The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

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A dystopian Peter Pan

uTobian • 7724 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Politics News Education
  1. Democrats believe children should make medical decisions with lifelong consequences.
  2. Minor consent bills allowing children to be vaccinated without parental consent are seen as unethical.
  3. Endocrine disruption from vaccines may prevent some children from hitting puberty.

How Zeynep Tufekci and Jeremy Howard Masked America

The New Normal • 7724 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health Policy Making
  1. The Cochrane review concluded that masks had little to no impact on preventing COVID or flu.
  2. Zeynep Tufekci and Jeremy Howard played a decisive role in shifting CDC guidance and ushering in mask mandates across America.
  3. Zeynep's advocacy for masks and other COVID interventions, based on information from China, had significant influence despite lacking relevant expertise.

FOIA Files, Russia Edition: Reports The Government Used to Support its 2016 Joint Attribution

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 3435 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Intelligence Cybersecurity Legislation
  1. The government took a long time to release important documents about Russia's interference in the 2016 election. This was only achieved after a lawsuit was filed to access them.
  2. One document released later showed that the intelligence community had little evidence about Russian influence during the election. Another more detailed report indicated a stronger Russian threat.
  3. The documents suggest that the Obama administration may have manipulated intelligence regarding Russian interference. It's essential for the public to have access to these reports for transparency.

Hate Thy Neighbor: How Progressive D.C. Treats National Guardsmen with Contempt

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 820 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Politics Federal Policy Immigration Civil-Military Public Opinion Law enforcement Security
  1. National Guardsmen in D.C. have been met with hostility and contempt. For example, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was reportedly spat at by locals before she was killed in an ambush.
  2. Progressive, well-off D.C. residents have openly expressed resistance to the National Guard and ICE, with calls to “resist” appearing on neighborhood listservs and other local venues.
  3. The city’s strong political uniformity doesn’t fully explain the rancor, and the Guard’s mobilization under presidential orders has intensified local backlash and raised moral questions about how neighbors and service members are treated.

Friday Funnies: Incoming

Who is Robert Malone • 33 implied HN points • 06 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics State Politics Congress Corruption Media Culture war Public Policy
  1. Both the “woke” left and the “woke” right are portrayed as extreme groups that share similar flaws but don’t actually work together.
  2. A major fraud surge in Minnesota prompted congressional scrutiny of the governor, yet the story was largely ignored by mainstream media.
  3. The piece mixes sharp political criticism with light, humorous content—personal anecdotes about noisy teen interns and praise for a standout Australian commercial.
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Why I'm nervous about what happens after Starmer

Odds and Ends of History • 1139 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Leadership Public Policy Governance
  1. Keir Starmer seems to be losing influence and might not be effective in the long run. Many people feel he is like a 'lame duck' leader.
  2. There's concern about what will happen to the leadership and direction of the party after Starmer. This uncertainty raises questions for supporters.
  3. The future of political strategies and decisions is in doubt, which makes many people anxious about upcoming changes.

The Jewish Parents Who Raised Mamdani Voters

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 677 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Politics Elections Voter Behavior Identity politics Political Campaigns
  1. Zohran Mamdani won New York City's mayoral race, creating a historic and contentious political moment.
  2. His victory has deepened generational and ideological splits in families—especially Jewish households—where debates over Zionism and accusations of antisemitism have become personal.
  3. Young supporters feel triumphant and validated for their activism, even as many continue to clash with parents and relatives at the dinner table about politics.

Slavery was bad

Slow Boring • 7095 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Economics Slavery Political Discourse Capitalism
  1. Slaveowners among America's founding fathers knew slavery was bad, but still profited from it.
  2. In the early 19th century, the South shifted to viewing slavery as a 'positive good,' leading to political divides and eventually the Civil War.
  3. A new paper by economic historians argues that the costs of slavery far outweighed the benefits, likening enslavement to theft.

Is Elon Musk a raging free speech hypocrite?

Jeff Giesea • 539 implied HN points • 10 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Censorship Media Critique Public Figures Political Discourse
  1. Elon Musk often criticizes Western democracies like the UK for free speech restrictions but is quiet about countries with worse situations, such as Saudi Arabia and China.
  2. His approach to free speech seems inconsistent. While he claims to support it, some of his actions, like limiting competition on X, look hypocritical.
  3. Many feel Musk isn't doing a good job managing free expression on X. His spontaneous tweets and decisions can hurt the cause of free speech instead of helping it.

Abigail Shrier: How the Gender Fever Finally Broke

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 9626 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Medical Ethics Public Policy Free speech Education
  1. There has been a significant shift in the conversation around gender identity, with actions taken to limit certain medical practices for children. This shows a growing recognition of the complexities involved with gender issues.
  2. Concerns have been raised about how young people, particularly young women, are navigating their identities. There were many urgent appeals for surgeries that might have long-term consequences.
  3. The debate around gender identity has become highly polarized, with some voices being suppressed, especially those that challenge popular narratives. This highlights the tension between free speech and activism in this area.

My Family Lives in the Shadow of the American Dream

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2870 implied HN points • 22 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Economic Policy Labor Rights Family Dynamics
  1. Many families struggle to achieve the American Dream, even in a wealthy country. They often feel left out and neglected.
  2. Maintaining a family and a farm requires hard work, often with little recognition or financial reward for all the roles played.
  3. Families are facing rising costs for basic needs like groceries, leading them to find alternative ways to sustain themselves, like raising their own food.

On the Occasion of This Election, Let Me Talk to You About Bill Clinton

Freddie deBoer • 13551 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Political Ideologies Voting Rights Campaign strategies
  1. The writer feels that voting for candidates just because they belong to a party is not right. They believe politicians should earn votes by truly representing the people's values.
  2. They think that the Democratic Party has moved too far to the right and is too focused on compromise, which harms its ability to address important issues.
  3. The writers criticize Bill Clinton for his conservative actions and believe that the Democratic Party should not rely on him as a respected figure.

The U.S. Needs Israeli Innovation for Our Defense

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 602 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy National Security Defense Tech Alliances Bilateral Relations
  1. American security relies on Israeli experience, technology, and close collaboration because those contributions make the United States safer.
  2. There is a sharp divide in conservative circles, with some saying Israel is an ally and others calling it a liability that drags the U.S. into wars.
  3. Critics ask what the U.S. gets from the relationship, but the practical defense benefits of partnering with Israel are presented as clear reasons to maintain it.

Oklahoma Appoints Libs Of TikTok "To Make Schools Safer," Violent Threats Follow Her Posts

Erin In The Morning • 4127 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education LGBTQ+ Violence Social media Legislation
  1. Chaya Raichik, creator of Libs of TikTok, was appointed to make schools safer but her posts led to violent threats.
  2. Raichik's appointment to the Library Media Advisory Committee has sparked controversy due to her history of targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.
  3. Despite criticism, Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters supports far-right influencers and causes, impacting LGBTQ+ policies in the state.

"Cha-Ching!" Lina Khan Attacks Private Equity in Health Care

BIG by Matt Stoller • 39306 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Antitrust enforcement Private Equity Monopoly power
  1. FTC Chair Lina Khan is actively fighting against predatory finance in health care, specifically targeting a private equity firm for monopolization in the anesthesiology industry.
  2. The excessive prices in the American health care system are attributed to massive consolidation in various sectors, including the involvement of private equity firms focused on profit extraction.
  3. The FTC's lawsuit against USAP and Welsh Carson highlights illegal practices in monopolization, price-fixing, and market allocation that have cost Texans millions, shedding light on the need to address predatory actions in the industry.

Utah Bathroom Ban Goes To Senate For A Final Vote, Could Force Genital Exams If Accused

Erin In The Morning • 4147 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Opposition Implications Support Influence
  1. Utah bill may charge transgender individuals for using bathroom of their gender identity.
  2. Opposition to the bill includes concerns about invasive genital exams for transgender people.
  3. The bill would ban legal recognition and have implications for cisgender individuals as well.

American Bonaparte, American Kritarchy Part II

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 4071 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Judicial Power Constitutional Law Executive Power Supreme Court
  1. The Supreme Court has ruled that federal courts can't issue universal preliminary injunctions. This means that judges can't stop executive actions for everyone, but only for the people involved in the lawsuits.
  2. There has been a history of increasing use of these nationwide injunctions, especially during Donald Trump's presidency. The Supreme Court says this practice hasn't been allowed in U.S. history and needs to stop.
  3. The ruling might help Trump push his policy agenda forward now that the judiciary can't block him like before. However, there's a concern that he might shift focus to foreign conflicts instead of handling domestic issues.

Does Biden Welcome Their Hatred?

BIG by Matt Stoller • 27044 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Monopoly power Antitrust enforcement Corporate Power Government Policy
  1. Biden's administration is taking steps to reduce corporate power through measures like capping credit card late fees and focusing on monopolies in the healthcare sector.
  2. There is a mix of positive and negative actions within the Biden administration towards tackling concentrated economic power, showcasing a nuanced approach to corporate regulation.
  3. Despite Biden's populist State of the Union rhetoric, the administration faces challenges in fully addressing corporate power and governance issues, including instances of corruption and policy setbacks.

Germany Opens Big Fat Pie Hole

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8918 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government International relations Media Free speech Censorship
  1. Germany's Foreign Minister criticized the comments made by J.D. Vance about democracy in Europe. He thinks it's not okay to compare Europe to authoritarian places.
  2. There's a feeling that the political climate is changing, raising questions about what is acceptable to say in big conversations about democracy.
  3. Some people are reacting humorously to this situation, talking about the past and how it seems like the world is getting interesting again.

Thoughts on Joe throwing in the towel.

Matt’s Five Points • 499 implied HN points • 21 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Presidency Political Climate Political parties Campaign strategies
  1. Biden stepping down from the nomination seems like a good decision given concerns about his age and abilities. This change helps avoid the risk of having someone unfit for the presidency.
  2. The political landscape is changing fast, and Biden's exit may lead to a smoother path for Harris, who is likely to get a lot of support from the party.
  3. It's important to remember that even if a new candidate like Harris faces challenges, the decision to move on from Biden was likely the best option for the party right now.

Rand Paul Says Fauci Should Be In Prison

2nd Smartest Guy in the World • 4284 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19 Response Legislation Conspiracy Theories Government Accountability
  1. Rand Paul believes Fauci should be in prison for misleading the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. Paul accuses Fauci of contributing to the deaths of millions through his decisions on gain-of-function research.
  3. Fauci faces scrutiny for his handling of the COVID-19 outbreak and conflicting testimonies, suggesting dishonesty.

If the Democrats Want to Win, Someday They'll Need to Give People Something to Vote For

Freddie deBoer • 13335 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Democratic Party Political strategy Ideology
  1. Democrats need to offer clear reasons for people to vote for them. If they don’t, they risk losing support from their base.
  2. Critics feel that Democrats often focus on attacking others instead of explaining their own policies. This makes it hard for voters to believe in the party.
  3. A lack of confidence and clear values from Democrats can lead to more support for extreme candidates. To change this, Democrats must embrace their beliefs and communicate them effectively.

White House Webpage on the Origins of the Virus

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 12 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Executive Public Health Investigations Civil Rights Judiciary Policy
  1. The White House webpage is praised as a step toward accountability but is criticized for omitting the alleged Ralph Baric connection and UC Davis’s role in funding and coordination.
  2. The piece says the webpage effectively rejects the Natural Origins theory and presents images and documents to support that stance.
  3. It urges moving from finger‑pointing to real investigations and possible prosecutions of figures like Andrew Cuomo, Ralph Baric, and UC Davis staff, and accuses public health officials of censoring speech while criticizing the Supreme Court for avoiding the issue on "lack of standing."

Erin's Anti-Trans Risk Map: Early Legislative Session Edition

Erin In The Morning • 4284 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Transgender rights
  1. Erin has created an anti-trans risk map to track legislation affecting transgender adults across different states.
  2. The map methodology includes qualitative assessment, scoring worst bills, and monitoring legislative trends nationwide.
  3. The map categorizes states by risk levels for transgender adults, ranging from low risk to do not travel advisories, based on the severity of anti-trans legislation passed or proposed.

The Watchdogs Who Are Building a ‘Moneyball’ for Politics

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 190 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending Transparency Accountability Public Policy
  1. A new data tool will let people directly compare what politicians say with what they actually spend and do, making it easier to spot gaps between words and actions.
  2. It merges a massive government spending database with an archive of officials’ speeches and interviews, using large datasets to power those comparisons.
  3. The goal is to create a nonpartisan “Moneyball” for politics that better informs public debate and helps hold officials accountable on major policy decisions.

Moms for partying

Lucian Truscott Newsletter • 3793 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Figures Scandals Legal issues Moral Values Hypocrisy
  1. Partying has played a significant role in many people's lives with alcohol, drugs, and music.
  2. Recent scandals involving high-profile figures in the parental rights movement highlight the hypocrisy of some right-wing conservatives.
  3. The intersection of politics and morality can create uncomfortable situations and reveal hypocrisy.

America's Smear Machine Put on Trial

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 9288 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Reputation Management Disinformation Media influence Election interference
  1. Recent confirmation hearings have highlighted ongoing divisions in American politics, especially around figures like Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel. It seems like we're stuck in a long battle between different political sides.
  2. The questioning style during these hearings has drawn comparisons to historical practices like those from the House Un-American Activities Committee. Many people are worried we're entering a similar era of political scrutiny and accusations.
  3. The accusations against Gabbard, Patel, and others have roots going back several years and involve claims of Russian influence. These claims have been linked to the same questionable sources, raising concerns about their validity.

What Has Been Lost In Israel/Gaza

Castalia • 1019 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations Conflict resolution Middle East Public Opinion Human Rights
  1. The narrative of Jewish victimhood is changing, as Israel's actions in the conflict have started to challenge the idea of Jewish innocence and justification. Many are struggling with the moral implications of these actions, feeling a sense of grief and complicity.
  2. Hope for reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians is fading. Past optimism around peace agreements now feels unlikely, as historical grievances on both sides make a peaceful resolution seem more distant.
  3. The international community's role as a mediator is diminishing. Israel feels increasingly isolated and perceived as a pariah state, making diplomatic efforts less effective in the face of ongoing violence.

the chocolate helmet of government accountability

bad cattitude • 226 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government oversight Corruption Bureaucracy Public Policy State Politics
  1. Government oversight systems are hollow or intentionally toothless, leaving widespread fraud, opaque payments, and mismanagement unchecked.
  2. This isn’t merely incompetence — people and rules have been arranged to protect insiders and prevent real accountability.
  3. The only lasting fix is to follow the money, map and prosecute the networks (using tools like RICO), and roll up the whole corrupt ecosystem rather than just treating symptoms.

2024: Frail vs. Flawed

Diane Francis • 739 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political Behavior Public Opinion Debates
  1. Joe Biden showed weaknesses during a debate but seemed fine the next day, leading to questions about his performance. This highlights concerns about the mental fitness of leaders.
  2. Voters are likely to choose between candidates who have their own flaws, no matter how bad they might be. People seem to support their sides regardless of the issues.
  3. The upcoming election seems set to be very competitive and messy, with both candidates having traits that many find concerning. It's shaping up to be a tough race.

I Served in the CIA’s Zero Units in Afghanistan

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 922 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics National Security Foreign Policy Military Counterterrorism Immigration Veterans
  1. The CIA’s Zero Units were teams of Afghan recruits trained and run directly by the U.S. to hunt senior al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders, carrying out dangerous missions like night raids.
  2. A person from that program has been accused of a brutal attack, but one individual's actions should not be used to demonize all Afghan partners.
  3. These units created close, complicated ties between U.S. operatives and Afghan fighters and played a central role in counterterrorism efforts after 9/11.

Bill Clinton’s Epstein Problem—and America’s. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 607 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandals Legal Policy Elections National Security Media
  1. The DOJ's release of Epstein-related photos and documents has renewed intense scrutiny of powerful figures, especially Bill Clinton. It highlights how public pressure and politics can drive disclosure even when no criminal charges are filed.
  2. A major lawsuit claims social media companies knowingly helped create a youth mental-health crisis, likening their behavior to Big Tobacco and using internal documents as evidence. If the case succeeds, it could trigger big legal and regulatory changes for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
  3. Beyond those headlines, the news reflects wider cultural and policy shifts—from critiques of institutional failures after the Brown University shooting to debates about identity and fast-moving changes like federal marijuana rescheduling. These stories show growing tensions over public safety, social norms, and political priorities.

America’s Crisis of Meaning

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 511 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Domestic Policy Social Issues Governance Public Opinion Political parties
  1. A conversation with Congressman Dan Crenshaw is available on the Hold These Truths podcast and can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and as a full video.
  2. There’s a limited window to book one-on-one video calls—appointments are available Jan 5–Jan 9—and the meeting feature may be going away.
  3. The calls can cover writing, books, psychology, human nature, and general life advice, but they’re informal conversations and not medical counsel or therapy.

Extreme Wealth

In My Tribe • 880 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Wealth Inequality Economic Policy Political Influence Social justice
  1. There is a growing divide between the ultra-rich and everyone else, with the top 10% holding a huge portion of the wealth and spending power. This affects how society and institutions function.
  2. Philanthropy isn't always the answer to help those in need. Businesses that seek profit can sometimes create better outcomes than nonprofits because they are held accountable by customers.
  3. Everyone has a role in addressing extreme wealth. The wealthy should practice restraint in their earnings, while the rest of us shouldn't flatter or rely on the rich for our wellbeing.