Explainer

April 19, 2017

Understanding the President’s Cabinet: Energy Secretary

Note: This is post #13 in a weekly series of explanatory posts on the officials and agencies included in the President’s Cabinet. See the series introduction here. Cabinet position: Secretary of Energy Department: U.S. Continue Reading...

April 14, 2017

When was the original Good Friday?

Today is Good Friday*, the religious holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. Christians have celebrated the event for over two millennia. But what was the date of the original Good Friday? Continue Reading...

April 13, 2017

Explainer: What exactly is a ‘currency manipulator’?

Now that we’re within a few days of the 100-day deadline, though, President Trump has changed his mind. Yesterday, he said he will not be labeling China a currency manipulator. Whatever you feel about the flip-flop, Trump’s rhetoric had caught up with reality: China hasn’t devalued its currency since 2014. Continue Reading...

April 12, 2017

Understanding the President’s Cabinet: Transportation Secretary

Note: This is post #12 in a weekly series of explanatory posts on the officials and agencies included in the President’s Cabinet. See the series introduction here. Cabinet position: Secretary of Transportation Department:  U.S. Continue Reading...

April 07, 2017

What you should know about Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch

Today the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. President Trump will swear in Judge Gorsuch early next week. Here is what you should know about the next associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Continue Reading...

April 05, 2017

Understanding the President’s Cabinet: Commerce Secretary

Note: This is the eleventh in a weekly series of explanatory posts on the officials and agencies included in the President’s Cabinet. See the series introduction here. Cabinet position: Secretary of Commerce Department: Department of Commerce Current Secretary: Wilbur Ross Succession: The Commerce Secretary is tenth in the presidential line of succession. Continue Reading...

March 29, 2017

Understanding the President’s Cabinet: Defense Secretary

Note: This is the tenth in a weekly series of explanatory posts on the officials and agencies included in the President’s Cabinet. See the series introduction here. Cabinet position: Secretary of Defense Department: Department of Defense Current Secretary: Jim Mattis Succession: The Secretary of Defense is sixth in the presidential line of succession. Continue Reading...

March 28, 2017

Explainer: What you should know about congressional caucuses

  Wait, why should I care about this topic? Americans tend to view partisan politics as being mostly binary—between Republicans and Democrats. But within Congress there are also factions that shape legislative agendas and determine the laws that affect our daily lives. Continue Reading...

March 23, 2017

Explainer: Why you should care about ‘Chevron deference’

Embed from Getty Images   Even if you’ve been closely following the Supreme Court nomination hearings of Judge Neil Gorsuch, you probably missed this seven-word statement by Democrat Amy Klobuchar: ““You were clearly talking about overturning Chevron.” Continue Reading...