Politics

The Richard J. Daley Courthouse and Office Building in Chicago.

Illinois Is Helping People Awaiting Trial Get Back to Court and Stay Out of Jail Illinois Is Helping People Awaiting Trial Get Back to Court and Stay Out of Jail

The state has a successful pilot in four counties to offer free services to those on pretrial release. But federal budget cuts put the program at risk.

May 8, 2026 / Bryce Covert

New kid on the block Peter Magyar arrives to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni before their meeting at Palazzo Chigi in Rome, Italy, on May 7, 2026.

Reflections on Hungary as Viktor Orbán Exits Reflections on Hungary as Viktor Orbán Exits

Do conditions for a pluralistic rebirth exist?

May 8, 2026 / Francesca De Benedetti

Protesters yell in a Senate committee meeting during a special session of the state legislature to redraw US congressional voting maps Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn

The GOP’s “Jim Crow Gerrymander” Rips Up Memphis and America’s Civil Rights Legacy The GOP’s “Jim Crow Gerrymander” Rips Up Memphis and America’s Civil Rights Legacy

As Republicans destroy historic Black-majority House districts in the South, they are being compared with segregationists George Wallace and Bull Connor.

May 7, 2026 / John Nichols

The Gospel of Hegseth

The Gospel of Hegseth The Gospel of Hegseth

Movie scripts as scripture. Pete Hegseth was caught quoting a scene from a Quentin Tarantino film and presenting it as a passage from the Bible. I asked some readers to help with w...

May 6, 2026 / OppArt / Steve Brodner

Supporters of voting rights hold signs outside the US Supreme Court on October 15, 2025.

The Supreme Court Just Made Its Voting Rights Ruling Even Worse The Supreme Court Just Made Its Voting Rights Ruling Even Worse

The court has fast-tracked its decision demolishing the VRA, helping Southern states redraw their maps before the midterms.

May 5, 2026 / Elie Mystal

Violence Escalates in Colombia

Violence Escalates in Colombia Violence Escalates in Colombia

Deadly bombings targeting civilians expose a surge in violence ahead of elections.

May 5, 2026 / OppArt / Felipe Galindo

A protest in Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 25, 2023, against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government’s regulations restricting the judiciary’s powers.

Can Viktor Orbán’s Defeat in Hungary Be a Role Model for Israel? Can Viktor Orbán’s Defeat in Hungary Be a Role Model for Israel?

The path to defeating Netanyahu may hinge on unity across ideological divides.

May 5, 2026 / Hillel Schenker

Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday, March 23, 2026.

Why Is New York Running Away From Renewables? Why Is New York Running Away From Renewables?

Kathy Hochul is proposing to retreat from the state’s nation-leading climate and energy strategy. That would be a disaster.

May 4, 2026 / Zephyr Teachout

Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on April 25, 2026.

Trump’s Ridiculous Ballroom Is No Place for Journalists Trump’s Ridiculous Ballroom Is No Place for Journalists

The president keeps suggesting that reporters have a party on his home turf. That’s a terrible idea.

May 4, 2026 / Ana Marie Cox

Donald Trump departs Doral, Florida, en route to his Palm Beach mansion on May 2, 2026.

Trump’s Smartest Supporters Know the Iran War Is a Disaster Trump’s Smartest Supporters Know the Iran War Is a Disaster

The new consensus is that the American empire is in steep decline.

May 4, 2026 / Jeet Heer

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