During a recent discussion about rising energy costs, President Trump offered a characteristically blunt assessment of the situation. The United States, he argued, is now the world’s largest oil producer, so when oil prices go up, “we make a lot of money.” On the surface, that sounds logical enough. If you sell something and the…
The Abortion Pill Showdown: Should Congress Override the FDA on Mifepristone?
Last week, Hawley introduced legislation that would remove the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval for mifepristone, the first pill used in the two-drug medication abortion regimen. Hawley argues the drug is unsafe and that regulators ignored mounting evidence of complications. Critics say the proposal is little more than political theater aimed at restricting abortion…
Spies, Security, and the Fourth Amendment: The Never-Ending Fight Over FISA Section 702
Every few years, Washington dusts off one of its most awkward debates: whether the federal government should continue using Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to conduct warrantless surveillance of foreign targets. The argument has returned again, and like clockwork, it has managed to unite some very strange political bedfellows. Civil libertarians…
To Mask or Not to Mask: Should ICE Agents Hide Their Faces?
Every so often a political controversy pops up that sounds oddly specific but actually points to a much bigger question about power, accountability, and public trust. The latest example revolves around a surprisingly simple issue: Should ICE agents be allowed to wear masks during enforcement operations? On its face, the question might sound trivial. After…
The 2020 Election Zombie
American politics has always had a tendency to hold grudges, but the lingering battle over the 2020 election might be one of the most stubborn political aftershocks in modern history. Most elections fade into the background once the ballots are counted, the lawsuits are resolved, and the next cycle begins. The 2020 election, however, has…
When Silicon Valley Meets the National Security State
If you ever wanted to watch two of the most powerful forces in modern society collide—Silicon Valley and the national security state—this lawsuit might be the closest thing we’ve seen yet. Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of Defense and the Trump administration after the government labeled the…
Like Father, Like Son? Iran’s “Revolutionary” Republic Embraces a Family Succession
Iran just selected a new Supreme Leader. And in a twist that would be hilarious if it weren’t geopolitically consequential, the choice turned out to be the son of the previous Supreme Leader. Yes, the same Islamic Republic that came to power by overthrowing a hereditary monarchy has now—quite awkwardly—installed something that looks suspiciously like……
America’s Childhood Obesity Crisis: You Can’t Inject Your Way Out of a Cultural Problem
America’s childhood obesity problem didn’t appear overnight, and it certainly won’t disappear because of a trendy new injection. Yet that seems to be where the conversation is heading. A growing debate is unfolding around the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative and the increasing push to use GLP-1 drugs—medications like Ozempic and Wegovy—to…
Trump’s “Shield of the Americas”: Bold Strategy or Just Another War on Drugs?
Every few decades, Washington rediscovers something that most Americans already know: drug cartels are violent, wealthy, and deeply embedded in international networks that are extremely difficult to dismantle. The rediscovery is usually followed by a familiar sequence of events: stern speeches, bold promises, and a new policy initiative with a name designed to sound decisive.…
Russia Helping Iran Target U.S. Forces
Russia has reportedly shared intelligence with Iran that could help Tehran locate and potentially target U.S. military assets in the Middle East. According to reporting by the Associated Press, U.S. officials believe Russia has passed along information that could improve Iran’s ability to track American ships, aircraft, and other military infrastructure in the region. Even…
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