The hottest Administration Substack posts right now

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Washington War Games: How the U.S. Prepared for an Iran Strike

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 848 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Foreign Policy Intelligence Administration Conflict
  1. The Trump administration prepared for military action against Iran starting in February. They wanted to be more involved in the conflict.
  2. In a private dinner, U.S. officials and Iranian dissidents discussed how to attack Iran. They talked about strategies that were very similar to Israel's recent military actions.
  3. Key military moves like targeting Iran's leadership and nuclear program have happened, but certain planned actions were still not carried out at the time of the discussion.

Nation Shrugs as Godzilla Eats Washington

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 18122 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Policy Governance Administration
  1. There's a lot of chaos happening in Washington with Trump's return, and many people are indifferent to the changes he's making. It feels like he's causing a big stir, but some see it as a refreshing shake-up.
  2. People are questioning the work and spending of groups like USAID, suggesting some of their projects aren't justifiable. There's a debate about whether funds for certain programs are worth it, especially concerning national security.
  3. The political atmosphere is tense, with ongoing legal challenges to Trump's actions and many officials rushing to defend policies that many find controversial. The situation is creating a lot of friction and public spectacles in politics.

Exclusive: Trump Targets Biden’s $42 Billion Broadband Boondoggle

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 398 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Government Elections Policy Administration
  1. Trump plans to change a $42 billion broadband program created by Biden because it hasn't successfully connected anyone to the internet yet.
  2. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is looking to remove rules that are seen as burdensome, which could speed up the program's goals.
  3. This broadband program was started to provide internet access to 25 million Americans, but the proposed changes can happen without needing Congress's approval.

Washington Gets the Full Musk Treatment

Nonzero Newsletter • 474 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Political parties Administration
  1. A lot of Americans think their government is run by a small group of powerful people. This idea shows concern about inequality in political power.
  2. Elon Musk's approach to leadership involves major cutbacks and challenges to existing processes. This style can lead to significant changes in organizations like the government.
  3. There are growing worries about the safety of AI as the US and China compete for technological dominance. Leaders emphasize that this race could have dangerous consequences.

Last chance to weigh in on Trump's plan to politicize the civil service

Can We Still Govern? • 227 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political issues Civil Service Administration Public Opinion
  1. Trump's plan could turn many career civil servants into political appointees, which might influence their work based on loyalty rather than merit. This could affect government effectiveness and accountability.
  2. It's easy for the public to voice their opinions against this plan. Just a quick comment can make a big difference and it helps create a record of opposition.
  3. Managing through fear, like threatening job loss for dissent, harms creativity and quality in government work. It's better to have open discussions and diverse viewpoints to improve services.
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June 25, 2025

Letters from an American • 21 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Foreign Policy Intelligence Administration
  1. Trump is trying to convince people that U.S. strikes against Iran's nuclear program were a huge success, despite reports saying the damage was minimal.
  2. There is tension between the Trump administration and Congress over sharing details about the strikes, with Democrats claiming they're being kept in the dark.
  3. Some experts worry that the strikes might actually push Iran closer to developing a nuclear weapon rather than stopping them.

Assad’s Fall Has Humiliated Washington

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2633 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Middle East Administration Conflict
  1. Syria's recent change in leadership happened despite the efforts of the Biden administration, not because of them. Many believe the U.S. played a minor role in this shift.
  2. President Biden claims that the weakening of Assad's supporters like Iran and Russia is due to his policies, but many disagree with this view. There is a belief that these countries have lost power for other reasons.
  3. Israel's actions in the region have been more impactful than U.S. influence. Some argue that Israel took bold steps that went against what the U.S. wanted, contributing significantly to the change in Syria.

Trump 47: Lessons from the First Term

The Reactionary • 56 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Administration Policies Executive orders
  1. Trump plans to start his new term strong by signing many executive orders quickly. This includes important actions like securing the southern border and restoring military members related to COVID-19 vaccine policies.
  2. Having experience from his first term will help Trump avoid chaos this time. He will have a better grasp of staffing, trust issues, and avoiding the turmoil seen in his initial presidency.
  3. A quick start is crucial because the positive momentum can be disrupted by opposition efforts that might arise, like conspiracy theories or impeachment attempts.

DELETE, DELETE, DELETE, DELETE

OpenTheBooks Substack • 580 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Legislation Administration
  1. There are 75 federal agencies listed as defunct in the Federal Register. Many of these agencies haven't been active for years but are still listed.
  2. The Federal government lacks good record-keeping, leading to confusion about which agencies are still operating. This makes it hard for taxpayers to know where their money is going.
  3. To improve government efficiency, a new department aims to identify and eliminate these ghost agencies. This could help save money and streamline government functions.

The Musk-a16z administration

Alex's Personal Blog • 230 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Administration Policy Government Leadership
  1. Inflation is slowing down, which is good news, but there are still bumps to deal with. It makes it less of a worry than before.
  2. Elon Musk seems to have a big role in the Trump administration, influencing political decisions and interactions. His support is seen as a key factor in Trump's election success.
  3. Despite concerns about AI development hitting a wall, there is optimism from leaders like Sam Altman at OpenAI, indicating that progress continues.

Narrative and reality in Trump 47

Gray Mirror • 157 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Administration Policy Foreign Relations Political Narrative
  1. The differences in voter expectations between Trump 45 and Trump 47 show that people anticipate more from the new Trump administration, but they may not truly understand how the political system works.
  2. The reality of governance is complicated, and despite Trump being elected to shake things up, the existing structures and factions in Washington make it hard for any significant change to happen.
  3. Trump's ability to lead effectively is limited by the public's willingness to fully support him, meaning that voters need to trust him more to enable real progress in government.

The Backlash Against Biden on Gaza Is Growing

Eunomia • 609 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Administration Opposition Conflict Protest
  1. Growing dissent and opposition within Biden's administration and party due to unchanged U.S. policy on Gaza
  2. Criticism towards Biden for neglecting Palestinian victims in statements, showing a one-sided view in the conflict
  3. Calls for a ceasefire in Gaza to ensure the release of hostages, highlighting the impact of U.S. support for the war

PROJECT SYNDICATE DRAFT: Chaos-Monkey Trade Policy

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 176 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trade policy Administration Economic Impact Government Policies
  1. The upcoming Trump II administration is expected to create harmful policies for the country. It's important to pay attention to how these policies are communicated and executed.
  2. There's a strong need for the press to scrutinize which of Trump's Twitter claims actually lead to real policy changes. This oversight is crucial to understanding the potential impact on American society.
  3. The chaotic nature of Trump's trade decisions, like fluctuating tariffs on imports, shows unpredictability in trade policy. This inconsistency can affect economic relationships with neighboring countries.

Elon versus the USG

Gray Mirror • 146 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Political theory Administration
  1. Elon Musk may be more valuable on Earth than in space. Some believe his ideas could improve how the US government works instead of focusing on Mars.
  2. The US government is more bureaucratic than it seems. Many people think the President is in charge, but Congress actually has more control over decisions and spending.
  3. Restoring the Constitution and fixing the government may not be possible. The systems in place now are so different that some question if the Constitution is even relevant today.

The Case for a "National Clarification Initiative" to Reduce Needless Bureaucracy

The Good Science Project • 100 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Bureaucracy Policy Law Administration
  1. A National Clarification Initiative could help clear up misunderstandings about laws that make government work less effective. Many agencies operate under incorrect beliefs about what the law actually requires.
  2. Simplifying and clarifying legal requirements could free up resources and improve innovation in federal programs. There's a lot of unnecessary bureaucracy that slows things down.
  3. Getting feedback directly from agency employees about what's confusing or restrictive can help highlight problems. This initiative would proactively seek these insights to make government processes better.

University administrators have forgotten what leadership is

The Recovering Academic • 415 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🚌 Education Leadership Faculty Administration Higher Ed University
  1. University administrators are being criticized for forgetting what true leadership entails, especially in the field of academia.
  2. Leaders in higher education should prioritize trust, respect, and shared risk with faculty and staff for effective leadership.
  3. Lessons from military history, like trusting and respecting subordinates, can offer valuable insights into effective leadership practices in academia.

Welcome to the Provost Dungeon

ailogblog • 139 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Technology Administration Learning Teaching Publishing
  1. Bureaucracy is essential for large organizations to manage data and control, but it can hinder community-building, and many share grievances about bureaucratic systems.
  2. Generative AI has the potential to transform bureaucratic processes in universities, leading to anxiety and excitement among bureaucrats, requiring a shift towards positive and pragmatic change.
  3. Educational bureaucracies can benefit from design thinking, incremental experiments, and a hybrid persona of intellectual-bureaucrat to create better structures that support teaching and learning.

BIWEEKLY BRIEFLY NOTED: For 2024-12-18 Sa

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 84 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Economics Government Administration
  1. Automation and AI are changing jobs in many industries. It could either lead to job losses or new kinds of jobs, just like what happened with tractors in farming a century ago.
  2. Students find it easier to ask ChatGPT questions instead of going to a teacher. This could mean they get less accurate answers, which is a concern for education.
  3. Economic forecasts are changing with the Federal Reserve adjusting interest rates. It’s an important factor for understanding the overall economy and its direction.

The Dream Machine

Rough Diamonds • 70 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Philanthropy Innovation Science Technology Administration
  1. Philanthropy can create new, innovative projects that don't exist yet. Instead of just giving to existing organizations, donors can help start new initiatives, which is much more exciting and impactful.
  2. Science and tech projects often lack funding, even if the research is important. Many great scientists depend on small donations, and they need more support to bring their ideas to life.
  3. Creating ambitious projects takes a lot of work and organization. It's important to have dedicated people to manage and facilitate plans so that innovative ideas can become reality.

Describing and Grading All Known Donald Trump Cabinet and Administration Picks

Proof • 72 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Administration Corruption Incompetence Political History
  1. The Trump administration was criticized for being one of the worst in U.S. history. Many people believe that the choices for cabinet positions were not just poor but intended to cause chaos.
  2. The author sees themselves as both a historian and educator, and they take grading and evaluation very seriously. They argue that based on their experience, the picks for Trump's Cabinet deserve very low marks.
  3. The author plans to keep updating the evaluation as new cabinet picks are made. This suggests that the situation could change as new appointments are announced.

I Screwed Up. Here's What I Learned.

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership Management Administration
  1. Strong leadership is not always sufficient. It's important to balance leadership, management, and administration.
  2. Avoid neglecting any of the three leadership imperatives for too long. Juggling them dynamically is crucial.
  3. Leadership involves more than just love. It requires a combination of heart, brain, and bones to be effective.

What David Brooks Gets Wrong about the Time Tax

Can We Still Govern? • 196 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Conservatism Administration Bureaucracy
  1. David Brooks addresses administrative burdens, but overlooks contributions from private companies and conservative politicians as well.
  2. Bureaucracies tend to create administrative burdens, which accumulate over time and may not align with the organization's mission.
  3. Brooks proposes sludge audits and enhancing customer experience as ways to address bureaucracy, emphasizing that markets also generate administrative burdens.

URGENT: Ex-White House advisor Andy Slavitt is refusing to comply with a subpoena over questions about how he tried to censor me and others in 2021

Unreported Truths • 72 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Administration Congress
  1. Former White House advisor Andy Slavitt is refusing to comply with a Congressional subpoena.
  2. Ignoring a Congressional subpoena is a federal crime, but the Biden Administration will not prosecute Slavitt.
  3. Claims of executive privilege are being used to justify Slavitt's refusal to testify, despite past cases ruling against such claims.

November 25, 2024

Letters from an American • 17 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policies Economy Administration Legislation
  1. President Biden's economic policies focus on investing in infrastructure and creating jobs, aiming to grow the economy from the middle out rather than the top down.
  2. The incoming Trump administration plans to cut taxes for the wealthy and reduce regulations, which could shift the tax burden onto lower-income families.
  3. Many of Trump’s administration picks are billionaires, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and whether policies will favor the ultra-wealthy over ordinary Americans.

Improving K-12 Education in America

Natural Selections • 14 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🚌 Education Curriculum Health Teachers Administration
  1. K-12 education should include more hands-on experiences like field trips and creative classes such as art and music. Students learn better when they can explore the world around them.
  2. Schools need better schedules and healthier environments. Later start times and more recess can help kids focus and stay active during the day.
  3. Teachers should have the freedom to teach in different ways, and they should be well-qualified in their subjects. This creates a better learning experience for students.

Unveiling the authoritarian roadmap

Can We Still Govern? • 154 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Democracy Partisanship Administration Government
  1. Schedule F could increase politicization in the American government by allowing more political appointees and weakening job protections for career officials.
  2. The Heritage Foundation is pushing for a plan that could jeopardize American democracy by undermining the civil service system and concentrating power with potential for authoritarian misuse.
  3. There is a need for the center-left to develop its own agenda focused on restoring American administrative capacity, balancing the concerns about government efficiency with safeguarding democratic principles.

Would Trump Inc. Fix Education?

Rounding the Earth Newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Politics Policy Administration Reform
  1. The current educational system faces deep challenges, and there are many people involved with various motivations, like charter school advocates and other influential groups. It's crucial to analyze their true intentions.
  2. Education can serve as a powerful tool to change society. The hope is that with new leadership, there can be meaningful reforms to help students succeed.
  3. There's skepticism about whether personal efforts to improve education can have a real impact, especially given past failed attempts and systemic roadblocks.

Building CAUSL - Episode 1: The Woes of Admin Work

CAUSL Effect • 19 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Administration Finance Legal
  1. Starting a company involves a lot of administrative work. It might seem boring, but it's essential to get things off the ground properly.
  2. It's important to consider using professionals, like accountants and lawyers, to handle complicated tasks. They can save you time and help you avoid mistakes.
  3. Having a website and creating a business plan are important steps. They can make your business look more professional and help you plan your goals.

Colleges need to improve teaching to earn public trust

Science Forever • 1 HN point • 12 Mar 24
🚌 Education Teaching Higher education Faculty Students Administration
  1. Colleges should prioritize teaching above research and other activities to regain public trust.
  2. There is a discrepancy between public expectation of universities focusing on teaching and the actual allocation of resources to research and unrelated activities.
  3. Improving teaching quality requires collaboration among faculty, administrators, and trustees to adjust incentives and prioritize education.

Business-in-a-Box 2.0

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Technology Training Discovery Administration
  1. Franchises are not only about fast food but have a long history; businesses like hair salons and Great Clips have thrived through franchising.
  2. The rise of 'business-in-a-box' companies is fueled by AI and a cultural shift towards self-driven work, with Gen Z showing a strong desire for entrepreneurship.
  3. These companies provide training, customer discovery, and administrative support to help people launch businesses in various industries, leveraging AI to automate tasks and streamline operations.