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Power Games

Power moves, leverage, and institutional maneuvering.

Focus: Coverage in this lane tracks regulatory capture, monopoly influence, pay-to-play networks.

  • Regulatory capture
  • Monopoly influence
  • Pay-to-play networks
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Coverage in this lens

Stories in this lane

Reporting
3 min read

Political Dynamics Heat Up in Texas Elections

Political tensions are rising in Texas as three factors could shift the state's electoral landscape in favor of Democrats.

The public stake is whether people can see how money, access, procedure, or official authority changes incentives before the outcome is treated as settled.

Reporting
3 min read

Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate Opponent Is a Phony Populist

Michigan state legislator Mallory McMorrow presents herself as a populist crusader against surveillance pricing, but her record suggests otherwise.

The public stake is whether people can see how money, access, procedure, or official authority changes incentives before the outcome is treated as settled.

Reporting
3 min read

Trump Fires Pam Bondi as Attorney General

President Trump fired Pam Bondi as Attorney General and announced she would take a role in the private sector.

The public stake is whether people can see how money, access, procedure, or official authority changes incentives before the outcome is treated as settled.

Reporting
3 min read

Bondi Boasts Of New “Important Private Sector Role”

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced her new role in the private sector while boasting about her achievements in office.

The public stake is whether people can see how money, access, procedure, or official authority changes incentives before the outcome is treated as settled.

Reporting
3 min read

Todd Blanche Named as Interim Attorney General: 4 Things to Know

Todd Blanche has been appointed as the interim Attorney General after President Trump announced the departure of Pam Bondi.

The public stake is whether people can see how money, access, procedure, or official authority changes incentives before the outcome is treated as settled.

Reporting
3 min read

Trump's 2027 budget asks Congress for $1.5 trillion in defense spending

President Trump's new budget proposal asks Congress for $1.5 trillion in defense spending — a 42% increase — while cutting nondefense spending by $73 billion, or 10%.

The public stake is whether people can see how money, access, procedure, or official authority changes incentives before the outcome is treated as settled.

Archive report
1 min read

Raskin Signals a Possible Turn in DHS Funding Standoff

Rep. Jamie Raskin said he hopes a recent White House-related shooting will become a turning point in the fight over DHS funding.

Rep. Jamie Raskin said he hopes a recent White House-related shooting will become a turning point in the fight over DHS funding.

Archive report
2 min read

Georgia indicts three in Atlanta training center firebombing

Georgia prosecutors say a grand jury has indicted three alleged protesters in a firebombing tied to the Atlanta police training center controversy.

Georgia prosecutors say a grand jury has indicted three alleged protesters in a firebombing tied to the Atlanta police training center controversy.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump moves to reclassify medical marijuana as Schedule III drug

The White House is moving to reclassify medical marijuana as a Schedule III drug, a major federal shift with national ripple effects.

The White House is moving to reclassify medical marijuana as a Schedule III drug, a major federal shift with national ripple effects.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump team weighs refugee surge for white South Africans

The Trump administration is considering increasing refugee admissions for white South Africans, according to reporting from The Independent.

The Trump administration is considering increasing refugee admissions for white South Africans, according to reporting from The Independent.

Archive report
1 min read

Justice Department files fraud charges against SPLC

The Justice Department has announced fraud charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center over its investigations into extremist groups.

The Justice Department has announced fraud charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center over its investigations into extremist groups.

Archive report
1 min read

DOJ Accuses Southern Poverty Law Center of Fraud

The Justice Department has accused the Southern Poverty Law Center of fraud, and the center is calling it a political attack.

The Justice Department has accused the Southern Poverty Law Center of fraud, and the center is calling it a political attack.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump tore up the Iran nuclear deal and chased tougher terms

The U.S. pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and called it the “worst deal ever.” That decision blew up a major nuclear agreement and helped reset U.S.-Iran relations around pressure, threat, and escalation.

The U.S. pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and called it the “worst deal ever.” That decision blew up a major nuclear agreement and helped reset U.S.-Iran relations around pressure, threat, and escalation.

Archive report
1 min read

Kash Patel sues The Atlantic for $250 million over reporting

FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over a story that questioned his conduct and reliability.

FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over a story that questioned his conduct and reliability.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump says he chose the Iran war himself

Trump says Israel did not talk him into war with Iran. That matters because it puts the decision squarely on the U.S. executive branch as the conflict strains support at home.

Trump says Israel did not talk him into war with Iran. That matters because it puts the decision squarely on the U.S. executive branch as the conflict strains support at home.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump Kept Out of Iran Rescue Situation Room

The White House kept Trump out of the situation room for much of the Iran rescue operation.

The White House kept Trump out of the situation room for much of the Iran rescue operation.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump signs order to push psychedelic research

The White House signed an executive order to expand federal research into psychedelics for mental health treatment.

The White House signed an executive order to expand federal research into psychedelics for mental health treatment.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump Lawyer Put in Charge of Probe Into Ex-CIA Director

A conservative attorney who helped try to overturn the 2020 election is being tapped to oversee a criminal investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan.

A conservative attorney who helped try to overturn the 2020 election is being tapped to oversee a criminal investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan.

Archive report
2 min read

86-Year-Old French Widow Flies Home After ICE Detention

An 86-year-old French widow was detained by U.S. immigration authorities and has now flown home after the ordeal.

An 86-year-old French widow was detained by U.S. immigration authorities and has now flown home after the ordeal.

Archive report
1 min read

Lead prosecutor removed from Brennan probe

A lead prosecutor has been removed from the federal investigation into whether former CIA Director John Brennan lied to Congress.

A lead prosecutor has been removed from the federal investigation into whether former CIA Director John Brennan lied to Congress.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump rallies Turning Point USA crowd to boost GOP turnout

Donald Trump headlined a Turning Point USA rally in Phoenix and used the stage to pump up Republican voters ahead of the midterms.

Donald Trump headlined a Turning Point USA rally in Phoenix and used the stage to pump up Republican voters ahead of the midterms.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump nominates Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC

The White House has moved to nominate Dr. Erica Schwartz as the next CDC director. This is a big power choice because the CDC helps steer how the U.S. handles public health crises.

The White House has moved to nominate Dr. Erica Schwartz as the next CDC director. This is a big power choice because the CDC helps steer how the U.S. handles public health crises.

Archive report
2 min read

House passes bill to extend protections for Haitian migrants

The House passed a bill to extend protections for Haitian migrants in the United States, and the White House says President Trump would veto it if it clears the Senate.

The House passed a bill to extend protections for Haitian migrants in the United States, and the White House says President Trump would veto it if it clears the Senate.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump Floats Iran Talks While Pushing Allies and War Pressure

Trump is hinting that U.S.-Iran talks could restart while the administration keeps up military pressure and public feuds with allies.

Trump is hinting that U.S.-Iran talks could restart while the administration keeps up military pressure and public feuds with allies.

Archive report
2 min read

DOJ sues Connecticut and New Haven over sanctuary policies

The Justice Department has sued Connecticut and New Haven over sanctuary policies it says block federal immigration enforcement.

The Justice Department has sued Connecticut and New Haven over sanctuary policies it says block federal immigration enforcement.

Archive report
1 min read

Trump Uses Trade Pressure to Push Starmer on Iran

President Trump is pressing Britain’s prime minister over the Iran war while hinting that the U.S.-U.K. trade deal could be changed.

President Trump is pressing Britain’s prime minister over the Iran war while hinting that the U.S.-U.K. trade deal could be changed.

Archive report
1 min read

Trump escalates threats to fire Federal Reserve Chair Powell

Trump is openly threatening to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if Powell does not step away from his board seat when his term ends.

Trump is openly threatening to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if Powell does not step away from his board seat when his term ends.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump Threatens to Fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell if He Won’t Quit

President Donald Trump has warned that he will dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if Powell does not step down at the end of his term next month.

President Donald Trump has warned that he will dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if Powell does not step down at the end of his term next month.

Archive report
1 min read

Trump Uses Iran Talks as a Strike Threat

Trump is using the Iran talks to back opponents into a corner with threats of strikes.

Trump is using the Iran talks to back opponents into a corner with threats of strikes.

Archive report
2 min read

Trump’s Iran threats trigger warnings of unlawful war talk

Donald Trump’s threat to Iran set off a warning from retired military officers that the president may have crossed into unlawful war talk.

Donald Trump’s threat to Iran set off a warning from retired military officers that the president may have crossed into unlawful war talk.

Archive report
2 min read

Calls grow to test Trump’s power after Iran threat

Trump’s Iran threat has set off a fresh fight over whether he can be pushed out of office under the 25th Amendment or impeached.

Trump’s Iran threat has set off a fresh fight over whether he can be pushed out of office under the 25th Amendment or impeached.

Archive report
1 min read

US deports eight people of African origin to Uganda

The U.S. has deported eight people described as being of African origin to Uganda, and critics say the move was illegal and dehumanizing.

The U.S. has deported eight people described as being of African origin to Uganda, and critics say the move was illegal and dehumanizing.

Archive report
1 min read

Organized Money: California Attorney General Rob Bonta Is Not Done With Ticketmaster

With the federal government largely stepping back from antitrust enforcement, who’s picking up the slack? California Attorney General Rob Bonta makes the case that state attorneys general are filling the void, and he’s got the caseload to prove it.

With the federal government largely stepping back from antitrust enforcement, who’s picking up the slack? California Attorney General Rob Bonta makes the case that state attorneys general are filling the void, and he’s got the caseload to prove it.

Archive report
1 min read

Tulsi Gabbard Fast Facts

Tulsi Gabbard’s political career moved from the Hawaii State House to Congress and the Democratic Party’s top ranks.

Tulsi Gabbard’s political career moved from the Hawaii State House to Congress and the Democratic Party’s top ranks.

Archive report
1 min read

Blue-Collar Democrat Officially Flips Trump District in Major Win

Florida — Democrats pulled off another upset in Florida, winning a normally very Republican state Senate district in West Tampa. Navy veteran and electrical workers union leader Brian Nathan was declared the winner Monday of a special election in Senate district 14 by the Associated Press.

Florida — Democrats pulled off another upset in Florida, winning a normally very Republican state Senate district in West Tampa. Navy veteran and electrical workers union leader Brian Nathan was declared the winner Monday of a special election in Senate district 14 by the Associated Press.

Archive report
1 min read

MAGA lawmaker demands Thune's ouster amid shutdown chaos

A Republican lawmaker is calling for Senate Majority Leader John Thune to step aside while the government shutdown drags on.

A Republican lawmaker is calling for Senate Majority Leader John Thune to step aside while the government shutdown drags on.

Archive report
2 min read

Pam Bondi's Fox News appearance immediately backfires: 'Dumbest thing ever said'

Pam Bondi’s Fox News comments about citizenship set off immediate backlash because they sounded like a test balloon for tougher executive power over who belongs in the U.S.

Pam Bondi’s Fox News comments about citizenship set off immediate backlash because they sounded like a test balloon for tougher executive power over who belongs in the U.S.

Archive report
1 min read

Harry Chronister: A Political Legacy in Nebraska

Harry Chronister’s Nebraska political career shows how a state seat can be filled, held, and extended through the rules of the system.

Harry Chronister’s Nebraska political career shows how a state seat can be filled, held, and extended through the rules of the system.

Archive report
1 min read

Why Trump Should Not Sweat The Midterms – OpEd

Trump’s midterm problem is not the campaign trail. It is the possibility of losing Congress and the power that comes with it.

Trump’s midterm problem is not the campaign trail. It is the possibility of losing Congress and the power that comes with it.

Archive report
3 min read

Jimmy Kimmel Mocks Markwayne Mullin’s Blue-Collar Roots

In a recent segment, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, the quintessential avatar of Hollywood’s detached elite, demonstrated exactly why “flyover country” has tuned him out. Kimmel mocked President Donald Trump’s selection of Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, sneering at Mullin’s background as a business owner and tradesman.

In a recent segment, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, the quintessential avatar of Hollywood’s detached elite, demonstrated exactly why “flyover country” has tuned him out. Kimmel mocked President Donald Trump’s selection of Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, sneering at Mullin’s background as a business owner and tradesman.

Archive report
1 min read

Trump Says Justices Barrett & Gorsuch ‘Sicken’ Him

Donald Trump attacked Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch after they joined a ruling he did not like.

Donald Trump attacked Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch after they joined a ruling he did not like.

Archive report
2 min read

Donald Trump Explains Why He Used Mail-In Ballot for Florida Election After Calling It 'Mail-In Cheating'

Donald Trump voted by mail in Florida just days after calling mail-in voting “cheating.” The contradiction matters because he still backs tougher voting rules while using the same process himself.

Donald Trump voted by mail in Florida just days after calling mail-in voting “cheating.” The contradiction matters because he still backs tougher voting rules while using the same process himself.

Archive report
2 min read

'Light her up!' Huckabee Sanders sets off Arkansas MAGA rebellion

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is getting hit with a conservative revolt over her plan for a massive new prison south of the Arkansas River.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is getting hit with a conservative revolt over her plan for a massive new prison south of the Arkansas River.

Archive report
2 min read

Watch clueless Ted Cruz deliver brutal self-own

Ted Cruz used a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to argue that Republicans once stood up for the rule of law, even as his own record tells a different story.

Ted Cruz used a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to argue that Republicans once stood up for the rule of law, even as his own record tells a different story.

Archive report
1 min read

The Modern Tyrant

How to Become a Modern Tyrant The playbook hasn't changed. The tools have.

How to Become a Modern Tyrant The playbook hasn't changed. The tools have.

Archive report
2 min read

Did Illinois Dems Just Rebuke Wokeness?

Illinois Democrats just held a primary that is now being spun as a verdict on the party’s future.

Illinois Democrats just held a primary that is now being spun as a verdict on the party’s future.

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