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.

Everything Trump Touches Dies: French Tree Edition

The tree that President Trump and French President Macron planted last year has died.

What’s So Bad About ‘Flip-Flopping’?

Is it really such a bad thing when a politician changes a long-help position on a political issue?

Trump Continues To Lie, The Truth Continues To Die. Does Anyone Care?

Donald Trump continues to lie at a record pace. Does anyone care?

Mitch McConnell And Wife Tied To Favortism At Transportation Department

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao is being accused of giving preferential access to businesses and businessmen tied to her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

Trump Undercuts His Own NASA Policy On Twitter

Over the weekend, the President took to Twitter and appeared to undercut the NASA policy that he himself endorsed just weeks ago.

World Economic Leaders Worry About Impact Of Trump’s Misguided Trade War

President Trump’s tariffs are having a noticeable, and negative, impact on global economies. The President doesn’t seem to care.

Trump’s War Against Transparency And The Free Press Continues

It’s been three months since the White House held a press briefing. Meanwhile, the President continues his unhinged attacks on the media.

The Economic Recovery Is Ten Years Old, How Much Longer Can It Last?

The current economic recovery turns ten years old this month, but it can’t last forever.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hints At Deep Divisions As Supreme Court Nears End Of Term

As the Supreme Court enters the final weeks of its term, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hints at deep divisions and disappointment for people on the left.

Hundreds Of Thousands In Hong Kong Protest Proposed Changes To Extradition Law

Protesters flooded the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday over proposed change to the city’s extradition laws.

NASA And SpaceX To Offer Civilian Rides To International Space Station

For the first time in more than thirty years, NASA is preparing to unveil a program to allow civilians to travel to the International Space Station.

Mexico Tariffs Deal Less Than Meets The Eye

The President and his supporters are touting the last-minute deal with Mexico announced on Friday, but the details show there’s much less than meets the eye.

Biden Leads In Key Iowa Poll, Other Candidates Gain Ground

The latest iteration of a benchmark Iowa poll shows Joe Biden leading, with Bernie Sanders sinking and looking at several candidates closing in on him.

Donald Trump And The Triumph Of The Conservative Grifters

At least some conservatives appear to finally be recognizing that their movement has been taken over by grifters and frauds. The only question is, what took them so long?

House Passes DACA Protection Bill, But Senate Republicans Will Kill It

The House of Representatives passed a bill that would extend protection to DACA beneficiaries and other Dreamers, but it’s likely to die in the Senate.

U.S. And Mexico Reach Deal To Avert Tariffs, For Now

The United States and Mexico reached a last-minute deal to avert tariffs that would have gone into effect on Monday. Whether the deal accomplishes anything substantive remains to be seen.

What Really Motivates The “Pro-Life” Movement?

At least some segments of the “pro-life” movement seem more concerned with policing morality than they do with protecting life.

Trump Administration Continues To Misrepresent What North Korea Agreed To

The Trump Administration continues to misstate what the DPRK agreed to regarding its nuclear program. That’s why talks between the two nations are stalled.

Meanwhile, In Russia….

While the American media was paying attention to President travels and travails in Europe, there was another meeting taking place.

Slower May Jobs Growth Adds To Fears Of Economic Downturn

May’s Jobs Report came back with disappointing jobs growth, suggesting that the economy may be slowing down.

Joe Biden Comes Out Against Hyde Amendment

After coming under attack from within his own party, former Vice-President Joe Biden has changed his position on the Hyde Amendment.

Donald Trump And The Legacy Of D-Day

Donald Trump has betrayed the legacy and the sacrifices of the soldiers who fought their way onto the beaches of Normandy.

Biden Under Fire For Support Of Hyde Amendment

Former Vice-President Biden has come under fire for his longtime support for the Hyde Amendment.

The Boys Of Pointe du Hoc

Thirty years ago, when the veterans of D-Day were still relatively young and still largely with us, President Reagan delivered one of the finest speeches of his Presidency.

Trump’s Mexico Tariffs And Republican ‘Profiles In Courage’

The GOP Senators standing up against the President’s tariffs on Mexico are being called courageous. I’m wondering what took them so long to stand up.

D-Day At 75

Seventy-five years ago today, American soldiers and our allies undertook an invasion that helped change the world.

Trump Underperforming In Texas

A new poll of Texas voters shows President Trump doing worse than expected against potential Democratic challengers. Should Republicans be worried?

Louis Levi Oakes, Last Mohawk Code Talker, Dies At 94

The last of the World War II code talkers from the Mohawk tribe has passed away at the age of 94

Republican Senators Standing Up To Trump On Mexico Tariffs

The President’s foolish tariffs against Mexico are finally causing many Republican Senators to stand up against him.

The Political Reality Of Impeachment

While the drumbeat for impeachment of the President continues on the left, political reality suggests caution.

John Kasich Appears To Rule Out A Primary Challenge Against Trump

John Kasich hasn’t shut the door completely, but recent comments seem to make it clear he’s not likely to take on the President for the Republican nomination.

Florida School Guard Who Retreated From Gun Fire Charged

Scot Peterson, the school resource officer who hid from fire during last year’s school shooting in Florida has been charged criminally. The legal basis for those charges seems flimsy.

White House Continues To Stonewall While Congress Begins To Push Back

The White House is continuing to stonewall legitimate Congressional investigations, but Congress is starting to push back.

[Clarence Thomas] [Clarence Thomas]

Justice Thomas Quashes Retirement Rumors

Justice Clarence Thomas is seemingly putting to rest any reports that he’s considering retiring in the near future.

Trump’s Tweeting Losing Its Impact? One Study Says Yes

According to one new study, President Trump’s tweets aren’t having the same impact they used to.

Federal Judge Blocks House Lawsuit Over Border Wall Funding

A Federal Judge in Washington, D.C. dismissed a lawsuit against Trump “national emergency” to fund the border wall, but his ruling did not reach the merits of the lawsuit’s claim.

House To Vote To Hold Attorney General In Contempt

The House of Representatives will vote to hold the Attorney General in contempt next week but it may not mean anything.

Illinois Set To Become 11th State To Legalize Marijuana

Further progress for advocates of marijuana legalization from the Land of Lincoln.

Jared Kushner’s Middle East Peace Plan Likely Dead On Arrival

Jared Kushner’s long-awaited Middle East peace plan is still awaiting release, but it already appears to be dead on arrival.

Majority Of Americans Support Transgender Rights On Bathroom Access, Other Issues

A new poll shows that a majority of Americans support equal rights for transgender Americans, with only Republicans disagreeing with that position.

[Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles] [Death penalty - image of a stretcher with shackles]

New Hampshire Repeals Death Penalty

Last week, New Hampshire became the latest state to repeal the death penalty. Thus becoming the 21st state to do so.

Previewing A Busy June At The Supreme Court

Starting tomorrow, we should be getting some headline-grabbing opinions from the Supreme Court.

On Eve Of State Visit, Trump Attacks Royal Family Member, Intereferes In British Politics

Hours before departing the United States for a pomp and circumstance filled State Visit to the United Kingdom, President Trump sticks his foot in his mouth.

Larry Hogan Rules Out Primary Challenge Against Trump

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has ruled out what would essentially be a quixotic primary challenge against President Trump.

Navy Confirms White House Request To ‘Hide’ USS John McCain

The Navy is confirming that it did receive a request from the White House to keep the USS John McCain “out of sight” during the President’s visit to an American base in Japan.

London Mayor Denounces Trump On Eve Of State Visit

Just a day before he is scheduled to arrive in the city for a State Visit, London’s Mayor is denouncing President Trump.

Russian Trolls Using Social Media To Spread Anti-Vaccine Propaganda

A new report indicates that Russian social media trolls are involved in spreading anti-vaccination propaganda in the United States and elsewhere.

Measles Cases Hit Highest Level In U.S. In 25 Years

Thanks largely to anti-vaccination propaganda, the Centers for Disease Control reports that measles cases in the U.S. are at a level unseen in a quarter century.

Trump’s Steel And Aluminum Tariffs Are A Failure

It’s been just about fifteen months since President Trump imposed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. Not surprisingly, those tariffs have not had the effect the President claimed they would.

12 Killed In Shooting At Virginia Beach Municipal Complex

A dozen people died late yesterday in a workplace shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center.