The Differences Between Running a Business and Running the Government

Readers discuss a guest essay arguing that running government like a business would be disastrous. Also: Liberalism; a tech court; aging gracefully.

We’ve Misunderstood Human Nature for 100 Years

It’s a source of today’s intense political animosity.

Like Kennedy, I Recovered From Heroin Addiction. I Don’t Agree With His Approach.

America can’t go backward on drug policy.

A Picturesque New England Town’s Debt to the Right Whale

We owe it to the right whale — and to so many other species — to reconstruct what our own history has taken from them.

Why Are So Many Christians So Cruel?

It’s a simple question with a complicated answer.

Things Are Terrible in Europe, and They’re Only Going to Get Worse

The continent’s parlous economy and ascendant far right foretell a grim future.

Donald Trump Is Vulnerable

His win did not upend the rules of American politics or render him immune to political misfortune.

Religion Has Been in Decline. This Christmas Seems Different.

Why religious trends in the later 2020s might be different from the trends of the 2010s.

Hollywood Is Desperate for Movie Stars. This Year, the Cavalry Arrived.

For decades, the film industry seemed to forget how to mint new male matinee idols. Then came a much-needed windfall.

A Conversation About the Virgin Birth That Maybe Wasn’t

The scholar Elaine Pagels discusses her research about ancient accounts suggesting that Jesus’ father might have been a Roman.

For Some, a Silver Lining in Alzheimer’s Caregiving

Readers discuss a guest essay by a woman who finds things to cherish in caring for her dad.

Why I Would Never Donate Sperm in the United States

Children deserve better than to feel left in the dark against their will.

The Budget Fight and Trump’s Nihilistic Style

A surprise congressional standoff remind us that big, discordant changes could be coming.

The Fate of This Federal Program Helps Explain Trump’s Win

It was a cushion for workers hurt by free trade. Why did Congress let it lapse?

We Need a Great American Fantasy

In search of a New World answer to Narnia and Hogwarts.

Elon Musk’s Growing Political Influence

Readers discuss his role in the government shutdown negotiations. Also: Trump austerity; G.O.P.’s future; clean energy; guns and young people.

The Surprising Sexual Politics of Nicole Kidman’s Kinky ‘Babygirl’

The film feels like an artifact of a more optimistic feminist moment.

The Great Drone Freak-Out Is Coming

The Drone Age is already upon us and the skies are going to get a lot more crowded.

Yes, Biden’s Green Future Can Still Happen Under Trump

Jigar Shah and Robinson Meyer discuss how the decarbonization rollout can continue during the second Trump administration.

‘It Will Be a More Robust Check on Trump Than the G.O.P. Congress’: Three Legal Experts on Trump 2.0

Opinion writers discuss potential legal issues and executive power in a second Trump term.

Packed Cubicles, Empty Corner Office: Remote Work Is Increasingly a Right of the Rich

Remote work is increasingly a privilege enjoyed by the most affluent Americans.

A Legacy of Essential Humanitarian Aid

Catholic Charities provides help to the poor, homeless, hungry and the most vulnerable immigrants.

The Shock of Faith: It’s Nothing Like I Thought It Would Be

The word “faith” implies the possession of something, whereas I experience faith as a yearning for something beautiful that I can sense but not fully grasp.

Why Silent Film Still Speaks Volumes

The old movies have a great deal to say, and linguistics can explain why.

France’s Horrifying Rape Trial Has Changed the Country

Gisèle Pelicot has opened up a conversation about sexual violence in a country where a serious reckoning was well overdue.

What if Trump Doesn’t Need to Keep Any of His Promises?

For the 47th president, illusion is the new accountability.

It’s a Mistake to Charge Luigi Mangione With Terrorism

It could complicate a simple case and turn it into a political circus.

Calls to the Media: Fight Trump’s Lawsuits

Readers discuss lawsuits against The Des Moines Register and ABC News. Also: Violence in school; a Mideast bridge; cash and the disabled; murder is wrong.

Put Down the Laser Pointer, Please, and Then Let’s Chat

The drone panic isn’t just about drones.

There’s Still Time for the Senate to Support the First Amendment

Trump hasn’t been the least bit reticent about his plans to reshape Washington in his image.

How to Make the Drone Panic So Very Much Worse

Incidents like these require quick, clear communication from the government. That’s not what people are getting.

The Moments That Shaped 2024, in 17 Photos

The people, places and objects that held our collective attention in this election year.

Thomas Friedman on Syria, the U.S. and Trump

The columnist on why Trump’s biggest challenge will be weak states, not strong states.

10 Life Lessons for Grown-Ups From Children’s Classics

Even in a world populated by devious wolves, beauty shines through occasionally.

Obscene Prices, Declining Quality: Luxury Is in a Death Spiral

Luxury brands have triggered their own death spiral by selling overpriced, overexposed and lower-quality products.

Bibi Netanyahu Is Failing Ever Upward

The Israeli prime minister remains in power.

The Case for Throwing Stones From a Glass House

One of the epic moral battles of this century is the one against sexual violence worldwide, and the U.S. has a chance to lead.

Temporarily Disconnected From Politics? Feel No Guilt About It.

Black women aren’t the only voters who are taking a moment.

Can Anyone Make Sense of Luigi Mangione? Maybe His Favorite Writer.

How to make sense of the UnitedHealthcare C.E.O. shooting

Democrats, Don’t Forget the Atheists

Galvanize these voters without alienating of party members of faith would be pretty easy.

Aghast at a Move to Revoke the Polio Vaccine

Readers write about the polio vaccine and the dread of the disease in the past. Also: Reducing crime; the Unabomber’s victims; health insurances woes.

Surveilling Speech Won’t Increase Birthrates

It’s easier for governments to restrict freedom of expression than it is to fix material conditions.

Now Is Not the Time for Surrender

What do Democrats need to do? Act like an opposition party.

I Was a Health Insurance Executive. What I Saw Made Me Quit.

Shareholders, not patient outcomes, tend to drive decisions at health insurance companies.

What if Our Democracy Can’t Survive Without Christianity?

An atheist helps David French understand how religion supports America’s political ideals.

62 Books ‘The Ezra Klein Show’ Guests Recommended This Year

An eclectic list of works that influenced, intrigued and entertained our guests.

Done With Never Trump

There’s plenty to dislike and fear about Trump, but Never Trumpers overstated our case, defeating our purpose.

How Elon Musk and Taylor Swift Can Resolve U.S.-China Relations

Trump will face a new China this time, one whose advanced manufacturing muscles have exploded in size, sophistication and quantity.

Pre-emptive Pardons, Wanted or Not

Responses to a guest essay by Sarah Isgur, who is on Kash Patel’s enemies list. Also: A strategy intended to prevent suicides; a renewal of hope.

Worthwhile Canadian Resignation

Chrystia Freeland’s departure raises questions about how sharply Trudeau will counter Trump.

If Men Are in Trouble, What Is the Cause?

The declining ability of many boys and men to compete at school and in the workplace has become both a social and a political issue.

I Hope Hegseth’s Accuser Testifies

The possibility that she was drugged means the Senate needs to learn every detail of what happened.

‘A Sword and a Shield’: How the Supreme Court Supercharged Trump’s Power

The legal scholars Gillian Metzger and Kate Shaw discuss how recent Supreme Court decisions could enable Trump in his second term.

Should the President Have Nuclear Sole Authority? We Asked 530 Incoming Congress Members.

If there is a widespread urgency in Congress to cooperate on bills that create safeguards around nuclear war, it was not apparent.

Paul Krugman: After 25 Years, My Parting Words to Readers

A columnist reflects on a quarter-century of contrarian opinions at The Times.

Trump Can Pull Us Back From the Nuclear Brink

He is about to regain control of the country’s nuclear arsenal at one of the most volatile times in history.

Pope Francis: There Is Faith in Humor

The best thing to do in front of a mirror is to laugh at ourselves. It is good for us.

The Germany We Knew Is Gone

The economically prosperous, socially cohesive and politically stable country is no longer itself.

The Great Capitulation

Powerful Americans have lost the will to resist Trump.

A Spineless Senate Abandons a Qualified Judge

The attacks on Adeel Mangi were without merit.

Staring at American

The Look of Politics in 2024

How Does A.I. Think? Here’s One Theory.

It may employ a kind of reasoning humans use all the time — but you’ve probably never heard of it.

New York Won’t Be Burned Twice by Mayor Adams’s Deceit

The council should make campaign finance reform a priority, even if it has to override a mayoral veto.

Ways to Fix the Health Insurance Debacle

Responses to an essay by Andrew Witty, the C.E.O. of UnitedHealth Group. Also: Threats to democracy, in Hungary and America; a check on Trump; avoiding taxes.

Short Books Are Perfect for Our Distracted Age

There is something special about works I can read in full on a rainy Sunday afternoon or in the lamplight hours between supper and bedtime.

Trump Is the Wrong Answer to the Right Question

The president-elect and the president are in transition.

A Mild Defense of Lara Trump

The Senate takes itself seriously, but its members aren’t always public-servant all-stars.

Trump Hates the ‘Deep State.’ But He Also Needs It.

He should fuse these two impulses into a single governing ideology.

Why I’m Not Dreading Holiday Chores This Season

Holidays often mean more work. Here’s how to view that work differently.

Why Ultraprocessed Foods Aren’t Always Bad

The category of ultraprocessed foods is so broad it borders on useless.

Four Scenarios for Ukraine’s Endgame

The war is entering what could be its final phase. What happens next?

Don’t Cut an Agency So Vital to Our Health

Readers worry about cuts to the National Institutes of Health. Also: Maternity wards; overdose deaths; vetting presidential candidates; tech tycoons in charge.

My 500-Mile Journey Across Alaska’s Thawing Arctic

I had read about how the rapid warming of the Arctic was upending the landscape and its people. Now I’ve seen it.

How Biden Should Spend His Final Weeks in Office

The president can still do a lot before he leaves the White House.

The Trouble Began When #MeToo Became #ChurchToo

Yes, people want justice — as long as justice costs them nothing or very little.

For the Sake of 600,000 Children, Science Must Be Bold

Gene drives offer hope in our battle against malaria.

This Unreadable Russian Novel Is Xi Jinping’s Spiritual Guide

The Chinese leader is digging into the language of revolution, and a radical Russian novel, as he prepares for battle with Donald Trump.

With al-Assad Gone, the Risk of an ISIS Resurgence Grows

With the fall of al-Assad’s regime, the risk of an ISIS resurgence increases.

Trump Has Little Room for Error

How Trump might cut short his political honeymoon.

Can We Make Pop Culture Great Again?

Worrying that even if the rest of American society starts moving, our storytelling is still going to be stuck.

What Does Rupert Murdoch Do Now?

“I love each of my children,” said the patriarch. “But these companies need a designated leader.”

Is There a Better $600 Investment?

Women with obstetric fistulas suffer year after year, even as a $619 surgery can restore them.

The Unabomber’s Influence Is Deeper and More Dangerous Than We Know

To some disaffected young Americans, the ruthlessly intellectualized turn to violence can seem justified. It is not.

How Sweden Could End Its Epidemic of Gang Violence

We know that tough-on-crime policies for children have been tried repeatedly elsewhere and have failed. So why is my country headed that way?

The Menendez Brothers’ Case Challenges the Limits of Our Understanding of Abuse

Society knows more about abuse now, but it may not matter to the judicial system.

The Marketing Hurricane of ‘Wicked’ Says a Lot About Our Culture

The movie’s marketing push, involving 400 brand tie-ins, shows how our culture has become littered with formulaic and meaningless collaborations.

Applying Psychotherapy to Heal Our Political Divide

Readers respond to an essay by a couples therapist.

19 Things Biden Can Change Before Leaving Office

New York Times Opinion contributors share what they hope President Biden will accomplish during his remaining time in office.

It’s Going to Be Normal to Have Extreme Beliefs

What the fascination with a C.E.O.’s killing reveals about this political era.

America’s Health Care System Needs Better Economics, Not Bullets

If only fixing it were as easy as finding someone to blame.

‘Tune Back In. Our Democracy Depends on It.’

Readers discuss staying involved during difficult times. Also: Supreme Court ethics; South Korea’s example; too much feedback; new friendships.

Breaking the Cycle of Childhood Poverty in New York

Children’s Aid provides essential help with food and housing for families in New York City, where tens of thousands of children live in poverty.

UnitedHealth Group C.E.O.: The Health Care System Is Flawed. Let’s Fix It.

No one would design a system like the one we have. And no one did.

Tell Us What Brought You Joy in 2024

Where did you find comfort, joy, fun or just distraction this year?

I Don’t Want a Pardon From Biden. None of Us Should.

We should show that we trust the fairness of the justice system.

A Broken System Is No Excuse

Our broken system can test us, but it shouldn’t break our morals.

Sorry, but This Is the Future of Food

Every farm, even the scenic ones with red barns and rolling hills, is a kind of environmental crime scene, an echo of whatever wilderness it once replaced.

The First New Foreign Policy Challenge for Trump Just Became Clear

Because of Syria’s centrality in the Middle East, positive change there could radiate out in all directions.

How to Dangerously Misread a Very Important Verdict

What happened on that subway train — and the acquittal that followed — deserves a more measured response.

Brian Thompson, Not Luigi Mangione, Is the Real Working-Class Hero

He’s a model for how a talented, determined man from humble roots can rise to the top of corporate life.

Take a Whiff of Eau de Trump. It Reeks.

Like Trump himself, Trump’s new line of fragrances is big on braggadocio, short on details and gaudily packaged.

The Furor Over Health Insurance in America

Readers discuss the anger over health insurance set off by the killing of a C.E.O. Also: Gun safety laws; money in politics.

Biden Has a Pair of Gifts for Trump

What will the president-elect do with them?

Three Columnists Wrestle With the Lionizing of Luigi Mangione

What other kind of company inspires this sort of hatred?

What the Glorification of Luigi Mangione Reveals About America

The shooting of Brian Thompson marks a new era of rage for this country.

What Trump Could Do to the U.S. Military

Americans have counted on the indispensability of a constitutionally alert military. Will that continue?

Bad News, Democrats: America Is About to Get Even Redder

Americans are fleeing unaffordable blue states — and they’re taking the Electoral College with them.

Read This Before Buying That Video Game

Big corporations turned video games from an engaging artistic medium into something addictive and gambling-adjacent.

A Message for Girls About Womanhood

Girls would be less dispirited if more of them felt their intrinsic power.

Bad News, Democrats: America Is About to Get Even Redder

Americans are fleeing unaffordable blue states — and they’re taking the Electoral College with them.

New Friends After 50? Yes, Please!

The people in our lives are a dynamic constellation.

Did Christopher Wray Just Defy Donald Trump?

‘The Best Government Money Can Buy’

Under the influence of a coterie of tech boosters, it’s full speed ahead.

Reflections on Motherhood, Careers and Identity

Readers respond to an essay by Daniela J. Lamas. Also: Andy Griffith’s Mayberry today; Donald Trump’s loyalty test; never an exile; choosing charities.

Men in Caring Jobs Will Make Society More Equal

Less stigma against male caregivers is all to the good.

Reckoning With the Scale of California Wildfires

The numbers should be eye-opening to anyone who hasn’t spent much time reckoning with the sheer scale of the challenge of managing California fire.

The One Thing the U.S. Can Do to Help Syria Now

The editorial board writer Farah Stockman argues that ending the sanctions on Syria is the best way for America to help stabilize the country after the collapse of the Assad regime.

Prepare for Guacamole to Be a Luxury Item

Trump’s immigration and tariff plans will strain American farming and raise the prices you see at the store.

Al-Assad’s Fall Has Changed the Future of the Middle East

As a new reality in Syria sets in, a reordering of regional power dynamics is already taking shape.

A Political Reckoning Will Come for Trump, Too

His cabinet picks show that the Republicans are hollowed out, too.

Democrats Don’t Have an Easy Way Out

The party’s weakened condition leaves it ill prepared to defend itself against a Republican Party determined to eviscerate liberalism and the left.

Al-Assad Is Gone, and One Idea Fills My Brain

On Sunday at 3 a.m. my mother woke me with a shaky voice. All our phones were ringing, and the TV was loud. “He fell, Zaina. He fell. Assad fell.”

The Syria Opportunity

The end of al-Assad’s wretched regime unlocks many doors.

Picking Through a Ruined Palace, in the Name of Vengeance

The debris of fallen tyrannies like al-Assad’s often carries a lingering fascination.

The Supreme Court Must Intervene in the TikTok Case

The First Amendment should not be used to cut Americans’ access to TikTok, and the Supreme Court should step in.

Should Biden Issue Pre-emptive Pardons?

Readers discuss a column by Michelle Goldberg and an editorial. Also: Farewell, Paul Krugman; jeopardizing jobs; hating and fearing death.

Why al-Assad Fell

Understanding the factors that led to the Syrian regime’s collapse is key to putting the pieces of the country back together.

You Had a Lot of Questions About the Election

Ezra Klein answers listener questions about the future of the Democratic Party, the meaning of “the working class,” how blue cities should respond to their apparent electoral rebuke and more.

The Security Threat Hundreds of Miles Above Our Heads

Nuclear war in space could have catastrophic consequences for life on Earth. President-elect Trump must do everything in his power to prevent it.

How Being an Influencer Became a New American Dream

Two preteen girls promote fashion and beauty products to thousands of online fans from their rural Alabama home.

Christmas, Every Day

Two preteen girls market fashion and beauty products to thousands of online fans from their Alabama home.

Putin Just Suffered a Huge Defeat

This time, when Bashar al-Assad started to fall, Russia was not there to catch him.

These 14 Voters Think Trump Has One Mandate Above All, and It’s Not About the Economy

The group discusses abortion, immigration and what Trump should focus on in his second term.

Trump Has a New Favorite Foreign Leader. He’s Known as the Madman.

Javier Milei and the rebirth of austerity for the needy.

My Last Column: Finding Hope in an Age of Resentment

Where have all the good vibes gone?

For Women in India, a Job Is More Than Just a Paycheck

A new film shows the barriers that women must overcome in order to work.

Why I Still Send Holiday Cards — and You Should, Too

They serve a social function that’s surprisingly important.

What Syria Needs in Order to Rebuild

U.S. sanctions policy in the country must change.

Expanding the Laws on Assisted Dying

Readers discuss the British vote on the issue and urge actions in the U.S. Also: Safeguarding our food; taxing cow burps in Denmark; a crossword tale.

How to Keep Your Own Soul Safe in the Dark

Even at my lowest, I have never entirely given up my faith that good people working together can change the world for the better.

Pardon You

Who among us deserves a get-out-of-jail-free card?

The Killings of Young Mothers

For women under 25, getting pregnant more than doubles their risk of homicide.

The Power Struggle Behind Trans Youth Health Care

And why the debate over gender-affirming care could have far-reaching implications.

Running Spies Is Not a Game for Amateurs

Will Trump be satisfied with servile leadership, or is he seeking to dismantle the system and make agencies responsive to his demands?

How to Multiply the Power of Women and Girls in Africa

CAMFED combines skills training with basic education for girls, a proven model for helping them lift themselves and their communities.

Al-Assad’s Syria Was Brutal. Will What Comes Next Be Better?

It is hard not to worry that Syrians’ sense of deep relief today could be followed by a new set of horrors tomorrow.

She Won Over Italy. Now She’s Bringing Trumpism to Europe.

Giorgia Meloni is ready to be the bridge between Donald Trump and Europe.

Five Quick Takes on Regime Change in Syria

Assad’s fall creates vast dangers and opportunities that everyone in the region will seize upon.

The Winners and Losers Following the Fall of al-Assad

Two cheers for the end of the regime, but be wary of what happens next.

Syrians Also Have Israel to Thank for Their Liberation

Israel’s actions diminished Assad’s ability to resist the rebels.

Will We Ever Elect a Woman as President?

Readers react to a column by Gail Collins. Also: Advice for immigrants; presidential immunity; words of the year.

The Streets of My Country Are Full of Fury

Georgia is lurching toward authoritarianism. This may be our last chance to pull it back.

What Doctors Like Me Know About Americans’ Health Care Anger

As a doctor, I’ve been on both sides of frustrating health care debacles.

The Tennessee Trans Treatment Case Is About Age, Not Sex

The state’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors passes the constitutional test.

A New Movie Dares to Suggest that Motherhood Might Be (Gasp) Fun

“Nightbitch” seems like a horror film about the transformations demanded by motherhood, but its underlying message is much more radical than that.

Climate Activists Need to Radically Change Their Approach Under Trump

Climate purity is a recipe for failure.

The Evolution of Marco Rubio

Rubio, the choice for secretary of state, has evolved from a hawkish optimist to a more inward-looking, antiglobalist pessimist.

Teens Are Getting Botox. I’m Going Full Crone in 2025.

In pushing back against beauty standards, I’m trying to set an example for my girls.

JD Vance, Elon Musk and the Future of America

How the two men’s visions for America come together or clash is a key to the new administration’s success.

What Republicans and Democrats Get Wrong About Crime

An evidence-based approach to criminal justice would tell us that policing works and long prison sentences do not.

The Disappearance of Literary Men Should Worry Everyone

What happens if half the population is no longer involved in reading and writing?

The Fragility of Bluesky’s Difference

Users are looking for a more curated experience on a platform that is not constantly trying to get them to interact with brands.

Why Running the Government Like a Business Would Be a Disaster

A lot of what the government does is hard to quantify and involves complicated tasks that inevitably require bureaucratic coordination and, yes, inefficiency.

Orli’s Gift, in Her Life and Death

Readers respond to Sarah Wildman’s essay about her daughter’s lessons in facing mortality.

A House Where Every Republican Will Be in Charge

And you thought this congressional term was a little nuts?

The Regimes of the Post-Post-Cold War World

The liberal world order, remixed.

Trump’s Treasury Pick Isn’t Alarming, but He Is Unusual

Some of Scott Bessent’s economic views are outside the mainstream. But at least he’s qualified.

The Rage and Glee That Followed a C.E.O.’s Killing Should Ring All Alarms

It echoes another era of extreme inequality and extreme violence.

The Transgender Case, and the Role of Activists

Readers discuss the Supreme Court case and the threats trans people face. Also: Recess appointments; Social Security; pardons; brain injuries and crime.

The Supreme Court Just Showed Us What Contempt for Expertise Looks Like

In the case involving medical care for transgender adolescents, ignoring doctors is part of the point.

Trump’s F.B.I. Pick Has an Enemies List. Biden Should Pardon Everyone on It.

The president has a chance to save innocent people from MAGA persecution.

How a Book From 1981 Anticipated This Political Moment

Two columnists sit down to discuss two books that crystallize this period in America.

The Highbrow and Lowbrow of the Trump Era

Trump culture has been renewed for a second season.

In These Dark Times, Stand Up for Human Dignity

Organizations supporting vulnerable Haitian immigrants are under tremendous strain.

Trump Should Consider All the Good Congestion Pricing Could Do for His Hometown

The program will unleash an economic boon, breathing new life into a city still trying to get its bearings post-Covid.

No One Should Go Hungry in America

While lawmakers try to find long-term solutions to food insecurity, Feeding America is filling the void for tens of millions of Americans every day.

Could Trump Make the Ultimate Deal With Iran?

Over the next four years, the toxic and seemingly unending psychodrama between the United States and Iran may very well see its final act.

Remembering Peter Westbrook, Fencing Legend and Father Figure

He inspired several generations of Black fencers and other athletes.

Who Are You Calling ‘You Guys’? Everyone, Actually.

The story of how a gendered word became a universal pronoun says a lot about how language evolves.

Trump’s Cabinet Will Be an Embarrassment of Wretches

The onslaught of awful makes bad look good.

Kennedy’s Scary Ideas, and Ones Worth Considering

Readers worry that “our lives are at stake” if he becomes health secretary but also find areas of agreement. Also: Unity, not revenge; criminal justice in New York.

This Holiday Season, Give Someone a Second Chance

New Jersey Re-entry Corporation helps people stay out of prison after they’ve been in.

The War on Terror Had an Unexpected Outcome

The rebel group H.T.S. was born as an Islamic State branch. But since pivoting from international jihad, it became dominant in Syria’s northwest.

Can Martial Law Happen in America?

Events in South Korea have people thinking.

New York Democrats Begin Saying No to the NIMBYs

A new housing plan will finally stand up to neighborhood opposition.

Democrats Must Stop Treating Black Women as an Afterthought

If the party fails to see this, it will be the one left behind.

The Far Right Just Toppled France’s Government, and Nobody Knows What Happens Next

The government’s fall shows the strength of the far right.

The Warning

No shockwave. No mushroom cloud. But a space nuke would change life on Earth forever.

The Dangerous Precedent of Biden’s Pardon

It sends a signal that Trump’s abuse of the pardon system was not an aberration.

Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth See the Same Enemies

Hegseth, too, wants to fight the “enemy within.”

The Last Time Alcohol Poisoned a Defense Nomination

Pete Hegseth would not be the first.

The Debate Over the Hunter Biden Pardon

Readers discuss the ongoing political and legal debate over whether the pardon was justified. Also: South Korea’s crisis; tariffs; crosswords.

Trump’s Project 2025 May Not Be What It Seemed. It’s Worse.

The early coercive pressures applied by Trump loyalists are a taste of what is to come.

Human Interaction Is Now a Luxury Good

We’re increasingly becoming a society in which very wealthy people get human care, like concierge medicine and private schools with tiny class sizes.

Will ‘Constitutional Republicans’ Save the Senate?

Only a handful of Republicans are needed to stand up for the Senate’s right to advise and consent on nominations.

Will Trump Be the President of Vice?

Moderation on pot and other vices appears to have been part of a calculated effort to turn out young men for the G.O.P. — but it may come with consequences.

I Should Never Have Picked Up That Gun

I am surrounded by men who live with regret. And that regret is an incarceration every bit as real as the towering walls around us.

Serving the Innocent Children of Incarcerated Parents

Foreverfamily helps families stay connected.

Can Rahm Emanuel Flip the Script Again?

The former Clinton and Obama aide has a gift for constructing winning coalitions.

Without a Law, the Government Can’t Protect Your Privacy

Don’t get your hopes up.

South Koreans Stood Up for Their Democracy

Widespread protests helped lift a decree of martial law.

Drought in the Northeast: The Causes and Consequences

Readers discuss what one calls a “boom-or-bust precipitation cycle.” Also: Pete Hegseth’s mother’s accusation; what opera needs; Elon Musk and Mars.

Moviegoing Storms Back, Thanks to Sequels

Reports of the demise of Hollywood may be greatly exaggerated.

Seniors Need Our Help to Stay in the Homes They Love

Habitat for Humanity helps older people who can’t afford to make their homes safe and workable as they age.

A Worthy Cause (Actually, Many of Them) This Giving Tuesday

Highlighting nonprofits doing good work in New York and beyond.

What Kash Patel Could Do to the F.B.I.

The true danger is almost less about the pick and more about what it says of Trump’s approach to his second term.

It’s the Corruption, Stupid

The politician discusses what lessons he thinks Democrats have forgotten.

Five Opinion Writers on What Biden Should Do in His Final Days as President

Protecting land and appointing judges could go a long way toward bolstering Biden’s legacy.

How Private Funds Could Hurt Americans Under Trump

The fund managers who backed Donald Trump’s candidacy have welcomed his victory with calls for new directions in policy.

May It Please the Court: Trans Health Saved My Life

Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender adolescents has personal implications.

‘This Is the Land of Wolves Now’: Two Columnists Get to the Heart of Biden’s Pardon

While the pardon is legal, the rule of law isn’t maintained by merely keeping to the letter of the law.

If Anyone Can Save the Democrats, It’s Ben Wikler

This Wisconsinite is the obvious choice for D.N.C. chair.

For Iranian Women, Can a Revolution Take Place at Home?

Inspired by the movement for women’s rights in Iran, Elahe Esmaili returns to her hometown to start her own resistance.

A Move

Inspired by the movement for women’s rights in Iran, Elahe Esmaili returns to her hometown to start her own resistance.

Biden’s Pardon for His Son Dishonors the Office

With the pardon of his son, President Biden added his name to the roll call of presidents who dishonored their office by misusing the pardon power.

A Second-Rate Crime Gets a Second-Rate Pardon

At least Joe didn’t make Hunter ambassador to a major international ally.

How You Can Help People Get Good Jobs

Market forces aren’t enough. These three organizations help get more people into good jobs.

So Much for Trump’s Fantasy of a Quieter Middle East

If anything, old conflicts are heating up.

The Hunter Biden Pardon: Mercy, or the Wrong Message?

Readers understand a father’s desire to help his son but diverge from there. Also: A pick as envoy to France; overdose deaths; 5 days in the office.

A Disgraceful Pardon

Biden’s act will fuel public cynicism and excuse Trump’s plans to politicize justice.

Helping Students Find Their Way to College

OneGoal is a resource for students who are entering college without the benefits of family wealth.

How Do You Like That Filibuster Now?

The Senate can take steps to remain an independent power center in Trump’s Washington.

Not Everyone Is Benefiting From Drops in Overdose Deaths

Drug overdose deaths are finally declining. But it’s going to take work to keep this trend going.

The Surprising Allure of Ignorance

We want to know, but we also want not to know, sometimes fiercely so.

When Rape in War Is Seen as a Minor Transgression

Understanding and addressing the underlying beliefs and values that drive behavior in combat is crucial.

I’m One of the Last Doctors in This Hospital in Gaza. I’m Begging the World for Help.

Most of the medical staff members at Kamal Adwan Hospital are gone. One of the last doctors working there shares his story.

Kash Patel’s Threat to the Rule of Law

In the new administration, loyalty will come before experience or moral judgment.

When A.I. and Doctors Make the Diagnosis

Readers discuss artificial intelligence in medicine. Also: Toxins in water; breasts on billboards; the $6.2 million banana; a deportation question.

I Viewed the Rise of Barstool Conservatism With Alarm. And Rightly So.

This year Donald Trump took social conservatives for granted.

Republicans Would Regret Letting Elon Musk Ax Weather Forecasting

Everyone benefits from government weather forecasting. Republicans have the chance to make it better.

‘I Was a Stranger, and You Invited Me In’

I won’t forget the first time I volunteered at Room in the Inn.

Misogyny and Antisemitism Are a Toxic Brew

Stereotyping Jewish women is dangerously common.

Mary Is the Bennet Sister We Need

Jane Austen, one of the most beloved novelists in the English language, must have had some sympathy for a girl who liked a good book.

Running Away From Trump’s America Is Complicated. I Should Know.

For Americans declaring they want to leave a Trump-led America, the best approach is to understand what you are running to, not from.

Note to Democrats: It’s Time to Take Up Your Hammers

There is a straight line from homeless schoolchildren to Donald Trump’s election victory.

Why I’m Not Giving Up on American Democracy

The free and decent country that saved my family from Soviet-dominated Hungary is now under threat.

Reckoning With the Connection Between Brain Injuries and Criminal Behavior

In the fight to reduce recidivism, we may be ignoring one major element.

A Job and Community Transform Refugees’ Lives

The organization doesn’t just teach culinary skills — it provides additional support, such as résumé building and English classes.

New Orleans’ Striking Advantage in the Age of Climate Change

Unlike the other major cities that appear on lists of unsafe places, New Orleans has a striking competitive advantage.

How Our Messed-Up Dating Culture Leads to Loneliness, Anger and Donald Trump

A generation of resentful young men has arisen from the cultural norm dictating that men must be the breadwinners.

What to Expect in a Second Trump Term

Readers worry that he will punish enemies and rule like an autocrat. Also: A redundant efficiency department; science and policy; emotional tears.

A Bird Flu Pandemic Would Be One of the Most Foreseeable Catastrophes in History

It’s not too late for President Biden to give the U.S. a life-changing gift.

Republican and Democratic Former Senate Counsels Agree: F.B.I. Checks on Trump Nominees Are a Must

With fewer and fewer checks on presidential power, we need rigorous congressional consideration of the incoming president’s team.

How Not to Fall Into Despair

When in chaos, try tragic optimism, wise hope and wise action.

Alzheimer’s Can Be a World of Endless Second Chances

When Dad first started forgetting things, I thought I’d lost him. I didn’t imagine I’d have more of him than I did before.

Supporting Local News, and Doctors Taking a Risk

With Trump’s return, both journalists and abortion pill providers need help.

Four Opinion Writers on ‘Wicked’: ‘Women Deserve Rage. We Have a Lot to Be Angry About.’

A big-budget holiday film with a strong antifascist message? “Wicked” is not what we expected.

The Moral Challenge of Trumpism

Trumpism represents an alternative value system. The people I regard as upright and admirable MAGA regards as morally disgraceful.

Yiddish Is a Supposedly Dying Language That’s Thrillingly Alive

Yiddish, the heart of some communities, is always fascinating.

Restoring Faith in Public Health Messaging

Responses to an essay about how health authorities could better communicate with the public. Also: Trump donors; teaching students; the Pink House; hate groups.

Books About Everyone, for Everyone

First Book’s work is an antidote to book bans. It makes diverse books more accessible to students, teachers and libraries.

She Was the Queen of 90 Million Nightstands

Barbara Taylor Bradford was a profound part of her readers’ lives.

Beans, Beans, Magical Beans

Could one tiny legume save the planet?

My Brother Is Doing the Trump Dance

Kevin sighs happily and sleeps easily, while I’m holding my breath.

Grandma Foods

The comforts of eating like an old person.

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Motherhood

The uncertainty before making a decision about having kids is the hardest part.

This Maverick Thinker Is the Karl Marx of Our Time

Wolfgang Streeck has a convincing theory of what has gone wrong with globalization.

China Is on a Quest for the Holy Grail of Meat. Let’s Hope It Succeeds.

China’s push to develop alternative proteins is not a threat to America. It’s good for the planet.

A Year of War Transformed Hezbollah

Israel has decimated Hezbollah’s senior leadership and military infrastructure.

‘Vanderpump Rules’ and the End of an Era of Reality Television

What once was an exhilarating show stuffed with vicariously appealing misbehavior became a dreary weeknight watch.

What the International Criminal Court Gets Right

Prosecuting crimes against humanity in Myanmar couldn’t be more important to the rules-based order.

The False Premise Shaping Trump’s Public Health Picks

Nobody got Covid totally right. But the contrarians got it mostly wrong.

Trump’s Pick to Lead the N.I.H. Gets Some Things Right

The course of Bhattacharya’s tenure will depend on whether he can listen to his critics.

Saving Electric Vehicles From Donald Trump

Readers offer environmental and business reasons to support E.V.s. Also: Women in the military; the Amsterdam pogrom; resentment of migrants; true crime.

When Leniency Is the Goal, a Justice System Breaks Easily

Two recent cases show New York’s fragile courts have little room for error.

Thomas Friedman: Trump’s Path to a Nobel Peace Prize?

How the president-elect could change the Middle East — for the better.

The MAGA Science Agenda Reveals America’s Future

If there’s a thread tying this coalition together, it’s suspicion of expertise and elitism.

How to Help Those Still Devastated by Hurricane Helene

Natural disasters call to our shared humanity.

As a Couples Therapist, I See the Same Destructive Patterns in Our Political Discourse

We’re in a national moment of great fear and suspicion. But the principles of psychoanalysis that can help feuding couples can also help us reconcile our differences.

Ireland Is Rich. That Doesn’t Mean It’s Happy.

There are the same dark subplots here that have made the position of other incumbent governments so precarious.

What the Cease-Fire Between Israel and Lebanon Means for Gaza

Can a truce lead to an enduring peace?

The Senate Should Leave No Judgeship Unfilled

Donald Trump will try to fill every judgeship that Democrats leave open.

Trump’s Tariff Plan Makes Little Sense

Why set off a tit-for-tat with our closest allies?

Jack Smith and the Dismissal of Cases Against Trump

Readers discuss the special counsel’s move and whether the cases should have been dismissed. Also: Medicaid; turkeys’ misery; skilled immigrants.

A Great Idea for People With a Terrible Disease: Let’s Find a Cure Ourselves

A group of long Covid patients is financing research and making progress.

Our Mount Rushmore of Fictional Presidents

Jed Bartlett and other presidents of our youth.

Would Bernie Have Won?

Faiz Shakir makes a case for the Democratic Party to embrace economic populism.

Breaking Up Google Would Be a Big Mistake

Such a move would help no one.

Nicholas Kristof: Consider Skipping Meat This Thanksgiving

The columnist points out the hypocrisy of loving your dog while eating bacon.

Is Creativity Dead?

Or is the algorithm just hiding it from you?

I Ran Operation Warp Speed. I’m Concerned About Bird Flu.

Avian influenza might mutate to enable human-to-human transmission.

Is Creativity Dead?

Or is the algorithm just hiding it from you?

She Was the Most Powerful Woman in the World. And She Isn’t Ready to Say Sorry.

In her memoir, Angela Merkel doesn’t take the chance to make amends.

Mr. Trump, Do You Realize How Much the World Has Changed Since You Were President?

Three giant, shifting tectonic plates will have profound implications for the new administration.

There Is No Excuse for the Bullying of Sarah McBride

After a brutal election, Democrats need to get better at talking about trans issues.

Crony Capitalism Is Coming to America

Business success may increasingly depend on connections, not competence.

Trump Evaded Jack Smith and the Rule of Law

He will spend his presidential term with no fear of a verdict on his federal indictments.

The Certainty of Uncertainty

There’s no avoiding uncertainty in economics, so we need tools to deal with it

Republicans Freak Out Over Trump’s Choice for Labor Secretary

The business wing of the party is appalled that he chose someone who supports workers’ rights.

Overcoming Obesity, With Diet and Physical Education

Responses to a news article about overweight Americans. Also: Cabinet picks accused of sexual abuse; transgender rights; boys’ feelings about the election.

If My Dying Daughter Could Face Her Mortality, Why Couldn’t the Rest of Us?

A bereaved mother’s case against our grief-phobic culture.

What if It Gets Really Bad? Four Columnists Debate Trump’s Approach to Power.

Trump’s 2016 presidential transition signaled how he would govern. What do his preparations for a second term tell us about America’s future?

I’m a Food Editor. I Hate Thanksgiving Dinner.

True confessions from the New York Times Cooking desk.

The Defeat of Kamala Harris Is Not the End of the Story

The woman-president thing is more than just a check mark on the feminist to-do list.

Donald Trump Will Do Nothing to Bring Back Our Dying American Dream

Large negative movements in the finances of the young and the working class are going to make his second term much tougher sledding than his first.

Easing the Biodiversity Crisis One Flowerpot at a Time

Help for converting a garden, no matter how small, into a wildlife sanctuary.

I’ll Never Forget What Kennedy Did During Samoa’s Measles Outbreak

What he did during a measles epidemic in Samoa shouldn’t be forgotten.

Don’t Let Donald Trump Drive You Into Internal Exile

Focusing on your own life and disengaging from politics can be appealing. But it is a abdication of responsibility.

Getting the Election Wrong, and Right

Readers respond to a column by David Brooks. Also: Blaming the Green Party for a Democratic loss in the Senate race in Pennsylvania; a sitcom cabinet.

I Starred in ‘Cabaret.’ We Need to Heed Its Warning.

Much has changed since the show debuted on Broadway in 1966, but it’s what hasn’t changed that should worry us.

There’s a Simple Way to Stop Dangerous Wildfires. We Barely Use It.

We don’t use prescribed burns enough.

Donald Trump Thinks He Won’t Have Enough Power

The once and future president’s constitutional gimmicks are embarrassingly transparent.

‘A God Who Continually Surprises Us’: A Q&A With a Theologian Who Changed His Mind About Gay Marriage

Can God be wrong?

The Democrats Are in Trouble. This Man Can Save Them.

The theories of the 20th-century philosopher John Rawls can inspire a new way for Democrats to find relevance.

Taiwan Is Ready to Defend Democracy. Is Trump?

Many Americans voted for border security. Try living next to China.

Down About the Election? There Is a Speech I Want You to Read.

Frederick Douglass knew what to do when faced with Jim Crow.

Trump Plays Self-Defense With His Treasury Choice

Unlike some of Trump’s other cabinet picks, Bessent is a fairly conventional billionaire who should play well on Wall Street.

Where You Should Donate This Holiday Season

Announcing the return of Opinion’s annual giving guide.

They Hate Each Other. They Love Each Other. We Can’t Look Away.

“Wicked” revels in the power of female frenemies.

Gladiator Movies Aren’t Telling the Real Story About Rome

Forget the movies. Roman ideals of masculinity went far beyond what gladiators could achieve.

No One Was Worried About My Country’s Elections This Year. They Should Be.

An unexciting campaign mirrors young Uruguayans’ lack of enthusiasm for democracy.

Trump: Protector of Women — or Predators?

If you want to see women flying high, go to the movies.

Three Theories of the Trump Cabinet

Where will this particular cast of characters take us?

The Bizarro Normalcy of the Public Reaction to Trump’s Win

A second Trump administration is one where nobody’s quite sure what anyone else is really thinking.

Gift Ideas That Push Back the Darkness

Give a woman her life back, save a child’s life or help a child read, with my annual holiday giving guide.

No Grandchildren in Their Lives

Readers respond to a front-page article about parents whose children don’t plan to have children of their own.

Why You May Be Wrong About Harris’s Loss

We won’t have enough data to tell the full story of the election for some time. But there are a few things we can say for sure now.

Is It Possible the Democrats Were Hurt by a Strong Economy?

An interesting theory about the election that’s the opposite of what you’ve heard.

The Post-Cold War Era Is Finished. Liberalism and Democracy Will Go On.

A new world order doesn’t mean the old politics simply disappears.

A Moment of Genuine Warmth and Sadness on ‘The Great British Bake Off’

The current season has one of the most memorable characters of the series.

A Range of Lessons From Trump’s Victory

Readers respond to an essay by Roxane Gay. Also: A Republican plan to bar a transgender member from the women’s bathroom; Matt Gaetz; Elon Musk’s cuts.

Trump’s Crown Doesn’t Fit

The Constitution is not a grant of power for a king.

This House Democrat Keeps Winning in Trump Country. Here’s What She Knows.

Lessons from a Democratic winner in Trump country.

Will Musk Be the Death of NASA?

SpaceX is on top right now, and, presumably, Musk wants to keep it that way.

In This House, We’re Angry When Government Fails

The Democratic Party needs to rethink what it means to be the party of institutions.

Liberals Bet They Could Beat Trump With the Law. They Lost.

A few victories made it easy for Democrats to forget that the law is just another domain of politics where their enemies enjoy power too.

We Wanted a ‘Grand New Party.’ Trump Delivered.

Ross Douthat and Reihan Salam had a vision for how Republicans could reclaim the working class. They never expected Trump to fulfill it.

Let’s End This Turkey Pardoning Nonsense

President Biden should cancel the Thanksgiving tradition of pardoning a turkey.

What Democrats Are Getting Wrong About Transgender Rights

Trans rights aren’t just trans rights. They’re reproductive rights.

The Road to Trump’s ‘Grand New Party’

Ross Douthat and Reihan Salam had a vision for how Republicans could reclaim the working class. They never expected Trump to fulfill it.

The Road to Trump’s ‘Grand New Party’

Ross Douthat and Reihan Salam had a vision for how Republicans could reclaim the working class. They never expected Trump to fulfill it.

How Hostility to Immigrants Will Hurt America’s Tech Sector

Don’t assume that highly educated foreigners will be spared by the new administration.

The Warrant for Netanyahu’s Arrest Also Implicates the United States

We should not operate as if there is some hierarchy in the value of children’s lives.

The Alluring Dream That Black America Needs to Wake Up From

Cleopatra is not our mother.

Gaetz’s Withdrawal Means the Senate Passed Its First Test

Trump failed to push Republicans past their red line.

Matt Gaetz Bows Out, to Sighs of Relief

Readers respond to Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal. Also: Dr. Mehmet Oz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; Russia’s nuclear pose; political spending; election lessons; homelessness.

Can the Senate Survive Donald Trump?

The vaunted chamber’s degradation preceded him. But he may trash it once and for all.

How an Empty Internet Gave Us Tradwives and Trump

Trump excelled at tapping into the information ecosystems where minority and young voters express their identity.

The Greatest Cancel Culture Warrior in America Is Donald Trump

Sure, the left can be nuts, but have you looked at the right lately?

Democrats, It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Our Neoliberal Era

The Democratic Party can seize defeat to establish a new order, but the era of tinkering around the edges is over.

What ‘Mass Deportation’ Actually Means

How big will the Trump administration go, and how quickly?

‘We Tire Very Quickly of Being Told That Everything Is on Fire’

Why invoking a public health crisis too often can lead society astray.

The Bathrooms of the Capitol Are Now Unsafe Spaces

Republicans are exploiting juvenile gossip and unfounded fears of sexual violence.

Reading Books in College: A Lost Art?

Readers respond to a guest essay about ... reading (in college). Also: What Ukraine needs; “profiles in cowardice”; who we are as Americans.

Does Anyone Trust the Government?

Cynicism is rampant across the political spectrum.

Young Women Will Never Stop Talking About Sexism

I love that for them.

How Democrats Can Regain the Upper Hand

Are there ways to bring the left and the center together without sacrificing either?

I Never Panic. I’m Panicking Now.

With Trump’s return, we are all about to find out how vulnerable we really are.

There’s One Person Trump Absolutely Needs in His Administration

Robert Lighthizer has championed plans to revive American industry and transform the global economy.

Trump Should Bring the Ukraine War to Its ‘Inevitable Ending’

The U.S. was never going to save Ukraine, but the incoming president could stop the suffering.

How Kennedy Could Make It Harder for You and Your Family to Get Vaccinated

As the nation’s top health official, he could discourage vaccine research and production, and dissuade Americans from getting shots.

The Right’s Triumph Over Social Media

Under heavy pressure from the right, and with the help of Elon Musk, the leading social media platforms opened the floodgates for propaganda.

Defining Deviancy Down. And Down. And Down.

Trump’s cabinet picks are the latest instance of normalizing political abhorrence.

How Trump Can Earn a Place in History That He Did Not Expect

The president-elect has a starting point: the plan for a two-state solution that he put out in January 2020.

Did the Trump Prosecutions Damage Democratic Credibility?

Many voters may have thought Democrats were the authoritarians.

Trump, the Military and Plans for Mass Deportation

Questions about the president-elect’s plan, and a call for protests. Also: Tears after the election; funds for education; a roofless stadium in Buffalo.

Polling Is Not the Problem

Why it can’t fix our messy politics.

Trump’s Win Terrifies Me. Why Don’t Boys My Age Care?

Naomi Beinart, 16, on the gender divide that the election revealed at her high school.

Trump Kicks Down the Guardrails

Anne Applebaum on how to think about autocracy and authoritarianism in a second Trump term.

The World Is Watching the U.S. Deal With Bird Flu, and It’s Scary

The U.S. needs to reassure the world it has the outbreak under control.

Putin Sees America Hurtling to Disaster, With Trump at the Wheel

To the Kremlin, the president-elect is a harbinger of American collapse.

The Dollar Still Has Its Mojo. X, Not So Much.

Ruining a network is hard, but Elon Musk shows it’s possible.

What a School Performance Shows Us About Japanese Education

A look into the Japanese educational system’s delicate balancing of teamwork, discipline and personal growth.

Instruments of a Beating Heart

A look into the Japanese educational system’s delicate balance between teamwork, discipline and personal growth.

Biden’s Parting Gift to Ukraine Could Also Help Trump

Trump can stop the missiles to be used against Russia, but he may not want to.

How Elon Musk’s and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Government-Slashing Spree Could Backfire

If they’re not careful, they could make the government’s efficiency problems worse.

Trump’s ‘Game of Chicken’ With Appointments

Readers discuss the president-elect’s staff selections. Also: A bill to fight obesity; teaching core skills; Social Security math; alcohol and fine art.

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Is the Absurd Spectacle We Deserve

The exhibition fight was always meant to be an empty spectacle. But in an attention economy, substance will never compete with overhyped emptiness.

Hungary Shows Us How a Second Trump Term Might Play Out

Autocrats have a playbook.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Northeast Is Burning

We are being reminded the hard way that we share this world. Smoke knows no boundaries, and neither does fire.

We Can’t Keep Waiting for Our Leaders to Save Us

We have hardly begun to understand how inextricably our own health and safety are intertwined with those of our wild neighbors.

What’s Right and Wrong About Trump’s Defense Secretary Pick

Pete Hegseth may not be qualified, but his nomination at least represents a legitimate policy change after over 20 years of failed wars.

The New Anti-Abortion Argument Takes Us Back to the 19th Century

Three states are calling on the federal courts for help in making women have more babies.

Avengers, Assemble

All eyes on Trump and his cabinet picks.

We’re About to Find Out How Much America’s Leadership Matters

Donald Trump’s re-election to the American presidency is a threat to global peace and security.

Taking Away the Car Keys: Is It the Doctor’s Duty?

Readers disagree with a guest essay urging mandatory reporting of impaired drivers. Also: The power of plutocrats; a suicide in jail; jaywalking in New York.

Donald Trump Is Already Starting to Fail

The president-elect is planting the seeds of his own political demise.

Jared Polis Wants to Win Back the Hippies

The governor’s embrace of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may be no less significant to his success than his attention to affordability.

How to Save Opera in America? Make It New Again.

To survive and thrive, we can’t rely on the glories of the past.

Trump Can Speed Up the Inevitable in Ukraine

He should force a settlement to save lives and avoid more destruction.

Enough

To suggest we should yield even a little to Trump’s odious politics is unacceptable. Even if we did, it would never be enough.

Why Women Find Watching True Crime Comforting

It’s a black-and-white moral universe where victims get justice.

How Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Could Destroy One of Civilization’s Best Achievements

Let’s not make child mortality great again.

Trump’s New Cologne: Eau de Musk

Who’s taking Melania’s place at Trump’s side?

I’m 16. On Nov. 6 the Girls Cried, and the Boys Played Minecraft.

On the day after the election, it seemed boys and girls woke to a new reality.

Trump Has Put an End to an Era. The Future Is Up for Grabs.

The post-Cold War era has ended, and we’re not going back.

When Will Democrats Learn to Say No?

Why supermajority thinking is urgently needed on the left.

The ‘Diploma Divide’ and the 2024 Election

Readers discuss a David Brooks column about how the less educated are being left behind.

Yes, Most People Probably Should Hold Off on Claiming Social Security

Readers had a lot of thoughtful objections to this idea. I stand by it as a general rule.

Don’t Blame Biden for Trump’s Victory

Readers respond to a guest essay by Josh Barro. Also: Elon Musk and America’s birthrate; a pharmacist’s view; the danger of extreme heat.

Humans Are Divided and Unhappy. What Better Time to Contact Alien Life?

Fifty years ago, the famed Arecibo message was fired into space to make contact with intelligent extraterrestrials. Now is the time to try again.

End the Criminal Cases Against Trump

Democracy’s ultimate verdict has been delivered.

How to Handle Kennedy as America’s Top Health Official

What Kennedy gets right.

Gaetz and Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — Oh, My!

Trump is assembling his new team. David French and Ross Douthat dissect what it means.

This Is the Dark, Unspoken Promise of Trump’s Return

Liberal democracy offers moral constraints without problem-solving. Populism offers problem-solving without moral constraints.

Chuck Hagel: Why I’m Worried About Our Military

Political independence and ethics are the bedrock of our armed forces. Today, I am concerned that both are in danger.

How to Be a Writer in the Second Age of Trump

Good writing requires four things: precision, freedom, respect and love. In this political climate, these qualities are especially important.

There Is a Reason Trump Wants Fewer Adults in the Room

The point of placing loyalists in positions of influence isn’t to make the government work; it is to bend the government to Trump’s will.

Ukraine Is Running Out of Optimists

There is safety in simply trusting that the worst will happen. To dare to hope has always been the risk.

Why We Got It So Wrong

It turns out a lot of people don’t behave like ambassadors from this or that group. They think for themselves in unexpected ways.

Here’s How Trump Could Lose the Coming Trade War

Economic conflict is coming. He is utterly unsuited to manage it.

Matt Gaetz Is the Perfect Man for the Job

Trump’s choice to lead the Justice Department is a flagrant provocation that is, like a pulpy B movie, so bad, it’s good.

Kennedy Could Save Gaetz

Trump doesn’t really care about Kennedy’s issues, but would like to look as if he does.

How a Shocking Insult Gave Me Reason to Hope

Two new stage productions have a lot to say about where we are as a country

An Election Is No Reason to Postpone Trump’s Felony Sentencing

He was lawfully convicted, and his sentence should be determined before he takes office.

Newsom? Whitmer? Shapiro? 2024 Could Kill Their 2028 Dreams.

Trump’s big victory is sure to scramble the Democrats’ bench.

‘Our Enemies Must Be Licking Their Chops’ Over Trump’s Picks

Readers criticize the choice of Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth and others. Also: Anger over the election; protecting kids online; ripped jeans.

I Believe in Miracles. Just Not All of Them.

Let’s not become the supernatural states of America.

Trump’s Reckless Choices for National Leadership

Three extreme cabinet nominations demonstrate his contempt for a responsible executive branch.

Universities Like Yale Need a Reckoning

We must look in the mirror to know why we have already lost some battles and social respect and part of our democracy

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Revealed What Is Missing in Public Health Messaging

Why health leaders should embrace nuance.

On Transgender Issues, Voters Want Common Sense

Rather than pushing Americans in a direction they oppose, Democrats should endorse nuanced and humane alternatives.

Trump’s Way Could Win the Contest With China Once and for All

His bluster and unpredictability, combined with strategic discipline, could permanently tilt the rivalry with China in America’s favor.

Trump’s Choice of Matt Gaetz Should Surprise No One

He’s doing exactly what he said he would.

A Foul Fireside Chat

Biden followed protocol; Trump does so only when he wins.

Climate Change Is Losing Its Grip on Our Politics

Trump’s election merely confirms a shift that’s been happening for years.

Senate Republicans Say No to MAGA Excess, for Now

Rick Scott, who would have agreed to Trump’s idea of bypassing the Senate for nominations, lost his bid to become leader.

What Democrats Should Learn From Their Loss

Readers point to campaign missteps and offer advice for winning back voters. Also: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s role in health policy; closing local pharmacies.

Amsterdam Is About Jew Hatred — and Gaza

It’s not just about antisemitism.

Trump Doesn’t Care Enough About K-12 Education to Break It

Is the best we can hope for the failing status quo?

How Resilient Is the Emerging Trump Coalition?

It will be difficult for Democrats to reverse these dynamics.

Liberal California Kept Prison Slavery, and Lost Its Way

It was in California, after all, that liberal politics gave birth to law-and-order politics.

Trump Called His Win a ‘Historic Realignment’ of U.S. Politics. We Have Our Doubts.

There are reasons to doubt that what happened in the election is a durable party realignment.

We Study Climate Change. We Can’t Explain What We’re Seeing.

We need more timely updates in response to the rapid changes to the climate.

David Brooks: Maybe Bernie Sanders Is Right

Democrats lost sight of the nation’s greatest inequality: Education.

There’s a Better Way to Talk About Fluoride, Vaccines and Raw Milk

How to build trust and make America healthy again.

The End of the Obama Coalition

Michael Lind on why Democrats are losing the core of their base.

We Spoke With 13 Young Undecided Americans for Months. Here’s How They Voted.

The group of young undecided voters meets for the final time.

Trump Had It Easy the First Time

A host of problems that will need more subtle and sophisticated uses of force and coercive diplomacy will confront the new president.

Bernie Sanders Is Wrong That Democrats Abandoned the Working Class

The party’s record is clear and strong.

A Worldwide ‘Jew Hunt’

Antisemitism is reaching the point of catastrophe, for Jews and for Europe itself.

In Search of Ways to Cope in the Trump Era

Readers offer various strategies, including retreat, engagement, art and grief. Also: The ways to pray; regrowing New York City.

If You Thought Trump Wasn’t Serious, Look at His First Appointments

No one should be shocked when the first migrants are sent to military camps before deportation.

I’m the Governor of Kentucky. Here’s How Democrats Can Win Again.

I won re-election last year in a state that Trump just carried by 30 points. Here’s how.

If You’re Sure How the Next Four Years Will Play Out, I Promise: You’re Wrong

You can’t see far enough ahead to trust the image in your mind’s eye.

‘People Are in for a Really Rude Shock’ on Trump’s Economy

The economist and Times Opinion columnist Paul Krugman details the president-elect’s “seriously inflationary” economic plans.

Will the Supreme Court Stand Up to Trump? Can It?

The Supreme Court is largely to blame for the challenges it may face over the next four years.

Trump’s Victory and the End of the Rainbow Coalition

Some Americans have bought into the fallacious logic that prosperity and a broad pursuit of equal rights cannot coexist.

The Lesson of This Election: We Must Stop Inflation Before It Starts

Our nation needs an economic disaster preparedness tool kit to avoid the scourge of inflation.

Why Do So Many Americans Pass Up Bigger Social Security Checks?

It shouldn’t be so easy to leave benefits on the table.

Democrats Need to Make Their Peace With a Clear and Fair Election

Politics did not fail.

Healing the Political Divide and Despair

Readers discuss the rancor and mistrust and suggest ways to come together. Also: Floods in America; support for youths; the arbitration illusion.

Why Trump’s Deportations Will Drive Up Your Grocery Bill

How will voters react?

Against Panic: A Survival Kit

There is no cure for profound grief, but beauty and love and tenderness can walk alongside it and ease the solitude.

Trump and Musk: The Bromance That Cannot Last

Now that he has been elected, Donald Trump will probably not honor the promises he made to Elon Musk.

Trump’s Civil Service Plan: ‘A Train Wreck You Can See Coming’

It’s very possible that new Trump officials will simply move in with their desk décor on Inauguration Day and not worry about procedure.

Democrats Could Have Won. Our Excuses Mask a Devastating Reality.

Many young voters didn’t perceive the tangible impact of their 2020 support for Joe Biden, which eroded their faith in the Democratic Party.

The Trump Era Never Really Ended

Should we even call it a comeback?

To Understand Egypt, Meet My Friend, a Political Prisoner

When we were younger, my friend Alaa Abd El Fattah and I didn’t know just how intimately prison, and state violence, would shape our lives.

The Quiet Development Shaking America’s Power

The United States can no longer depend on the loyalty of its friends.

The Democratic Blind Spot That Wrecked 2024

Maybe it would have been better if the red wave had crashed ashore in 2022.

There Were Two Huge Problems Harris Could Not Escape

The curling theory of campaigns proves itself again.

Why We Turn to Crosswords in Times of Crisis

When life gets tough, we tackle grids for good reason. They offer a singular combination of erudition and escape.

Why Shakespeare Remains Relevant Today

Readers discuss the production of the Bard’s plays today. Also: Elderly and physically active; investing in youth to reduce crime; political corruption.

When Did Liberals Become So Comfortable With War?

If liberals won’t discuss the devastating human costs of war, who will?

Israel Keeps Attacking Journalists. When Will the U.S. Intervene?

Dozens of journalists have been killed as a result of the Israeli military in Gaza. The Biden administration is not doing enough to stop it.

I Refuse to Cede My Love of Fitness to the Far Right

Wellness should be just a hobby.

A Sex Strike Is a Losing Strategy for American Women

The philosophy is shortsighted and insufficient for our times.

Light in the Shadow of a Diagnosis

We are lost without human connection.

Congestion Pricing Will Help New York Democrats Show They Can Govern

But time is running out to do it before Trump becomes president.

What Do Trump Voters Know About the Future He Has Planned for Them?

Be careful what you wish for, Part 99.

Democrats and the Case of Mistaken Identity Politics

The post mortem is a wake for woke.

Mike Johnson May Win the House but Lose His Dignity

He may be about to star in a new role as Trump’s legislative puppet.

Trump Is About to Face the Choice That Dooms Many Presidencies

Electoral success has a thousand fathers, each with his own agenda.

The Elites Had It Coming

Democrats got exactly what they set out to get, and now here we are.

This Is All Biden’s Fault

Biden too often could not find the best way to help Democrats win.

Scenes From America on the Edge, Partying and Despairing

Election night and the day after, 2024.

Maybe Now Democrats Will Address Working-Class Pain

Democrats can compete if they focus more on minimum wages and child care than pronouns and purity.

A.I. Companions and the Mental Health Risks for the Young

Readers discuss an article about a teenager’s suicide.

The Book That Predicted the 2024 Election

The G.O.P. pollster Patrick Ruffini’s book “Party of the People” outlined the realignments reflected in this year’s election results.

Is Door-Knocking Dead? No, It Made One Big Difference.

Political campaigns shouldn’t give up on door-knocking yet.

The Election’s Other Biggest Losers? Economists.

Democrats have to reckon with the fact that voters don’t want what economists think is best.

The Age of the Pogrom Returns

The attack on Israeli soccer fans comes after years of rising antisemitism in Europe, much within Muslim communities.

Analyzing Why Trump Won the Election

Readers point to Joe Biden, the economy, “hate and fear” and no-show voters. Also: How Roe v. Wade saved a woman’s life.

I Study Guys Like Trump. There’s a Reason They Keep Winning.

Democrats walked into the trap of defending the very institutions most Americans distrust.

It’s Time to Resist the Resistance

Resistance politics inevitably feels conservative. It’s reactionary in a literal sense, and this week, it ended in disaster for the Democrats.

Let’s Not Lose Sight of Who Trump Is

The 2024 election has the potential to challenge the New Deal realignment of 1932 as the most consequential election of the past 100 years.

TL;DR: Blame Biden

Trump is on track to win the popular vote. There’s a lesson there.

What Is the Best Version of a Second Trump Administration?

Opinion columnists break down what the best version of a second Trump administration could look like.

How Democrats Helped Trump

Why the 2024 election’s outcome was uniquely foreseeable.

Yellowstone Is Disappearing. The TV Show May Be Partly to Blame.

Mounting development is a grave threat because of how it is carving up an ecosystem that must stay relatively intact to function.

Goodbye to Democracy? Not Quite Yet.

In a year filled with elections, the state of democracy is thriving by many measures. But there are dark clouds on the horizon.

A Nervous World Braces Itself for Trump 2.0

Leaders have given up trying to predict what the next president will do.

A Week of Hope and Disappointment at Howard University

Times Opinion sent student photographers to capture the mood on campus.

After the Election: Alienation, Fears and Pleas for Healing

Readers offer personal reactions and reflections. Also: A bill to combat antisemitism; noise in restaurants.

Democrats, Let’s Get Real About Why Harris Lost

Americans aren’t joyful. They’re angry. And they’ve been telling us that all along.

How Could Trump and Abortion Rights Both Win?

Making sense of this election’s very strange abortion politics.

We Don’t Have Time to Waste in Despair

What should Trump’s opponents do next?

Kamala Harris Failed to Read the Room

It was the wrong time to be the defender and champion of the country’s governing establishment.

What Is the Worst Version of a Second Trump Administration?

Opinion columnists break down what the worst version of a second Trump administration would be.

Democrats Ignored Gaza and Brought Down Their Party

The war in the Middle East has become this era’s most important progressive cause.

Where Does This Leave Democrats?

The coalition the Democratic Party built in the Obama years has crumbled. But Democrats can choose how to respond.

Kamala Harris Took Women for Granted

Apart from promising to safeguard abortion rights, the campaign didn’t do enough to address other issues important to women.

Democrats Had a Theory of the Election. They Were Wrong.

Two columnists argue that the left neglected to hear what Americans were telling them over the past four years.

How I Discovered I Was Stolen at Birth

There could have been as many as 50,000 babies trafficked out of Chile between the 1950s and the 1990s.

Natural Disaster Destroyed Part of València. Populism May Take Us All the Way Down.

Rage can be a dangerous political tool.

Voters to Elites: Do You See Me Now?

Donald Trump is a monstrous narcissist, but there’s something off about an educated class that looks in the mirror of society and sees only itself.