Dear Dispatch reader,
Whenever we’re traveling on assignment for The Dispatch, the people we run into inevitably assert that we must be having the time of our lives here in Washington, D.C., because “there’s never a dull moment.” Or: “There’s just so much news.” Or: “You never know what he’s going to do next.” He, being of course, President Donald Trump. Sometimes, some of us respond that we thought American politics was plenty interesting before the current administration. But people—whether voters, local elected officials or sources—have a point. There is never a dull moment, and there is so much news.
Let’s take a look at what The Dispatch has been covering just this past week or so:
Top Stories From the Dispatch Politics Team
Experts Call Use of Signal ‘Unbelievably Poor’ Security Practice
Yours truly published a piece examining what national security and legal experts had to say about the use of the Signal messaging platform by senior members of Trump’s administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz (among others).
The Divide on the Right Over the Alien Enemies Act
John McCormack offered a deeply reported piece on the rift in Republican and conservative circles over Trump’s use of an 18th century law as legal justification to deport certain immigrants, some here illegally but some here legally.
Is Donald Trump Serious About a Third Term?
Michael Warren quick-turned a sharply reported analysis of Trump’s flirtation with finding a loophole in the 22nd Amendment so that he might extend his stay in the White House beyond January 20, 2029.
Hill Republicans Hope It’s Finally Time for a TikTok Sale
Charles Hilu examined the tension between Republicans in Congress, and Trump, over enforcement, or lack thereof, of a law that requires TikTok to be shut down in the United States if the Chinese-owned social media platform does not divest from Beijing’s financial and operational control. Republicans on Capitol Hill spearheaded the legislation long before Trump, previously a TikTok critic, had a change of heart on the platform’s usefulness.
Donald Trump, Franklin Roosevelt and the Allure of Permanent Power
Chris Stirewalt penned a piece that’s part history lesson, part biting political analysis, and all cogent insight into the Trump team’s FDR-esque pursuit of a third term.
Democrats Need to Dig Deep
And finally, one of our new contributing writers, Jeremiah Johnson, dives into the Democratic Party’s ongoing reassessment and self-reflection in the wake of Trump’s 2024 reelection victory with a piece that reviews whether leading national Democrats are learning the right lessons from last November’s debacle.
—David
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