Trump calls for unity while attacking perceived enemies
Hello and happy Tuesday. President Trump was sworn in to his second term on a cold but sunny Washington afternoon Monday, offering up multiple speeches…
Could the L.A. fires change how California responds to deportations?
Hello and happy Thursday, though the fires rage on. There are four days until the inauguration, but already the Trump effect is in effect. Last…
As fires rage, so do rumors and agendas
Hello and happy Tuesday, though with great respect for the ongoing catastrophe in Los Angeles. There are six days until the inauguration, and President-elect Donald…
Essential Politics: Are Karen Bass and Kamala Harris frenemies?
WASHINGTON — I was first introduced to the concept of frenemies in sixth grade after a girl, who I thought was a friend, told my crush…
Appeals court declines to block Trump sentencing in hush money case
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York’s highest court on Thursday declined to block Donald Trump’s upcoming sentencing for his felony conviction, leaving the Supreme Court as the…
‘The mountain is screaming at you’: L.A. fires become a collective trauma
More than 1,100 homes, businesses and other buildings have been lost in the L.A. fires, and many more thousands of people have been displaced. It…
Newsom’s new budget sounds more Republican than radical left
Hello and happy Tuesday. There are 13 days until the inauguration and folks, my vacation was not long enough. But here we are, and I’m…
Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ case ends as prosecutor withdraws appeal
A New Mexico prosecutor has withdrawn her appeal of the dismissed involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin, officially ending the years-long criminal case against the…
Paris Hilton, gender parity, Siberian tigers: 3 good-news stories for the holidays
Hello and happy Thursday. There are 32 days until the inauguration and, bust out the tissues, this is my last newsletter until Jan. 7. That…
As states fight over abortion laws, California could get dragged in
Hello and happy Tuesday. There are 34 days until the inauguration, and today we’re talking about the coming legal war over states’ rights. Of course,…
The fall of Syria brings hope to the family of Austin Tice
Hello and happy Thursday. American journalist Austin Tice has been held captive in Syria for 4,504 days, but his family is, for the first time…
Trump promised he won’t cut Social Security. Should you trust him?
Hello and happy Tuesday. There are 41 days until Donald Trump moves back into the White House. Today, we’re looking ahead to what he might…
Trump gained support in California. What does that mean for the so-called resistance?
Hi, and happy Thursday. There are 46 days until President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, but hey, who’s counting? Well, we are. And, it seems, Gov. Gavin…
How California lawmakers are preparing for Trump 2.0
SACRAMENTO — Hello dear readers. Laurel Rosenhall here, The Times’ California politics editor, filling in for Anita Chabria. There are 48 days until President-elect Donald Trump’s…
Jennifer Siebel Newsom discusses women, health and safety. And Trump.
Hello and happy Thanksgiving. There are 53 days until the Inauguration, and today we’re talking about moms, daughters, sisters, wives and even the lady at…
Turkeys got pardoned. Will Jan. 6 defendants get the same treatment?
Hi, and happy Tuesday. There are 55 days until President-elect Trump is sworn back into office, and there are two days until Thanksgiving. Surely, Americans,…
Lessons from my four decades of covering politics: Prepare to be surprised
WASHINGTON — Because they are all-or-nothing contests, American elections lend themselves to over-interpretation.In 1988, Republican Vice President George H.W. Bush defeated Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, winning…
The Trump landslide that wasn’t
Hello and happy Thursday. There are 60 days until the inauguration, and today I’m wondering if size matters. I’m referring, of course, to the size…
Trump’s Cabinet picks are not normal. Will they be appointed anyway?
Hello and happy Tuesday. There are 62 days until President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in, and today we’re talking about keeping things normal. Normal, of…
Trump’s early moves send strong signals about what to expect
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump opened his transition back to the White House this week with a flurry of personnel announcements that sent forceful messages to…