Joan Walsh

National Affairs Correspondent

@joanwalsh

Joan Walsh, a national affairs correspondent for The Nation, is a coproducer of The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show and the author of What’s the Matter With White People? Finding Our Way in the Next America. Her new book (with Nick Hanauer and Donald Cohen) is Corporate Bullsh*t: Exposing the Lies and Half-Truths That Protect Profit, Power and Wealth In America.

US Attorney Jeanine Pirro asked a grand jury to indict six Democratic Congresspersons, all military veterans, who recorded an ad reminding their military and intelligence community colleagues they are not obliged to obey illegal orders from their superiors.

Grand Juries Are Saving Democracy Grand Juries Are Saving Democracy

A Washington, DC, panel rejected Jeanine Pirro’s lame attempt to indict six Democratic Congresspersons merely for reminding military and intelligence officials to obey the law.

Feb 11, 2026 / Joan Walsh

President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on February 3, 2026.

Trump Ratchets Up Talk of Taking Over Elections Trump Ratchets Up Talk of Taking Over Elections

This is one of many signs that Trump knows his party is in big trouble in the coming midterm elections.

Feb 4, 2026 / Joan Walsh

Former Marine captain Maura Sullivan served as senior adviser to the secretary of the Navy in 2015 and 2016 and worked on implementing the policy of opening combat roles to women. Here she is in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2005.

The Pentagon’s “Bad-Faith, BS” Review of Women in Combat Roles The Pentagon’s “Bad-Faith, BS” Review of Women in Combat Roles

Pete Hegseth came to office with benighted views of women in combat. Within a year, he ordered a study on whether having women in combat roles has led to compromised standards.

Feb 2, 2026 / Joan Walsh

Flowers are left at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026.

Alex Pretti Was a Good Man at a Time of Great Evil Alex Pretti Was a Good Man at a Time of Great Evil

The 37-year-old ICU nurse was killed helping another ICE victim. We must honor his sacrifice.

Jan 25, 2026 / Joan Walsh

Former US special counsel Jack Smith is sworn in before he testifies before the House Judiciary Committee about his investigations into President Donald Trump.

Jack Smith Will Not Save Us Jack Smith Will Not Save Us

Smith performed honorably, but no one person or investigation can protect America from Trump.

Jan 23, 2026 / Joan Walsh

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche attends a news conference on November 19, 2025, in Washington, DC.

A Trump Administration Official Says It Won’t Investigate the Killing of Renee Good A Trump Administration Official Says It Won’t Investigate the Killing of Renee Good

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche makes clear that the Department of Justice won’t look into the death of Renee Good—but that won’t stop Minnesota from investigating.

Jan 19, 2026 / Joan Walsh

Demonstrators during a protest in Minneapolis on January 8, 2026. An ICE officer fatally shot a woman during a confrontation in Minneapolis, sparking an uproar over the presence of ICE agents in the city

The Defiance Is Steadily Building, in Increasingly Unlikely Places The Defiance Is Steadily Building, in Increasingly Unlikely Places

It’s the protesters on the streets in Minneapolis fighting ICE, DOJ lawyers who’ve resigned over the investigation into Renee and Becca Good—and many more opposing Trump’s abuses....

Jan 14, 2026 / Joan Walsh

Hell Cats vs. Hegseth

Hell Cats vs. Hegseth Hell Cats vs. Hegseth

Meet the military women who are fighting to win purple districts for the Democrats and put the defense secretary on notice.

Jan 13, 2026 / Feature / Joan Walsh

Law enforcement and a protester on the scene after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis on January 7.

After the ICE Killing in Minneapolis, Will Truth Prevail? After the ICE Killing in Minneapolis, Will Truth Prevail?

Can Trump and Kristi Noem maintain their blatant lies in the face of multiple videos that show the victim was trying to drive away when she was shot three times by an ICE agent?

Jan 7, 2026 / Joan Walsh

President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at a press conference following US military actions in Venezuela, at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, on January 3, 2026.

Pete Hegseth Moves Against Senator Mark Kelly Pete Hegseth Moves Against Senator Mark Kelly

But the Navy veteran insists that he’ll continue to speak out against illegal military orders.

Jan 5, 2026 / Joan Walsh

x