Evening Roundup, September 12 Featuring Andrew Weissmann, Nancy Gertner, Adam Kinzinger, Rep. Pat Ryan, Meredith Blake, April Ryan & Lodriguez Murray, Emily Beyda, our Pet of the Week, and The Contrarian podcast Sep 12 Andrew Weissmann on the FBI's response to the Charlie Kirk assassination Andrew Weissmann and Jennifer Rubin · 2:28 PM As the former General Counsel for the FBI, Andrew Weissmann has ample experience dealing with catastrophe and the subsequent response by the agency. But, after Wednesday’s shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, FBI Director Kash Patel has yet to prove he’s up to the task. Read full story No apology necessary Nancy Gertner · 4:02 PM In yet another indication of how Donald Trump’s presidency has warped this nation’s institutions, at least one federal judge has apologized for reasonable judgments based on the law. Read full story Adam Kinzinger on the current climate of political violence in America Adam Kinzinger and Jennifer Rubin · 7:27 PM Why was the flag put to half-staff after the killing of Charlie Kirk but not Minnesota politician Melissa Hortman? Why did Trump make a personal video for him but not for her? Read full story Rep. Pat Ryan on imminent government shutdown, misuse of the National Guard & more Jennifer Rubin · 6:58 PM Jen is joined by Representative Pat Ryan to discuss the looming government shutdown, the need for Democrats to form a platform based on ‘repealing and replacing', and the un-American nature of deploying U.S. troops against U.S. citizens. Read full story Culture Corner Culture Recs: Downton Abbey Comes to An End — For Real This Time Meredith Blake · 9:22 PM Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (in theaters Friday); Seen & Heard; The Emmys; The Golden Girls; and more! Read full story Historically Black colleges & universities are under threat: April Ryan & Lodriguez Murray in discussion April Ryan · 5:15 PM The day after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs) around the country received violent threats. Multiple universities went under lockdown and have canceled classes. Read full story Contrarian Pet of the Week Morgan Copeland · 9:01 PM Introducing...Ellie! Read full story The Contrarian Pod Political violence in America. And an imminent government shutdown The Contrarian and Adam Kinzinger · 10:11 PM It's been a tragic week, one which saw a senseless assassination of a political commentator, yet another school shooting, the anniversary of 9/11, and an appalling response from our president — who used the opportunity to make unfounded accusations about the "radical left." Read full story Bridge-Building Granola Emily Beyda · 8:00 PM It has become something of an online truism that everyone wants a village but nobody wants to actually be a villager. The science seems to back this up. Americans are lonelier than ever before. Read full story The Contrarian is supported by you, its readers, listeners, and viewers. To join our community of good troublemakers who are fighting back in the court of law and court of public opinion, please subscribe.

 

Evening Roundup, May 9

Featuring Joseph Tomás McKellar & Jen; Shalise Manza Young; Andrew Weissmann & Jen; Allison Rice; Jess Piper & Jen; Democracy Index; Jamie Schler; Ruben Bolling; and our Contrarian Pet of the Week!

The Contrarian May 9

Welcome Pope Leo XIV! Joseph Tomás McKellar on staying faithful in a paradoxical world

Jennifer Rubin and Joseph Tomás Mckellar · 12:58 PM

Yesterday, white smoke appeared out of the Sistine Chapel’s stove announcing that the conclave has chosen a new pope. Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope to ever serve as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Read full story

The 'Not Me' Trump administration's blame-shifting

3:01 PM

By Shalise Manza Young Real leaders take responsibility.

Read full story

Judge Rules that Detained Tufts Student Must Be Released: Andrew Weissmann explains

Jennifer Rubin and Andrew Weissmann · 9:27 PM

On Friday, Vermont Federal District Court Judge William K. Sessions III ordered the immediate release of Rümeysa Öztürk, the Tufts University student who was grabbed off the street by ICE in March and has been held in a detention center in Louisiana ever since.

Read full story

The Ravens and 'football decisions': It's time to be clear

Allison Rice · 4:30 PM

This week, the Baltimore Ravens released longtime kicker Justin Tucker. Tucker is often touted as the greatest kicker in NFL history, largely because he holds the all-time field goal percentage record and has the longest field goal in NFL history, a 66-yard game-winner against the Lions in 2021.

Read full story

Trump's policies hurt rural America: Jess Piper explains

Jennifer Rubin and Jess Piper · 5:30 PM

Roughly 78% of America’s most farming-dependent counties voted for Trump in the 2024 election. Now, Trump’s tariff chaos and cuts to USAID are causing massive pain for independent farmers. What is the tipping point for Trump voters? How much harm can they endure before admitting that their vote was a mistake?

Read full story

Democracy Movement

The Democracy Index

Joshua Kolb, Lily Conway, and 2 others · 8:12 PM

This week we saw the consequences of autocratic overreach. Although there are still heartbreaking tragedies and dangers inflicted every day, it’s important to step back and see where democracy has been resilient.

Read full story

Contrarian Pet of the Week

Meredith Blake · 9:00 PM

Meet...Tulip!

Read full story

Everyday (Fabulous) French Bread

Jamie Schler · 8:30 PM

“All woes are lighter if there’s bread.”—Miguel de Cervantes

Read full story

Tom the Dancing Bug Ruben Bolling · 2:02 PM Read full story

The Contrarian is reader-supported. To receive new posts every weekday and support our ongoing journalism, legal work, and good troublemaking, join the fight by becoming a free or paid subscriber.