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

House passes $70 billion immigration enforcement funding through Trump’s term

The legislation, which brings to an end a four-month lapse in funding, now goes to President Trump to sign into law.

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.

USSS Agent Investigated for Role in Fraternity Hazing Incident

ASecret Service agent is under criminal and internal agency investigation for his alleged role in a hazing incident at a historically black fraternity at Miami's Florida International University that landed a pledge in the hospital.

Democrats Have Rolled the Dice in Maine. Will It Work?

Democrats have rolled the dice in Maine as they pursue a post-Trump future. Will it work?

Are Bibi and Trump on the Same Page?

Wednesday, June 10th on RealClearPolitics - Joined by RCP Columnist Peter Berkowitz

Claire's Weekly Letter: Antifragility in Ukraine

The Heart Wants What It Wants

Who loves paying $4.97 for a gallon of gas?

From Marilyn Monroe to UFC Freedom 250

Trump isn't the first president to hold an extravaganza on his own major birthday.

Chip Roy fields proposal to block pay and power for longtime lawmakers

Rep. Chip Roy proposes ending pay and power for House and Senate lawmakers who serve 12 or more years in their respective legislative chambers.

Trump sees 22 medical specialists, appearing to set new bar for presidents

Trump saw about a dozen specialists for prior check-ups, per past statements. The White House has declined to identify which specialists assessed the president.

Hilton, Becerra lead in California’s governor primary. See live results here.

Latest California governor primary results as Democrats Katie Porter, Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra and Republicans Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton vie for nominations to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Senate map tightens as top forecaster moves 3 races toward Democrats

Sabato's Crystal Ball shifts three Senate races toward Democrats, saying they have a clearer path to winning the majority in the midterm elections.

This Response to Senseless Violence Is Pathetic

Senate Dems Wonder: Who Signed Us Up For Platner Duty, Anyway?

Democrats Try to Move Past ‘Cultural Pandering’ to Latinos for Midterm Elections

The party is trying desperately to win back some voters in the key swing group.

Good News: The Point Pleasant Beach Police Don’t Support the Punisher Logo

The Point Pleasant Beach Police Benevolence Association says they’ve never adopted the logo of the Punisher.

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…

House Dems Ilhan Omar and Sarah McBride mock Republican Nancy Mace over gubernatorial primary drubbing

Reps. Ilhan Omar and Sarah McBride mocked Rep. Nancy Mace after she placed fifth in the South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary contest.

Top Pentagon Official Worked Closely With C.I.A. Officer Later Found With Gold Bars

David Rush, the C.I.A. employee, worked on a highly classified China spying program with Stephen A. Feinberg, the Pentagon’s second-ranking official.

‘Is the iPhone Birth Control?’

Phones have turned us into awkward, antisocial puppies who can’t handle eye contact.

Conor McGregor’s Comeback: A Tale of Banned Drugs and a Famous Doctor

McGregor, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s main attraction, had the support of the prominent sports physician Neal ElAttrache when he decided to use performance-enhancing drugs.

Vice President JD Vance's chief of staff set to depart White House role

Vice President JD Vance's chief of staff, Jacob Reses, is set to depart the White House later this summer, Fox News has learned.

Trump: Here Comes Round 3, and We're Taking Kharg Island Soon

Mexico’s Normal Abnormality

Despite the cartels and kidnappings, Mexico sort of chugs along, with middling economic performance and flourishing life in the major cities.

The Data a Flemish TV Network Didn't Want You to See

How I read a confidential memo on live television—and what it reveals about ideological bias

A Baseless Attack on Friedrich Hayek’s Intellectual Legacy

Author Quinn Slobodian has won acclaim for his attempt to link the famed Austrian economist to right-wing extremists. But his arguments collapse under scrutiny.

WATCH: Trump DHS escalates pressure over migrant child warnings it says Biden ignored: ‘Move heaven and hell’

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin accuses the Biden administration of turning a blind eye to sexual abuse reports targeting migrant children.

Trump: Pulte’s Tenure as Acting National Intelligence Director Will Be Brief

In an effort to prevent statutory surveillance authority from expiring, the president signals that he will nominate a DNI with intelligence experience.

Second Amendment fights grow across several states over 3D-printed gun laws

Lawmakers in a growing number of states are imposing restrictions on 3D-printed firearms, sparking debate over Second Amendment rights and gun control.

The Murder of Henry Nowak and the Politics of Certainty

This case shows how quickly tragedy becomes raw material for those who seek to exploit it.

Trump rails at Gov. Moore over pace of Jack Nicklaus golf course project

The president and the Maryland governor are at odds again — this time over renovations to golf courses at Joint Base Andrews.

Maine Senate Race Heats Up as Trump Attacks Platner

With Graham Platner now the Democratic nominee against Senator Susan Collins, signs of how hostile the race will be have quickly emerged.

Unhinged: Random Assaults on White People, Attacks on Austin Metcalf's Family

House Rejects Bill to Extend Surveillance Power With FISA Section 702 Set to Expire

A measure to temporarily continue a key surveillance law fell well short of the support needed to pass, further raising the chances that it will lapse on Saturday.

Why the Enlightenment Matters

Iona Italia talks to lawyer and historian Adam Wakeling about the enduring importance of Enlightenment values and how to defend them today.

Whackjob Politics Fall Short of an Upset in South Carolina Primaries

Senator Graham’s close call with a runoff shows ‘America First‘ is appealing, but manners matter more.

Inside Trump's WH, Epstein Files Caused a Freakout

The president's top advisers gathered in a series of Situation Room meetings as they struggled to contain a scandal engulfing Donald Trump himself.

"They Hate Australia": The Activists Behind the Gaza Flotilla and the Radical Left's Antizionist Turn | Quillette Cetera Ep. 65

Hava Mendelle — army veteran, nurse, and co-founder of Minority Impact — speaks with Zoe Sankey about antisemitism in Australia, the red-green alliance, October 7th, and why she left the activist left behind.

Trump admin axes ties to dozens of progressive groups in 'direct opposition' to mission: 'Decisive action'

The Interior Department is cutting 43 partnerships and over $4 million in funding for groups tied to DEI, environmental justice and immigration.

ActBlue Is a Money Laundering Org for Foreign Cash to Dems

"War Room" host Steve Bannon and Article III Project's Mike Davis discussed allegations that the largest Democratic fundraising group, ActBlue, weakened donor verification safeguards and misled Congress about its anti-fraud measures.

SPLC’s tax exempt status under scrutiny as congressman accuses group of 'act of fraud'

Rep. Mark Harris urges Treasury Secretary Bessent to strip the SPLC of its tax-exempt status, alleging the group funded extremist organizations.

Missouri senator warns Dem immigration policies threaten Western civilization after scoring ICE funding win

Sen. Schmitt warns Democrat immigration policies threaten Western civilization as his $350 million ICE funding provision targets sanctuary cities.

Spy program credited with stopping Taylor Swift terror plot barrels toward expiration

House Democrats blocked a FISA Section 702 extension, leaving the key U.S. surveillance program set to expire Saturday amid a Trump intel standoff.

Low Math Scores Concern Researchers, Economists

Federal testing data released Wednesday shows that students are struggling, and experts said that means they may not be able to work in high-skill jobs.

More Trump Losses in Court and a Federal Judge in Hot Water

A roundup of legal news from the last week.

Section 702 Temporary Extension Looks Set to Fail

Vote in House today on temporary extension appears doomed as Trump and Dems face off over appointment of Bill Pulte as national intel director.

Pathology and Politics

British author Josh Ireland’s new book about the murder of Leon Trotsky tells the gripping story of a rivalry between two very different men.

Donald Trump Channels Rod Stewart: Tonight's The Night

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

'Severe' Pentagon lockdown sparks emergency response as hazmat teams sweep area

Pentagon safety systems detected an air quality issue Thursday, prompting a shelter-in-place order and hazmat response as officials investigated a reported chemical spill.

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.

Nancy Mace’s thrashing in South Carolina governor’s race caps a rough downfall

The congresswoman finished fifth in the state’s GOP gubernatorial primary, according to unofficial returns, solidly losing even her own home county and district.

A Dilemma That Isn’t

Unless stipulated by law or regulation, a bank has no obligation to consider whether it should be ‘financing emissions’ or, indeed, ‘growth.’

Colbert and Cancellation

The #CancelColbert saga in 2014 established the paradigm for countless hashtag controversies that followed.

Atlantic: The UC System Made a Mistake Getting Rid of the SAT

I Thought It Would Be a Stalemate, But Right Now Ukraine Is Winning the War

Imperial Folly

Under Donald Trump, the United States is, as policy analyst Karim Sadjapour suggested, the "attention deficit superpower."

Hegseth's D-Day Speech Gave Europe a Spot-On Warning

War Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a great speech on D-Day in Normandy.

Lockdowns, Rebels and the Arrogance of Censors

Not everyone panicked. Some kept their heads. Some saw what needed to be done and said so.

Selective Pressure, Selective Silence

David Reich and the politics of recent human evolution.

Congress Scrambles on FISA as Pulte Pick Sparks Revolt

One week ago, Congress was sailing toward relatively easy passage of a bill to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which authorizes intelligence agencies to spy on non-U.S. electronic communications without a warr…

Khanna: Can't a Lying, Violent, Nazi-Tatted Mooch Get a Little 'Grace and Redemption'?

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.

These Young Politicians Want to Fix America’s Housing Problems

A cohort of young Millennial and Gen Z politicians have centered their campaigns this year on housing costs, and the divide is more generational than partisan.

Medicare Advantage Plans Often Deny Seniors Access to Special Care, Analysis Shows

Two reports by U.S. investigators reveal how Medicare Advantage is quick to reject requests for short-term nursing home or inpatient services.

ActBlue CEO Pleads the Fifth (Over and Over Again)

Antifragility in Ukraine

Four years into the full-scale invasion, Ukraine bears little resemblance to the country Russia expected to defeat in a matter of days.

Orange and Green Not Together, But Not Apart

An African migrant who attacked and attempted to behead a man was confronted by a Catholic nationalist.

Trump admin yanks funding from LA homeless agency amid explosive fraud probe: 'Necessary step'

The Trump admin suspends federal funding for Los Angeles's primary homelessness support agency, accusing it of fraud and 'wanton mismanagement' of taxpayer dollars.

Liberals Without Teeth

British liberals exclude reactionary cranks like Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur because they don’t have the stomach for a fight.

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.

Keir Starmer aka Lord Bountiful Still Handing Out Money He Doesn't Have to People Not His Own

Oil executives warn White House that gas prices will get worse

Grim predictions add to the problems of a president already facing a sharp rise in inflation.

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…

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Importing 'Alien Cultures' and 'Losing' Eyes

Trump’s ‘Secret Mission’ to Ferry Oil Past Iran Was Widely Disclosed

A U.S. military official said the president’s seemingly dramatic announcement on Wednesday referred to a previously reported effort to shepherd commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Trump Administration Pushes Limits of Election Investigations

The Justice Department once tried to stay out of state elections, urging caution. It is now pressing forward with claims of fraud as President Trump revives his unfounded assertions that elections cannot be trusted.

Trump and Hegseth Broadcast U.S. Military Strikes Before They Happen

Commanders do not usually speak publicly about future operations to avoid jeopardizing the mission’s success.

It’s My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To

The most consequential weakness of philosopher and journalist Kathleen Stock’s new polemic against assisted dying is its failure to engage with the empirical record.

Can’t Pay Medical Bills? Trump Administration Suggests Getting a Loan

One-third of Americans shoulder health care debt. Insurers are being asked to consider lending money to Obamacare consumers who can’t afford higher deductibles.

Blame Africans Like Elon Musk

Progressives in Ireland are holding on to the taboo that immigration is an unmixed blessing.

Trump Sees Strength in Primaries. He May Come To Regret It

So far, a clear media narrative has emerged from the 2026 midterm election primaries: Trump's unprecedented reshaping of the Republican Party in his image over the last decade is nearly complete, and his influence remains as strong as ever.

Former Biden official Deb Haaland wins New Mexico primary for governor

Haaland could make history as the first female Native American governor if she’s elected.

Wednesday's Final Word

Unanimous Supreme Court Restricts Prosecutorial Venue-Shopping

SCOTUS may not be the most sympathetic to violent criminals, but it has been vigilant in policing abuses by overly creative federal prosecutors.

For Many, College Is Just a Credential

Peter Simonson examines the sad phenomenon of attending college merely to get the degree.