Congrats to star Washington Post reporters @hannahnatanson.bsky.social , William Wan and @merylkornfield.bsky.social for winning the 2026 Toner Prize for Excellence in National Reporting for their series on “The year Trump broke the federal government” tinyurl.com/2sk3xphw

In hearing just now, Sen. Bill Cassidy presses Casey Means, Trump's nominee for Surgeon General, on whether she'd recommend parents get kids vaccinated. MEANS: I'm supportive of vaccination… every individual needs to talk to their doctor before putting a medication in their body.

New: Trump convened construction companies at the White House this month as he pushes to quickly remake Dulles. The companies took turns pitching him and Sec. Duffy on big changes — including how to get rid of the “people movers,” per sources. Another meeting is set for today.

readers following the Washington Post live-blog got true exclusive insight

Exclusive: As GOP leaders rushed to defend Trump's decision to tear down the East Wing, one Republican lawmaker privately warned a senior White House aide that he had “substantial concerns” and demanded answers about how the decision was made. w @ddiamond.bsky.social

you: I wonder what Cam Boozer is saying to Coach Scheyer me: is that former U.S. surgeon general Vivek Murthy

Breaking news: The Supreme Court struck down most of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, dealing a major blow to his signature economic policy. The decision is expected to affect global trade, companies, inflation and the pocketbooks of every American.

So you're saying the president can release government files in the public interest www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

The truth is … out there?

New: Military veterans sue Trump over his planned 250-ft arch, saying it will damage views from Arlington National Cemetery. They want to halt the project until it gets congressional approval and meets other requirements.

A federal arts commission — packed with Trump's allies, including his 26-year-old executive assistant — just voted to approve the president's planned White House ballroom. A federal judge is weighing whether to halt the project. w @jonathanreports.bsky.social

Trump picks his assistant for a federal commission set to vote on his planned White House ballroom. The White House says she's qualified to judge the project. Past commissioners say Trump is flouting Congress's intent for panel. w @jonathanreports.bsky.social

Breaking News: The Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose fiery speeches and populist vision made him a charismatic champion of civil rights, died at 84.

tfw your bar crawl becomes national news + they talk about you like a Batman villain

“Now I can save tomorrow for something that I really want to do.” “What is that?” asked Frog. “Tomorrow,” said Toad, “I can just take life easy.”

The political evolution of UFOs, from punchline at presidential debate two decades ago to former president casually saying "they're real."

A pair of Washington-area golfers have sued over Trump’s plan to overhaul a public golf course here, alleging it violated several laws and the original spirit of the park. More from Rick Maese + me

This is worth reading A Grand Jury Will Indict a Ham Sandwich? Not in the Trump Era. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/o...

We have our clearest picture yet of what the White House ballroom will look like — and how views of the grounds will change. New renderings by the project architect were briefly available on a federal website today before being pulled down. with @jonathanreports.bsky.social @aaronschaffer.com

A federal judge, Democrats and watchdogs are increasingly focusing on one question with the White House ballroom: whether Trump's plan to raise $400M in private donations is legal. with @aaronschaffer.com @jonathanreports.bsky.social

“Giannis torturing Bucks fans with his wishy-washy trade sentiments while actively working on a deal with a major prediction market platform is pretty disgusting.” @teamziller.bsky.social rips the Antetokounmpo-Kalshi business deal.

300 and one

Looking forward to a distracting weekend of listening to my podcasts

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The TrumpRx event is underway, with the White House scheduling it in the evening in hopes of breaking through with more coverage. Dr. Oz also emceed much of the event, drawing on his background as a TV talk-show host.

I wake up every morning trying to scoop the NYT, not praise it. But wanted to thank so many great reporters — Caroline Kitchener, @amarimow.bsky.social, @sherylnyt.bsky.social among them — who I spotted holding signs like this in front of Post headquarters today. (Maybe the NYT is ok after all.)

Trump is set to unveil “TrumpRx” tonight, his new government website aimed at helping Americans buy drugs at a discount.

A non-journalist friend asked me — is losing 300 people from a newsroom a lot? I pointed out there are about 200 journalists at the Philadelphia Inquirer and about 100 at the Baltimore Banner. Imagine losing both those publications in a day.

A quick thought on a difficult morning. dandiamond.substack.com/p/a-quick-th...

New @washingtonpost.com: Trump is planning to install a statue of Christopher Columbus outside the White House Officials are eying a spot by E St, north of the Ellipse with the terrific @oliviacgeorge.bsky.social

White House communications director with a measured response to our story tonight

Trump was asked tonight about our story and his plans for the arch. “I'd like it to be the biggest one of all,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One, declining to say if he had a specific height in mind. The current largest arch, in Mexico City, is 220 feet tall.

New at @washingtonpost.com: Trump wants to build a *250-ft-tall arch*, for America’s 250th anniversary The structure would tower over nearby memorials — changing DC’s skyline and blocking views of the Lincoln Memorial It’s also spooking experts who say it’s just too big

news cycle got me feeling like this

At Oval Office event on drug addiction, Trump praises Kathryn Burgum, wife of interior secretary, who spoke about her experience in recovery. TRUMP: I saw them riding horses in a video and said, who is that? I was talking about her, not him … I said, I'm going to hire him

At Oval Office event on drug addiction, Trump praises Kathryn Burgum, wife of interior secretary, who spoke about her experience in recovery. TRUMP: I saw them riding horses in a video and said, who is that? I was talking about her, not him … I said, I'm going to hire him

After federal agents killed Alex Pretti, his colleagues at the Minneapolis VA wanted to memorialize him — but were initially told no, sources told The Post. VA leaders later relented — but have scarcely acknowledged Pretti's death. with @merylkornfield.bsky.social

Here is the child’s drawing.

Trump today declared on Truth Social it is "TOO LATE!" to stop White House ballroom construction. DOJ lawyers have been arguing something very different: that the plans are flexible and they’re complying with a federal review process. A federal judge is weighing whether to halt Trump’s project.

A split screen tonight: Minnesota shooting videos going viral online, as Trump hosts VIP screening of “Melania”

On tonight’s White House agenda: Trump and guests will get a private screening of MELANIA, the documentary about the First Lady, @thr.com reports. Attendees include Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Mike Tyson, per the article.

NEW: Federal judge questions if Trump is legally allowed to build his ballroom “Where do you see the authority for the president to tear down the East Wing and build something in its place?” Judge Richard Leon told DOJ lawyers this afternoon More w @jonathanreports.bsky.social

Stopped by the House hearing with health insurance CEOs, where both GOP and Dems have pressed the companies on their practices and profits. Here's Rep. John Joyce (R-Pennsylvania) pushing UnitedHealthcare's CEO on its vertical integration — the acquisition of doctors, through its Optum arm.

Trump has begun another building project: overhauling Lafayette Square, the public park outside the White House. Workers have fenced off the park. Project is expected to run through May. w @oliviacgeorge.bsky.social

The Post demands government return materials seized from @hannahnatanson.bsky.social. WaPo: “The outrageous seizure of our reporter’s confidential newsgathering materials chills speech, cripples reporting, and inflicts irreparable harm every day the government keeps its hands on these materials.”

[Walking with my three-year-old down 14th St in DC, which has been shut down by police. We hear protesters in distance.] TODDLER: What are they mad about, daddy? ME: I don't know, sweetie. It could be a lot of things. TODDLER, THINKING: Maybe it's dinosaurs.

Bill Cassidy spent the last year trying to work his way back into Trump’s good graces. Now he has a challenger - Rep. Letlow - who has been endorsed by Trump.

The number of confirmed #measles cases in South Carolina has hit an astonishing 558 in an outbreak that started in October. For context: that is more cases in 4 months than the entire US racked up most years in the past 30+ years. www.reuters.com/business/hea...

Wasn’t sure anyone would see this article (or care to read it) when we published at 1 am on a Saturday morning. Gratified to be wrong.

"Denmark is small… But it has tried to uphold its end of the bargain. It lost more soldiers per capita than the United States did in Afghanistan." @isaacstanleybecker.bsky.social on the bewilderment of the Danes, as Trump threatens their country over Greenland.