Executive Branch

Man waring a suit sits in a courtroom.

A Half Century of Failure to Reform the FBI Has Gifted Patel With Alarming Power A Half Century of Failure to Reform the FBI Has Gifted Patel With Alarming Power

Fifty years ago, lawmakers started lifting the lid on the shocking abuses of the new Bureau chief’s most famous predecessor. The trouble is, very little changed.

Feb 21, 2025 / Steve Howell

A protester holds a poster with an image of Elon Musk that reads “I Am Stealing From You” at the US Department of Education in Washington, DC, on February 14, 2025.

Why Hasn’t Trump Already Closed the Department of Education? Why Hasn’t Trump Already Closed the Department of Education?

Maybe because its support for students is popular with Republicans as well as Democrats. And because cutting that funding would blow a big hole in the budgets of red states.

Feb 21, 2025 / Jack Schneider

Activists wearing masks of (L-R) Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Co-leader and main candidate of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party Alice Weidel, US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and US Vice President JD Vance, hold up placards which read “Stop Aid, Screw the poor,” “More Warming More War,” and “Make Russia Great Again” as they stage a protest against the perceived support of the US and Russia for the far-right AfD party in front of the landmark Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, on February 20, 2025, ahead of the upcoming German elections on February 23.

The Endless Conflicts of Interest in the Trump Administration The Endless Conflicts of Interest in the Trump Administration

Each day, another ethics scandal unfolds—and each day, it gets lost in the white noise.

Feb 21, 2025 / Sasha Abramsky

Gwynne Wilcox in front of American flag.

How Donald Trump Dismantled a Worker Protection Agency With One Late-Night E-mail How Donald Trump Dismantled a Worker Protection Agency With One Late-Night E-mail

By firing Gwynne Wilcox, Trump is hoping the Supreme Court will overrule 90 years of legal precedent and give him the authority to fire members of independent boards.

Feb 19, 2025 / Lynn Rhinehart

Supporters hold up “Save Medicaid” signs outside the Capitol during the Republicans’ attempt to cut Medicaid during Trump's first term in September 2017.

Donald Trump’s Next Diversity Target: People With Disabilities Donald Trump’s Next Diversity Target: People With Disabilities

The president’s disdain for disabled people—and obsession with genetic superiority—harks back to a grim past.

Feb 18, 2025 / Sam Gustin

Elon Musk and President Donald Trump appear during an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House on February 11, 2025

DOGE Is a Massive Scam—Even on Its Own Terms DOGE Is a Massive Scam—Even on Its Own Terms

Even if you believe that Musk is trying to root out waste and fraud (and you really shouldn't), he and his dweeby hatchet bros are only making things more corrupt and expensive.

Feb 18, 2025 / Chris Lehmann

President Donald Trump throws sharpies to the crowd after signing executive orders during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.

David Cole on How the Courts Can Stop Trump David Cole on How the Courts Can Stop Trump

The former national legal director of the ACLU analyzes recent efforts to block the president’s executive orders.

Feb 18, 2025 / Q&A / Jon Wiener

Trump’s Mafia Shakedown Might Destroy NATO—if We’re Lucky

Trump’s Mafia Shakedown Might Destroy NATO—if We’re Lucky Trump’s Mafia Shakedown Might Destroy NATO—if We’re Lucky

America’s greedy gangster president is forcing European elites to finally reckon with the high price of protection.

Feb 17, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Adams Family Values

Adams Family Values Adams Family Values

Kennedy Center.

Feb 14, 2025 / Steve Brodner

Jamie Raskin

How Democrats Can Fight Back How Democrats Can Fight Back

Jamie Raskin lays out the legal strategy to oppose Trump but says, “We’re not going to sue our way out of a political crisis”—Democrats need a political organizing strategy.

Feb 14, 2025 / Q&A / Chris Lehmann

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