Thomas Jefferson loathed Plato. In 1814, he wrote to John Adams that he had been reading the Republic and came away unimpressed: “Bringing Plato to the test of reason, take from him his sophisms, futilities, & incomprehensibilities, and what remains?” The only reason the Greek philosopher is so revered, Jefferson opined, is that “education is chiefly in the hands of persons who, from their profession, have an interest in the reputation and the dreams of Plato.
A daily roundup of the best stories and cartoons by Daily Kos staff and contributors to keep you in the know.
Abolish ICE? America is warming to the idea.
More and more people are turning on Trump’s deportation gestapo.
Some Republicans find a spine—with Trump ‘doubling down on stupid’
Finally, Republicans have found a line that Trump can’t cross.
Updated with new questions at 2:45 p.m. ET on January 13, 2026.
Welcome back to Atlantic Trivia! Are you hungry for more?
I hope that while I’ve been away, you have been enjoying plenty of food for thought—literally. Research shows that berries help improve memory and that a walnut-heavy diet is associated with higher cognitive performance. Fatty fish and leafy greens are linked to slower cognitive decline. Caffeine is a brain boost too.
The president’s feud with the Fed chair has crossed a dangerous line—and it could unravel America’s economy.
Progressive groups dropped their case against HHS over the withheld family planning funds, but other challenges continue.
The tech billionaire appeared to give Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) the easiest layup of her career by amplifying an easily debunked conspiracy theory about her.
As President Trump threatens Iran, Venezuela, Mexico, Greenland and more, renowned historian Alfred McCoy says the United States is “an empire in decline,” following a predictable pattern of militarism abroad and political instability at home as it loses power and influence on the world stage. “American politics become increasingly contorted and irrational,” says McCoy.
Iran has said it’s ready for “war” or dialogue after President Trump said the U.S. was considering “very strong options” to intervene if Iran’s security forces kill anti-government protesters in an ongoing crackdown. Vali Nasr, professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, says the U.S. “can wage full-scale war on Iran — which President Trump does not seem to be eager to do — or it can hope to squeeze Iran economically in order to create political unrest in Iran.
Activists in Los Angeles are demanding justice for Keith Porter Jr., an African American 43-year-old father of two, who was fatally shot by an off-duty ICE agent on New Year’s Eve. His family is demanding transparency in the investigation into his killing. “When he walked in, he brought joy,” says Porter’s cousin Jsané Tyler. “He always had a laugh, a joke, a smile.
Four migrants died while in custody of U.S. immigration authorities over the first 10 days of 2026, while at least 30 people died in ICE custody in 2025.
The president awkwardly appeared to lose track of a promise during a sit-down with The New York Times.
Florida Republican Randy Fine’s move was slammed as “insane” and “deplorable.
Lizzie O’Leary joins to break down the story of the disturbing deepfakes being created by X’s AI chatbot.
At least the debut of the “America-loving” newscast was an apt metaphor for America right now.
Barbieland author Tarpley Hitt tells us all about the checkered past of the world’s most famous doll.
2025 was an interesting year for US stock markets and global dealmaking.
Rating the spiciness and truthiness of the hottest takes we heard in 2025.
American kids are no longer routinely being recommended shots against hepatitis A, meningitis, rotavirus and the flu.
The health secretary’s new dietary guidelines tell parents to cut the added sugar until their kids turn 11.
There are reasons to be skeptical that voluntary cuts by insurance companies could bring significant, lasting health care savings for Americans.
The group was led by members in swing seats and those who represent many constituents facing rising health insurance premiums.
Here’s how the downgrading of shots could make it easier for people who claim vaccine injuries to sue for millions, driving manufacturers from the market.
Outward’s hosts sit down with the host and co-creator of When We All Get to Heaven.
The neighborhood changes, the church moves, people forget and remember “the AIDS years,” but AIDS isn’t over.
The AIDS cocktail opens new possibilities. And MCC San Francisco tries to use the experience of AIDS to make bigger social change.
The church’s minister gets sick and everyone knows it.
The church’s “it couple” faces AIDS, caregiving, and loss as part of a pair, part of families, and part of a community.
The vice president fine-tunes Trump’s economic message, but he’s only got so much wiggle room.
Voters who backed Donald Trump in 2024 and swung to Democrats in this year’s Virginia and New Jersey elections did so over economic concerns, according to focus groups conducted by a Democratic pollster and obtained by POLITICO.
In races across the country, Democrats focused on promises to make life more affordable — even as they offered contrasting approaches.