Politics

Even in a state known for crafting first-in-the-nation progressive laws and leading on reproductive rights, men have long outnumbered women in the California Legislature. The Capitol’s male-dominated culture was evident when hundreds of women spoke out about sexual harassment during the #MeToo movement. Then came the shocking image of a masked lawmaker carrying her newborn … Read more

Co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski in a behind-the-scenes photo from the show “Morning Joe” on MSNBC. (MIller Hawkins) Last week in Columbus, Ohio, a dozen or so people marched through the city waving Nazi flags and yelling racial epithets. Disturbing, to be sure, and a grim sign of the times. But almost as troubling … Read more

Donald Trump lied with remarkable audacity and velocity as he sought restoration to the White House. The fact that he won raises questions about whether truth matters anymore in seeking elected office. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) Donald Trump said violent crime was exploding across the U.S. It wasn’t. He said Haitian immigrants in Springfield, … Read more

A 70–foot flagpole flying a 25-foot-by-15-foot flag at Trump National Golf Course sparked a spat with the Coastal Commission in 2008. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times) Donald Trump, a Republican presidential candidate and the front-runner for the nomination, has real estate interests in Southern California. This story originally appeared in The Times on … Read more

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announces his economic development plans at a Fresno City College campus on Thursday, part of his effort to inject optimism into red counties. Gov. Gavin Newsom headed to the Central Valley on Thursday to tout his forthcoming jobs plan, saying California’s economic might was “cold comfort” to regions that feel like … Read more

Former Florida Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi is President-elect Donald Trump’s new pick for U.S. attorney general. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be U.S. attorney general just hours after his other choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name from consideration. Bondi is … Read more

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) arrives to speak before Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) at a campaign event on Nov. 4 in Atlanta. (John Bazemore / Associated Press) The swift sinking of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general showed Thursday that Republicans are still capable of finding fault with Trump’s choices, … Read more

Rep.-elect Sarah McBride of Delaware leaves a meeting of House Democrats on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. (Mark Schiefelbein / Associated Press) House Speaker Mike Johnson declared Wednesday that lawmakers and staff will have to use restrooms corresponding with their biological sex, a statement directed at Sarah McBride, the first transgender person to be elected to … Read more

President-elect Donald Trump’s famous hostility to media outlets that criticize him has raised trepidation about his choice for FCC chief. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President-elect Trump’s nomination of Brendan Carr as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is bringing both hope and fear to the media industry. For media executives, the hope … Read more

Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at NHTI Concord Community College in October in Concord, N.H. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press) The Senate on Wednesday rejected attempts by Sen. Bernie Sandersto block sales of offensive weapons to Israel for its war in Gaza over mounting civilian deaths there. The Vermont lawmaker and a small group of … Read more