The work has become essential reading for understanding modern conservative governance.
In this community-focused Q&A, Graham connects national policy trends to grassroots impacts. He discusses Project 2025’s potential effects on North Carolina’s research triangle, particularly regarding academic funding and tech sector regulations. The interview showcases his ability to make institutional analysis accessible to local audiences.
Graham prioritizes stories that reveal how formal systems adapt (or fail) during political transitions. Successful pitches might examine: - Unfilled federal appointments creating regulatory gaps - State-level implementations of federal mandates - Career civil servants navigating administration changes
His music coverage often ties to broader societal shifts. Pitch intersections like: - Streaming platform policies affecting artist royalties - Touring regulations post-COVID economic reforms - Music education funding in Title IX revisions
Graham’s reporting thrives on primary sources. Provide: - Leaked draft legislation with tracked changes - Comparative analysis of agency budgets across administrations - Annotated meeting minutes showing decision-making processes
Awarded for his 2020 election coverage that combined vote analysis with grassroots narratives. The Toner Prize committee noted Graham’s "unparalleled ability to contextualize democratic processes within human stories."
The Project debuted at #3, unusual for policy-focused nonfiction. Its success demonstrates public appetite for rigorous institutional analysis presented through narrative storytelling.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Politics, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
