Child Stars of Yore Gang Up on Kirk Cameron

House Cancels Thursday Session After Warning of ‘Possible’ Militia Attack

qanon

By Matt Stieb

After Capitol Police told lawmakers of a potential attack on the complex by Trump supporters, the House wrapped up a Thursday vote on Wednesday night.

Can Businesses Require Masks After States Lift Their Mandates?

coronavirus

By Matt Stieb

The end of most pandemic restrictions in Texas and Mississippi predict the challenges all states will face as reopening occurs this year.

Most Popular

Will We Get a Third Round of Stimulus Checks?

stimulus checks

The House has already approved Biden’s plan, which includes the third checks. If all goes well, the president should sign the bill by March 14.

Will Trump Dump Pence If He Runs in 2024?

There are reports Trump won’t forgive Pence his one moment of independence. A fresh start could also give us the spectacle of a Trump-Trump ticket.

Ronny Jackson Harassed Staff, Drank on Duty As White House Doctor, Report Finds

By Nia Prater

Jackson, who is now a Republican congressman, denied the scathing findings in the Pentagon inspector general’s report.

Smaller New York Performance Spaces Allowed to Open at Limited Capacity

the coronavirus

By Jackson McHenry

Venues would max out at 100 people indoors or 200 outdoors.

Moderate Democrats Strip Stimulus Checks From 12 Million Voters for No Reason

stimulus checks

By Eric Levitz

By narrowing eligibility for COVID relief payments, Senate Democrats will save a negligible amount of money at a high political cost.

I Read Mike Pence’s Blueprint for Permanent Authoritarian Rule

the national interest

By Jonathan Chait

Change the voting rules so mobs aren’t needed again.

Cuomo Says He’s ‘Embarrassed’ About Sexual-Harassment Claims, But Won’t Resign

By Nia Prater

The governor apologized again for making people “feel uncomfortable” but insisted he “never touched anyone inappropriately.”

The GOP’s Establishment Is More Populist Than Its Trumpists

the republican party

By Eric Levitz

House Republicans are more staunchly pro-Trump — and anti-minimum-wage hikes – than Mitch McConnell is.

3/3/2021

The head of the D.C. National Guard testified that if not for “unusual” Pentagon restrictions on January 6, he could have had 150 soldiers at the Capitol in 20 minutes

The commanding general of the D.C. National Guard told lawmakers Wednesday how restrictions the Pentagon placed on him in the run-up to the Capitol riot prevented him from more quickly sending forces to help quell the violence.

Maj. Gen. William J. Walker said he did not receive approval to change the D.C. Guard’s mission and send his forces to the Capitol on Jan. 6 until three hours and 19 minutes after he first received an emotional call from the Capitol Police chief requesting urgent backup.

Walker described the Pentagon’s restrictions as “unusual,” noting that he did not have such limitations last summer, when the D.C. Guard was tasked with responding to local racial-justice protests after the killing of George Floyd.

D.C. Guard chief says ‘unusual’ restrictions slowed deployment of backup during Capitol riot

—WaPo

Will Democrats Act Like the Party of Voting Rights or Not?

The conservative Supreme Court and GOP are set to do even more damage unless they’re stopped.

The Vaccine Selfie: Encouraged at Javits, Tolerated at Medgar Evers

the jab

By Willy Blackmore

Don’t let the ‘no photography allowed’ signs confuse you.

Zero COVID Risk Is the Wrong Standard

the national interest

By Jonathan Chait

The fallacy of complete safety.

3/3/2021

How Capitol Police are preparing for Trump’s fake inauguration day

The United States Capitol Police said it has beefed up security on Capitol Hill this week due to “concerning information and intelligence” related to March 4, the date that far-right conspiracy theorists believe former President Donald Trump will return to power.

“The Department is aware of concerning information and intelligence pertaining March 4th and continues to work with all of our law enforcement partners,” the federal law enforcement agency said in a statement Tuesday night. “Based on the intelligence that we have, the Department has taken immediate steps to enhance our security posture and staffing for a number of days, to include March 4th. The Department has communicated our enhanced posture as well as the available intelligence for the entire workforce.”

US Capitol Police beef up security for March 4 amid concerns over QAnon conspiracy theory

—ABC News

Working Wave After Wave at Elmhurst Hospital

the group portrait

By Anna Silman

Approaching 365 days in the early epicenter of the pandemic.

David Shor on Why Trump Was Good for the GOP — and How Dems Can Win in 2022

2020 hindsight

By Eric Levitz

The data scientist shares his latest theories on why Democrats lost Hispanic support in 2020 and what the party must do to avoid disaster in 2022.

Biden to Pull Neera Tanden’s Nomination

Undone by mean tweets.

Americans Who Masterminded Carlos Ghosn’s Escape Now in Japanese Custody

jailbreak

By Eve Peyser

U.S. special forces veteran and his son spirited the ex-Nissan CEO out of Tokyo while he was awaiting trial.

The U.S. Vaccination Effort Is Speeding Up — Fast

covid-19

By Paola Rosa-Aquino

Supplies are booming, and the number of shots in arms is skyrocketing.

From Fighting Racism to Playing the Power Game, Vernon Jordan Was Hard to Beat

obits

He was the living link between the civil-rights movement and political and corporate elites for decades.

Everyone Who Has Called for Governor Cuomo to Resign

scandals

By Nia Prater

As the scandal over COVID policies is compounded by harassment allegations, a growing number of elected officials say he must resign or be impeached.

Mitt Romney’s Former Aide Thinks He’s Gone Soft on the Poor

the national interest

By Jonathan Chait

We handle problems all the time without dealing with their root causes.

Cuomo’s Biggest Political Problem? ‘Everybody Hates Him.’

downfalls

By David Freedlander

Even the governor’s allies concede that — with his political life in the balance — his usual tricks and tactics aren’t working.

Democrats Courted Fight for $15. The Movement Wants Them to Deliver.

minimum wage increase

By Sarah Jones

“Stop trying to play nicey-nice in the sandbox.”

3/2/2021

Vernon Jordan, civil rights leader and Washington power broker, has died at 85

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. never held elective office, was never a member of the Cabinet and never even worked for the federal government. He was a lawyer who rarely appeared in court, a corporate kingmaker who was not a registered lobbyist, a political strategist who did not direct a campaign.

Yet Mr. Jordan was, for years, one of the most influential figures in Washington. With a commanding presence, personal charm and an inviolable sense of discretion, he had a rare combination of talents that made him the confidant of presidents, congressional leaders, business executives and civil rights figures.

Mr. Jordan was the consummate Washington power broker, reaching the peak of his quiet authority during the 1990s, when he was, with the possible exception of Hillary Clinton, President Bill Clinton’s closest adviser. He had Clinton’s ear through two terms as president, including the most challenging moments, when Clinton faced an investigation and impeachment for a relationship with a White House intern.

“The last thing he’d ever do is betray a friendship,” Clinton said in 1996. “It’s good to have a friend like that.”

Mr. Jordan died March 1 at his home in Washington. He was 85. The death was confirmed by his daughter, Vickee Jordan. She declined to state the cause.

Vernon E. Jordan Jr., lawyer and D.C. political power broker, dies at 85

—Washington Post