The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Why "we" want insurance executives dead

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 18512 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare Insurance Public Sentiment Policy Critique Social justice
  1. People are really angry at insurance executives because they feel these leaders cause a lot of suffering by denying necessary healthcare. It's common for them to wish these executives faced the same pain they see others go through.
  2. Many people believe the healthcare system in the U.S. is broken and that executives profit while patients suffer. This has led to outrage, and some even make jokes or comments about violent retribution, which reflects their frustration.
  3. The media often focuses on the reactions to these comments instead of addressing the real issues within the healthcare system. Many individuals want change and accountability from those in power rather than violence.

Republicans Want Women to Have C-Sections Instead of Emergency Abortions

All in Her Head by Jessica Valenti • 6407 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Abortion Legislation Women's Rights Healthcare Anti-Abortion Movement
  1. Republicans in Wisconsin are pushing a bill that would force women to have c-sections or vaginal deliveries instead of emergency abortions.
  2. The anti-abortion movement is working to distance abortion from healthcare by advocating for more traumatic and unnecessary procedures.
  3. Democratic Governor Tony Evers has vowed to veto the bill, but the dangerous intentions behind it remain clear.

At least five interesting things: Red Tape edition (#57)

Noahpinion • 15706 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Tariffs Deregulation Policy Analysis Economic issues
  1. Environmental review laws like NEPA slow down development and can lead to unnecessary delays and high costs, affecting infrastructure projects.
  2. Jimmy Carter's legacy of deregulation is remembered as a way to navigate some current regulatory barriers and foster economic growth.
  3. Targeted tariffs are more effective than broad tariffs in managing imports and trade deficits, and there's new evidence that the Trump administration is shifting towards this approach.

Charles Koch's audacious new $5 billion political scheme

Popular Information • 11419 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Advocacy Campaign Finance
  1. Billionaire Charles Koch exploited a loophole to donate $5 billion for political advocacy without paying gift or capital gains taxes.
  2. Koch's rebranded image as non-partisan is contradicted by his continued extensive financial support for Republican candidates aligned with Trump.
  3. Another billionaire, Barre Seid, used a similar loophole to avoid taxes and donate $1.65 billion to a political advocacy group.

Goodbye to Joe Biden, and Whoever Was President the Last Four Years

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 15182 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Public Policy Political Commentary Biden administration
  1. Biden gave a farewell speech that expressed concerns about an 'oligarchy' forming in America. He mentioned how tech companies could threaten democracy.
  2. Many people feel Biden’s presidency was mostly about him being a public figure rather than an effective leader. There seemed to be a powerful force behind the presidency itself, separate from him.
  3. Biden highlighted a growing disconnect between the president as a person and the presidency as an institution during his term. This indicates a complex understanding of leadership in America.
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Bob Menendez, Al Franken, and the presumption of innocence

Popular Information • 11419 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Ethics Corruption Scandal Government
  1. Bob Menendez is currently facing allegations of accepting bribes in exchange for official favors.
  2. Despite the presumption of innocence, Senate Democrats have called for Menendez to resign over the corruption allegations.
  3. In contrast, when faced with similar allegations, Senate Democrats swiftly called for the resignation of Al Franken.

At least five interesting things: Will of the Masses edition (#55)

Noahpinion • 17353 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Opinion Elections Social media Immigration International relations
  1. Many young Americans are moving away from platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. They are using social media less, possibly because they prefer real-life interactions or find these platforms unhealthy.
  2. The rise of drones is changing our lives and making us more vulnerable. As drones become more common, people are realizing the potential threats they pose to safety and privacy.
  3. Asian voters are increasingly leaning towards the GOP in elections. Key issues driving this shift include concerns about crime, inflation, and educational opportunities.

Four reasons not to vote for Trump, and four reasons to vote for Harris

Noahpinion • 20235 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Political parties Candidates Campaigns
  1. Voting for Trump might increase threats from foreign adversaries like China and Russia. Many believe a leader needs to focus on these global challenges instead of internal conflicts.
  2. The people who tend to work with Trump often end up leaving or criticizing him. This raises concern about who would truly be in charge of the country if he were elected again.
  3. Kamala Harris is expected to continue the policies that have helped improve the economy recently, and she brings a more optimistic and patriotic tone to the Democratic party.

Proof of Systemic Racism in America

Erik Examines • 761 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Policing Racial Justice Health care Public Policy Civil Rights
  1. Multiple real-world and controlled studies show racial bias at every stage of the criminal system — from traffic stops and police shootings to searches, arrests, jury selection, and sentencing.
  2. Implicit stereotypes and dehumanizing views of Black people, including seeing Black children as older or less innocent, increase use of force and lead to harsher treatment.
  3. These biases cause concrete harms — higher arrest and incarceration rates, longer sentences, worse medical care, and reduced job opportunities — which reinforce racial inequality.

The Groyper Trap

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1477 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Online Harassment Social media Political Discourse Youth culture Activism
  1. Online spaces can create pressure to conform to certain opinions or behaviors, sometimes through intimidation. This makes it hard for individuals to express their true thoughts freely.
  2. Social blackmail often occurs where people face consequences for not aligning with specific groups. This can push individuals to compromise their beliefs to fit in.
  3. It's important to recognize these tactics and stand firm in your own beliefs to maintain authenticity in conversations, even when faced with societal pressure.

The Trump Derangement Index

In My Tribe • 607 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Partisanship Polarization Candidates Political Movements Public Opinion
  1. Tribalism and affective polarization make people fear and dislike opposing groups, which undermines compromise, trust, and fact-based political debate.
  2. Some progressives reject the idea that polarization is symmetric and instead portray the right as an existential, fascistic threat, while both sides have grown louder and more tribal in their rhetoric.
  3. The Trump Derangement Index is a simple scale that asks who you'd prefer over Trump, showing how people can prefer many non-Trump Republicans yet still favor Trump over most leading Democrats.

The Myth of the $140,000 Poverty Line

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1358 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Social Policy Welfare Policy Public Opinion Cost of living
  1. The proposal to raise the poverty line to $140,000 rests on flawed assumptions and cherry-picked evidence.
  2. It mixes up the cost of merely participating in modern American life with a proper poverty definition, and that misuse of concepts and data weakens the argument.
  3. There really are affordability problems in the U.S., but redefining poverty this way doesn’t clarify those problems or offer a useful solution.

Giant Electoral Asteroid Strikes America's Intellectual Class, Which Fails to Notice

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 20001 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Analysis Public Opinion Media Critique Political Movements
  1. The American intellectual class seems out of touch with the reality of elections. They often seem surprised by the outcomes despite all the past events leading up to them.
  2. There has been a lot of strong messaging against certain political figures, but it hasn't changed public opinion much. This disconnect shows the ineffectiveness of their strategies.
  3. Many people feel that the way news and ideas are spread has created a bubble, leaving critical voices unheard. It's as if they are communicating from a place that doesn't reflect the views of everyday people.

Here's a Perfect Example of Why Matt Yglesias Should Debate Me

Freddie deBoer • 7116 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debate Morality Protests Political strategy Critique
  1. Critics often challenge prominent figures to engage in debates, which can help them address different perspectives. Debates allow for a more dynamic exchange of ideas, rather than just responding to fans or supporters.
  2. When discussing protests, it's important to recognize the moral motivations behind people's actions. Not waving the American flag at certain protests can stem from a refusal to endorse the government's actions.
  3. Simplifying political discussions by avoiding moral considerations can lead to a disconnect with the everyday concerns of people. Engaging with moral arguments is crucial in understanding why people feel strongly about specific issues.

Why America Is Out of Ammunition

BIG by Matt Stoller • 55463 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military National Security Monopoly power Government oversight
  1. The Pentagon lacks oversight in tracking defense contractors, leading to issues in weapon production
  2. The defense industrial base is facing challenges due to prioritization of cash out over production
  3. The Government Accountability Office highlighted the lack of tracking defense-related mergers in the Pentagon, posing risks to national security

Pardon Me, But This Is Bullshit

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 17954 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Elections Public Opinion Justice
  1. The idea of pardoning someone like Anthony Fauci suggests there may be unreported wrongdoing. It makes you wonder what crimes might actually be involved.
  2. When officials say they are 'weighing' pardons, it often means they've already made up their minds. They just want to see how the public reacts first.
  3. Criticism from political opponents usually indicates broader problems. It's not just one side that's upset; it could be a sign of bigger issues at play.

'Billy Grass' and the Investment Group: U.S. Attorneys publish transcripts from DEA narcoterrorism corruption scandal implying ties to recent acting DEA chief

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 406 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law enforcement Corruption Drug Trafficking National Security Investigations
  1. Prosecutors published transcripts and chat screenshots alleging that former DEA financial official Paul Campo and ex‑CIA operative Robert Sensi coordinated with a confidential source posing as a CJNG member to launder money and arrange weapons and explosives deals.
  2. The filings claim Campo advertised past work in New York and suggested close ties to top DEA leadership, including acting DEA head Derek Maltz, implying potential access to high‑level agency officials.
  3. Authorities seized many phones, used cellphone location data, and filed indictments and bail opposition papers, and the case is actively moving through court with further discovery and hearings ongoing.

The Incredibility of Credibility

Bet On It • 322 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Political Psychology Political Economy Immigration Social Security Governance
  1. People and politicians often reject bold policy reforms not because credible commitments are impossible, but because they emotionally dislike the reforms; they'd rather avoid humiliating or unpopular steps than implement effective but distasteful changes.
  2. Radical changes usually demand loud public promises, cultural shifts, or rules that feel unfair (for example to immigrants or seniors), so leaders expect voter backlash and won’t pursue them even when they might work.
  3. Credibility and institutional fixes matter mainly for technical, low-salience issues (like central bank policy); for high-emotion, “juicy” issues feelings and politics, not clever commitments, decide outcomes.

The EPA's Incredible $20 Billion Dollar Caper, Explained

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13401 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Corruption Policy Oversight
  1. The EPA allegedly parked $20 billion of taxpayer money with an outside financial institution, which raised concerns about accountability. People are worried because this is the first time something like this has happened at the EPA.
  2. There seems to be a rush to commit this money without proper oversight, which means mistakes could happen. Many believe this can lead to misuse or corruption.
  3. This situation highlights the need for more transparency and scrutiny within government financial practices. It's crucial for citizens to understand how their tax dollars are being managed.

An Open Letter to Nikki Haley

Bulwark+ • 6073 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Parties Politicians Campaigns
  1. The Republican party is facing challenges and Nikki Haley is encouraged to speak up against Trump
  2. Nikki Haley is urged to be honest and bold in her campaign, speaking out against Trump and embracing her true beliefs
  3. The importance of Nikki Haley addressing her past actions, speaking out against Trump, and potentially shaping a new role for herself

ACX Survey Results 2025

Astral Codex Ten • 14591 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Surveys Elections Public Opinion Political Behavior COVID-19 Criminal Justice
  1. The survey showed that people's attitudes about Donald Trump have changed positively, with his favorability ratings increasing over time.
  2. About 4.5% of participants reported experiencing Long COVID, and while new cases are appearing, many seem to improve over time.
  3. Most respondents prefer older architecture over modern styles, and they tend to support softer approaches to punishment for minor crimes like shoplifting.

The Christchurch City Council NZ opens up another women’s swim session to men if they say they’re women, but bar them if they don’t.

A B’Old Woman • 759 implied HN points • 20 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Policy Public Policy Discrimination Gender identity
  1. The Christchurch City Council allows men who identify as women to join women-only swim sessions but does not allow men who don't identify as such. This raises questions about fairness and discrimination.
  2. There is concern that the Council's policy might violate rights under New Zealand law since it doesn't clearly separate sessions based on sex.
  3. Many people are starting to push back against policies that seem to blur lines between men and women, showing a growing demand for clarity and fairness in these spaces.

Indiana Launches Anti-LGBTQ "Snitch Line," Users Flood With Memes In Protest

Erin In The Morning • 5503 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics LGBTQ+ Protest Education Activism
  1. Indiana's Attorney General launched a tool for reporting LGBTQ+ education in schools, sparking a flood of memes in protest.
  2. Users submitted prank submissions to the reporting tool, including memes of Godzilla and the Bee Movie script.
  3. Similar attempts to launch 'snitch lines' by other administrations have also faced backlash and pranks.

Trump Helps Putin Kill Ukrainians: A Case Study

Phillips’s Newsletter • 329 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy National Security Presidency Diplomacy Disinformation Human Rights
  1. Russia launched a massive missile and drone strike targeting Ukraine’s power and heating systems during an extreme cold snap, a deliberate move to maximize civilian suffering.
  2. The U.S. president publicly claimed he had secured a week-long pledge from Putin not to strike energy targets, but strikes continued, which undermines that claim and spread misleading information that aided Russia.
  3. There is urgent pressure for the U.S. to impose sanctions and restart military aid to Ukraine, since inaction or the spread of disinformation enables further attacks on civilians.

On "Internews"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13541 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Media Public Policy Journalism Censorship
  1. USAID has secretly funded a group called Internews Network with nearly half a billion dollars. This money has helped create a lot of media outreach and training for journalists.
  2. Internews Network has worked with thousands of media outlets and has produced many broadcasts that have reached millions of people.
  3. There are concerns about Internews supporting social media censorship, which raises questions about freedom of speech and information.

The Death of British Conservatism

Striking 13 • 3833 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conservatism Populism Government Ideology
  1. The Conservative party in Britain is facing potential annihilation with its support dropping drastically in polls.
  2. Populist conservatism has replaced traditional conservatism in the UK, leading to a significant ideological shift.
  3. There is a call for true conservatives to regain control and fight for the core values within the Conservative party to prevent complete ideological loss.

U.S. venture capital has a globalism problem

Jeff Giesea • 279 implied HN points • 16 Sep 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Venture Capital Foreign Investment Geopolitics Innovation National Security
  1. A lot of U.S. venture capital comes from foreign investors, which can present risks to national security. It's important to know where the money is coming from to protect innovation.
  2. Stricter rules and more transparency are needed in venture capital to prevent foreign influence and risks, especially in critical tech sectors.
  3. We should encourage the creation of venture funds that support U.S. interests and work with government agencies to secure technological advancements.

Public Money vs Private Money

Points And Figures • 639 implied HN points • 10 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Fiscal policy Public Finance Welfare Policy Pensions Regulation Government spending
  1. Public money belongs to taxpayers, so its use should be controlled to protect taxpayers' interests and prevent misuse, including restricting transfers out of the country.
  2. When governments or public pension funds invest on behalf of taxpayers, the top priority should be maximizing risk-adjusted returns and meeting liquidity needs, not pursuing DEI/ESG or virtue signaling.
  3. People and private companies can spend or invest their own earned money according to their values, while public companies are accountable to shareholders who expect financial performance.

Biden's tarnished industrial legacy

Noahpinion • 15529 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis Industrial Policy Political Legacy
  1. Biden's industrial policies, like the CHIPS Act, created a boom in U.S. manufacturing, which is good for the economy. These programs encouraged private companies to invest in factories and technology.
  2. Despite some successes, Biden's approach had major flaws, like listening too much to special interest groups and not fixing regulatory issues that slow down government action. These problems could hinder the future of manufacturing in America.
  3. Blocking Nippon Steel's attempt to buy U.S. Steel seemed like a protective move, but it upset an important ally, Japan, and could hurt the U.S. economy by stalling investments and modernization that the deal would have brought.

The Trump campaign has no grassroots Gen Z meme energy

Jeff Giesea • 818 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns Media Elections Social Issues
  1. The Trump campaign lacks the young, grassroots support it had in 2016. It feels slow and less exciting compared to before.
  2. Kamala Harris is gaining momentum with strong support from young people and the media. Her recent rallies have drawn large crowds, showing enthusiasm for her campaign.
  3. Harris is innovating and adapting faster than Trump, which helps her in fundraising and polling. This gives her an advantage as the election approaches.

Cool Paper on the progressive effect of upzoning

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 252 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing policy Urban Policy Zoning Real Estate Economic Policy Local government
  1. Targeted upzoning mainly triggers redevelopment on low-density, high-value parcels near city centers, and those changes tend to take many years to materialize.
  2. Newly added floorspace lowers rents only modestly and diffusely because supply effects spread across the region, so undoing the large scarcity-driven rent premium would require much larger, citywide building and depends a lot on migration responses.
  3. Mid-20th-century zoning now imposes large welfare losses because floorspace prices far exceed construction costs, and the post-2008 mortgage/finance shock that curtailed suburban single-family building amplified the current housing shortage.

On the Farm, Trump’s Tariffs Are Still Causing Misery

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 125 implied HN points • 21 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trade policy Agriculture Tariffs Supreme Court Economic Policy
  1. Tariffs and trade fights have severely hurt farmers' incomes, with soybean prices collapsing so some couldn't break even.
  2. Cuts to federal sustainability programs removed important support and made it harder for farms to survive.
  3. Even if some tariffs are struck down, the damage to long-built export markets may not be fixed and farmers still face ongoing uncertainty about future policy.

Test Case

Doomberg • 7086 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy Nuclear Energy Technology Innovation Political History
  1. American wildcatters, known for oil and gas, are now turning to nuclear energy. This shift shows a big change in how the U.S. thinks about its energy sources.
  2. The new energy policies focus on nuclear power, marking a major change since the 1973 oil crisis. This push aims to reorganize America's entire energy system towards nuclear and away from renewables.
  3. Key players in promoting nuclear energy are experienced in the shale industry. Their background might help speed up the development of new nuclear technologies and reactors.

Pro-Israel Forces Intensify Effort To Control American Discourse

Stark Realities with Brian McGlinchey • 1071 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Discourse Media influence Government intervention Civil Rights Foreign Relations
  1. Support for Israel is decreasing in the U.S., leading some groups to try harder to control what people can say about it. These efforts include pressuring social media and influencing discussions in schools.
  2. The U.S. government has taken unusual steps to limit pro-Palestinian viewpoints, like forcing a major app's ownership change and targeting students who speak out. This shows a strong push to silence criticism of Israel.
  3. There's ongoing debate about what counts as antisemitism, with some definitions being used to shut down criticism of Israeli policies. Many people feel this is limiting open discussions and free speech in America.