Government
There’s a competition crisis in America’s state legislatures – and that’s bad for democracy
There’s a competition crisis in America’s state legislatures – and that’s bad for democracy The competition crisis in America’s state legislatures is a growing concern for democracy, with over half of Massachusetts state House seats going uncontested by one party since 2010. The trend is not limited to Massachusetts; in recent election cycles, between 30% […]
🏛️ Politics
Congress has exercised minimal oversight over ICE, but that might change
Congress has exercised minimal oversight over ICE, but that might change Congress has been criticized for its minimal oversight over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with funding for the agency increasing substantially over the past year, from $8 billion in 2024 to $28 billion in 2025. The Senate has held only one public hearing on […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump’s insistence on personal loyalty from ambassadors could crimp US foreign policy
Trump’s insistence on personal loyalty from ambassadors could crimp US foreign policy President Trump’s mass firing of career ambassadors has sent a clear signal that loyalty to him takes precedence over diplomatic expertise, potentially crippling US foreign policy. Trump has appointed fewer than 10% of his nearly 70 ambassadors as career professionals, instead relying on […]
🏛️ Politics
NASA Awards Global Modeling, Assimilation Support Contract
NASA Awards Global Modeling, Assimilation Support Contract NASA has awarded a $84 million contract to ADNET Systems, Inc. for global modeling and data assimilation support. The five-year contract will begin on March 15, 2026, and includes cost-plus-fixed-fee and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity terms. The contractor will support and maintain NASA Goddard’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office’s GEOS model […]
💻 Technology
Microsoft handed the government encryption keys for customer data
Microsoft handed the government encryption keys for customer data Microsoft handed over encryption keys to the FBI for three laptops as part of an investigation into potential fraud involving the COVID unemployment assistance program in Guam. The FBI obtained these keys after serving Microsoft with a warrant last year, marking a rare instance where a […]
💻 Technology
The ‘drug threat’ that justified the US ouster of Maduro won’t be fixed by his arrest
The ‘drug threat’ that justified the US ouster of Maduro won’t be fixed by his arrest The US ouster of Maduro won’t fix the “drug threat” that justified it, as Venezuela was never a major cocaine producer and most US cocaine originates from Colombia. The Trump administration used power and geopolitics to justify military intervention […]
🏛️ Politics
The Insurrection Act is one of at least 26 legal loopholes in the law banning the use of the US military domestically
The Insurrection Act is one of at least 26 legal loopholes in the law banning the use of the US military domestically The Insurrection Act is one of at least 26 legal loopholes that allow the US military to be used domestically, and President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke it to send troops to […]
🏛️ Politics
NASA Receives 15th Consecutive ‘Clean’ Financial Audit Opinion
NASA Receives 15th Consecutive ‘Clean’ Financial Audit Opinion NASA has received its 15th consecutive “clean” financial audit opinion for fiscal year 2025, indicating that its financial statements conform to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The agency’s commitment to transparency and responsible management of taxpayer dollars has been recognized, with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praising the team’s […]
📰 News
I wrote a book on the politics of war powers, and Trump’s attack on Venezuela reflects Congress surrendering its decision-making powers
I wrote a book on the politics of war powers, and Trump’s attack on Venezuela reflects Congress surrendering its decision-making powers Trump’s attack on Venezuela reflects Congress’ surrendering its decision-making powers, as the US launched large-scale attacks without explicit authorization from lawmakers. The US military raid in Venezuela raises questions about procedure and legality, with […]
🏛️ Politics
Congress takes up health care again − and impatient voters shouldn’t hold their breath for a cure
Congress takes up health care again − and impatient voters shouldn’t hold their breath for a cure As Congress reconvened after the new year, it became clear that lawmakers are struggling to come up with a solution to help Americans pay for healthcare, particularly with the expiration of Obamacare subsidies for over 24 million people. […]
🏛️ Politics