Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”

William Barr

Barr Becomes Attorney General Again Barr Becomes Attorney General Again

Once more you’re head of Justice, William Barr. In your career you’ve surely traveled far. But now we’re going to see just who you are: If told to fold, will you say au revoir Or w…

Feb 21, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Howard Schultz is the coffee man.

Howard Schultz May Run for President Howard Schultz May Run for President

The Democrats have welcomed Schultz As warmly as they might Darth Vader. It’s odd: A centrist billionaire Can look exactly like Ralph Nader.

Feb 7, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

US Capitol vs Statue of Liberty hugging an immigrant

An Offer From the Oval Office to Open the Federal Government An Offer From the Oval Office to Open the Federal Government

The government opens, concluding this brawl. The fate of the Dreamers is tied to The Wall. This offer by Trump is that he would arrange What simply amounts to a hostage exchange.

Jan 24, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Trump speaks in Pennsylvania

A Presidential Negotiating Stance A Presidential Negotiating Stance

If he can’t get the wherewithal To build at once his precious wall— A wall that’s thick, a wall that’s tall, The strongest, toughest wall of all— Then to the floor he’ll surely fa…

Jan 10, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Ryan Zinke Holiday Party

Farewell, Ryan Zinke Farewell, Ryan Zinke

We bid adieu to Ryan Zinke. Though he may well avoid the clink, he Had ethics lapses hardly dinky. They leave that swamp aroma–stinky.

Dec 20, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

John Kelly

Kelly to Leave White House Kelly to Leave White House

Brought in to end the White House mess, He had a measure of success: The ship of state has not been righted, But he himself was not indicted.

Dec 13, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

sean spicer sarah huckabee sanders

Staffing the Administration Staffing the Administration

Replacing someone forced to leave Could surely be no easier. Trump looks among the folks he knows, And picks someone who’s sleazier.

Dec 6, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Trump’s Choice for Acting Attorney General

Trump’s Choice for Acting Attorney General Trump’s Choice for Acting Attorney General

His qualifications don’t really exist. For Trump, though, appointing him didn’t seem odd. A bully, the man was involved in a scam. In other words, they’re like two peas in a pod.

Nov 22, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

central-american-migrants-caravan

The White House and the Caravan The White House and the Caravan

Invasion by tired and poor but not white! We’ll stop them, Trump tells us, of that there’s no doubt. The troops have been sent. Will the Air Force be next? And nuclear weapons—have…

Nov 8, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Voting ballot box

The GOP and Voter Suppression The GOP and Voter Suppression

Amidst all the campaigning babble, One strategy’s always worth noting: To keep them from voting against us We simply need keep them from voting,…

Oct 25, 2018 / Column / Calvin Trillin

x