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

Surge in Immigration Cases in Minnesota Pushes Prosecutors and Judges to Brink

Remarks by a prosecutor opened a revealing window onto how the courts in the state are buckling under the weight of a deluge of cases arising from the Trump administration’s campaign.

Trump to launch TrumpRx.gov, branding his push to lower prescription prices

The president has argued his drug-pricing initiative ‘should win us the midterms.’ Experts say its impact could be positive but limited.

I Am SO Tired of Debating People Who Deny Reality

Progressive Moral Reasoning and Iran’s Revolt

Progressive discourse has become highly adept at identifying oppression, exclusion, and harm. But it is far less capable of understanding the basic conditions of political order.

Secretary Rubio Gives Up Role as Acting U.S. Archivist

Mr. Rubio had been the acting head of the National Archives since early 2025, after President Trump fired its previous chief. His tenure was limited to 300 days by law.

Sen. Marshall to Newsmax: Congressional Prayer Reaffirms America's Faith

Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., on Newsmax Thursday highlighted the long-standing tradition of congressional prayer following President Donald Trump's appearance at the 74th National Prayer Breakfast, saying it reflects the nation's Judeo-Christian f…

Is Minnesota Cooperating?

Wednesday, February 2nd on RealClearPolitics - Joined by RCP Senior Elections Analyst, Sean Trende

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 Talks MN, Iran, the Fed, AI in Wide-Ranging Interview

Trump sat down with "NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Llamas and shared where his immigration crackdown is going, whether Americans will get rebate checks and more.

Inside the Complicated Relationship of Schumer and Jeffries

The two Democratic leaders have at times seemed like they're working together. At other times, they've seemed like they're working against each other.

F.D.A. Relaxes Rules on ‘Naturally Derived’ Dyes

Food makers will now be able to claim that their products have “no artificial colors,” so long as they use dyes that are not petroleum-based.

Noem deploys to both borders, says ICE won't be deterred by sanctuary officials who 'want to create conflict'

DHS Secretary Kriti Noem deployed to both borders in one day as Trump administration faces criticism over illegal immigration crackdown operations.

Preparing for That Rainy Day

The U.S. already operates a stockpile of critical minerals to serve the needs of the military, but this reserve is designed for civilian needs.

Supreme Court clears way for California voting map that bolsters Democrats

The Supreme Court allowed a new California voting map that could help Democrats gain up to five seats in Congress.

Classifieds: WaPo Guild Posts Want Ad For Sugar Daddy

White House Offers Shifting Story on Gabbard’s Presence at Georgia Raid

President Trump said Thursday that Attorney General Pam Bondi had directed Tulsi Gabbard to be present for an operation at an election center. It was the administration’s fourth explanation for her presence.

The War on Law Enforcement Is Heating Up Again

People Aren’t Actually That Upset over the Washington Post Layoffs

If they were, the layoffs wouldn’t be happening.

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.

Tracking who Trump is appointing to fill key administration roles

Follow President Trump’s progress filling over 800 positions, among about 1,300 that require Senate confirmation, in this tracker from The Washington Post and the Partnership for Public Service.

House Report on EU Censorship Has Some Fascist Feathers Flying

Mobbed on Campus, Vindicated in Court

Four years after the University of Washington began investigating Stuart Reges for authoring a satirical ‘land acknowledgement,’ his First Amendment rights have been upheld by the Ninth Circuit.

What Restrictions Are Democrats Demanding for Immigration Agents?

Democrats say they will not support a spending bill to keep the Homeland Security Department running without new restrictions on federal agents.

Pressley says 'nothing to see here' when asked about her dramatic multimillion-dollar wealth jump in office

Rep. Ayanna Pressley accumulated up to $8 million in assets while taking on up to $9 million in debt for property acquisitions, financial disclosures reveal.

Blue States' Demographic Nightmare

Recent migration numbers emphasize how population gains, economic growth, and political power are shifting toward Republican strongholds.

The Gentle Wildness of Tasmania

Tasmania looks like wilderness from afar. Up close, it is lush, intimate, and unexpectedly generous—a place that feels familiar, yet entirely its own.

Border czar Tom Homan says 700 ICE and CBP officers are leaving Minneapolis

The reduction of ICE officers in Minneapolis is a significant scaling back of Homeland Security’s presence and comes after two U.S. citizens were killed.

Trump Gave Dems a Win--Which They May Fumble Away

Which Democrats may immediately fumble away.

Meet the New Proud Boys

The far-right group’s views and tactics are now emulated by federal agents.

Must-See TV? House Ethics to Televise Cherfilus-McCormick Misconduct Hearing

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…

Illegals Driving Semis Kill Again

Swing-State Billboard Campaign Backs ICE Agents

Billboards supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents appeared Wednesday in several key swing states as federal law enforcement officers continue to face protests and harassment from anti-ICE activists.

Nancy Pelosi swipes at Trump, accusing him of crowning himself as 'king'

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, made a jab at President Donald Trump during a speech, saying he had "crowned himself king."

Trump digs in on ballroom size, saying height will match that of White House

Review panels and a federal judge have asked if the project can be made smaller. Historic preservationists say the planned 90,000-square-foot addition will overshadow the mansion.

Trump’s New Method of Humiliation

The president doesn’t seem to fire people anymore, but he marginalizes them in other ways.

Sweeping bill to crush sanctuary cities, protect ICE agents unveiled in Senate

GOP Sen. Eric Schmitt's Protect America Act proposes four-part legislation targeting sanctuary cities, strengthening immigration penalties and protecting federal officers.

Epstein Mania on the Digital Borderlands

The longevity of the Epstein story owes less to new facts of criminal conduct than to its symbolic utility in alleging deviancy.

The G.O.P. Senator Who Can’t Stop Thinking About the Boy ICE Detained

Katie Britt is uniquely positioned to reason with the Trump administration — when she chooses to speak up.

Mayor Bass facing blowback over explosive report that she altered wildfire report to downplay city's role

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass allegedly altered a wildfire report to reduce city liability, according to sources. Bass denies interfering with the report.

Harris Rebrands Social Accounts to Unify Progressives

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is relaunching her KamalaHQ social media account, a move that is fueling fresh speculation about a possible 2028 presidential bid. The account already boasts a large online following...

House GOP moves to require proof of citizenship, photo ID to vote in federal election

House GOP lawmakers are advancing a bill requiring voter ID and proof of citizenship for federal elections, putting new pressure on the Senate, while Democrats object.

Congress Nixes Visas for Afghan Partners, Closing Off a Key Path

President Trump froze a program to allow Afghans who had worked with American troops to come to the United States. Now Congress has quietly scrapped the visas, leaving little hope of reviving them.

From protest to felony: the lines Minnesota anti-ICE agitators may be crossing

The Justice Department has arrested 158 individuals in Minnesota for clashing with ICE officers — but more criminal charges could ostensibly be announced.

How Dare Jeff Bezos Stop Funding Resistance Journalism

Report: LA Mayor Bass Softened Palisades Fire Findings

Democrat Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass secretly pushed to soften official findings about the city's response to the deadly Palisades Fire, according to a new report. The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that Bass reviewed an early draft of the …

Texas special election emboldens Democrats heading into federal midterms

Races in the Lone Star State are among those that will be key to determining which party controls the U.S. House.

Chinese Biolab in Vegas Was Attached to Airbnb, Multiple Renters Sickened

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

The Middle East’s Politics Come to NYC

Snow uncleared, garbage piling up? Mamdani’s remedy is to take a page out of the Middle Eastern playbook he’s spent his entire adult life admiring.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Mamdani Touts Great View, Struggles To Clear Sidewalks

The New York mayor is opening the roof of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building to the public, but has plenty of work ahead to make the city below more affordable and accessible.

Wednesday’s Final Word

Heir Jordan

Aaron Magid has written a timely biography of a consequential monarch.

How Can Justice Jackson Be Seen as Im­partial?

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson continues to dismay.

How Minneapolis Looks From the Police Chief’s Squad Car

In the city where George Floyd was killed, Trump hastens a new social breakdown.

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…

Trump plans to install Christopher Columbus statue outside White House

The president has worked to recognize the explorer, saying Italian-Americans should “remember” Trump’s efforts when they go vote.

The Scourge of Online Sports Betting

States and leagues must face up to the damage from app-based gambling for the next generation of bettors, most of them young men.

Why This Shutdown Is Different

Now come negotiations over the administration’s immigration crackdown.

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…

Why the Outrage Over the Cuts at the Washington Post Is So Annoying

The gap between the self-regard of those who were fired and the contributions of those who were fired is enormous.

An Undisciplined Novel

Randa Abdel-Fattah’s latest novel is a heavy-handed parable designed to show that Islamist radicalisation in Australia is merely a myth invented by a racist establishment. In the wake of the Bondi shooting, this seems less believable than ever.

Murder Most Foul

William J. Mann’s new book about the notorious Black Dahlia case is a valuable corrective to the cottage industry of speculative theories that proliferated after her murder in 1947.

Bessent: Trump's Call on Suing Fed Pick Over Rates

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made clear Thursday that if President Donald Trump chooses to take legal action against his own Fed pick over interest rates, that decision would be entirely up to him.

The Murder of The Washington Post

Today’s layoffs are the latest attempt to kill what makes the paper special.

Mayor Bass Watered Down the Palisades Fire Report and Then Lied About It

Gavin Newsom sat by his mother during her assisted suicide, and came to terms with anger and grief

The governor and potential presidential candidate spoke about his mother’s controversial decision to end her life and the impact it had on his political beliefs.

Arctic blast fuels scrutiny of Biden’s $8B electric bus push as watchdogs cite oversight failures

An arctic blast exposed alleged waste in Biden's electric bus programs, and $8 billion in taxpayer funds face scrutiny over cold weather performance failures.

‘It’s a Five-Alarm Fire’

The FBI’s search and seizure of material from Fulton County election offices marks a major escalation.

Standoff over ICE tactics could trigger another partial government shutdown

Democrats have demanded that Republicans agree to accountability measures to rein in personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies.

Trump Is Doubling Down on All the Wrong Things

Republicans are worried about the midterm elections, but the president doesn’t seem to be.

Women and Wokeness: Women Less Tolerant of ALLIES Than Men Are of Ideological Enemies

Fulton County goes to court to demand return of ballots seized by FBI

Robb Pitts, chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, vowed that county officials would use “every resource” to secure ballots and other material.

Senate Panel Investigating Mamdani Over Antisemitism Orders

A U.S. Senate panel has launched an investigation into New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration, citing "serious concerns" about the "rescission of executive orders related to antisemitism and boycotts of Israel."

Kennedy Center: Renaming, Rebuilding, Revolting

For locals, this demolition project hits home.

“No Friends but the Mountains”

America and the West have once again betrayed their Kurdish allies. Al-Sharaa’s assault on the Kurds of northern Syria, with Turkish backing, is just the latest chapter in the Kurds’ long struggle for self-rule.

Texas AG Paxton Sues CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit aimed at shutting down the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), including CAIR's Austin, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth chapters. Paxton accused the groups o…

Europe Needs a New Alliance

Trump’s threat to annex Greenland has revealed the shakiness of America’s commitment to NATO. Europe urgently needs to create its own alternative.  

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.

One Battle for the Virginia Military Institute After Another

VMI doesn’t want to be a political football on the culture wars’ scrimmage field.

Questions for Kevin Warsh

Senators considering his confirmation as chairman of the Federal Reserve should ask him about his record and his views.

Regarding Talks with Iran… What Are We Doing Here?

As the status of the administration’s talks with Iran seem to change by the hour… what are we doing here?

TrumpRx Is Set to Go Live on Thursday

The government website is meant to connect Americans with drug companies to buy prescriptions directly with their own money. It is not clear how many patients will save money.

God of the Yawning Gaps

It’s hard to believe in God when even very bright, thoughtful people can’t come up with good reasons why you should.

Fewer Illegal Aliens Makes U.S. More Affordable

Closing the border is not only about security. Immigration sanity also returns the American dream to its rightful owners.

Another Path Forward for Christian Zionists

American support for Israel isn’t the most important thing at stake in this debate — truth is at stake.

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.

A Preview of Post-Populist Liberalism in Spain

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has issued a decree legalizing half a million formerly illegal immigrants.

Epstein Survivor to Newsmax: Privacy Violations Rampant in Epstein Files

Elizabeth Stein, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse, criticized the recent public release of Epstein-related court documents, saying the rollout exposed survivor information that should have been redacted...

To Win Back the House, Democrats Take the Fight to Deep-Red Areas

Democrats are tapping candidates with unusual résumés — a Tejano recording star, a smokejumper and a fourth-generation farmer — to compete in areas long seen as inhospitable.

Trump: How Can People of Faith Vote Democrat?

President Donald Trump used Thursday morning's National Prayer Breakfast to repeatedly question how Americans of faith can support the Democratic Party, a point he returned to several times while outlining what he described as his administration's…

Warren and Bessent erupt into shouting match over Trump's Warsh joke

Elizabeth Warren sparred with Treasury Secretary Bessent over Trump's joke about suing Fed nominee Kevin Warsh if he doesn't cut interest rates as desired.

Lee Hamilton, foreign policy leader in Congress, dies at 94

President Barack Obama called the Indiana Democrat “one of the most influential voices on international relations and American national security.”

Thune: DHS Deal Must Include GOP Changes

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said negotiations over the Department of Homeland Security must address what he described as a worsening environment for law enforcement officers and include changes Republicans want in the DHS funding bill, as la…

Everybody Hates Chuck, Part Three

Once again, House progressives are arguing that Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer must be replaced . . . but they have no way of forcing that to happen.

Sen. Ernst to Newsmax: No End to ICE Engagements in Minn.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said Thursday on Newsmax's "National Report" that while Immigration and Customs Enforcement may reduce its footprint in Minnesota, "we will see a decreased presence, we will not see the end to the ICE engagements, which is…

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.

Saudi Arabia’s Counter-Reformation

The Takfiris are back in business.

How Trump Brought the Fight Over American History to Philadelphia

The administration took a crowbar to a site that focused on George Washington and slavery. But can the contradictions of the Founding Era be erased?

The Second Death of Charlie Kirk

The activist’s assassination unleashed anti-Semitism that is pulling the Trump coalition apart.

‘Trust Has Been Breached’

The broken relationship between Minnesota and the federal government

The Tax Code Hasn’t Gotten More Pro-Family

Tax benefits for kids are at roughly the level President Obama left them.

Mexican cartel scion, wanted in journalist’s death, sentenced to 5 years

Mexico has sought Damaso Lopez Serrano’s extradition since 2020, charging him with ordering the killing of Javier Valdez, an award-winning journalist in Mexico who covered the drug trade in Culiacán.

Save the ‘Sistine Chapel of the New Deal’ in the Cohen Federal Building

The rare murals in the Cohen Federal Building celebrate vital American values of dignity and community. Now they could meet the same fate as the White House’s East Wing.

CA State Senators: We Don' Need No Stinkin' Police - Go Ahead and Sue ICE Officers Wearing Masks

No, the Washington Post Was Not Too Right-Wing

The Post is a distressed asset, and its managers are treating it like one. That is not remarkable.

Businessman Rick Caruso considers running for LA mayor in wake of Palisades Fire report

Rick Caruso indicated that he is reconsidering his decision to not run for office due to a report regarding Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the Palisades Fire.

Out of office but back online: Harris rebrands Kamala HQ for 2026 midterms amid 2028 buzz

Kamala Harris has relaunched Kamala HQ as a Headquarters youth project, fueling 2028 presidential speculation amid a partnership with an advocacy group.

Worrying Cruelty on Display From Some Nurses

Too many Americans cleave to the idea that if someone works in caregiving, they must be trustworthy.

Sen. Cassidy to Newsmax: Left's DHS Demands 'Animated' by Trump Dislike

Congress is sharply divided over Democrats' demands for passage of funding for the Department of Homeland Security, but most of the left's opposition to immigration enforcement actions is "animated" by their hostility toward President Donald Trump...

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

How Jeff Bezos Broke The Washington Post

The paper of record for the nation’s capital cut a third of its staff this week. It didn’t have to be like this.

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.

Americans Will Vote Their Pocketbooks in November

If President Trump had done what Americans had elected him in 2024 to do which is to fight inflation, he wouldn't be in so much trouble now. A recent national survey conducted for The Economist by YouGov had the president's net job rating at minus…

NATO Is an Alliance, Not a Protection Racket

Even if unsuccessful, Donald Trump’s aggressive campaign to acquire Greenland threatens to undermine America’s reputation as a champion of western security, freedom, and co-operation.

The Case Against Don Lemon Is Junk, and Dangerous

If the Cities Church case falls apart, it will not be the first such embarrassment for Trump’s Justice Department.

Trump Strips Job Protections From Thousands of Federal Workers

The policy change makes it easier for the president to discipline or remove up to 50,000 employees, another push in the administration’s campaign to reshape the federal work force.

Battles Are Raging Inside the Department of Homeland Security

Officials overseeing Trump’s mass-deportation campaign are fighting one another for power.

Trump claims DNI Tulsi Gabbard was at Georgia election hub search because AG Pam Bondi wanted her there

President Donald Trump defends DNI Tulsi Gabbard's controversial presence at the FBI search of a Fulton County election facility, citing Attorney General Bondi's request.