Outside the Beltway

Arresting the spouses of Americans at Green Card appointments.

A childhood friend claims he had PTSD from his actions.

A suspect, an Afghan national, is in custody.

Our present-day politics reminds us that the “unfinished work” of democracy is never fully complete.  

A tale from my neck of the woods.

The term which kicked off this week wil decide whether we effectively have a king.

And why I think future presidents will use the powers that Trump has demonstrated exist.

Ramping up the H-1B fees is not a good idea.

Naturalized citizens advance and vivify the American experiment. 

Trump’s response to the Kirk assassination is to try and further divide us.

Can Democrats do anything?

Thinking about ideology in the Trump era.

One expert says yes.

A correct but disturbing ruling.

A passing observation on the attempt to gift Trump a plane.

The Trump administration is trying to get a ruling on one issue while sidestepping the merits of the case.

It’s good to be king.

Yet another test of Executive power for the courts to resolve.

Then process gets in the way of efficiency, kill the process.

Only the best people.

When does Executive overreach become something more?

The 47th President is flooding the zone.

This would include US citizens.

Words to the AfD.

And remembering “jokes” about governing like a dictator.

Trying to upend 150 years of legal understanding with the stroke of a sharpie.

What could go wrong?

Some discussion of history, politics, and policy.

It’s going to be a long four years.

Thinking out loud, as one does.

Turning a campaign slogan into policy.

Putting down markers for future reference.

Democrats and Republicans alike are less supportive than they were four years ago.

A reasonable ruling with horrible consequences.

A morally right but politically fraught move.

Are we betraying the Founders?

A major effort to capture the diversity of America.

It’s easy if you try.

A credulous report strings together some anedotes and dubious polling.

Apparently, Making Germany Great Again is controversial.

On racism, Republicans, and names

Trump betrayed his oath. That should disqualify him from office. That’s the whole point of section 3 of the 14th.

A bureaucratic nightmare.

A mere technicality?

One weird trick could save us from Trump.

It’s Nixon’s fault?

A true hodgepodge to start the week.