Politics
Democrats May Regret Compromising Taxpayer Privacy To Get Trump
The release of the former president’s tax returns sets a dangerous precedent.
A Surly Showdown for Speaker
Plus: Would Adam Smith be a libertarian if he were alive today?
Why Are Some Republicans Revolting Against Kevin McCarthy's Bid To Be Speaker of the House?
The insurgent Republicans want to balance the budget, impose new barriers to immigration, and increase transparency for future earmark spending.
David French to the New York Times
The former First Amendment litigator and Dispatch co-founder becomes a columnist at the New York Times.
Republicans Control the House but Can't Compromise on Someone To Lead It
Plus: Appeals court upholds policy linking bathrooms to biological sex, the worst states for taxes, and more...
Pundits Predicted a Backlash Against Criminal Justice Reform in the Midterms. What Happened?
While rising crime created headwinds for candidates who supported criminal justice reform, the apocalyptic storm never quite arrived.
Short Circuit: A Roundup of Recent Federal Court Decisions
Sikh Marines, MAGA hats, and racist memes.
Yet Another Senator Bungles the First Amendment To Justify Censorship
This week, a clip of Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin claiming that speech that espouses "hate" and "violence" is not protected by the First Amendment made the rounds on Twitter, sparking sharp backlash.
2022 Was the Year of Hubris
The tendency of those in power to topple or embarrass themselves by overreaching should provide a lesson to policy makers.
The Fight Over Kids at Drag Shows Is a Classic Moral Panic
Florida threatens a venue for letting minors attend a sexualized holiday cabaret performance with their parents.
Congress and the Federal Reserve Could Be Setting Us Up for Economic Disaster
If lawmakers keep spending like they are, and if the Fed backs down from taming inflation, then the government may create a perfect storm.
In 2023, People May Finally Be Breaking Their Obsession With Politics
In the mid-'70s, people disengaged from political conflict and took up jogging. Maybe it's time to do the same.
Charity and Capitalism Are Better Than Government
When I was young, I assumed government would lift people out of poverty. But those policies often do more harm than good.
Why Take Responsibility When You Can Blame Somebody Else?
The year’s highlights in buck passing feature petulant politicians, brazen bureaucrats, careless cops, loony lawyers, and junky journalists.
Why Did George Santos Lie About His Past To Get Elected to Congress?
The massive power of federal government attracts frauds.
'The Principles Should Endure': Sen. Pat Toomey on Fusionism, Tariffs, and What's To Blame for FTX's Collapse
After two terms in the Senate as a champion for free markets and limited government, Pennsylvania's Republican senator is heading into retirement.
Brickbats: January 2023
News of politicians, police, and bureaucrats behaving badly from around the world.
Against Game of Thrones Christianity
To truly care about virtue is to recognize that it matters how you win: Ends don't justify means.
Don't Count on Criminal Prosecution To Hold Trump Accountable for His Egregious Post-Election Behavior
The final report from the January 6 select committee falls short of proving the elements required to convict the former president.
Short Circuit: A Roundup of Recent Federal Court Decisions
Cicero, Bentham, Coke, and Kierkegaard.
Maybe 'Marshal Law' Can Save the Republican Party?
Unfortunately, the reality is something far more sinister.
Congress Can Reduce the Deficit by $7.7 Trillion in 10 Years
The Congressional Budget Office projects that future deficits will explode. But there's a way out.
GOP Lawmaker Blocks IVF Protection Bill
Plus: Diminishing differences in regional attitudes, IRS begins monitoring small transactions, and more…
$70 Million for Salmon, $3 Million for Bee-Friendly Highways, and More Absurdities in the Omnibus Spending Bill
Plus: An attempt to criminalize porn, D.C. hopes making tourism more expensive will boost tourism, and more…
The January 6 Committee's Suggested Charges Against Trump May Be Hard To Prove
The leading possibilities include knowledge and intent elements that have to be established beyond a reasonable doubt.
Congress Moves Forward on Electoral Count Act Reform
The new legislation would fix many of the problems that helped lead to the attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Congress Yet Again Fails To Pass Crack Cocaine Sentencing Reforms
A compromise to cram crack sentencing reform into the year-end omnibus spending bill fell apart at the last minute.
Georgia Secretary of State: Democrats 'Double Down on False Claims' About Elections
Brad Raffensperger compares President Joe Biden and Sen. Raphael Warnock to Donald Trump.
