Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
Joni Ernst says federal spending on monkey studies is bananas
In recognition of National Monkey Day, Sen. Joni Ernst shines a light on how Uncle Sam spends taxpayer dollars on seemingly bizarre experiments on furry primates. Published December 14, 2024
Leftists hit for embrace of accused CEO killer; new merchandise glorifies message
The political left is giving Luigi Mangione the Che Guevera treatment. Images of the man accused of killing the CEO of the nation's largest health insurance company are splashed across T-shirts, coffee cups and other merchandise being hawked online and on the streets of New York City. Published December 11, 2024
Sen. Ernst encouraged with Hegseth, cites his pledge to audit Pentagon, fight sex assault in ranks
Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa signaled Monday she is finding common policy ground with Pete Hegseth after holding an "encouraging" meeting with President-elect Donald Trump's embattled nominee to lead the Department of Defense. Published December 9, 2024
Elon Musk sees ‘Volunteer IT Consultant’ in the DOGE mirror
The world's richest man has given himself a new job title: Volunteer IT Consultant. Published December 9, 2024
Musk-led DOGE sparks ‘new day in America’ energy on Capitol Hill
President-elect Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency was all the buzz Thursday on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers got their first taste of how the Elon Musk-led cost-cutting committee plans to shake up Washington. Published December 5, 2024
House speaker welcomes DOGE leaders to Capitol Hill, declares it a ‘new day in America’
President-elect Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency was all the buzz Thursday on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers were given an early sense of how the cost-cutting committee co-led by Elon Musk plans to shake up Washington. Published December 5, 2024
DOGE sets sights first on ‘low-hanging fruit’ of government waste, fraud and abuse
Vivek Ramaswamy said Wednesday that the Department of Government Efficiency's initial focus will be weeding out the "low-hanging fruit" of waste, fraud and abuse across the federal government -- not recommending ways to overhaul entitlement programs, the biggest drivers of federal spending and the national debt. Published December 4, 2024
Ben Wikler’s run for DNC chair gains support of center-left think tank
Ben Wikler's bid to lead the Democratic Party out of the rubble of a disappointing election is gaining momentum. Published December 4, 2024
Social media raises profile of mission to cut bureaucracy
The commission President-elect Donald Trump has tasked with eliminating government inefficiency has something previous waste-cutting committees lacked: the social media bullhorn. Published December 3, 2024
Skoufis offers generational change in his underdog DNC bid
James Skoufis is claiming the outsider mantle in his long-shot bid to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee. Published December 2, 2024
Biden’s pardon of Hunter hands leverage to Republicans on tax cuts, gun laws
President Biden's decision to give his son Hunter a get-out-of-jail-free card undermines Democrats' attempt to claim the moral high ground on debates over gun laws and taxes. Published December 2, 2024
Trump fills out health care, national security and economic teams with flurry of moves
President-elect Donald Trump has filled out his economic, health care and national security teams with a flurry of appointments and pending nominations, including hedge fund manager Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary and former White House budget director Russell Vought to serve in the same role. Published November 24, 2024
Trump names Gorka to White House counter-terror post, picks Scott Turner to lead HUD
President-elect Donald Trump is bringing back Sebastian Gorka into the White House to serve as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism, marking his latest back-to-the-future pick as he fills out his inner circle. Published November 22, 2024
Rahm’s return? Emanuel looms as candidate for DNC chair
Rahm Emanuel, the hard-charging Democratic operative from Chicago now serving as U.S. ambassador to Japan, is trying to sort out where he could best serve his party -- fueling speculation he could be interested in taking over the reins of the Democratic National Committee. Published November 22, 2024
Trump world makes clear Mike Rogers to FBI: ‘Not happening’
President-elect Donald Trump's team is throwing cold water on the idea that former Rep. Mike Rogers is in line to lead the FBI. Published November 22, 2024
State court derails Philadelphia’s push for stricter gun laws
Gun rights advocates celebrated a victory this week after the highest court in Pennsylvania shot down Philadelphia's push for stricter gun laws. Published November 21, 2024
Bondi replaces Gaetz as Trump’s pick for attorney general, removes ‘distraction’
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Thursday that he is withdrawing from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general, amid persistent allegations he had sex with a minor and paid women for sex. Published November 21, 2024
In major antitrust action, Justice Department wants court to consider forcing Google to break up
The Department of Justice will ask a federal judge Wednesday to consider breaking up Google, months after the technology giant was found to have illegally monopolized the online search market by spending billions of dollars on deals with manufacturers that required it to be their default search engine. Published November 19, 2024
Voters OK with Trump Cabinet picks except for Gaetz; Democrats urge release of ethics report
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz is the least popular of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, and faces growing calls for the House Ethics Committee to release the report of its probe into him. Published November 19, 2024
Voters OK with Trump Cabinet picks except for Gaetz, poll shows
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz is the least popular of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, according to a new poll. Published November 19, 2024
