Trump Bows To Reality, Says Release Epstein Files

After months of demanding Republicans resist, he says “We have nothing to hide.”

A U.S. Border Patrol agent and CBP representative discuss U.S. Customs and Border Protection pedestrian border barrier requirements near Lukeville, Arizona, May 7. USACE is supporting the Department of Homeland Security's request to build pedestrian fencing, construct and improve roads, and install lighting within the Yuma and Tucson, Arizona, U.S. Border Patrol sectors following the Feb. 15 national emergency declaration on the southern border of the United States. The Department of Defense has the authority under Section 284 of Title 10, U.S. Code, to construct roads and fences and to install lighting to block drug-smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States in support of counter-narcotics activities of federal law enforcement agencies. A U.S. Border Patrol agent and CBP representative discuss U.S. Customs and Border Protection pedestrian border barrier requirements near Lukeville, Arizona, May 7. USACE is supporting the Department of Homeland Security's request to build pedestrian fencing, construct and improve roads, and install lighting within the Yuma and Tucson, Arizona, U.S. Border Patrol sectors following the Feb. 15 national emergency declaration on the southern border of the United States. The Department of Defense has the authority under Section 284 of Title 10, U.S. Code, to construct roads and fences and to install lighting to block drug-smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States in support of counter-narcotics activities of federal law enforcement agencies.

Department of Deportation

Surging resources to immigration enforcement comes with tradeoffs.

Americans Ambivalent on Extrajudicial Killing

Support is low, but opposition is tepid.

Not Ready for a Female President?

Michelle Obama thinks so.

Epstein Files Discharge Petition Reaches Target

Newly-Sworn-in-Rep. Grijalva provides the final signature.

Leading Leaders Who Lead

Some questions to consider as you evaluate congressional leadership.

Nonhierarchical Parties in Action

Why blaming “the Democrats” or even “leadership” ignores a basic fact of American politics.

‘A Moratorium on Mischief’

What the shutdown should have been about.

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Politics Isn’t Just a Game

There are real life consequences.

SCOTUS Rejects Same-Sex Marriage Case

A bit of good news.

It Was Always Going to End This Way

Majorities gonna majority.

A Question for the Filibuster

Where’s the positive example?

Airlines Managing Flight Delays. For Now.

Things will get radically worse if the shutdown doesn’t end soon.

Meanwhile, in North Korea…

Dear Leader has a wish.

Nancy Pelosi to Retire

The octogenarian Speaker Emerita will not seek re-election.

Justice for Sandwich Guy

Not even a misdemeanor.

NYC Mayor Thoughts

Thoughts on Outcomes

A bad night for Trump.

The Main Takeaway from Last Night: Democracy Lives

Although it is still on life support.

Democrats Win Off-Off Year Elections They Were Expected to Win

And what it means for 2024 and beyond.

A Sign of Hope and a Sign of Concern

Tucker, Fuentes, and Heritage. Oh My!

The Longest Government Shutdown in US History

The standoff is in its 35th day.

Dick Cheney, 1941-2025

The former Defense Secretary and Vice President is gone at 84.

Trump’s Call to End the Filibuster to End the Shutdown

He’s making a major admission.

A Word of Caution on the NYC Mayoral Race

Don’t let pundits spin too many fantasies.

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Trump Says War Powers Act Doesn’t Apply to Cartel Strikes

It’s not an unprecedented stance.

Let Them Eat Renovations

The Trumpian Twilight Zone.

Shutdown Winding Down?

The light at the end of the tunnel is a train.

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Trump to Pay Troops Again

The Pentagon’s couch cushions are huuuuge.

More Xenophobic Nationalism

This time in Florida.

Consultants Like to Talk about Messaging

Political scientists, however, are skeptical.

Xenophobia on Display

A tale from my neck of the woods.

Presidents Shape Parties More than Parties Shape Presidents

How party change actually works in the US. Plus more on messaging and organzing.

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The TL;DR Version

Grumpy old man grumps about democracy.

Ezra Klein is Looking for Change in the Wrong Places

We need to be focused on the system, not fantasies about messages and organization.

Shutdown Pressure Points

Upcoming milestones that could force a deal.

Meanwhile, in North Korea…

Lies about past White House upgrades. It all start with Jesse Waters, but also heads to the op/ed pages of the NYT and WaPo.

President Donald J. Trump greets guests on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, prior to boarding Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md. to begin his trip to Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Nevada. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian) President Donald J. Trump greets guests on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, prior to boarding Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md. to begin his trip to Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Nevada. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

Political Math

One-third of a day.

1.4 Million Federal Workers Go Unpaid

Next up: our armed forces.

President Donald Trump signs a mineral agreement during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Monday, October 20, 2025. President Donald Trump signs a mineral agreement during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Monday, October 20, 2025.

Trump Won’t Ask Congress for Approval

“What are they going to do? Say, ‘Gee, we don’t want to stop drugs pouring in?’”

Making Argentina Great Again

The aid continues to grow.

A Curated History of White House Changes

Courtesy of President Donald J. Trump.

In Front of Our Nose: Capricious Petulance

A commercial has hurt the CINC’s fee-fees.

The Problem of Political Feedback in US Politics

Lack of understanding and poor institutional design=bad political outcomes.

East Wing Almost Gone

The move to build Trump’s Big Beautiful Ballroom is moving at record speed.