Posts by Doug Mataconis

Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.
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Supreme Court Reaffirms Obergefell, Orders Gay Couples Be Treated Equally On Birth Certificates

On the second anniversary of its decision in Obergefell, the Supreme Court struck another blow in favor of LGBT rights.

Another Deplorable Trump Twitter Tirade

Once again, Donald Trump has taken to Twitter to attack women, embarrass himself, and embarrass the nation he purports to represent.

Federal Government Ends Effort To Strip Redskins Of Their Trademarks

In light of a recent Supreme Court decision, the Federal Government is ending its defense of an effort to revoke the trademarks of the Washington Redskins.

Rex Tillerson Clashing With White House Over Personnel And Other Issues

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is apparently chafing under a White House that isn’t letting him do his job.

Trump’s Job Approval Numbers Are Historically Bad And Only Likely To Get Worse

Donald Trump is the most unpopular incoming President in more than eighty years.

Supreme Court Accepts New Jersey’s Challenge To Federal Law Barring Sports Betting

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving New Jersey’s challenge to a Federal law outlawing sports betting.

Most Americans Oppose The Senate’s Obamacare Replacement Bill

The GOP’s effort to ‘repeal and replace’ Obamacare faces another roadblock, namely the fact that the American public doesn’t support their replacement plan.

Trump Golf Courses Displaying Fake Time Magazine Cover Featuring Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s golf courses are displaying something that literally is fake news.

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Senate GOP Delays Vote On Health Care Reform

A big setback for Republican efforts to ‘repeal and replace’ Obamacare.

Supreme Court To Hear Appeal Of Baker Who Refused To Bake Cake For Same-Sex Wedding

The Supreme Court has accepted the appeal of a Colorado baker in a case that will determine if claims of religious liberty and free expression outweigh the application of generally applicable laws against discrimination.

CBO Score Casts Even More Doubt On Senate Health Care Reform Bill

Once again, a bad CBO score is casting doubt on a Republican health care reform bill.

Supreme Court Declines To Accept Yet Another Second Amendment Case

The Supreme Court has once again declined to hear an appeal in a Second Amendment case.

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Supreme Court Strikes Down Bar On Secular Aid To Church-Run Schools

The Supreme Court ruled today that states may not exclude church-run schools from an aid program with a wholly secular purpose.

Supreme Court Partly Upholds, Partly Lifts, Stay On Muslim Travel Ban

In a decision that hands a victory to both sides, the Supreme Court has partly upheld, and partly lifted, the stay on President Trump’s Executive Order that banned travel from six majority-Muslim nations.

Senate GOP Health Care Bill Faces Crucial Week, And Many Doubts

The Senate GOP health care reform care bill faces a crucial week, and things aren’t looking good.

Supreme Court Retirement Speculation Swirling Around Kennedy

With tomorrow marking the end of the Court’s current term, there’s speculation that we could see Justice Anthony Kennedy stepping down.

Trump Lies, The Truth Dies

Donald Trump’s Presidency is young, but he’s already on track to become the biggest liar ever to occupy the Oval Office.

Senate Republicans Release Health Care Plan That Could Already Be Dead On Arrival

Senate Republicans released their proposed health care plan this morning, but it could already be doomed.

Republican Karen Handel Wins Georgia Special Election

In one of the most closely watched Special Elections in American history, the outcome turned out to be not entirely surprising.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Law Barring Social Media Use By Sex Offenders

The Supreme Court rules that states cannot bar convicted felons from using social media sites.

Supreme Court: Denial Of Trademarks Because They Are ‘Disparaging’ Violates First Amendment

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Federal Government cannot deny trademark protection because a requested trademark is “disparaging” to a racial or ethnic group.

Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Case On Partisan Gerrymandering

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear its first case on partisan gerrymandering in more than ten years, but opponents of the practice shouldn’t start celebrating just yet.

Van Attack Outside London Mosque Kills One, Injures Ten, In Apparent Anti-Muslim Attack

A van struck a crowd outside a London mosque late last night in an attack by a man who said he wanted to kill Muslims.

Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Trial Ends In Mistrial

A hung jury in the Cosby sexual assault case results in a mistrial.

Trump Reverses Parts Of Obama’s Opening To Cuba

Foolishly, President Trump is rolling back part of President Obama’s opening to Cuba.

Robert Mueller Investigating Jared Kushner’s Finances

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has a Trump family member in the cross hairs.

President Trump Thinks The Media Hates His Twitter Habit. He Couldn’t Be More Wrong.

Donald Trump thinks the media doesn’t like his Twitter habit. In reality, they love it.

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Democratic Lawmakers Sue President Trump For Violations Of Emoluments Clause

Nearly 200 Members of Congress and the Senate have filed suit against President Trump alleging that he is violating the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.

Mueller Expands Investigation To Include Obstruction Of Justice

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has expanded his investigation to include the allegation that President Trump may have attempted to obstruct justice

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Federal Reserve Raises Rates For Third Time Since December

For the third time since December,, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates.

Ed Gillespie and Ralph Northam Win Primary Battles For Virginia Governor

Republicans and Democrats have picked their candidates for 2017’s Governor’s race, but the biggest name is likely to be one not on the ballot, Donald Trump.

Congressman Shot, Others Injured, At Congressional Baseball Practice

A Congressman was shot, and a staffer and security detail members injured, at a practice session for tomorrow’s Congressional baseball game.

Maryland and Washington, D.C. Sue Trump Over Alleged Emoluments Clause Violations

Maryland and the District of Columbia are suing President Trump based on alleged violations of two provisions of the Constitution that have never been litigated before.

Trump’s Absurdly Obsequious Cabinet Meeting

Donald Trump’s first Cabinet Meeting looked like something out of a Maoist propaganda video.

Trump Reportedly Considering Firing Special Counsel Bob Mueller

There are reports that the President is considering firing Special Counsel Bob Mueller. Are we headed for another Saturday Night Massacre?

Ninth Circuit Upholds Stay On Trump’s Muslim Travel Ban

The Trump Administration’s Muslim Travel Ban suffers another defeat at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Attorney General Sessions To Give Public Testimony On Russia Investigation

He could provide insight into the relationship between Trump campaign officials and Russian officials and the circumstances behind the firing of former F.B.I. Director James Comey.

Macron’s Centrist Party Scores Big Wins In French Legislative Elections

The political party formed by French President Emmanuel Macron just about a year ago scored big wins in yesterday’s first round of legislative elections.