Russian Backchannels, Lying to Congress, and Presidential Interference

The Russia investigation rolls on with more evidence of questionable conduct on the part of Trump and his team.

Stormy Daniels Sues Trump

Adult film star Stormy Daniels has filed a lawsuit against the President, handing the already beleaguered White House yet another headache.

Gary Cohn Resigns as Trump Economic Advisor

The chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors is out after failing to convince the boss not to impose tariffs.

The President’s Self-Imposed Bubble

POLITICO buries the lede in making the case for “Donald Trump’s bubble presidency.”

Is All Money Good Money?

How ‘tainted’ must a funder be before a charity is obliged to reject the donation?

Kushner and Corruption

The circumstantial case for corruption by Kushner is growing.

Guilt By Association: The Strange Case of the Oshry Sisters

Four social media stars have been fired from their television show after the revelation that Pamela Gellar is their mother.

Lindsey Graham Says War With North Korea Would Be “Worth It.”

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham says war against North Korea would be worth it. Ignoring the fact that it would result in casualties unlike anything America has seen since the Vietnam War.

John Burgess, 1947-2016

I’ve made the sad discovery that longtime friend of the blog John Burgess passed away on February 16, 2016.

Supreme Court Considers Whether Search Warrants Can Reach Data Stored Overseas

The Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether an American company can be required to turn over data stored on servers located overseas.

Putting an End to the Millennial Generation

We form stereotypes about generational cohorts when they’re very young and then freeze them.

Trump Announces New Tariffs On Steel And Aluminum

President Trump has announced that he’ll be imposing significant tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. This is an unwise decision.

What’s The Next Step On The Korean Peninsula?

With the Winter Olympics over, the next step on the Korean Peninsula is utterly unclear.

Walmart Joins Dick’s To Raise Minimum Age To Buy Any Gun To 21

Following yesterday’s move by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart has raised the age for all gun sales to 21.

Hope Hicks Out as Communications Director

The 29-year-old was one of President Trump’s most trusted aides but she had an impossible job.

Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit That Sought To Strike Down Federal Marijuana Laws

A Federal Judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to invalidate Federal laws against marijuana use and possession.

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Federal Appeals Court Rules That Employers Can’t Discriminate Based On Sexual Orientation

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals rules that existing civil rights laws bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Xi Jinping Solidifies His Hold On Power In China

China’s Xi Jinping solidified his hold on power well into the next decade over the weekend.

Supreme Court Rebuffs Trump Administration On DACA

The Supreme Court has declined an invitation to intervene early in the legal arguments surrounding DACA.

Russiagate Worst Scandal in Decades?

Jonathan Bernstein thinks so and Chuck Todd and company outline a pretty strong case.

Have You Ever Heard of Plato? Aristotle? Socrates?

Mark Levin says we’re “morons” and “illiterate in English” because we’ve quoted the NYT.

Black Panther Movie Review Roundup

Some thoughts on the biggest Marvel blockbuster yet. [Modest spoilers]

‘Deep Fakes’ a Looming Crisis

An emerging technology will take “fake news” to a whole new level.

How The Reaction Of One Sheriff’s Deputy Rebuts The Arguments For Arming School Teachers

If a law enforcement officer with 30 years of experience can’t stop an active school shooter, what makes anyone think a teacher with a gun can?

Are Laws Banning ‘Assault Weapons’ Unconstitutional? According To Four Federal Courts Of Appeal, They Aren’t.

Since the Supreme Court handed down its decision in District of Columbia v. Heller four separate Federal appellate courts have ruled that state and local laws banning “assault weapons” do not violate the Second Amendment.

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Republicans Risk Getting The Blame If DACA Fix Fails

A new poll suggests that Republicans would get the blame if Congress fails to pass a bill to protect DACA beneficiaries.

The National Security Gender Gap’s Intractability

While the glass ceiling in high-level posts was shattered decades ago, men still dominate the field.

Rev. Billy Graham Dies At 99

Billy Graham was the son of a North Carolina farmer who grew up to become a counselor to Presidents, Prime Ministers, and even a Queen.

Trump Calls On Justice Department To Act On Bump Stocks

President Trump is calling on the Justice Department to ban bump stocks, but it seems clear that this is an area where Congress needs to be taking the lead.

Supreme Court Declines To Hear Yet Another Second Amendment Challenge To A State Gun Control Law

Continuing a pattern that has gone on for eight years now, the Supreme Court has declined to hear another appeal regarding a Second Amendment challenge to state gun control laws.

Mueller Snags Washington Attorney For Lying To Investigators

The Russia probe charges Alex Van Der Zwaan made false statements about past communications with former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates.

Donald Trump’s Dereliction Of Presidential Duty Is Self-Evident

Donald Trump’s dereliction of duty in response to clear evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 election is a staggering and flagrant dereliction of the duties he agreed to take on when he took the Oath Of Office more than a year ago.

Gun-Violence Restraining Orders?

NRO’s David French offers “A Gun-Control Measure Conservatives Should Consider.”

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With Congress On Recess, The Fate Of DACA Looks Grim

The prospects for extending legal protections for DACA beneficiaries are getting grimmer by the day.

Robert Mueller Issues Indictments Of 13 Russian Officials For Election Meddling

A significant and important development in the Russia investigation that shows that President Trump’s claim that the stories of Russian interference in the 2016 election were “Fake News” is completely untrue.

Mitt Romney Announces He’s Running For Senate

To the surprise of nobody, Mitt Romney entered the race to succeed Orrin Hatch in the Senate. He’ll probably win.

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Senate Rejects Four Different Proposals To Extend DACA Benefits

The prospect for a fix to help DACA beneficiaries is looking gloomier than ever.

Trump’s Longtime Lawyer Admits Paying Off Porn Star Alleged To Have Affair With Trump

Donald Trump’s lawyer admits to making a six-figure payment on the eve of the 2016 election to a porn star that Trump was alleged to have had an affair with. That just raises a host of other questions.

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Second Federal Judge Places Hold On Trump Administration Decision To End DACA

Another Federal Judge has placed a hold on President Trump’s order to end DACA.

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DACA Debate Going Slowly In The Senate

With time seemingly running out, the Senate debate over extending DACA is moving slowly.

Federal Lawsuit Seeks To Challenge Federal Laws Against Marijuana

A Federal Court in New York City is set to hear argument tomorrow in a case that essentially argues that a large swath of Federal laws regarding marijuana are unconstitutional.

The GOP Is Now The Party Of Deficits And Debt, But Then It Always Has Been

Republicans spent the eight years of Obama Administration railing against fiscal irresponsibility. Now that they have power, they’re the ones being fiscally irresponsible.

Federal Judge Has Doubts About Trump’s Border Wall

The Judge presiding over a case dealing with Trump’s proposed border wall expressed doubts about the project. The President will no doubt be irked by the identity of that Judge.

A Second Brexit Vote? Some Britons Are Asking For One

As Brexit negotiations go on and the consequences of Britain leaving the European Union become clearer, some Britons are starting to ask for a chance at a second referendum.

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Senate Reaches Budget Deal That Busts Budget Caps And Massively Increases Spending

Congress seems likely to pass a budget deal today that will massively increase spending, putting to rest once and for all the rank hypocrisy of Republicans when it comes to claims that they are “fiscally conservative.”

Of Course Donald Trump Wants A Military Parade

Of course Donald Trump wants a military parade, it would be consistent with his delusions of grandeur.

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Congress Moves Ahead On Budget Deal As Trump Threatens Shutdown

Congress appears to be moving closer to a budget deal even as the President tries to throw a monkey wrench into the whole thing.

The Downside of Uber

The rise of ‘car sharing’ services has greatly benefitted consumers but had a devastating effect on taxi drivers.

Trump’s Own Lawyers Reluctant To Let Him Talk To Robert Mueller

Donald Trump’s own lawyers are afraid he can’t help but lie to such an extent that he should not sit down for an interview with special counsel Robert Mueller.