Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, likely the next chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has expressed greater openness to impeaching President Donald Trump following his party’s “blue wave” of election victories earlier this week. Although Raskin previously served as manager of the Trump impeachment that followed the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of the president’…
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Today’s edition of quick hits.
* A bold move in Sacramento: “California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday he is commuting all death sentences in the state, sparing roughly a quarter of the nation’s entire death row population in a move he acknowledged ‘may surface excruciating memories for victims’ families.’ The decision shifts ‘all Californian death sentences to life without the possibility of parole,’ and applies to 548 people, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.”
* It’s probably not a good day to check on your 401(k): “Stocks had their worst day in nearly two years as investors’ concerns about weaknesses in the A.I. industry re-emerged after Democratic midterm victories raised the prospect of tighter regulation. The S&P 500 fell 4.3 percent on Thursday, marking the most severe drop for the index since April 2025, when President Trump unveiled sweeping global tariffs.”
* SCOTUS news: “It’s looking more and more like President Donald Trump will be stuck with only having appointed the three Supreme Court justices at whom he has lashed out for not siding with him in every single case. Despite Democrats winning Senate control this week, Justice Samuel Alito has reportedly discussed his intention not to retire immediately and give Trump a chance to have the outgoing GOP-controlled Senate confirm his successor in the lame-duck period.”
* Document retention matters: “A top House Democrat is warning members of the Trump administration not to hide or destroy documents as the party plans to investigate top officials in the next Congress. Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott, who is primed to lead the House Education and Workforce Committee next year, sent letters to the heads of
Six transgender and nonbinary candidates made history on Election Day by winning races in states that have never elected a trans person into their legislature before. These candidates will expand LGBTQ+ political power at a time when their rights are increasingly under attack nationwide. All races are called according to projections by Decision Desk HQ. Bentley Hudgins will be Georgia’s…
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Incoming freshman senator Abdul El-Sayed says that he would support progressive Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) to replace Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) as Democratic leader in the Senate, advocating for a rejection of Schumer’s stalwart centrist mode of operation after Democrats’ massive blue wave. “I’ve been very clear. I think he’d be an amazing Senate majority leader. Of course, that’…
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The final tally of Republicans’ midterm electoral carnage wasn’t even close to being counted Tuesday when it became the proverbial Night of the Long MAGA Knives.
As Democrats took decisive control of the House and Senate, flipping numerous “safe” Republican seats along the way and even turning Texas — Texas!! — blue by winning every statewide office up for election, President Donald Trump’s heretofore powerful MAGA coalition took to the internet, and its “thought leaders” began lashing out at anyone they could blame for the historic electoral collapse. Often the targets were one another.
Chaya Raichik — the far-right operator of the Libs of TikTok X account — blamed Democrats, who she falsely claimed “imported millions of foreigners, handed them a bunch of free shit, and then registered them to vote,” adding, “If we ever want to win again we need deportations and denaturalizations ramped up on steroids or our country will forever be lost to the communists.”
Laura Loomer — the self-described “pro-white nationalism” influencer known for pushing false, racist conspiracy theories and for being Trump’s McCarthyite loyalty enforcer — spread the blame around too. She said it “would have been best to ban Tik Tok,” called out Christian nationalists (“Where was your God last night?”) and blamed the GOP’s humiliating defeat on America’s racial diversity (“America was always intended to be a majority White country. Not a cesspool for third world minorities”).
Surging fuel prices, exacerbated inflation, financial instability and apparent failure to achieve any of the administration’s oft-shifting goals for the war cannot be hidden from the American public.
“Pizzagate” propagandist Mike Cernovich blamed the post-Charlie Kirk leadership of Turning Point USA,