“You have no idea how much crazy stuff we kill.”
— An unnamed White House staffer to Mike Allen, on why many Trump aides are not resigning despite their disappointment.
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Recent Posts
Republican Leaders Double Down
“The top two congressional Republicans doubled down Friday that they won’t cede to Democratic demands to put in writing any agreement to begin talks on extending expiring Obamacare subsidies —…
Journalists in Alaska Quit Over Charlie Kirk Story
“Several journalists resigned this week from three newspapers in Alaska after the publications’ corporate owner made significant edits to an article about Charlie Kirk’s death, appearing to yield to pressure…
Hamas Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter…
Chart of the Day
The poorest countries are also the most religious. And the countries with higher GDP are more secular. However, there’s a pretty big outlier: The United States. Save to Favorites
House Will Not Be Back Next Week
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) decided to not bring the House of Representatives back next week as the government shutdown continues. Politico: “The move came after the Senate voted a fourth…
RFK Jr. Fires Vaccine Whistleblower
“Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired a top official with the National Institutes of Health who blew the whistle on internal clashes over vaccine research in the early…
Bonus Quote of the Day
“We’re not seeing the leadership on both sides really willing to sit down and negotiate. And I think that’s what it’s gonna take.” — Sen. Jean Shaheen (D-NH), talking on…
U.S. Strikes Boat Off Venezuela
“President Trump ordered another lethal military strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean early Friday, signaling the administration is undeterred by mounting legal questions about the campaign,” the…
Treasury Considers Minting $1 Trump Coin
“The Treasury Department is considering producing a one-dollar coin featuring President Donald Trump to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence next year,” Politico reports. “The draft design of the…
GOP Senators Head to Luxury Weekend During Shutdown
“The Senate will not be holding votes this weekend on reopening the government as was initially expected, as some Republican senators will be attending a high-dollar fundraising retreat for the…
Johnson May Not Bring Back House
“Speaker Mike Johnson said he’s not inclined to bring the House back into session until the Senate passes the House’s continuing resolution,” NOTUS reports. Said Johnson: “The House will come…
Why Republicans Won’t Link Shutdown to Healthcare
Punchbowl News: “The idea is that if Republicans just give Democrats a commitment to take up and pass a bill to extend the enhanced Obamacare tax credits at some point…
Democrat Texted About Shooting Virginia Speaker
Virginia Attorney General candidate Jay Jones (D) sent disturbing text messages to a colleague fantasizing about killing then-Virginia Speaker Todd Gilbert (R), National Review reports. Said Jones: “If those guys…
Not the Same Guy
The Atlantic: “Thirty-four days into the previous government shutdown, in 2019, reporters asked President Donald Trump if he had a message for the thousands of federal employees who were about…
Abigail Spanberger Holds Wide Lead for Virginia Governor
Abigail Spanberger (D) leads Winsome Earle-Sears (R) by double digits in the contest for Virginia governor, 55% to 43% among likely voters, according to a new Washington Post-Schar School poll….
Democrats Need to Focus on Power, Not Healthcare
Jonathan Last: “So far as I can tell, the Democratic ask on the shutdown negotiations boils down to: “Preserving ACA subsidies for low-income people that will keep health care premiums…
Chris Murphy Issues a Warning
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) told the New Republic that meaningful political opposition to President Trump could be seriously constrained. Said Murphy: “My belief has never been that he’s going to…
JD Vance Takes Center Stage During Shutdown
“Vice President Vance is getting a moment in the spotlight amid the ongoing government shutdown, putting the potential 2028 GOP nominee front-and-center as a top messenger and attack dog for…
‘Voter Fraud’ Watchdog Votes Where He Doesn’t Live
Slate: “Jack Posobiec is very concerned about voter fraud. An influential MAGA voice and prominent conspiracy theorist, he’s perhaps best known for amplifying the 2016 ‘Pizzagate’ conspiracy, which culminated in…
Madison Cawthorn Can’t Expect Help from Trump
“Once a MAGA poster child, former North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn is attempting a political comeback — this time in an open House seat in Florida — but he shouldn’t…
