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.

Trump Continues To Help Putin Drive A Wedge Through The Heart Of NATO

President Trump reportedly trashed the NATO alliance in conversations at the G-7 Summit, something that should make Russian President Vladimir Putin quite happy.

Pittsburgh Area Cop Who Killed African-American Teenager Indicted

A Pittsburgh area police officer has been indicted on homicide charges after a video emerged that appears to show him shooting a fleeing suspect in the back

Jeff Flake Just Made It Easier For Trump’s Supreme Court Pick To Be Confirmed

Retiring Arizona Senator Jeff Flake says that he will not seek to block President Trump’s nominee to replace Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.

Trump And Putin To Meet In Helsinki July 16th

The Presidents of the United States and Russia will meet next month and there’s reason to worry about what Trump might give away.

Did The Supreme Court ‘Overrule’ Korematsu? Not Really

Contrary to what many people have claimed, the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Hawaii did not overturn one of the most controversial decisions in its history.

Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy Announces Retirement

After thirty years on the bench, during which he played a central role in some of the Supreme Court’s most significant rulings, Justice Anthony Kennedy is retiring.

First Post-Primary Poll In Virginia Shows Huge Lead For Tim Kaine

Virginia Republicans nominated arch-Trumpist Corey Stewart for the Senate three weeks ago. His campaign appears to be going about as well as expected.

As Expected, Chelsea Manning Loses Senate Bid In Maryland

Convicted leaker Chelsea Manning lost a bid for the Democratic nomination for Senate in Maryland, to the surprise of nobody.

Supreme Court Strikes A Blow Against Public Sector Unions

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that public sector unions cannot force employees to pay membership fees.

Supreme Court Ends Term With No Retirement Announcements [Update: Kennedy Retires]

It’s been eight years since we’ve seen a Supreme Court retirement, and despite speculation there were none announced today.

Supreme Court Punts Another Political Gerrymandering Case

The Supreme Court term began with hopes that the Justices would shake up the redistricting process with rulings against partisan gerrymandering. It has ended with three whimpers.

Mitt Romney Easily Wins Utah Senate Primary

After hitting a stumbling bloc in April, Mitt Romney coasted to a win last night, and has a clear path to Washington and the U.S. Senate.

SCOTUS Strikes Down Law Requiring Crisis Pregnancy Centers To Provide Abortion Information

In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down a California law requiring Crisis Pregnancy Centers to provide information about abortion.

Supreme Court Upholds Final Version Of Trump’s Muslim Travel Ban

In a ruling that largely relies on the authority granted by Congress to the President to regulate immigration on national security grounds, the Supreme Court has upheld the final version of the Administration’s travel ban.

Responding To Trump’s Trade War, Harley-Davidson To Move Manufacturing Overseas

Once touted as an example of his deal-making prowess, Harley-Davidson sent a rebuke to President Trump by announcing it was moving some manufacturing to Europe to counteract the impact of his ongoing trade war.

Donald Trump Once Again Goes To War Against The Rule Of Law

Donald Trump continues to demonstrate that he has nothing but utter contempt for the Rule of Law. At some point, he will either be called to account for this or our nation’s institutions will suffer as a result.

Supreme Court Largely Rejects Racial Gerrymandering Challenge Against Texas

The Supreme Court has largely rejected a challenge to state and Federal redistricting maps in the State of Texas.

SCOTUS Declines Case Of Florist Who Refused To Provide Services For Same-Sex Wedding

The Supreme Court declined, for now, to hear the appeal of a Washington state florist who declined to provide services for a same-sex wedding. The issues it raises, though, are likely to return to the Court in the future.

Abolish ICE? If You Do, It’ll Just Be Replaced By Another Agency

Some activists on the left are calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be abolished. While that may be a great sound bite, it doesn’t really accomplish anything.

Canadians Really, Really, Really Don’t Like Donald Trump

Not surprisingly, Canadians aren’t too thrilled with Donald Trump these days.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, A Virginia Restaurant, And The Politicization Of Everyday Life

Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked to leave a restaurant in Virginia last night, and the incident raises questions of how far we should let politics infiltrate everyday life.

Americans Have A Hard Time Telling Fact From Opinion

A new survey shows that Americans are increasingly unable to tell the difference between fact and opinion. That’s a problem.

Trump’s Trade War Chickens Coming Home To Roost

Three months after it started, the Trump Trade War is already starting to have a negative impact on American businesses and American consumers.

Trump Tweets Put Odds Of Immigration Reform In Doubt

The odds of an immigration bill passing the House were already low. This morning, President Trump pretty much guaranteed failure.

Supreme Court Rules That Cell Phone Site Data Is Protected By The Fourth Amendment

In a case that pit the new rules of cyberspace against the old rules about when the Fourth Amendment protects privacy, the Supreme Court ruled today in a way that breathes new life into both privacy and the Fourth Amendment.

Despite Trump, Americans Think Immigration Is A Good Thing

Notwithstanding the rhetoric of the President and his supporters, most Americans believe that immigration is a good thing for the United States.

ABC To Bring Back Roseanne Without Roseanne

ABC is bringing back Roseanne without Roseanne Barr. Whether that will prove to be a success or not remains to be seen.

Melania Trump’s Odd Fashion Choice

Melania Trump visited a detention center in Texas where children are being held by the Federal Government, but it was her choice of apparel that seemed to garner the most attention.

Wife Of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Indicted, And He Could Be Next

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces what could be a scandal that will quickly push him out of office.

Supreme Court Hands States A Big Win On Taxation Of Internet Sales

Overruling precedent dating back 51 years, the Court has ruled that states can require businesses that sell to residents within their state collect and remit appropriate sales taxes.

Michael Bloomberg Set To Make Big Investment In Midterms For Democrats

The former New York City Mayor is prepared to spend $80 million to help Democrats take back Congress this year.

Trump Threatens New Tariffs In Expanding Trade War

President Trump once said that “trade wars are good and easy to win.” It’s only been three months since he started this war and we’re already finding out just how wrong he is about that.

Trump Caves On Family Separation Policy, Sort Of

President Trump has reversed the family separation policy and replaced it with a family detention policy. This is likely to lead to Court challenges.

Canada Is One Step Closer To Marijuana Legalization

Pending the mere formality of approval by the Governor-General, Canada will soon become the largest nation in the world where recreational use of marijuana is legal.

House Republicans Have No Idea What Direction To Take On Immigration

House Republicans are supposed to vote on one or more immigration bills this week, but can’t even agree what their policy should be.

The Moral Depravity Of Trump Supporter Corey Lewandowski

Trump’s former Campaign Manager mocked a ten-year-old girl with Down’s Syndrome who was taken away from her parents.

New Poll Out Of Arizona Gives Republicans Some Hope

A new poll out of Arizona gives Republicans some hope that they’ll be able to dodge the possibility of Joe Arpaio or Kelli Ward winning a primary to fill an already vulnerable seat.

Trump Wants GOP To Make His Immigration Policies The Center Of The 2018 Campaign

Donald Trump wants Republicans to make his immigration policies the centerpiece of the midterm campaign. What could possibly go wrong?

John Kelly Has Basically Given Up Trying To Manage Trump

John Kelly is nearing the end of his first year as White House Chief of Staff, and it’s becoming apparent that his mission to bring order to a disordered White House has failed.

SCOTUS Punted On Partisan Gerrymandering, But The Issue Isn’t Going Away

The Supreme Court avoided ruling on the merits of two partisan gerrymandering cases, but the issue will be back before them sooner rather than later.

Majority Of Americans Oppose Trump Administration Family Separation Policy

New polling shows that the Trump Administration’s family separation policy is widely unpopular, with only Republicans supporting it. That last fact, though, is why Trump is unlikely to change the policy.

Trump Supporters Draw False Equivalence Between Immigrant Families And Criminals

Trump supporters seeking to justify the Trump Administration’s family separation policy are drawing a false, and baseless, equivalence between immigrant families and people who have been convicted of crimes.

Trump Using Children As Bargaining Chips In Immigration Battle

Children are not political bargaining chips, but that’s exactly what this President plans to turn them into.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Remember Donald, It’s Not A Lie If You Believe It

Steve Bannon says he doesn’t believe the President has ever told a lie.

Democrats Set Early Date For 2020 Convention

Democrats have decided to move up the date of their 2020 Convention.

A Busy Two Weeks Ahead For The Supreme Court And Supreme Court Watchers

With two more weeks to go, there are plenty of “big” cases still awaiting the release of a decision.

No, Democrats Aren’t Responsible For Trump’s Family Separation Policy

President Trump and his supporters are blaming the policy of separating parents and children at the border on Democrats. This is, simply put, a lie.

Trump Dismisses Racial Injustice Concerns Of Kneeling N.F.L. Players

In a new interview, the President says that he doesn’t believe that N.F.L. players who kneel during the National Anthem have a real issue.

The Trump Administration’s Family Separation Policy Is Cruel And Inhumane

A Trump Administration policy announced in April has resulted in roughly 2,000 children being taken from their parents at the border.

Trump Continues His Obsequious Praise For A Bloody Dictator

Donald Trump said he wishes people would ‘sit up and pay attention’ to him the way they do in North Korea when Kim Jong Un speaks.