The hottest Government Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Regime Change The US Empire

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2570 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The most urgent regime change needed is at home: dismantle the US empire’s real power structures and replace them with genuine democracy that gives people real control.
  2. It’s inconsistent to demand violent overthrow of other countries while ignoring or defending the US and its allies, since they are the largest and most destructive global power.
  3. Before loudly condemning other governments, people should first challenge and reform their own imperial institutions, otherwise they just help empire propaganda.

WATCH: The Epstein Tapes

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1006 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
📰 News Government
  1. The Department of Justice released a massive trove of Epstein-related files that includes roughly 2,000 videos, but the videos are hard to access because there’s no central index and automated downloads are blocked.
  2. Data Set 10 contains about 14 hours of footage taken from Epstein’s devices, and those clips were consolidated so people can view them without downloading the entire archive.
  3. Although many clips are heavily redacted, the videos together reveal Epstein’s lavish lifestyle and disturbing sexual content, including material involving minors, while other released sets include prison CCTV that shows his movements in custody.

Hail and Farewell

Bulwark+ • 23585 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. President Biden faced challenges but won't be indicted for classified documents.
  2. Trump's disqualification under the 14th Amendment case didn't go well.
  3. The author reflects on his time at The Bulwark and the importance of independent conservative voices.

Row breaks out over council’s redundancy plans

NN Journal • 178 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The West Northamptonshire Council is offering voluntary redundancies to staff to cut costs as they face a budget shortfall. This could also include options for early retirement and reduced work hours.
  2. The Labour party is very unhappy with this decision, calling it a 'debacle' that risks worsening already strained public services.
  3. Current waiting times for services are long, and losing staff now might make these services even harder to access for the public.
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What Trump's lawyer was really advocating

Robert Reich • 26140 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Trump's lawyer argued for immunity from criminal trial through impeachment, resembling the 1933 Enabling Law in Germany.
  2. American democracy is stronger than Weimar Republic's but caution is needed to protect it.
  3. Author highlights the importance of upholding democratic norms, media truth-telling, and citizen participation for safeguarding democracy.

Kristi Noem’s Reckless Lies

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1511 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Kristi Noem publicly said Alex Pretti brandished a firearm, attacked officers, and that an agent fired in self‑defense.
  2. Multiple videos from the scene contradict that account and show a different sequence of events.
  3. Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was killed by a border patrol officer in Minneapolis — the second federal‑agent killing in the city this month — and critics say the administration is misleading the public.

Davos duplicity

Robert Reich • 23271 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. American corporations are hypocritical in their actions and statements at Davos
  2. Many of these corporations continue to fund politicians who deny election results
  3. Over two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies have contributed to election deniers

Neolib Zombies

Magic + Loss • 417 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Neoliberalism has changed how we see ourselves, turning us from citizens into consumers and investors. This shift impacts our values and priorities in society.
  2. Since Reagan's presidency, neoliberal ideas have focused more on market concerns instead of workers' rights or social programs. This change has affected how economic policies are shaped today.
  3. Even though neoliberalism seems to be struggling, it continues to influence our lives and policies significantly. Its effects are still visible in the world around us.

Judicial Notice (10.06.24): Changing Of The Guard

Original Jurisdiction • 339 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Gurbir Grewal, the former director of the SEC's Enforcement Division, had a successful tenure, overseeing many enforcement actions that brought back billions to investors. He is now joining Milbank law firm.
  2. Dorothy Roberts from Penn Law received a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as a 'genius grant,' for her work on racial issues in social services. This grant will provide her with $800,000 over five years.
  3. Former Brooklyn DA Eugene Gold, known for prosecuting the 'Son of Sam' killer, passed away at age 100. His work in the criminal justice system left a lasting impact.

The GOP Walkout That Ended Badly

The Status Kuo • 18632 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Oregon GOP Senators boycotted the state senate to prevent a quorum, violating a voter-approved measure banning officials with 10 or more absences from reelection.
  2. Voters passed Measure 113 to disqualify legislators with unexcused absences, leading to a Supreme Court ruling against the GOP Senators.
  3. The GOP Senators' walkout impacted their ability to run for office again, causing disruptions in the state senate and a potential shift in power dynamics.

Deflating Harris's Inflation Plan

Glenn Loury • 416 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Kamala Harris wants to fight inflation by stopping price gouging, but this idea might be overly simple.
  2. Inflation is complex, and sometimes not all the effects of inflation are bad.
  3. Understanding inflation requires looking deeper than just high prices; there are various factors at play.

An Ethnic Cleansing Averted (For Now)

Thinking about... • 529 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. A federal judge blocked the Department of Homeland Security’s effort to strip Temporary Protected Status from Haitians in Springfield, finding the agency misread the facts and showed racial animus.
  2. This case fits a broader pattern of racially driven immigration enforcement and harsh rhetoric at the federal level, which legal advocates say violates constitutional protections against discrimination.
  3. The relief is only temporary — the government is appealing, local churches and organizations are preparing and people are calling for donations and continued vigilance to protect families and voting rights.

Contra MR On Charity Regrants

Astral Codex Ten • 25741 implied HN points • 22 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. USAID funds many charities, but does not give money directly to people. All funds first go through other charitable organizations.
  2. Overheads in charities, like salaries and audits, are necessary for ensuring that donations reach the intended causes. USAID’s overhead is about 30%, which is typical.
  3. Even with some flaws, USAID programs save millions of lives, and concerns about corruption are often exaggerated. Many charity workers genuinely strive to help others.

"Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism!" The Science is Settled. Right?

Injecting Freedom • 37 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26
🏥 Health Politics Government
  1. An advocacy group asked the federal autism committee to review possible links between infant vaccines and autism and submitted related materials for consideration.
  2. The claim that vaccines do not cause autism is framed as a belief rather than settled science, and the group is calling for more research on the issue.
  3. They publicly shared a chapter and a comment letter to push the committee and the public to re-examine the topic and attract broader attention.

At least five interesting things: Anything but protests edition (#65)

Noahpinion • 19765 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The U.S. government is actually pretty efficient, which surprises many tech workers. They often expect to find lots of waste, but instead find hard-working employees.
  2. Solar power is becoming a major energy source in the U.S. and can meet a big chunk of electricity demand, especially when combined with batteries for storage.
  3. Americans are getting richer again after the 2008 financial crisis and housing crash, as housing prices rise and household debt decreases.

Theories of power, cattle grids and a blep (Odds and Ends #85)

Odds and Ends of History • 804 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
📰 News Government
  1. A wide-ranging mix of topics is curated, spanning governance, bureaucracy, urban change, creativity, planning rules, NHS challenges, and the future of sports broadcasting — with a lighthearted cat blep thrown in.
  2. There’s a clear emphasis on governance and reform, highlighting London-level politics, tweaks to how Whitehall works, and calls for a new "Theory of Power."
  3. Practical influence and resource-sharing matter: a personal post about rebooting social life sparked reader action, and recommended resources include a pro‑nuclear environmental book and a vaccine science event.

Indictment!

Steady • 29167 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. A former president has been indicted and it has a significant impact on our nation.
  2. The indictment highlights the broader issues in our political landscape beyond just one individual.
  3. The situation emphasizes the importance of fighting for democratic ideals and the future of the country.

The Dangers of Disarray

The Status Kuo • 13502 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Loss of faith in democracy due to Republican dysfunction in Congress
  2. Loss of confidence by allies as Republicans undermine credibility in foreign policy
  3. Our enemies are learning from Republican disarray, exposing weaknesses in American system

Note on New Trump-Russia Disclosures

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13408 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. New documents have been released that challenge the claims of Russian interference in the 2016 election. These documents suggest that intelligence officials knew there was no impact on the election results.
  2. The release of these documents points to a possible coordinated effort by high-level officials in the Obama administration to promote a false narrative about Trump and Russia. This could lead to serious accountability for those involved.
  3. Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, is playing a key role in unveiling the truth about these past actions. More information is expected to come out soon, which could change the current understanding of the situation.

Only About 40% Of The Cruz "Woke Science" Database Is Woke Science

Astral Codex Ten • 31935 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Only about 40% of the grants flagged as 'woke' were truly related to wokeness. Many grants just added a sentence about helping minorities to meet certain criteria.
  2. A significant portion of the flagged grants included irrelevant claims about promoting equity, which likely resulted in them being incorrectly classified as woke.
  3. The process to identify non-woke versus woke grants could be done quickly and easily, suggesting the government's oversight missed many non-woke projects simply due to a lack of thorough review.

Trump indicted: The big one

Robert Reich • 26297 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Donald Trump has been indicted on serious charges related to the 2020 presidential election.
  2. The charges are expected to boost Trump's popularity in the Republican primary.
  3. The indictments further entrench Trump's campaign narrative and tie the Republican Party closely to his conspiratorial views.

Just for Xeets and Giggles (2.10.24)

The Status Kuo • 12539 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. In a political event, candidate Dean Phillips experienced unexpected setbacks, despite his initial high expectations.
  2. The talk in the media about Black voters shifting support didn't translate into actual votes for other candidates.
  3. House Speaker MAGA Mike Johnson compared himself to Moses leading the GOP, sparking humor and mockery in response.

The chaos has arrived

Noahpinion • 31353 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Trump's presidency is causing significant turmoil within institutions like the FBI, leading to a purge of personnel involved in investigations against him.
  2. Trump is making decisions that disrupt relations with key allies and affect government spending, such as imposing tariffs and freezing federal aid.
  3. There are concerns about the chaos resulting from Trump's management style, which may cause even more local and national issues as his term progresses.

What Is Happening?

Steady • 23683 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The nation is facing challenges from political extremists and life-threatening storms
  2. Leadership is needed to address the dire challenges in the country
  3. Collaboration and expertise are required instead of division and ignorance

TGIF: An Alcoholic’s Personality

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2045 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Susie Wiles bluntly calls Trump an "alcoholic’s personality" and labels other insiders as odd or conspiracy-prone, speaking with a sharp, grandmotherly frankness.
  2. There’s a wistful hope for a tech-driven, more efficient government (the "DOGE" dream) where younger, smarter workers deliver cheaper, faster public services, even though that dream has mostly been disappointed.
  3. After the public roasting, the political team rallied in support, highlighting how loyalty and media spectacle often shape responses more than accountability.

Links For July 2025

Astral Codex Ten • 13627 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. AI trained for creative writing may produce repetitive content because it often plays it safe. This shows us the difference between what is considered good writing and good taste.
  2. A unique political event in 1952 Texas saw a candidate run on both major party tickets and win. It was a strategy to attract voters from different sides.
  3. Chances are, we're not burning as many calories during activities like chess as popular belief suggests. The claims of extreme calorie burn by players may be exaggerated.

The Deep State is Alive and Well, Selling the Same Old Lie: "Sources and Methods"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 9895 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Journalists used to challenge secrecy but now often help government officials keep information hidden. This change makes it hard for the public to get the truth.
  2. The term 'sources and methods' is often used to avoid revealing important details, but sometimes it's just a way to cover up mistakes or bad practices.
  3. There's ongoing conflict in getting the truth out about past government actions, especially related to the Russiagate investigation. Expect more revelations to come.

Bureaucracy Isn't Measured In Bureaucrats

Astral Codex Ten • 32830 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Bureaucracy isn't just about the number of workers; even fewer bureaucrats might not speed up processes if the rules remain the same. Cutting the number of workers could actually slow down operations instead of helping.
  2. Many bureaucratic processes take a long time because of legal needs and mandates set by Congress. Even if you fire some bureaucrats, the steps required to approve things won't change, resulting in delays.
  3. Instead of reducing the number of bureaucrats, the focus should be on cutting unnecessary rules or red tape to make things run faster. Some models have shown success in decreasing regulations by reevaluating what's necessary.

What I think DOGE is really up to

Noahpinion • 26588 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. DOGE is a massive operation that seems focused on reshaping the federal government rather than just cutting costs. People are worried about what it’s doing, but its main aim may be to change the mindset of government workers.
  2. The push to change the federal workforce's ideology may be influenced by the belief that it leans too far left. This could lead to a shift in how government programs function and who runs them.
  3. Understanding DOGE's real purpose is important because it's moving quickly and often in secrecy. Instead of just reacting to its actions, we should be thinking about its long-term effects on government and society.

Congressman urging Texas to ignore the Supreme Court is backed by major law firms

Popular Information • 11203 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Congressman Chip Roy is urging Texas to ignore the Supreme Court due to a specific ruling he opposes
  2. Major law firms and corporations are financially supporting Roy's re-election campaign
  3. Other Republican politicians like Oklahoma Governor Stitt and Congressman Higgins have also challenged the authority of the Supreme Court

New Whistleblower Report Drops as Pressure Mounts in Russia Case

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 9518 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. A new whistleblower statement reveals concerns about using unverified evidence in the Russiagate investigation. This insider's story highlights challenges faced by whistleblowers trying to communicate their findings.
  2. There's a sense of frustration among intelligence personnel when it comes to reporting misconduct. The system can make it difficult for them to connect with proper channels of investigation.
  3. As new documents and evidence come to light, there's growing anticipation about major developments in the case. Many believe the truth behind the initial findings may soon be uncovered.

The best-case scenario for Trump's second term

Noahpinion • 33706 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The economy could keep growing, leading to better wages for workers. If Trump doesn't interfere too much, this growth might continue.
  2. Political unrest may decrease, as many people seem tired of constant outrage. Americans might become more chill and tune out extreme movements on both sides.
  3. Trump might keep some successful policies from Biden while making adjustments. This could boost American industry without causing a lot of controversy.

Update: Bolton Raided, Leak Probe Widens

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7667 implied HN points • 22 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. John Bolton's house was raided by the FBI as part of an investigation into classified leaks. This shows that the legal action regarding these issues is becoming more serious.
  2. The investigation relates to claims that Bolton leaked classified information in his memoir, which Trump accused him of doing. Trump had even tried to stop the book from being published.
  3. Recent deals made with FBI whistleblowers suggest there are ongoing disagreements and tensions within the FBI related to how investigations are being handled.

The "Mostly Peaceful" Revolution

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 12731 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Protests labeled as 'mostly peaceful' can overshadow the real violence and chaos happening during events. This phrase has caused confusion about what is truly going on during protests.
  2. Political narratives around protests can shape public perception and influence voter behavior. People often feel caught between political extremes and may become frustrated with both sides.
  3. Refusing to acknowledge the concerns of voters about issues like immigration can lead to political backlash. Politicians need to listen to the public or risk losing support.