stLouISTThe L.A. Apocalypse Was Entirely Predictable
Today on TAP: The hills above my hometown regularly catch fire, and developers regularly build there nonetheless.
Prospect
When the Government Actually Governs
The Biden administration’s antitrust agencies are hitting the tape with new rules and enforcement actions.
Trump’s Attack on Government Capacity Will Fan the Flames of the Home Insurance Crisis
The U.S. Forest Service is already underfunded and understaffed. Slashing its resources further is likely to unleash more severe wildfires.
These Teachers Will Have to Cross Party Lines to Get a Union
Can educators in California’s largest nonunion public school district—in a county that flipped to Trump—upend a 65-year tradition?
The Conflagration in L.A.
Today on TAP: My adopted city is in flames, and we’re collectively to blame.
The CIA Director Received Cooler Gifts Than the Secretary of State. Here’s Why.
Bill Burns was America’s best diplomatic asset in the Biden years. He was also the nation’s spy chief.
Michael Barr Hands the Fed’s Financial Regulation Powers to Trump
The Fed’s vice chair of supervision is stepping down to avoid a fight with the incoming president.
Striking Down the Nippon Deal
Today on TAP: National security requires worker security—and some worker power—too.
Disney’s Catch and Kill
Disney wanted to corner the market on sports streaming. A rival blocked them. So Disney bought the rival.
How the AMA Undermines Primary Care
Federal regulators, under Democrats and Republicans alike, help them do it.
How Sanctuary Laws Could Throw a Wrench Into Trump’s Deportation Plans
Advocates see these laws as a critical shield for immigrant communities, but Trump’s team is devising ways to bypass them.
Trump Opts for One Big Bill
Today on TAP: Republicans set their legislative priorities; they’re going to try to do everything at once. Good luck with that.
Ford and Musk. They Made Cars. They Backed Fascists.
Each age’s premier industrialist has had appalling politics.
Bluesky Proves Stagnant Monopolies Are Strangling the Internet
One tiny company has the bloated Facebook empire scrambling to respond.
Universities and the Coming Storm
It’s difficult for colleges to defend democracy if they aren’t run democratically.
Johnson Wins Speaker Battle; War Goes On
An extended first ballot shows the tenuous hold Johnson has on the House Republican caucus.
Memo to Term Appointees: Stay Put!
Today on TAP: Trump wants to oust the Fed chair and the IRS commissioner. They need to stay, as checks against autocratic power and hack appointees.
Tesla Is Cooked
Unless Donald Trump gives the company lots of government subsidies, that is.
Amazon’s Latest Seller Squeeze
A controversial policy would effectively charge sellers when Amazon’s logistics team loses or damages their goods. It could enable Amazon to undercut rivals with its own brands.
President Musk Declares War on American Workers
MAGA voters thought they elected an America First government. Tech billionaires think they are running the show.