Karen Tumulty

'Stand your butt up': GOP Senator challenges union boss to fight YouTube video by CTV News

"Stand your butt up." "You stand YOUR butt up." That time
Bernie Sanders had to stop a fight: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR94...

My home state is voting today on a U.S. Senate seat first held by Sam Houston, the father of Texas. The anniversary of his birth — yesterday — is celebrated as Texas Independence Day.

Happy Texas Independence day to those who celebrate.

In tragedy-torn Uvalde, it’s a scandal-ridden incumbent or ‘the AK Guy’ Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) is accused of having an affair with an aide who later killed herself. His primary challenger, Brandon Herrera, is running on a pro-gun platform.

Less than 4 years ago, 21 were killed by a gunman. Now Uvalde appears likely to elect "the AK guy." This from @teoarmus.bsky.social tells much about the reality of gun politics in Texas -- In tragedy-torn Uvalde, it’s a scandal-ridden incumbent or ‘the AK Guy’ www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone, lawmakers say Members of Congress say the U.S. military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone.

Again? -- US military used laser to take down Border Protection drone, lawmakers say apnews.com/article/mili...

The @washingtonpost.com continues to break major stories.

Trump, seeking executive power over elections, is urged to declare emergency Activists who say they are in coordination with the White House are circulating a draft executive order that would unlock extraordinary presidential power over voting.

Trump, seeking executive power over elections, is urged to declare emergency. A scoop from @iarnsdorf.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Analysis | Trump stirred rumors for years. Now, it’s the Clintons’ turn to speak about Epstein. Bill and Hillary Clinton have survived decades of scrutiny and conspiracy theories. Often, their adversaries come out on the losing end.

Trump has spread accusations about Clinton for more then a decade, often to deflect questions about his own association with Epstein. The Clintons will now tell their own story. -- www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Republicans stare down epic voter enthusiasm gap ahead of 2026 midterms The 14-percentage point advantage is the Democrats’ largest in decades and reflects Republicans’ slippery grasp on power in Washington.

Republicans stare down epic voter enthusiasm gap ahead of 2026 midterms @lizcgoodwin.bsky.social @sfcpoll.bsky.social poll wapo.st/3MPdeRx

Analysis | Trump reframes America, in two acts The president delivered a speech that tried to reshape the dark reality many Americans say they are feeling, according to polls.

SOTU: Trump reframes America, in two acts wapo.st/4s9uFLE

When I first covered Congress back in the Pleistocene Era, reporters joked on SOTU Day that the House Chamber's center aisle was "ass-kisser's alley." Members planted themselves there hours in advance of the speech to get a fleeting second on TV with the president as he entered.

Interesting tidbit from a veteran Republican operative in Texas: In the early vote so far, they are seeing Democrats turning out who "never voted in a primary and they're young."

wow

Dear Google: Your gmail "suggested reply" feature is a really, really bad idea.

Column | How Keri Russell’s suede Coach boots ended up in my closet Hollywood memorabilia auctions can “extend the ride” for nostalgic fans of bygone TV shows -- and enhance their wardrobes at bargain prices.

Such a fun story from @amyargetsinger.bsky.social -- How Keri Russell’s suede Coach boots ended up in my closet www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/20...

60% disapprove of Trump ahead of State of the Union, Post-ABC poll finds But Democrats have made little headway in persuading Americans that they have better ideas or policies to offer.

NEW: 60% disapprove of Trump ahead of State of the Union, Post-ABC poll finds. But Democrats have made little headway in persuading Americans they have better ideas or policies to offer. @danbalz @sfcpoll wapo.st/3ZPiyaE

Analysis | Supreme Court put the brakes on Trump, after Congress helped him step on the gas Trump has walked all over Congress but prior presidents of both parties have stretched the bounds of emergency powers.

MY SUNDAY ANALYSIS: SCOTUS tapped the brakes on Trump's unprecedented use of emergency powers to achieve his agenda. But decades of sloppy lawmaking by Congress made it possible for him to do it -- and only Congress can fix what it created. wapo.st/46n8KZb

“Pontiac,” the code name that had been given Jackson by the Secret Service, was also the punch line to an old racist joke. The Secret Service said it was a coincidence, and that the code name had been picked from a random list. Those around Jackson did not buy the explanation.

Analysis | Breaking barriers, Jesse Jackson exposed racism and rifts in politics The obstacles he faced — including those from his own party’s establishment — were overt and subtle.

Jesse Jackson's was the first presidential campaign I had ever covered. One day stands out in my memory more than any other (giftlink): wapo.st/4aTlHMK

On President's Day, a story I think about is how a U.S. House member who served only one term was present when they laid the cornerstone of the Washington Monument in 1848. His name: Abraham Lincoln. Love to imagine what he was thinking.

Analysis | Six congressional primaries that explain where the country is headed A 21st-century-record number of seats are opening, and races will be raucous and crowded, reflecting both parties’ ideological, stylistic and generational tensions.

Six congressional primaries that explain where the country is headed wapo.st/3ZDDFfX

Analysis | Primary season has arrived. Why these races matter so much in 2026. A 21st-century-record number of seats are opening, and races will be raucous and crowded, reflecting both parties’ ideological, stylistic and generational tensions.

Primary season is already here. Typically only one in 5 voters bother to show up in primaries. Here's why primaries will be some of the most important races in 2026. Plus six early ones to watch. wapo.st/3ZDDFfX (giftlink)

Politics questions? Ask Karen Tumulty. Join our chief political correspondent for her next live chat on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 12 p.m. Eastern time.

Politics questions? Join us at noon Eastern for my every-other-week Live Chat. wapo.st/4arJG4d

Trump leaves Republicans guessing on midterms plans as outlook darkens The president is said to be eager to increase his involvement but has yet to approve a spending plan for his $300 million-plus war chest.

Terrific reporting from @iarnsdorf.bsky.social and @lizcgoodwin.bsky.social -- Trump leaves Republicans guessing on midterms plans as outlook darkens (gift link) wapo.st/3O0AXPb

Hello, God. It's Karen: Could we have a rewind of this week?

What do we make of Colin Kaepernick now? The Super Bowl is being played in his former home stadium, at a societal moment that echoes the issues he forced football fans to confront. So why is he out of mind?

Today the Post published 3 stories that explore the nation's fraught political + cultural moment through the global stage of the Super Bowl and Olympics. 1. We look at why Colin Kaepernick's impact on the NFL has waned 10 years after his social justice protest www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/...

A postcard arrived: ‘If you’re reading this I’m dead, and I really liked you’ Don Glickman’s daughter sent his favorite people the postcard he designed before his death.

I wish I could have known Don Glickman too. Beautifully told by Sydney Page -- A postcard arrived: ‘If you’re reading this I’m dead, and I really liked you’ www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/20...

Lee Hamilton, foreign policy leader in Congress, dies at 94 President Barack Obama called the Indiana Democrat “one of the most influential voices on international relations and American national security.”

One of the finest public servants I have ever had the privilege to cover: Lee Hamilton, foreign policy leader in Congress, dies at 94 www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...

I wasn’t laid off. But lots of brilliant, brave, wonderful colleagues were.

Grateful to all the concerned friends who called, texted, emailed today asking: Are you OK? Yes, I still have a job that is more than that, a mission. But that is not the same thing as feeling OK. Not today.