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.

The Bob Menendez Trial Is Set To Begin, And It Could Have Big Implications In Washington

As Congress heads back to work, a corruption trial in New Jersey could have big implications for what happens on Capitol Hill.

North Korea Rattles Its Saber, So Trump Attacks South Korea

At a time when our alliance is more important than ever, President Trump is responding by attacking our ally.

Trump’s Decision On DACA Expected Tuesday

President Trump is threatening to end a program that has benefited at least 750,000 innocent people.

Judge Richard Posner Retires After Nearly Thirty-Six Years On The Bench

One of the legal giants in the Federal Judiciary has retired from the bench.

North Korea Conducts Sixth Nuclear Test

More provocative action from North Korea, and another reminder that there are no easy answers to the problems represented by the Kim regime.

John Kelly Can’t Control Donald Trump

John Kelly has only been White House Chief of Staff for a month, but it’s already apparent that he isn’t likely to last very long in that position.

Video Of Police Arresting Utah Nurse Over Blood Test Leads To National Controversy

A Nurse in Utah stood up for her patient’s rights, and was harassed by the police for her efforts.

Treasury Secretary Mnuchin Under Investigation For Trip That Coincided With Eclipse

Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin’s trip to Kentucky that ‘just happened’ to coincide with last month’s eclipse is being investigated by the Treasury Department’s Inspector General.

Report: Mueller Has Copy Of Trump’s Original Letter Justifying Firing James Comey

While the rest of us have been distracted by a hurricane in Texas, Robert Mueller’s investigation continues moving forward.

Trump Administration Scrapping Plan To Put Harriet Tubman On $20 Bill?

Donald Trump’s Treasury Secretary won’t commit to putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill.

August Jobs Report Disappoints As It Fails To Meet Expectations

August’s Jobs Report came in below expectations.

Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke Resigns, Will Reportedly Go Work For Trump

Controversial Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke has resigned and will reportedly go to work for Donald Trump.

GDP Growth Solid In Second Estimate, But Can It Be Sustained?

The new GDP growth estimate shows healthy economic growth in the second quarter, but it’s unclear if it can be sustained.

No, General Mattis Is Not Defying Trump On The Transgender Military Ban

Contrary to reports, Secretary of Defense Mattis is not defying the President on his order to bar transgender Americans from serving in the military.

Federal Appeals Court Dismisses Challenge To Commission On Presidential Debates

A Federal Appeals Court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Gary Johnson and Jill Stein regarding their exclusion from Presidential debates.

Federal Judge Dismisses Sarah Palin’s Lawsuit Against The New York Times

Sarah Palin’s lawsuit against The New York Times suffers a significant setback.

Defense Secretary Mattis Joins Tillerson In Rebuking Trump Over Charlottesville

Another Cabinet member rebukes the President for his comments about Charlottesville.

Pair Of New Lawsuits Challenge Trump’s Transgender Military Ban

President Trump’s effort to ban transgender Americans from serving in the military faces two new legal challenges.

Joe Arpaio for Senate?

It’s possible we haven’t heard the last from “Sheriff Joe.”

Trump, The Arpaio Pardon, And The Constitution

The pardoning of Joe Arpaio was distasteful and an affront to the Rule of Law, but it was completely within the powers of the President and should not be a ground for impeachment.

Trump Sought To Build Trump Tower In Moscow While Running For President

New reports of Trump’s business ties to Russia are raising eyebrows.

Rex TIllerson Throws Trump Under The Bus Over Charlottesville Response

Donald Trump’s Secretary of State is refusing to defend his response to the violence in Charlottesville.

Trump Asked Jeff Sessions About Dropping Criminal Case Against Joe Arpaio

President Trump’s attempts to interfere in the administration of justice go beyond the Russia investigation.

District Of Columbia Seeks Review Of Ruling Striking Down Concealed-Carry Law

Not surprisingly, the District of Columbia is seeking review of last month’s decision on its concealed-carry law by the full Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Trump Signs Order Barring Transgender Service Members

President Trump’s shameful decision to ban transgender Americans from the military has nothing to do with military readiness and everything to do with pandering to his far-right base.

Trump Administration Set To Formalize Transgender Military Ban

The Trump Administration has reportedly finalized its order to the Defense Department regarding a ban on military service by transgender soldiers.

Donald Trump Continues His Despicable War On The News Media

President Trump continues his war on one of the most important guardians of American democracy.

Federal Judge Strikes Down Texas Voter ID Law

Texas suffers another legal setback in its effort to pass a Voter ID law.

Donald Trump Still Has Russia On His Brain, And He’s Still Trying To Limit Investigations

President Trump remains obsessed with the Russian investigation and continues to try to shut it down.

Trump Threatens Government Shutdown Over Border Wall Mexico Is Supposed To Pay For

Donald Trump is threatening to shut the government down if Congress doesn’t pay for the wall that Mexico was supposed to pay for.

Trump And McConnell Are In A Cold War, And The GOP Agenda Is In Danger

They may both be Republicans, but the relationship between the President and the Senate Majority Leader is bad and seems to be getting worse.

Trump Goes To Phoenix And Returns To Old Form

Donald Trump gave a campaign-style speech in Phoenix last night and reminded us of everything that’s wrong with him.

Is Donald Trump Really As Vulnerable As He Appears?

Democrats and “Never Trump”ers shouldn’t count their chickens before they’re hatched.

Trump And Afghanistan: New President, Same Policy

President Trump’s Afghanistan policy sounds awfully familiar, and it’s likely to lead to the same results.

On (The Lack Of) Journalistic Ethics At The Daily Caller

The Daily Caller crosses a line and doesn’t seem to regret it.

Trump’s New Afghanistan Plan Sounds A Lot Like Obama’s And Bush’s Plan

Based on initial reports, Trump’s Afghanistan policy looks a lot like what we’ve seen for the past sixteen years.

Trump’s Job Approval Upside Down In The Three States That Gave Him The Presidency

Three new polls show Trump’s job approval down significantly in the three states that put him over the top in the Electoral College last year.

Legendary Comedian Jerry Lewis Dead At 91

A loss for the world of comedy.

Freedom Of Speech Doesn’t Mean Freedom From The Consequences Of That Speech

The First Amendment protects the rights even of the people who gathered in Charlottesville to promote hatred and violence, However, it does not shield them from the consequences of that speech.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

The Problem With The Trump White House is Donald Trump, Not Steve Bannon

The problem with the Trump White House is the man who sits behind the Resolute Desk.

Restricting Immigration Does Not Lead To More Jobs For Americans

The fundamental premise at the heart of the immigration bill that President Trump backed earlier this month has no merit whatsoever.

Steve Bannon Is Out At The White House

Another one bites the dust.