Smash The Bubble

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

more info

Today's Headlines

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor: Friday 13 February — Friday 20 February

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 To Sell Economy During State of the Union Address

The president is expected to argue that the country is ‘strong, prosperous and respected' as it enters its 250th year

What Mamdani Doesn’t Know About Tenants

Fixing New York’s affordable housing isn’t as simple as going after bad landlords.

Conservative Women Find a New Way to Talk About ICE

When can an influencer opt out of the news cycle?

Iran: Ready for Any Necessary Steps to Reach Deal With US

Iran is ready to take any necessary steps to reach a deal with the United States, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said on Tuesday, as the two countries prepare for a fresh round of talks.

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…

Pirro Ends Effort to Indict 'Seditious 6' Democrats

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro ended an effort to indict six Democrat lawmakers after a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., rejected the case, NBC News first reported.

Does State of the Union Still Matter?

Tuesday, February 24th on RealClearPolitics - Joined by RCP Contributor and Attorney, Richard Porter: 00:00 Does the State of the Union Matter Anymore? 7:55 ...

Trump Officials Seek to ‘Reimagine’ Unemployment Benefits, Targeting Fraud

Federal officials are subjecting some states to higher scrutiny in an antifraud campaign, as the president rails against California and states led by Democrats.

Supreme Court to consider whether states can sue over greenhouse gas emissions

Dozens of municipalities are seeking billions in damages from oil and gas companies, often accusing them of misleading the public about the links between greenhouse gases and climate risks.

France restricts Trump ambassador’s access to officials after missed summons

France restricted U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner’s access to senior officials after he failed to attend a summons from the French Foreign Ministry.

Tom Steyer would like you to know he isn’t a ‘really rich... arrogant SOB’

The Washington Post’s essential guide to power and influence in D.C. Steyer is the latest billionaire hoping to lead his state.

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.

Rep. Van Duyne to Newsmax: Trump Brought 'New Life' to America

Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, told Newsmax on Tuesday that President Donald Trump will focus on his "miraculous" turnaround of America during his State of the Union address Tuesday night.

Mamdani Calls for 'Respect' After NYPD Snowball Attack

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is speaking out after several NYPD officers were pelted with snowballs Monday in Washington Square Park as a major winter storm dumped heavy snow across the city.

Violent Sex Offender Seeks Transfer to Women's Prison

Silence on Sudan

In Sudan, a civil war involving Arab supremacists backed by the UAE has left as many as 400,000 dead and displaced twelve million. The silence on campus is deafening.

‘The Trust Has Been Absolutely Destroyed’

Some state election officials say they no longer trust their federal partners.

The End of the Middlebrow Movie

Middlebrow movies weren’t just two-hour escape pods, they functioned as a civic glue, a source of shared language, cross-generational references, and indeed, contemporary American myth.

The Graveyard of Destructive Ideas

Elite fashions harden into dogma, dissent becomes taboo, institutions fall in line-and only when reality intrudes does yesterday's madness begin its overdue collapse.

Former UK ambassador to US released on bail after arrest in Epstein misconduct investigation

Former U.K. Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson was released on bail after being arrested for suspicion of misconduct in public office, reports indicate.

Spanberger Will Stress Affordability in Democratic Response to Trump’s State of the Union

Abigail Spanberger, the newly elected governor of Virginia, was chosen to deliver her party’s response to President Trump’s State of the Union address.

Report card: Conservative and liberal strategists reveal how Trump has fared on campaign promises

Ahead of President Donald Trump's first State of the Union address since returning to the White House, his record on key campaign pledges is mixed.

FBI Director Kash Patel defends partying with U.S. Olympic ice hockey team

Videos of Patel celebrating in Italy went viral Sunday night, prompting criticism and questions about his judgment during a critical time for the FBI.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

U.S. men’s hockey team to be at State of the Union ‘somehow, some way’

Accommodations are being made for the gold medalists, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday, a day after the equally successful women’s team declined.

Monday's Final Word

Supreme Court Hears Case That Could Decide Fate of Great Lakes Pipeline

The question before the justices in a lawsuit filed by Michigan seeking to close part of the line was narrow. But the dispute raises broader questions about states’ power to regulate fossil fuels.

The Epstein files have brought a wave of resignations and investigations

A number of prominent figures have stepped down or are facing investigations after their communications with Jeffrey Epstein and his former longtime companion, Ghislaine Maxwell, were released last month.

Terror and Transformation

Southeast Asia in World War II, Part Two: The Japanese Occupation and Its Repercussions

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…

Henry Waxman: Congressional Chameleon

Standing five feet, five inches tall, with a thick mustache and a warm smile, Henry Waxman says that he came to Congress to help people.

A Chagos Declaration of Independence?

California Parole Board Releases Child Molester Serving Life Sentence

Israel’s Ministry of Truth? An Interview with Gadi Taub

Historian Gadi Taub discusses media leaks, military censorship, and the Sde Teiman controversy in Israel—and his defamation suit against Ronen Bergman.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Trump DOJ Sues N.J. Over ICE Ban on State Property

The Trump administration sued the State of New Jersey and Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday over a newly issued executive order that limits federal immigration enforcement on state-owned property.

The Democrats Aren’t Built for This

They say they want to save democracy. First they’ll need to get out of their own way.

Minnesota Democrats' Priorities: Owning AR-15 Gets You More Jail Time Than Attempted Rape

Judge Cannon orders secrecy for report on Trump classified-documents case

A federal judge in Florida blocked public release of special counsel Jack Smith’s extensive report into the classified-documents case against President Donald Trump.

Trump again centers crime in immigration debate with White House vigil

The vigil centered victims’ families and crime in defense of the president’s deportation campaign, even as public support for his approach softens.

Judge holds DHS officials in contempt, orders compensation to Mexican national released in winter storm

A federal judge held government officials in contempt for violating a court order protecting immigration detainee Fernando Gutierrez Torres from transfer.

NYT: Who's Bright Idea Was It to Release the Epstein Files, Anyway? UPDATE: NYT Disclosure Fail

Kristi Noem’s Audience of One

The DHS secretary is suddenly talking about more than just mass deportations.

Trump's SOTU Speech Length Could Set Modern Record

President Donald Trump said Tuesday night's State of the Union address will be a "long speech," potentially adding another milestone to his tenure before Congress as he prepares to outline his administration's agenda before the November midterm el…

President Trump's State of the Union Moment of Truth

With Hakeem Jeffries potentially becoming House speaker, President Trump needs a barnburner State of the Union to reenergize GOP voters before the November midterms.

Pass the Popcorn: DoJ Sues Sherrill Over Access Ban on ICE

Trump's SOTU Message: It's the Economy, Stupid!

Jiminy Cricket, German Hurt #Feelingz Strike Again

Oikophobia and the Crisis of Western Democracy with Shany Mor | Quillette Cetera Ep. 62

An Israeli former National Security Council official examines Australia’s anti-Israel protests, the rise of antizionism in Western academia, and the growing crisis of democratic confidence across the West.

Nine Intellectual Virtues

Either universities appoint and promote professors who display and disseminate intellectual virtues, or they reward those who exemplify and cultivate intellectual vices.

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.

Erika Kirk to Attend State of the Union as Trump's Special Guest

Erika Kirk, the widow of assassinated Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk, will attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday evening as one of his special guests, the White House has confirmed.

Ex-FBI official fired by Trump admin lobs DOJ weaponization accusation while launching US House bid

Ex-assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington field office has mounted a run for Congress, accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing the Justice Department.

The White House Urges Republicans to Ignore Trump’s Diversions

They will let Trump be Trump, but everyone else needs to stay focused on the economy.

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…

The Cost of Indifference

The sad and curious case of the chronic fatigue syndrome. 

The Artemis Project

The race is on to build a base for permanent human habitation on the Moon.

Coast Guard investigating swastika found at recruit training center

The incident follows a controversy last year when officials temporarily downgraded the hate symbol to “potentially divisive” in the service’s workplace harassment manual.

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 to Visit Corpus Christi Ahead of Texas GOP Primary

President Donald Trump is set to travel to Corpus Christi, Texas, this week, according to official sources who spoke with The Texas Tribune on Tuesday, making a high-profile stop just days before the state's Republican primary.

Trump’s New Tariffs Could Face Legal Challenges

Critics are questioning the legality of the provision President Trump has used to replace his previous slate of tariffs, raising the prospect of yet another legal battle.

The Implosion of Ro Khanna Is Complete

U.S., Iran To Hold More Talks as Protests Reignite in Iran

Fresh Geneva negotiations suggest Trump's team believes the Iranian government is making serious proposals

Maryland GOP State Sen. Hershey: Won't Be Running for Governor

Maryland Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey said Tuesday he will not run for governor and will instead remain in the state Senate, saying the state's biggest policy fights are playing out in the legislature.

The Republican Party Has a Nazi Problem

How did the GOP become a haven for slogans and ideas straight out of the Third Reich?

Trump Leans on Congress to Address His False Claims of Voter Fraud

The State of the Union gives the president a high-profile chance to issue a call to action on election security legislation he has pressured Republicans to ram through over Democratic opposition.

The Disappointment of Young Trump Voters

Americans under 30 swung to the right in 2024, but they’re not getting what they voted for.

Gavin Newsom Can't Keep His Stories Straight

Trump’s Tariffs Go Into Effect at 10 Percent, Not 15

The change surprised executives and foreign leaders, who had been expecting the 15 percent rate the president announced on Saturday.

Judiciary says courthouses are crumbling nationwide, seeks control over properties

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts says deteriorating conditions have led to safety hazards and health issues.

Democrats' 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' on 'full display' with counter-State of the Union events, Johnson says

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Democratic Party has nothing to offer "but their TDS agenda," with multiple counter-SOTU events set for Tuesday night.

Dem rep identifies himself as one of this year's State of the Union designated survivors

Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., who was named a designated survivor for President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, accuses president of "unlawful" actions.

White House Fails To 'Booby-Trap' Governors

State leaders' opposition to Trump's efforts to divide them made this year's gathering uncommonly notable.

DAWG: Panama Supreme Court Annuls Chinese Canal Ports Deal, Country Retakes Possession

Supreme Court Sides With Couple in Case Involving Baby Food Sold at Whole Foods

The court agreed to revive a lawsuit by a Texas couple who claimed that tainted baby food purchased at Whole Foods had sickened their young son.

Why Roberts Got It Wrong on Tariffs, Foreign Policy

They've never previously applied the major questions doctrine in the foreign policy arena-and for good reason.

Trump’s top general foresees acute risks in an attack on Iran

The Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman has said that a lack of munitions and allied support could mean greater danger for U.S. troops, people familiar with the talks say.

America Turns 250: We Are One - Until We're Not

The United States almost didn't happen. Even before the Revolutionary War was won, a brutal internal political battle had already begun, with the very existence of the new nation hanging in the balance.

Catholic Clergy Urge Protections for Migrants’ ‘Human Dignity’ Ahead of Trump’s Address

18 bishops and archbishops from border areas issued a strongly worded statement hours before President Trump’s State of the Union address.

CNN Political Briefing

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

As Air Safety Bill Fails, Backers Say Recent Near Miss Shows Its Need

The legislation’s advocates say a close call between two private planes near Teterboro, N.J., on Feb. 13 underscored how collision prevention technology could save lives.

The State of the Union brings a big audience for Trump. But does it matter?

In the age of algorithm-driven social media feeds, the audience for the speech is increasingly fragmented and entrenched in their political positions.

Rep. Mace to Newsmax: Epstein Case 'One of the Greatest Cover Ups'

The Jeffrey Epstein case represents "one of the greatest cover-ups in American history" and should not fade until prosecutions and prison sentences follow, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said on Newsmax on Tuesday.

Rubio, Ratcliffe to deliver classified Iran briefing to Gang of Eight ahead of Trump's State of the Union

Rubio and the CIA chief will brief Congress o tensions with Iran just hours before Trump's State of the Union address as nuclear talks resume Thursday morning.

The Buzz in Kristi Noem’s Home State

South Dakota Republicans worry that she might return.

Coast Guard Restores 56 Dismissed Under 'Unconstitutional' Biden COVID Rule

The Department of Homeland Security announced that 56 U.S. Coast Guard members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine under the Biden administration have been reinstated and will receive back pay.

How Spanberger Can Make SOTU Response Worthwhile

Michael LaRosa: Gov. Abigail Spanberger should give America something unscripted, human and real

Dems Bank on Spanberger's Rebuttal, Cost Message

Democrats are betting that Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's affordability-focused message will resonate with the country when she delivers their party's response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

State of the Union May Be a Trial for ‘Barely Invited’ Justices

If tradition holds, members of the Supreme Court will attend Trump’s annual speech, just days after ruling against the legality of his tariffs.

Podcast #325: Why We Need to Talk About Transgender School Shooters

Jonathan Kay speaks with journalist Adam Zivo about the 10 February school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia—a mass murder perpetrated by a trans-identified male gunman who was initially identified by police and journalists as a woman.

Growing number of Democrats skipping Trump's 2026 State of the Union

Democratic lawmakers are split on attending Donald Trump's State of the Union Tuesday, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries offering options of "silent defiance" or absence.

The Epstein Emails Show How the Powerful Talk About Race

The files reveal the disgraced financier’s interest in “race science.”

Trump’s Suddenly High-Stakes State of the Union

The president is visiting Congress in a dramatically different place from where he was a year ago.

Canada’s Unmarked-Graves Farce Continues Apace

Almost five years after falsely claiming it had found graves of 215 Indigenous children, the Kamloops First Nation has announced the supposed crime scene may never be excavated—but could instead be preserved as a ‘Sacred Site.’

Erika Kirk to be Trump's guest at State of the Union

Erika Kirk, widow of assassinated Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, will attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union as his special guest.

State of the Union Suddenly a High-Stakes Affair

The president is visiting Congress in a dramatically different place from where he was a year ago.

GOP lawmaker quietly questioned ‘disturbing’ East Wing demolition

Rep. Michael Turner, co-chair of the congressional Historic Preservation Caucus, wrote to a top White House aide about his “substantial concerns.”

‘Not American Enough’

Trump’s immigration crackdown has Latinos wondering if they belong in his America.

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.

Democrats Counter Trump With Their Own Plan to Limit Wall Street Landlords

As the president prepares to deliver a State of the Union address likely to touch on his own proposal, Senate Democrats introduced a bill with their own vision for limiting investors’ purchases of single-family homes.

The Ambush That Brought Down a Drug Kingpin

Overwhelming force and U.S. intelligence helped Mexico kill cartel boss known as El Mencho

To go or not to go? Supreme Court at the State of the Union

Supreme Court justices face a decision on attending President Trump's State of the Union address after he said was "ashamed" of six who voted against his tariffs.

Bertrand Russell’s Cancellation and the Ongoing Battle Over Campus Speech

How religious conservatives cancelled philosopher Bertrand Russell in 1940, sparking academic freedom debates that echo today.

Trump’s State of the Union, By the Numbers

A year into President Trump’s second term, the United States has undergone fundamental changes.

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.

Federal court refuses to block new Utah congressional voting map that may favor Democrats

A court refused to block a new Utah redistricting map which creates a Democrat-heavy Salt Lake City district, potentially flipping a GOP-held House seat.