Brickbats: February-March 2026
News of politicians, police, and bureaucrats behaving badly from around the world
Politics
Open Thread
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No More Tariffs on Asian Olympic Dragons!
Robby Soave and Jason Russell celebrate the SCOTUS tariff news before pivoting to the politics of the Winter Olympics.
Short Circuit: An inexhaustive weekly compendium of rulings from the federal courts of appeal
An empty whiskey bottle, a rat in the crosshairs, and the nightmares of HR managers
Tomorrow Is National Legislator Integrity Day
Or so I've decided to call it, in honor of the 225th anniversary of the vote on renewing the Sedition Act of 1798.
Open Thread
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Support for Republicans Is Tanking. But Why Are Democrats Hated Just as Much?
Trump's second term is wrecking the Grand Old Party—and Democrats' refusal to own up to Biden's failure is killing the party of Jefferson and Obama.
When Jesse Jackson Met Ronald Reagan
An encounter on the campaign trail. Was it a dead end, or a wasted opportunity?
War With Iran?
Plus: the same ole hawkish lies, a familial connection to Barry Goldwater's nomination, and the future of media is prediction markets on Substack.
Harlan Virtual Supreme Court Semifinalists
Fourteen teams of high school students presented oral arguments in the case of Patriots v. Loyalists.
Open Thread
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Stephen Colbert Says CBS Killed an Interview Because of FCC Equal-Time Rule
If anything, the incident just provided further proof that the equal-time rule should be abolished.
Helen Andrews Is Wrong About Asians, Admissions, and Affirmative Action
Her central claim—that forcing Harvard to end racial discrimination has only harmed whites—is not supported by the data she cites.
Open Thread
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The World Has Turned and Left Me Here
Plus: Tariffs, tariffs, and even more news about tariffs! And George W. Bush has some interesting thoughts about George Washington.
New in City Journal: Let's Fix Our Federal Holiday Schedule
How I would rearrange the current calendar, which makes no sense.
Open Thread
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How Much Is Kristi Noem's Alleged Adultery Airplane Costing You?
If the DHS secretary is actually having a high-flying affair with Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski, the taxpayers are the ones getting screwed.
The Cowardice of the Republican 'Tariff Skeptics'
Finally given a chance to influence trade policy, the vast majority of House Republicans decided it was more important to keep President Donald Trump happy.
Hot Mess at the DHS
Plus: boat subsidies, metaphor alerts, and more Epstein fallout...
Open Thread
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Epstein Files Drama, Bad Bunny Drama, and More A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Drama
Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi react to Pam Bondi’s explosive testimony, weigh in on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and argue over which state would be most libertarian if it seceded.
Bondi Bristles
Plus: the attorney general's self-inflicted wounds, religious revivals, and Congress votes to stop Trump's tariffs on Canada
Open Thread
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Politicians Want To Avoid Reforming Social Security and Medicare. You Will Pay the Price.
Inflation is a silent tax—and the most painful way to finance government promises.
Trump Imposed 39 Percent 'Emergency' Tariffs When Switzerland Hurt His Feelings
The story is an exercise in pettiness but also a perfect reason why Congress and the Supreme Court should limit the president's power grab.
Open Thread
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Rep. Ro Khanna Releases Names of 6 Alleged Epstein Files Associates
Rep. Thomas Massie said the men were "likely incriminated."
In 2024, Trump Rejected Numbers Showing a Homicide Drop As a 'Lie.' Now He Is Bragging About Them.
While running against Kamala Harris, Trump claimed homicides were "skyrocketing," disregarding the data contradicting that assertion.
Open Thread
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Libertarians Tried To Warn You About Executive Power
Plus: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson embraces warrantless ICE searches, the Super Bowl halftime culture war, and Trump continues funding the Department of Education
