The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

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NZ’s Law Commission is proposing to make ‘misgendering’ and ‘deadnaming’ illegal – have your say via the Free Speech Union and tell them “not on my watch”.

A B’Old Woman • 539 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Gender Rights Legislation Human Rights Hate Speech
  1. New Zealand's Law Commission wants to make 'misgendering' and 'deadnaming' illegal. This means using someone's old name or wrong pronouns could be against the law.
  2. If 'gender' and 'gender identity' are added to the Human Rights Act, it could lead to restrictions on what people can say. Many think this is a threat to free speech.
  3. People are encouraged to share their opinions with the Free Speech Union about these proposals. They can express their concerns and say they oppose the changes.

The information space around military AI is being weaponized against us

Weaponized • 83 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense Policy AI Governance Congressional Oversight Executive Power Civil Liberties Surveillance National Security
  1. Focusing the debate on whether a human stays “in the loop” narrows the issue and hides the bigger question of whether advanced AI should be embedded into military decision-making at all and who should control or oversee it.
  2. Media and political framing are substituting simpler questions for harder governance issues, which concentrates power in the executive branch and a few private AI firms while sidelining Congress and public oversight.
  3. Integrating AI into defense systems dramatically expands surveillance and inference capabilities in ways that threaten civil liberties, and existing laws don’t address unexplainable AI inferences or the need for new safeguards before deployment.

What drove Asian and Hispanic voters to the right in 2024

Noahpinion • 16529 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting behavior Political trends Demographics Party Dynamics
  1. Asian and Hispanic voters shifted to the right in the 2024 election due to a mix of economic concerns and perceived disconnection from the Democratic Party's values. Many felt that their priorities were not being addressed.
  2. For Asian voters, issues like crime and education were key factors. Many were frustrated with rising crime rates and felt that the Democrats were not prioritizing their safety and educational opportunities.
  3. Hispanic voters also expressed economic concerns, especially about inflation and rising costs. Some felt that the Democratic Party was out of touch with their family values and priorities, contributing to their shift toward Republicans.

Justin Trudeau's Painful Last Faceplant

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 15168 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations Political Leadership Trade Policies Feminism Social media
  1. Justin Trudeau is trying to discuss women's rights and progress but faces challenges due to political tensions with the U.S.
  2. The situation is tense because Donald Trump has threatened Canada with tariffs, affecting their trade relationship.
  3. The ongoing conflict between Trudeau and Trump has become a spectacle, drawing public attention and commentary.
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They Voted for Trump, Not for His Immigration Detention Center

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 92 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Deportation Federal Policy Local Politics Elections Public Opinion Civil Rights
  1. When residents learned federal plans to convert a nearby warehouse into a huge immigration detention center, their political loyalty to the president broke down.
  2. Federal officials planned to buy a 798,000-square-foot warehouse and convert it into a facility with room for about 8,500 detainees as part of a broader mass deportation strategy.
  3. A reliably Republican community pushed back against the project, showing that direct local impacts can outweigh partisan loyalty.

Note On the Brennan and Comey Investigations

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 5160 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigations FBI CIA Government Social media
  1. Kash Patel hinted on the Joe Rogan show that he was looking into past FBI and CIA leaders' activities. It shows there might be serious investigations going on.
  2. There is a significant amount of documents and hard drives that former FBI Director Comey hid in a room at the Hoover Building. This could reveal important information related to past investigations.
  3. Brennan and Comey are not the only ones being investigated, indicating that the momentum of these investigations is growing and could lead to more significant findings.

Highlights From The Comments On Prison

Astral Codex Ten • 15485 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Prison Reform Policing Public Policy Societal Impact
  1. Many criminals act without thinking of long-term consequences. They might believe they'd get away with risky behavior, such as driving drunk, which can lead to serious problems later on.
  2. Prison can sometimes offer a break from harmful lifestyles, especially for those already struggling with addiction or crime. It might not disrupt a stable life, since some people had a challenging life full of problems even before incarceration.
  3. The effectiveness of longer prison sentences as a deterrent is questionable. Many criminals don't pay attention to the details of potential punishments, but are more influenced by the chance of getting caught while committing a crime.

Enacting Land Value Return in your hometown

Progress and Poverty • 923 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local government Tax policy Housing policy Urban planning Civic engagement Legal analysis Data Modeling Policy advocacy
  1. Find a local elected champion and build a coalition of nearby allies; motivated local people paired with the right official can win reforms without a huge grassroots movement.
  2. Do the homework: study local law (uniformity, classification, assessment rates, exemptions, millage), involve the assessor early, gather parcel and valuation data, map land values, and model a revenue‑neutral shift so you can show who wins and loses.
  3. Be pragmatic and start small with voluntary, revenue‑neutral local opt‑ins (split‑rate, universal building exemption, leases, or targeted capture), and use short policy briefs and clear visuals to convince busy politicians.

Sall Grover gets cancelled in New Zealand, as entirely expected.

A B’Old Woman • 1059 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Cancel Culture Political Activism Civil Rights Public Policy
  1. Sall Grover's speaking event in New Zealand was canceled by a taxpayer-funded venue. This shows how some organizations can be influenced by public opinion.
  2. The Women's Rights Party is looking for alternate venues for the event and has a backup plan in place. They believe in standing up for free speech.
  3. Complaints were made against the event, but it's unclear how many were legitimate. It raises questions about how venues handle bookings based on public sentiment.

China’s Stealth War Has Already Begun

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 881 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy National Security Economic Policy Trade policy Technology Policy Information Warfare
  1. China is running a coordinated, stealth campaign to weaken the U.S. across economic, technological, informational, diplomatic, and gray-zone military areas while avoiding open warfare.
  2. The Chinese state uses subsidies, forced technology transfers, and state-directed investments to seize control of critical supply chains and strategic industries like rare earths, batteries, pharmaceuticals, and advanced sensors.
  3. Beijing also manipulates international institutions, pressures allies, and exploits platforms and algorithms to shape global opinion and keep the U.S. divided and unsure how to respond.

Gaslit Nation

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13645 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Government Public Policy Media Society
  1. Many people are frustrated with confusing news and feel like they're being manipulated by those in power. It seems authorities are not being honest with the public.
  2. The term 'Gaslit Nation' suggests that citizens feel deceived and misled about important issues. Trust between the public and officials is eroding.
  3. There's a sense that sensational stories are distracting people from real problems. People want clearer communication from their leaders and more transparency.

Two ordinary Kiwis go toe-to-toe with their local school over inappropriate gender-identity and sexuality content in the curriculum.

A B’Old Woman • 479 implied HN points • 02 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Gender Curriculum Parenting Activism
  1. Parents are concerned about certain gender and sexuality topics in their kids' school curriculum. They feel the content is inappropriate for children.
  2. Two parents, Blair and Karen, are actively fighting against this content and have formed a support group called PAGE NZ. This group helps others share their concerns and experiences.
  3. Not all schools use the same content from the guidelines, but those that do face strong pushback from parents trying to protect their kids.

IBM Taking DEI “Under the Radar”

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 4021 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Corporate Policy Lawsuits Employment Whistleblowing
  1. IBM has renamed its diversity programs to hide them from scrutiny, while still keeping DEI groups and practices in place. It's like changing a label but keeping the same contents inside.
  2. Despite some changes, IBM may still be practicing discriminatory hiring, as their recent intern classes appear to lack diversity in specific demographics like white men.
  3. The overall approach of IBM seems to indicate a resistance to fully abandon DEI policies, suggesting that these initiatives still hold influence within the company's structure.

McCarthy's sham impeachment inquiry.

Today's Edition Newsletter • 9650 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Impeachment Policy Election security Political Commentary
  1. The impeachment inquiry by McCarthy is a sham without any concrete basis, causing distraction and harm to Congress and the American people.
  2. Vladimir Putin has praised Donald Trump, highlighting the need to ensure US election security before the 2024 elections.
  3. Child poverty nearly doubled due to the termination of pandemic-related economic assistance by Senator Joe Manchin and Republicans.

2025: A Jewish Perspective

In My Tribe • 622 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Israel policy Identity politics Partisan Politics National Security Higher education Antisemitism
  1. Israel wants peace but faces deep rejectionism from militant movements that refuse a Jewish state, so responsibility for many civilian deaths lies with groups like Hamas rather than Israel.
  2. Older right-leaning Jews welcome moves against campus antisemitism and DEI and appreciate strong US support for Israel, but they fear heavy-handed tactics could alienate allies and that American backing may not be durable.
  3. Rising antisemitism reflects a broader ideological crisis where Jews become scapegoats, and the suggested remedy is stronger security measures — more intelligence, strict law enforcement, and aggressive action against terrorists — rather than just education.

CROSSPOST: SARAH JEONG: It doesn’t matter if Alex Pretti had a gun

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 284 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law enforcement Immigration Civil Rights Criminal Justice Public Policy Protests
  1. Public debate gets diverted to whether victims "deserved" their fate (did they have a gun, did they provoke it) instead of asking if law enforcement followed the law and used proportionate force.
  2. Federal agencies like ICE, CBP, and Border Patrol often escalate situations and use excessive or unlawful force, operating with little accountability and increasing public fear and protest.
  3. Civilians are held to stricter standards of restraint while armed, salaried agents face fewer consequences, and that double standard erodes rule of law and meaningful police accountability.

Harris is flanking Trump on white male outreach

Jeff Giesea • 738 implied HN points • 06 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Identity politics Political strategy
  1. Kamala Harris's choice of Tim Walz as her running mate shows a strategy to appeal to straight white men. This move is seen as a way to reach a demographic that typically supports Trump.
  2. There is a belief that Walz's relatable personality and image could attract swing voters who might be on the fence about their political choices. Even small changes in voting patterns could have a big impact in the election.
  3. Harris could further connect with men by addressing their issues directly, which may help her campaign. Speaking on topics relevant to modern males could challenge the narrative and attract more support.

Label Makers

Doomberg • 6000 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Judiciary Environmental
  1. Some lawmakers want to put warning labels on gas pumps about air pollution and climate change, similar to cigarette warnings. This shows an effort to inform the public about the impacts of fossil fuels.
  2. California's Proposition 65 has led to thousands of lawsuits over product warnings, causing businesses to spend a lot of money just to avoid legal trouble. Many labels are now on products to prevent lawsuits rather than to inform consumers.
  3. The legal system's power can sometimes hurt businesses and stifle innovation. There's a feeling that it might be time to make changes to help businesses grow better.

March 7, 2026

Letters from an American • 31 implied HN points • 08 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy National Security Presidency International relations Military Action Latin America
  1. The president’s public demand for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and shifting goals show chaotic decision-making with little planning for the aftermath, escalating violence and risking wider regional conflict and global disruption.
  2. The administration is pushing military-style interventions in the Western Hemisphere—calling for an anti-cartel coalition, convening right-wing allies, and openly threatening Cuba—which signals expanded U.S. aggression beyond the Middle East.
  3. Lawmakers and reporters warn that the president’s actions often align with Russian interests, and concerns about ties linked to the Epstein files and reports of Russia aiding Iran raise serious national security and motive questions.

L’affaire Dokoupil: Is Ta-Nehisi Coates deeply ignorant, a bigoted antisemite, or both?

Carolina Curmudgeon • 59 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Race Conflict Public Opinion Identity politics
  1. Ta-Nehisi Coates faced criticism for his views on Israel in a recent book, which some believe are biased and factually incorrect.
  2. Tony Dokoupil, the CBS host who questioned Coates, was admonished by CBS News, sparking a debate about media standards and questioning important figures.
  3. The discussion around Coates' statements raises concerns about the portrayal of Israel, with some arguing that he presents a one-sided narrative that ignores broader context.

Wow!

Today's Edition Newsletter • 9552 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law Court Judges Prosecution
  1. The indictment against Trump is powerful, with evidence that will be hard for him to dispute.
  2. Judge Aileen Cannon will likely preside over the trial, despite concerns about her impartiality.
  3. Prosecutor Jack Smith is confident in securing a conviction, even with Judge Cannon on the case.

SC Witness Reveals Comically Large Binder Of Trans Studies After Republicans Ask For Studies

Erin In The Morning • 5660 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Transgender
  1. During a hearing on a bill in South Carolina, a witness presented a massive binder of trans studies when challenged for evidence.
  2. Multiple studies highlight the importance of gender affirming care for transgender youth for their mental health and well-being.
  3. Legislation like House Bill 4624 in South Carolina threatens to deny necessary care and target transgender individuals across different age groups.

Good Riddance, Jasmine Crockett

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 54 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Parties Media Legislation Public Opinion
  1. Her loud, spectacle-driven style won viral attention but lost voter confidence. People want representatives who focus on governing and the less glamorous work, not constant performance.
  2. Public gaffes and factual errors—on TV and in public statements—undermined her credibility as a lawyer and congresswoman. Those mistakes made opponents and neutral voters question how carefully she handles facts.
  3. A more conventional, policy-focused challenger appealed to voters and won, showing that elections often reflect long-term impressions rather than single incidents. Blaming procedural issues after the loss came across as an excuse rather than accountability.

This is not a good way to fight racism in America

Noahpinion • 34882 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Discrimination Diversity Social Issues Government Policy
  1. Creating a multiracial society requires deep societal changes and can't be achieved through quick fixes or shortcuts
  2. Forging a shared national identity in a diverse society is challenging but achievable through extended, cooperative contact between racial groups
  3. Efforts to combat racism through shortcuts like discriminatory practices or oversimplified diversity training often backfire and require long-term, thoughtful solutions

Misunderstanding antisemitism in America

Slow Boring • 5562 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Antisemitism Ideology Discrimination
  1. College campuses are not hotbeds of antisemitism, and education tends to decrease antisemitic attitudes.
  2. Views on Israel do not equate to antisemitism, and it's essential to distinguish criticism of Israel from antisemitism.
  3. Most Americans are not antisemitic, and the US is inclusive, but there are historical antisemitic legacies that still need to be addressed.

The Coming Labor War

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 99 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor Rights Economic Policy Workplace Issues Unions Social justice
  1. Workers in many fields, including tech, are facing pay cuts and longer workdays due to changes like returning to the office. This shift can feel like a 20% decrease in salary when you consider added costs and time.
  2. Many employers believe they don't need the human workforce because of advancements in AI and automation. But this belief ignores the reality that people are essential for gathering data and driving the economy.
  3. There is a growing movement among workers, including office employees, to demand better wages and working conditions. As more people realize they are part of the labor force, we might see significant changes in workers' rights in the near future.

Rich businessmen have remembered they're Republicans

Slow Boring • 5051 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Banking Election Policy Business
  1. Biden administration announced new regulatory caps on overdraft fees to protect consumers from financial exploitation.
  2. CEOs like Jamie Dimon are more concerned with business-friendly regulations for profit than political ideologies.
  3. The Biden administration's stance on bank regulation highlights a shift in priorities from the Trump era.

Out with a Bang as FTC Beats the PharmaBros

BIG by Matt Stoller • 39535 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Antitrust Crypto Private Equity Legislation
  1. FTC achieved a significant victory in a merger case which could impact corporate America
  2. Judge Rakoff ruled that certain crypto assets are securities, setting a precedent for regulation in the crypto space
  3. Private equity firm involvement in a rent-fixing scheme highlights potential liabilities for such ownership arrangements

It Shouldn't Have Taken This Much For Mainstream Voices To Start Speaking Up About Gaza

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 4302 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Human Rights Foreign Policy Activism Media Criticism Societal Issues
  1. Many mainstream voices are finally speaking out about the situation in Gaza, which is seen as a significant shift. It shows that more people are recognizing the severity of the crisis.
  2. The actions and consequences in Gaza have been incredibly harsh and brutal, yet it took a drastic increase in suffering for some to finally react. People are questioning why it took so long for this awareness to grow.
  3. There's a need for society to reflect on its values and beliefs, as past silence on such grave issues indicates a deeper problem. It's important to push for significant changes to prevent similar situations in the future.

Billionaires Can Flee Mamdani, But Small Business Can’t Hide

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 445 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local government State Politics Tax policy Public Finance Small business Urban Policy Economic Policy
  1. The mayor’s ambitious social programs will be expensive and will require new revenue from the state to be paid for.
  2. Wealthy individuals can often avoid higher personal taxes by moving away, but corporations are harder to escape taxing because state and city corporate taxes are apportioned based on where their sales occur.
  3. If Albany raises corporate income taxes to fund these plans, the increases could ripple through the economy and end up hurting small, local businesses.

The Emperor Has No Brains

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 15573 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Strategy Nuclear Weapons Political Leadership International relations
  1. There's a lot of military tension right now, and the actions being taken could either mean nothing or signal serious problems ahead. It's a risky situation for everyone involved.
  2. Joe Biden's recent appearances and decisions have raised questions about who is really leading NATO and whether he is in control of the situation.
  3. With more advanced weapons being used in the conflict, the potential for escalation is high, and it’s important to pay attention to how this affects global relations.

Welcome to Boomland

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 5831 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Violence Election Policy Disasters
  1. Boomland, a fireworks emporium in Missouri, serves as a symbol of American complexities and fears.
  2. The region, historically marked by the New Madrid earthquake zone, faces a looming threat of catastrophic seismic activity.
  3. The author reflects on the state of America, the government's handling of crises, and the need for individuals to define moral principles amidst chaos.

Fifteen Years Ago Today I Became a Whistleblower

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 1039 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Whistleblowing Insurance Industry Government reform Political Advocacy
  1. Becoming a whistleblower can be a big, brave step. It means standing up for what's right, even when it could hurt your career.
  2. Working in healthcare, some companies mislead the public and lawmakers. This can lead to serious consequences, like denying care to patients who need it.
  3. Transparency and honesty are vital in healthcare. Sharing insider knowledge can help push for important reforms and make the system better for everyone.

Classic Takes: How I Murdered The Weekly Standard!

Emerald Robinson’s The Right Way • 5535 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conservatism Media Opinion Journalism
  1. The author's essay on 'The Collapse of the Never Trumpers' led to significant consequences in conservative media.
  2. The essay sparked a public war among conservative intellectuals and contributed to the downfall of the Weekly Standard and the expulsion of key figures like Jonah Goldberg.
  3. The author's actions and writings challenged the traditional conservative narrative and had a notable impact on media personalities and institutions.

CROSSPOST: SARAH JEONG: Best Gas Masks

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 238 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Liberties Law enforcement Protests Authoritarianism Criminal Justice Public Safety
  1. Tear gas is used routinely by authorities and often ends up provoking and punishing protesters instead of calming situations, turning crowd control into a tool of political repression.
  2. Ordinary people now have to buy and learn to use gas masks and respirators to safely exercise their rights, showing that protesting has become a risky, arms-length activity.
  3. Focusing on small, practical details like fit, filters, straps, and price makes the larger problem of illiberal policing concrete and reveals how thin the line is between policing and political repression.

Congrats To Polymarket, But I Still Think They Were Mispriced

Astral Codex Ten • 16656 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Forecasting Betting Market Analysis Political trends
  1. Polymarket, a prediction market, did well during the recent election by accurately calling results and gaining popularity. However, there are still concerns about accuracy in their pricing, particularly regarding Trump shares.
  2. It's important not to overreact to single significant events when making predictions. Even if things seem to favor one hypothesis after an event, it doesn't mean we should change our overall beliefs drastically.
  3. The reliability of prediction markets like Polymarket compared to non-money forecasting sites like Metaculus is still up for debate. Past performance shows non-money forecasters often have better accuracy, and big bets from individuals can create misleading odds in prediction markets.