Politics

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Illustration of red-white-and-blue ballot box on a black background with an eye on the ballot box — Illustration by The Atlantic

MAGA Thinks Maduro Will Prove Trump Won in 2020

The capture of the Venezuelan leader has revived a debunked conspiracy theory.

Yvonne Wingett Sanchez

January 13, 2026

Photograph of three women at a Trump rally flying signs and banners. The woman in the center is wearing a Trump mask and a MAGA T-shirt. — Giorgio Viera / AFP / Getty

The Biggest Myth About Trump’s Base (And Why Many Believe It)

The MAGA faithful aren’t deserting their leader.

January 13, 2026

Donald Trump in black and white on an illustration of a red-and-white calendar with some days crossed out — Illustration by Ben Kothe / The Atlantic. Source: Win McNamee / Getty.

A Breathtaking Week of Pure Trump Id

Military success in Venezuela has emboldened the president to flex his power even more.

Jonathan Lemire

January 12, 2026

Black and white close up photo of J.D. Vance's face, scowling — Celal Gunes / Anadolu / Getty

Why Vance Committed So Hard to the Minneapolis Shooter

The vice president knows what ICE means to MAGA.

January 12, 2026

Black-and-white photograph of two women wearing MAGA caps frowning — Mark Peterson / Redux

Trump’s Shrinking Coalition

The president can no longer present himself as anti-system, because he has become the system.

January 12, 2026

GIF transitioning through color portraits of many of the former public servants profiled. — Dina Litovsky for The Atlantic

The Purged

Donald Trump’s destruction of the civil service is a tragedy not just for the roughly 300,000 workers who have been discarded, but for an entire nation.

January 11, 2026

Two little girls in purple coats (one holding a stuffed animal) stand near a flower memorial. Other people are seen in the background. — Michael Nigro / Sipa USA / AP

From ‘I’m Not Mad at You’ to Deadly Shots in Seconds

Frazzled agents, quick triggers, and a motor-powered protest movement are creating a uniquely dangerous moment on U.S. streets.

January 9, 2026

A photo illustration of immigration enforcement agents and the seal of the Department of Homeland Security — Illustration by Ben Kothe / The Atlantic. Sources: Scott Olson / Getty; Chip Somodevilla / Getty; Jamie Kelter Davis / Getty; Adam Gray / AFP / Getty.

How ICE Lost Its Guardrails

The Minneapolis shooting will get less official scrutiny because of cuts by the Trump administration.

Caitlin Dickerson

January 9, 2026

photo of woman with long hair pushing hand mower across rural two-lane road with mountains in background — Jason Andrew for The Atlantic

I Tried to Be the Government. It Did Not Go Well.

My five-month quest to monitor the weather, track inflation, and inspect milk for harmful microorganisms

Alexandra Petri

January 8, 2026

Police officers and bystanders at the scene of a shooting in Minneapolis — Tom Baker / AP

Lethal Force on a Frozen Street

Trump’s immigration crackdown takes a dark turn in Minneapolis.

January 7, 2026