The Ephemeral Presidency
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November/December 2025 Print Edition
In this issue
Draining the Online Swamp
Justice Barrett’s Campaign Biography
Running Out of People
Measuring the Vibecession
Education
Inside the Fight to Revive American Civics
The right wants to erase unpleasant history, while the left talks of nothing else. Is there a middle ground?
Politics
Another Way Republicans Are Overplaying Their Hand on Immigration
Now they’re going after Americans who are also citizens of another country—like me, and Melania and Barron Trump.
Podcast
How the Supreme Court Could End Super PACs—Without Overturning Citizens United
Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig explains a promising new strategy to stop the surge of dark money in politics.
A promising new strategy to end super PACs and dark money in politics | Lawrence Lessig – Washington Monthly
- A promising new strategy to end super PACs and dark money in politics | Lawrence Lessig
- The case against billionaires | Chuck Collins
- Government is, in fact, broken | Hannah Garden-Monheit
- Tough Medicine for Democrats: “Too liberal” and “out of touch” | Simon Bazelon
- How Democrats Won Virginia and New Jersey | Angela Kuefler
Law and Justice
Amnesty Transactional
While almost every president has granted a few dodgy pardons, Donald Trump’s abuse of the godlike constitutional authority has no parallel in American history.
The Monopolized Economy
The Freakout Over Cheaper Beer at Yankee Stadium
Mamdani and Khan’s plan to end monopolistic pricing at NYC stadiums is good policy and good politics.
Health Care
Republican Attacks on the Affordable Care Act Give Democrats an Opportunity to Court Small Business
Millions of entrepreneurs, small proprietors, and gig workers get their health insurance through Obamacare.
Russia’s War on Ukraine
Germany’s Rearmament Is Stunning
The country is determined to strengthen its armed forces in the wake of Moscow’s aggression and Washington’s volatility, but doing so doesn’t come easily to a nation chastened by its past.
Books
How New York City Got Safe
A historical reconstruction of the Big Apple’s crime decline, told from inside the institutions responsible for public safety.
Higher Ed Q&A
The Washington Monthly’s “Higher Ed Q&A” is a Special Advertising Section, where leaders in higher education answer questions on different topics that are challenging universities and colleges across the country, with solutions that are working for their schools and students. Click here to learn more.
