Ben Terris ’08 breaks story that leads to Illinois congressman’s resignation

Discusses journalism career, time at Brandeis, and Schock story with Brandeis NOW

Last month, Ben Terris ’08, a Washington Post reporter, wrote a story about the lavishly decorated office of U.S. Representative Aaron Schock. His reporting on the “Downton Abbey” inspired decor spurred other media outlets to investigate the Illinois congressman’s expenditures. What they found, including expense report discrepancies, led Schock to announce this week that he would resign from his seat.
 
Terris, who six years ago was writing stories for one of the Brandeis student newspapers, The Justice, is credited with first breaking the story.
 
He says his experiences at Brandeis led him to pursue journalism as a career. Following graduation from Brandeis, Terris blogged for the Huffington Post. He also started writing for the Boston Globe and the National Journal before landing a staff position at the Washington Post.  
 
Terris spoke with BrandeisNow to discuss how the story developed and his time at Brandeis.
 
How did you uncover the Congressman Schock story?
 
Somebody who worked in the same building, the Rayburn House office building, gave me a call and told me, “go check out Congressman Schock’s office, it’s pretty wild.”
 
I wasn’t interested at first, but I write political profiles so I thought it would be worth it to profile Aaron Schock. I emailed and called his press secretary, who set up a time for interview. I saw the office and, yes, as turned out, it was pretty wild.
 
When did you realize that your story was taking on a life of its own, and did you ever think it would lead to the congressman's resignation?
 
I had no idea it would lead to his resignation. I posted the story at night, tweeted it out, and then went out to dinner with a friend. I had no idea what I’d just done. My phone vibrated on the table throughout dinner, as I was getting messages and retweets. I knew it had gone viral quickly, but I thought it was just a fun story that would die down after a couple of days. I had no idea it was going to have greater implications for the congressman.
 
What is the motivation behind your reporting?
 
I don’t do a ton of investigating reporting or serious muckraking. I try to inform readers about the people that matter. It’s important to know who your leaders are. I try to make people jump off the page so you can learn about them—the folks who make big decisions. It’s important to know the person behind the legislation.
 
How did your experience as a student journalist at Brandeis contribute to your career?
 
I worked at the Justice while I was at Brandeis, so obviously I spent a lot of time at the newspaper. I knew I wanted to write going into Brandeis. But while working at the paper I realized that journalism was what I wanted to do. I knew journalism was a possible option. At Brandeis, it was all I did.
 
Was there a Brandeis faculty member who was helpful in your pursuit of a journalism career?
 
Steve Whitfield PhD '72. He is a brilliant professor. He’s a really good storyteller, and was immersed in American Studies. I was an American Studies major, so he was my go-to guy.”
 
Looking into the future, where will you be professionally in 10 years?
 
I’m just trying to get better at what I’m doing. I’d like to eventually write longer, more in-depth, more impactful stories.