Smash The Bubble

News and opinion from both the left and the right, mixed together so you can break out of your filter bubble.

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Today's Headlines

Trump receives mixed support from Congress for Iran strikes as war powers debate rages

Congressional reactions to Donald Trump's Iran strikes reveal partisan divides, with lawmakers debating war powers as the Senate prepares for an Iran briefing amid retaliation concerns.

When You Have to Depend on the French or It's Lights Out, You Must Be in England

The notable legal clouds that continue to hang over Donald Trump

All eyes are on former President Donald Trump, who has launched another White House bid.

Friday's Final Word

After Virginia elections, governor’s race begins a new phase

The summer campaign season launched Saturday in Richmond as Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears heated up the race for governor.

Trump Calls for Special Prosecutor To Investigate '20 Election

It's long past due for a broader look into what happened in 2020 and the lie of 'the most secure [election] in American history.'

Trump addresses nation on 'spectacular military success' of US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities

President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Saturday evening after the U.S. military carried out successful strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.

Trump Warns Iran, Proxies About Retaliation

President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran and its proxies that any retaliation against the U.S. for its airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites "will be met with force far greater." The U.S. military struck three sites in Iran early Sunday…

Fed Groupthink Is a Bureaucratic Disease

The super big story is the Israel-Iran war, as we await President Trump's decision on additional American assistance to Israel.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

Go beyond the soundbites and get to know some of the most interesting players in politics.

BREAKING: US Hits Iranian Nuclear Sites

Trump, Netanyahu Speak After US Strike on Iran

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister have reportedly held a call after U.S. bombers completed their strike on three Iranian nuclear weapons sites Saturday night.

Senate Official Rejects Food Aid Cuts Proposed by Republicans in Megabill

The ruling by the parliamentarian sent G.O.P. lawmakers back to the drawing board to cover the costs of President Trump’s domestic policy bill.

Vox: Democrats Need to Become the Party of High Taxes

Trump’s Two-Week Window for Diplomacy Was a Smoke Screen

Even as the president suggested that he was open to negotiations, he had already made up his mind.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Podcast #290: The Wars Before the War

Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay interviews Jonathan Spyer, director of research at the Middle East Forum, about how Israel laid the groundwork for its war with Iran by confronting threats in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.

Patricia Broderick, former D.C. Superior Court judge, dies at 75

Paralyzed in a car accident during college, she overcame her disability to become a Justice Department lawyer and serve for more than two decades on the bench.

Social Security stops reporting call wait times and other metrics

Education’s Elephant in the Room

We devote a lot of resources to trying to equalise student outcomes, but under ideal learning conditions, individual differences in student achievement widen.

What Trump’s Delayed Decision in the Israel-Iran War Means for Those Countries

The Times’s Jerusalem bureau chief explains what President Trump’s delay in deciding whether to intervene in the Israel-Iran war means for the people of both countries.

Jeffries Blasts Trump for Not Seeking Congressional Approval Before Iran Strikes

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries late Saturday blasted President Donald Trump for not seeking congressional approval before the U.S. struck three nuclear sites in Iran. "Donald Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He has failed t…

The Enlightenment’s Gravediggers

When Westerners hate the West.

An Iran Deal in Two Weeks? Hard to Achieve, Even if Trump Really Wants One.

Negotiating with Tehran is time-consuming and difficult under the best of circumstances. And it remains unclear whether President Trump’s 14-day clock is more than a way to buy time for military preparations.

Israelis Back Total Victory, With or Without U.S. Support

TEL AVIV-Israelis overwhelmingly back their country's military campaign against Iran, even as they duck daily ballistic missile barrages and hope for decisive intervention by the United States, according to a new survey of wartime public opinion.

LIVE: Donald Trump Addresses Nation After Strikes on Iran; UPDATE: Trump Warns, Peace Or Else

Sen. Kaine: Need Senate Vote on 3rd Idiotic Mideast War

Sen. Tim Kaine, after the U.S. attack on the nuclear sites of Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan in Iran Saturday, called on the Senate to vote on whether they are for "this third idiotic Middle East war."

The Fear Coursing Through State Capitols

An assassination in Minnesota has given legislators a fresh awareness of their own vulnerability.

Netanyahu: Trump's 'Bold Decision' Changes History

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Donald Trump and America for denying "the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons." The U.S. military used precision bombing to strike three sites in Iran early S…

The Little Pink House

Fareed explains why AI's massive energy demands are straining the power grid, but also why AI could enable big breakthroughs in sustainability and clean energy.

Netanyahu's War With Iran: 'For Him, It's Personal'

The Israeli prime minister's career looked finished after the October 7 attack by Hamas. But now he is pursuing a conflict he has proposed for years

Everything you need to know about Biden's student loan forgiveness program

President Joe Biden's federal student loan forgiveness program, which promises to deliver up to $20,000 of debt relief for millions of borrowers, is on hold indefinitely as legal challenges work their way through the courts.

Appeals court blocks Louisiana law requiring Ten Commandments in classrooms

Discussing the Iran–Israel War with an Iranian Dissident | Quillette Cetera Ep. 48

As missiles fly between Tehran and Tel Aviv, Iranian dissident Danial Taghaddos joins Zoe to explain what the West gets wrong about the regime, the nuclear threat, and the future of his homeland.

Americans agree with Trump that Iran poses threat to United States: poll

Amid Israel-Iran tensions, Fox News poll reveals 73% of Americans view Iran as a security threat, with bipartisan agreement, as Trump weighs military action against nuclear facilities

Dems at Odds Over Israel-Iran War

After nearly two years of stark divisions over the war in Gaza and support for Israel, Democrats seemed at odds over policy toward Iran as progressives demanded unified opposition before Donald Trump announced U.S. strikes against Tehran's nuclear…

Destroying Iran’s Nuclear Arsenal

Israel faces two major challenges: destroying the Iranian enrichment plant at Fordow and locating and eliminating the country’s stockpile of enriched uranium. For the first, it will need US assistance.

PHOTO GALLERY: Trump in Situation Room during Iran strikes

See the reactions of President Trump and other top officials as they look on from the Situation Room on Saturday night as US forces strike Iranian nuclear facilities.

The fine print of the Respect for Marriage Act

Let's start with the positive: Republicans and Democrats are coming together to protect same-sex marriage from the Supreme Court.

Dem Intel Leaders Not Briefed Before Strike, but GOP Was

Republican intelligence leaders in Congress were reportedly briefed before President Donald Trump's strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, but Democrat intelligence congressional leaders were not.

From ‘evacuate Tehran’ to ‘two weeks’: Behind Trump’s shift on Iran

Trump said he was waiting to see “whether or not people come to their senses.”

Podcast #289: The Catastrophe Hour

Writer Meghan Daum talks to Iona Italia about her new essay collection, The Catastrophe Hour.

Tony Shaffer to Newsmax: Strikes Would Aim to Take Out 'Pit' Processing

The three sites hit by U.S. bombs Saturday were not only to take out Iran's nuclear enrichment abilities but to take out the middle pieces of where it would "process a pit, that nuclear material" into an explosive device, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col…

Up Close and Personal With David Mamet

The New Danger in Trump’s Washington: Honoring Federal Employees

Can recognition for outstanding work suddenly be a bad thing?

Border Laws Are Clear, Regardless of How Loudly Left Yells

The enforcement of the nation's immigration laws is straightforward, regardless of how loudly the progressive Left yells.

Misdirection and 'deception' likely key in Trump admin’s surprise Iran strike

President Donald Trump announces successful U.S. military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities after previously indicating he would decide on action within two weeks

Trump demands special prosecutor investigate 'stolen' 2020 election, loss to Biden

President Donald Trump has called for a special prosecutor to be appointed to investigate the 2020 presidential election, which he has long maintained was rigged.

The Rise and Fall of Liberal Internationalism

The post-Cold War democratic wave has receded and the free world now appears to be learning from authoritarian regimes instead of the other way around.

Trump Says He Decides What ‘America First’ Means

The president told me he was optimistic about ending foreign wars—then he ended our conversation to take a call from Putin.

Lawmakers Speak Out After Trump Announces Strikes on Iran

Congressional Republicans - and at least one Democrat - immediately praised President Donald Trump after he said Saturday evening that the U.S. military bombed three sites in Iran.

Andrew Schulz, ‘Podcast Bro,’ Might Be America’s Foremost Political Journalist

The comedian and host has a huge audience and many thoughts on what podcasters like him are responsible for now.

Lawsuits Are Threatening Trump's Early Energy Successes

Energy has been a highlight of the Trump 2.0 presidency. But the administration needs more cooperation from Lansing and Baton Rouge to bring its ambitious goals to fruition.

The MAGA Coalition Has Turned on Itself

And Donald Trump is caught in the middle.

The Week That Changed Everything for Gavin Newsom

“Sunday, I woke up a different guy.”

Photos: A Military Parade in D.C.

As millions of Americans protested at “No Kings” rallies across the country, onlookers gathered in Washington on the president’s birthday for a muted celebration.

Gonzo Bros

Twenty years after his death, what Hunter S. Thompson’s legacy—or lack of it—tells us about literature and manhood in our current moment.

'Always a Peacemaker': Trump Seeks To Restart Diplomacy

By most accounts, President Donald Trump's attention for the past week has been consumed by the spiraling crisis playing out between Israel and Iran. In between meetings in Canada on Monday, he peppered aides for constant updates. He has spent mor…

Trump declares 'very successful attack' on Iran's nuclear program as US forces strike 3 key sites

President Donald Trump says "successful" bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow facility, which Israel struggled to target due to its location.

Trump, Vance attending fundraisers on opposite sides of the country

Get the latest news on President Donald Trump’s second term in the White House and the Republican-led Congress.

Bernie Sanders endorses former punk rock musician with history of racist, sexist remarks

Progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed a Democratic candidate for New York City comptroller who has a history of making racist, sexist and homophobic statements online.

IDF Takes Out IRGC Commander Involved in October 7 As Khamenei Does Succession Planning

Fordow Could Be a Tougher Nut to Crack Than Most People Think

Trump cuts G-7 summit short as Israel–Iran conflict escalates during his 22nd week in office

In his 22nd week, President Donald Trump manages tensions after Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites while dealing with domestic unrest in Los Angeles due to anit-ICE protests.

Theatre of Blood

Seduction and submission in the work of the Marquis de Sade.

In Minnesota, America’s Luck Ran Out

The United States is a fraying society, torn apart by polarization, intense disagreement, and ratcheting extremism.

Beheading the Snake

The Israeli attack on Iran is in line with its longstanding policy of never allowing its neighbouring enemies to acquire nuclear weapons. But it is also the latest episode in the wider war against Israel launched in late 2023 by Iran’s proxies.

Harvard and Trump Restart Talks to Potentially End Bitter Dispute

Details about the discussions emerged after President Trump said the two sides, which have been locked in court battles for weeks, might reach a settlement soon.

Marjorie Taylor Greene: Pray Terrorists Don't Strike After Iran Bombing

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an ally of President Donald Trump who has been speaking out against America becoming involved in the Israel-Iran conflict, called on her fellow citizens to pray that the U.S. doesn't fall victim to homeland attacks aft…

The Vance Boelter Story Gets Weird

How Trump Treats Black History Differently Than Other Parts of America’s Past

Since taking office in January, President Trump has tried to reframe the country’s past involving racism and discrimination by de-emphasizing that history or at times denying that it happened.

It Should Never Have Come to This

If we hadn’t spent so long pretending that ‘trans women are women,’ the growing political movement to align our laws with biological reality wouldn’t have been necessary.

How Kyrsten Sinema's decision makes Democrats' 2024 Senate map tighter

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema decided to shake up the political world on Friday by becoming an independent. The former Democrat is still caucusing with the party in the Senate, so the Democratic caucus still has 51 members. Now, instead of 49 Democr…

Literary Prozac

Matthew Gasda’s new novel unfolds in a haze of empty dialogue and overwrought introspection.

Columbia protester Mahmoud Khalil freed from ICE detention

California Gov. Gavin Newsom challenges Vice President JD Vance to debate: 'How about saying it to my face?'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has challenged Vice President JD Vance, a Republican, to face off in a debate, but Vance has not responded on X to the governor's post.

Dems May Not Hate Their Leaders as Much as They Think

A new Reuters-Ipsos poll provides the unsurprising news that rank-and-file Democrats are displeased with their party's leadership.

The Shame of Trump’s Parade

Today’s events are another step in an ongoing effort to turn the U.S. military into a partisan—and personal—instrument of the president.

Meet the woman steering Biden's bipartisan winning streak on Capitol Hill

The Biden administration managed to rack up a long list of major legislative wins in its first two years despite facing one of the most closely-divided Congresses in history. From bipartisan action on infrastructure, gun safety and same-sex marria…

With Military Strike His Predecessors Avoided, Trump Takes a Huge Gamble

President Trump is betting the United States can repel whatever retaliation Iran orders, and that it has destroyed the regime’s chances of reconstituting its nuclear program.

CNN Political Briefing

The political news you need to know, in 10 minutes or less. Hosted by David Chalian.

The United States Bombed Iran. What Comes Next?

President Trump is taking an enormous risk.

U.S. Military Is Pulled Back Into Middle East Wars

The strikes on Iran ushered in a period of high alert as the Pentagon braced for almost-certain retaliation against American forces in the region.

Poll: Majority Backs RFK Jr.'s Core MAHA Effort

Many Americans support key parts of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s desire to "make America healthy again," according to new Axios/Ipsos survey results.

The Efforts to Erase Black History

President Trump’s executive orders have sought to reframe the history of race and culture in America. Erica L. Green, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, describes how the orders have led to the erasing of history of the Black expe…

Democrats Would Rather Embrace Crime Than Prevent It

Vance Blames L.A. Violence on California Democrats and Disparages Padilla

Vice President JD Vance said during a Los Angeles stop that Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass had encouraged protesters to engage in violence. He also criticized Senator Alex Padilla and called him by the wrong name.

Harvard Wins in Court and, Surprisingly, Trump Says Nice Things About the University

U.S. Deploys B-2 Bombers as Trump Plans to Meet National Security Team

The planes can carry bombs capable of striking an underground nuclear facility in Iran if President Trump decides to join the conflict.

Ousting Khamenei May Lead to More Radical, Anti-Israel Iran

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Poised for More Power

Social Security stops reporting call wait times and other metrics

The changes are the latest sign of the agency’s struggle with website crashes, overloaded servers and long lines at field offices amid Trump cutbacks.

Trump undermines Watergate laws in massive shift of ethics system

Congress built a system 50 years ago to prevent another Nixon. Trump seems determined to dismantle those rules.

Trump: Iranian Nuclear Targets 'Completely and Totally Obliterated'

President Donald Trump, addressing the world after the U.S. military carried out precision strikes on the Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites, called the strikes a "spectacular military success" and said they were "completely and totally obl…

A(nother) Big L for Newsom

Newsom's victory lap after a Clinton judge upheld his lawsuit against President Trump last week looks even more buffoonish after a California appellate court just took another stab at his ego.

'Not constitutional': Congress invokes new War Powers Resolution to reject Trump's strikes on Iran

Bipartisan lawmakers condemn Trump's decision to strike Iran's nuclear facilities as unconstitutional, with calls to return to Congress for a War Powers Resolution vote

Margins of Error

Look closely at almost anything and you'll find data—lots of it. But what are those numbers really saying about who we are and what we believe? Harry Enten is on a mission to find out.

The Only Iran Hawk Is Trump

The president does what his predecessors would not.

Transcript of Trump's Speech on US Strikes on Iran

A transcript of President Donald Trump's speech on U.S. airstrikes on Iran on Saturday as transcribed by The Associated Press

A Decade of Golden-Escalator Politics

It was here that Donald Trump descended into American politics.

Trump earns bipartisan praise for decisive action against Iran's nuclear program

President Trump's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities drew support from Republicans Saturday, while Sen. Thomas Massie and Democrats raised constitutional concerns.

With fateful decision, Trump gambles his presidency on war

Trump rose to power criticizing Middle East wars. Now he may have his own.

AI Doesn't Have To Reason To Take Your Job

In 2023, one popular perspective on AI went like this: Sure, it can generate lots of impressive text, but it can't truly reason - it's all shallow mimicry, just "stochastic parrots" squawking.

Vice President Kamala Harris, a former US senator from California who previously served as the state's attorney general, could be the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major party ticket after receiving President Joe Biden's support t…

From ‘evacuate Tehran’ to ‘two weeks’: Behind Trump’s shift on Iran

Dodgers Pledge Aid to L.A. Families Affected by Trump Crackdown

Pressed by Angelenos, including a large Latino fan base, the Dodgers promised support but stopped short of denouncing ICE raids that have outraged much of the metropolis.

U.S. warplanes strike three Iranian nuclear sites in sweeping attack

The bombing is a major escalation by President Donald Trump, tethering the United States to a conflict with no clear end in sight.

In the wake of the Republican National Convention earlier this month, Fareed speaks with historian Niall Ferguson about how and why the modern-day GOP has changed since the Reagan era of the 1980s.