SCOTUS, the Unitary Executive “Theory,” and the Debilitation of the Modern State

Permanent damage appears to be coming (oh, and it enhances the authoritarian power of the presidency as well).

Bizarre Conspiracies: USAID Edition

People are weird.

Our Trump Deranged World

The slur “Trump Derangement Syndrome” unintentionally captures something real about our world.

Trump’s National Security Non-Process

A very different way to run a railroad.

In Front of Our Noses: Firing the Messenger

It is textbook authoritarianism.

President Donald Trump thanks the crowd after remarks at the Salute to America Celebration, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. President Donald Trump thanks the crowd after remarks at the Salute to America Celebration, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

Trump’s Economy (Updated)

July jobs report shows signs of weakness.

President Donald Trump hosts a bilateral dinner for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Monday, July 7, 2025, in the Blue Room. President Donald Trump hosts a bilateral dinner for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Monday, July 7, 2025, in the Blue Room.

Did Netanyahu Prolong the Gaza War To Save Himself?

A long exposé misses the mark.

Terrifying Encounters With the Deep State!

Public misconceptions about federal waste invite tolerance for questionable workarounds to the constitutionally prescribed manner of determining appropriations.

Trump Declares War on Federal Employees

Multiple executive orders aim at rooting out the Deep State.

Trump and the Deep State at State

Normal transition . . . and potential red flags.

Thoughts on Kash Patel for FBI Director

A dangerous choice that the Senate must reject.

A Hostile Takeover?

The President-Elect is testing the guardrails early.

Recess Appointments and Constitutional Farce

The wrong solution for a real problem.

Defining and Discussing Fascism (Part I)

And yes, Trump fits the definitions all too well.

Trump’s Plans to Use Justice Department for Vengeance

A chilling feature from the Wall Street Journal.

MAGA is Getting More MAGA

Trump’s second term would be much worse than his first.

Blue Democratic Donkey, Dupont Circle, Washington DC Blue Democratic Donkey, Dupont Circle, Washington DC

Democrats Preparing for Trump Win

Progressive activists are preparing to “democracy-proof” the country.

Trump Guts RNC

A purge of the professional staff for, well, reasons.

Governance Matters

Sober lessons from Israel.

Trump Vows to ‘Come After’ Foes

If you thought the first term was bad, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

The Biggest Trump Indictment

The one we’ve all been waiting for.

Disinformation and Free Speech

How far should the government be able to go?

DeSantis v. The DOE/SACSCOC

Another entry into the ongoing performative politics of Ron DeSantis.

Barr’s Too Little, Too Late Tour

In truth, not close to enough.

German Coup Plot Averted

Twenty five alleged plotters have been arrested

The ‘Crime of the Century’ Didn’t Happen

Three-and-a-half years and almost 6 million tax dollars have produced nothing.

Even the NY Post

The truth is pretty obvious.

Christian Nationalism and American Democracy

A Manichean struggle between good and evil.

Civil Servants Aren’t in the Administration

An irresponsible Trump-era practice continues.

Changing CDC Guidance, Communication, and Conspiracy

Science and insanity don’t mix.

Here’s a Cult

Brought to you by the son of Moon.

Trump Campaign-Russian Intelligence Link Definitively Established

RussiaGate is back in the news but the story is unlikely to move the needle.

Fact-Checking in a Fact-Free World

Debunking urban legends and Internet rumors is harder than it used to be.

Still the Party of Trump

The disgraced loser remains as popular as ever with his base.

The Smoothest Transition in Decades

We’re witnessing something not seen since 1989.

‘Stop the Steal’ Founder ‘in Hiding’

A one-time denizen of Blogger’s Row at CPAC has come a long way.

Census Misses Apportionment Deadline

President Trump’s illegal plan to exclude illegal aliens may have been thwarted.

The Flynn Pardon

Perhaps the most normal thing President Trump has done.

Coming to Grips with Reality

In a sane world, Joe Biden’s election win would not have come as a surprise. Alas . . . .

Could Trump Shock the World Again?

Fear of a reprise of 2016 is still with us.

The Most Important Election in American History

The stakes of losing will be catastrophic. Either way.

Truly Disturbing

Statements by an HHS official underscore the rot of this administration.

Justice Department Prosecuting Russian Interference

A pleasant surprise.

President Donald J. Trump disembarks Marine One Sunday Aug. 9, 2020, at the Elberon Park landing zone in Long Branch, N.J. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead) President Donald J. Trump disembarks Marine One Sunday Aug. 9, 2020, at the Elberon Park landing zone in Long Branch, N.J. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

Six Responses to Six Scenarios

Yet another call for military intervention in domestic politics.

Biden’s Veepstakes

A column is getting negative attention for all the wrong reasons

The free high-resolution photo of street, bicycle, asphalt, vehicle, hat, park bench, homeless, stockholm, packing, baby carriage, drifter, norrm larstrand , taken with an DMC-FS10 01/29 2017 The picture taken with 10.0mm, f/3.8s, 1/640s, ISO 80 The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required. The free high-resolution photo of street, bicycle, asphalt, vehicle, hat, park bench, homeless, stockholm, packing, baby carriage, drifter, norrm larstrand , taken with an DMC-FS10 01/29 2017 The picture taken with 10.0mm, f/3.8s, 1/640s, ISO 80 The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required.

What Trump Leaves Behind

A lousy column indirectly makes an important point.

The Cold War Was A Sobering Influence For A Silly People

As scary as the Cold War was, it did reduce the silliness in American politics.

Another Blow to Accountability in Government

Trump fires another Inspector General.

Federal Bureaucrats Repeatedly ‘Warned’ About Pandemic Shortages

But they weren’t shouting it from the rooftops.