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

Iran Has Advantage Over U.S. in Negotiations

Our negotiators will have to address Iran's starkly opposing set of goals, which include the U.S. withdrawing its forces from the region.

Hungarian election tests Trump’s global reach as Orban fights for survival

The president and vice president strongly backed Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Kremlin ally and E.U. antagonist, but he trails in polls after 16 years in power.

Eric Swalwell accused of paying nanny with campaign funds while she lacked work authorization

Two complaints allege Rep. Eric Swalwell violated immigration and employment laws to keep his nanny in the U.S. using campaign funds as payment.

Early audition for 2028 hopefuls focuses on civil rights issues

Democratic speakers were pressed to address voting rights, affirmative action and other issues at the Rev. Al Sharpton’s four-day conference.

The MAGA Intellectual Who Prophesied a Queen Melania

An ally of J. D. Vance who has dabbled in monarchism is now working for Viktor Orbán.

Rep. Swalwell's Staff Revolt Over Misconduct Claims

Senior staffers from both California Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell's congressional office and 2026 gubernatorial campaign said they are "horrified" by reports of women accusing the lawmaker of sexual misconduct and urged Americans to "stand with" th…

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…

Trump’s Cozy Transportation Secretary

Sean Duffy is partnering with the industries he regulates in new ways.

Appeals Court Allows Work on Trump’s Ballroom Project for Now, but Seeks Clarity on Scope

A three-judge panel allowed construction on the ballroom to proceed until April 17, but asked a lower court to untangle the details of the president’s plans.

House Republican plans motion to oust Swalwell from Congress amid sexual assault allegations

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna filed a motion to expel Rep. Eric Swalwell from Congress in response to accusations of sexual assault from at least four former female staffers in his office.

If SAVE America Act Fails, GOP Will Go Down Bigly in Nov

Republicans must pass the SAVE America Act, or find themselves playing defense as the minority for the rest of Trump's final term.

Federal judges say White House ballroom construction can continue, for now

President Donald Trump has claimed that halting the project poses a risk to national security and threatens him.

Trump orders a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz as tensions with Iran soar

Trump says the U.S. Navy will blockade the Strait of Hormuz and interdict vessels that paid tolls to Iran following a stalemate in peace talks.

Manhattan DA Opens Investigation Into Eric Swalwell After Sexual Assault Allegations

The Manhattan district attorney’s office is examining a claim that Representative Eric Swalwell, a candidate for governor in California, assaulted a woman in New York City in 2024.

The Conciliator

Why did Gretchen Whitmer go soft on Trump?

Trump’s Purge May Be Just Beginning

After Pam Bondi’s ouster, other top administration officials could be in jeopardy.

Trump Is Denounced -- Even by Some Republicans -- Over the 'War of Choice'

Rep. Mark Harris to Newsmax: Allegations Could End Swalwell's Career

Sexual assault allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., could end his political career as lawmakers prepare to address the issue when they return to Washington, Rep. Mark Harris told Newsmax on Sunday.

Saturday's Final Word

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Faith Among Young People Surges, Providing a Missing Anchor

A Costly Misconception

Now that glyphosate has become a national-security issue, it’s time to revisit the source of misinformation about this controversial herbicide.

Podcast #333: The Search for Truth

Managing Editor Iona Italia talks to Michael Shermer, the author of a number of works on critical thinking, epistemology, and ethics, about his new book, 'Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters.'

The IOC Is Protecting Female Athletics. Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport Isn’t Happy About It

On his Facebook page, Adam van Koeverden accused the IOC’s defenders of channelling ‘stupid conservative pseudo fantasies.’

USPS Is Running Out of Money. Here’s How It Could Affect Your Mail.

Despite numerous attempts to reform the Postal Service, the agency’s business model has not changed significantly since 1970. Officials are proposing to decrease service and increase prices.

The State That Could Decide Trump’s Gerrymandering War

Democrats want Virginians to aggressively gerrymander the state.

Swalwell staffers stand with accusers as Manhattan DA confirms investigation

The California Democratic gubernatorial candidate is facing growing pressure to withdraw from the race after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.

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.

The Intellectual Right Is Mad at the Mess It’s Made

Conservatives are criticizing influencers for going too far.

Holt to Newsmax: Trump 'Stepping on the Gas' With Hormuz Blockade

President Donald Trump is "stepping on the gas" by ordering a U.S. Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt said on Sunday, calling his move a necessary escalation as Iran faces mounting internal and external…

What Now? Vance Leaves Iran Talks Without a Deal.

The lack of a breakthrough after 21 hours of negotiations leaves the Trump administration facing several unpalatable options.

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 Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

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.

The Escalating Global A.I. Arms Race

China, the U.S., Russia and others have ramped up their contest over artificial-intelligence-backed weapons and military systems. The buildup has been compared to the dawn of the nuclear weapons age.

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.

Swalwell Led Hypocritical Attacks on Kavanaugh

Nearly eight years after he and other Democrats tried to derail Justice Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination due to alleged sexual misconduct, Rep. Eric Swalwell is taking an entirely different stance amid accusations concerning his own beha…

Takeaways From the First Big Gathering of Potential 2028 Democratic Candidates

The National Action Network convention showcased similarities and some differences in a wide-open field of possible contenders.

Winston Scott to Newsmax: Spaceflight Affects One on a 'Spiritual Level'

Spaceflight presents both physical challenges and lasting emotional effects, former NASA astronauts Winston Scott and José Hernández told Newsmax on Sunday while discussing last week's Artemis II mission.

Podcast #332: The Historical Case for Israel

In a new book, US District Court Judge Roy Altman traces Jews’ indigenous presence in the holy land over the last 3,231 years.

Trump: Iran Will Never Collect Tolls, Extortion Will End

A rapidly escalating maritime standoff is unfolding in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump announced that the United States will move to reopen the passage to global shipping through a coordinated military effort.

Carney casts himself as NATO defender amid Trump beef, despite Canada missing key benchmark for decades

PM Mark Carney defends Canada's NATO commitment amid Trump criticism, despite Canada missing the 2% defense spending benchmark since the Berlin Wall fell.

AI and the Wiki Wars

The Wikipedia knowledge monopoly is not ready for the Grokipedia threat.

The $97 Million Utah Warehouse ICE Bought for $145 Million

Trump wants industrial-size immigration jails, and money is no obstacle.

Swalwell Scandal Sparks House Expulsion Push

Sexual misconduct allegations against Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell could result in House expulsion votes for the Californian and several other lawmakers from both parties.

In 1990, a bipartisan Congress passed historic bills. Then it cracked apart.

36 years ago, a Republican president and Democratic lawmakers produced monumental laws. Now, a broken Congress has enabled Trump to undo key parts of that legacy.

Navy Warships Cross Strait of Hormuz to Clear Mines, U.S. Says

Iran denied that the American destroyers had entered the strait, as negotiations for an extended cease-fire continued in Islamabad.

Postal Service, Under Pressure, Now Faces Trump’s Mail Ballot Order

President Trump’s executive order, which has been challenged as unconstitutional, would limit the Postal Service to sending only the ballots of voters deemed eligible.

Vance says US-Iran talks end without deal after 21 hours of negotiations

Vice President JD Vance says U.S.-Iran talks ended without a deal after Iran refused American terms, calling the outcome bad news for Iran more than the United States.

The states revealed as best to start a family amid cratering belief in the American Dream

Red states outperform blue states in family stability, economic mobility and education, according to a new 2026 Family Structure Index report.

Eric Swalwell and the Brett Kavanaugh Karma Train

Trump announces naval blockade of Iran after Islamabad talks yield no deal

The blockade could derail a tenuous ceasefire after just five days. Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. remains open to diplomacy if Iran takes “our final and best offer.”

Rewrite Immigration Laws to Favor Educated, Skilled Newcomers Who Won't Burden Taxpayers

Conservative group launches $5M ad blitz pressuring Senate on voter ID as GOP eyes SAVE America Act push

Conservative nonprofit Restoration of America launches a $5 million nationwide ad campaign urging senators to pass the SAVE America Act on voter ID rules.

Appeals court says federal judge must reconsider blocking WH ballroom, weigh national security concerns

A three-judge appeals panel ruled Trump's $400 million White House ballroom construction can proceed until Friday as security concerns are reviewed.

Viktor Orbán Could Actually Lose

The Hungarian leader faces an energized opposition—and questions about whether he would accept defeat.

Pete King to Newsmax: Talks a 'Subterfuge by Iran'

President Donald Trump's decision to halt talks and impose a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz shows strength, as "the United States military has won this war," former Rep. Pete King said on Sunday.

U.S. Moves to Deport Son of Prominent Figure in Iranian Revolution

Federal agents arrested a man whose mother served as a spokeswoman for the Islamist embassy captors during the hostage crisis that began in 1979.

Germany’s Cozy Catastrophe

The German state has been generous to its beneficiaries—but that largesse is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

Democrats see gas prices as a potent political tool. Here’s the catch.

President Donald Trump’s attack on Iran sent gas prices surging, giving Democrats’ focus on affordability more traction if they can get voters to trust them.

Addressing the Academic Skew

Higher education needs intellectual—not political—conservatives.

L'Affaire Swalwell Is Objectively Hilarious

Senator Mark Kelly Is Full of ...It

Judges Fired After Blocking Deportations of Pro-Palestinian Students

The immigration judges’ abrupt dismissals marked the latest efforts by the Trump administration to reshape the country’s immigration courts.

Powerful surveillance program faces obstacles as renewal deadline looms

A recent classified court ruling on the bulk data collection of Section 702 raised concerns about the government’s use of the intelligence tool on Americans.

Rohmer at Camelot

Éric Rohmer’s Perceval le Gallois (1978) vividly recreates the imaginative world in which the people of the Middle Ages lived inside their heads.

Safavi to Newsmax: Iran Regime Will 'Never Abandon' Nuke Program

Ali Safavi, a member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, told Newsmax on Sunday that Iran’s ruling factions remain unified in pursuing nuclear weapons and backing terrorist proxies, saying the regime is unlikely to change course despite…

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…

Communism’s Obsolescence

The structural case for why collectivist systems fail.

Tax Day is this week: Avoid these 5 common mistakes that can cost you money

Millions are rushing to file taxes, but simple mistakes can trigger IRS penalties and delayed refunds. Here are five common errors and how to avoid them.

The Apostle For the Rest Of Us: Sunday Reflection

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.

British General Admits That It Can't Deploy a Division Abroad

What Explains Graham Platner's Success

In 2002, my classmate Graham Platner ran for student-body president of John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, Maine. I remember watching him in our auditorium debate his fellow candidates. He was the radical, wearing a revolutionary proletaria…

Bust of multi-state drug ring highlights increasing use of police drones

Once a novelty, drones are now being flown by more than 5,000 large and small law enforcement agencies across the nation.

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.

Tax the Rich?

She Testified About Being Raped. Then ICE Showed Up.

Immigration officers are making arrests in sensitive locations, including family court.

Vance: No Deal – And That’s Bad News For Iran; Update: Vance Exits ASAP

Trump Announces Strait of Hormuz Blockade

President Donald Trump on Sunday morning announced that the U.S. Navy and "other countries" will block all ships "trying to enter, or leave" the Strait of Hormuz following negotiations that showed Iran "is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions!"

Heritage president toasted editor of controversial right-wing magazine

Heritage Foundation chief Kevin Roberts called Paul Gottfried, a “paleoconservative” who promotes writers accused of white supremacism, “one of the sages of our age.”

Foreign Power, Local Politics

Where local collaboration is absent, foreign intervention imposes enormous costs or simply stalls. Where it exists, intervention can succeed with surprising velocity.

Rep. Andy Harris: Guest Visas Don't Violate Border Policy

Advocating foreign workers to assist Maryland's seafood industry in no way contradicts being an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., insists.

Trump: We Will Seize Ships That Paid the Mullahgeld

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 blasts Spanberger ahead of Virginia meetings, says state faces tax base exodus like New York, California

President Donald Trump blasted Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger over taxes, warning her policies could drive people and companies out as with New York and California.

Dems' Growing Credibility Gap May Cost Them Midterms

New polling and early warning signs in Virginia and New York suggest Democrats' messaging and governing gap could cost them in the midterm elections.

1979 Is the Year That Explains Donald Trump

And pretty much all of the 1980s do too.

André Gide versus George Orwell: Two Paths to Truth

More than a century after it was first published, ‘If It Die’—Gide’s shockingly candid account of his childhood and sexual awakening—remains a gripping read.

At a mahjong table in Iowa, a struggle over which party to trust

Women courted in key races weigh their choices — and whether the president’s policies have delivered for a working-class town hit by tariffs, war and rising costs.

What the ‘Real Housewives’ Think About Congress’s Reality TV Drama

A visit to the Capitol by stars of the “Real Housewives” offered a glimpse into how the nation’s elected representatives mimic the gossipy world of reality TV. Nobody appears to relish the similarities.

J. D. Vance Is Definitely Against Foreign Election Interference

The vice president accused the European Union of meddling—as he stumped for Viktor Orbán.

Only Prosecutions Can End DOJ Weaponization

By 'ending weaponization,' the media mean Trump's DOJ should do nothing about years of Democrat lawfare, until Democrats can do it again.

Resurfaced clips from top Democrats echoing Trump on birthright citizenship spark online uproar: 'Wow'

Videos of Democrats Harry Reid and Dianne Feinstein criticizing birthright citizenship resurface as the Supreme Court debates Trump's executive order.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Hegseth’s War on America’s Military

Someone needs to explain the Pentagon purges to the American people.

Democrats See 'Blue Wave' Building for US Midterms

Democrats are growing bullish about a possible "blue wave" in November's US midterm elections, buoyed by eye-catching local votes that suggest a backlash against President Donald Trump may be spreading beyond the party's usual strongholds.From a s…

'Christmas Vacation' and Congress: 'We're all in misery' amid the ongoing DHS shutdown

Fox News' Chad Pergram discusses Congress' prolonged DHS shutdown and the risky tactics associated with it as political divisions threaten deeper government funding crises.

Trump Was Watching a U.F.C. Fight in Miami While Iran Talks Collapsed

On his way to Florida, President Trump said it did not matter to him if a deal with Iran was reached or not: “We win, regardless,” he said.

How college students who study war view Trump’s Iran taunts

On campuses around the country, thoughtful debates about “just war” theory and morality collided with President Trump’s erratic approach to combat.

Letters to the Editor

27 March – 3 April 2026