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

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…

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…

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.

Another Sign the Cuban Regime's Days Are Numbered

No Happy Feet: Barcelona Issues 'Guidelines' for Respecting Muslim Students During Ramadan

Trump Is Expected to Endorse Cornyn

Republican strategists hope the endorsement will make the Texas Senate race less expensive and less competitive.

Erasing the Word “Woman”

The desexing of language in women’s health research and care is a story of the marginalisation of science, cultural imperialism, and abuse of power.

US signals readiness to escort tankers through Hormuz as traffic thins, but no mission has been launched

Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright signal the U.S. may escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as shipping traffic drops, though a U.S. official says no mission is underway.

Toppling a Tyrant

The assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei has opened a narrow window for regime change in Tehran.

Letters to the Editor

Friday 27 February – Friday 6 March

Trump Echoes F.D.R. and Grant in Calling for ‘Unconditional Surrender’

President Trump demanded that Iran capitulate in the war with the United States, invoking a phrase made famous by statesmen and generals.

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.

Yes, Trump Can Do That With Tariffs

Courts are likely to defer to the president this time-but he has to be careful.

What the Hell Is Wrong With Charlotte?

Collision with Reality

The Supreme Court has just invalidated Trump’s tariff agenda. But the economics were already doing that.

The Grand Senate Bargain?

In yesterday's column discussing the utter weirdness of the Democrats' gay-preacher Senate nominee in Texas, James Talarico, I floated a rumor that had been circulating that President Trump would endorse incumbent Republican John Cornyn in return …

Podcast #327: Will Post-Islamist Iran Get a Royal Restoration?

Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Iranian-Canadian human-rights activist Kaveh Shahrooz about whether Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the last Shah of Iran, might rise to power as a new Prince of Persia.

Testing New Model: 'Decapitate and Delegate'

President Trump is betting his legacy on a new playbook for U.S.-led regime change: We bomb, you decide.

Arrest and Moral Pageantry

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Mick Jagger, and the theatre of degradation.

Marine veteran vows to stay in North Carolina's US Senate race after violent Capitol arrest

Marine veteran and Green Party candidate Brian McGinnis remains defiant after a violent removal from a Senate hearing involving Sen. Tim Sheehy.

From ‘America First’ to ‘Always America Last’

Trump promised to stop wars. His grip on his base is being questioned now that he’s started one.

Ga. Senate OKs Bill Expanding 'Stand Your Ground' Law

Georgia's Republican-led Senate on Friday approved legislation broadening "stand your ground" self-defense protections, a proposal some Democrats said could help protect defendants such as those who murdered Ahmaud Arbery.

What Can the Texas Primary Tell Us About Democrats?

Our reporter Elaine Godfrey on getting kicked out of a Jasmine Crockett rally

‘America Doesn’t Want My Children or Grandchildren’

The Cruz family spent years building a life in New York. Then the risks of staying became too great.

Things Are About to Get Ugly in Texas

A runoff, resentments, and the question of whether a Democrat can win statewide

The Impossible Predicament of the Uninsured

My aunt couldn’t afford to go to the hospital. She ended up there anyway.

Controversial top vaccine regulator to depart FDA

Vinay Prasad, the top regulator overseeing vaccines and complex treatments for difficult diseases, had previously lost his job in July before getting it back less than two weeks later.

Hollow Promises in Ohio's Silicon Heartland

As tech companies gain more ground, residents pay the price for the state's data center boom.

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.

Mass firings leave national security ranks thinned as war raises threats

The U.S. military operation in Iran is testing a depleted Justice Department and FBI. Firings of experienced agents and prosecutors have diminished expertise to counter threats.

FLASHBACK: Dem Senate nominee called illegal aliens 'constituents,' gave advice on evading ICE

Texas Senate candidate James Talarico faces scrutiny over 2019 posts advising undocumented immigrants how to evade ICE detention during Trump's first administration.

Russia Is Sharing Intelligence With Iran, U.S. Officials Say

The information has included satellite imagery showing the locations of military personnel. But some officials played down the significance of the partnership.

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.

Paxton's Clever Ploy in Texas Senate Race

Two days ago, it looked like Texas attorney general Ken Paxton's dreams of going to the U.S. Senate were evaporating.

Interesting...China Stopped Sending Aircraft to Harass Taiwan This Week

Holt to Newsmax: Iran Is Not Iraq or Afghanistan

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt told Newsmax Friday that the U.S. operation against Iran should not be compared with the troop-heavy wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Marc Short to Newsmax: Democrats Risk Security With DHS Fight

Former Trump administration official Marc Short told Newsmax Friday that Republicans should press Democrats harder over their refusal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, calling the standoff a national security risk and political liability.

How The Times Tracks Down the Connections Behind Trump’s Pardons

Reporters tapped sources, combed through public records and scrutinized social media to penetrate the web of influence and money underlying the president’s clemency grants.

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.

Trump administration asks court to restore punishments for law firms

The Justice Department told a federal appeals court that judges who blocked executive orders sanctioning several law firms had infringed on the president’s authority.

How Does It End in Iran? The Most Likely Scenarios

The United States went to war with Iran for reasons that remain unclear.

Sen. Kennedy to Newsmax: Trump Had No Choice but to Attack Iran

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told Newsmax on Friday that President Donald Trump did not start a war with Iran but was trying to stop one.

The ‘Crazy’ Plot to Release the Epstein Files

How an unlikely duo of lawmakers partnered with victims to try to hold the powerful accountable

Trump voucher offers new money for public school students, and pressure for Democrats

Democratic governors, under pressure, must decide whether to participate in the new federal voucher program, which offers dollars for public and private school students.

What Kind of People Did Founders Intend Us To Be?

Throughout our nation's history, zealous left-wing crusades have gradually but invariably lost ground because, sooner or later, the practical and immediate demands of commerce reasserted themselves in the face of abstract utopian promises.

Florida Bar Retreats From Statement Saying Lindsey Halligan Was Under Scrutiny

The Florida bar said that it had “erroneously” made that assertion, disclosed in a letter last month, and that no investigation into Ms. Halligan was pending.

Fatal Stabbing: Fairfax Prosecutor Under Fire

A George Soros-backed, soft-on-crime prosecutor in Fairfax County, along with Virginia's state administration, which has taken a hostile stance toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are contributing to what many see as a dangerous e…

A Strike Against Beijing

Operation Epic Fury is not just about Iran.

Spanberger lashes out at Pentagon after Hegseth pulls colleges’ support over woke ‘ideologies’

Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger slams Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth after military cuts ties with William & Mary over alleged woke ideologies.

Cancellation of Army exercise fuels speculation about Mideast troop deployments

The abrupt cancellation of a training event has put a spotlight on the 82nd Airborne Division, which specializes in ground combat and other fraught missions.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Musk Is Enticed by the Lunar Siren

Elon Musk should remain focused on Mars; diverting to the Moon would be a mistake.

Perhaps Iran Thought Trump Was Like His Predecessors

Perhaps we forgot what it's like when politicians act on their promises.

Divisive F.D.A. Vaccine Regulator Is Resigning

Dr. Vinay Prasad drew criticism for overriding career scientists and rejecting drugs by companies seeking agency approval.

N.Y. Gov. Hochul Meets Border Czar Over ICE Surge Fears

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul met with border czar Tom Homan on Friday, as Homan sought to assure the governor there were no plans for a surge of immigration agents into her state.

Reps. Burchett, Boebert to Newsmax: Congress Protects Its Own

Republican Reps. Tim Burchett of Tennessee and Lauren Boebert of Colorado said on Friday that Congress is blocking transparency about sexual misconduct allegations involving lawmakers after the House rejected a resolution to release ethics reports…

Talarico’s Social Media Paper Trail, the Jobs Report and More Politics News

For some Democrats, generational change comes with a cringey social media past.

Melania at the Mic

The first lady’s surreal act of geopolitical theatre did little to explain how the ongoing US–Israeli military campaign against Iran’s brutal theocrats will make the world safer.

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…

Congress Tells the Retreat Caucus To Sit Down

Over the last 48 hours, both chambers of Congress have held formal votes on War Powers resolutions to terminate US military operations in Iran - and both said no. The Senate voted down its measure 47-53, largely along partisan lines, with the Hous…

Obama, Biden, Clintons remember Jesse Jackson in Chicago memorial service

Rev. Jesse Jackson's memorial service draws former Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton to Chicago's House of Hope arena on Friday.

Trump Meets Defense CEOs as WH Says Weapons Plentiful

President Donald Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth met Friday with the CEOs of several major defense contractors as the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran entered its sixth day.

Pete Buttigieg in the Wilderness

He has a beard, a splitting maul, and a house in Michigan. Is that enough to convince America that he’s a man of the people?

Russia is Helping Iran Target Americans

Biden says ‘I’m a h--- of a lot smarter than most of you’ to crowd at Jesse Jackson's funeral

Joe Biden shared a personal story about childhood stuttering at Jesse Jackson's memorial service, telling a crowd he's "smarter than most of you" in a pointed comment.

Pete Hegseth’s Moral Unseriousness

The defense secretary appears unable to approach matters of life and death with even the slightest bit of reverence or humility.

The End of Strategic Ambiguity

The Islamic Republic’s assault on the Gulf will forge the new Middle East.

Indiana Judge Rules That Abortion Is a Religious Sacrament...Seriously, She Did

Justice Department targets Cuban officials, aims for indictments

The Justice Department has formed a working group to examine bringing federal charges against officials or entities within Cuba’s government.

Brandon Herrera’s YouTube Gives Democrats More Hope in West Texas Race

What had been a safe G.O.P. seat was looking more attainable for Democrats after Representative Tony Gonzales bowed out in favor of a hard-right candidate.

Man convicted of Iran-backed Trump assassination plot compared his plan to Butler shooting: FBI

Asif Merchant told an FBI agent he thought Iran "was responsible" for the assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, but the bureau found no evidence of that.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

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.

Trump says US 'doing very well' in Iran nearly 1 week into joint action against Tehran

President Trump says Iran's military is "gone" nearly a week after the U.S. and Israel started coordinated military action against Tehran.

Virginia Dems push anti-ICE bills days after Spanberger rejects detainer for illegal immigrant murder suspect

Virginia Dems tightened the screws on their anti-ICE cooperation efforts just days after Gov. Abigail Spanberger rejected federal requests to hold an illegal immigrant murderer.

Rep. Jordan to Newsmax: Vote Against Rep. Mace's Bill Protects Victims

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, defended his vote to defeat an effort by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., that would make public all reports of allegations of congressional lawmakers and aides accused of sexual misconduct or harassment in an appearance on Newsma…

Friday's Final Word

Vulnerable California Republican Darrell Issa Drops Re-election Bid

The decisions by Darrell Issa and Kevin Kiley, made newly vulnerable by redistricting, demonstrated the challenges Republicans face in a difficult midterm environment.

Trump Maintains That U.S. Has Ample Weapons as Iran War Depletes Stocks

After meeting with defense contractors at the White House, President Trump said the companies were all committed to increasing production.

Iran War Poses Test for Justice Dept. After Firings Deplete National Security Ranks

Firings, resignations and diversions to the president’s priorities have left elite counterterrorism and counterintelligence units stretched thin, current and former officials say.

Germany Conducts 13th Day of Censorship Action

On Wednesday, February 25, German law enforcement carried out a nationwide "Day of Action Against Online Hate" involving raids and interrogations in connection with 140 cases of suspected "dissemination of criminal content...in particular on socia…

Trump vows to write executive order to reshape college sports

The president blamed payments to players and said he would focus on “common sense” ideas to fix college football, basketball and other sports.

Epic Fury Is Justified, But Americans Will Need Convincing

The attack on Iran has put a clear question front and center for this country and our allies around the world: Given Iran's long and bloody history of support for terrorism and its nuclear weapons obsession, which poses an existential threat not j…

Russia is providing Iran intelligence to target U.S. forces, officials say

The targeting information has included the locations of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East, the officials said.

Trans Parent Gets 5 Years for Stabbing His Own Children

California Rep. Darrell Issa to retire, endorses Jim Desmond to succeed him

California Rep. Darrell Issa announces retirement after 25 years, endorses San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond for newly redrawn 48th District seat.

Justice Dept. Denounces Federal Judges in Fight Against Law Firms

The Trump administration had signaled earlier this week that it was ready to abandon four executive orders seeking to punish law firms, but abruptly reversed course the next day.

Florida Bar reverses itself, says it is not investigating Lindsey Halligan

A spokesperson said the bar’s counsel “erroneously” stated there was a “pending investigation”; instead, a complaint against Halligan remains at a preliminary stage.

Postmaster: USPS Could Run Out of Cash in a Year

The U.S. Postal Service will run out of cash within a year unless Congress lifts a decades-old cap and allows the agency to borrow more money, the new postmaster general warned in an interview.If it doesn't, the Postal Service might not be able to…

Kristi Noem's firing fails to sway Democrats as DHS shutdown drags on

Democrats maintained their DHS funding blockade over ICE reforms despite Secretary Kristi Noem's ouster, and Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., will take her place.

‘Elaine From Atlantic … She Needs to Leave’

Representative Jasmine Crockett claimed I wasn’t kicked out of her rally. Here’s the audio.

Sotomayor Rebukes Court in N.Y. Voting Map Fight

Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the U.S. Supreme Court had asserted a "newfound authority" after it halted a New York state court order that would have required the state to redraw New York City's only Republican-held congressional district be…

After the strikes, how would the US secure Iran’s enriched uranium?

War Secretary Hegseth declines to detail military plans for Iran's enriched uranium stockpile reportedly stored at Isfahan nuclear facility.

Chevron Warns California It May Not Survive More Cap-and-Trade Taxes

A Justified Assassination

In this week’s column, I reflect on the death of Ayatollah Khamenei—and why it may be a moment for cautious celebration.

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.

Planned Parenthood Now Offering Botox

Reports: Rep. Issa Expected to Drop Reelection Bid

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., is expected to drop his reelection bid just ahead of California's congressional filing deadline on Friday, according to Axios and Politico.

Kristi Noem Survived Many Crises. Then She Crossed a Trump Red Line.

President Trump, who values loyalty, has at times tried to distance himself from his administration’s own actions when they become politically toxic.

Power Beyond Realpolitik

In geopolitics, moral culture shapes whether influence is experienced as leadership or domination, cooperation or coercion.

Sen. Kelly: Suspend Federal Gas Tax Through Oct. 1

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., on Friday proposed suspending the 18.4-cent-per gallon federal gasoline tax through Oct. 1 in a bid to help Americans who face rising prices due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Democrats join legal challenge to Trump’s planned 250-foot arch

“This is a straightforward issue of who’s in charge,” Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said, citing a law that certain monuments must receive Congress’s approval.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Why Trump Changed His Mind on Kristi Noem

Congressional questions about contracts, ads, and extramarital sex ended her tenure.

Dire Strait: Sure Looks Like China Is Writing Off the Ayatollahs

‘We Need to Do McCarthyism to the Tenth Power’

Conservative influencers are pushing for a return to the dark days of 1950s inquisitions.

Justice Dept. releases missing Epstein documents with Trump allegations

The agency said the records, which include allegations made against President Donald Trump in 2019, were not previously released because they were “ incorrectly coded.”

Gulp: US Loses 92,000 Jobs in February After Health-Care Strike