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.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk leaves a meeting with House Republicans in the basement of the US Capitol on March 5, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Elon, Phone Home! Your Businesses Are Imploding. Elon, Phone Home! Your Businesses Are Imploding.

While the billionaire messes, illegally, with our federal agencies, no one seems to be minding his store.

Mar 10, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Representative Al Green (D-TX) speaks during President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

House Democrats’ Protest Whiplash House Democrats’ Protest Whiplash

Ten Democrats sided with the speaker’s censure of Representative Al Green. The shameful act was diminished by colleagues supporting him singing “We Shall Overcome” on the House fl...

Mar 6, 2025 / Joan Walsh

The Democratic Leader You Did Not Know We Had

The Democratic Leader You Did Not Know We Had The Democratic Leader You Did Not Know We Had

Oakland’s Lateefah Simon, following in Barbara Lee’s footsteps, “prebutted” Trump’s creepy Tuesday address.

Mar 5, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo arrives to testify before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Rayburn House Office Building at the US Capitol on September 10, 2024, in Washington, DC.

Disgraced Former Governor Andrew Cuomo Is Running for Mayor Disgraced Former Governor Andrew Cuomo Is Running for Mayor

“Did I make mistakes, some painfully? Definitely, and I believe I learned from them and that I am a better person for it,” Cuomo said. His detractors don’t believe him.

Mar 3, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown Jr. listens to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth answer reporters' questions on February 5, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia.

Make No Mistake, This Is Trump’s Worst Move Yet Make No Mistake, This Is Trump’s Worst Move Yet

He fired qualified military leaders and hired lesser men who are loyal to him. If you’re wondering where all of this is going: Prepare for autocracy.

Feb 24, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Members of the American Federation of Government Employees protest against firings during a rally to defend federal workers in Washington, DC, on February 11, 2025.

Trump’s Firing Frenzy Is Hitting the GOP Where It Hurts Trump’s Firing Frenzy Is Hitting the GOP Where It Hurts

As layoffs skyrocket, Trump’s own voters are feeling the pain. Will the backlash begin?

Feb 21, 2025 / Joan Walsh

US Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) gives a thumbs up while arriving at the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence at the Senate Chambers on February 12, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Mitch McConnell’s Desperate Bid for an Honorable Political Legacy Mitch McConnell’s Desperate Bid for an Honorable Political Legacy

Lately McConnell has been a rare GOP vote against Trump’s worst cabinet nominees. But he’s the main reason Trump is back in power.

Feb 13, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk walks on stage to speak during the inaugural parade inside Capitol One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.

Nazis and Racists and “Big Balls,” Oh My! Nazis and Racists and “Big Balls,” Oh My!

Elon Musk’s DOGE-boys are hacking our government. The misogynist bros of the 2014 Gamergate travesty have won. For now.

Feb 11, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) listens as the Senate Finance Committee votes on February 4, 2025, to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the next secretary of health and human services.

Cassidy Caves to MAGA Threats Cassidy Caves to MAGA Threats

Fearing a primary challenge, the Louisiana Republican and physician backed away from his critique of RFK Jr. to recommend his nomination. It’s unlikely to be blocked in the Senate...

Feb 4, 2025 / Joan Walsh

Employees and supporters gather to protest outside of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters on February 3, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Signs of a New Anti-Trump Opposition Amid Elon Musk’s Coup Signs of a New Anti-Trump Opposition Amid Elon Musk’s Coup

Legislators and grassroots groups are showing new muscle in the wake of Musk’s weekend usurpation of power. It needs to ramp up, and quickly. And the media needs to cover it.

Feb 4, 2025 / Joan Walsh

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