politics

Summary

A Senate report revealed that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted over $4.75 million in luxury travel and gifts from wealthy benefactors, including unreported trips in 2021.

These gifts, described as unparalleled in modern U.S. history, have intensified calls for a binding Supreme Court ethics code.

Critics argue the court’s self-regulated 2023 code lacks enforcement.

Republicans dismissed the investigation as partisan, while Democrats demand stricter oversight.

It's a bit dated since it was written in the wake of Kerry's defeat rather than Harris's, but that aside, it's discouragingly (or cynically amusingly) relevant, and could just as easily have been written today.

Archive

Summary

Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown with a last-minute funding bill, though chaos looms under Donald Trump.

Trump and Elon Musk's influence added instability, with Republicans rejecting a debt ceiling extension tied to billionaire tax breaks.

House Speaker Mike Johnson faced backlash after reneging on bipartisan agreements, killing provisions like pediatric cancer research and prescription drug cost reductions.

Trump’s contradictory social media posts further fueled GOP infighting.

The episode is framed as a preview of tumultuous governance, offering Democrats a chance to emphasize Trump’s unpredictability and potential for disruption.

Summary

Elon Musk’s aggressive role in pressuring House Republicans to alter a bipartisan spending deal, nearly causing a government shutdown, signals the influence he could wield under Donald Trump’s incoming administration.

Trump views Musk as a "useful activist" and an effective tool for pressuring Congress while deflecting criticism.

Unlike past advisers like Steve Bannon, Musk’s wealth and status give him a unique position in Trump’s orbit.

However, many Republicans are frustrated with Musk’s unelected influence, amplified by his massive financial backing of Trump’s campaign and threats of primary challenges.

They may have lost the presidency, the House, and the Senate, but when it comes to avoiding introspection, the Democrats are completely undefeated. You’d have thought that after the disastrous presidential election, the Democrats might have taken some time to figure out what went wrong. You’d have thought they might have decided to try and refresh the party – make it more relevant to disenchanted voters. You’d have thought they might have realized that they needed to shake things up.

Well, you’d have thought wrong. As the recent drama with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shows, it’s business as usual with the Democratic establishment. Instead of trying to present a fresh new face to the world, they’re continuing to be a party of geriatric multimillionaires who are more concerned about pomp and procedure than actually winning elections.

The race between AOC and Connolly was broadly seen as not just representing a competition between two people but two different futures for the Democratic party. AOC represented a generational shift: a fresh young face and energetic communicator who represents a more anti-establishment spirit. Connolly was business as usual for the Democrats. For a while, it seemed like AOC had a real shot at winning, but then 84-year-old Nancy Pelosi, recovering in hospital from hip-replacement surgery, reportedly made a bunch of phone calls and urged people to back Connolly. On Tuesday, he won by a vote of 131-84.

Her metamorphosis hasn’t gone unnoticed. “The view of her is evolving,” the representative Glenn Ivey told Axios. “She seems to have changed her approach to legislating, and I think she’s figured out how to rock the boat without tipping it over.” At this stage, however, AOC might be realizing that despite selling out a lot of her supporters, the Democratic establishment still aren’t prepared to let her steer the ship. Maybe when she’s in her 80s it’ll finally be her turn.

While AOC may not be the progressive force she once was, having her as the lead Democrat on the House oversight committee would still have represented a shift for the Democratic party. Elevating her into a leadership position would have signaled a new start. Instead, it looks like the Democrats are committed to repeating the same old strategies, with the same aging politicians, in the hope that, this time, they might work.

Summary

Donald Trump’s transition team is relying on private email servers and devices instead of secure government accounts, raising cybersecurity concerns among federal officials as sensitive government data could be exposed.

This decision comes despite Trump previously criticizing Hillary Clinton’s email practices during the 2016 election, when he and Republicans framed her use of private email as reckless and dangerous.

Critics argue this inconsistency highlights insincerity, suggesting the prior outrage over Clinton’s emails was a politically motivated attack rather than a genuine concern about national security.

Summary

Donald Trump’s ambassadorial nominees for his upcoming term are facing widespread criticism for their lack of qualifications and potential conflicts of interest.

Picks such as Herschel Walker (Bahamas), Charles Kushner (France), and Kimberly Guilfoyle (Greece) are seen as emblematic of a “diplomatic clown car,” undermining U.S. foreign policy.

Experts warn unqualified ambassadors to key posts like NATO or Turkey could harm U.S. interests.

Critics blame the Senate for failing to vet nominees rigorously and Democrats for not opposing these controversial appointments, which highlight Trump’s transactional approach to diplomacy.

The revelation was included in a report by Democratic staff members on the Senate Judiciary Committee who had conducted a 20-month investigation into ethics practices at the Supreme Court.

Summary

The Senate passed the Social Security Fairness Act in a 76-20 vote, sending it to President Biden for approval.

The bill repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which reduced Social Security benefits for nearly 3 million retirees, including teachers, police officers, and postal workers.

It also restores full benefits for surviving spouses and families of these workers.

Though backed by bipartisan support, some Republicans opposed the bill due to its $195 billion cost over a decade. Advocates hailed it as a victory for public service workers.

Summary

Kash Patel, Donald Trump's nominee for FBI director, has sparked fears of retribution among current and former DOJ, FBI, and intelligence officials.

Known for pushing "deep state" conspiracy theories and naming adversaries in his memoir, Patel may target Trump critics like Liz Cheney if confirmed.

Critics argue Patel lacks managerial experience and could weaponize the FBI, while supporters say he'll end politically motivated investigations.

Concerns include potential mass FBI retirements and prolonged federal probes. Patel’s nomination underscores Trump’s pledge to seek vengeance on perceived enemies.

Summary

Trust in the U.S. judicial system has hit a record low, with only 35% of Americans expressing confidence, according to Gallup.

Criticism centers on the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, accused of advancing right-wing agendas, eroding rights like abortion access, and lacking accountability.

This judicial capture, orchestrated by conservative groups like the Federalist Society, ensures Republican dominance in key policies for decades, regardless of future elections.

In a late-night maneuver, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill that authorizes research on pediatric cancer after a similar proposal was cut when House Republicans abandoned the first funding deal this week.

Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, pushed a bill to final passage through unanimous consent — a rarely successful procedure that allowed quick approval because no senator objected. It extends for five years a program at the National Institutes of Health to research pediatric cancer and other diseases.

Summary

President Joe Biden achieved his 235th judicial confirmation, surpassing Trump’s total for a single term and marking the highest number since Jimmy Carter.

Biden prioritized diversity, appointing two-thirds women, a majority people of color, and increasing representation of public defenders and civil rights lawyers.

Notable confirmations include Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the court.

While Democrats celebrated reshaping the judiciary, they acknowledged challenges ahead, as Trump’s return to office offers Republicans renewed opportunities to shape the courts, with nearly three dozen vacancies awaiting appointments.

Summary

MAGA activists and speakers at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix rejected bipartisan compromise, demanding “hyperpartisanship” to implement Trump’s agenda.

Bannon derided House Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to prevent a government shutdown, while Trump Jr. urged targeting Republicans who oppose his father’s policies, calling the GOP the “America First party.”

With Trump-backed Cabinet picks facing scrutiny and slim congressional majorities, tensions remain high.

Critics warn the MAGA movement’s hardline stance could hinder governance and deepen partisan divides as Trump prepares to take office.

Summary

The December 2024 government shutdown standoff highlighted the limits of Trump’s influence over congressional Republicans.

Trump derailed a bipartisan funding bill but failed to rally support for a replacement plan tying spending to a debt limit increase.

The House rejected his proposal, forcing Republicans to compromise with Democrats on a stripped-down funding bill.

The temporary deal avoids a shutdown but sets up future clashes over spending cuts and debt limits.

The episode revealed Trump’s inability to unify his party and emphasized the fragility of the Republican House majority.

Summary

The Republican-led House passed a stopgap bill to prevent a government shutdown, funding operations through March 14.

The bill, which excludes a debt ceiling increase demanded by Trump, includes $100 billion in disaster aid and a one-year farm bill.

The measure now moves to the Senate hours before 12:01 a.m. Speaker Mike Johnson faced internal GOP divisions and external pressure from Trump, who opposed earlier bipartisan agreements.

Democrats criticized the process as prioritizing tax cuts for billionaires over critical programs like cancer research, highlighting tensions ahead of Trump’s return to office.

Summary

Musk is trying to backtrack on his previous demands to shut down the government.

Elon Musk initially supported a government shutdown, criticizing Republicans who backed a continuing resolution and calling for no new bills until Donald Trump retakes office.

His posts on X encouraged GOP hardliners and contributed to chaos in Congress.

After a bipartisan spending bill failed to pass, Musk blamed Democrats, ignoring that 38 Republicans also voted against it.

Facing backlash for his earlier remarks, Musk is now deflecting responsibility as House Speaker Mike Johnson struggles to avoid a shutdown.