Acting on a tip, reporter Collin Binkley broke an exclusive story revealing that a White House drone port — operated by the U.S. Secret Service rather than the military—is already operational. Equipped with cameras and sensors to scope out potential threats from a bird’s-eye view, the small unmanned aerial vehicles stand on alert in four gray weatherproof boxes until deployed at officers’ commands.
Using resourceful reporting techniques, Binkley identified a nearby vantage point overlooking the building. He then collaborated with Washington Photo Chief Pablo Martinez Monsivais, who assigned photographer Allison Robbert to capture the visuals. The report broke as President Trump proposed a second drone port as part of his arch project, raising critical questions regarding the national security justifications cited for the proposed ballroom expansion.
Judges commended the report for its fierce competitive drive. The entry highlights the value of tenacious investigative reporting and seamless visual collaboration, which included working alongside the video team to produce an engaging vertical video adaptation.
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