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

Vance reveals he has been in touch with Pope Leo amid war disagreements

The vice president described his relationship with Leo as “positive” in a podcast interview.

The Enemy Within

Iran is not Saudi Arabia’s biggest problem.

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…

Can Iran Deal Help Republicans in Midterm Elections?

Another way to look at it is whether, by resolving his biggest immediate foreign policy challenge, he can also solve his main domestic political problem.

Ringleader of UFC-White House Terror Plot Mexican Illegal Alien Obama Allowed to Stay Under DACA

Trump defends his Iran deal, criticizes longtime ally Israel as G-7 ends

In a sprawling news conference at the G-7 summit in France, the president touted the economic benefits of the ceasefire and threatened force if it fails.

Can a Federal Plan Fix Dismal Penn Station? There’s Hope.

Everyone agrees that Penn Station is a disaster, but not on how to fix it. Now a Trump-backed, multibillion-dollar plan to rebuild it offers a promising step forward.

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 Age of Friedman

It is a special honor to receive an award named for Milton Friedman, pathbreaking economist, friend and advocate for liberty, fierce debater and intellectual combatant - a man whose ideas have shaped the modern world. It is not an exaggeration to …

Fraudsters accused of ripping off America’s grandparents face new crackdown under GOP bill

Sen. Ashley Moody introduces two bills targeting fraud in federal childcare programs and scams against seniors, strengthening oversight and penalties.

How To Manage the AI Revolution

There must be a global agreement on how the technology is controlled

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Trump says intelligence chief pick’s hearing is off and Pulte will remain for now

The Senate postponed the hearing after Trump derailed the process. Sen. Tom Cotton said the president directed Jay Clayton, the DNI nominee, not to appear.

Before Making a Deal, Trump Demanded Iran’s Surrender. He Got a Surprise.

While the Iranians suffered substantial losses in the war, they emerged from a confrontation with the world’s most powerful military having proved they can use economic chaos as a weapon.

Centrist Democrat Concedes to Socialist in D.C. Mayoral Primary

President Trump’s grip on the capital loomed over the race, and he threatened to tighten it if Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George is elected. The Associated Press has not called the race.

Erika Kirk’s Message for Women at Turning Point USA

Our reporter Vivian Yee details what she saw at this year’s Turning Point USA Women’s Leadership Summit in San Antonio.

McCarthy Aide’s Tell-All Book Recounts Trump’s Expletive-Filled Threats to G.O.P.

A new book by John Leganski, the floor manager for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, offers a rare behind-the-scenes account of how President Trump wields his power through threats and intimidation.

If Democrats Aren't Cheating, Why Act Like This?

For several years, I've been debating with a close friend (who happens to be a pre-Trump Republican) about whether the Democrats habitually cheat in elections.

MLB accused of 'double standard' after calling out players' Bible messages despite backing BLM in 2020

MLB faces backlash over threatening to discipline Giants players who wrote Bible verses on Pride hats, with critics citing a double standard.

After draping White House in gold, Trump heads to ‘the real deal’: Versailles

The president was set to leave France — until he was invited to the palace that has inspired his construction projects, including the White House ballroom.

'Grooming Gangs' Scandal Even Worse Than We Imagined

The Most Telling Sign That Iran Deal Is a Dud

The White House released a set of talking points on Tuesday that only highlighted the deal's failings.

Carjacker Goes on Hit and Run Spree in LA

A Tale of Two Settlements

In the 29th instalment of ‘Nations of Canada,’ Greg Koabel describes the birth of Montreal in 1642; and the Indigenous town of Sillery, where a new kind of native-born Christianity took root.

Iran and the U.S. Have an Understanding. Will It Lead to a Deal?

Europe and the larger world will be watching carefully to see if talks produce a lasting agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.

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.

Trump Says Iranian Missiles Don’t Matter Despite Attacking Obama Deal for Allowing Them

It’s a staggering turnaround for Trump, who is now making the same mistake that Obama did.

Wednesday's Final Word

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.

We Must Restore Congress as the Predominant Branch

You will hear no more disorienting or self-defeating a platitude uttered on Capitol Hill in this 250th year of the American journey, by politicians of either party, than the sixth-grade dogma that America has "three co-equal branches of government."

The 'Deal' Is a Disaster, But It May Save the Midterms

New Gallup Poll Shows Stability in Public Attitudes Toward Abortion

Polls conducted by Pew, Associated Press/NORC, and the Public Religion Research Institute also show gains in pro-life sentiment since Dobbs.

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.

Among the Giants

The California redwoods live up to their reputation.

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.

Vance Takes Center Stage

On Wednesday afternoon, senior U.S. administration officials finally read the text of a memorandum of understanding with Iran, days after it was digitally signed. The 14-point plan gives the United States and Iran a 60-day runway to figure out a l…

Trump’s Feeble Threats Are Not Credible

The MOU abandons all the red lines the president went to war to secure.

How North Dakota could overtake Texas and Florida as the most tax-friendly state

North Dakota uses billions in oil revenue to keep taxes low for residents while maintaining strong state finances, creating a competitive tax environment.

Supreme Court unanimously limits use of gun law used to prosecute Hunter Biden

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that a federal gun law cannot be broadly applied to all illegal drug users, siding with a Texas man who admitted to regularly using marijuana while keeping a firearm for self-defense.

Unearthed clip exposes more anti-police rhetoric as El-Sayed gets grilled for deleting social media posts

Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Democratic Senate candidate, accused state police of profiling in a 2018 speech despite scrubbing defund the police posts.

Trump Throws Vance and Rubio Under the Bus

Whoever Trump’s Republican successor is, he’ll be lugging the baggage of Trump’s surrender with him into the next presidential election cycle.

An Electoral Reckoning at Last?

Benjamin Netanyahu’s unprecedented tenure as Israeli prime minister may be about to end.

Selective Pressure, Selective Silence

David Reich and the politics of recent human evolution.

‘The Illusion of Thinking,’ One Year Later

The fact that there is a mathematical limitation on what computers can do seems intuitive.

Hezbollah Claims Iran Has Promised a Renewed Flow of Money When Sanctions Lifted

After 20 Yrs, Al Gore's Like 'I Was Right, I Was Right, I WAS RIGHT!' - ABC News, 'Why, Yes, He Was'

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.

D.C. Crime Database Omits Felonies Such as a Reporter’s Assault

Anna Giaritelli believes that Crime Cards’ omissions can put civilian well-being at risk.

Ringleader of Plot to Blow Up UFC 250 Fight Is 'NOT a Citizen' UPDATE

Four takeaways from primaries in Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma

Trump-endorsed candidates won Senate runoffs in Georgia and Alabama, but in a rare defeat, the president’s pick for Georgia governor failed to advance.

How the U.S.-Iran Deal Came Down to the Wire

The agreement, which punted many of the toughest issues to future negotiations, came after a last-minute scramble.

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.

Trump Defends Deal to End the War With Iran as Details Emerge

President Trump lashed out at critics who say the agreement achieves less than the one President Barack Obama signed in 2015, and he threatened to bomb Iran again if it violated the deal.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Trump Was Playing Nice with Ukraine at the G7

What Does It Take to Get Fired as a Federal Judge?

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…

White House UFC terror plot 'ringleader' is a Mexican illegal immigrant, DHS confirms

Abraham Alvarez allegedly led a plot to attack the UFC White House event using explosive drones and snipers, according to federal authorities.

Why Flight Prices Might Not Fall After the U.S.-Iran Deal

Jet fuel may stay expensive for months, and airlines know travelers are willing to pay more for tickets.

READ IT: The full text of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding

Trump releases memorandum of understanding with Iran designed to permanently block Tehran's path to nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief.

U.S. and Iran have signed deal to end war, but tough negotiations remain

The president defended the agreement, but it has been criticized as a return to the prewar status quo.

Sailing a Ship Through Cryptocurrency Loopholes

The last few months have opened the eyes of the American public to global nefarious activity. Dark fleets have long traveled the high seas, carrying cargo outside of international laws, norms, and standards. This fleet has increased to a thousand-…

How the stock market became Trump’s most favored adviser

Trump has increasingly treated the stock market as a real-time referendum on his presidency, citing market gains as justification for many consequential decisions.

Trump’s Deal With Iran Opens New Rifts in G.O.P.

Some in the president’s party were skeptical about whether the agreement he reached included adequate concessions from Iranian officials.

Claire's Weekly Letter: Spirals of Silence

The Power of Vote at Home

Voter turnout under California's vote-at-home system was off-the-charts. That's a far more important story than waiting a week for results.

Supreme Court Narrows Law Banning Drug Users From Owning Guns

The justices sided with a Texas gun owner who faced criminal charges after admitting to marijuana use argued that a federal gun law violated the Second Amendment.

Government can’t restrict gun ownership over marijuana use, Supreme Court rules

In a unanimous decision, the justices ruled in favor of a Texas man who was prosecuted under a federal law prohibiting habitual drug users from owning guns.

Average U.S. Gas Price Falls Below $4 After U.S.-Iran Agreement

Drivers are enjoying some relief at the pump after the United States and Iran signed an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Ignore the Propaganda. America Is 'the Boss' Again

'I'M the boss, President Trump joked when he arrived a bit late to a meeting with G7 leaders in France Wednesday.

War Ends and the Aftermath Begins

How long will it take for global energy markets to return to normal? A long time, it turns out.

The Obama Presidential Center Opens

The library is like the presidency itself — filled with grand images and exhibits, but not offering a democratic people the substance they’ve come to expect.

In California, the Damage of the ‘Billionaire Tax’ Has Already Been Done

There a few possible options for where it goes from here. None of them are good.

The Supreme Court’s major cases during the 2025-26 term

The Supreme Court has taken up Trump-related cases in its new term, as well as cases dealing with gay and transgender issues and campaigns.

Calling Balls And Strikes On The M.O.U.

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.

The Destructivists

When the appetite for moral reform becomes an appetite for destruction.

Senate Republican pushes merit-based military promotions, targets Biden-era DEI policies

Sen. Jim Banks secures NDAA amendment to reverse Biden-era DEI policies at the Pentagon, backing Secretary Hegseth's push for merit-based promotions.

Hegseth announces 6-month review of American forces in Europe, blasts NATO allies for putting troops 'at risk'

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announces six-month review of U.S. force deployment in Europe, pressing NATO allies to take primary responsibility for defense.

Trump Temporarily Pulls Jay Clayton DNI Nomination to Pressure Congress on Voter ID

The president’s move will not induce Democrats to budge on opposition to the election law or Bill Pulte as acting DNI, so what happens next is unclear.

Can US Engagement Rescue the United Nations From Irrelevance?

The next UN leader will take office at a time when the international body is experiencing an unprecedented crisis of purpose.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Lawmakers scramble after Trump derails bid to revive key counterterrorism tool days after FBI thwarts UFC plot

Lawmakers say FISA 702 renewal is back to square one after Trump's eleventh-hour decision blew up the Senate process days after a foiled terror plot.

WATCH: Cruz sounds alarm on Trump Iran deal, warns against handing billions to 'theocratic lunatics'

Bipartisan lawmakers voice strong skepticism about Trump's Iran peace deal, with critics like Cruz and Schiff arguing Iran is in a stronger position.

Ohio Empowering Local Communities to Fight Off Solar and Wind Development

Georgia GOP drops redistricting plan that would hurt Black representation

Gov. Brian Kemp had called a special session so Republicans could secure one or more additional House seats in the 2028 elections. But lawmakers pulled the plug.

Democratic socialist poised to lead DC after opponent concedes, setting stage for clashes with Trump

Janeese Lewis George, a Democratic Socialist, wins the D.C. Democrat mayoral primary, positioning her to become the next mayor of the nation's capital.

The Curious Case of the Georgia Primary

It’s worth noting that, in Georgia, the voters remain restive — and unwilling to simply follow the commands of the Establishment.

The Miseducation of American Journalists

Understanding what has gone wrong with journalism in the US requires an understanding of what has gone wrong with the country’s journalism schools.

Senate targets Hegseth’s travel in standoff over apparent Iran school attack, boat strikes

Frustrated lawmakers are increasing pressure on the defense secretary to get answers they’ve sought for months.

World Cup Summers a Bit Different?

The World Cup has all the world pageantry of the Olympics, but it has wider participation in some ways.

The Last Canadian Politician I’d Trust to Police the Internet

Marc Miller spread misinformation about unmarked graves and supports the criminal prosecution of residential-school ‘denialists.’ Why would Mark Carney use him to front his new plan for regulating online content?

Trump Signs Iran Peace Plan, 14-Point MOU Revealed

Details of the 14-point agreement revealed as senior US officials claim ‘major win' despite significant concessions.