/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Robert_Downen_2x3.jpeg)
Robert Downen is a reporter covering democracy and the threats to it, including extremism, disinformation and conspiracies. Before joining the Tribune in 2022, he worked for five years at the Houston Chronicle. As a Hearst Media fellow, he developed what would become "Abuse of Faith," a landmark investigation into child sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention that prompted a Department of Justice investigation. Before coming to Texas, Robert was a business reporter in New York's capital region, and the managing editor of six newspapers in his home state of Illinois. He is a 2014 graduate of Eastern Illinois University.
Past efforts to allow more religion in public schools have been hamstrung by legal challenges. But those on the religious right feel empowered by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e2820a6c3de9dc14957acdf343eda620/0110%20Lege%20Opening%20JV%20TT%2009.jpg)
Andrew Taake received a six-year sentence for assaulting officers on Jan. 6. He was arrested Thursday on an outstanding charge of soliciting a minor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fbe632e013685eb929f08e4b41a6158c/Andrew%20Taake%20Jan%206%20TT%2001.jpg)
Rep. Cody Harris had accused Abraham George of improperly threatening to send mailers and censure lawmakers who backed Rep. Dustin Burrows as House speaker. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/396de0997e32b9908721201d14d59d87/011425%20Speaker%20Vote%20EH%2009%20TT.jpg)
A Texan was the first to breach the Capitol and many others joined the assault. The presidential pardon helps cast all of them as folk heroes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6e9e2a9712e70b8fe113a80d5dd1d103/Jan%206%20Capitol%20Riot%20REUTERS%20TT%2002)
Abraham George’s comments are the latest sign of the state GOP’s embrace of fundamentalist ideologies that seek to center public life around their faith. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c90055f3b0c100c7842a6bf549dea640/011425%20Capitol%20Church%20Service%20EH%20TT%2014.jpg)
Burrows defeated Rep. David Cook with a coalition of Republican and Democratic votes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/990d2e4a01d366202b79ba12f2347c31/0114%20Opening%20Day%20BD%20TT%2006.jpg)
The Texas House kicked off the 2025 session by electing an establishment Republican to lead the chamber, drawing criticism from within the GOP. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c2f7c5741dd4d79236d9ab4143c00591/011425%20Speaker%20Vote%20EH%20TT%2011.jpg)
Rep. Cody Harris filed a complaint against Texas GOP Chair Abraham George for sending mailers and censuring lawmakers who support Rep. Dustin Burrows as House speaker. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f001caa0153519652817f1d4297153d0/0106%20Paxton%20Ft%20Worth%20EL%20TT%2045.jpg)
This is the latest example of the Republican Party of Texas spending its resources attacking its own members. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c6bafac9b8838ae51e8b89c4c7e28669/1207%20Speaker%20GOP%20Caucus%20BD%2022%20TT.jpg)
Republicans who vote against party leaders’ preferred candidate could be barred from running in primaries. Lawsuits could follow. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a416025e4c3b20056ef00b0d39ae2eff/0525%20GOP%20Convention%20EH%20TT%2027.jpg)