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.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense, on Capitol Hill to discuss his nomination with senators.

The Senate Must Reject Scandal-Plagued Pete Hegseth The Senate Must Reject Scandal-Plagued Pete Hegseth

And then it must keep rejecting Trump’s cabinet picks.

Dec 3, 2024 / Joan Walsh

RFK Jr. at a podium pointing his finger.

How Nominally Pro-Choice RFK Jr. Can Get Anti-Abortion Groups to Back His HHS Nomination How Nominally Pro-Choice RFK Jr. Can Get Anti-Abortion Groups to Back His HHS Nomination

He can pick a strident abortion opponent like Roger Severino, who wrote the Project 2025 chapter on HHS, as his number two.

Nov 21, 2024 / Joan Walsh

President Donald Trump pointing in front of an American flag.

Will “Serious” Republicans Block Any of Trump’s Freak-Show Cabinet Picks? Will “Serious” Republicans Block Any of Trump’s Freak-Show Cabinet Picks?

Will they stand up to even the scariest of these nominees? I’m not optimistic.

Nov 19, 2024 / Joan Walsh

Former Republican presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump shake hands during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona.

Please Skip the Inauguration, Madam Vice President (and Everybody) Please Skip the Inauguration, Madam Vice President (and Everybody)

These freakish and unqualified cabinet picks, from RFK Jr. to Matt Gaetz to Tulsi Gabbard, show that Trump is clowning you.

Nov 15, 2024 / Joan Walsh

Vice President Kamala Harris against a dark background, at a podium, looking reflective.

No, Trump Did Not Win in a Landslide—nor Did He Secure a Mandate No, Trump Did Not Win in a Landslide—nor Did He Secure a Mandate

The election math isn’t as bad as we thought. But the coming Trump administration is shaping up to be worse.

Nov 12, 2024 / Joan Walsh

Vice President Kamala Harris onstage at Howard University.

Kamala Harris Deserved Better—and There’s No Easy Explanation for Why She Didn’t Get It Kamala Harris Deserved Better—and There’s No Easy Explanation for Why She Didn’t Get It

Consider how resoundingly she succeeded in her 107-day campaign—and what that means about how deep the problems are that we need to solve.

Nov 7, 2024 / Joan Walsh

A low-light photo of supporters facing a rally. One holds a

A Rematch in New York Could Help Turn the House Blue A Rematch in New York Could Help Turn the House Blue

Laura Gillen should have won a congressional seat in 2022—but the New York Democratic Party was in shambles. This time, her creepy ex-cop opponent is going down.

Nov 4, 2024 / Joan Walsh

A close-up of a yellow T-shirt reading

On the Ground in Georgia, Organizers Fight to Eke Out a Win On the Ground in Georgia, Organizers Fight to Eke Out a Win

Local Democrats are feeling more isolated than they have in previous election cycles, and voters are harder to reach. Why?

Nov 1, 2024 / Joan Walsh

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally at the Ellipse in Washington, DC.

Against Impossible Double Standards, Harris Aced Her Closing Argument Against Impossible Double Standards, Harris Aced Her Closing Argument

She has another week, and so does Trump. But comparing her excellent Ellipse speech to Trump’s Madison Square Garden satyricon is absurd.

Oct 29, 2024 / Joan Walsh

Former first lady Michelle Obama at a podium, speaking and holding up her hand in a gesture.

Michelle Obama Is Finally Ready to “Go Low” Against Donald Trump Michelle Obama Is Finally Ready to “Go Low” Against Donald Trump

The former first lady’s incandescent speech on Saturday night in Michigan centered women’s bodies and excoriated the man who gropes but won’t protect them.

Oct 28, 2024 / Joan Walsh

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