Steve Benen
@stevebenen.com
Rachel Maddow Show producer, MaddowBlog author, MS NOW contributor, and author of Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past
Reposted by Steve Benen
When I started writing a book about the origins of the Civil Rights Division and its growth into an important government agency, I didn't realize it would need to become a how-to guide for rebuilding it.
The Justice Department’s unraveling is accelerating:
- Civil Rights Division resignations
- another prosecutor purged
- bipartisan condemnation of Powell/Fed probe
- multiple court defeats in recent days
- White House takeover
- Trump slams Bondi
An institution in crisis.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
- Civil Rights Division resignations
- another prosecutor purged
- bipartisan condemnation of Powell/Fed probe
- multiple court defeats in recent days
- White House takeover
- Trump slams Bondi
An institution in crisis.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
An unraveling Justice Department appears to be coming apart at the seams
In 2025, the DOJ struggled with everything from purges to incompetence to weaponization. In 2026, its collapse seems to be accelerating.
www.ms.now
January 13, 2026 at 5:01 PM
When I started writing a book about the origins of the Civil Rights Division and its growth into an important government agency, I didn't realize it would need to become a how-to guide for rebuilding it.
The Justice Department’s unraveling is accelerating:
- Civil Rights Division resignations
- another prosecutor purged
- bipartisan condemnation of Powell/Fed probe
- multiple court defeats in recent days
- White House takeover
- Trump slams Bondi
An institution in crisis.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
- Civil Rights Division resignations
- another prosecutor purged
- bipartisan condemnation of Powell/Fed probe
- multiple court defeats in recent days
- White House takeover
- Trump slams Bondi
An institution in crisis.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
An unraveling Justice Department appears to be coming apart at the seams
In 2025, the DOJ struggled with everything from purges to incompetence to weaponization. In 2026, its collapse seems to be accelerating.
www.ms.now
January 13, 2026 at 4:57 PM
The Justice Department’s unraveling is accelerating:
- Civil Rights Division resignations
- another prosecutor purged
- bipartisan condemnation of Powell/Fed probe
- multiple court defeats in recent days
- White House takeover
- Trump slams Bondi
An institution in crisis.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
- Civil Rights Division resignations
- another prosecutor purged
- bipartisan condemnation of Powell/Fed probe
- multiple court defeats in recent days
- White House takeover
- Trump slams Bondi
An institution in crisis.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
As Musk’s Grok faces an international backlash, common sense might have cautioned the Pentagon against embracing the scandal-plagued AI program.
Pete Hegseth, however, doesn’t care. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Pete Hegseth, however, doesn’t care. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Hegseth shrugs at Grok scandals, partners with Musk’s generative AI model
Common sense might suggest the Pentagon would balk at embracing Musk’s notorious pet AI. Common sense is not Hegseth’s strong suit.
www.ms.now
January 13, 2026 at 2:14 PM
As Musk’s Grok faces an international backlash, common sense might have cautioned the Pentagon against embracing the scandal-plagued AI program.
Pete Hegseth, however, doesn’t care. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Pete Hegseth, however, doesn’t care. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The FBI recorded White House border czar Tom Homan allegedly accepting $50,000 in cash (in a Cava bag) as part of an undercover operation.
He wants the questions to go away.
They aren’t.
He wants the questions to go away.
They aren’t.
“To settle this, it would be great if the White House would release the case files and any FBI recordings of Tom Homan’s meetings with undercover agents posing as businessmen...”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
White House’s Homan deflects when pressed on Cava bag controversy
The FBI recorded Homan allegedly accepting $50,000 in cash as part of an undercover operation. Questions for the border czar haven’t gone away.
www.ms.now
January 12, 2026 at 8:54 PM
The FBI recorded White House border czar Tom Homan allegedly accepting $50,000 in cash (in a Cava bag) as part of an undercover operation.
He wants the questions to go away.
They aren’t.
He wants the questions to go away.
They aren’t.
After failing spectacularly to deliver on his promises about job creation, Trump tried to rebrand failure as “amazing.”
That’s demonstrably ridiculous. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
That’s demonstrably ridiculous. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
January 12, 2026 at 7:36 PM
After failing spectacularly to deliver on his promises about job creation, Trump tried to rebrand failure as “amazing.”
That’s demonstrably ridiculous. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
That’s demonstrably ridiculous. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
We’ve all heard the expression “Shoot first, ask questions later.”
So long as the administration instead says, “Shoot first, never ask questions,” folks like @smith.senate.gov will have a point when they talk about “cover-ups.” www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
So long as the administration instead says, “Shoot first, never ask questions,” folks like @smith.senate.gov will have a point when they talk about “cover-ups.” www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Minnesota Democrat accuses Trump administration of a “cover-up” after Renee Good shooting
“I think they have just completely destroyed any credibility as they have so quickly rushed to judgment,” Sen. Tina Smith said.
www.ms.now
January 12, 2026 at 6:21 PM
We’ve all heard the expression “Shoot first, ask questions later.”
So long as the administration instead says, “Shoot first, never ask questions,” folks like @smith.senate.gov will have a point when they talk about “cover-ups.” www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
So long as the administration instead says, “Shoot first, never ask questions,” folks like @smith.senate.gov will have a point when they talk about “cover-ups.” www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
If Trump wants to give consumers a break on credit card interest rates, great.
But pretending tweets and laws are the same thing won’t help anyone. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
But pretending tweets and laws are the same thing won’t help anyone. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The problem(s) with Trump’s radical pitch on credit card interest rates
If the president is looking to give consumers a break, great. But pretending tweets and laws are the same thing won’t help anyone.
www.ms.now
January 12, 2026 at 4:59 PM
If Trump wants to give consumers a break on credit card interest rates, great.
But pretending tweets and laws are the same thing won’t help anyone. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
But pretending tweets and laws are the same thing won’t help anyone. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
As Trump’s DOJ pursues Powell, it's worth appreciating the brazenness: Trump abusing the justice system. He knows he’s abusing the system. He knows that we know he’s abusing the system — but he’s doing it anyway.
The corruption is the point. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The corruption is the point. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Prosecutors open investigation into Fed Chair Powell, sparking immediate backlash
Team Trump has embraced the idea that the levers of prosecutorial power are just another tool to be used against those who get in the president's way.
www.ms.now
January 12, 2026 at 1:05 PM
As Trump’s DOJ pursues Powell, it's worth appreciating the brazenness: Trump abusing the justice system. He knows he’s abusing the system. He knows that we know he’s abusing the system — but he’s doing it anyway.
The corruption is the point. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The corruption is the point. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Putting aside Lindsey Graham’s eagerness to undermine his own institution, after Nixon vetoed the War Powers Act in 1973, Congress overrode him.
House vote: 284-135
Senate vote: 75-18
In both instances, the majorities were bipartisan. (Many liberal Dems balked and said it didn’t go far enough.)
House vote: 284-135
Senate vote: 75-18
In both instances, the majorities were bipartisan. (Many liberal Dems balked and said it didn’t go far enough.)
January 11, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Putting aside Lindsey Graham’s eagerness to undermine his own institution, after Nixon vetoed the War Powers Act in 1973, Congress overrode him.
House vote: 284-135
Senate vote: 75-18
In both instances, the majorities were bipartisan. (Many liberal Dems balked and said it didn’t go far enough.)
House vote: 284-135
Senate vote: 75-18
In both instances, the majorities were bipartisan. (Many liberal Dems balked and said it didn’t go far enough.)
Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but shouldn’t Elon Musk’s campaign contributions be considered radioactive right about now?
Especially as he plans to open his wallet again for Republicans ahead of the midterms? www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Especially as he plans to open his wallet again for Republicans ahead of the midterms? www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
As Elon Musk amplifies white supremacist messaging, will Republicans keep his money?
As the billionaire eyes a new round of support for GOP candidates, it's worth asking whether his contributions are radioactive.
www.ms.now
January 9, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but shouldn’t Elon Musk’s campaign contributions be considered radioactive right about now?
Especially as he plans to open his wallet again for Republicans ahead of the midterms? www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Especially as he plans to open his wallet again for Republicans ahead of the midterms? www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
For those concerned with the United States’ international standing, and the eagerness of our traditional allies to leave us behind, this week has been especially brutal. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump succeeds in uniting our traditional allies — against the United States
Russia and China have spent years trying to disrupt U.S. alliances. In 2026, the incumbent American president is doing their job for them.
www.ms.now
January 9, 2026 at 6:32 PM
For those concerned with the United States’ international standing, and the eagerness of our traditional allies to leave us behind, this week has been especially brutal. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Given how awful the U.S. job numbers were in 2025, the question for Trump and the White House is simple:
If this is “the greatest economy in the history of our country,” as Trump recently insisted, why has job growth slowed to a 16-year low? www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
If this is “the greatest economy in the history of our country,” as Trump recently insisted, why has job growth slowed to a 16-year low? www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
U.S. job market ends a woeful year on another discouraging note
If this is “the greatest economy in the history of our country,” as Donald Trump recently insisted, why has job growth slowed to a 16-year low?
www.ms.now
January 9, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Given how awful the U.S. job numbers were in 2025, the question for Trump and the White House is simple:
If this is “the greatest economy in the history of our country,” as Trump recently insisted, why has job growth slowed to a 16-year low? www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
If this is “the greatest economy in the history of our country,” as Trump recently insisted, why has job growth slowed to a 16-year low? www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump has a plan to use non-existent tariff revenue to simultaneously:
- boost military spending to $1.5 trillion
- bail out farmers
- reduce the national debt
- pay for “dividend” rebate checks
- subsidize child care
Ever hear the old accounting joke that “you can’t spend the same dollar twice”?
- boost military spending to $1.5 trillion
- bail out farmers
- reduce the national debt
- pay for “dividend” rebate checks
- subsidize child care
Ever hear the old accounting joke that “you can’t spend the same dollar twice”?
The glaring flaw in Trump’s plan to boost military spending to $1.5 trillion
The president plans to use tariff revenue that doesn’t exist to increase the Pentagon budget to wildly unnecessary levels.
www.ms.now
January 8, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Trump has a plan to use non-existent tariff revenue to simultaneously:
- boost military spending to $1.5 trillion
- bail out farmers
- reduce the national debt
- pay for “dividend” rebate checks
- subsidize child care
Ever hear the old accounting joke that “you can’t spend the same dollar twice”?
- boost military spending to $1.5 trillion
- bail out farmers
- reduce the national debt
- pay for “dividend” rebate checks
- subsidize child care
Ever hear the old accounting joke that “you can’t spend the same dollar twice”?
Legal: Congress has what’s known as “the power of the purse.”
Illegal: When Trump says, “I’ve decided to create my own purse.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Illegal: When Trump says, “I’ve decided to create my own purse.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
‘Slush fund’: Democrats push back against Trump’s plan to control Venezuelan oil sales
The president said he’d create a pool of money from Venezuelan oil sales. Democrats said that can’t legally happen.
www.ms.now
January 8, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Legal: Congress has what’s known as “the power of the purse.”
Illegal: When Trump says, “I’ve decided to create my own purse.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Illegal: When Trump says, “I’ve decided to create my own purse.”
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Exactly one year ago this week, @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social noted that Trump “is at his absolute worst in a crisis.”
The line came to mind reading Trump's reaction to an ICE agent shooting and killing an unarmed woman in Minneapolis — at which point did what he always does.
The line came to mind reading Trump's reaction to an ICE agent shooting and killing an unarmed woman in Minneapolis — at which point did what he always does.
Trump responds to ICE shooting in Minneapolis in a typically Trumpian fashion
The president could've tried to calm the waters and vow a thorough, independent investigation. Instead he did what he always does.
www.ms.now
January 7, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Exactly one year ago this week, @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social noted that Trump “is at his absolute worst in a crisis.”
The line came to mind reading Trump's reaction to an ICE agent shooting and killing an unarmed woman in Minneapolis — at which point did what he always does.
The line came to mind reading Trump's reaction to an ICE agent shooting and killing an unarmed woman in Minneapolis — at which point did what he always does.
Mike Johnson: Rubio was kidding about Trump wanting to buy Greenland.
Rubio: No, I wasn’t. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Rubio: No, I wasn’t. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Team Trump confirms: The administration wants to buy Greenland
Where exactly does the president intend to get the money to buy a massive arctic island that isn’t for sale?
www.ms.now
January 7, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Mike Johnson: Rubio was kidding about Trump wanting to buy Greenland.
Rubio: No, I wasn’t. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Rubio: No, I wasn’t. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
How many Fox News vets are now serving on Trump’s second-term team?
With Senate Republicans confirming Sara Carter as the nation’s new drug czar, the total is over two dozen. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
With Senate Republicans confirming Sara Carter as the nation’s new drug czar, the total is over two dozen. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Republicans confirm former Fox News contributor as the nation’s new drug czar
There’s no reason to believe the president’s growing Team of Amateurs will be better this year than last year.
www.ms.now
January 7, 2026 at 4:44 PM
How many Fox News vets are now serving on Trump’s second-term team?
With Senate Republicans confirming Sara Carter as the nation’s new drug czar, the total is over two dozen. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
With Senate Republicans confirming Sara Carter as the nation’s new drug czar, the total is over two dozen. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Not long ago, we might expect to see foreign U.S. critics describe the United States as a “predator force,” which Americans would’ve seen as insulting.
But in 2026, Republicans use the phrase — as a compliment.
But in 2026, Republicans use the phrase — as a compliment.
Ogles: "It's important that we have a stake in Greenland, that they are quite frankly a protectorate of the US. They've been in relationship with Denmark - that needs to end. We've spilled more blood protecting Greenland than the Danes... we are the dominant predator force in the Western Hemisphere"
January 7, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Not long ago, we might expect to see foreign U.S. critics describe the United States as a “predator force,” which Americans would’ve seen as insulting.
But in 2026, Republicans use the phrase — as a compliment.
But in 2026, Republicans use the phrase — as a compliment.
As Trump claims that Venezuela will “turn over” roughly $3 billion worth of oil, there’s a long list of problems, starting with this one:
Trump expects to sell the oil and personally control the pool of money — which is brazenly unconstitutional. #slushfund www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump expects to sell the oil and personally control the pool of money — which is brazenly unconstitutional. #slushfund www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
One big problem with Trump’s claim Venezuela will “turn over” its oil
The Constitution gives lawmakers the “power of the purse.” When the president effectively responds, “I get my own purse,” there’s a problem.
www.ms.now
January 7, 2026 at 2:03 PM
As Trump claims that Venezuela will “turn over” roughly $3 billion worth of oil, there’s a long list of problems, starting with this one:
Trump expects to sell the oil and personally control the pool of money — which is brazenly unconstitutional. #slushfund www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Trump expects to sell the oil and personally control the pool of money — which is brazenly unconstitutional. #slushfund www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
For all of the recent White House talk about the Monroe Doctrine, a different 19th-century concept — Manifest Destiny — should be part of the same conversation.
Instead of eying US expansion to the Pacific, Team Trump apparently believes we’re destined to control the entire hemisphere.
Instead of eying US expansion to the Pacific, Team Trump apparently believes we’re destined to control the entire hemisphere.
White House’s Stephen Miller suggests the U.S. is entitled to Greenland
For all the talk about the Monroe Doctrine, we really ought to discuss a different 19th century concept: Manifest Destiny.
www.ms.now
January 6, 2026 at 6:11 PM
For all of the recent White House talk about the Monroe Doctrine, a different 19th-century concept — Manifest Destiny — should be part of the same conversation.
Instead of eying US expansion to the Pacific, Team Trump apparently believes we’re destined to control the entire hemisphere.
Instead of eying US expansion to the Pacific, Team Trump apparently believes we’re destined to control the entire hemisphere.
Bill Cassidy spent 2025 criticizing RFK Jr’s radical moves, but failing to actually do anything meaningful, despite his powerful committee chairmanship.
In 2026, the senator is offering more of the same, indifferent to the consequences of his passivity. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
In 2026, the senator is offering more of the same, indifferent to the consequences of his passivity. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
GOP’s Cassidy criticizes RFK Jr’s vaccine schedule, but the senator still isn’t ready to act
The Louisiana Republican keeps complaining about Kennedy but failing to use his considerable powers.
www.ms.now
January 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Bill Cassidy spent 2025 criticizing RFK Jr’s radical moves, but failing to actually do anything meaningful, despite his powerful committee chairmanship.
In 2026, the senator is offering more of the same, indifferent to the consequences of his passivity. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
In 2026, the senator is offering more of the same, indifferent to the consequences of his passivity. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Two Latin American strongmen were charged with drug trafficking.
One was captured as part of a controversial and likely illegal military raid.
The other — the one who was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison — is free thanks to a pardon from Donald Trump.
One was captured as part of a controversial and likely illegal military raid.
The other — the one who was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison — is free thanks to a pardon from Donald Trump.
"Hernández boasted that he would 'stuff the drugs up the gringos’ noses' while trafficking more than 500 tons of cocaine into the US.
"Trump freed him, saying, 'If somebody sells drugs in that country, that doesn’t mean you arrest the president and put him in jail'..."
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
"Trump freed him, saying, 'If somebody sells drugs in that country, that doesn’t mean you arrest the president and put him in jail'..."
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
After Venezuela operation, Trump haunted by his pardon for Honduran drug trafficker
Two Latin American strongmen were charged with drug trafficking. One was captured as part of a military raid, the other is free thanks to a Trump pardon.
www.ms.now
January 5, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Two Latin American strongmen were charged with drug trafficking.
One was captured as part of a controversial and likely illegal military raid.
The other — the one who was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison — is free thanks to a pardon from Donald Trump.
One was captured as part of a controversial and likely illegal military raid.
The other — the one who was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison — is free thanks to a pardon from Donald Trump.
Stephen Miller already had a ridiculously expansive policy portfolio.
Now that he’s planning and executing operations in Venezuela, expect to hear a lot more “shadow president” chatter. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Now that he’s planning and executing operations in Venezuela, expect to hear a lot more “shadow president” chatter. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Venezuela heaped onto Stephen Miller’s sprawling portfolio
In Trump’s first term, Jared Kushner oversaw a cartoonishly large policy agenda. In his second term, Miller has the reins.
www.ms.now
January 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Stephen Miller already had a ridiculously expansive policy portfolio.
Now that he’s planning and executing operations in Venezuela, expect to hear a lot more “shadow president” chatter. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Now that he’s planning and executing operations in Venezuela, expect to hear a lot more “shadow president” chatter. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Someday, this guy is going to hear about Trump’s pardon for former Honduras' Juan Orlando Hernández — a convicted drug trafficker who boasted that he would “stuff the drugs up the gringos’ noses” and accepted a $1 million bribe to allow cocaine shipments to pass through his country — and be amazed.
January 3, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Someday, this guy is going to hear about Trump’s pardon for former Honduras' Juan Orlando Hernández — a convicted drug trafficker who boasted that he would “stuff the drugs up the gringos’ noses” and accepted a $1 million bribe to allow cocaine shipments to pass through his country — and be amazed.
After a year in which Trump has bombed ...
- Venezuela
- Nigeria
- Iran
- Yemen
- Syria
- Somalia
- and civilian boats in international waters
... I’m thinking about the voters who convinced themselves that Trump was the candidate of foreign policy restraint.
- Venezuela
- Nigeria
- Iran
- Yemen
- Syria
- Somalia
- and civilian boats in international waters
... I’m thinking about the voters who convinced themselves that Trump was the candidate of foreign policy restraint.
January 3, 2026 at 2:06 PM
After a year in which Trump has bombed ...
- Venezuela
- Nigeria
- Iran
- Yemen
- Syria
- Somalia
- and civilian boats in international waters
... I’m thinking about the voters who convinced themselves that Trump was the candidate of foreign policy restraint.
- Venezuela
- Nigeria
- Iran
- Yemen
- Syria
- Somalia
- and civilian boats in international waters
... I’m thinking about the voters who convinced themselves that Trump was the candidate of foreign policy restraint.