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

The Intertwined History of the Americas

A typical way of telling the history of the United States is to frame it as involving a series of key periods: Colonial America, the American Revolution, the Age of Expansion, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, and so on.

Richard Grenell to Newsmax: Trump's Credibility Driving Ukraine Peace Talks

Former U.S. ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell said Thursday on Newsmax that President Donald Trump's credibility with both Ukraine and Russia is a key reason progress is being made toward a peace deal in the ongoing war.

Inside the Fiasco at the National Security Council

Firings and leadership challenges have destabilized an institution that has little margin for error.

Trump Launches 'Secret Weapon' Against Academia -- And More

DOGE slashes 'wasteful' 'problem-solving' contract worth $50K in latest round of eliminations

"Wasteful" contracts, including one for "problem-solving services," worth millions of dollars have been terminated over the past several days, DOGE said.

NY AG's office hires attorney that repped Hunter Biden to defend Letitia James against fraud accusations

The New York Attorney General's Office hired Abbe Lowell to defend Letitia James against accusations of fraud coming from the Trump admin. Lowell previously defended Hunter Biden.

Democrats Want New Blood. But at Whose Expense?

Some of the party's most revered members are octogenarians facing primary challenges from a younger generation.

Elon Musk and DOGE’s Savings May Be Erased by New Costs

An expert on the federal work force estimates that the speed and chaos of Mr. Musk’s cuts to the bureaucracy will cost taxpayers $135 billion this fiscal year.

Fania Oz-Salzberger on Israel’s Current Turmoil

Israel is a struggling, desperate, deeply flawed liberal democracy.

Meet the Wealthy Private Firms Controlling Democrats

Financial Investment Corporation and Apax, along with subsidiary Bonterra, gained control over much of the American left's infrastructure.

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…

For All The $$$ Degrees, Huge Chunk o' Student Loan Borrowers Still Dumb as a Box o' Rocks

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

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.

Master of Cinema

Éric Rohmer’s films demand patience and close attention, but they are immensely rewarding for those able to tolerate the absence of spectacle.

Hamas Should Never Be Decriminalised

The campaign to remove Hamas from the UK’s list of proscribed organisations is not about defending free speech or political dissent. It is about legitimising jihadist warmongering.

David Hogg riles Democratic Party with plans to primary incumbents

Have We Forgotten Weimar?

This is not the first time Germany has resorted to censorship in the mistaken belief that the state can contain dangerous ideas. The last time they tried this, it facilitated the rise of the Nazis.

Does TED Still Make Sense?

Last week’s TED Talks in Vancouver featured dozens of brilliant speakers. But the earnest belief that big new ideas can save humanity from itself now feels painfully dated.

ICE Deportation Notices: A Form in English and Only Hours to Act

A declaration by an ICE official unsealed by a judge says the form was “read and explained” to Venezuelan detainees, who had “no less than 12 hours” to express an intent to mount a challenge.

Warren Probing Trump Agenda's Impact on Schools

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said Thursday she is launching an investigation into the Trump administration's move to dismantle the Department of Education, citing concerns about the nationwide impact on public school students, The Hill reported.

Trump Urges Russia to ‘STOP!’ After Deadly Attack on Ukraine’s Capital

President Trump also sought to divert blame should negotiations fall apart, a sign that he is perhaps more pessimistic about a deal than he was when he took office in January.

I Hear the Train A' Comin': Fixin' to Cut the Legs Out From Under ActBlue

Trump can’t withhold funds from ‘sanctuary’ cities, federal judge says

U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick said a presidential executive order violates the Constitution’s separation-of-powers principles and spending clause.

State Dept. Nixes Climate Office, Revamps Energy Bureau

The Trump administration has terminated federal employees in charge of U.S. global climate policy and climate aid as part of its reorganization of the State Department, four sources familiar with the notification said. The career employees in the …

Congress Republicans Seek $27B for Golden Dome in Trump Tax Bill

Republicans in Congress plan to introduce a sweeping $150 billion defense package that will give an initial $27 billion boost to President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense shield and bolstering shipbuilding, according to a document and …

David French Misses the Point

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.

Ark. Gov., Lawmakers Appeal Denial of FEMA Aid for Storms

Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders as well as the state's U.S. congressional delegation have sent letters this past week to the Trump administration to appeal the denial of the state's major disaster relief request.

Navy torpedoes Biden-era climate agenda to focus on lethality

Citing combat readiness over environmental mandates, the Navy has officially scrapped its climate action plan championed under the Biden administration.

Why Almost a Third of Americans Are 'Housing-Poor'

It was typical of Joe Biden's presidency that, when faced with a difficult problem, he would take the cynical approach of finding a scapegoat to blame while making a promise he never intended to keep.

The Force That Holds Trump’s Coalition Together

Traditional Republican elites tolerate the authoritarianism because they want the tax cuts.

Trump and GOP ramp up investigations on Democrats’ top fundraising platform

Trump’s Plan to Sell Out Ukraine to Russia

His proposal to end the war isn’t a peace plan—it’s a reward for aggression.

Will the Next Pope Be Liberal or Conservative? Neither

If there's one succinct way to describe Pope Francis's stewardship of the Catholic Church over the last 12 years, it might best be done with three of his own words: "todos, todos, todos" - "everyone, everyone, everyone."

A Loophole That Would Swallow the Constitution

If Donald Trump can disappear people to El Salvador without due process, he can do anything.

Trump admin cheers ‘important steps’ as Paraguay targets Iran and its terror proxies

The Trump administration praised Paraguay for designating Iran’s IRGC, Hamas and Hezbollah as terror groups, calling it a key move to cut off Tehran’s global terror reach.

DOT Replaces Lawyers in NYC Congestion Toll Case

The Department of Transportation on Thursday said it had replaced lawyers in the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan after they accidentally filed a document outlining legal flaws with the Trump administration's plan to replace New York City's con…

Judge who blocked Trump from cutting funding to sanctuary cities has deep ties to Democratic Party

An Obama-appointed federal judge in California who issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration from cutting funding to sanctuary cities has deep financial ties to the Democratic Party, records indicate.

Trump Agrees to Be Interviewed by The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg

Trump’s Crimea Proposal Would End a Decade of U.S. Resistance

A new U.S. peace plan offered to Russia and Ukraine proposes American recognition of the peninsula, which Moscow seized in 2014.

Leonard Zeskind, Researcher Who Foresaw Rise of White Nationalism, Dies at 75

With “Blood and Politics,” he predicted that anti-immigrant ideologies would become part of mainstream American politics, and warned about downplaying the threat.

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.

Thursday's Final Word

U.S. Says Deadly Blast in Yemen Was Caused by Houthi Missile

An explosion near a UNESCO world heritage site in Yemen’s capital on Sunday killed 12 people, according to health authorities tied to the Houthi-led government.

What Trump’s order on ‘disparate impact’ means for civil rights

The government will now be without a key tool it used to enforce antidiscrimination laws.

Elon Musk ditches DOGE

On this week’s episode, The Washington Post’s Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger discuss the ongoing fallout between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s top Cabinet and administration officials, as well as the CEO's announcement Tuesday t…

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…

Democrats take fight to red districts as Republicans shirk town halls

Democrats are holding town halls in swing and deep-red districts alike, and have attracted large crowds. 

When Do Scholarly Retractions Become a Form of Censorship?

Focusing on the handful of papers that are retracted for political reasons can obscure the more important problems afflicting the field of academic publishing.

Trump Is Vulnerable on Immigration

Democrats can move public opinion by highlighting the unpopular aspects of his agenda.

Trump world fires back at Politico over report White House may lift sanctions on Russian assets

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff denied a Politico report that they may end Russian energy sanctions to help end the war in Ukraine.

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.

Trump Executive Order Makes It Easier to Fire Probationary Federal Workers

The order declares that employees will only attain full employment status if their managers review and sign off on their performance, adding a new obstacle for probationary workers to clear.

The High Stakes in Choosing the Next Pope

Mystery and drama always surround a conclave, but the deeper issue is the mission of the Catholic Church in the modern world.

H.U.D. Offers Tips for Federal Workers to Find Jobs Outside of Government

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is offering “career support” sessions. Some federal workers said they were insulted by the idea of the workshops.

Against the Tyranny of Opinionated Ignorance

Let us not confuse the freedom to speak with the freedom to mislead.

Why Trump Is Standing by Hegseth, for Now

Trump is currently supporting his defense secretary, but some in the administration are speculating about how long Pete Hegseth will last.

The Lies About Josh Shapiro Have Consequences

An attack on the Pennsylvania governor shows the dangers of tendentious misrepresentations.

What Recourse Does the Supreme Court Actually Have?

As the Trump administration talks itself into refusing to comply with judicial orders, federal judges are moving closer to deploying the most powerful tool they have: contempt of court.

Podcast #281: Making the Case for ‘Free-Range Parenting’

Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with author and TED Talker Lenore Skenazy, whose campaign to give children more opportunities for independent play and learning once earned her the title of ‘America’s Worst Mother.’

The Center Square Poll: 47 Percent Say Immigration Better

A plurality of Americans say that immigration policies have improved under President Donald Trump, according to a Center Square poll released Thursday.

Trump Versus Harvard

The cure may be worse than the disease.

Whip watch: Dick Durbin gives tearful goodbye as Dem power play begins for No. 2 Senate spot

Senators Brian Schatz, Patty Murray and Sheldon Whitehouse could be considered potential successors for Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin.

Columbia Responds to Plans for a New Pro-Hamas Encampment on Campus

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…

Judge Blocks Trump From Defunding 16 Sanctuary Cities: ‘Here We Are Again’

A federal judge in San Francisco who issued a nearly identical order in 2017 found himself intervening again to stop President Trump from punishing cities over their immigration policy.

CNN Political Briefing

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

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.

Tim Walz Looks Into the Void

Back on the trail with the guy who lost the last election

Paxton to Newsmax: Trump EO Requiring Transparency of Foreign Funding to Schools 'Great Move'

President Donald Trump's EO demanding transparency from colleges receiving billions in foreign money is a "great move ... to make these institutions more transparent, so that the American public knows exactly what's going on," says Texas Attorney …

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.

Trump Targets ActBlue, Foreign Contributions

President Donald Trump on Thursday directed the Justice Department to investigate the main fundraising platform used by Democrats, who responded with accusations that he was simply weaponizing the government against his political opponents.The Rep…

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) said Thursday he will have “an official announcement soon” amid a local...

Trump and GOP ramp up investigations on Democrats’ top fundraising platform

The directive to investigate fundraising platforms like ActBlue shows an erosion of the traditional separation between the White House and Justice Department.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Trump moves to open seabed to mining, unnerving other nations

Lessons From Early America's Tariff Wars

The 1790s debate shows that, even when they aim at moral goods, tariffs abet cronyism and corruption.

Australian Election 2025, The Nuclear Debate with Will Shackel: Quillette Cetera Episode 44

Why nuclear must be part of Australia’s energy future.

Democrats and MS-13, a Springtime Love Affair

Political parties need votes from people, and voters do not like being murdered or seeing their countrymen killed. So you would expect all politicians to take their side on least on this.

Indicted ‘Bitcoin Jesus’ Pays Roger Stone $600,000 to Lobby for Him

The longtime Trump ally is lobbying Congress to change the law that the crypto entrepreneur Roger Ver was charged with violating.

Trump's Latest Executive Order Takes on Disparate-Impact Theory

DOGE Saves $1B in Latest Slashing of Contracts, Grants

President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency said it has recently uncovered nearly $1 billion in savings by slashing federal contracts and grants as it continues its task of streamlining the government by eliminating waste, fraud, …

Grover Norquist Can’t Believe What He’s Hearing

Is the GOP about to raise taxes?

Texas wildlife refuge renamed for murdered 12-year-old, Jocelyn Nungaray, unveils signage: 'Her life mattered'

The Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge became the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday to honor the life of the 12-year-old girl who was brutally murdered last year.

Fox News Politics Newsletter: DNC's Wild Hogg Problem

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content.

Detained migrants given as few as 12 hours to contest deportation under Alien Enemies Act, ICE document says

Migrants are being given as few as 12 hours to contest their deportation after being formally notified, according to document from ICE unsealed Thursday.

Trump Is Flirting With Economic Disaster

By threatening the independence of the Federal Reserve, the president risks undermining many of his key goals.

Lawyers Seek Return of Migrants Deported Under Wartime Act

An updated lawsuit filed in Washington was the latest in a flurry of suits challenging the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to send migrants to a prison in El Salvador.

When Good Academics Do Bad Things

In a recent speech delivered at the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law, a Quillette editor describes lessons he learned while investigating the school’s teachers college.

Musk's Retreat Should Relieve No One

After a disastrous first quarter for Tesla, Musk says he is winding down his time as a special government employee. But the damage has been done.

Trump's executive order on voting blocked by federal judge amid flurry of legal setbacks

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has blocked a portion of President Donald Trump's March 25 executive order on election integrity.

What the Failure of Musk's '5 Things' Email Strategy Means

A combination of ineptitude, bureaucratic turf wars and worker resistance seems to be stymieing some of Musk's initiative.

Migrants Are Heading South

For years, millions of people traveled through Central America north to the United States. Now that flow is changing direction.

Democrat Rep. Wilson urges people to call, threaten lawmakers over uptick in illegal immigration detentions

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., urged people to call and threaten lawmakers after blaming Trump for the uptick in illegal alien detentions following a visit to a Miami ICE facility.

Trump Administration Seeks Artists for ‘Garden of Heroes’ Statues

Those selected would receive up to $200,000 to create one of the 250 sculptures, which will be paid for in part with canceled grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

How Trump team turned a dinner invite into a crypto boon worth millions

J.B. Pritzker Chomps on El Salvador for Taking Their Own Citizen Back

To Win, Democrats Must Confront Biden, Harris Failure

This week, California Governor Gavin Newsom sat for an interview where he chastised Democrats for refusing to explore last year's loss. Speaking with The Hill, he said: "We have not done a forensic of what just went wrong, period, full stop. I don…

Ukraine-Russia war is largely the focus as Trump hosts Norwegian officials

Get the latest news on President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the new Congress.

Fetterman on Iran: 'Waste That S***,' Mr. President!

Letitia James' Lawyer Responds to the DOJ

Trump pardons ex-Las Vegas councilwoman convicted of fraud

A Cartoonish View of History

Joe Sacco’s graphic works provide vivid and moving depictions of the terrible suffering in the Strip. But his accounts of the causes of that suffering are simplistic and one-sided in the extreme.

Fastest Way To Derail Trump, U.S. Is To Start a War With Iran

That's why I've been watching it as carefully as I can because, again, if you hated Donald Trump and you hated what the administration is doing on immigration, trade, anti-wokeness, whatever, and you wanted to stop it, the first thing you would do…

This Week in Tesla Vandalism

Trump Signs Order to Expedite Ocean Floor Mining

President Donald Trump reportedly signed an executive order on Thursday that seeks to expedite U.S. mining of the ocean floor.

Top Fla. Senate Dem Quits: 'Party in Florida Is Dead'

Florida State Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo abruptly quit as Democrat leader on Thursday and announced he's leaving the party altogether in remarks from the chamber floor.