Politics
Trump’s National Guard deployments reignite 200-year-old legal debate over state vs. federal power
Trump’s National Guard deployments reignite 200-year-old legal debate over state vs. federal power The deployment of National Guard troops by President Donald Trump to cities like Portland, Oregon, and Chicago has reignited a 200-year-old legal debate over state vs. federal power, specifically regarding the 10th Amendment. The 10th Amendment’s language suggests that powers not delegated […]
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The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis
The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis Latin America played a crucial role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis, contrary to the standard U.S.-centric narrative that portrays President John F. Kennedy as the sole hero who saved the world from nuclear war. The Organization of […]
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King, pope, Jedi, Superman: Trump’s social media images exclusively target his base and try to blur political reality
King, pope, Jedi, Superman: Trump’s social media images exclusively target his base and try to blur political reality The White House’s social media strategy under Trump blurs the lines between politics and entertainment, using melodramatic and theatrical language to appeal to his base. The White House often releases AI-generated images of Trump in various roles, […]
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James Comey’s lawyers face an uphill battle to prove selective or vindictive prosecution in his high-profile case
James Comey’s lawyers face an uphill battle to prove selective or vindictive prosecution in his high-profile case James Comey’s lawyers face an uphill battle to prove selective or vindictive prosecution in his high-profile case, as they must demonstrate that he was singled out for prosecution for something others have done without being prosecuted. The prosecution […]
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Gender is not an ideology – but conservative groups know learning about it empowers people to think for themselves
Gender is not an ideology – but conservative groups know learning about it empowers people to think for themselves Conservative groups are launching attacks on teaching about gender in colleges and universities, which they claim is an ideology that empowers people to think for themselves. However, experts argue that this is part of a larger […]
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Demolishing the White House East Wing to build a ballroom embodies Trump’s heritage politics
Demolishing the White House East Wing to build a ballroom embodies Trump’s heritage politics Donald Trump’s administration is using architecture and heritage as tools of ideology and control to project power, shape national identity, and erase inclusive historical narratives. The Trump administration has issued executive orders declaring classical and traditional architectural styles the “preferred” design […]
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Pennsylvania’s budget crisis drags on as fed shutdown adds to residents’ hardships
Pennsylvania’s budget crisis drags on as fed shutdown adds to residents’ hardships Pennsylvania is facing a double crisis due to its ongoing budget impasse and the federal government shutdown, affecting residents’ hardships. The state has been without a budget for over 100 days, making it the only state currently operating without a budget, while counties, […]
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Trump mocks ‘No Kings’ protests with shocking AI videos
Trump mocks ‘No Kings’ protests with shocking AI videos President Donald Trump remained quiet during the “No Kings” protests on October 18th, where nearly 7 million demonstrators took part. The protests were against Trump’s administration, with protesters calling for an end to monarchies and royal titles. Despite his silence, Trump posted several AI-generated videos on […]
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Pharaohs in Dixieland – how 19th-century America reimagined Egypt to justify racism and slavery
Pharaohs in Dixieland – how 19th-century America reimagined Egypt to justify racism and slavery 19th-century America reimagined ancient Egypt to justify racism and slavery, particularly in the slaveholding South. The founders of Memphis, Tennessee, named their city after the ancient Egyptian capital, hoping to create a prosperous society sustained by enslaved labor. Pro-slavery thinkers like […]
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Winning with misinformation: New research identifies link between endorsing easily disproven claims and prioritizing symbolic strength
Winning with misinformation: New research identifies link between endorsing easily disproven claims and prioritizing symbolic strength Research suggests that some people consider it a “win” to endorse easily disproven claims, prioritizing symbolic strength over factual accuracy. The study found that this mindset was strongly associated with authoritarian attitudes, including beliefs in conspiracy theories and support […]
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When government websites become campaign tools: Blaming the shutdown on Democrats has legal and political risks
When government websites become campaign tools: Blaming the shutdown on Democrats has legal and political risks The 2025 government shutdown has become a messaging war, with official government communications, including website banners and automated responses, denouncing “Senate Democrats” or “the Radical Left” for closing the government. The Hatch Act, a 1939 statute that limits partisan […]
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What the First Amendment doesn’t protect when it comes to professors speaking out on politics
What the First Amendment doesn’t protect when it comes to professors speaking out on politics Public colleges and universities have limited First Amendment rights compared to private institutions, meaning they can discipline employees for their speech more easily. The First Amendment only protects public employees’ speech when it’s about a “matter of public concern” or […]
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The real reason conservatives are furious about Bad Bunny’s forthcoming Super Bowl performance
The real reason conservatives are furious about Bad Bunny’s forthcoming Super Bowl performance Conservatives are furious about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance because he has endorsed Kamala Harris for president, has a gender-bending wardrobe, and has slammed the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies. Bad Bunny’s decision to avoid performing on the U.S. mainland due to fears […]
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The limits of free speech protections in American broadcasting
The limits of free speech protections in American broadcasting The FCC’s power to regulate broadcasting is rooted in its authority to license stations “in the public interest, convenience, or necessity,” which has been upheld by the Supreme Court since 1943. The FCC’s expansive powers were established in the landmark case National Broadcasting Co. v. United […]
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Supreme Court redistricting ruling could upend decades of voting rights law – and tilt the balance of power in Washington
Supreme Court redistricting ruling could upend decades of voting rights law – and tilt the balance of power in Washington The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais, a case that could upend decades of voting rights law and tilt the balance of power in Washington. The central question in the case […]
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Pennsylvania’s budget crisis drags on as fed shutdown adds to residents’ hardships — a political scientist explains
Pennsylvania’s budget crisis drags on as fed shutdown adds to residents’ hardships — a political scientist explains Pennsylvania is facing a budget crisis that has been ongoing for over 100 days, making it the only state without a budget, and residents are being hit with a double blow due to the federal government shutdown. The […]
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Organizers say over 7 million showed up to No Kings protests
Organizers say over 7 million showed up to No Kings protests Over 7 million people participated in No Kings protests across all 50 states, marking the largest day of protest since Donald Trump’s second term began. The protests were organized by Indivisible and featured over 2,700 events, a significant increase from June’s 2,000 events, indicating […]
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María Corina Machado’s peace prize follows Nobel tradition of awarding recipients for complex reasons
María Corina Machado’s peace prize follows Nobel tradition of awarding recipients for complex reasons Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democratic rights and achieve a just transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela. The prize follows a long tradition of awarding recipients […]
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Madagascar’s military power grab shows Africa’s coup problem isn’t restricted to the Sahel region
Madagascar’s military power grab shows Africa’s coup problem isn’t restricted to the Sahel region Madagascar’s military power grab on October 14, 2025, marks only the second coup in Africa outside of the Sahel region since 2020, highlighting that Africa’s coup problem is becoming a continental issue. Coups are more likely to succeed when they involve […]
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Jean-Jacques Dessalines: Reassessing the Haitian revolutionary leader’s legacy
Jean-Jacques Dessalines: Reassessing the Haitian revolutionary leader’s legacy Historian Julia Gaffield’s new book “I Have Avenged America: Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Haiti’s Fight for Freedom” aims to reassess the legacy of Haitian revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who was both celebrated at home for ending slavery and condemned internationally for his violent tactics. Dessalines’ reputation has been […]
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In defense of ‘surveillance pricing’: Why personalized prices could be an unexpected force for equity
In defense of ‘surveillance pricing’: Why personalized prices could be an unexpected force for equity Surveillance pricing, which uses personal data to set individualized prices, has sparked controversy but may have benefits that could make markets more efficient and equitable. The practice, also known as price discrimination, can lead to wealthy customers paying more for […]
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Far fewer Americans support political violence than recent polls suggest
Far fewer Americans support political violence than recent polls suggest A recent surge in reported support for political violence in the US may be due to confusion about survey questions rather than actual support, according to a researcher’s study. The researcher used AI interviewing system to ask respondents about their views on political violence and […]
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Banning abortion is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes
Banning abortion is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes Banning abortion has become a hallmark of authoritarian regimes around the world, including countries like Poland, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. The US is mirroring this pattern, with restrictions on reproductive rights leading to increased death and suffering for women and their families, as well as erosion of […]
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A white poet and a Sioux doctor fell in love after Wounded Knee – racism and sexism would drive them apart
A white poet and a Sioux doctor fell in love after Wounded Knee – racism and sexism would drive them apart Elaine Goodale Eastman and Charles Alexander Eastman, a white poet and a Sioux doctor, fell in love after meeting at the Pine Ridge Agency in South Dakota in December 1890. Their relationship was marked […]
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10 effective things citizens can do to make change in addition to attending a protest
10 effective things citizens can do to make change in addition to attending a protest Pro-democracy groups successfully organized large-scale protests across the US, demonstrating that “together we are choosing democracy,” despite GOP leaders’ attempts to discredit them. Democracies that have suffered setbacks vary widely, but practices used globally to fight democratic backsliding or topple […]
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Why free speech rights got left out of the Constitution – and added in later via the First Amendment
Why free speech rights got left out of the Constitution – and added in later via the First Amendment Free speech rights were not included in the original US Constitution, but were added later via the First Amendment. The First Amendment was included three years after the Constitution’s ratification, as a result of political compromise […]
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The Supreme Court is headed toward a radically new vision of unlimited presidential power
The Supreme Court is headed toward a radically new vision of unlimited presidential power The Supreme Court is moving towards a radically new vision of unlimited presidential power, building on a series of cases over the past 15 years that have pro-presidential direction. The unitary executive theory, which suggests that the president should personally control […]
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Health insurance subsidy standoff pits affordable care for millions against federal budget constraints
Health insurance subsidy standoff pits affordable care for millions against federal budget constraints The Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies are set to expire on January 1, 2026, unless Congress extends them, which would affect millions of Americans’ health insurance coverage. If the subsidies expire, an estimated 5 million people could lose their health insurance coverage, […]
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From the pulpit to the picket line: For many miners, religion and labor rights have long been connected in coal country
From the pulpit to the picket line: For many miners, religion and labor rights have long been connected in coal country Cecil Roberts, the president of the United Mine Workers of America, will retire after 30 years leading the union, leaving behind a legacy connected to coal country’s history and labor rights. The connection between […]
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Congressman Ted Lieu makes the case for strong regulation of AI
Congressman Ted Lieu makes the case for strong regulation of AI Strong regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is necessary to prevent its misuse and ensure public safety. The lack of regulation in the AI industry can lead to job displacement, bias in decision-making systems, and cybersecurity threats. Congressman Ted Lieu’s advocacy for strong regulation of […]
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