The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Shamann Walton’s YCD subsidiary got a no-bid contract on shipyard homes — but where’s the money?

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 196 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Community Development Ethics
  1. Shamann Walton's YCD subsidiary got a no-bid contract for shipyard homes, raising questions about the money's whereabouts.
  2. Walton quietly started a for-profit entity related to YCD, leading to concerns over transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
  3. Connections between Walton, YCD, and developers like Lennar have raised questions about funding sources and community benefits.

Why I Support the AFPI Civil Rights Complaint Against Cornell University

Heterodox STEM • 135 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Higher education Discrimination Government Policy Political Activism
  1. Cornell University is accused of discrimination in faculty hiring based on identity traits, which could violate US laws.
  2. There are concerns that Cornell's admissions and hiring practices do not align with the Supreme Court's ruling on fair admissions and may favor certain groups unfairly.
  3. The current approach to diversity at Cornell seems to prioritize equality of outcomes over merit, straying from the university's founding principles.

Poof! Trump Is Bush! Just a thief in the night.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 18 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Policy Economic Policy Executive Power Public Opinion Political History
  1. US leaders are using a Bush-era 'kidnap the leader' playbook to try to remove Venezuela's president, pushing risky regime-change tactics despite broad public opposition.
  2. The United States faces serious economic and military limits — collapsing recruitment and unsustainably high borrowing costs — that make a prolonged ground invasion or occupation economically and politically ruinous.
  3. Venezuelan officials and the military still control the country’s land and air, so the U.S. move looks like a failed nighttime grab rather than a successful takeover.

Dan Williams on Democracy and Technocracy

In My Tribe • 410 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Technocracy Political Power Political institutions Public Opinion
  1. Democracy can face challenges because not everyone has the same knowledge or values. People's differing abilities can make equal input in politics problematic.
  2. Experts often try to control information to influence voters, but these efforts can be ineffective and lead to public resentment instead of understanding.
  3. Our political systems should focus on how power is shared and maintained. It's important to prevent a concentration of power and ensure it can change hands peacefully.

Supreme Court Roulette

Adam's Legal Newsletter • 339 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Judicial system Decision-making Legal Disputes
  1. One proposed idea is Supreme Court Roulette, where a randomly selected Justice's view becomes the opinion of the Court.
  2. The current system of majority rule in the Supreme Court does not necessarily guarantee better or more reasoned decisions.
  3. Implementing Supreme Court Roulette could lead to more moderate decisions reflective of the country and improve incentives for the Justices.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The retconning of George Floyd: An Update

The Watch • 1283 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Justice Media Policy Corrections Reforms
  1. Acknowledging and reflecting on one's own biases is important to maintain transparency and credibility in discussions.
  2. Amidst misinformation, there is frustration that detailed research is often overlooked in favor of easily digestible but misleading content.
  3. Clarifying and correcting misleading information, particularly on sensitive topics like life and death situations, is crucial for ensuring accurate discourse.

Dingus of the week: January

Men Yell at Me • 435 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Political parties Legislation Public Policy
  1. January felt like a very long month, with many challenges and frustrations piling up. It’s a time when people try to improve themselves but also struggle through the cold and dark winter days.
  2. There's a lot of political chaos happening, especially with decisions made by leaders that seem surprising or frustrating to many. It feels like there's a lack of strong action against troubling changes in the government.
  3. Despite all the challenges and serious issues, there's still hope and joy found in little things, like music and family connections. It’s important to remember the good things even in tough times.

December 26, 2025

Letters from an American • 25 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Executive Branch Justice Department Congress Immigration Civil Rights Elections
  1. The Supreme Court signaled that the president likely lacked authority to federalize the National Guard in Illinois, stressing that domestic military use is tightly limited by law and generally requires using regular forces first.
  2. A Justice emphasized that immigration stops must meet Fourth Amendment standards and cannot be based on race or ethnicity, but immigration enforcement has still led to wrongful detentions and reports of racial profiling.
  3. The slow release of Epstein-related documents has revealed material linking powerful people — including repeated mentions and flight logs involving Trump — prompting congressional demands and increasing political pressure while Trump’s defensive posts deepen divisions in his support.

The quiet integration of 'Project Maven' and the Pentagon's cloud with 'Minotaur' maritime border surveillance

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 590 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveillance Military Intelligence Technology Border control
  1. Project Maven is being integrated with the Minotaur Mission System to help border surveillance. This setup is used by the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection.
  2. The Minotaur system combines different types of surveillance data, making it easier to detect illegal activities. It links sensors, cameras, and radar into one automated system.
  3. Amazon Web Services is involved in providing cloud support for Minotaur, highlighting the role of big tech in military surveillance programs.

Those Who Seek To Control Our Speech Are Persecuting the Truth

THE FREEDOM BLOG • 196 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Freedom of Speech Censorship
  1. Politicians and journalists are advocating for silencing certain opinions in the name of protecting the public from 'hatred' and 'falsehood.'
  2. Attempting to create a more truthful and tolerant society by suppressing false and hateful speech leads to a reliance on brute power.
  3. When society is rife with disagreement, the suppression of falsehood and hatred can only be achieved through the use of force.

Understanding Inequality: Can Gini Coefficients Be Fruitfully Demystified? (Revised and Expanded)

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 222 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Inequality Economics Policy Analysis Social Issues Income distribution
  1. Gini Coefficients are complex measures of inequality that many people struggle to understand. It might be better to use simpler measures based on income percentiles, which are easier for people to relate to.
  2. When discussing income disparity, it's important to connect the data to real-life situations. Relating income differences to the average income helps individuals grasp the extent of inequality more easily.
  3. Income inequality affects people's experiences and social interactions. Understanding this can provide insights into how economic differences impact relationships and feelings of envy or spite among different economic classes.

What to watch for: free speech and the free press

The Watch • 536 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Press freedom Media Regulation Civil Liberties
  1. There are serious concerns about how the current political climate could threaten the freedom of the press. Some politicians aim to make it easier to sue journalists, stifling critical coverage.
  2. The possibility of government retaliation against journalists is high. Officials may use government resources to target those who publish unflattering stories about them.
  3. Protests might be met with harsh responses from the government. There are fears that leaders will employ military force to suppress dissenting voices and silence activists.

Changing values

The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything • 334 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Religion Free speech Politics Individual Rights
  1. Religious people are not barred from public life, despite some claims to the contrary.
  2. Being honest about personal beliefs, even if controversial, is important in leadership.
  3. The divide in discussions about free speech and cancel culture often revolves around whether faith-based views should receive special treatment in public discourse.

Over 250 Photos From Around the Nation and the World From the Historic “No Kings Day” Protests

Proof • 203 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Protests Election Public Opinion Political Commentary Social movements
  1. The 'No Kings Day' protests saw massive participation from people around the world, highlighting a strong global sentiment against Donald Trump.
  2. In contrast to the crowded protests, Trump's birthday celebration was poorly attended and described as lackluster and disappointing.
  3. Despite some instances of far-right violence, the overall atmosphere of the protests remained peaceful, showing unity among anti-Trump protesters.

The Manhattan Institute Deleted This Article

Karlstack • 472 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Cancel Culture Online Harassment Academic Freedom Media influence Political Extremism
  1. A man named Oliver D. Smith has been targeting academics in the field of intelligence research, using online trolling and legal threats to disrupt their careers.
  2. The Manhattan Institute removed an article critical of Smith after he reached a private settlement with them, raising questions about his influence and tactics.
  3. Smith's actions have led to real harm for academics, including job losses, by promoting misinformation about their work on platforms like RationalWiki.

Stefan Niehoff, the German pensioner famous for a meme calling Robert Habeck a moron, is found guilty of five criminal retweets and one criminal reply and fined €825

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 208 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Justice System Free speech Public Opinion Social media
  1. Stefan Niehoff, a German retiree, was fined €825 for retweeting memes that were deemed criminal. His case highlights how strict laws around social media and speech can be.
  2. Niehoff's original meme about a politician sparked a large controversy, leading to a police raid and a national debate on free speech. This shows the potential for social media posts to have serious legal consequences.
  3. The court found Niehoff guilty based on several shocking retweets related to Nazi themes. His case raises questions about what constitutes free speech and the limits of expression online.

Did DPP support just collapse in Taiwan?

Taipology • 138 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Public Opinion Campaigns Government
  1. DPP support in Taiwan is weakening, especially among young voters who are frustrated with their performance. This shift is making room for the rise of the Taiwan People's Party, which is now showing a surprising pro-China stance.
  2. The approach of the DPP, particularly their focus on resisting China, is backfiring as voters are dissatisfied with their handling of domestic issues. Many voters feel the DPP is ignoring their needs while being too aggressive politically.
  3. There's a belief that the Taiwan People's Party has a unique advantage over the KMT and DPP because it doesn't carry their historical baggage. This allows them to appeal to voters looking for change, even towards more favorable views on China.

Top Links 634 Amerikanizm, tariffs and inflation. The UK's productivity stagnation, & the war-risk business.

Chartbook • 414 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics Trade Inflation Productivity Geopolitics
  1. Amerikanizm can have impacts on tariffs and inflation. This means policies can affect prices and trade in significant ways.
  2. The UK's productivity is not improving much, which suggests challenges in its economy. This stagnation can lead to slower growth and less innovation.
  3. There are increasing risks related to war for businesses. Companies might face uncertainties that could influence their operations and profits.

Saturday Commentary and Review #193

Fisted by Foucault • 125 implied HN points • 23 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Free speech Military conflict Economic Trends Political critique
  1. The war in Ukraine remains largely unchanged, with little progress seen on either side. This ongoing situation leaves many frustrated as the same points keep being reiterated.
  2. There is a growing concern about how free speech is being handled differently in Europe compared to the USA. While the US has strong protections, Europe is imposing more restrictions under the guise of protecting democracy.
  3. The nature of the US economy is shifting towards intangible assets, like intellectual property and brand value, which could lead to increased market volatility. This change means that a smaller number of companies have a larger influence on the stock market.

Why Trump killed congestion pricing

Silver Bulletin • 386 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis Transportation Political Economy Urban planning Public Opinion
  1. Congestion pricing in New York has made commuting faster for many people, saving them time despite the added fees. Some drivers find it worth paying extra to avoid long traffic delays.
  2. Not everyone benefits equally from congestion pricing; it can be a burden for lower-income commuters who rely on personal vehicles. Still, it helps reduce traffic and pollution in the city.
  3. The policy has mixed effects on local businesses. While it may deter some visitors, faster travel within the city could encourage local spending from commuters using public transit.

Rebellion!

Disaffected Newsletter • 519 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Education & Policy Media Critique Activism Mental health
  1. A therapist discusses Nevada's focus on 'affirmation only' gender ideology and offers advice on finding a non-activist therapist.
  2. People are starting to resist extreme gender policies in schools, highlighted by principals criticizing students for not supporting LGBTQ events.
  3. There is controversy over schools providing inappropriate materials in libraries, as some believe it harms children despite claims of promoting diversity.

...Teach a Man to Revolt

Anarchonomicon • 334 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Rights Constitutional Law Civil Liberties Cultural influence
  1. An unalterable core text is crucial for a declaration of rights, much like the enduring nature of the Islamic faith.
  2. Enumerated rights should be cherished as noble titles, making individuals feel superior and proud of their freedoms.
  3. Enforcement of rights through ad hoc vigilante violence is a powerful cultural force that can outlast even the fall of governments.

America's Novus Ordo Seclorum

The Redneck Intellectual by C. Bradley Thompson • 334 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Philosophy Revolution Constitution Citizenship
  1. Different political communities shape distinct ways of life based on principles, values, and customs unique to them.
  2. Constitutions and forms of government play a central role in determining a society's way of life and cultural mores.
  3. The American Revolution and Founding transformed American society, promoting principles of individualism, meritocracy, and freedom.

The US Keeps Bombing People While Saying It Doesn't Want To Fight

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1285 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Government
  1. The US officials claim they are not at war with groups but keep bombing them in the Middle East.
  2. The Biden administration and US officials engage in contradictory behavior by denouncing conflicts while supporting aggressive military actions.
  3. The US demonstrates double standards by surrounding China with military presence while interpreting China's actions as aggressive, highlighting hypocrisy in global power dynamics.

Childcare costs skyrocket in the Northeast and West

American Inequality • 334 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Inequality Childcare Employment Legislation Economy
  1. Childcare costs have skyrocketed in the Northeast and West, causing financial strain on families.
  2. Women face significant inequalities due to high childcare costs, impacting maternal employment rates.
  3. To address the childcare crisis, policies like federal funding for childcare centers, offsetting losses in universal Pre-K programs, and employer rebates for daycare can help make childcare more affordable and support working parents.

'They Cooked Up Their Own Intelligence' Chris Hedges on Israel’s war on Iran | The Listening Post

The Chris Hedges Report • 195 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Media Analysis War history Iraq War Iran relations
  1. The situation with Iran is similar to what we saw with Iraq in 2003, using weak reasons for conflict.
  2. Media coverage often lacks depth and fails to question the justifications provided.
  3. Historical patterns suggest that misleading intelligence is frequently used to support military actions.

Balsa Research 2024 Update

Don't Worry About the Vase • 537 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Reform Nonprofits Economic Impact Research Studies Legislation
  1. Balsa Research is focused on repealing the Jones Act, a law that affects American shipping. They believe small investments can lead to big economic benefits.
  2. In 2024, Balsa funded academic studies to gather new data on the Jones Act's impacts. They're looking to use this evidence to push for policy changes in 2025.
  3. The organization plans to expand its research and develop specific policy proposals that address stakeholder concerns. They are also open to partnerships and more funding to help with their mission.

Reasons to Calm Down about China

Nonzero Newsletter • 406 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy National Security Diplomacy Public Opinion Media
  1. Americans often exaggerate threats from other countries, which can lead to unnecessary panic. It's important to take a step back and evaluate these fears critically.
  2. The current worries about China's growing power are similar to past concerns about other countries. History often shows that these fears can be overblown.
  3. Calming down about perceived threats can lead to a sense of peace and better decision-making. It's okay to question the intensity of current anxieties.

Whose Standards Are Too High?

Bet On It • 573 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political theory Democracy Government Regulation Public Policy
  1. Many people have high standards for politicians and democracy, but they should consider that the alternatives might not be better.
  2. The free market is often held to very high standards, but voters and politicians should think about whether government actions can truly improve things.
  3. Instead of pushing for more government intervention, maybe people should appreciate the benefits of a free market and how it has worked historically.

2 candidates for the American Presidency who threatened PHARMA-GLOBALIST HEGEMONY have been eliminated from the running: no surprise because drug companies control politics, education, the media...

DrV’s Newsletter, Notes, Essays, Articles, Videos, and Book Chapters • 176 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Pharmaceuticals Presidential Race Government Corruption Corporate Influence Pandemic response
  1. Two presidential candidates who challenged pharma-globalist power were eliminated from the race in 2024.
  2. The remaining major candidates from both parties supported pandemic measures that led to a significant increase in deaths and costs for the nation.
  3. The influence of drug companies in politics, education, and media remains significant, impacting American elections.