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.

I.R.S. Contradicts Mnuchin On Providing Trump Tax Returns To Congress

A previously confidential I.R.S. memo contradicts the Administration on the issue of providing copies of the President’s tax returns.

Trump’s Stonewalling Increases Pressure On Democrats To Pursue Impeachment

As the Administration continues to stonewall legitimate requests from Congress for documents and witnesses, pressure is growing on Speaker Pelosi to authorize the opening of an impeachment inquiry.

Justin Amash Doubles Down Against Trump As GOP Aligns Against Him

Justin Amash doubled down on his criticism of the President and his call for impeachment even as he came under fire from fellow Republicans.

House Passes Equality Act, Extending Civil Rights Law To LGBT Americans

The House has passed legislation that would extend the protections of the Civil Rights Act to LGBT Americans, but it is probably doomed in the Senate.

Conservatism Has Become A Haven For Grifters And Frauds. No Wonder We Got Trump

At some point, what we call conservatism turned into a racket. It’s not surprising that this led directly to Trump.

Federal Judge Rules Against Trump Administration On Records Request From Congress

The Trump Administration lost what is likely to be the first of many court challenges to its effort to stop Congress from doing what the Constitution requires it to do.

Trump White House Continues To Block Congressional Inquiries

In the latest example of the White House’s ongoing effort to block Congress from exercising its duty to investigate the Executive Branch, the White House is blocking the former White House Counsel from testifying before Congress.

Justin Amash Stands Alone As GOP Slavishly Backs Trump

Justin Amash spoke out against the President and Attorney General. Unsurprisingly this is not being received well by his fellow Republicans.

Trump Reportedly Will Pardon American Servicemen Convicted Of War Crimes

President Trump is reportedly planning to pardon several American servicemen convicted of war crimes, an action that would be an insult to everyone who has ever worn an American uniform.

Democrats Headed For A Brokered Convention?

The size of the Democratic Presidential field, combined with other things peculiar to the way Democrats pick their nominee, is leading some to wonder if we might see a brokered convention in 2020.

Author Herman Wouk Dies At 103

Herman Wouk, best known for works such as The Caine Mutiny, The Winds of War, and War and Remembrance, has died at the age of 103.

Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Trump On Ending DACA

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has dealt another legal setback to the Trump Administration’s efforts to end the DACA program,

Republicans Distancing Themselves From New Abortion Laws

Republicans have spent the past week putting as much distance as they can between themselves and the latest round of radical anti-abortion laws.

Saturday Night Live Closes Season With Hits At Trump And Abortion Bans

Thanks to Donald Trump and the GOP, there’s plenty of material out there for Saturday Night Live.

Australia’s Ruling Conservative Coalition Scores Surprise Win

Surprising pollsters and political analysts down under, Australia’s ruling center-right coalition pulled off a big win in Saturday’s election.

Republican Congressman Justin Amash Joins Calls For Trump’s Impeachment

Republican Congressman Justin Amash has always been a rebel within his own party, now he’s making that even more apparent.

Investigation Finds Ohio State Doctor Abused At Least 177 Students

An investigation has found that a doctor linked to Ohio State’s wrestling program abused more than 170 students during his time at the school.

Biden Solidifies His Lead Over The Democratic Field

Former Vice-President Joe Biden continues to hold a strong lead over his rivals for the Democratic Presidential Nomination.

Mnuchin Won’t Comply With Subpoena For Trump Tax Returns

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has informed Congress that he will not comply with a subpoena seeking the President’s tax returns, meaning that we’re headed for a court battle.

Another Republican Assault On Abortion Rights

Following in the footsteps of Alabama, the Missouri legislature has passed a law that would severely restrict abortion rights in the Show Me State.

Ben Carson Broke Law With Luxury Furniture Order

A new GAO report finds that HUD Secretary Ben Carson broke the law when he ordered a $31,000 table for his office.

I.M. Pei, World Renowned Architect, Dies At 102

One of the most well-known architects of the modern era has passed away.

Taiwan Becomes First Asian Nation To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Taiwan has become the first nation in Asia to legally recognize same-sex marriage.

Chelsea Manning Heads Back To Jail

Not surprisingly, Chelsea Manning is headed back to jail for her refusal to answer questions before a Federal Grand Jury investigating Julian Assange and Wikileaks.

Trump’s Trade War Is Making Other Countries Great Again

The President’s trade policies stand to benefit a lot of other countries, just not the United States.

Progressives In The Democratic Party May Have Misread The Signals For 2020

Based on the early stages of the campaign for the 2020 Democratic Presidential nomination, it appears as though the party’s progressive wing has misread the signals being sent by the party’s voters.

Bill de Blasio Running For President For Some Reason

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has entered the race for the Democratic nomination for President, making him the 23rd candidate in an already crowded field.

Trump Trailing Major Democratic Challengers In Pennsylvania

A new poll shows President Trump trailing several of his potential challenger in a state that was crucial to his victory in 2016.

Backing Trump, The Right Sells Out On Trade And Tariffs

As it has in so many other areas, the right has sacrificed it’s previously held beliefs on international trade to feckless obedience toward President Trump.

May Seeks Extension Of Time To Stay In Office As Tory Hold On Power Becomes Precarious

British Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking an extension on her promise to leave office at the same time that the political future of her Conservative Party becomes increasingly doubtful.

Some Democrats Still Upset About Biden’s Vote In Favor Of Iraq War AUMF

A new poll indicates that at least some Democrats continue to hold Biden’s 2002 vote in favor of the Iraq War.

Fleming Begaye, World War II Navajo Code Talker, Dies At 97

One of the last of the Navajo Code Talkers, who provided the U.S. military with an unbreakable code in the fight against Japan in World War Two, has died at the age of 97.

Tim Conway, Versatile Comedian, Dead At 85

Legendary Comedian Tim Conway has died at the age of 85.

Elizabeth Warren Turns Down Invitation To Appear On Fox News Town Hall

Passing up an opportunity that other Democrats are taking, Elizabeth Warren is declining to appear on Fox News Channel. This seems like an unwise decision.

Trump Set To Place Tariffs On Another $540 Billion Of Chinese Goods

The Trump Administration is proposing another round of tariffs on even more Chinese goods.

Attorney General Opens Another Investigation Into Origins Of Russia Probe

Attorney General William Barr has opened a new investigation into the origins of the Russia investigation, a move that seems suspiciously political.

Trump’s Phony Call For Negotiations With Iran

The White House claims to want to talk to Iran but the President’s actions make clear that negotiation is the furthest thing from his mind.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock Joins Crowded Democratic Field

Yet another candidate joins an already crowded field for the 2020 Democratic Presidential nomination.

Trump’s Destructive Trade War Expands

China has retaliated for the tariffs that the President imposed late last week, and things look like they’re only going to get worse.

Biden Jumps To Big Early Lead In South Carolina

More good news for Joe Biden, this time out of South Carolina.

Trump’s Foreign Policy Is A Failure

President Trump’s foreign policy has largely been a failure, and there are specific reasons why.

Biden’s Campaign Is Gaffe-Free (So Far)

So far Joe Biden has run a gaffe-free campaign. But how long can it last?

SNL Cold Open Asks ‘What Would It Take For Republicans To Abandon Trump?’

The real answer probably isn’t far off from the parody.

Juan Guaidó Once Again Appears To Call For American Intervention In Venezuela

With his attempt to overthrow the government clearly a failure, Juan Guaidó is back to calling for foreign military intervention in Venezuela.

Is The American Public Persuadable On Impeachment? Maybe.

Right now, polling indicates that the American public is reluctant to support impeachment of the President but it’s possible that could change.

Liz Cheney Being Courted By House And Senate GOP

Liz Cheney can pretty much write her own political ticket right now.

How Do You Pronounce “Buttigieg” Anyway?

You say “Boot-A-Judge.” I say “Buddha-Judge” Boot-A-Judge. Buddha-Judge. Potato. Potatoh. Let’s call the whole thing off.

The Do Nothing Senate

Other than confirming a lot of Trump Judges, the Senate has not been getting much work done so far this year.

House Committee Issues Subpoena For Trump’s Tax Returns

The House Ways and Means Committee voted to issue a subpoena the President’s tax returns, but whether it will ever see them is unclear.