Outside the Beltway

Another case where the cruelty is the point?

After the census debacle, some reports indicate that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross may be next on President Trump’s chopping block.

Bill DeBlasio is facing criticism for the fact that he was off in Iowa on his quixotic Presidential campaign rather than being at home during Saturday’s blackout.

Trump opened his mouth and, once again, racist bilge came spewing out.

The White House office specifically charged with advising on and developing science policy now has no staffers whatsoever.

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

Last night New York City experienced what turned out to be a short-lived blackout mostly limited to Manhattan’s West Side, but it brought back memories of much bigger events.

Trump’s self-congratulatory July 4th nonsense bankrupted the District of Columbia’s security fund, now they’re seeking reimbursement.

Joe Biden delivered his first major foreign policy address of the campaign. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than what we have right now.

Citing the so-called “Billy Graham Rule,” a Republican candidate for Governor in Mississippi is refusing to let a female reporter accompany him on a campaign ride-along.

A symbolic gesture sure to backfire

Delay of game.

Republican Bill Lee is coming under fire for continuing an annual tradition.

The House Judiciary Committee has upped the ante in the showdown between the Trump Administration and Congress.

After a firestorm of criticism for his handling of a decade-old plea deal with Jeffrey Epstein, Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta has resigned.

Recent video showing what appears to be uncontrolled shaking are raising health concerns about German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Andrew Yang has been a relatively unknown candidate for the Democratic nomination, but he’s slowly risen in the polls and raised more money in the second quarter than several experienced politicians.

After a year of fighting, the Administration has given up on its effort to get a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

In a move sure to ruffle feathers, the President is bypassing all of the Navy’s four-star admirals for the next service chief.

Later today, the President is expected to take some form of ‘Executive Action’ in an effort to get a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

Democratic voters and donors appear to be narrowing their choices for a nominee down, which could mean a short future for a lot of current Democratic candidates.

The latest Federal Reserve report on the economy shows Trump’s trade policies are having an increasingly negative impact.

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has a challenger. Much like 2014, though, it’s far too early to start writing his political obituary.

The Trump Administration is expected to begin mass deportation raids as early as this weekend.

President Obama wanted to end it but his former VP used it to his advantage.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard argument yesterday in a case that could radically impact health care coverage for millions of Americans.

A federal appeals court has ruled that DC and Maryland officials have no right to bring the suit.

Susan Collins hasn’t officially announced her intentions for 2020 just yet, but she looks like she’s running for re-election. If she does, she appears to be facing some political headwinds.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a District Court ruling that President Trump cannot block Twitter users from accessing his account.

After diplomatic cables in which he referred to the President in frank and disparaging terms, the British Ambassador to the United States has resigned.

The Congressional Budget Office assesses several reform proposals.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law a bill that will make it easier for Congress to get President Trump’s tax returns.

Senator Elizabeth Warren raised $19 million despite eschewing the high-dollar fundraisers her opponents have utilized.

The government in Hong Kong keeps conceding ground to the protests that have taken hold in the city, but the protesters have more fundamental objections.

Detroit shows how modern technology can lead to a virtual police state.

The Trump Administration is set to raise tariffs on more products from Europe, including Scotch Whisky and other alcoholic beverages as well as food products and other items.

The independent who upended the 1992 Presidential race has passed.

The victory of the U.S. Women’s team in the World Cup has renewed a long-standing argument over pay equity, but the issue is far more complicated than it seems.

Where you can’t be off topic because there IS no topic.

A silly story for the silly season.

A weird media narrative has formed.

Later today, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear argument in a case that could upend the Affordable Care Act.

We won’t have a little-known Congressman from somewhereoranother to kick around any more.

Iran announced that it was exceeding another limitation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, upping the already tense situation in the Persian Gulf

Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein was formally charged with multiple counts of procuring underage girls for sexual molestation.

Kris Kobach, former Kansas Secretary of State and former head of President Trump’s “Voter Fraud” Commission, is running for Senator in Kansas.

Another court loss for Trump and his border wall.

Joe Biden recently said that he’d consider nominating Merrick Garland again if there were a Supreme Court vacancy while he was President. Don’t count on it.

While significantly more Americans disapprove of his job performance than approve, recovery is still possible.