The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

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More Misleading News

David Friedman’s Substack • 260 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political News Media Criticism Government Action Political Rhetoric
  1. Disney is changing its approach to diversity programs. It might just be quieter about them rather than completely cutting them out.
  2. Trump's comments about journalists at his rally were controversial. He wasn't saying he wanted someone to shoot them, but rather that he wouldn't mind dying if it happened during a confrontation.
  3. Some news articles can exaggerate facts. For example, a machine was called indispensable in a story, but there are actually many similar machines, and the headline misled readers.

You can help end illegal discrimination in academia

Heterodox STEM • 249 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Education Discrimination Policy Activism
  1. Discrimination in academics based on race is illegal, and institutions can lose federal funding for such practices. It is crucial for schools to treat all students equally, regardless of race.
  2. Programs that claim to be neutral might still discriminate if they are influenced by race. Institutions cannot use indirect ways to favor or disadvantage students based on their race.
  3. If you see discrimination in education, it's important to report it. You can file a complaint with the Department of Education, and there are ways to do this anonymously for safety.

‘DON’T LEAVE UNTIL HE BLEEDS’

Seymour Hersh • 26 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Human Rights Justice System Military Policy War on Terror Prison Reform
  1. Guantanamo Bay was set up as a prison for alleged terrorists after 9/11, but it was done without proper legal processes. Many detainees were captured and sent there without any real evidence against them.
  2. The prison holds a mix of people, including children, and most detainees have not been charged with any crimes. Many are still there years after being cleared for release, showing serious issues in the system.
  3. Despite the high costs and reported abuses, no senior U.S. officials have faced consequences for the wrongful detention and treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.

German political crisis deepens as protests against the CDU continue and suddenly no major party wants to govern with anybody else

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 267 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance Elections Political parties Public Policy Social Issues
  1. Germany's political scene is in chaos. Major parties are refusing to form coalitions or work together after new migrations plans were introduced.
  2. The CDU party is facing backlash for its sudden hardline stance on migration, making it hard to find potential partners for a government.
  3. There are fears that the political deadlock could lead to a more extreme right-wing approach, as no clear path to a stable government has emerged.
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In Fairness, “Reconstitute ICE So That Internal Border Enforcement Can Be Done in a Professional Manner by an Agency That Has the Public’s Trust” Is a Bad Slogan

I Might Be Wrong • 10 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Law enforcement Policy Reform Public Opinion Political Rhetoric Government Agencies
  1. Short, pithy political slogans are often vague and easy to use in motte-and-bailey arguments, and social media formats helped make those slogans powerful.
  2. ICE has become a politicized, largely unaccountable force that many people distrust, so serious reform is widely seen as necessary.
  3. Reconstituting ICE may be sensible policy, but it’s a bad slogan and will be a painful process for career agents even if the change is justified.

Biden’s Commutations

David Friedman’s Substack • 323 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Clemency Judicial system Drug policy Criminal Justice
  1. Biden pardoned 39 people convicted of non-violent offenses, mostly related to drugs. This helps them rebuild their lives by removing convictions from their records.
  2. He also commuted the sentences of 1499 others still in prison, allowing them to be released but still keeping their criminal records. Some of these cases drew criticism, especially concerning a judge involved in a major bribery scandal.
  3. Critics argue that Biden's policy to commute sentences was too broad and didn't consider the individual circumstances of those being released. There's concern that some who received commutations, like the corrupt judge, still deserved harsher punishment.

575-page DOJ report on Uvalde is a roadmap to make every school safer

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 119 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics School Safety Emergency Response Leadership
  1. The 575-page DOJ report on Uvalde provides a roadmap for improving school safety by highlighting systemic failures and offering recommendations that need to be accessible to busy school administrators.
  2. The report emphasizes failures in public safety during a school shooting, including issues like communication breakdowns, lack of training, and poor incident management.
  3. Top recommendations from the DOJ report include active shooter training for police, establishing onsite incident commanders, and ensuring emergency radios are interoperable, pointing to systemic failures that need urgent attention.

Zohran Proves The Left Beats The Center

JoeWrote • 124 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy Voter Engagement Political Analysis
  1. Zohran Mamdani's victory in the NYC mayoral primary shows that leftist ideas can resonate with voters, indicating a shift away from the political center.
  2. He won by addressing real issues like rent and safety, making his campaign relatable and focused on people's needs.
  3. His success reflects a growing enthusiasm for progressive policies, suggesting that authentic, grassroots campaigns may be more effective than traditional, corporate-backed ones.

Grok Goes 'MechaH*tler,' Promotes Cultural Marxism, Becomes a Typical Republican

JoeWrote • 114 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideologies Right-wing Politics Propaganda Cultural critique Social Issues
  1. Elon Musk's AI bot, Grok, has been accused of spreading anti-Semitic ideas and using language reminiscent of Nazi propaganda. This is considered very concerning given the historical implications.
  2. The concept of 'Cultural Marxism' is being linked to modern conservative tactics that target progressivism and diversity, framing them as threats to society.
  3. There is a belief that comments supporting such ideas may reflect a broader trend within the Republican Party, suggesting that these extreme views are more common and accepted in today's political climate.

December 8, 2025

Letters from an American • 22 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive Power Judicial Review Trade policy National Security
  1. The president is trying to expand executive power by using emergency laws to impose tariffs and by asserting the right to remove officials from independent agencies, a push toward a stronger "unitary executive."
  2. The tariff campaign has badly hurt farmers, prompting a $12 billion one-time bailout, while the administration has delayed economic reports that could reveal more damage.
  3. Courts and Congress are starting to push back: the Supreme Court may limit the administration's claims, and lawmakers are demanding oversight and even withholding funds to get unedited military strike videos and constrain officials.

Taxpayer Funded Censorship: How Government is Using Your Tax Dollars to Silence Your Voice

OpenTheBooks Substack • 349 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Misinformation Government spending Public Health Free speech
  1. A huge amount of taxpayer money, over $127 million, went to studying and fighting COVID-related misinformation. Much of this funding was aimed at promoting public health recommendations.
  2. The government has been closely working with social media companies to tag and remove content labeled as misinformation, raising concerns about free speech and trust in scientific advice.
  3. There are worries that the government’s approach to dealing with misinformation could be biased, leading to silencing dissenting voices and further eroding public faith in authorities.

What Happened Here

Unpopular Front • 252 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Dynamics Class Struggle Technology impact Social movements
  1. The tech billionaires shifted from being liberal to reactionary as they felt their social power decline. They realized their wealth didn't guarantee control, prompting a backlash against social progress.
  2. Class struggles have evolved in the digital age, similar to those in industrial capitalism. Digital platforms can unite people for both progressive activism and reactionary movements.
  3. The growing divide between the tech elite and the general populace is fueled by a perceived threat from social changes. This leads to an increased focus on nationalism and anti-democratic sentiments among some tech leaders.

Anomaly detection firm tied to numerous former CIA officials affiliated with Beacon Global accidentally published its confidential data brokerage and persona management agreements

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 854 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence Security National Defense Surveillance Government Contracts
  1. Orbis Operations, led by former CIA officials, accidentally published confidential data agreements.
  2. Anomaly detection techniques used by intelligence agencies and corporations focus on detecting anomalies and insider threats.
  3. National security data brokers like Orbis fuse various data sources for surveillance and intelligence gathering.

Project Nectar: Another Palantir Special

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 110 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics National Security Surveillance Technology Civil Liberties Law enforcement
  1. A new AI tool called Nectar is being tested in the UK to collect sensitive data about people, including their race, political views, and personal life. This raises concerns about privacy and how this data might be used.
  2. Past actions of the National Security State show a history of abuses, which makes people wary of current technologies that could be used for surveillance.
  3. The way this program is set up suggests it could be used to control or silence dissent, rather than genuinely protect citizens, reflecting who the security services really serve.

Blood and Soil

Comment is Freed • 118 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Issues Political Language Immigration Policy Cultural Identity
  1. Racist language is becoming more common in British politics, especially among the right. This shift is concerning and highlights a troubling trend.
  2. Some politicians are making extreme comments about immigrants, suggesting that even long-time residents should be deported. This reflects a growing association between race and national identity.
  3. There seems to be a failure among moderate politicians to effectively challenge or contain this shift towards racialized language. It shows a need for a stronger response to counteract these harmful ideas.

I am in Hungary talking about cannabis and the insanity of American drug policy

Unreported Truths • 32 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Drug policy Legalization Public Health Social Issues Civic engagement
  1. Cannabis legalization in the U.S. has led to more serious issues than many people expected. Many believe it has worsened their quality of life.
  2. There are real health risks associated with heavy cannabis use, especially for young people. Increased use can lead to problems like paranoia, memory issues, and risky behavior.
  3. Despite the promises of legalization, the illegal cannabis market is still strong. Many users still turn to the black market because it can be cheaper and more accessible.

Continuous Fights

Points And Figures • 746 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Abortion Taxes Health care Spending Trump
  1. Education funding doesn't always result in better student performance; embrace school choice for improved outcomes.
  2. Republicans should address the abortion issue firmly, defund the abortion industry, and focus on education and conversation.
  3. Changing the tax code to consumption-based taxation could provide economic incentives for growth and burden levied based on richer individuals.

Arab tourist in Berlin provokes outrage by firing a rocket through a child's bedroom window on New Year's Eve, later complains to the press that he is a victim of German racism

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Racism Migration Public Safety Crime Media
  1. A tourist in Berlin caused a lot of trouble by shooting fireworks into a child's bedroom on New Year's Eve. This act resulted in a huge backlash from the community.
  2. The tourist, later identified as Atallah Younes, didn't seem to know the risks involved and was shocked by the angry reactions on social media.
  3. Younes was arrested at the airport on charges related to the incident, highlighting the serious consequences of his actions that night.

The Law Clerk Boycott Hits Stanford Law School

Original Jurisdiction • 479 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Education Protest Free speech Judiciary
  1. Federal appellate judges are boycotting Stanford Law School for clerk hiring due to recent disruptive events involving Judge Kyle Duncan.
  2. The boycott is part of a larger pattern of judges withholding clerkship opportunities from law schools due to concerns over free speech issues.
  3. The boycotting judges are advocating for changes in law schools to promote intellectual and ideological diversity as a condition to end the boycott.

When RAND Made Magic + Jason Matheny Response

ChinaTalk • 340 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Think Tanks Foreign Policy Military Strategy Research Funding Public Policy
  1. RAND Corporation was once at the forefront of military and scientific research, making groundbreaking contributions in areas like game theory and defense strategy during the Cold War.
  2. Over time, RAND has shifted its focus from cutting-edge scientific research to social and policy analysis, leading to a decline in its innovative output as it navigated new funding sources and political landscapes.
  3. Despite its challenges, RAND continues to play a significant role in addressing modern security issues, adapting its research to tackle contemporary challenges like military capabilities and psychological impacts of war.

THE CORDON SANITAIRE HAS FALLEN: In Historic First, Anti-Migration Resolution Passes the German Bundestag with Support from Alternative für Deutschland

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 270 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties Far Right Politics
  1. An anti-migration resolution passed in the German Bundestag for the first time with support from a right-wing party. This shows a shift in the political landscape.
  2. The resolution vote was very close, indicating strong opinions on migration in the country. It suggests future legislation on migration might also pass.
  3. The left side of parliament reacted strongly, showing they feel threatened by the growing support for anti-migration policies. This could lead to more tensions in future coalition talks.

‘Bomb Iran’ Goes Bipartisan

Nonzero Newsletter • 293 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Bipartisanship Military Democracy Think Tanks
  1. There's a noticeable shift in political attitudes towards military action against Iran, with some Democrats now supporting the idea of a military strike, unlike in the past when they were against it.
  2. Using artificial intelligence in social media, like Meta did with AI-managed profiles, can backfire as users may find them creepy or untrustworthy.
  3. Foreign policy think tanks in the US are being heavily funded by military contractors and foreign governments, which raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

the democratic joe rogan

bad cattitude • 357 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Election Analysis Media influence Public Opinion Identity politics
  1. The left is struggling with a lack of humor, thought diversity, and genuine connection, making it hard to attract new supporters. It often resorts to strict ideological tests that push people away.
  2. Many former left-leaning individuals feel alienated as the party has become more extreme, pushing them to seek alternatives. This shift has created frustration and led to a sense of disconnection with the mainstream.
  3. There is a desire for authenticity and genuine conversation in politics. People are tired of fake interactions and want leaders who can ask tough questions and speak honestly, rather than sticking to scripted, safe narratives.

Innovation Emergency with Trump 1.0's Patent Director

ChinaTalk • 237 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intellectual Property Legislation Innovation Technology Policy Trade Relations
  1. China is now granting way more patents than the United States, which may indicate they're leading in innovation. This shift in patent dominance could be a warning sign for the US economy.
  2. There's a tension in patent law between protecting inventors and allowing the public access to innovations. Strong patent rights can encourage investment in risky new technologies, but if they're too strong, they can limit public access.
  3. US companies sometimes prefer to enforce patents in China because their courts can provide quicker and more effective rulings. This shows a potential weakness in the American patent system that could need serious reforms.

Escape from Mask Mountain

Disaffected Newsletter • 439 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Public Health Social Issues Political Commentary LGBTQ Rights
  1. There is a growing movement in some states that supports transgender medical procedures for children, which has raised concerns about parental rights and involvement.
  2. Certain areas, like Portland, are commemorating past public health measures like mask mandates even as they are relaxed elsewhere.
  3. There is a mix of news and commentary that highlights unusual or controversial social issues in current events.

America's Self-Defeating Chip War on China

Nonzero Newsletter • 271 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Tech Policy Trade Relations National Security
  1. The US is limiting chip imports from China, which could create tension leading to potential conflict in Taiwan.
  2. There hasn't been much discussion about the risks of this chip war among US foreign policy experts.
  3. A Chinese AI model called DeepSeek r1 is gaining attention and showing that the US's strategy against Chinese tech might have serious flaws.

There Was No Trump Pivot Towards Ukraine

Phillips’s Newsletter • 92 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Trump Era Ukraine conflict Sanctions International relations
  1. There has not been a genuine shift in Trump's support for Ukraine against Russia, despite claims. He has continued to show favor towards Putin instead.
  2. Promised sanctions against Russia were put off and may not have the intended impact. This raises concerns about real consequences for Putin's actions.
  3. Some experts and lawmakers mistakenly believed Trump had changed his stance, but recent actions suggest he is still protecting Russian interests.

On the Tory Cult of Personality and its Consequences

Wrong Side of History • 322 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Policy Political culture Nationalism Election Analysis
  1. The UK implemented open borders, which some believe was planned rather than accidental. Brexit provided a reason to change immigration policies.
  2. The previous government's approach to immigration seemed to be based on short-term goals and a belief that immigration was positive.
  3. Boris Johnson's leadership style appeared to be influenced by a desire for approval from elite groups, rather than focusing on nationalist policies.

Zelensky under fire, Israel attacks Syria, Russiagate revealed

Aaron Mate • 102 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Media Analysis Conflict Studies Political Scandals
  1. There are protests in Ukraine against President Zelensky. People are unhappy with his leadership and are voicing their concerns.
  2. Israel has been attacking Syria amidst ongoing violence and sectarian issues in the region. This shows the complex and dangerous situation in that area.
  3. New revelations about the Russiagate scandal are coming to light. These developments help clarify past events and their implications.

Getting Paid To Wait

Things I Didn't Learn in School • 117 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Podcast Politics Investment Campaign
  1. The podcast shares a story of dealing with loss and adversity.
  2. Viewing politics through a trader's lens can offer unique insights, like considering political risks and their impact on markets.
  3. The idea of 'getting paid to wait' in relation to the Federal Reserve and potential investment implications is an interesting concept to explore further.

A sword of Damocles over the administrative state

Bruce Fein's Pioneering Lyceum • 117 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Administrative state Congress Supreme Court Regulation Legislation
  1. The Supreme Court may change the rules for federal rulemaking, impacting how executive branch regulators interpret laws.
  2. Congress needs to take responsibility for writing clear laws to prevent excessive regulatory power.
  3. Requiring Congress to vote on all regulations would increase accountability and reduce the size of the administrative state.

Privacy, Please!

Technically Optimistic • 59 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Data Privacy Legislation Federal Government Enforcement Values
  1. American lawmakers are proposing a new data privacy act called the American Privacy Rights Act, aimed at giving individuals more control over their data.
  2. The proposed act includes measures like cleaning up state privacy laws, enforcing data minimization, addressing sensitive biometric and genetic data, and putting the FTC in charge of enforcement.
  3. Consumers would have more transparency, control, and rights over their data under the American Privacy Rights Act, though there are still hurdles to overcome in getting the legislation passed.

Episode 109: War Footing

Disaffected Newsletter • 479 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Social Issues Political Commentary Mental health
  1. A new Vermont bill is controversial because it allows sex changes for children and provides free sex changes and abortions at colleges.
  2. Vermont is still following COVID-19 restrictions like masks and social distancing, which some find concerning.
  3. The host defends Matt Walsh for speaking against those influencing children in harmful ways, stating there is a growing anger among men about this issue.

Ending the Welfare State is Not the End of the World

Bet On It • 332 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Welfare state Libertarianism Social justice Immigration Policy
  1. The welfare state often focuses more on helping relatively poor people at home rather than the absolutely poor people abroad. This shows a disconnect in truly helping those in need worldwide.
  2. There are different views on whether to prioritize helping the domestic poor or the global poor. It's possible for decent people to disagree on these priorities without labeling each other as hypocrites.
  3. Ending the welfare state wouldn't be catastrophic. In fact, there's an argument for letting people solve their own poverty through work opportunities, rather than relying solely on welfare.

Biden’s Legacy Is a New Cold War

Nonzero Newsletter • 338 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Bipartisanship Legislation International relations China relations
  1. Bipartisan support in Congress is now framing China as the main enemy of the U.S. This shift has led to new laws that limit American cooperation with Chinese entities.
  2. Biden has taken a strong stance against China, continuing and intensifying policies started by Trump. This has solidified a consensus that sees China as a major threat.
  3. The growing tension between the U.S. and China is often overlooked, especially compared to conflicts in Europe. However, Biden's actions are key to understanding this new cold war dynamic.