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

Democrats Square Off in 'Spicy' Senate Primaries

The days of Democratic party leadership picking winners is over.

‘I’m Far Angrier’

Can Cory Booker, once the candidate of love, run for president and stay true to who he is?

Museum that explores how enslaved people were freed sues over grant cancellation

The founders of an Underground Railroad history site in Albany, New York, claim the Trump administration’s funding cuts were aimed at marginalizing Black history.

The Shocking Implications of Iran Missile Attack on Diego Garcia – For Europe

Senate rejects Trump-backed measure to ban trans athletes in female sports

The chamber considered adding the measure to a far-reaching voting bill supported by the Republican president.

Super PAC spending passes $200M, with some groups hiding their cause

Groups that include pro-Israel organizations obscured their spending in some midterm races to try to defeat candidates that oppose their cause.

Trump threatens to deploy ICE agents to airports amid funding fight, vows arrests of illegal aliens

President Donald Trump warns he will deploy ICE agents to U.S. airports to arrest illegal immigrants if Democrats refuse to meet his demands to end the government shutdown.

Trump says he will deploy ICE to airports as TSA shortages drive delays

Border czar Tom Homan said ICE agents will be at airports to help TSA agents, but he does not expect they will do specialized tasks, such as X-ray screening.

Kristi Noem Bought 11 Warehouses to Use as ICE Jails. Now What?

DHS’s next leader will inherit a fast-moving $38 billion plan for industrial-scale immigrant detention.

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…

Musk Supports Dad Who Lost Custody in Gender Care Fight

An Icelandic custody dispute involving a French father opposing gender-related care for his autistic child drew international attention after Elon Musk weighed in, spotlighting debates over parental rights and youth treatment.

The Many Faces of Tucker Carlson

Jason Zengerle’s new book about the degradation of a once-gifted writer and broadcaster also illustrates the downward trajectory of the entire news industry during the same period.

Can the Baltimore Sun Thrive Again?

The newspaper's transformation has paralleled the city's turnaround on crime.

Minnesota Fraud Is Just the Tip of a Growing Iceberg

Minnesota may not be the only state with rampant fraud related to government programs. Leadership must be held accountable.

Robert Mueller, ex-FBI director at center of political tempest, dies at 81

After building a reputation for quiet rectitude, he became a political target as special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Podcast #329: Has the Gay Rights Revolution Gone Too Far for the Gay Community’s Own Good?

Jonathan Kay speaks with Ronan McCrea about his new book, ‘The End of the Gay Rights Revolution: How Hubris and Overreach Threaten Gay Freedom.’

How Corey Lewandowski Wielded Power Inside D.H.S.

While he was supposed to serve in a limited role as an adviser to Kristi Noem, Mr. Lewandowski had wide influence over contracts, personnel and operations inside the agency over the last year.

The Republican Party Continues Eating Its Own

What one lawmaker’s defection from the GOP says about the state of politics

Schumer gambit fails as DHS shutdown hits 36 days and airport lines grow

Senate Democrats' bid to pass a standalone TSA funding bill failed after Senate Republicans blocked the vote, and agents continue working without pay during the DHS shutdown.

A 79-Year-Old Freshman Senator?

Janet Mills does not have a dicey Reddit history or a recently covered-over Nazi tattoo. But her candidacy is haunted by Joe Biden’s 2024 debacle.

Rick Perry to Newsmax: Blue States' Green Policies Drive Gas Prices Higher

Skyrocketing energy costs in states like New York and California are being driven more by local policies than global conflict, even as tensions with Iran push oil prices higher, former Energy Secretary Rick Perry insisted on Newsmax Sunday.

Doug Burns to Newsmax: Transgender Healthcare Ruling Not About Policy

An Oregon judge's ruling last week that the government overreached on transgender medical care for minors was about process, not policy, former federal prosecutor Doug Burns told Newsmax on Sunday.

Trump’s Reaction to Mueller’s Death: ‘Good, I’m Glad.’

The president has been known to disparage foes after their deaths. His response to Mr. Mueller’s death drew criticism from Republicans and Democrats.

Trump Post Casts Democrats as Main Threat to America

President Donald Trump on Sunday escalated attacks on Democrats, blaming their resistance for the prolonged DHS funding fight disrupting airports and leaving security workers unpaid as he pushed the SAVE America Act.

Elon Musk Offers to Pay Salaries for TSA

Anti-Muslim Comments by G.O.P. Congressman Reflect a Rising Trend

On Capitol Hill and in Nashville, comments by Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee have sown division and underscored a growing tolerance on the right for Islamophobia.

Trump continues to target Robert Mueller after his death

Mueller, who led the Russia investigation and the bureau after 9/11, remained a target of Trump years after his probe of possible election interference.

What Was the Mueller Investigation? And What Did It Find?

The appointment of Robert S. Mueller III as special counsel to conduct an investigation related to a sitting president roiled Washington around the start of President Trump’s first term.

California sheriff seizes 650,000 ballots in defiance of state officials over election count dispute

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized over 650,000 ballots to probe alleged excess votes in California's Proposition 50 special election.

Mullin Explored Bipartisan Deal to Rein in Immigration Crackdown

The G.O.P. senator President Trump chose to lead the Department of Homeland Security privately discussed concessions the White House has repeatedly rejected.

Saturday's Final Word; UPDATE: Trump Issues Ultimatum On Hormuz

Outrage Hypocrisy: America's Accidental Tragedy vs. Iran's Deliberate Atrocities

Trump Posts Shocking Response to Robert Mueller's Death

Mueller, who oversaw the probe into the Trump 2016 campaign's ties to Russia, was 81. Trump responded: Good, I'm glad he's dead.

Stripping the Dying of Their Assets: Mamdani's Latest Proposal

Not So Fast, Bill Maher

The comedian was set to receive the Twain Prize before a sudden reversal of course.

A Crossroads as U.S. Weighs Tough Options in Iran

The conflict has reached a fuzzy state of mixed messages and uncertainty.

The State of Grace

When an anti-Zionist worldview collides with the principle of “believe all women,” it is the principle that gives way.

Beshear Criticizes Vance in Ohio, Stoking 2028 Presidential Tensions

Mr. Beshear, the Democratic governor of Kentucky, sharply criticized Mr. Vance as both angle for potential presidential runs.

Far-left activists stay in 5-star Cuban hotel as island suffers total blackout

CodePink sponsored flights to Cuba to protest President Donald Trump's sanctions, but the group faced backlash for staying in luxury hotels.

Vance Touts Economy, Assures Voters War Won't Last Long

The vice president has stressed that the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran would not lead to the

Screens in Schools Have Been a Failure

About a decade ago, the people I dreaded meeting most at parties were the ed tech evangelists - men and women who lit up with zealous excitement about bringing screens into schools. If only every schoolchild had a laptop, they thought, then humani…

FIRST ON FOX: US Border Patrol nabs Mexican fugitives in California wanted for murder, child sex crimes

Border Patrol agents arrested two Mexican fugitives wanted for homicide and lewd acts on a child in California, DHS confirmed, turning both over to Mexico.

House Republicans subpoena prosecutor for records tied to Stephen Miller protester

The demand comes after Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, opened an inquiry into Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, Arlington County’s lead prosecutor.

Who Is Antigone? The 2500-Year-Old Rebel With a Cause.

“Antigone” gave us the original “bad girl,” but its themes go beyond that. How do adaptations keep making Sophocles’ ideas about democracy and theater new?

A Serious Senate Debate About an Unserious Bill

The most pressing question about the SAVE America Act is not whether it’s going to pass, but why President Trump and his allies are so determined to see the Senate put up a bill that’s doomed to fail.

US May 'Escalate to De-escalate' Against Iran: Treasury Chief

The United States may need to "escalate" its attacks against Iran to be able to wind down the war, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday, after President Donald Trump gave seemingly contradictory trajectories for the US military campaign.Tr…

Trump says ICE will deploy to airports Monday to assist TSA amid funding standoff

President Donald Trump will deploy ICE agents to airports across the country on Monday in support of TSA agents amid a funding battle with Democrats.

Iran Strike at Diego Garcia Raises European Fears

Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at a joint U.S.-U.K. base at Diego Garcia but missed, escalating tensions, as Israeli officials cited a longer-range threat while Britain said there's no evidence Tehran can strike Europe.

Shaking Off the Shrouds: Sunday Reflection

Iran’s Revolutionary Regime and the Long War Against the West: Behnam Ben Taleblu

Behnam Ben Taleblu discusses the history of Iran’s Islamic Republic, the evolution of protest movements, and the geopolitical stakes of the current conflict.

High Stakes, and a Low Bar, For Markwayne Mullin at DHS

Trump’s nominee has one big thing going for him: He’s not Kristi Noem.

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.

The Supreme Court Could Make it Harder to Vote by Mail in the Midterms

The Republican National Committee wants to toss ballots arriving after Election Day. Critics say thousands of votes — a majority cast by Democrats — are at stake.

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.

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.

Kathy Hochul: Oops, That Climate Law Was a Mistake...

The ‘Big Black Scar’

Trump is blowing up national-park land in Arizona to wall off one of the border’s last wild places.

Trump Is Finally Eyeing an Exit From Iran. But Will He Take It?

President Trump says he is considering “winding down” operations in Iran. But many of his original war goals remain unaccomplished.

Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum to reopen Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on power plants

Trump warns Iran it has 48 hours to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or the U.S. will strike and obliterate its power plants, starting with the largest.

Kingston to Newsmax: Trump May Have to 'Squeeze the Trigger' on Iran

President Donald Trump may have to go through with his threat to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as the Iranian regime does not seem willing to back down, former Rep. Jack Kingston told Newsmax on Su…

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.

The CDC’s next chief will face thorny vaccine politics. Here are 3 potential picks.

The Trump administration faces complicated political dynamics as it seeks someone to helm the key public health agency suffering a prolonged leadership vacuum.

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…

CNN Political Briefing

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

Treasury's Bessent Says US Has 'Plenty' of Funds For Iran War

The U.S. government has "plenty of money" to fund the war against Iran, but is requesting supplemental funding from Congress to ensure the military is well supplied in the future, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday.Bessent, speak…

The Original Ladies of Letters

A new book by Elizabeth Scott-Baumann examines the female poets and literary critics who challenged seventeenth-century England’s male literary establishment.

Congress could be headed for a tipping point, irreversible decline

After nearly two decades covering Capitol Hill, a reflection on how bad things are.

An Ambivalent Relationship

Southeast Asia in World War II, Part Three: Independence Movements under Japanese Occupation

Judge Sides With NY Times on Press Access to Pentagon

Speaker Johnson Faces Attendance Strain as Votes Loom

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., faces growing attendance challenges as the 2026 midterms approach, with the GOP’s slim majority leaving little room for absences.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller dies at 81; Trump reacts

Robert Mueller, former FBI director and special counsel in the Russia investigation, has died at age 81, and President Donald Trump reacted harshly online.

Friday's Final Word

Podcast Episode #330: When Everyone Knows Everyone Knows ...

Iona Italia talks to cognitive psychologist and linguist Steven Pinker about his new book on Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life.

James Cameron Goes Native

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is a Rousseau-esque oikophobic fantasy of evil humans and noble savage aliens.

Donald Trump Is Nothing Like Robert Mueller

The absurdity of a man who avoided Vietnam due to “bone spurs” dancing on the grave of a decorated combat veteran

Who's Afraid of a Trillionaire?

G.O.P. Bid to Target Transgender Athletes Falls Flat in the Senate

In moving to bar transgender women and girls from women’s and girls’ sports, Republicans sought to put Democrats in an awkward political spot on a sensitive issue ahead of the midterm elections.

War in Straitened Circumstances

After nineteen days of war, Israel and America face a grinding conflict with Iran and Hezbollah, and there is no clear end in sight.

The Buenos Aires Bombings

How Argentina became a front in Iran’s war against the Jews.

Our Civilian-Military Bond Is Cracked

Trump administration urges judge to dissolve injunction blocking Abrego Garcia's deportation to Liberia

The DOJ urged a judge to dissolve an injunction blocking Kilmar Abrego Garcia's detention, claiming the court's own order is the sole impediment to his deportation to Liberia.

A Window Into the Lives of New York City Renters

For Sunday’s issue of The New York Times Magazine, Gail Albert Halaban photographed city dwellers inside their apartments from across the street — with their permission, of course.

Newsmax, Cable Groups Seek Emergency Order to Stop Nexstar Merger

Newsmax and six state cable and broadband groups filed an emergency federal court challenge Saturday to the FCC's approval of Nexstar's merger with TEGNA, escalating a legal fight over what opponents call the largest broadcast consolidation in U.S…

Everyone Has Trump’s Phone Number Now

The president’s personal iPhone has been lighting up.

Pence: Trump upended ‘some aspects’ of GOP agenda but ‘hasn't really changed the Republican Party’

Mike Pence says preserving conservative principles amid rising GOP populism is the calling of his life, ahead of his new book on the conservative agenda.

Poll: Americans Oppose Iran War but Back Key Goals

Most Americans disapprove of U.S. military action against Iran and say the conflict is hurting the economy and driving up gas prices, even as large majorities say it is important to stop Iran's nuclear program, protect the Iranian people, and end …

Letters to the Editor

Friday 13 March – Friday 20 March

Joe Kent says he wants Trump to hear MAGA opposition to Iran war

In an interview with The Post after resigning from the administration in protest, the veteran said he is taking his message to the president’s supporters.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

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.

Dems block GOP amendment tying voter ID bill to transgender sports ban

Senate Republicans' floor takeover of the SAVE America Act entered its fifth day, and the strategy aims to shift blame to Democrats for the bill's expected failure.

Trump Isn’t Even Trying to Sell This War

Has the salesman in chief gotten rusty?

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.

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…

Thune, GOP blast Dems in DHS standoff; Lankford says they fear ICE over Iran

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., accused Senate Dems of being more afraid of ICE than Iran as the DHS shutdown hit its 36th day. Republicans again offered another compromise deal.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

ICE to Help TSA at Airports Amid Partial Shutdown, Trump’s Border Czar Says

Tom Homan, President Trump’s chief border official, said plans were being drawn up to send immigration and customs agents to U.S. airports.

Firm with ties to Trump officials signs deal to lobby for Libyan warlord

Ballard Partners will represent Khalifa Hifter and his armed forces, signaling a renegade commander’s desire to gain influence in Washington.

Trump signals U.S. may leave allies to manage Iran fallout

The threat comes as Marines sail toward the region amid widespread speculation that U.S. soldiers could be called on to deploy.

Evil Meat

What Makes the West Western?

Naoíse Mac Sweeney’s new book tries to convince readers that Western civilisation doesn’t exist.   

Blaine Holt to Newsmax: No Reverse Gear on Iran

Retired Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt warned Sunday on Newsmax the U.S. faces a "dangerous" situation in the Middle East, saying any move to secure hubs like Kharg Island could leave no way to de-escalate with Iran.

A Police Report About a House Candidate Surprised the White House

A woman’s allegations of rape against a Republican House candidate have put Trump in a bind.

SAVE America Act: House GOP Doesn't Buy Thune 'Show'

More House Republicans threatening to kill any Senate bills until action on election measure