Julia Ioffe • January 29, 2026

The “MAGA Barbie” Redecorating the State Department

Erin Elmore, the former ‘Apprentice’ contestant now running the Art in Embassies program, has transformed her vanity appointment—and close relationship with the Trumps—into a political weapon, defenestrating ambassadors and threatening to primary anyone who gets in her way.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • January 28, 2026

Susan Collins on the Rocks

The Maine senator should be celebrating a triumphant capstone to her first full year heading Appropriations. Instead, she’s expressing concern over ICE violence and scrambling to fund the government—all while facing down a possible reelection campaign that could be her toughest yet.

Peter Hamby • January 27, 2026

Is Trump Sick of Winning?

Amid his blustering threats over Greenland and the ICE crackdown at home, only 33 percent of voters now say America is on the right track—Trump’s worst result since he returned to the White House last year.

Abby Livingston • January 26, 2026

Virginia Is for Vengeance

Critics complain that Abigail Spanberger’s first moves as governor of Virginia contradict her centrist campaign message. Her supporters contend she’s merely fighting fire with fire. Now, as the commonwealth heads toward redistricting, the question is: How far will she go?

Leigh Ann Caldwell • January 25, 2026

Trump’s Blue State Assault

The White House is threatening to throttle federal funding to blue states, escalating Trump’s war of retribution. On Capitol Hill, some Republicans worry it could cost them the House.

Julia Ioffe • January 22, 2026

The Greenland Mile

After claiming the “framework of a deal” to expand America’s presence on the world’s largest island, Trump has dropped his threats to invade Greenland. Thank God, because a direct assault on Greenland wasn’t going to be a cakewalk.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • January 21, 2026

Trump’s G.O.P. Greenlanditis

With his Davos speech, the president reassured jittery Republicans that invading Greenland is, for now, off the table. But conversations on the Hill have escalated, as even Trump’s G.O.P. allies warn that any move that blows up NATO could end his midterm hopes—and lead to impeachment, too.

Peter Hamby • January 20, 2026

Inside the Democratic ICE Storm

A remarkably candid conversation with Adam Jentleson, the founder and president of the Searchlight Institute, about the rhetorical fight over abolishing ICE that’s raging inside the Democratic Party.

Abby Livingston • January 19, 2026

Klobuchar’s Minnesota Succession Mess

Two days before the killing of Renee Good, news leaked that Senator Klobuchar was weighing a bid to succeed Tim Walz as governor of Minnesota. But while the chatter about Klobuchar has receded from the headlines, Democrats are quietly discussing the political impact of a second open Senate seat in 2026.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • January 18, 2026

Will Democrats Impeach Kristi Noem?

While House Democrats are divided over how to challenge Trump, leadership is quietly building a case against the Homeland Security secretary—beginning with potential shadow hearings, outside the official committee structure, that would gather the evidence against her.

Julia Ioffe • January 15, 2026

The Havana Hangover

After years of denials, Washington is finally reckoning with new reporting that would seem to confirm the existence of the alleged Russian directed-energy weapon that causes Havana syndrome—or what the U.S. government now calls “anomalous health incidents.” But will Tulsi Gabbard be allowed to release the O.D.N.I.’s own findings?

Leigh Ann Caldwell • January 14, 2026

John Thune Has the Hardest Job in Washington

Can the Senate leader preserve his majority, manage his members’ competing agendas, and protect his institution—all while placating the president?

Peter Hamby • January 13, 2026

Support for ICE Is Collapsing

Outside the right-wing echo chamber, polls tell the true story of an unprecedented drop in support for Trump’s immigration agency, which has swung 30 points in 12 months.

Abby Livingston • January 12, 2026

Pelosi Succession Chatter & Gavin-mander Aftershocks

Nancy Pelosi’s retirement in San Francisco, an Obama alum’s generational challenge in L.A., and a redrawn Orange County could end careers and launch new California stars.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • January 11, 2026

The Ballad of Rand & Lindsey

The changing definition of “America First” has exploded tensions between two senators at opposite ends of the conservative foreign policy spectrum: the libertarian Rand Paul and the interventionist Lindsey Graham. If Paul won the ideological battle in the first term, Graham seems to have Trump’s ear in the second.