Garrett Epps

My emotional response to Musk's declaration of war partakes of Whitman's in "By Blue Ontario's Shore": Slavery—the murderous, treacherous conspiracy to raise it upon the ruins of all the rest, On and on to the grapple with it—Assassin! then your life or ours be the stake, and respite no more.

wapo.st/3VP60S1 Is there a better metaphor for Hegseth and Trump than that they broke the world Eisenhower saw because Hegseth didn't bother to ask experts to do a simple task?

The reporting of the NYT on this has been grotesquely skewed by their administration informants and the Times' editorial bigotry, but the students at the Harvard Crimson cover the ground professionally.

This is a great idea! We haven’t won anything yet so let’s start purging allies with bullshit purity tests. Good times.

Don't mess with Texas.

Fact check: true.

I got a letter from an editor at a publisher explaining that DEMOCRACY REBORN is a work of genius. Theeditor was a real person. I reached out to her through its website to ask whether it was she. Unsurprising answer: no. I am not clear on what the payoff for scammers is. Anybody know?

We have just witnessed the 21st century equivalent of the Hitler-Stalin pact.

What we are witnessing is the equivalent of the Hitler-Stalin pact.

A massive, and massively underrated, threat to a functioning democracy. (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/10/11/u...

HIGH COURT, FACING CONTENTIOUS TERM, IS BUOYED BY SURPRISE POLL RESULTS: Gallup figures show 62.3 % of billionaires support six-Justice majority* *SATIRE

We should not ignore the role of the Supreme Court in the ordeal in Tennessee. The Court of Appeals had ordered a stay; the majority voided it with no explanation.“As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; They kill us for their sport"—KING LEAR

"Did you or did you not grill a square hamburger patty, put it on a bun, and give it to someone in exchange for money?" "Sir, that was a Wendy's."

A reminder that if not for the Supreme Court in US v. MORRISON, Jane Doe would have had access to the federal courts for a civil rights action. The Court said that rape is a local matter no matter how great the impact on commerce.

A reminder that if not for the Supreme Court in US v. MORRISON, Jane Doe woukd have had access to the federal courts for a civil rights action. The Court said that rape is a local matter no matter how great the impact on commerce.

If Mr Vance were to travel to Alaska, that would be a misfortune. If he were to return home, that would be a catastrophe. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/10...

"I have the highest of IQs. I have the highest. I'm fine, and I understand that stuff. You know, my uncle was at MIT for 41 years, and you know, I'm a—I believe in genetics, frankly, and I understand. I understand it much more than I think any president would." time.com/article/2026...

Stephens’ actions following the hit drew widespread criticism and became one of the major talking points following the Ducks’ win. https://mrf.lu/2d1KH

Wow, this is amazing. I've tried to kinda not complain about our current mayor too much but seeing what's possible in Seattle, Denver, NYC makes it obvious.

URGENT WARNING: Half-baked potato dressed as US Senator hijacks Senate floor.

Health care is a human right, not a privilege. We need to put people over profit and protect health care access for everyone. We need Medicare for All now.

U.S. elections have proved remarkably resilient, but the system has been battered by a political assault designed to restrict the vote and diminish democracy. Here are eight solutions to ensure the right to vote in elections that are free, fair, and safe. bit.ly/4j4uGiG

“Wisdom cries out in the streets and no man regards it.” Henry IV Part One

TONIGHT: @garrettepps.bsky.social talks to @lawrenceodonnell.bsky.social on The #LastWord at 10pm ET.

These two connected articles are required reading for *everyone*: The impending confrontations... newrepublic.com/article/2151... and the historical precedents... washingtonmonthly.com/2026/09/16/c... Thank you, @judgeluttig.bsky.social and @garrettepps.bsky.social 💯✊😠

As I read about Suk’s imagined court, I thought about the horror that is Bush v. Gore. What if a shadow court could have responded to that monstrosity? What if I could have taught my students that some important constitutional figures thought it bosh? washingtonmonthly.com/2026/09/17/t...

Important history here! House Clerks CAN weild the power to deny an elected majority--they have in the past! But that's NOT the last word. This history reinforces my view that a Dem landslide is the best insurance. Knowing they were deeply unpopular would make GOP reps less likely to back the play.

A wonderful friend to a young writer. Just to be around her was education of the profoundest sort. And she was so funny!

Can the House clerk lead a Midterm coup? It’s happened before, @garrettepps.bsky.social writes.

washingtonmonthly.com/2026/09/16/c...

I live in two communities that have made this work--in Eugene, Oregon, a Lookout news room and in Baltimore, of course, the Banner. (Let's not neglect the role of public radio as well.)

The Republican Convention will be RATINGS GOLD, people! Seeing Republican members of Congress? People love that! And it's not as if there's anything else to watch--wait, what? Patriots? Yes, they ARE Patriots, that's what I was saying! And Seahawks? Tonight? Foot....ball? Ok, go to commercial . .

Steve Rattner: Excluding the pre-Liberation Day bounce where companies increased imports ahead of expected tariffs, last month registered the worst U.S. trade deficit on record. More evidence that Trump's blanket tariffs have failed on their own terms.

A couple more good pieces on Dersh: Paul Campos's LGM post, "Notes from a continuing nightmare" www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/08/note... Via that, @garrettepps.bsky.social's look at Dersh's latest "book-like artifact" (as Campos calls it): washingtonmonthly.com/2026/04/02/a... [1/2]

Me and Ian Masters on Trump’s DoJ and the plot to steal the midterms.

White House unveils new presidential limousine.

Or he could just look in the mirror. Man's chock full of demons!

Not enough. The Elon Musk budget cuts designed to kill Africans are mostly still in effect. The U.S. did restore $2 billion to global health -- but Trump has already spent $37.5 billion on the war against #Iran. @garrettepps.bsky.social @jfallows.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/h...

Plus, total trade embargoes with Erewhon and Narnia

FIFA awards first-ever “FIFA Most Hated Man in World Sport” prize to Gianni Infantino

Are you saying the DOJ withdrew that pool vandalism indictment… upon reflection?

“These are people who literally cannot be trusted to paint a swimming pool.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/vide...

Trump slaps high tariffs on Wakanda, taunts Supreme Court: "Overturn this!" www.bbc.com/news/world-u...

Paul has discovered that certain subversive scientists, inspired by Trotskyite saboteurs, are not following the correct thoughT of Comrade Trofim Lysenko. THEY MUST BE LIQUIDATED!

Rand Paul threatens Fauci with “contempt of Congress.” I’m reminded of a story told variously of Lord Diplock and the first Earl of Birkenhead. A judge said, “You are displaying contempt of this court!” The advocate supposedly responded, “I crave pardon, my Lord, I am striving to conceal it.“