Evening Roundup, Feb 20
Featuring Paul Krugman on this morning's shocking ruling, Steve Vladeck & Jen Rubin's SCOTUS analysis, scandalous Ken Paxton, Frederick Wise, love & basketball, war with Iran?, truffles, pups, & Pod
Spotlight
Will the Economy Improve Now that Trump's Tariffs are Gone?
The Supreme Court shot down Trump’s tariffs today. So, what? Will the cost of living instantly improve? Will grocery store prices level out? Will our global trading partners suddenly trust us again?
Election Epicenter
Ken Paxton is No Stranger to Controversy. Here’s Nearly 20 Years of Scandals & Headlines
This piece by Juliana Lightsey was written and published by our friends at The Barbed Wire on February 17, 2026. To support their work or read more from this phenomenal publication, please visit them at: https://thebarbedwire.com/
Hot Topics
SCOTUS Knocked Down Tariffs. What Now?
Today, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s tariffs are illegal. Despite differing reasons, the majority of the justices agreed that the power of tariffs lie with Congress’ taxing authority, not the President’s.
Culture Recs: The Work of Frederick Wiseman
Plus, this year's Oscar-nominated documentaries and where to watch them.
Foreign Affairs
Election Interference & A War with Iran?
[VIDEO] The narrative tool of Chekhov's Gun states that if a gun is produced in the first act, it will be fired by the last. As we may soon learn, this principle can also apply to real life as Trump mobilizes U.S. military forces around Iran.
Media Center
Censor, Bow, Surrender
[VIDEO] The era of CBS News as a journalistic beacon of integrity is over due in large part to Bari Weiss. Her reign has brought censorship, bowing, and surrendering to the Trump administration.
Ken Paxton is so disgusting 🤮 He might beat Cornyn in the senate race but I hope Crockett or Talarico has something to throw him off track with his lying and corrupt record.
It's past time to begin defending our right to vote. Here is a strategy I see unfolding:
1. Force (more) voters to show up in person on voting day.
2. Stations ICE agents around the polling place. This might require State cooperation - maybe.
3. Use facial recognition software and cameras to identify specific voters.
4. Detain those voters before they enter the voting place.
5. By the time they challenge the detention, it will be too late to vote.
6. Use the prepositioned MAGA staff on State election boards to create a contingent election for President in 2028 that gets decided in the House.
7. Exploit the loopholes in the Constitutional prohibition from being elected more than twice in 2028. (The third rail option for a third term.)
How do we prevent these things from happening in 2026 and 2028?