The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Hate thy Neighbor as Thyself

Thinking about... • 667 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conservatism Political Rhetoric Political Figures Political Ethics Media Criticism
  1. Some political actors co-opt religious language to demand absolute loyalty to a leader and to justify hatred of others, reversing compassion into cruelty.
  2. Social media and meme culture amplify and reward performative cruelty and self-hatred, turning nastiness into online status and influence.
  3. That rhetoric has dangerous real-world effects: protectors and victims get slandered or blamed, violence is celebrated, and wealthy backers can help spread those false narratives.

California Lawmakers Admit Their Plastic Bag Ban Backfired

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 257 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Environmental Policy Regulation Legislation Public Health
  1. California's ban on plastic bags didn't work as planned. Instead of reducing waste, plastic bag trash increased significantly.
  2. When states copy California's ban, they often see similar problems, like using more heavy-duty plastic bags that aren't recycled properly.
  3. New policies can have unexpected effects, like increased energy use from washing reusable bags, which might lead to health issues if not maintained correctly.

Evangelicals for Trump? It's Not About Religion

Steady • 28774 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Religion Society Polling Media
  1. Evangelicals support Trump not necessarily because of religion but for reasons like opposing abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
  2. Despite Trump's personal controversies, many white evangelical Christians see him as a savior figure saving the country from perceived threats.
  3. There is a shift in evangelical priorities, with church attendance declining and political identity becoming more significant.

After Joe

Yascha Mounk • 3337 implied HN points • 21 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political parties Public Opinion Campaign strategies
  1. Kamala Harris needs to build broader support if she becomes the Democratic nominee. It's important for voters to feel they have a choice and a voice in the election process.
  2. Harris should focus on appealing to swing voters and moving toward the political center. This means addressing key issues in a way that connects with a wider audience, especially those uncertain about their support.
  3. The upcoming election is competitive, and Democrats are showing they want to win. A strong campaign against Trump could turn the tide, even with Harris's past challenges.
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How to take our country back

Noahpinion • 26765 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Sentiment Political polarization Social media National Identity
  1. Many people feel a sense of loss for the America they once knew, as values like kindness and community seem overshadowed by anger and division today.
  2. Polls show a decline in Americans' pride in their country and traditional values, but some argue that core beliefs like hard work and tolerance are still very important to many people.
  3. Technology contributes to the current negativity, and there’s hope that by addressing these issues, a more positive and united America could be possible.

Morning Reading

COVID Reason • 198 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Voter Demographics Political strategies Public Opinion
  1. There are interesting shifts in voter support for the 2024 election, with more Hispanic and black male voters leaning towards Trump, which could change the results for Democrats.
  2. Kamala Harris might face challenges in appealing to black voters because they see her sincerity as lacking, despite her efforts.
  3. Biden's presidency could negatively affect Harris's chances in the upcoming election as many voters are unhappy with his leadership.

The State of Trump’s Presidency. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 449 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive Branch Congress Elections Public Opinion Immigration Foreign Policy National Security Judiciary
  1. The State of the Union is being treated as a high-stakes moment, but its actual impact on Trump’s standing may be limited and will likely try to win back Republicans who have cooled on him, especially over immigration.
  2. The newsletter spotlights heated cultural debates, from a provocative defense of fraternity hazing to worries about screen-driven anxiety and how to handle stress after unplugging.
  3. Major policy and legal developments are unfolding: a U.S. lawsuit over payments tied to Palestinian terror, military warnings about striking Iran, and a Supreme Court case that could reshape climate litigation.

Could Republicans blow the Texas Senate race?

Silver Bulletin • 473 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Primaries Campaigns Candidates Polling Parties Scandals Endorsements
  1. The Texas Republican primary is tilting toward Ken Paxton, a MAGA-aligned, scandal-plagued candidate who leads recent polls and looks likely to make the runoff.
  2. John Cornyn is underperforming despite huge establishment backing and massive spending, so he could miss the runoff or enter the general election weakened.
  3. Candidate quality still matters: nominating a controversial Republican like Paxton could make an otherwise GOP-favored Texas Senate race noticeably more competitive for Democrats, especially if Democrats pick a crossover-friendly nominee.

Who’s the real favorite in the Texas Senate primary?

Silver Bulletin • 401 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Primaries Polling Campaigns Prediction Markets Demographics
  1. Nonpartisan polls generally show Jasmine Crockett ahead, but the polling picture is messy because many polls are old or candidate‑sponsored and internal polls tend to overstate support.
  2. Prediction markets have been strongly favoring James Talarico since December, creating a notable divergence from the polls and implying bettors see information the polls might be missing.
  3. High early turnout, a young diverse Democratic electorate, and a contentious campaign mean the race is uncertain and could still head to a runoff, so neither polls nor markets tell the whole story.

Awesome Weekend Reading

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 942 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Political Actors Science Policy Media Coverage Policy Analysis
  1. THB Insider is back with a new roundup that curates a wide range of recent policy and research items.
  2. Policymakers on both sides of the aisle publicly cited the newsletter’s coverage of a major Nature retraction, showing it has real influence in policy discussions.
  3. Full access is gated behind a subscription, though a free post is offered to let readers continue reading.

Trump Loses At SCOTUS on Tariffs

Points And Figures • 666 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Courts Executive Power Trade policy Economic Policy Elections Campaigns
  1. The Supreme Court limited the president’s ability to impose tariffs unilaterally, so future tariffs will generally need Congressional approval even though tariffs themselves are not banned.
  2. Economists warn tariffs hurt free markets and can be damaging, but some argue tariffs can be an effective negotiating tool that pressures foreign actors; they also risk being hard to remove and can strain allies.
  3. A pro-market alternative is aggressive deregulation and fiscally conservative state leadership, and downballot races matter because state officials shape tax, regulatory, and investment policies.

The SAVE Act is Christian Nationalism in Action

Can We Still Govern? • 442 implied HN points • 23 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting Rights Election Law Gender Politics Religious Influence Public Policy Civil Rights
  1. The SAVE Act forces people to prove citizenship to vote, adding paperwork and costs that will stop many voters—especially those without passports or birth certificates that match their current name.
  2. Because millions of married women change their last name, the law would hit women especially hard, and it aligns with Christian Nationalist aims to weaken women’s political power and push household-style voting.
  3. Implementing the law would overload election systems, give state officials wide discretion and legal exposure, and likely slow or shrink democratic participation even amid Senate fights and legal challenges.

The True Jobs Numbers

COVID Reason • 495 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Job Market
  1. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects employment data from two main sources: one from employers about job numbers and another from households about overall employment. These two surveys can show different job growth trends.
  2. Recent job growth numbers claimed a large increase, but much of this was due to seasonal adjustments, masking significant job losses in the private sector.
  3. Most of the jobs added recently were actually government jobs. When looking at unadjusted data, there were a lot more government job increases than private sector jobs.

Are we the walking wounded?

Disaffected Newsletter • 2997 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trauma Mental health Societal norms Political Climate Public Trust
  1. Many people in America are dealing with trauma from recent events, affecting everyone regardless of political beliefs. This trauma can change how we see the world and interact with others.
  2. The past few years have revealed many illusions about stability in our lives, leading to chaos, increased anger, and the breakdown of social norms.
  3. Personal losses from recent experiences have made it hard for many to trust others again, leaving them feeling scared and exhausted. This is true for a lot of people right now.

Five Craziest Things About the Epstein Case, Vol. 1

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 4134 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Law Congress Criminal Justice Partisanship Scandal
  1. The word "pedophile" has been thrown around so freely in coverage of Epstein that it functions like a rhetorical bomb, shutting down careful thinking.
  2. The Epstein story has been weaponized by politicians and media as partisan ammunition, fueling moral panic and reflexive accusations instead of sober inquiry.
  3. The actual legal record is often ignored: Epstein's sole conviction was a 2008 plea to two state charges, yet many people make broad, evidence-free claims without checking the facts.

Chartbook 425: War over the Fed? Is this "The Big One" or will it be another moment of American nihilism?

Chartbook • 2131 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive Branch Monetary Policy Political Economy Culture Wars Law enforcement
  1. Legal threats against the Federal Reserve and its chair are being used as political pressure to influence interest-rate decisions, putting central bank independence at risk.
  2. Financial markets have mostly shrugged so far — gold and silver are up but the Treasury market and big institutional investors aren’t panicking yet, though a real reaction could come if inflation forces hard policy choices.
  3. The episode is part of a broader partisan drive to weaken institutional checks and normal political restraints, and while some establishment Republicans are protesting, their ability to stop it may be limited.

Should the Federal Government Sell Land?

Construction Physics • 23801 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Federal Government Environment Public Opinion
  1. The federal government owns about 615 million acres of land in the US, which is roughly 27% of the country's total land area. Most of this land is in the western states.
  2. Selling federal land for housing could help with high housing costs, but most of this land is protected or too far away from where people actually need homes. Only a small portion is suitable for development.
  3. Cities like Las Vegas and Boise have some federal land nearby, which could be sold for homes, but the overall impact on housing prices is likely to be minimal.

Only fools think Elon is incompetent

Noahpinion • 54000 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Public Figures Media Analysis Society
  1. Elon Musk is highly intelligent and has proven his capabilities through successful companies like SpaceX and Tesla. People underestimate him at their own risk.
  2. Real-world skills, like building organizations and inspiring teams, are more important than test scores for success in business. Elon excels in these areas.
  3. Criticism of Elon often stems from jealousy or misunderstanding of his talents. Just calling him 'dumb' won't change the reality of his achievements.

Everyone Is Wrong About the President's Economic Impact

Sumit's Investment Takes • 99 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Inflation Unemployment Policy Analysis
  1. There isn't just one number that shows how good or bad the economy is. You can look at things like unemployment, inflation, and GDP, but they all tell different stories.
  2. The president's actions don’t usually have an immediate effect on the economy. Many factors that affect the economy are outside their control, like market trends and global events.
  3. To really understand a president's impact on the economy, you should look at long-term policies instead of short-term data. Also, things like immigration and international relations can play a big role.

Row breaks out over council’s redundancy plans

NN Journal • 178 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policies Elections Public Services Local Governance
  1. The West Northamptonshire Council is offering voluntary redundancies to staff to cut costs as they face a budget shortfall. This could also include options for early retirement and reduced work hours.
  2. The Labour party is very unhappy with this decision, calling it a 'debacle' that risks worsening already strained public services.
  3. Current waiting times for services are long, and losing staff now might make these services even harder to access for the public.

Beautiful Wives

Magic + Loss • 377 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policies Gender Issues Public Opinion Political culture
  1. Melania Trump supports a woman's right to choose regarding abortion in her memoir. She believes women should have control over their own bodies.
  2. Donald Trump, however, plans to support a universal abortion ban if he is elected. He presents himself as a protector of women but implies that this will eliminate the need for abortion.
  3. The differing views between Melania and Donald Trump highlight a conflict in their beliefs about women's rights and autonomy.

This Is a Test for America

Yascha Mounk • 3517 implied HN points • 16 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political violence Elections Political parties Public Opinion Media influence
  1. Most Americans are against political violence and were saddened by the attempt on Trump's life. This shows a basic commitment to resolving differences peacefully, which is important for a healthy democracy.
  2. Unfortunately, there are still some who celebrate violence and mock its victims. This reaction reflects a deeper frustration with American institutions, which many feel are failing to provide safety and security.
  3. While America has a lot of strengths, the mix of political anger, conspiracy thinking, and institutional failures presents a real risk. If not addressed, these issues could threaten the decent instincts that many ordinary Americans share.

Trump on Latest School Shooting: ‘Get over it’

Steady • 27850 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control School Shootings Donald Trump Legislation
  1. Former President Donald Trump's response to the latest school shooting was to 'get over it', sparking controversy.
  2. The issue of school shootings is a significant concern, with an increase in incidents and the need for stronger gun laws.
  3. Individuals can take action by advocating for stronger gun laws, engaging with elected officials, and participating in peaceful protests.

America is being sold out by its leaders

Noahpinion • 53471 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Political alliances Economic Policy National Security
  1. There is a concern that America's leaders are making choices that could weaken the country, particularly in foreign relations. If the U.S. were to focus on itself and ignore global involvement, some believe it could hurt its standing in the world.
  2. Some political figures think their vision aligns better with countries like China and Russia than with traditional allies. This shift could lead to a more isolationist approach, where the U.S. limits its international influence.
  3. People worry that the U.S. might reduce military strength and abandon industrial policies, which could harm the economy. Cutting defense spending and focusing on raw materials rather than manufacturing could make the country rely more on other nations.

Social media destroyed one of America's key advantages

Noahpinion • 29235 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Polarization Public Sentiment Cultural Issues
  1. Social media has trapped people together, making it harder to escape from differing views and decreasing trust among Americans. It was easier before to live separately and avoid conflicts.
  2. The rise of smartphones and social media has led to increased feelings of unhappiness and anxiety among people, especially educated liberals who are facing challenges from their peers.
  3. America's unique culture of geographic sorting allowed for diverse opinions to coexist more peacefully, but social media has broken down those barriers, leading to greater polarization and conflict.

BS on the border

Robert Reich • 23998 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Border Security Election Policy Reform
  1. The bipartisan Senate deal on immigration focuses on border security and lacks real reforms like a pathway to citizenship.
  2. Political posturing over border security has intensified as a key issue for the 2024 election.
  3. Trump's rhetoric on immigration, laden with false claims, is evocative of neofascist language and a troubling historical parallel.

Encouraging News: Lindsey Graham Looks HEARTBROKEN About Iran

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2132 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Congress National Security Diplomacy War Opinion
  1. Lindsey Graham’s facial expressions are presented as a shorthand indicator of how eager US leaders are for military action.
  2. Reports that airstrikes on Iran are unlikely are viewed skeptically because past misleading statements have sometimes preceded real attacks.
  3. Many find it hopeful when hawkish politicians look discouraged, and satire (like a joking "Graham-o-Meter") is suggested to track and mock warmongering.

JD Vance and the toxic traits of the online right

Jeff Giesea • 1018 implied HN points • 19 Sep 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Elections Political Identity Political issues Right-wing Politics
  1. JD Vance appears to lack a clear identity, showcasing a confusing mix of values and styles. It's hard to tell exactly what he stands for as he shifts his image frequently.
  2. By promoting questionable claims and aligning with controversial figures, JD risks losing credibility and engaging in harmful rhetoric. This reflects a troubling trend in parts of the online right that emphasize loyalty over truth.
  3. The current political climate suggests that simply being associated with Trump or the online right does not guarantee popularity. JD's low approval ratings indicate that his approach may not resonate with the broader electorate.

I Tried To Tell You: Matt Yglesias Is a Shameless Liar

JoeWrote • 180 implied HN points • 10 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Democrats Political media Campaign Finance Ethics Foreign Policy
  1. Matt Yglesias and other Democratic establishment figures often flip or lie to protect their money, status, and access, then shift blame onto the left instead of owning failed policies. They prioritize defending the political status quo over consistent principles or admitting mistakes.
  2. Yglesias reversed his long-standing opposition to online gambling after accepting a Polymarket sponsorship, claiming prediction markets are different even though they function like unregulated sportsbooks. That flip normalizes risky gambling behavior and benefits sponsors at the expense of readers.
  3. Centrist groups like Third Way are investing big in a top-down, behind-the-scenes campaign to block left candidates in the 2028 primary using skewed polls, donor convenings, and covert influence. This approach favors preserving elite power over persuading the public and undermines democratic accountability.

At least five interesting things: Cool research edition (#68)

Noahpinion • 18353 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Policy Elections Leadership Media
  1. AI is not causing job losses right now. Research shows that even though many jobs involve tasks AI can do, employment rates remain stable, especially for those in high-exposure jobs.
  2. Using misleading charts can damage credibility. Bernie Sanders' example of housing versus wages illustrates how data can be misinterpreted to create alarm about economic crises that aren't as severe as presented.
  3. Personalist dictatorships, where one strong leader holds power, may lead to slower economic growth compared to more balanced systems. Countries like China and Russia are examples, as their economic performance is facing challenges under their current leadership styles.

What Trump's lawyer was really advocating

Robert Reich • 26140 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government History Policy Democracy Leadership
  1. Trump's lawyer argued for immunity from criminal trial through impeachment, resembling the 1933 Enabling Law in Germany.
  2. American democracy is stronger than Weimar Republic's but caution is needed to protect it.
  3. Author highlights the importance of upholding democratic norms, media truth-telling, and citizen participation for safeguarding democracy.

The U.S.-China competition is on pause

Noahpinion • 17235 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Geopolitics National Security Domestic Issues Economic Policy
  1. The U.S. and China seem to have paused their rivalry to deal with their own internal issues. Both countries are currently focused on what’s happening at home rather than competing with each other.
  2. In the U.S., there's a mix of public tiredness and political distractions that are shifting attention away from international competition. It seems like the officials aren't really pushing the competition right now.
  3. China is also struggling with its own economic problems, which may be why it’s not as focused on competing with the U.S. at this moment.

"Heritage Americans" Is a Claim to Unearned Status

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 4218 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Identity politics Immigration Nationalism Populism Political theory Culture Wars
  1. Claiming 'Heritage American' status asks for unearned deference and is used to shut down debate instead of offering reasons for political positions.
  2. Identity politics on both the left and right often replaces evidence and logic with appeals to immutable traits, producing poor policy and irrational arguments.
  3. A civic, ideas-based definition of American identity is preferable, and disagreements—like over immigration—should be settled with facts, principles, and arguments rather than ancestry.

Two Drinks with . . . Bob Kerrey, Who’s Not Asking for Your Forgiveness for Meeting Epstein

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 315 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Figures Political Scandal Resignations Media Coverage Political Ethics
  1. Bob Kerrey resigned from the board of a Nebraska clean-energy company after a past meeting with Jeffrey Epstein came to light.
  2. He says the contact was limited to a 2013 meeting and a few emails and that he had no ongoing relationship with Epstein.
  3. The Epstein files are triggering intense media scrutiny that can quickly damage reputations and prompt resignations even for brief or distant ties.