Nostr notes by Steve Benen

Jack Smith wasn’t able to make his case in court, but with ...

2026-05-07T17:34:41Z

Jack Smith wasn’t able to make his case in court, but with increasing frequency, he’s bringing his arguments to the public in forceful ways.

Given what he has to say, that’s very good news.
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/silent-no-more-jack-smith-calls-out-trumps-corrupted-justice-department

Ashli Babbitt’s family filed a baseless lawsuit and received a ...

2026-03-31T14:55:35Z

Ashli Babbitt’s family filed a baseless lawsuit and received a generous check from Trump's DOJ.

Michael Flynn also filed a baseless lawsuit and also received a generous check from Trump's DOJ.

Is it any wonder why Jan. 6 rioters are lining up for their taxpayer-financed payoff?
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/eying-a-possible-payday-jan-6-rioters-file-civil-suit-seeking-millions-in-taxpayer-money

Pastor Doug Wilson wants to ban women from voting and end First ...

2026-02-18T18:16:35Z

Pastor Doug Wilson wants to ban women from voting and end First Amendment protections for minority faiths he doesn’t like.

Hegseth invited this fringe Christian nationalist to the Pentagon yesterday to lead an official prayer event.

How is this not a scandal?
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/hegseth-welcomes-radical-christian-nationalist-to-lead-an-official-pentagon-prayer-service

Whatever happened to Trump’s plan for 10% credit card rates? It ...

2026-02-16T18:13:50Z

Whatever happened to Trump’s plan for 10% credit card rates?

It met the same fate as his tariff rebate checks. And his health care “plan.” And the DOGE rebate checks. And 50-year mortgages. And...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/for-trump-rapid-fire-policy-gimmicks-come-and-go-at-breakneck-speeds

The problem isn't that Kash Patel is failing at his attempts ...

2025-10-06T17:27:46Z

The problem isn't that Kash Patel is failing at his attempts to be a serious and capable figure. The problem is that the FBI director isn't even trying.

Take his firing of a field agent who wouldn’t humiliate James Comey, for example. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/fbi-tenure-goes-bad-worse-kash-patel-abandons-pretense-seriousness-rcna235945

You’ve heard the expression “shoot first and ask questions ...

2025-09-04T18:16:26Z

You’ve heard the expression “shoot first and ask questions later”?

Trump's military strike on a civilian boat in international waters appears to be a rare literal example of the phenomenon. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/team-trump-faces-tough-questions-strike-boat-international-waters-rcna229049

After Bolton told the public that Trump is “unfit to be ...

2025-08-22T12:38:21Z

After Bolton told the public that Trump is “unfit to be president”:
- Trump tried to block his book from being published
- Trump canceled his security detail
- Trump revoked his security clearance
- and now the FBI has raided his house https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/fbi-raids-home-former-national-security-advisor-john-bolton-frequent-t-rcna226507

Just when it seemed Trump’s offensive against the Smithsonian ...

2025-08-19T20:24:53Z

Just when it seemed Trump’s offensive against the Smithsonian couldn’t get more ridiculous, he started whining today about its museums focusing on “how bad Slavery was.” https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-complains-woke-smithsonian-focuses-bad-slavery-was-rcna225924

Trump’s first summit with Putin was a national embarrassment. ...

2025-08-18T12:05:45Z

Trump’s first summit with Putin was a national embarrassment. His second was even worse.

With high stakes, the Republican didn’t just fail by objective metrics, he also failed by his own metrics. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-summit-putin-alaska-ukraine-russia-rcna225539

Investing in Confederate monuments. Banning library books. ...

2025-08-07T18:25:39Z

Investing in Confederate monuments. Banning library books. Renaming bases and ships.

For all of Pete Hegseth’s posturing about a “warrior ethos” and being “laser-focused” on winning wars, he sure does seem fixated on fighting the culture wars. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/support-confederate-monument-pete-hegseths-culture-war-crusade-continu-rcna223668

Republicans, eager to scare the public, spent the 2024 campaign ...

2025-08-06T12:55:21Z

Republicans, eager to scare the public, spent the 2024 campaign season desperately trying to convince Americans that the U.S. was in the midst of a devastating crime wave.

As new evidence from the FBI proves, they were brazenly lying. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/fbi-proves-republicans-spent-2024-pointing-crime-wave-didnt-exist-rcna223331

In true authoritarian fashion, Trump, confronted by evidence of ...

2025-08-01T19:11:42Z

In true authoritarian fashion, Trump, confronted by evidence of his failures, fired the labor statistics chief for doing her job and telling the truth.

It’s dangerously insane to set the credibility of government statistics on fire to satisfy presidential whims.

This isn’t how Americans govern; it’s how despots rule. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-responds-failure-create-jobs-firing-us-labor-statistics-chief-rcna222532

How weak is the job market? Excluding the pandemic, Americans ...

2025-08-01T13:38:30Z

How weak is the job market? Excluding the pandemic, Americans haven’t seen employment numbers this bad since 2009 — during the Great Recession.

The question for the White House is simple: “If Trump has created a ‘hot’ economy, why has American job growth slowed to a 16-year low?” https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/us-job-growth-turns-cold-trumps-agenda-takes-toll-economy-rcna222448

The new @wsj.com report said Trump's name appeared ...

2025-07-23T20:26:44Z

The new @wsj.com report said Trump's name appeared "multiple times" in the Epstein files — and the president was told that in a recent briefing.

So why did he suggest otherwise last week? https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/doj-reportedly-told-trump-may-name-epstein-files-rcna220630

I’m finding it tough to shrug with indifference as Trump ...

2025-07-23T13:01:39Z

I’m finding it tough to shrug with indifference as Trump falsely accuses Obama of “treason.”

Yes, it’s a clumsy effort to distract attention from his Epstein scandal, but as Charlie Sykes once put it, “A clown with a flamethrower still has a flamethrower.” https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/obamas-patience-wears-thin-response-trumps-treason-accusation-ridiculo-rcna220462

Plan A: 90 deals in 90 days Plan B: Tell the public that “trade ...

2025-07-09T20:44:36Z

Plan A: 90 deals in 90 days

Plan B: Tell the public that “trade deals” and “failing to reach trade deals” mean the same thing https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/strike-trade-deals-trump-tries-redefine-trade-deals-rcna217729

The next time someone starts to reference “moderate” ...

2025-07-07T13:37:12Z

The next time someone starts to reference “moderate” Republicans on Capitol Hill, I have a small request: Stop. Just stop.

It’d be nice if the GOP’s “centrist” wing existed, but it obviously doesn’t, and it hasn’t for a long time. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/s-long-time-retire-idea-are-republican-moderates-congress-rcna217192

Lisa Murkowski’s vote earlier this week on the Republican ...

2025-07-03T19:31:28Z

Lisa Murkowski’s vote earlier this week on the Republican megabill looked dreadful.

It looks vastly worse now. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/house-republicans-ignored-appeals-lisa-murkowskis-vote-looks-even-wors-rcna216750

When I say that the Republicans’ megabill is unbelievably ...

2025-07-03T18:40:01Z

When I say that the Republicans’ megabill is unbelievably awful, I’m being rather literal:

Many Americans, presented with 100% accurate information, will assume that critics are exaggerating and the GOP wouldn’t do anything this horrible to their own country. We know this because it’s happened before. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/many-americans-may-surprised-just-horrible-republicans-megabill-rcna216733

A Jan. 6 rioter was caught on video encouraging insurrectionists ...

2025-07-02T13:51:05Z

A Jan. 6 rioter was caught on video encouraging insurrectionists to "kill" police officers. Now he has a job in Trump’s Justice Department.

Tell me again about the president being an ally to law enforcement and a champion of "law and order." https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/jan-6-rioter-encouraged-violence-police-hired-work-trumps-doj-rcna216452

Paramount executives were worried it might look like they were ...

2025-07-02T12:17:52Z

Paramount executives were worried it might look like they were bribing Trump by giving him millions of dollars to settle a baseless lawsuit based on a bizarre conspiracy theory.

Now that the settlement is official, they were right to be concerned. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/paramount-settles-trump-cbs-news-60-minutes-lawsuit-rcna203667

JD Vance is preparing the Republican base: Yes, our megabill will ...

2025-07-01T13:55:18Z

JD Vance is preparing the Republican base:

Yes, our megabill will leave you and your family worse off, the VP is effectively arguing, but that won’t matter because ICE will be *huge*. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/jd-vance-republican-megabill-ice-funding-matters-everything-else-immat-rcna216181

Trump keeps insisting that failure to pass the Republican ...

2025-07-01T12:53:07Z

Trump keeps insisting that failure to pass the Republican megabill would lead to a 68% tax increase. Indeed, it’s arguably the one talking point he’s repeated more than any other.

It’s also complete nonsense. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republican-megabill-faces-crunch-time-trump-pushes-fraudulent-claim-ta-rcna216164

The practical difference between Republicans who are gleeful ...

2025-06-30T16:30:37Z

The practical difference between Republicans who are gleeful about cutting Medicaid and Republicans who seem reluctant to cut Medicaid?

There is no practical difference.

Struggling families won’t be able to pay their medical bills with Josh Hawley’s chagrin. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/gops-josh-hawley-condemns-medicaid-cuts-says-ll-vote-anyway-rcna215987

The Republicans' tax breaks will cost trillions. According to ...

2025-06-30T14:51:57Z

The Republicans' tax breaks will cost trillions. According to a scheme called "current policy baseline," Republican insist the actual cost is zero.

If that sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is. It’s also something the parliamentarian might have a problem with, so they’re going around her. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republicans-embrace-gimmick-pretend-tax-breaks-wealthy-are-free-rcna215930

A political scientist recently wrote that the Trump admin “is ...

2025-06-27T18:39:44Z

A political scientist recently wrote that the Trump admin “is trying to kill American higher education.” There should be no doubt that he’s right.

When making a list of the White House’s authoritarian tactics, be sure to include “trying to dictate how universities operate” to the growing list. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/university-virginia-president-jim-ryan-resigned-pressure-trump-rcna215620

Remember when Trump said he’d announce a new policy toward ...

2025-06-18T15:21:43Z

Remember when Trump said he’d announce a new policy toward Russia in two weeks?

Time’s up.

After months of hollow threats that Putin ignored, Trump’s new line has “TACO” written all over it. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/russian-sanctions-trumps-new-position-taco-written-rcna213707

Trump has spent years insisting that international respect is one ...

2025-06-13T18:54:45Z

Trump has spent years insisting that international respect is one of the most important metrics for any president.

But by this measure, according to new Pew Research data, Trump’s political career is a humiliating failure. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trumps-effort-reclaim-international-respect-spectacularly-second-term-rcna212903

Imagine a hypothetical parallel. It’s Biden instead of Trump, ...

2025-06-12T19:15:13Z

Imagine a hypothetical parallel. It’s Biden instead of Trump, Mayorkas instead of Noem, troops deployed to Dallas instead of LA, and Ted Cruz getting manhandled instead of Alex Padilla.

What do you suppose the reaction would be? https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/alex-padilla-kristi-noem-press-conference-rcna212692

Reality keeps getting in the way of Treasury Secretary Scott ...

2025-06-12T14:04:40Z

Reality keeps getting in the way of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s and the White House’s economic claims.

Do they not realize that job growth this year is off to the worst start since the Great Recession? https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-economy-scott-bessent-weak-data-rcna212574

The Republicans’ poorly named “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” ...

2025-06-10T18:05:57Z

The Republicans’ poorly named “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and the ICE raids are linked:

The megabill would give ICE the resources it needs to repeat its Los Angeles tactics in cities nationwide. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/los-angeles-unrest-relevant-fight-republicans-megabill-rcna212097

So if I have this straight: ICE agents wearing masks is fine, but ...

2025-06-09T15:33:31Z

So if I have this straight: ICE agents wearing masks is fine, but protesters wearing masks should be arrested — even if it’s legal — because Trump issued an online edict?

Seems ... flawed. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/pointing-protesters-not-ice-agents-trump-demands-arrests-masks-rcna211787

Remember last fall, when Trump talked about the possible ...

2025-06-09T12:09:56Z

Remember last fall, when Trump talked about the possible deployment of military resources on American soil to be used against those he labeled “the enemy from within?” And the right said not to worry too much about it?

His pre-election comments are relevant anew. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/bring-troops-trump-raises-stakes-ice-tactics-spark-protests-l-rcna211770

Navy traditions — and basic decency — make clear that Pete ...

2025-06-03T19:36:14Z

Navy traditions — and basic decency — make clear that Pete Hegseth shouldn't re-name the USNS Harvey Milk.

The beleaguered, scandal-plagued defense secretary is doing it anyway. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/pete-hegseth-orders-navy-rename-usns-harvey-milk-rcna210721

Trump insisted last night, “So many false statements are being ...

2025-06-03T15:49:14Z

Trump insisted last night, “So many false statements are being made about ‘THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL.’”

Oddly enough, I agree. There really are “so many false statements” being made about Republicans’ megabill — though the lies are coming from Trump and his allies. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republicans-cling-brazen-falsehoods-sell-far-right-megabill-rcna210607

The first time Trump and Republicans targeted the Affordable Care ...

2025-06-02T17:15:16Z

The first time Trump and Republicans targeted the Affordable Care Act, it was a disaster for the party.

As Republicans try again, Dems would be wise to let the public know what the inaptly named “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” would do to the ACA. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republican-megabill-affordable-care-act-obamacare-medicaid-rcna210417

In case this isn’t obvious: In a healthy political system, if ...

2025-05-29T17:44:08Z

In case this isn’t obvious: In a healthy political system, if officials released a hyped report on health policy, and the document relied on scientific sources that didn’t exist, those officials would be expected to resign — quickly. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-administrations-maha-report-cites-nonexistent-scientific-studies-rcna209732

Thanks to Trump's latest flurry of pardons, he's now ...

2025-05-29T12:47:58Z

Thanks to Trump's latest flurry of pardons, he's now pardoned most of the Republican congressmen convicted of felonies in the 21st century.

The new total is nine — and counting. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-finds-convicted-congressional-republicans-reward-pardons-rcna209668

When it comes to Trump’s pardons, it’s worth marveling at the ...

2025-05-28T12:57:51Z

When it comes to Trump’s pardons, it’s worth marveling at the brazenness. The pretense of propriety is gone.

He’s corrupting the pardon process; he knows that he’s corrupting the pardon process; he knows that we know that he’s corrupting the pardon process; and he’s doing it anyway. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-reward-celebrity-tax-cheats-pardon-adding-scandalous-list-rcna209398

Of the many of law firms targeted by the White House, only four ...

2025-05-27T21:26:38Z

Of the many of law firms targeted by the White House, only four agreed to fight rather than appease Trump.

At least so far, those four firms are undefeated in their cases against Trump’s offensive — including a breakthrough win today. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/judge-strikes-trump-executive-order-targeting-law-firm-extending-losin-rcna209344

In 2017, to pass their first round of tax cuts, Republican ...

2025-05-19T12:02:55Z

In 2017, to pass their first round of tax cuts, Republican negotiated in secret, wrote a bill behind closed doors, ignored every independent analysis, and moved it through the committee process in a matter of days without a single hearing about the impact of their legislation.

In 2025, they’re doing it again. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/overnight-vote-republicans-move-closer-pushing-trump-agenda-bill-house-rcna207628

Quite a pattern: - January: Trump threatens sanctions, Russia ...

2025-05-12T13:37:10Z

Quite a pattern:
- January: Trump threatens sanctions, Russia shrugs
- Early March: Trump threatens sanctions, Russia shrugs
- Late March: Trump threatens sanctions, Russia shrugs
- May: Trump threatens sanctions, Russia shrugs, & Trump embraces Putin's diplomatic plan https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-talks-russian-sanctions-less-russia-seems-care-rcna206225

Trump's plan to accept a luxury jet from Qatar was endorsed ...

2025-05-12T12:05:39Z

Trump's plan to accept a luxury jet from Qatar was endorsed by his attorney general — who also happens to be a former lobbyist for Qatar.

This is unfolding despite the Constitution's Emoluments Clause, which Trump has dismissed as "phony." https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-scrambles-defend-luxury-jet-qatar-ll-use-air-force-one-rcna206207

Ed Martin's U.S. attorney nomination was cartoonishly ...

2025-05-08T16:12:13Z

Ed Martin's U.S. attorney nomination was cartoonishly ridiculous — and now it's dead.

Trump invested some real political capital into this absurdity, and in a sign of his growing weakness, this fiasco ends with nothing but embarrassment for him. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-ed-martin-nomination-us-attorney-jan-6-rcna205197

- scandalous pardons - willingness to sic prosecutors on his ...

2025-05-06T14:04:59Z

- scandalous pardons
- willingness to sic prosecutors on his perceived political enemies
- intervention in cases such as Tina Peters'
Trump is scrambling to create the "two-tiered" system of justice Republicans claimed to be against. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/two-tiered-system-trump-calls-tina-peters-freed-prison-rcna205070

As Trump's public support falls, remember: He and many of his ...

2025-04-24T16:15:47Z

As Trump's public support falls, remember: He and many of his allies are desperate to create an alternate reality in which his approval rating is "soaring" and "skyrocketing."

Our reality, however, is stubborn. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/new-polls-show-trumps-approval-rating-sinking-lower-weakening-power-rcna202783

There was a time in the recent past when being a 9/11 truther ...

2025-04-21T19:49:47Z

There was a time in the recent past when being a 9/11 truther would've been seen as disqualifying for a U.S. senator.

Ron Johnson appears to know that this time is apparently over, and he can expect to get away with peddling fringe 9/11 conspiracy theories. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/gops-ron-johnson-peddles-fringe-911-conspiracy-theories-reaches-new-lo-rcna202221

I don't know if the Trump administration will succeed in ...

2025-04-18T19:27:41Z

I don't know if the Trump administration will succeed in eliminating all federal funding for Head Start, but the fact that it wants to speaks volumes about its values and priorities. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/white-house-budget-plan-reportedly-scrap-funding-head-start-rcna201884

In case this isn't obvious, we haven't reached an ...

2025-04-09T19:23:02Z

In case this isn't obvious, we haven't reached an all's-well-that-ends-well moment.

An erratic White House has created months’ worth of chaos, undermining global confidence in the United States. The recovery, if it happens, will not come soon. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/only-thing-consistent-thing-white-houses-tariffs-are-inconsistencies-rcna200488

Is the "Signalgate" scandal a legitimate incident, worthy ...

2025-03-26T18:24:17Z

Is the "Signalgate" scandal a legitimate incident, worthy of scrutiny, or a "hoax" to be ignored? According to the White House, it's both.

I keep trying to get a handle on Team Trump's line, but it's an incoherent moving target. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/hoax-claim-white-houses-response-signal-scandal-takes-incoherent-turn-rcna198195

There's obviously a lot going on, but the public ought to ...

2025-03-26T16:53:28Z

There's obviously a lot going on, but the public ought to know that Trump is open to possibly rewarding Jan. 6 rioters with some kind of reparations.

"There's talk about that" in the administration, he said. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-jan-6-compensation-fund-pardons-rcna198151

As Republicans rage over judges who dare to rule in ways the ...

2025-03-25T18:27:15Z

As Republicans rage over judges who dare to rule in ways the White House doesn't like, House Speaker Mike Johnson noted this morning that Congress has the authority to "eliminate an entire district court."

This sort of talk is quite bonkers. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republican-leaders-eye-extreme-alternatives-impeaching-federal-judges-rcna198004

Americans' safety is in the hands of unqualified and ...

2025-03-24T20:02:41Z

Americans' safety is in the hands of unqualified and inexperienced amateurs, who write as if they're over-caffeinated middle-schoolers playing video games, and who clumsily invited a journalist to join an unsecured chat about a foreign military operation. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/team-trump-accidentally-shared-war-plans-journalist-sparking-scandal-rcna197863

On the one hand, much of the White House's pitch on the Alien ...

2025-03-24T13:29:11Z

On the one hand, much of the White House's pitch on the Alien Enemies Act comes down to, "Trust us."

On the other hand, White House officials keep saying things about using the Alien Enemies Act that are demonstrably untrue. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trumps-border-czar-flunks-important-test-meaning-due-process-rcna197751

It's not exactly generating front-page headlines, but if you ...

2025-03-21T18:07:21Z

It's not exactly generating front-page headlines, but if you eat food, it's worth paying attention to the Trump administration's approach to food safety. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-administrations-approach-food-safety-continues-tough-swallow-rcna197480

I'm trying to think of a coherent defense for Commerce ...

2025-03-20T13:46:47Z

I'm trying to think of a coherent defense for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urging the public to buy a specific stock tied to the president's top campaign donor.

Nothing is coming to mind. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/commerce-secretary-tesla-stock-lutnick-rcna197244

Problem: Trump calling for the impeachment of a federal judge ...

2025-03-19T12:46:37Z

Problem: Trump calling for the impeachment of a federal judge who's done nothing wrong.

Bigger problem: House Republicans unveiling *four* impeachment resolutions targeting federal judges who've done nothing wrong. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republicans-waste-little-time-acting-trumps-judicial-impeachment-deman-rcna197031

Trump, last week: It's "totally illegal" to criticize ...

2025-03-18T14:52:16Z

Trump, last week: It's "totally illegal" to criticize a judge I like.

Trump, this week: A judge I don't like is a "Radical Left Lunatic" who "should be IMPEACHED!!!" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-crosses-new-line-calls-judges-impeachment-escalating-fight-judic-rcna196882

It's easy to grow inured to Trump's corruption, but it ...

2025-03-12T13:52:38Z

It's easy to grow inured to Trump's corruption, but it seems to me his Tesla event on the South Lawn was one of the most brazen and obscene events in White House history. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-turns-white-house-lawn-car-lot-megadonor-musk-rcna196000

RFK Jr obviously deserves to be blamed for his dangerous response ...

2025-03-11T14:53:42Z

RFK Jr obviously deserves to be blamed for his dangerous response to a measles outbreak.

But spare some blame for the 52 Senate Republicans who confirmed him. They had a responsibility to protect the public from him, they failed, and the ongoing consequences matter. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/robert-kennedy-jr-measles-outbreak-texas-rcna195792

It's hardly a stretch to draw a straight line from "paid ...

2025-03-04T18:03:38Z

It's hardly a stretch to draw a straight line from "paid protesters" rhetoric to election denialism:

Americans who side with Trump are real, while Americans who disagree must necessarily be seen as inauthentic, illegitimate, and the result of corrupt schemes. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/scary-subtext-paid-protester-line-trump-republicans-rcna194694

In 2016, Putin launched an intelligence operation targeting the ...

2025-03-03T18:05:27Z

In 2016, Putin launched an intelligence operation targeting the American presidential election.

In 2025, Trump would have Americans believe that Putin was the victim of the attack that he perpetrated. That isn't just wrong, it's insane. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-suggests-putin-was-victim-russia-scandal-reaching-new-low-rcna194488

The problem is not just that Hegseth halting cyber operations ...

2025-03-03T15:44:36Z

The problem is not just that Hegseth halting cyber operations against Russia.

It's also the administration disbanding the Foreign Influence Task Force. And paring back FARA enforcement. And slashing USAID. And a dozen other things that made the Kremlin happy. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/hegseth-halts-cyber-operations-russia-adding-ugly-pattern-rcna194474

In his inaugural address six weeks ago, Trump declared, "From ...

2025-03-03T13:05:45Z

In his inaugural address six weeks ago, Trump declared, "From this day forward, our country will ... be respected again all over the world." How's that working out?

He's failing spectacularly. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trumps-oval-office-debacle-zelenskyy-isolates-us-rcna194471

Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley suggested Congress is ...

2025-02-19T18:52:09Z

Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley suggested Congress is powerless in the face of DOGE cuts: "Congress can't do anything except complain."

This isn't just pitiful. It's also demonstrably wrong in important ways. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/gop-senator-musks-cuts-congress-cant-anything-complain-rcna192780

Maybe border czar Tom Homan can explain why he sounds so scared ...

2025-02-18T14:01:24Z

Maybe border czar Tom Homan can explain why he sounds so scared of AOC educating the public about Civil Liberties 101?

When a "know your rights" webinar becomes your bete noir, it's emblematic of a larger problem. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trumps-border-czar-ups-ante-aoc-seeks-doj-investigation-rcna192556

Problem #1: Team Trump firing National Nuclear Security ...

2025-02-17T22:26:17Z

Problem #1: Team Trump firing National Nuclear Security Administration workers, seemingly unaware of the critically important work they do.

Problem #2: Team Trump struggling to contact them in order to beg them to come back. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/team-trump-struggles-rehire-fired-nuclear-safety-workers-rcna192447

Congressional Republicans have recently unveiled bills to: - make ...

2025-02-17T16:51:03Z

Congressional Republicans have recently unveiled bills to:
- make Trump's birthday a federal holiday
- add Trump's likeness to Mt. Rushmore
- let Trump run for a third term
- name Dulles Airport after Trump
They won't pass, but that doesn't mean they're irrelevant. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republican-bill-make-trumps-birthday-federal-holiday-rcna192443

Trump's order to defund schools that require Covid vaccines ...

2025-02-14T20:41:33Z

Trump's order to defund schools that require Covid vaccines for students and staff would be scarier — were it not for the fact that zero states require Covid vaccines for students and staff. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/key-flaw-trumps-executive-order-school-funding-vaccine-mandates-rcna192288

The good news: After breaking his campaign promise about quickly ...

2025-01-22T19:52:49Z

The good news: After breaking his campaign promise about quickly ending the war in Ukraine, Trump is starting to gently threaten Russia.

The bad news: He's threatening to do what the United States is already doing. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/war-ukraine-trump-haunted-broken-promise-rcna188774

While it's certainly accurate to call Speaker Mike Johnson an ...

2023-10-25T19:54:06Z

While it's certainly accurate to call Speaker Mike Johnson an election denier, it’s also incomplete — because while he cast an indefensible vote on Jan. 6, that was hardly the only thing he did to undermine the 2020 results. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/spotlight-shines-johnsons-role-trying-overturn-2020-election-rcna122205

It's tough to keep track of the federal agencies Republicans ...

2023-08-09T19:49:38Z

It's tough to keep track of the federal agencies Republicans have talked about defunding, but the list now includes:
- Department of Homeland Security
- FBI
- Justice Department
- ATF
- IRS
- FDA https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republican-adds-dhs-list-agencies-gop-defund-rcna98976

Remember the good ol' days, when Republican presidential ...

2023-07-31T16:05:40Z

Remember the good ol' days, when Republican presidential candidates didn't have to answer questions about whether they'd pardon their rival who's running despite being credibly accused of several felonies? https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/potential-trump-pardons-become-key-issue-2024-race-rcna97282