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Leigh Ann Caldwell

@lacaldwelldc.bsky.social

940 followers 67 following 110 posts

Chief Washington Correspondent @Puck. Mostly on the Hill. Frmly Washington Post, NBC News, CNN, etc. [email protected]

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Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · 20h

I'm not arguing with any of that. But I also talk to Republicans, and they are very confident in their position as well.

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · 21h

I talk to these people all day. They're pretty dug in. Yes there are one or two outliers, but they're together on this. Same with the Dems. That's why the gov't will be shut for a while.

Reposted by Leigh Ann Caldwell

11thhourmsnbc.bsky.social @11thhourmsnbc.bsky.social · 1d

"Republicans say that the farmers aren't happy - but Republicans are very unwilling to speak up very loudly against this."

@lacaldwelldc.bsky.social and @stephruhle.bsky.social dig into how the Trump bailout of Argentina could affect American farmers - and what Republicans have to say about it.

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · 2d

Some Dems see political risk in Greene’s positioning. One Democratic aide called her a “dangerous Venn diagram” who appeals to a cross-section of people as a “pro-Palestinian, anti-genocide, anti-woke, right-wing woman who can speak to young men and cares about healthcare.” puck.news/why-democrat...

Who’s Down with M.T.G.?

As Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicly broken with Trump and the G.O.P. on issues from Israel to Epstein to Obamacare, her posturing might be about something much bigger than frustration with her part...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · 2d

As Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicly broken with Trump and the G.O.P. on issues from Israel to Epstein to Obamacare, her posturing might be about something much bigger than frustration with her party...
puck.news/why-democrat...

Who’s Down with M.T.G.?

As Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicly broken with Trump and the G.O.P. on issues from Israel to Epstein to Obamacare, her posturing might be about something much bigger than frustration with her part...

Reposted by Leigh Ann Caldwell

Howard Mortman @howardmortman.bsky.social · 6d

House Freedom Caucus & Speaker Boehner resignation: 10 Years Later ...
Hear clips and get great inside expert history and analysis from @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social & @pkcapitol.bsky.social ...
In NEW episode C-SPAN Radio podcast "The Weekly."
www.c-span.org/podcasts/sub...
Or wherever you get podcasts

The House Freedom Caucus and Speaker John Boehner resignation: Ten Years Later - PODCAST PROMO

YouTube video by EXTREME POLITICAL HISTORY - VIDEO PODCAST & JOKES

www.youtube.com

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · 6d

Stephen Miller is one of Trump's most loyal and trusted advisers, responsible for a wide slate of controversial policies. But his standing among Republicans on Capitol Hill isn't great, with many telling me he's going to far... puck.news/are-republic...

Miller’s Crossing

As Trump’s dictatorial senior advisor gets louder and bolder—describing protesters as terrorists and inconvenient court rulings as “insurrection”—some Republicans are beginning to worry that the admin...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · 9d

After a year of drift and division, the Dem Party’s sudden unity over healthcare as a redline in the government shutdown offers a way forward for 2026. Strategist @adamjentleson.bsky.social offers his candid observations on the shutdown, tactics, and the Schumer of it all
puck.news/adam-jentles...

An Officer & A Jentleson

After a year of drift and division, the Democratic Party’s sudden unity over healthcare offers a way forward to the 2026 midterms. Democratic strategist Adam Jentleson offers his candid observations o...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · 12d

Lots of shutdown nuggets here: The real story behind Russ Vought’s nuclear threat, how closely Dems are watching the polls, Sen. Shaheen’s effort to end the shutdown, and Rep. Thompson’s disappearing act. puck.news/government-s...

Shutdown and Out on Capitol Hill

News and notes from day two of the government shutdown: Russ Vought’s nuclear threat for mass firings, the latest blame-game polling, Sen. Shaheen’s bipartisan gang plan, and Rep. Thompson’s disappear...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · 15d

Trump's poll ratings, including on the issues that propelled him to victory in 2024, are quite bad. But there are no signs of Republicans, even those in tough districts, breaking from him. This is why....
puck.news/why-republic...

Beyond the Trump Disapproval Matrix

Trump’s favorables are sliding, even on his best issues. But Capitol Hill Republicans are determined to sink or swim with Trump—and they’re convinced they’ll be on the right side of the shutdown blame...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · 20d

Many have noticed that the Texas senator has been displaying an unusual amount of independence from the White House lately. It's about 2028 AND the future of the Republican Party...And JD Vance.
puck.news/whats-behind...

Many have noticed that the Texas senator has been offering a few measured criticisms of the White House lately. Is it simply a naked bid to position himself in a sure-to-be crowded ’28 primary?

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · 23d

With a few exceptions, GOP on the Hill are avoiding talking about Trump’s demands to shut down broadcast networks, cancel comedians, sue newspapers, and prosecute speech. “We don’t love it,” one said. But mostly they’re waiting to see if things get worse. puck.news/the-deafenin...

Silence of the Lambs

With a few notable exceptions, Republicans on the Hill are avoiding talking about Trump’s demands to shut down broadcast networks, cancel comedians, imprison protesters, investigate Democratic nonprof...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Sep 15

It's been a tough slog on the Hill. Anger after Kirk's assassination. Schumer and Thune couldn't lock in a noms deal. Internal D strife on noms. Homeland Sec approps can't meet b/c they are so at odds. All bodes poorly for keeping the gov't open.
puck.news/senate-chaos...

The Schumer Mill

The fallout from Kirk’s assassination; Thune versus Schumer; Britt versus Murphy; Democratic division over a shutdown, and more.

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Sep 11

Ezra Klein has become something of a spiritual advisor for Capitol Hill Democrats, many of whom have him on speed dial. So when he calls for a shutdown in the pages of the Times, and attendant multimedia channels, lawmakers actually listen—and agonize. puck.news/will-dems-li...

The Party of Ezra

Klein has become something of a spiritual advisor for Capitol Hill Democrats. So when he calls for a shutdown in the pages of the Times, lawmakers actually listen—and agonize.

Reposted by Leigh Ann Caldwell

John Heilemann @jheil.bsky.social · Sep 9

Then my @puck.news partner and pal @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social chopped up the return of Congress to DC after recess, Epstein & RFK Jr developments on the Hill, and the prospect of a govt shutdown on Oct 1. open.spotify.com/episode/3tAX... podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...

Leigh Ann Caldwell: 12 Angry Women (& One Addled Man) Hit Capitol Hill

open.spotify.com

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Sep 9

This appears to be the the MAHA report recommendations, expected to be released later today. (Even though it says "embargo" in the name, it was sent to me by a source and I was never part of any embargo.) It proposes a lot of studies.

puck.news/wp-content/u...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Sep 8

Hi Finley!!!

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Sep 8

Washington remains divided between Trump-adjacent Silicon Valley accelerationists who want to advance A.I. at all costs, and skeptical lawmakers from both parties, who warn of unforeseen risks. I dig into what's at stake and how their power is wielded
puck.news/whats-next-f...

Trump’s A.I. Identity Crisis

Washington remains divided between Trump-adjacent Silicon Valley accelerationists who want to advance A.I. at all costs, and skeptical lawmakers from both parties, who warn of unforeseen risks.

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Sep 4

The GOP is lurching toward an explosive showdown with Democrats and each other over the president’s so-called pocket rescissions. How the Sen. Thune handles the blowback, and a looming government shutdown, could impact the midterms and the future of Congress itself.
puck.news/previewing-j...

Thune’s Pocket Rocket

Republicans are lurching toward an explosive showdown over the president’s so-called pocket rescissions. How Thune handles the blowback, and a looming government shutdown, could impact the midterms an...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Aug 28

Next week, Congress will be tasked with confronting Trump's increasingly socialist experiment. Republicans blocked Democrats from an Intel-like agreement in 2022. Plus, the noms fight is brewing. A GOP working group is planning for Senate rules changes.
puck.news/why-trump-st...

The Trump Socialist Experiment

Starting on the other side of Labor Day, Congress will be tasked with confronting the president’s increasingly alarming socialist experiment. Will Republicans blink on making the Fed an extension of t...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Aug 25

The bare-knuckled Republican brawlers who once struck fear and trembling inside the House have become sidelined during the second Trump administration. Now, increasingly, they’re showing themselves out. And many House Republicans aren't sad about it. puck.news/house-freedo...

The Incredible Shrinking Freedom Caucus

The bare-knuckled Republican brawlers who once struck fear and trembling inside the House have become sidelined during the second Trump administration. Now, increasingly, they’re showing themselves ou...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Aug 21

Trump and allies are in the middle of a persuasion campaign to convince Indiana GOP to redistrict. Gov. Braun is "between a rock and a hard place." His legislature doesn't want to do it but he needs federal approval for roads and Medicaid.
puck.news/the-redistri...

Trump Turns the Screws on Indiana

With California preparing to neutralize the Texas gerrymander, the White House is ramping up its pressure campaign in Indiana, where few Republicans want to redistrict—but even fewer want to make enem...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Aug 11

ICYMI: The spending disparity in the Texas Senate primary b/w
Jonn Cornyn and Ken Paxton is 🤨
Paxton is beating Cornyn, after all. But one operative said that Cornyn improving in the polls is exactly what Paxton wants. puck.news/john-cornyns...

John Cornyn’s Moment of Truth

The Cornyn campaign is at a critical juncture as the Texas senator falls behind A.G. Ken Paxton in the state’s Republican primary, hurting his chances at clinching an endorsement from Trump. But Paxto...

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Aug 7

MAGA congresswoman MTG has made a career out of defending Trump. But lately she’s started to break with the president she still calls her favorite. Are her followers still with her? puck.news/marjorie-tay...

The Emancipation of M.T.G.

The MAGA congresswoman has made a career out of defending Trump. But lately she’s started to break with the president she still calls her favorite. Are her followers still with her?

Leigh Ann Caldwell @lacaldwelldc.bsky.social · Aug 4

Sen. Josh Hawley said he didn't know who misrepresented his stock trading bill to the president, which prompted that angry post. I found out.
puck.news/inside-trump...

Josh Hawley Takes Stock

Congress’s latest, inevitably futile ritual of attempting to ban its own members from trading stocks was particularly explosive this time around, after the president erupted at Sen. Josh Hawley over a...