Systemic Reform of American Policing is the Goal Citing his “abuse of a position of trust and authority and particular cruelty” to George Floyd, on June 25 Judge Peter A. Cahill sentenced Derek Chauvin to 22.5 years in jail for Floyd’s murder. Cahill declined to describe his decision in detail…

Biden and Harris Push for George Floyd Justice in Policing Act — Men and women, Black and White, gathered in the street outside the Minneapolis courtroom and hugged each other as the verdict was read. …

By May 1 All Adults Will Be Eligible for the Vaccine — On March 11, as I watched President Joe Biden address the nation on the anniversary of the the World Health Organization announcement that COVID had become a global pandemic, I was reminded of one of Rachel Maddow’s favorite comments: “What a difference a president makes.” The contrast between Biden and…

Mitch McConnell Votes to Acquit but Agrees that Trump is Guilty Former President Donald J. Trump’s acquittal in his second impeachment trial by a vote of 57–43 was disappointing but predictable. Seven Republicans voted guilty along with all the Democrats, making this “the most bipartisan impeachment event in the history…

McConnell Forges Ahead with Plan to Declare Trial Unconstitutional — After Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment for inciting insurrection against his own country, then Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell argued to delay the Senate impeachment trial. Apparently, he had one unstated objective in mind. Scheduling the trial to be held after President Joe Biden’s inauguration would ensure that Donald Trump…

Kamala Harris Makes History as 1st Black, Female VP — After four long years of the most divisive presidency in American history, Donald Trump — the first president to skip the inauguration of his successor — retreated to Mar-a-Lago while Joe Biden called for unity and healing in his inaugural address as the 46th president of the United States. …

House Impeaches President a Second Time to “Save America” Hubris is a dangerous cocktail of overconfidence, overambition, arrogance and pride fueled by power and success. When found alongside contempt for the advice and criticism of others, hubris causes leaders to significantly overreach themselves, taking risky and reckless decisions with harmful…

Mike Pompeo Puts Cuba Back on the State Sponsor of Terrorism List — As President Donald J. Trump faces a second impeachment and prepares to leave the White House in disgrace, apparently he wanted to leave something behind — perhaps a consolation prize — for his loyal Cuban-American supporters in Miami. …

Without Checks on the Executive Branch, This Could Happen Again — For those of us who have made the D.C. metro area our home and consider ourselves to be “Washingtonians,” the national news has always dominated the headlines and shaped our perspectives. Political events literally form the backdrop of our lives. As a Washingtonian with a long memory, I’ve observed everything…