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.

Tensions Rise On Korean Peninsula As North Korea Threatens Another Nuclear Test

North Korea is threatening another nuclear test, the United States is threatening retaliation, and China is warning of a ‘gathering storm’ on the Korean Peninsula.

U.S.-Russian Relations Hit a New Low

It’s been a bad week for U.S.-Russian relations.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Donald Trump Discovers Being President Is Hard

Donald Trump seems to be surprised that being President requires actual work.

Trump Undercuts Bannon In Internal White House Power Struggle

Inconceivably, Steve Bannon thought that clashing with President Trump’s daughter and son-in-law was a good idea. He’s likely learned his lesson now.

GOP Holds On To House Seat In Heavily Contested Kansas Special Election

Republicans held on to Mike Pompeo’s seat in the House, but the outcome was closer than many expected.

F.B.I. Obtained FISA Warrant For Top Trump Adviser

A top Trump campaign adviser was the subject of a FISA warrant for at least part of last year.

China Appears To Be Putting More Pressure On North Korea

Has China finally had enough of North Korea?

Federal Court Finds That Texas Voter ID Law Is Intentionally Discriminatory

A big win for opponents of Voter ID laws.

Neil Gorsuch Sworn In As Associate Justice Of Supreme Court

Judge Gorsuch is now Justice Gorsuch and it’s time to hit the ground running.

Poll Finds Majority Support For Missile Strikes On Syria

A majority of Americans support last week’s airstrikes in Syria but are skeptical of any expansion beyond that.

Amazon To Stream Thursday Night N.F.L. Games

Another step toward making it easier to cut the cord.

U.S. Carrier Group Moves Toward Korean Peninsula

A warning to North Korea.

Neil Gorsuch Confirmed As 113th Justice Of The Supreme Court

After a prolonged vacancy and a bitterly partisan confirmation process, Neil Gorsuch has been confirmed to succeed Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mitt Romney Reportedly Considering Bid For Senate In 2018

Mitt Romney is reportedly considering running for Senate in Utah if Orrin Hatch decides to retire.

A Disappointing March Jobs Report

After starting the year with two good months, the jobs report for March was quite disappointing.

Senate Invokes ‘Nuclear Option’ As Gorsuch Nomination Heads To Final Vote

As expected, Senate Republicans invoked the so-called ‘nuclear option’ to move the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch forward to a final vote on Friday.

Donald Trump And The Inevitable Foreign Policy Crisis

Donald Trump is historically unpopular for a new President. What does that mean when his first foreign policy crisis comes, as it inevitably will?

Seventh Circuit Rules Discrimination Based On Sexual Orientation Barred By 1964 Law

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars discrimination based on sexual orientation, but its reasoning is questionable at best.

Trump Hits Another Job Approval Low As Presidency Marks 75th Day In Office

Two new polls show Donald Trump hitting new lows in the polls as we get closer to his 100th day in office.

Senate Committee Advances Gorsuch Nomination As ‘Nuclear Option’ Becomes Inevitable

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch even as it became inevitable that Republicans would be forced to invoke the ‘nuclear option’ to confirm him to the Supreme Court.

Explosions At St. Petersburg Subway Stations Kill At Least Ten

An apparent terrorist attack in Russia’s second largest city.

Dylann Roof Pleads Guilty To State-Level Murder Charges In Charleston Church Shootings

With the exception of the mandatory Federal death penalty appeals, the legal process is basically over in the Charleston Church shootings.

Trump’s Former National Security Adviser Seeks Immunity Deal

Lt. General Michael Flynn wants immunity before he agrees to testify before Congress. This could be significant, or it could mean nothing at all.

Trump Declares War On House Freedom Caucus

Donald Trump has basically declared war on the people who blocked the AHCA from passing last week.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

So Far, There’s No Sign Of A ‘Trump Bump’ In The Economy

So far, there’s no sign that Donald Trump is having much of an impact on the economy.

Interior Secretary: Let’s Build Trump’s Wall In Mexico

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke suggests building Trump’s Wall on Mexican territory.

Republicans Claim That Obamacare Repeal Is Still On The Table, Don’t Believe Them

Republicans are saying that repealing the PPACA isn’t off the table, but practically speaking it probably is.

Oakland Raiders Set To Move To Las Vegas

The Oakland Los Angeles Oakland Raiders are headed to Vegas, baby!

Senate Headed For ‘Nuclear Option’ Showdown Over Gorsuch Nomination

Next week’s big news is likely to be the Senate’s vote to confirm Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, which could mean invocation of the so-called ‘nuclear option’ by Senate Republicans.

Montenegro To Become Member Of NATO For No Good Reason

The tiny Balkan nation of Montenegro is set to become the latest member of the NATO alliance despite the fact that there is seemingly no good reason for it.

Canada On Track For Marijuana Legalization By Mid-2018

Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party is set to follow through on a campaign promise.

Republicans Just Can’t Quit Donald Trump

Republicans are going to find it difficult to distance themselves from Donald Trump.

Disturbing Patterns Emerging From The Trump White House

After just sixty-six days, there are some disturbing patterns emerging from the Trump Administration.

Trump Fails The Leadership Test

The failure of the AHCA shows that Donald Trump doesn’t know the slightest thing about leadership or how to be President.

Republican Obamacare Replacement Bill Pulled From House Floor

A major legislative defeat for Paul Ryan, the House GOP, and President Trump.

ISIS Expanding Its Base In Libya Despite U.S. Attacks

Despite American air strikes, ISIS is expanding its power amid the chaos in Libya.