Analysis

‘Insane,’ ‘ludicrous,’ ‘absurd’: FBI’s Wray shows teeth to GOP critics

The FBI director played up his status as a Republican while showing his critics some teeth.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 12, 2023
Analysis

PGA hearing spotlights helpless attitude toward sportswashing, Saudis

Defense of the PGA's partnership with LIV Golf aligns with the long-standing American trend of bowing to Saudi power.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 12, 2023
Analysis

The GOP’s march away from Ukraine has halted

Many Republicans remain skeptical of funding for Ukraine. But the party's move away from support largely ceased earlier this year, with indications that some support might even have been restored.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 10, 2023
Analysis

All the ways Trump, not his foes, sought to ‘weaponize’ the government

Here is the latest example that it's Trump who tried to weaponize the government against political foes, even as the GOP concerns itself only with its opponents' deeds.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 10, 2023
Analysis

Who might be Trump’s pick for vice president?

A look at the central questions, the potential contenders and how each of them might fit.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 8, 2023
Analysis

Biden’s complicated history on cluster munitions

Biden's U.N. ambassador said last year such weapons have "no place on the battlefield." The administration backed off, but it highlights a long-running dilemma for Biden.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 7, 2023
Analysis

Who’s okay with the affirmative action decision? Many Black Americans.

A new poll shows more Black Americans approve of the Supreme Court's decision than disapprove. And few believe such policies have actually helped them.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 6, 2023
Analysis

Yes, Trump is getting more reckless on social media

Posting the alleged address of Barack Obama -- and leaving it up a week after an armed man apparently seized upon the information -- reinforces that.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 6, 2023
Analysis

Judge’s decision in key misinformation case is latest to botch facts

Judges are supposed to be beacons of interpreting the law. Sometimes they can't even get the basic facts right.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 6, 2023
Analysis

Recent Supreme Court rulings alienate the left but are hardly unpopular

Polls suggest the decisions aren't out of step with the American public, despite Democrats' attempts to lump them in with overturning Roe v. Wade.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 5, 2023
Analysis

How Trump has flaunted sensitive information: A history

Trump’s former White House press secretary says he indeed showed off classified information at Mar-a-Lago. Here’s the overall picture into which the allegation fits.

By Aaron BlakeJuly 3, 2023
Analysis

The GOP’s remarkable views of Trump’s classified documents

Multiple polls suggest that Republicans don’t particularly appreciate the potential gravity of the situation or its basic details.

By Aaron BlakeJune 15, 2023
Analysis

6 big questions ahead on Trump’s indictment

How the documents, the judge and key witnesses could matter.

By Aaron BlakeJune 15, 2023
Analysis

‘Wannabe dictator’: Fox, GOP baselessly blame Biden for Trump indictment

Donald Trump, Fox and the GOP have combined to claim or suggest without evidence that President Biden played a role in Trump’s indictment, culminating in a chyron Tuesday night, which Fox is now backing away from.

By Aaron BlakeJune 14, 2023
Analysis

The GOPers who’ve deigned to criticize Trump amid his indictment

The party is overwhelmingly behind him, but publicly expressed doubts have slowly crept in even among some erstwhile defenders.

By Aaron BlakeJune 13, 2023
Analysis

Does Trump’s motive matter for the Espionage Act?

Republicans have focused on how Trump isn’t actually accused of spying or hurting the United States. But legal experts say that probably doesn’t matter.

By Aaron BlakeJune 13, 2023
Analysis

2024 GOPers start hitting Trump (gently) on classified documents

Tim Scott called it a "serious case with serious allegations," while Nikki Haley said, “If this indictment is true ... President Trump was incredibly reckless with our national security."

By Aaron BlakeJune 12, 2023
Analysis

Lindsey Graham and the GOP’s amazing spin: At least Trump isn’t a spy

Trump’s defenders have debuted a remarkable defense of the former president. It both obviates a key distinction in the law and relies on a very dicey assumption.

By Aaron BlakeJune 12, 2023
Analysis

The GOP isn’t really defending Trump. We just got a big reminder why.

A new post-indictment development reinforces the folly of truly going to bat for Trump on the substance, which the GOP isn’t doing.

By Aaron BlakeJune 9, 2023
Analysis

4 takeaways from Trump’s federal indictment

The history, the familiar reactions, and how it might play in 2024.

By Aaron BlakeJune 8, 2023