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

Atlas No More

It is difficult to overstate just how reactionary Trump’s 2025 National Security Strategy is.

Key Testimony in the Case Against Former Officer Adrian Gonzales

Let's Engage in Baseless Speculation for a Moment, Shall We? The Skies Over Iran Have Emptied MORE

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.

Schumer Shows He's a Better Leader Than Dems Think

Michael A. Cohen: By recruiting former Rep. Mary Peltola to run for Senate in Alaska, like a good baseball manager, Schumer has put his team in the best possible position to pick up seats.

Minneapolis Won't Cower in Fear Amid Border Crackdown

Michele Norris: In recent days I have found myself reporting on another incident of police violence in my hometown.

Inflation Refuses to Fade

Inflation still shows no signs of hitting the central bank’s 2 percent target.

After Danish and U.S. Officials Meet on Greenland, Trump Remains Unmoved

Denmark’s foreign minister left the White House complex saying that his country had a “fundamental disagreement” with President Trump, as several NATO countries sent troops to Greenland.

How Trump’s economy is really doing right now

Costs are still up, and Americans say they’re struggling.

FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home

The search came as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials.

Journalists confront new reality in reporting after FBI raid

Many saw the FBI search of a Washington Post reporter’s home as a jarring new step aimed at limiting their ability to gather information.

Podcast #320: Fighting for Freedom in Iran

Managing Editor Iona Italia talks to Iranian writer and journalist Roya Hakakian about the protests in Iran and why and how they might succeed.

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.

What Voters Told Democrats About ICE, Rising Costs and Party Perceptions

In focus groups, swing voters gave Democratic politicians some tough feedback on the party.

Democratic lawmakers say they’re under investigation for military orders video

“It’s legal intimidation and physical intimidation meant to get you to shut up,” said Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who organized the video on disobeying illegal orders.

Watch the Skies over Tehran

If I were an Iranian, I’d stay away from Pasdaran Avenue for the next few nights.

Top federal Minnesota prosecutors officially terminated after dispute over ICE shooting probe

Minnesota federal prosecutor Joseph Thompson and four others gave notice of their resignations after disagreements about the ICE-involved shooting.

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.

First Amendment Protects Prof Against Intolerant University Officials

The Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of a professor’s First Amendment right to speak his mind.

Supreme Court Allows Candidates to Challenge Election Laws Before the Election

It is entirely predictable that an extended deadline will result, over and over, in the counting of late-arriving votes.

Trump: Minneapolis Food Stamp Fraud 'Giant Democrat Scam'

President Donald Trump accused retailers in Minneapolis that accept food stamps of widespread fraud in a Wednesday night post on Truth Social, arguing that taxpayer-funded programs are being abused with political and media protection.

MAGA Thinks Maduro Will Prove Trump Won in 2020

The capture of the Venezuelan leader has revived a debunked conspiracy theory.

Key Republicans flip, kill effort to restrain Trump's policing power over Venezuela

Senate Republicans used a rarely deployed Senate procedure to kill a bipartisan Venezuela war powers resolution despite earlier success that enraged President Donald Trump.

Hawley, Moody react after heated Senate abortion hearing exchange: 'Can men get pregnant?'

A viral Senate hearing exchange between Republican senators and an Atlanta OB-GYN over the question of whether men can get pregnant sparked a social media debate Wednesday.

Why Vance Committed So Hard to the Minneapolis Shooter

The vice president knows what ICE means to MAGA.

The Warmth of Collectivism

Zohran Mamdani wants to institute “collectivist” governance, but NYC already has a collectivist problem—a coordinated veto system that blocks development and progress.

Iran poses a far more dangerous military test for the US than Venezuela, experts warn

U.S. weighs military options against Iran after Venezuela success, but experts warn Tehran's defenses and retaliation capabilities make it riskier.

Protesters Rally at SCOTUS Against Men Competing in Women’s Sports

The justices heard oral arguments in West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox, two cases involving transgender-identifying athletes.

Consensus: The Supreme Court is Going to Side with State Bans of Trans Athletes

Meadows to Newsmax: Trump's Boom Coming When Rates Fall

Mark Meadows told Newsmax on Wednesday that voters are about to feel the economic upswing President Donald Trump has promised, arguing that lower interest rates and easing costs will matter more at the ballot box than foreign crises, even as the W…

The California Wealth Tax is Much Worse Than I Thought

Leading Prediction Firms Share a Commonality: Donald Trump Jr.

Traders in companies with ties to the president’s eldest son can bet on the outcome of events the president affects.

The Uninvited Sermon

Why artists, academics and others should not exploit the presence of a captive audience.

Supreme Court allows Illinois congressman to challenge mail-in balloting

The high court’s 7-2 ruling dealt with the narrow question of whether Republican congressman Michael Bost and others had standing to sue.

Trump Feels Obligated To Take Action on Iran, Weighs Options

President Donald Trump, facing a red line of his own making in Iran, increasingly believes he must take decisive action against the regime amid a violent and deadly crackdown on protesters, according to officials familiar with the matter.

BREAKING: Trump Declares Killings, Executions Have Stopped In Iran; UPDATE: Iran FM Claims 'Full Control'

Fed Governor Criticizes Global Defense of Chair Powell

Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran said Wednesday it was inappropriate for prominent central bank officials from around the world to publicly defend Fed Chair Jerome Powell amid a Department of Justice criminal investigation.

Congress Is Spurning Many of Trump’s Proposed Spending Cuts

Months after the partisan clash that led to the longest shutdown in history, lawmakers have agreed on spending bills that look far different from what the president wanted.

Rep. Johnson Optimistic About Passing Second Megabill

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Wednesday he is confident he can get a second megabill passed through the chamber.

As Iran Cracks Down, Where Are the Protests Over Here?

‘It's a bit like Gaza,' says a BBC journalist, in what is an unintentionally revealing remark.

The White House Is Becoming Trump’s Picture of Dorian Gray

The White House is becoming reminiscent of Portillo’s.

3 More Lawmakers in Video Say Federal Prosecutors Are Investigating Them

The lawmakers, all Democrats who urged military service members not to follow illegal orders, said prosecutors had contacted them. But it is unclear what crime they might have committed.

Democrats launch campaign for Virginia voters to join redistricting fight

A new group will raise money to mobilize voters for a proposed redistricting amendment as Democrats try to counter GOP-led efforts ahead of the midterms.

Hmmm: FBI Executes Search Warrant on WaPo Reporter’s Home

The Purged

Donald Trump’s destruction of the civil service is a tragedy not just for the roughly 300,000 workers who have been discarded, but for an entire nation.

I Tried to Be the Government. It Did Not Go Well.

My five-month quest to monitor the weather, track inflation, and inspect milk for harmful microorganisms

Trump’s Shrinking Coalition

The president can no longer present himself as anti-system, because he has become the system.

Democratic Leaders See Path to a Senate Majority

Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are confident they've recruited top-flight candidates in enough states to flip the Senate in 2026.

Powell Is the Real Threat to Fed Independence

The blueprint and battle cry for the modern MAGA movement with a mission to restore MAGA principles to both Congress and the White House. From President Trump's Chief China Hawk and trade czar.

Does Congress Even Exist Anymore?

The fast fade of a co-equal branch of government

Rep. Roy to Newsmax: ICE Critics Fixate on Negative, Ignore Facts

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told Newsmax on Wednesday that critics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement are ignoring clear evidence and the broader public safety role of the agency after new details emerged in the Minneapolis case involving the fata…

Why Australia Struggles to Confront Islamic Antisemitism — and What This Means for Social Cohesion

Why has Australia proved reluctant to confront antisemitism when its sources are treated as culturally or religiously sensitive?

H.H.S. Reverses Decision to Cut $2 Billion for Mental Health and Addiction Services

A day after funding termination notices went out to more than 2,000 programs nationwide, the administration reversed itself and reinstated the money.

DHS exposes background of NYC city council employee after Mamdani fumed over arrest

After outrage from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani over the arrest of a city council employee, DHS shared that the individual arrested is an illegal immigrant with a previous arrest.

Capture of Maduro Wildly Popular in Latin America

From ‘I’m Not Mad at You’ to Deadly Shots in Seconds

Frazzled agents, quick triggers, and a motor-powered protest movement are creating a uniquely dangerous moment on U.S. streets.

The Biggest Myth About Trump’s Base (And Why Many Believe It)

The MAGA faithful aren’t deserting their leader.

Can the Ayatollahs Fall?

Amid the darkness of a communications blackout, Iranians are fighting for their freedom and the totalitarian theocracy under which they have lived since 1979 seems more threatened than ever before.

Minnesota Frauds Expose Democrat Business Model

The left's dodges and diversions distract from the fact that the fraud is a feature of what we might call The Blue Model of government.

Vance’s Greenland meeting ends with ‘fundamental disagreement’

Diplomats from Denmark and Greenland agreed to set up a “high-level working group” after the White House talks, but said there was little consensus so far.

Sen. Marshall to Newsmax: Credit Card Bills Promote Consumer Savings

Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said on Newsmax Wednesday that Senate action aimed at the credit card industry pairs a bipartisan push to break up what he called a payments duopoly with the President’s call for a temporary 10% cap on credit card inte…

Trump says Iran has stopped killings as U.S. weighs military options

The Pentagon earlier had moved troops and equipment away from some facilities in the Middle East, echoing measures taken before U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last year.

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.

Wednesday's Final Word

Top Iranian official downplays death toll, blames 'Israeli plot' as US considers strikes

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi disputed casualty figures from recent protests and alleged Israel was to blame during a wide ranging interview on Fox News' 'Special Report with Bret Baier.'

The Too-Online Super Sleuths Got It Wrong Again

It’s smarter to wait until the facts are in before pronouncing a verdict, but perhaps a modicum of prudence is too much to ask.

When Narrative Outpaces Evidence: The Minnesota ICE Shooting

What four videos show—and fail to show—about a deadly ICE encounter.

The Strange Case of Alaa Abd El-Fattah

How human rights law led the UK to roll out the red carpet for a man who expressed hatred of white people and support for killing civilians.

Trump Administration to Halt Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries

Federal officials said the move was meant to discourage immigration by people whom they deemed likely to rely on public benefits.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Hochul endorses legislation to allow New Yorkers to sue ICE agents: 'Power does not justify abuse'

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul backed legislation to allow residents to sue ICE agents for alleged constitutional violations as part of new guardrails for immigration enforcement.

Fine Arts Panel Postpones Review of Trump’s Ballroom

The Trump administration has been under pressure from preservationists to submit the ballroom project for a formal review.

‘You Are Now a King, Under a Different Name’

America went to extraordinary lengths to throw off the rituals and titles of monarchy. Why would we fall for royal trappings today?

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…

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…

Judge to Weigh Next Steps in Student Activist Deportations Case

The hearing on Thursday followed up on the court’s sweeping finding in September that noncitizen students had the same free speech rights as citizens.

Cyberattack in Venezuela Demonstrated Precision of U.S. Capabilities

Senators are expected to ask Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd, President Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Cyber Command, about the mission in Caracas.

Secret Service Chief Used Sting To Try To Find My Sources

The funniest thing about the Secret Service decrying James O'Keefe's honeypot sting tactics -- as "targeted and manipulated" is that sources tell me that Secret Service leaders recently launched their own attempted yet failed sting operation to tr…

DHS at center of progressive revolt as House advances $80B spending package

The House of Representatives passed an $80 billion spending package with bipartisan support, moving closer to preventing a government shutdown.

Thom Tillis wants you to know something: ‘I’m sick of stupid’

The North Carolina Republican has been at the forefront this month of staking out anti-MAGA ground and criticizing Trump’s aides.

Trump's Successes All Point to Avoiding Entanglements

Since returning to office, President Trump has taken numerous actions that deserve recognition, not because they flatter anyone's partisan instincts, but because they correct long-standing institutional failures that both parties have ignored for …

Naughty Talk - UK Speech Police on a Rampage

The Endless Scoops of Seymour Hersh

Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus's Cover-Up explores the life and times of one of America's greatest investigative reporters.

Has Venezuela Overtaken a Historic Opportunity in Iran?

Nearly a week from Trump’s first warning to the Iranian regime, there are as yet no indications the Pentagon will reroute a carrier group to the Gulf soon.

Newsom Rejects Extradition of California Abortion Doctor

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said Wednesday that the state will not extradite a doctor charged in Louisiana with providing abortion medication to a resident of that state.

Supreme Court Seems Ready to Let States Ban Men from Women’s Sports

You can’t ask schools and sports leagues to avoid discriminating on the basis of sex if you can’t even tell them what sex is.

Kaiser Permanente Agrees to Pay $556 Million to Settle Medicare Overbilling Claims

The Justice Department and whistle-blowers accused the major health insurer of overbilling the government for about $1 billion under the private plans.

Lethal Force on a Frozen Street

Trump’s immigration crackdown takes a dark turn in Minneapolis.

Trump makes obscene gesture, mouths expletive at Detroit factory heckler

A cellphone video captured Trump twice mouthing “f--- you” and raising his middle finger toward a line worker shouting at him inside the Ford factory.

Survival of the Fitting

How a set of unglamorous enzymes quietly solved biology’s biggest problem: how to create and uphold a set of rules that make meaning from molecules.

Billions Flown Out of American Airports While the Feds Just Watched

The U.S. Is Pressing Mexico to Allow U.S. Forces to Fight Cartels

The United States is escalating pressure on the Mexican government to permit the U.S. military to target fentanyl labs, according to American officials.

How ICE Lost Its Guardrails

The Minneapolis shooting will get less official scrutiny because of cuts by the Trump administration.

NY Times: Prosecuting the ICE Agent Who Shot Renee Good Would Be Difficult

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

ICE Watch in Practice

Activists track, follow, and attempt to disrupt ICE operations.

Adam Louis-Klein on Why He Founded the Movement Against Antizionism | Quillette Cetera Ep. 60

From settler‑colonial theory to Soviet propaganda, this episode examines how antizionism evolved into a structured anti‑Jewish ideology—and why liberal democracies struggle to name it.

A Breathtaking Week of Pure Trump Id

Military success in Venezuela has emboldened the president to flex his power even more.

Jay Blues

The move against Fed Chairman Jerome Powell may well complicate efforts to pick his successor.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Trump, Venezuelan Leader Rodriguez Tout Positive Phone Call

President Donald Trump spoke by phone Wednesday with Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, and both sides cast the conversation as upbeat, with Trump telling reporters at the White House that Rodríguez is "a terrific person" and that the t…

Update on FBI Search of Washington Post Reporter’s Home

The Justice Department’s investigative methods were aggressive but likely justifiably so and within legal bounds.

Senate blocks Venezuela war powers bill after Vance breaks deadlock

The vote failed after two Republicans withdrew their previous support under intense pressure from the Trump administration.

Podcast #319: How to Think Like a Human

Managing Editor Iona Italia talks to psychologist David Weitzner about the differences between human cognition and artificial intelligence.

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.

Senate Republicans Kill War Powers Measure on Venezuela

Senate Republicans voted to dismiss a war powers resolution Wednesday that would have limited President Donald Trump's ability to conduct further attacks on Venezuela after two GOP senators reversed course on supporting the legislation.

Police Bodycams: The Left's Biggest Self-Own

blm activists pushed for bodycam legislation in the 2010s, thinking they'd catch racist cops hunting black

YouTuber to testify before Congress on Minnesota's massive $9B fraud network investigation

House hearing to examine Minnesota fraud scandals including alleged $250 million COVID relief scheme. YouTuber Nick Shirley, who helped uncover fraud, will testify Jan. 21.

Mamdani housing czar called ‘White, middle-class homeowners’ a ‘huge problem' during 2021 podcast appearance

NYC's new tenant protection chief Cea Weaver previously called "White, middle-class homeowners" a "huge problem" for renters and urged undermining homeownership in 2021 remarks.

Lindsey Graham calls for US to use 'any means necessary' to stop the people behind the killing of Iranians

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called for the U.S. to use "any means necessary" to stop the individuals behind the killing of Iranians.

Federal court clears California’s new House map boosting Democrats ahead of 2026 midterms

Federal court approves California House map that could boost Democrats in 2026 midterms, rejecting Republican GOP challenge to the redistricting process.

Sen. Cotton's Bill Speeds Deportation of Criminal Aliens

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced legislation on Wednesday aimed at accelerating the deportation of aliens convicted of crimes, making any noncitizen convicted of a felony or two misdemeanors automatically deportable.

CNN's Journalists Forget How to Read

Rep. Comer to Newsmax: House Votes Soon to Send Clinton Contempt to DOJ

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told Newsmax on Wednesday that the panel is moving to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress after he said they defied biparti…

NATO Deploys Troops to Greenland Amid US Tensions

NATO countries are deploying troops to Greenland after talks between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland failed, escalating Arctic security tensions tied to President Trump’s push for control of the island.

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…

'Abolish ICE' Is a Loser for Democrats

As the Trump administration has ramped up ICE activity across the country, many Americans, especially Democrats, have grown outraged by the perception that ICE is acting with impunity and fearful that events like those playing out in Minneapolis i…

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.

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.

Guarding the Gates of Our Language

One hundred years after the publication of Fowler’s ‘Dictionary of Modern English Usage,’ it is more important than ever to uphold standards of correct English.