The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Breaking: Travel bans proposed in Tennessee & Oklahoma

All in Her Head by Jessica Valenti • 6564 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Reproductive Rights Legislation Civil Rights Legal issues
  1. Travel bans proposed in Tennessee & Oklahoma target helpers of teens seeking abortion care.
  2. Bills broad definitions could criminalize family and friends just for providing support.
  3. Proposed laws in Tennessee and Oklahoma are extreme, punish people over abortion, and allow civil lawsuits.

This Is Our Country, Too

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 202 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Opinion Democracy Governance Corruption Media Patriotism
  1. He’s worn out by the daily barrage of bad news and feels the stable, predictable country of his youth is being eroded.
  2. He’s frustrated that dishonest leaders and their enablers keep power and profit without accountability while decent people struggle to remind everyone of shared values.
  3. His anger fuels his writing and a primal plea: the country belongs to all of us, so stop ruining it.

Thankful for One Another.

Breaking the News • 1372 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civic engagement Community Organizing
  1. People across the country are working together in new ways to tackle challenges. It's great to see communities uniting to drive positive change.
  2. Staying positive and recognizing good deeds can help offset negative feelings in tough times. Focusing on what others do well can inspire us all.
  3. Every individual can contribute to their community and make a difference, no matter how small. Finding ways to get involved helps everyone feel more connected.
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Federal YIMBYs?

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 252 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing Banking Regulation Legislation Congress Local government
  1. The House is moving to loosen federal mortgage and construction rules—like easing underwriting and regulatory burdens—to help local banks and small builders lend and build more.
  2. A recent bipartisan House Financial Services hearing made clear that over-regulated lending and local land-use rules are key constraints on housing supply, with focus on zoning, permitting, and lending reforms.
  3. New York City's mayor has pledged to speed up permitting and cut red tape for small businesses and new housing, assembling reform-minded advisers to try to implement practical changes.

Reading List 1/25/25

Construction Physics • 15032 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive orders Infrastructure Energy Policy Nuclear power Data Centers
  1. Trump's executive orders are focusing heavily on deregulating energy projects, especially fossil fuels, which could speed up development but also pause other renewable projects like solar and wind.
  2. There is a renewed interest in restarting nuclear plants due to rising electricity demand, with several plants now being considered for revival in the U.S.
  3. Data centers are consuming more electricity now than ever, projected to account for a significant portion of U.S. electricity usage in the coming years.

Money and Politics

Points And Figures • 719 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Finance Elections Campaigns Corruption Political Economy Tax policy
  1. Shrinking the size and scope of government is the clearest way to reduce the incentive for special interest money, since less government means fewer funding targets.
  2. Fraudulent fundraising practices like "smurfing" drive up the cost of elections and force rivals to raise ever more money to compete.
  3. High and rigged campaign costs discourage people from running, shrinking the candidate pool and protecting entrenched interests.

Ka-ching: $18.3 M + $65 M = $83.3 million verdict against Trump

Lucian Truscott Newsletter • 6368 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Verdict Donald Trump New York Lawsuit
  1. Manhattan jury awarded $18.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages against Trump in E. Jean Carroll defamation trial.
  2. Trump criticized the verdict, claiming his First Amendment rights were taken away, and stated he would appeal.
  3. New York Attorney General aims to penalize Trump $370 million in a separate case for lying on loan and insurance applications.

At least five interesting things: Build Something, Dammit! (#56)

Noahpinion • 17235 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy Elections Public Policy International relations Labor Market
  1. There's a debate in progressive politics between focusing on delivering more goods and services for people versus fighting for control of the Democratic party's direction. Both sides have valid points, but it's important to prioritize tangible benefits for everyone.
  2. China's cyber espionage has grown alarmingly, with hackers accessing sensitive information from U.S. political figures. This raises concerns about privacy and national security, highlighting the need for stronger cybersecurity measures.
  3. Despite worries about disappearing good jobs, recent data shows that the landscape is changing. More high-skilled jobs in management and STEM are emerging, suggesting a positive shift in the job market.

I Guess I Don't Care Very Much About Jeffrey Epstein Because I Know How Child Sexual Abuse Usually Works

Freddie deBoer • 6002 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Criminal Justice Child abuse Public Perception Media influence
  1. Conspiracy theories can seem comforting because they make chaotic events feel more ordered and understandable. It's easier to think that there are powerful forces controlling events instead of random violence.
  2. The reality of child sexual abuse is often more common and mundane than we want to believe. It's frequently committed by someone close to the victim, making it less sensational but still deeply tragic.
  3. People often fixate on high-profile cases like Jeffrey Epstein because it feels simpler to blame a few bad actors rather than face the broader, more complex problem of child exploitation that is often hidden in plain sight.

Putin's Tucker

Diane Francis • 5635 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Criticism Political Commentary International relations War reporting
  1. Tucker Carlson acted more like a fan than a journalist during his interview with Putin, not challenging his claims at all. This left viewers without important facts about the war in Ukraine.
  2. Carlson framed his journey to interview Putin as brave journalism, but many real journalists wanted the chance and were denied. He was picked for his support of Russian viewpoints.
  3. The interview played into Putin's hands by spreading his false narratives. This undermined support for Ukraine at a critical time when the U.S. was debating military aid.

None Of This is About Online Safety

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1492 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Censorship Civil Rights Ethics Media
  1. Laws like the Kids Online Safety Act can take away internet anonymity and empower big tech, ultimately putting children at risk. It's not truly about making the internet safer for kids.
  2. Similar online safety laws in countries like the UK and Sri Lanka have led to censorship and the silencing of marginalized groups, showing a trend that could happen in the U.S.
  3. Censoring content claimed to protect children often hurts more vulnerable communities, and past laws have proven to be a tool for authoritarian control under the guise of safety.

Maybe This is Why You Shouldn't Have Published the Andrew Huberman Story

Freddie deBoer • 16120 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Ethics Gender Issues Public Opinion Investigative Reporting Cultural criticism
  1. The Andrew Huberman story did not include serious allegations like those in the Neil Gaiman story. It focused on infidelity and tardiness instead of misconduct.
  2. The way the Huberman story was presented created misunderstandings, leading many to think it was a MeToo story. The excitement around it suggested serious accusations were involved.
  3. It's important for journalism to clearly differentiate between bad behavior and harmful misconduct. Mixing them can dilute the serious conversation around issues like sexual assault.

An Uncomfortable, But Justified, Column About War

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 74 implied HN points • 03 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Political Discourse Media Partisanship Public Opinion Foreign Policy
  1. Open discourse is essential: pressure-test ideas by listening to opposing views so you don’t get stuck in an echo chamber.
  2. Think independently: say what you really believe instead of tailoring opinions to please others, and focus on a consistent process rather than always siding with one tribe.
  3. Seek counterarguments: actively find the strongest challenges to your views to expose blind spots, reduce risk, and make better decisions in politics, relationships, and investing.

The Fox Logo Burned into the Television

Residual Thoughts • 59 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media influence Political Discourse Cultural impact Corporate strategy
  1. Fox News grew because it tapped into a market that older networks ignored, particularly conservative viewers. This audience felt left out and found a home with Fox.
  2. The rise of Fox News shows how big companies can overlook parts of the market due to their internal culture. In this case, traditional networks had a liberal bias that prevented them from recognizing conservative viewers' needs.
  3. As Fox News became a big player, new competitors emerged that might offer even more extreme views. This is a cycle where big companies can become out of touch and risk being disrupted again.

Good News: Progressive Advocacy Groups Have Been Found Not Guilty By A Progressive Advocacy Group

Singal-Minded • 978 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Advocacy Demographics Messaging
  1. Democrats need to clarify their messages and define their core values to attract more voters. Not having a clear stance can hurt their chances during elections.
  2. A strategy called "inclusive populism" suggests that Democrats focus on economic inequality instead of moderating their positions on hot issues. This approach might not appeal to voters who care about other concerns, like immigration.
  3. It's important for Democrats to acknowledge and learn from past mistakes, such as handling border issues poorly, rather than ignore them. Recognizing these problems can help shape better policies in the future.

Europe's Final Fate

Diane Francis • 839 implied HN points • 18 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Foreign Policy International relations Defense Economy
  1. The upcoming U.S. presidential election will impact Europe's future, especially regarding NATO and the Ukraine war. The choice between an internationalist or an isolationist president affects how the U.S. supports Europe.
  2. If the U.S. reduces its role in NATO, Europe might need to increase its military spending and support Ukraine on its own. This could lead to economic instability in Europe as they face ongoing conflicts.
  3. European leaders feel frustrated about U.S. politics but recognize they must adapt regardless of who wins in America. Cooperation will be essential, regardless of the situation.

The courts aren’t coming to save us.

Today's Edition Newsletter • 7016 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Impeachment Legislation Judicial Advocacy
  1. Efforts to hold Trump accountable through the courts are important, but defeating him at the ballot box is crucial.
  2. The DC Circuit judges were openly skeptical of Trump's claim of presidential immunity, leading to a bizarre court hearing.
  3. Speaker Mike Johnson is facing challenges within the GOP caucus, where some members are considering his removal.

Florida Dem Congresspeople To Biden: Block Trans License Ban With Real ID Act

Erin In The Morning • 5935 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transgender rights Legislation Discrimination Equality Government intervention
  1. Florida Democrats urge Biden to use Real ID Act to block ban on trans driver's license changes.
  2. Florida implemented measures banning gender marker changes on driver's licenses for transgender individuals.
  3. Biden's administration can use the Real ID Act to protect transgender individuals facing discrimination in various states.

Unsticking Argentina

Doomberg • 5697 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Economy Government International relations
  1. Javier Milei has started implementing drastic economic changes in Argentina, which have already resulted in a reduction in government spending and inflation.
  2. Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale formation is crucial for boosting oil production, and Milei is encouraging investment in this area to increase the country's oil output significantly.
  3. Despite the positive changes, Milei faces a tough challenge with existing debts that could affect his plans for economic growth and stability.

Monthly Roundup #36: November 2025

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1702 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Elections Social Issues Media
  1. Google is teaming up with Polymarket to add prediction market odds to its search engine, showing the growing importance of these markets in information and finance.
  2. There's a lot of practical advice for young people on building relationships, staying healthy, and making positive life choices that can lead to success.
  3. Current trends in social media indicate that many platforms are focusing on short-form video content, which may be less beneficial for meaningful engagement compared to text or longer articles.

At least five interesting things: Trump aftermath edition (#52)

Noahpinion • 20117 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Voting behavior Public Policy Social Issues
  1. Election narratives that blame racism or sexism might not explain how people voted in 2024. Many nonwhite voters shifted towards Trump, showing Democrats need to rethink their approach to win back support.
  2. Democrats could benefit from focusing on economic growth while also supporting social safety nets. They should prioritize public services and aim for a shared American identity to unite voters.
  3. Recent signs suggest that progress in AI might be slowing. A variety of factors, including data limitations and ongoing issues like 'hallucinations', point to a more uncertain future for AI development.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Glastonbury—and the Purge of the Jews

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 6580 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Antisemitism Protests Media International relations Free speech
  1. The Glastonbury festival saw performances intertwined with strong anti-Israel sentiments, showcasing a loud protest atmosphere. Many attendees were actively chanting against the Israeli military.
  2. Some performers used their platforms to express controversial views, including calls for harm against Israeli defense forces. This sparked discussions and backlash across various media.
  3. The coverage of these events highlights a growing trend of linking criticism of Israel with broader social movements, raising concerns about how this affects perceptions of Jewish communities.

Minnesota Vice: How Corruption Took Over My State

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1214 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Immigration Law enforcement Nonprofits State Politics
  1. A massive Covid-era fraud centered on a Minneapolis nonprofit diverted well over $250 million meant for pandemic food relief.
  2. Investigators say millions of the stolen dollars were sent to Somalia and may have ultimately supported extremist groups, creating national security concerns.
  3. The scandal produced intense political backlash, criticism of state leadership, and aggressive immigration enforcement that has changed public perceptions of the state.

Links For January 2025

Astral Codex Ten • 15898 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Legislation Political Behavior Public Policy
  1. Running for Congress can be really tough. You often spend a lot of your own money and have to pause your job for a long time.
  2. The debate around AI's progress is heating up. Some people worry that if AI makes a big breakthrough but not everything it was supposed to, it could lead to misunderstandings about its true capabilities.
  3. There's a new dating site idea that matches people based on their chats with an AI helper. It's still in the early stages, but it's an interesting concept.

J.D. Vance's Speech in Munich

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13631 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Democracy Censorship Security Migration
  1. Democracy needs to be more than just a talk; it has to be lived out. Leaders should listen to the concerns of their citizens and ensure their voices are heard.
  2. Censorship and ignoring the opinions of voters can weaken democracy. Allowing free speech and dialogue is important for a strong society.
  3. There's a growing concern over mass migration and its impact on communities. People want their leaders to address their safety and quality of life regarding these issues.

Talking Banfield

Bet On It • 125 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Social Policy Welfare Policy Behavioral Economics Political culture Think Tanks
  1. Long-run poverty is often blamed on irresponsible behavior—especially strong present bias or high time preference—so many solutions focus on getting people to behave more responsibly or changing incentives.
  2. Scholars dispute the key psychological root: some single out time preference, while others prefer a broader concept like impulsivity or low conscientiousness as the main behavioral cause.
  3. There's a sharp divide over tractability: one view sees poverty as entrenched and hard to fix, while another believes tougher incentives and policies can gradually make irresponsible behavior more responsible.

Dominant But Vulnerable

Bulwark+ • 6584 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Legal issues Public Opinion Media Coverage
  1. Iowa caucuses confirmed Trump's dominance in the GOP but also showed his vulnerability in the general election.
  2. Low turnout in Iowa suggests an enthusiasm problem among GOP voters and a significant portion signaling they are Never Trump.
  3. Trump's active legal battles and courtroom campaign strategy may rally his base but could risk alienating swing voters in the general election.

Mozilla Fest 2025: Climate Justice & Resisting Borders

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 5170 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism Climate justice Social Issues Corporate Governance Political strategy
  1. Mozilla is shifting focus from being just a tech company to becoming a group of activists. They want to engage more with social and political issues.
  2. The Mozilla Festival 2025 will highlight themes like climate justice and resistance to borders, emphasizing their new direction.
  3. Despite facing financial struggles, Mozilla is determined to continue with this activist strategy, which raises questions about its long-term viability.

Does Manufacturing Matter?

ChinaTalk • 726 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Industrial Policy Economic Policy Trade policy National Security Supply Chains Defense industry
  1. Manufacturing alone is not a reliable path to mass jobs or higher productivity in advanced economies, since automation and high-value services often capture most of the gains.
  2. Manufacturing matters for national security and geopolitics, but the priority should be targeted: focus on chokepoints and dual-use goods like chips and magnets rather than low-value items like t-shirts.
  3. Industrial policy needs rigorous trade-off analysis—assessing monopolization risk, how quickly capacity can be repurposed, ecosystem effects, and opportunity costs—before deciding where to subsidize production versus buying other capabilities.

INTERVIEW: Corrupt, Filthy, Degenerates (MOATS w/ George Galloway)

The Chris Hedges Report • 182 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Investigations Law enforcement Scandal Political media Legal system Elections
  1. Trump is mentioned roughly 38,000 times in the Epstein files, and millions of related documents have been redacted.
  2. Those heavy FBI redactions are presented as evidence of secrecy and potential cover-ups involving powerful people.
  3. The interview condemns elites as corrupt and morally degenerate, arguing they evade accountability and public scrutiny.

Imperial Boomerang [VIDEO]

The Chris Hedges Report • 370 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Police brutality Civil Rights Criminal Justice Militarization Human Rights
  1. When a state perfects brutal control abroad, those same tactics often come home and are used against its own people.
  2. Many people tolerated or even celebrated harsh tactics when they were used on occupied populations or marginalized communities, making society complicit in that violence.
  3. That learned machinery of terror drives unaccountable killings and erodes civil liberties, so if it isn’t checked it puts everyone’s safety and democracy at risk.

DeSantis Is Defunct But Not Defused & Newsom Rejects Ban on Tackle Football for Children

kareem • 6132 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics State Politics Government Policies Elderly Care Children's Health
  1. Ron DeSantis ended his presidential campaign and endorsed Trump, leaving a significant impact
  2. Florida's state congressman introduced a bill to ban Pride flags in schools, sparking debate
  3. California governor opposes banning tackle football for kids, raising questions on child safety in sports

Zohran Mamdani's Magnificent First Two Weeks

JoeWrote • 582 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local government Housing Labor Social Policy Public Services Policing Foreign Policy
  1. Zohran Mamdani has moved quickly to prove a leftist can govern by using executive actions and bold appointments to deliver immediate results. He prioritized tenant protections, worker support, and a state-backed childcare pilot to show practical wins.
  2. The administration emphasizes concrete, everyday improvements—like public restrooms, suing exploitative gig apps, canceling harmful orders, and pro-worker commissions—to improve people’s lives rather than just talk.
  3. Significant pushback and legal hurdles already exist, from political attacks to court setbacks and policing questions, so governing will involve learning, tradeoffs, and managed growing pains.