2028 VISION
Editor’s note: The newsletter will be off on Monday for Presidents’ Day. Fingers crossed that Donald Trump takes the day off from his nonsense, too. See you Tuesday!
When AOC stepped onto the world stage today, she unveiled her dreams for American foreign policy — and raised one big question: Will she run for president?
Every year, heads of state and national security officials huddle at the Munich Security Conference in Germany to debate the “international rules-based order,” the future of the “transatlantic alliance,” and other topics that Americans don’t rank at the top of their priorities list. The event is usually attended by like-minded wonks, who agree that Russia’s authoritarian creep is concerning, or Iran’s nuclear program should be curbed, or that Vice President JD Vance is an asshole.
This year feels different due to the high concentration of potential 2028 presidential candidates, from Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) to Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). But one name has generated the most buzz so far: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
The trip is AOC’s most significant foray into foreign policy yet. She’s advocating for a global “working-class” perspective… which sure sounds like a progressive candidate’s message on the campaign trail. In fact, it took only five minutes into her first panel for a moderator to bring up the elephant (donkey?) in the room.
“We have to have a working-class-centered politics if we are going to … stave off the scourges of authoritarianism,” AOC said.
The moderator followed up: “So, when you run for president, are you going to impose a wealth tax or a billionaire tax?” AOC flashed a huge smile, but she didn’t address the first part of that question.
Later in the panel, AOC slammed President Donald Trump’s agenda, calling for the reinstatement of global aid programs and the rebuilding of relations with countries that Trump has bullied. The U.S. had been “looking the other way in a genocide,” AOC said, likely referring to Israel’s war in Gaza. “We are ready for the next chapter,” she added.
If AOC decides to run, she has set herself up well.
The consensus on Capitol Hill that AOC will run for Senate, challenging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, is changing. She has maintained a reputation as a progressive firebrand, while also fashioning herself as a dealmaker and, increasingly, a leader of the Democratic Party. On top of that, she raises way more money than most of her colleagues.
AOC’s clashes with Vance have also boosted her profile: “Let the record show: I would stomp him. I would stomp him!” she told a reporter in December, after a poll showed her beating the veep in a hypothetical presidential race.
Her appearance in Germany may be a calculated move. While Americans don’t historically vote for a candidate based on their foreign policy views, many voters cared deeply about U.S. policy in the Middle East during the last election. It seems likely that, as Trump’s unpopular escapades abroad continue, voters could be galvanized by a politician who has a more peaceful approach abroad and isn’t afraid to say the word “genocide.”
“I’m sure she’s looking at all of the options right now,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), her mentor, told the New York Times last week.
WHAT ELSE? 👀
A prominent Dubai businessman resigned from his post today, after Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) found his name redacted in the Epstein files. The CEO had sent Jeffrey Epstein an email saying that he “loved the torture video.” Khanna tweeted: “We will not rest until there is elite accountability for the Epstein class.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has long been rumored to be having an affair with her top aide, Corey Lewandowski — we’re now getting some new details that illustrate their bizarre work relationship. “In one incident, Lewandowski fired a U.S. Coast Guard pilot after Noem’s blanket was left behind on a plane,” the Wall Street Journal writes. “They eventually reinstated the pilot because no one else was available to fly them home.” But wait, there’s more! “The pair have lately been using a luxury 737 MAX jet, with a private cabin in back, for their travel around the country,” the outlet writes. Noem and Lewandowski have repeatedly denied having an affair.
The Trump administration spent $40 million last year deporting migrants to countries they’re not even from, according to a new report released by Senate Democrats. On Thursday, a judge ruled that Trump’s team must return some migrants they deported to El Salvador. In some cases, the Trump administration has “paid twice for migrants’ travel — once to remove them to a third country and then again to fly them to their home country,” the report said.
The White House is using $15 million from USAID funds to pay for budget director Russ Vought’s security for the year, according to Reuters. This is the same guy who the White House depicted as the Grim Reaper in a parody music video, because of his ruthless cuts to the federal government.
LIGHT AT THE END… ☀️
Inflation eased more than expected in January. It’s the second piece of good economic news in recent days, following solid job growth last month and a drop in unemployment. But the bigger economic picture is still blurry, economists say, because of last fall’s historic government shutdown, which disrupted the data used to calculate reports.
A Trump-apppointed federal judge bashed the Trump administration for throwing detainees in overcrowded facilities and denying them access to lawyers. “The Constitution does not permit the government to arrest thousands of individuals and then disregard their constitutional rights because it would be too challenging to honor those rights,” U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel wrote.
Italian authorities caught a Slovak fugitive who had been on the run for 16 years… after he showed up to the Olympics to support his country’s hockey team. That’s a true fan right there.
Rich Ruohonen, a 54-year-old personal injury lawyer, became the oldest person to compete at the Winter Olympics. He subbed in during a match against Switzerland on Thursday, when the U.S. team was already losing badly. “I would have rather done it when we were up 8-2 instead of down 8-2,” Ruohonen said. “But I really appreciate the guys giving me a chance.”
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and love is in the air — especially among Olympians. Free condoms given to athletes ran out in a record-breaking three days, an Italian newspaper reported. “In Paris the athletes received 300,000 condoms — two per day each— but the numbers for these Winter Games were significantly lower: not even 10,000,” the outlet writes. To be fair, there are way fewer athletes at Milan than Paris. But still, organizers shouldn’t skimp on safety!
I asked you for your pet pictures, and you did not disappoint. As of this afternoon, I received 165 submissions, which will last this newsletter until *carefully does math because I got a D in pre-calculus* April 13, 2029. I’m hopeful that three years from now we’ll be living in a much less chaotic timeline, and that these dogs and cats and donkeys and chickens and turtles will put a smile on your face until then.
Meet Tucker! He’s a 5-year-old Great Pyrenees.
“He works as a therapy dog at Johns Hopkins. He’s 160 pounds of pure love and progressive values!” Editor’s note: I think we all could use a Tucker in our lives…
— Barbara
All good reporting… but why mention what AOC was wearing? That’s not necessary. Unless you mention the color of shirts, suit jackets, and ties.
Hi, Matt- what was Gavin Newsom wearing and how had he done his hair?