curated news excerpts & citations
Atlanta Black Star: Trump’s Department of Education Tries to Send a Message—and Ends Up Exposing the Administration Instead
It seems there’s no end to the racism underpinning the Trump administration under President Donald Trump, which regularly trumpets its efforts at remaking the federal government in the image of a Jim Crow, 1950s-era America.
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The department posted a photo from National Geographic showing a classroom full of white children from 1959 reciting the pledge of allegiance with the caption, “MAKE EDUCATION GREAT AGAIN.”
The implication and message the department is sending out with the post is clear, and it didn’t take long for social media to erupt in anger and disbelief.
(Atlanta Black Star more…)
ProPublica: ProPublica Sues Education Department for Withholding Records About Discrimination in Schools
The agency’s Office for Civil Rights aims to protect millions of students from being discriminated against based on disability, race and gender. Under Education Secretary Linda McMahon, that work has become cloaked in secrecy, the lawsuit alleges.
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Heather Cox Richardson: Letters from an American – March 2, 2026
The Economist’s Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom noted that Trump appears to be workshopping the causes for his attacks on Iran and his goals for the war by talking to journalists.
As Meidas Touch summarized Carlstrom’s argument, he said: “[Trump] doesn’t sound convinced by any of it. He’s throwing spaghetti at the wall. …
(Heather Cox Richardson more…)
Heather Delaney Reese: Trump’s bored of peace
At 7:15 this evening, the President of the United States gripped the handrails as he stepped off Marine One and onto the South Lawn of the White House. His body moved slowly across the lawn, his legs stiff and wide, planting each step deliberately, like a man bracing against his own weight. He kept his head down, sucking in air between pursed lips. He looked bewildered and expressionless as he paused for the waiting press pool to capture photos. And as he approached, they shouted questions about Iran. About the war. And most importantly, about the three American service members who were killed. A male reporter asked directly, “Mr. President, what’s your message to the families of the fallen?” He didn’t answer a single question, not even one as serious as that. He just kept walking. Because he didn’t have even a moment more to talk about our fallen heroes. He had shiny new statues to see.
(Heather Delaney Reese more…)Al Jazeera: Rubio suggests US strikes on Iran were influenced by Israeli plans
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested that a planned Israeli attack against Iran determined the timing of Washington’s assault against the government in Tehran.
Ken Klippenstein: Why We Struck Iran
We attacked Iran because the target was simply too tempting to pass up, military sources tell me.
WSJ: Trump’s Shifting Goals for Iran Complicate Military’s Mission
President and his allies went back and forth Sunday, between ending the threat from Tehran and regime change
Marcy Wheeler: “That’s the way it is:” Trump Team Admissions, So Far
- They were lying about the threat from Iran.
- They were lying about good faith of negotiations.
- They begged UK for help immediately (and Ukraine offered needed counter-drone expertise).
- They had no f—ing idea Iran would retaliate by attacking Arab nations.
- They’re escalating on Day Three.
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Judd Legum: The money behind the new Iran War
In private calls over the last several weeks, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) reportedly urged President Trump to attack Iran. Iran is a top regional rival of Saudi Arabia, and MBS had become concerned about Iran’s growing military capabilities.
(Judd Legum more…)
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Al Jazeera: US-Israel attacks on Iran: Death toll and injuries live tracker
Preliminary figures are 787 dead in Iran, at least 11 in Israel, six US soldiers and eight killed in Gulf states.
(Al Jazeera more…)
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Al Jazeera: How Russia could benefit from the US-Israeli war on Iran
Paul Krugman: War, Oil and the World Economy
Do you remember the 1979 energy crisis? I hope not — or at least I hope many of you don’t. Because I’d like to believe that my readers aren’t all old codgers like me.
I, however, remember the gas lines and the panic they instilled. I remember the Iranian hostage crisis and the sense that we were all at risk from political instability on the other side of the world. I remember how soaring energy prices were followed by soaring inflation across the board.
Now Donald Trump has taken us to war with the nation that was at the epicenter of that crisis. Obligatory disclaimer: The Iranian regime is evil, and it would be a good thing if this war leads to its demise. But my topic today is the side consequences of the US attack.
(Paul Krugman more…)Mary Geddry: The Strait That Isn’t Closed (Until It Is)
Bloomberg: What the War With Iran Means for Renewable Energy Deployment
Higher energy prices could make green alternatives more attractive, but harder to deploy.
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zeteo: By Killing Khamenei, the West Created a Martyr – and Mainstream Media Is Ignoring the Muslim Backlash
Ali Khamenei was not Saddam Hussein or Muammar Gaddafi. Killing him will have religious reverberations throughout the Muslim world for years to come.
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Vanity Fair: “He Could Be Impeached.” Donald Trump’s Base Revolts Over War With Iran
“This is insane. Regime change will result in a bloody civil war, killing hundreds of thousands and creating another massive Muslim refugee crisis. Topping a leader is NEVER as easy you think. It almost always results in further involvement, a civil war, and chaos. Resist this!”
That was Charlie Kirk, speaking last summer and just a few months before his killing, in response to Lindsey Graham’s call for regime change in Iran. His protest reflected a sentiment pervasive among supporters of President Donald Trump, who campaigned on an end to foreign interventions that have cost the United States trillions of dollars and thousands of lives in this century alone: that Trump’s bellicosity is a betrayal of everything the MAGA movement stands for.
…The war is certain to widen a growing rift in Trump’s base over his military adventurism abroad. Tucker Carlson, one of Trump’s most prominent supporters, argued for his election in 2024 on the basis that his opponents would drag the United States into unnecessary wars. In comments to ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl, Carlson called the attacks on Iran “absolutely disgusting and evil” and said they would deal a blow to his movement. “This is going to shuffle the deck in a profound way,” Carlson said.
(Vanity Fair more…)TNR: As Trump Goes Wildly Awry on Economy, Fox Quietly Bursts His Bubble
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Jennifer Rubin: An Illegal, Unjustified War Underscores Danger of Media Consolidation
We need diverse, critical news coverage more than ever
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404 Media: With Iran War, Kalshi and Polymarket Bet That the Depravity Economy Has No Bottom
Gambling markets have conveniently found a stance that allows them to continue to profit from death and war.
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Joyce Vance: Another Big Loss for the Little Bully
Today, the Trump administration delivered a loss in court to itself. It abandoned its defense of Trump’s executive orders sanctioning several law firms.
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Gloria Horton-Young: Jeffrey Epstein’s Secret Storage Lockers
Why did it take a UK reporter to uncover what was hiding in plain sight?
NPR: Video of Clinton depositions in Epstein investigation released by House Republicans
Thom Hartmann: Operation Epstein Fury: Is This About National Security or Political Survival?
ICE deaths 2026 – They deserve remembrance and justice.- February 25: Nurul Amin Shah Alam
- January 24: Alex Pretti
- January 14: Heber Sanchaz Dominguez
- January 14: Victor Manuel Diaz
- January 9: Parady La
- January 7: Renée Good
- January 6: Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz
- January 5: Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres
- January 3: Geraldo Lunas Campos
- December 31, 2025: Keith Porter
Suffering Under President Obama
NACDL Criminal Case Tracker
Texas Tribune: A Walk for Peace: photos of Fort Worth monks’ journey to Washington
Walk for Peace – Dhammacetiya – The Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas
Margaret Chase Smith: Declaration of Conscience
NPR: January 6, 2021: A visual archive
Accountability Initiative ICE List
GriftMatrix
Trump Action Tracker
Timeline: Tracking the Trump Justice Department’s Anti-Voting Shift
Tracking the Lawsuits Against Trump’s Agenda
Trump Pardons Database
Project 2025 Tracker
DOGE Tracker
ProPublica: Elon Musk’s Demolition Crew
Wired: 6 Tools for Tracking the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Civil Liberties