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

‘Survivor’ Is America

It’s our greatest game and our truest mirror. And in its tiki-torch-festooned way, it’s captured our society as an ever-changing collection of tribes.

What Mamdani Doesn’t Know About Tenants

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

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.

Training for New ICE Agents Is ‘Deficient’ and ‘Broken,’ Whistle-Blower Says

The former official will appear with congressional Democrats, who also released documents indicating significant reductions in instructional hours for recruits.

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.’

Trump halts Angel Families speech to check on woman in audience

President Donald Trump paused his Angel families ceremony to speak with Patty Morin about her health and eye surgery, as he honored victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

GOP Resorts to Ridiculous Argument To Defend SAVE Act

Philip Bump: Republicans defending the SAVE Act ask, You have to use an ID to show you're 21 if you want to drink, so why not do the same for voting? Here's why that's nonsensical.

The Epstein Emails Show How the Powerful Talk About Race

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

Trump Declares Feb. 22 Angel Family Day

President Donald Trump on Monday signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 22 as National Angel Family Day, honoring Americans killed by illegal aliens and the families they left behind.

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.

U.S. Had a Crazy Strategy vs. Canada. I Can't Believe It Worked

Canada had the U.S. outgunned, so the Americans went to Milan with a bunch of machetes.

‘The Trust Has Been Absolutely Destroyed’

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

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.

Trump’s ‘total elimination’ strategy paved way for fall of cartel kingpin ‘El Mencho’

Documents reveal the fall of “El Mencho" was the culmination of an aggressive “total elimination" strategy pursued by the U.S. against the Jalisco New Generation cartel.

Border Patrol Shoots Armed Person Near Canadian Border, Authorities Say

The F.B.I. said that the person, who was not killed, “allegedly fired at” a Border Patrol agent in Pittsburg, N.H., around 1 a.m. on Sunday.

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.

Sunday Smiles

Netflix CEO Dismisses Trump Call to Fire Susan Rice

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos shrugged off President Donald Trump's demand that the streaming giant remove former Obama administration official Susan Rice from its board, telling the BBC's "Today" program on Monday that...

Judge Blocks Release of Special Counsel Smith's Report

A federal judge on Monday permanently barred the release of a report by special counsel Jack Smith on his investigation into President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents.U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was nominated to the benc…

Supreme Court put the brakes on Trump, after Congress helped him step on the gas

Trump has walked all over Congress but prior presidents of both parties have stretched the bounds of emergency powers.

How Apple and Other Tech Giants Manipulate News Feeds

The New York Post revealed this week that Apple News has set up a sneaky little system of its own to make sure that its customers get indoctrinated in one political direction.

White House Trolls Trudeau Upon US Olympic Hockey Gold

The White House jumped at the chance to needle former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after Team USA stunned Canada for Olympic gold.

Johnson Will Bring Daughter of Jimmy Lai to State of the Union Address

Her appearance underscores that “America is determined” to secure the release of the Hong Kong democracy activist, Speaker Mike Johnson said.

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.

Why Some GOP Senators Have Become Anti-Filibuster

Some Senate Republicans are making the case to weaken the filibuster in order to make it harder for millions to vote.

U.K. Police Arrest Peter Mandelson, Ex-Ambassador to the U.S., Amid Epstein Accusations

Peter Mandelson was arrested on Monday on suspicion of “misconduct in public office” following revelations about his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein, the sex offender.

‘Not American Enough’

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

Trump fires judge-picked US attorney as top DOJ official warns courts to stay in their lane

Justice Department announces firing of second court-appointed U.S. attorney in two weeks as constitutional battle escalates over federal prosecutor appointments.

The Disappointment of Young Trump Voters

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

CNN Political Briefing

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

Armed man shot and killed inside Mar-a-Lago perimeter, Secret Service says

The man was identified as Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina. The Secret Service said he was observed carrying “what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.”

U.S. Hits Another Boat in the Caribbean, Killing 3

The Defense Department did not provide evidence of its claim that the vessel was carrying drugs. At least 150 people have been killed in the campaign since September.

Mexico's Most Powerful Cartel Leader Killed

Mexico's most powerful drug kingpin, the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed by Mexican security forces on Sunday, Mexican defense officials said.

Mexico Erupts in Violence as Cartels Rampage; Americans Told to Shelter in Place; UPDATED

Biden, aides project optimism in cancer fight, but some close friends worry

The former president announced last year he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He and his aides say he’s doing well and has upcoming public appearances.

Demanding a Firewall Against the Radical French Left

New bill would restrict Trump administration’s push for ICE warehouses

The legislation underscores qualms that lawmakers in both parties have expressed about a push to set up facilities in their states and districts.

In the Annals of Unselfawareness, This Plea Is at the Top

In bid to win majority, House Democrats target districts Trump easily won

The latest crop of the party’s recruits come from an array of working-class backgrounds, some having worked as farmers and ministers and served in the U.S. military.

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.

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.

Reporter's Notebook: Trump's State of the Union becomes political boxing match as Democrats boycott

Trump's State of the Union becomes political boxing match with theatrical buildup, congressional outbursts, dramatic showmanship and orchestrated political theater.

Huge Decline in Violent Crime Isn't a Mystery

The huge decline in violent crime isn't a mystery.

Speaker Johnson Invites Daughter of Detained Uyghur Doc to SOTU

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is inviting the daughter of a Uyghur doctor imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party to attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday, spotlighting Beijing's ongoing human rights abuses, The…

USA Wins Hockey Gold. M-SNOW (And Lemon) Hardest Hit?

NJ Democrats push ‘F---ICE Act’ to let residents sue over immigration enforcement

New Jersey Democratic lawmakers face backlash over controversial "F---ICE Act" targeting federal immigration enforcement after reported detentions.

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.

Kingpins fall, prices don’t: How cartels defy the rules of economics

Why killing drug cartel leaders barely affects prices: a look at the surprising economics behind resilient trafficking networks that operate like corporations.

Angel Families praise Trump for immigration crackdown: 'You are the man'

People who suffered the loss of a family member slain by illegal immigrants thanked President Trump as his administration seeks to tackle illegal immigration.

Another C.D.C. Vaccine Skeptic Steps Down

Dr. Ralph Abraham, the agency’s principal deputy director, has called the Covid vaccines “dangerous.” Other skeptics have recently left federal health roles.

Mamdani Speaks at Mosque, Then Imam Called for Killing All Infidels

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…

End the Filibuster--or Stop Pretending To Govern

So what has Congress done for you lately? Big Beautiful Bill? Sure. I'll give you that one. And it covered a huge amount of ground, from tax cuts to border spending, but that was eight months ago.

Trump, Schumer find rare common ground on releasing UFO files

President Donald Trump directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon to release the government's files on UFOs, UAPs and "all other information" related to the phenomena.

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.

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.

Letters to the Editor

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

Official: US Meets With Russia, China on Nuclear Pact

The U.S. met with a Russian delegation in Geneva on Monday and will meet a Chinese delegation on Tuesday for talks about forging a potential multilateral nuclear arms control treaty, a senior U.S. State Department official said.

Gov. Wes Moore’s redistricting plan is poised to die. He’s still fighting.

Tuesday’s candidate filing deadline marks the unofficial end of the window to redistrict Maryland ahead of the 2026 midterms. Moore, a potential 2028 White House contender, refuses to concede defeat.

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.

Alex Padilla Plans Spanish Rebuttal to Trump’s State of the Union

Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, offered a preview of his remarks, which he expects to focus on the economy, immigration and fair elections.

Naive Republicans Need To Step It Up vs. Dem Subterfuge

Abigail Spanberger, the new governor of Virginia who has been tapped to deliver the Democrats' State of the Union reply Tuesday night, is the perfect avatar for her party's deception.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

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.

Republicans Eye DHS Funding Agreement

Some Republican lawmakers are hopeful that an agreement can be reached this week on a final Department of Homeland Security funding bill, The Hill reported.

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…

We Are Changing Course on Pesticides in Our Food System

Pesticides and herbicides are toxic by design, engineered to kill living organisms. When we apply them across millions of acres and allow them into our food system, we put Americans at risk. Chemical manufacturers have paid tens of billions of dol…

How Jeff Bezos Broke The Washington Post

The paper of record for the nation’s capital cut a third of its staff this week. It didn’t have to be like this.

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.

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.

‘Angel Families’ Return to Washington to Back Up Trump Ahead of State of the Union

The families of people killed by undocumented immigrants have forged a bond with the president, who has invited some of them to his address on Tuesday.

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…

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.

Republicans Love America; Democrats Only Love Power

Dem AGs Collaborate to Block Trump Voting Moves

The nation's Democrat attorneys general are preparing legal and strategic responses to potential Trump administration actions related to federal election oversight ahead of the midterm elections.

Rep. Mace to Newsmax: Political Rhetoric Fueling Violence Against Republicans

Increasing political discourse is inciting real-world violence against Republicans, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said on Newsmax Monday, citing multiple assassination attempts against President Donald Trump and what she described as a broader rise in …

Voters Give Thumbs Up to Donroe Doctrine Foreign Policy

Majority backs Trump's active engagement in Latin America, Caribbean and Canada.

LA County Judge Blocks Plan to Clear Out Homeless RVs

The Cost of Indifference

The sad and curious case of the chronic fatigue syndrome. 

Trump Administration Scrambles to Pick Up the Pieces of Broken Tariffs

President Trump is already working to piece his tariff program back together, after a Supreme Court ruling ruptured a centerpiece of his economic agenda.

Terror and Transformation

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

Sen Adam Schiff says he'll skip the State of the Union for the first time, slamming President Donald Trump

President Donald Trump is scheduled to give the State of the Union address on Tuesday, but Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., announced that he will not attend.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

The Buzz in Kristi Noem’s Home State

South Dakota Republicans worry that she might return.

Trump’s talk of sending a hospital ship to Greenland puzzles leaders

Trump says he’s sending a ship to care for Greenland’s sick. But the territory doesn’t want the help and the U.S. appears to have no hospital ships available to send.

Newsom tells Georgia crowd, 'I am like you... I'm a 960 SAT guy'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom claimed he's a "960 SAT guy" who "cannot read a speech" due to dyslexia in a candid Atlanta book tour moment.

Democrats Don't Know How to Get Their Birth Certificates?

Too Dumb to Check: Gavin Newsom Is Too Dumb to Check

ICE After Minneapolis

Trump’s team wants a reset on its mass-deportation goals, not a retreat.

Top AI firm alleges Chinese labs used 24K fake accounts to siphon US tech

Chinese AI labs allegedly used 24,000 fraudulent accounts to extract capabilities from Anthropic's Claude chatbot in coordinated "distillation" attacks.

Kristi Noem’s Audience of One

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

Supreme Court's Tariff Decision Could Save You $1,000

In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled on Friday that the bulk of Trump's tariffs were unconstitutionally enacted.

Chloe Cole Act aimed at blocking minors from undergoing life-altering transgender surgeries, GOP lawmaker says

Republican lawmaker introduces federal legislation named after detransitioner Chloe Cole that would block gender-related medical procedures for minors.

Facing angry ‘MAHA Moms,’ Kennedy defends Trump’s pesticide order.

No More Delays. Time To Deliver Credit Card Relief

President Trump could lower costs quickly if he would follow through on his campaign promise to put a 10% cap on credit card interest rates.

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 Invites US Men's Olympic Hockey Team to State of the Union

The United States men's hockey team was invited to the State of the Union address and to the White House by President Donald Trump after winning the gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics, the program's first in 46 years.

The Artemis Project

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

Court Denies Utah GOP Bid to Block House Map Aiding Dems

New Utah voting districts that give Democrats an improved shot at winning a U.S. House seat can be used in this year's election, a federal court ruled Monday while turning aside a Republican request to block the new map.

Trump-Appointed Judge Bars Release of Jack Smith’s Report in Documents Case

Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump-appointed federal judge in Florida, slammed the former special counsel, Jack Smith, for drafting the report even after she had dismissed the case.

The Truth About Free Will

Neuroscience’s challenge to free will misses the point: consciousness and choice emerge from complex systems, not individual neurons.

The Republican Party Has a Nazi Problem

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

Joint Chiefs Chair Warns of Prolonged Iran War

Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reportedly warned President Donald Trump and other top officials that initiating military action against Iran could involve the U.S. in a prolonged conflict.

Will We See a Supreme Court Vacancy (or Two) This Summer?

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.

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.

Conservative Women Find a New Way to Talk About ICE

When can an influencer opt out of the news cycle?

Future Shock: President AOC Demands, 'Bring Me the Head of Diego Garcia!'