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.

Stormy Daniels Sues Donald Trump For Defamation

Stormy Daniels is suing the President for defamation after he accused her of lying about a threat made to her seven years ago.

Trump Losing Another Lawyer, But Adding One Of Bill Clinton’s Impeachment Lawyers

Another one of Trump’s lawyers bites the dust, and hired someone with some very specific experience.

Mueller Has Donald Trump In An Impossible Situation, And A Potential Perjury Trap

When it comes to a potential interview with Robert Mueller, President Trump faces risks no matter what form that interview takes.

Has Donald Trump Killed The Presidential Press Conference? It Sure Seems Like It

It’s been 441 days since Donald Trump held a full-fledged Presidential press conference. Does anyone care?

The Case Of Trump’s Strange Doctor Just Gets Stranger

Remember Donald Trump’s strange doctor? Well, things just got stranger;.

Report Says John Kelly Called Trump An “Idiot.”

More signs of tension between President Trump and his Chief of Staff.

Support For Marijuana Legalization Reaches A New High

Nearly two-thirds of Americans support marijuana legalization according to a new poll.

Robert Mueller Has Some Questions For Donald Trump

Robert Mueller has some questions for the President, and the wide range of topic areas should worry President Trump significantly.

Netanyahu’s New Claims Against Iran Prove To Be Much Ado About Nothing

Israeli Prime Minister gave a speech yesterday designed to undermine the nuclear deal with Iran. The evidence was unconvincing, but the speech was really only aimed at an audience of one.

Republicans Worried Trump Doesn’t See The Danger On The Horizon In November

Republicans are worried about 2018, and they’re even more worried that they have a President who is refusing to acknowledge political reality.

Roy Moore Sues Women Who Accused Him Of Misconduct, Alleging Defamation

Failed Senate candidate Roy Moore is suing several of the women who accused him of sexual misconduct during last year’s campaign.

Vice-President’s Physician Accused Ronny Jackson Of Misconduct In September

The Vice-President’s personal physician accused Ronny Jackson of misconduct back in September, according to new reports.

John McCain: This Is My Last Term

In a new book, Senator John McCain makes an announcement that everyone was anticipating.

Bolton Sees Libya As Model, North Korea Likely Sees It As a Warning

The United States is apparently looking to Libya as a guide for upcoming talks with North Korea. The DPRK most likely sees the fate of that nation and its leader as a warning.

Trump’s Long-Delayed Trip To Great Britain Now Scheduled For July

President Trump’s on-again, off-again visit to Great Britain appears to be on again.

The Mystery Of The Missing French Oak Sapling Solved

An oak sapling brought to the United States by French President Macron went missing over the weekend. The reason for its disappearance has been answered.

Ronny Jackson Unlikely To Return To Duty As President’s Doctor

Despite the fact that President Trump’s continues to praise him, Ronny Jackson will not be returning to the White House as the President’s personal physician.

Donald Trump Continues His Unhinged War On The News Media

Instead of attending the White House Correspondents Association Dinner last night, Donald Trump took his show on the road where he continued his long-standing attacks on the press. Unfortunately, it’s a message that resonates with his supporters.

In One-Sided Report, House Intelligence Committee Finds No Trump-Russia Collusion

The House Intelligence Committee’s report is being touted as vindication by the Trump Administration and its supporters. It’s not.

White House Correspondents Dinner Once Again Demonstrates Why It Shouldn’t Exist

As has often been the case, the White House Correspondent’s Dinner is arousing some degree of controversy, mostly because of the comedy or lack thereof.

Russian Lawyer In Trump Tower Meeting Admits She’s A Russian Informant

The lawyer who met with President Trump’s oldest son and other top Trump campaign officials is now admitting that she is a Russian informant.

Judge Puts Stormy Daniels Lawsuit Against Trump And Michael Cohen On Hold

A Federal Judge in California has placed the Stormy Daniels civil lawsuit against Donald Trump and Michael Cohen on hold due largely to the ongoing criminal investigation pending against Cohen.

Appeals Court Reverses Lower Court Ruling On Texas Voter ID Law

A Federal Appeals Court has reversed a lower court ruling that struck down Texas’s Voter ID law as discriminatory against minority voters.

White House Attacks Montana Democrat Jon Tester Over Ronny Jackson Allegations

The White House is pushing back on the allegations of misconduct that were made against Ronny Jackson this week, and trying to use them in a high-profile Senate race in Montana.

John Kelly Headed To Veterans Affairs?

President Trump may be looking to push Chief of Staff John Kelly aside by giving him a next to impossible job.

The Real Tragedy Of Bill Cosby Isn’t About The Fall From Grace Of “America’s Dad”

The tragedy of Bill Cosby lies not in the downfall of a man once known as “America’s Dad,” but in the fact that a man who was, in fact, a sexual predator was allowed to evade justice for far too long.

Leaders Of North And South Korea Meet, But Many Questions Remain Unanswered

The meeting between Kim Jong-Un and Moon Jae-In was historic, but many questions and caveats remain.

Economic Growth Beats Expectations, But It’s Hardly Impressive

The first estimate of economic growth in the first three months of 2018 beat expectations slightly, but it doesn’t bode well for the immediate future.

Senate Committee Advances Bill To Protect Mueller, McConnell Vows To Block It.

Republicans joined with Democrats to advance a bill to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller, but it’s unlikely to go anywhere beyond that.

Mike Pompeo Confirmed As America’s 70th Secretary Of State

Not surprisingly, Mike Pompeo was confirmed as America’s 70th Secretary of State today. Now, the hard work begins.

Bill Cosby Found Guilty On Three Counts Of Sexual Assault

Marking the end of a long fall from grace, the man once known as “America’s Dad” has been found guilty on three counts of sexual assault.

Macron: Trump Will Pull Out Of Iran Deal For “Domestic Reasons”

French President Emmanuel Macron predicts, correctly, that President Trump will pull out of the nuclear deal with Iran for the worst possible reasons. This will be a disaster for America’s national interests.

Michael Cohen To Plead The Fifth

Michael Cohen will invoke his rights under the Fifth Amendment in response to any questions asked in discovery in the civil suit filed against him by Stormy Daniels. That’s really the only option he has.

Ronny Jackson Withdraws Nomination As Veterans Affairs Secretary

Not unexpectedly, Ronny Jackson has withdrawn his nomination to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Ronny Jackson’s Nomination Becomes More Imperiled As Accusations Mount

With the accusations mounting, the nomination of Ronny Jackson to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs is becoming more and more imperiled.

Supreme Court Appears Skeptical Of Challenge To Trump’s Muslim Travel Ban

The Supreme Court heard oral argument in the challenge to President Trump’s Muslim Travel Ban. It didn’t appear to go well for the challengers.

Nevada Senator Dean Heller Looking Increasingly Vulnerable In Reelection Bid

The GOP’s most vulnerable incumbent is still looking very vulnerable.

Former President George H.W. Bush Out Of Intensive Care

Good news for the 41st President of the United States and his family.

Supreme Court Hears Argument In Case Challenging Texas Redistricting

The Supreme Court heard oral argument yesterday in a case alleging that Texas’s Congressional and state legislative districts were drawn with the intent to discriminate based on race.

Trump’s DACA Order Suffers Another Loss In Court

The Trump Administration has suffered another setback in its efforts to repeal DACA.

If Trump Is Innocent, Why Is He Acting Like He’s Guilty?

It’s a valid question, but one should also be careful about drawing conclusions based on how a person in Trump’s position acts.

Republican Wins Arizona Special Election, But Still Sends A Warning To The GOP

As expected, a Republican won the Special Election in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, but it’s not a win Republicans should really be celebrating.

Nashville Waffle House Shooting Reveals Gaps In Gun Laws

Travis Reinking shot four people dead in Nashville over the weekend with a gun that he wasn’t supposed to have access to. Thanks to what seem to be loopholes in existing gun laws, he had one anyway.

Mike Pompeo’s Path To Foggy Bottom Becomes Clearer

For better or worse, Mike Pompeo will be confirmed as the 70th Secretary of State by the end of this week.

Macron To Lobby Trump On Iran Nuclear Deal

French President Emmanuel Macron is in the U.S. hoping to lobby President Trump to keep the United States in the nuclear deal with Iran. He’s got his work cut out for him.

The GOP Is Donald Trump’s Party Now

The transformation is complete. The GOP is now the party of Donald Trump. If you’re sticking around and not speaking out against what the President represents, you’re part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Republicans Planning To Run Against Hillary Clinton Again in 2018

Hillary Clinton isn’t running for anything in 2018, but that isn’t stopping Republicans from running against her.

Fearing Losing Control, Republicans Aim To Push Judicial Nominees Through Senate

Republicans are planning on pushing judicial nominees through the Senate in case they lose control in November. Meanwhile, the possibility of a Supreme Court vacancy raises the stakes.

Trump Not Running In 2020? Don’t Bet On It

Hoping that Donald Trump might not run for reelection? Don’t get your hopes up.

Donald Trump Is Clearly Worried That Michael Cohen Might Flip

Based on his recent behavior, it’s clear that the President is worried about how loyal Michael Cohen might actually turn out to be.