Ben Wikler: The Right Choice to Lead the Democratic Party in a Critical Moment
As Democrats prepare for the challenges ahead with Donald Trump and his MAGA allies, the choice of the next Democratic National Committee chair has become a critical decision. Among the prominent contenders, one name stands out as the consensus choice…
The Year of Exceptionalism: Donald Trump’s Unprecedented Legal Journey
2024 has been a year like no other, packed with seismic headlines and historical moments. The conviction of Donald Trump, an assassination attempt weeks later, and the unexpected collapse of Joe Biden’s reelection bid—followed by the brief ascendancy of Kamala…
Joe Biden’s Parting Insult
President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden almost feels like a calculated shock — a Sunday night surprise that blindsided Washington and reignited controversy. While Biden’s intention may not have been to provoke outrage, the pardon carries…
Joe Biden’s Most Personal and Difficult Decision Yet
In the wake of President Joe Biden’s Justice Department decisions, Donald Trump is returning to the White House, while Biden’s son Hunter faces the real prospect of prison. This extraordinary moment has set the stage for an unprecedented personal and…
Here are the GOP Senators Best Positioned to Challenge Trump
President-elect Donald Trump’s swift cabinet appointments have sent a clear message: loyalty to Trump himself and a knack for showcasing that loyalty on national television are the ultimate qualifications. But the real drama will unfold as Senate Republicans decide how…
Trump’s Cabinet Gambit: How History and Power Favor His Picks
Donald Trump’s recent Cabinet choices have left many aghast, but history suggests the former president may be on solid political ground in nominating some of the most controversial and unqualified individuals ever proposed for high office. Understanding why requires revisiting…
Why Matt Gaetz Might Actually Become Attorney General
Gaetz won’t get confirmed; everybody knows that, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Thursday, echoing a sentiment shared across Washington after President-elect Donald Trump’s bombshell nomination of Matt Gaetz for attorney general. The announcement drew reactions ranging from disbelief to…
Can Trump Be the New Reagan?
Eight years ago, I watched Donald Trump’s first presidential victory unfold during a breakfast gathering with European policymakers at POLITICO’s Brussels office. The reaction that morning was a mix of shock and disbelief. Fast forward to today, and while anxiety…
The Master Strategist: Susie Wiles’ Quiet Ascent to Trump’s Inner Circle
On Thursday evening, news broke that Susie Wiles had been appointed as Donald Trump’s White House chief of staff—a move that felt inevitable to those familiar with her trajectory, yet surprising to many who had never heard her name. To…
The Blame Game: Biden vs. Harris in the 2024 Defeat
As the sun rose the morning after Donald Trump’s emphatic return to the White House, the Democratic Party was already in post-mortem mode. Texts and calls flew back and forth, brimming with recriminations and speculation over what had gone wrong….
How Foreign Leaders Should Prepare for a Second Trump Term
As Donald Trump edges closer to a potential return to the White House, foreign leaders—especially those on the center-left—are bracing for the political and diplomatic turbulence his presidency could unleash. Trade wars, erratic exchanges, and a recalibrated global order are…
Before Pete Buttigieg was playing JD Vance in debate prep, there was Danny O’Connor.
A local elected official in Columbus, Ohio, O’Connor assumed the role of Vance in debate prep for then-Rep. Tim Ryan during their fierce 2022 Senate race. In an interview with POLITICO Magazine, O’Connor discussed what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz should…