All Politics
Haspel nomination clouded by her past 鈥� but also by today鈥檚 contextSenators questioned Gina Haspel, nominated by President Trump to lead the CIA, about her role in overseeing 鈥榚nhanced interrogation鈥� techniques. Although she now says she opposes the methods, Trump himself has voiced support for them.
In West Virginia, GOP tries to tame forces of 'Trumpism'Ahead of Tuesday鈥檚 primary, GOP leaders are furiously trying to halt the momentum of former coal magnate and US Senate candidate Don Blankenship, who calls himself 'Trumpier than Trump,' and who spent a year in prison after an accident killed 29 workers in one of his mines.
Young change-makers show the impact of soft diplomacyThe 'soft-power' approach is not where the Trump administration puts diplomatic resources. But a tradition of awards to foreign nationals remains alive in the State Department, and is supporting US goals abroad.
To understand Trump-team leaks, look at the leakers鈥� motivesA list of potential questions for Trump from special counsel Mueller apparently was made public by the president's own side. Here's how that may fit in the patterns of a particularly leak-prone administration.
First LookWhite House avoids press conferences in favor of informal exchangesMore than a year has passed since President Trump's first and only press conference. The Trump administration seems to have done away with the decades-long tradition and has instead embraced other press interactions that allow him greater control.
Beyond promise of united Korea, disarmament may depend on TrumpLast week's feel-good summit between the Koreas has led to high expectations for the main event: a meeting between the US and North Korea. Washington holds hopes for a historic breakthrough, but no illusions that progress is inevitable.
Why these Muslims are fighting anti-SemitismAs anti-Muslim violence continues to rise in the United States, and as public anti-Semitism begins to stalk Europe and the US once more, religious leaders of many faiths are trying to get beyond ideas of 'tolerance' and uphold a deeper commitment to the civic ideals of a life shared together.
Traveling with Trump as he skipped 鈥� and skewered 鈥� the press dinnerThe White House Correspondents鈥� Dinner gave President Trump an easy opportunity to lambaste the Washington press corps, as our correspondent witnessed while covering his Michigan rally that night. The real problem wasn鈥檛 so much the comedian鈥檚 raunchy routine, it鈥檚 the red-carpet chumminess of the event.
First LookAs midterms approach, Puerto Ricans hold potential influenceWith the influx of thousands of Puerto Ricans to the mainland United States after hurricane Maria, organizations from across the political spectrum are registering the new arrivals to vote 鈥� and hoping to sway them in the upcoming elections.聽
Monitor BreakfastBreakfast with the 鈥榬eferee鈥� of Trump economic policyKevin Hassett, the White House鈥檚 chief economist, talked deficits, taxes, and trade - and what it鈥檚 like to work with President Trump.
The journey toward healing in CharlottesvilleDuring the recent National Week of Conversation, the Monitor moderated a panel discussion on race in Charlottesville. Here's what it was like to take part in the city's continuing efforts to find healing after last year's protests.
Monitor BreakfastEven with worker shortages, GOP and Democrats focus on more jobsWhite House economist Kevin Hassett says Congress should stay focused on聽countering the decline in the share of Americans in the workforce. Many Democrats agree.
Life of first-time candidate: 16-hour days, piles of paperwork 鈥� and enthusiasmJessica Morse, running in California's Fourth District, is one of hundreds of first-time candidates, mostly Democrats, hoping to win US House seats this cycle. Many face long odds 鈥� but experts say this could be a year that favors newcomers.
First LookNarrow win in Arizona House race unsettles GOPThe GOP held onto an Arizona House seat that previously was seen as an entirely secure seat. The narrow victory signaled to Republicans that even some of the reddest聽districts may be in play聽come November.聽
Can Trump counter Mueller by handing out pardons?Presidential pardon power is so broad, some legal scholars say, it even allows for pardons issued with 'corrupt intent.' Now, Democrats are moving to head off any potential efforts by President Trump to wield the power in ways that might undercut federal investigations.聽- A farm-bill flap over the terms, and reach, of food assistanceA historically high number of Americans rely on federal food assistance. Supporters say food stamps offer compassion to the most needy. Critics say that with the US unemployment rate at its lowest level in 18 years, a higher form of compassion is a job.
First LookUrban Democrats see new opportunities in midterm electionsWhile President Trump still has a strong following in rural regions, his support in urban areas is less certain. From Dallas to Cincinnati, Democrats are counting on changing demographics to help flip increasingly purple urban districts.聽
Monitor BreakfastBob Corker鈥檚 relationship with President Trump: It鈥檚 complicatedSenator Corker told reporters at a Monitor Breakfast that he has a 鈥榲ery warm relationship鈥� with the president, but questions his colleagues who aren鈥檛 conflicted over the Trump presidency.聽
As its beaches recede, Florida shores up private ownershipA new law passed in March sets limits on public access to private beaches. Some conservatives say private beaches should be sacrosanct, pitting them against advocates for customary-use access along Florida's coastline.聽- Churches struggle with their #MeToo momentThe #MeToo movement has forced Hollywood, Washington, and Wall Street to grapple honestly with patterns of sexual harassment and abuse. Many churches are still struggling to embrace such introspection and the disruption it brings. 聽
