The Dispatch
@thedispatchmedia.bsky.social
Pinned
Slouching Towards Tyranny
On a dark hour for the American right.
thedispatch.com
The underlying assumption, held by leaders across the political spectrum, is that appealing to America’s loftiest ideals for reasons unrelated to partisan advantage is for suckers.
We reject that premise.
From The Dispatch Editors:
thedispatch.com/article/decl...
We reject that premise.
From The Dispatch Editors:
thedispatch.com/article/decl...
"This operation isn’t about finding and detaining the maximum number of illegals. It’s about asserting postliberal dominance over a liberal stronghold." | Nick Catoggio in Boiling Frogs
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/trump-retreat-minneapolis-border-ice-bovino-noem/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/trump-retreat-minneapolis-border-ice-bovino-noem/
January 28, 2026 at 2:00 AM
"This operation isn’t about finding and detaining the maximum number of illegals. It’s about asserting postliberal dominance over a liberal stronghold." | Nick Catoggio in Boiling Frogs
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/trump-retreat-minneapolis-border-ice-bovino-noem/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/trump-retreat-minneapolis-border-ice-bovino-noem/
America needs a conservative party | Jonah Goldberg on The Dispatch Podcast
January 28, 2026 at 1:01 AM
America needs a conservative party | Jonah Goldberg on The Dispatch Podcast
"Blame the victims, blame the gun, blame anything but the incompetents making the policy and the incompetents carrying it out." | Kevin D. Williamson
https://thedispatch.com/article/alex-pretti-ice-pistol-nra/
https://thedispatch.com/article/alex-pretti-ice-pistol-nra/
January 28, 2026 at 12:15 AM
"Blame the victims, blame the gun, blame anything but the incompetents making the policy and the incompetents carrying it out." | Kevin D. Williamson
https://thedispatch.com/article/alex-pretti-ice-pistol-nra/
https://thedispatch.com/article/alex-pretti-ice-pistol-nra/
"What the White House did not provide is an actionable legislative plan to lower the cost of health care for most Americans." | James C. Capretta
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-health-care-plan-status-quo/
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-health-care-plan-status-quo/
Assessing President Trump’s Plan to Lower Health Care Costs
Rising health costs have deep roots and can’t be fixed with superficial changes.
thedispatch.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 PM
"What the White House did not provide is an actionable legislative plan to lower the cost of health care for most Americans." | James C. Capretta
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-health-care-plan-status-quo/
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-health-care-plan-status-quo/
"A board designed to force a transition away from Hamas rule now includes states that have had a long investment in Hamas surviving that transition." | John Aziz
https://thedispatch.com/article/board-of-peace-gaza-palestinians-hamas-disarmament/
https://thedispatch.com/article/board-of-peace-gaza-palestinians-hamas-disarmament/
Trump’s Board of Peace and the Limits of Reconstruction
Half-measures toward disarming and replacing Hamas will set the stage for another cycle of war.
thedispatch.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:30 PM
"A board designed to force a transition away from Hamas rule now includes states that have had a long investment in Hamas surviving that transition." | John Aziz
https://thedispatch.com/article/board-of-peace-gaza-palestinians-hamas-disarmament/
https://thedispatch.com/article/board-of-peace-gaza-palestinians-hamas-disarmament/
Tread on Me: Alex Pretti and the end of conservatism | Nick Catoggio in Boiling Frogs
January 27, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Tread on Me: Alex Pretti and the end of conservatism | Nick Catoggio in Boiling Frogs
“My race is really going to be a test to see whether a normal, Texas conservative Republican can still get elected in the primary. I think it’s important that I win,” John Cornyn told The Dispatch | David M. Drucker
https://thedispatch.com/article/john-cornyn-texas-primary-ken-paxton-wesley-hunt/
https://thedispatch.com/article/john-cornyn-texas-primary-ken-paxton-wesley-hunt/
January 27, 2026 at 6:30 PM
“My race is really going to be a test to see whether a normal, Texas conservative Republican can still get elected in the primary. I think it’s important that I win,” John Cornyn told The Dispatch | David M. Drucker
https://thedispatch.com/article/john-cornyn-texas-primary-ken-paxton-wesley-hunt/
https://thedispatch.com/article/john-cornyn-texas-primary-ken-paxton-wesley-hunt/
Congratulations to Gemma for being last week’s Dispawtcher of the Week, and thank you to Dispatch Member Wendy Loreti for your submission.
Submit nominations by filling out the submission link in the G-File! Reminder: You must be a Dispatch member to participate.
Submit nominations by filling out the submission link in the G-File! Reminder: You must be a Dispatch member to participate.
January 27, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Congratulations to Gemma for being last week’s Dispawtcher of the Week, and thank you to Dispatch Member Wendy Loreti for your submission.
Submit nominations by filling out the submission link in the G-File! Reminder: You must be a Dispatch member to participate.
Submit nominations by filling out the submission link in the G-File! Reminder: You must be a Dispatch member to participate.
How the Trump administration has surrendered foreign policy tools for facilitating democracy | Grayson Logue
https://thedispatch.com/article/soft-power-pro-democracy-tools-state-department/
https://thedispatch.com/article/soft-power-pro-democracy-tools-state-department/
January 27, 2026 at 4:15 PM
How the Trump administration has surrendered foreign policy tools for facilitating democracy | Grayson Logue
https://thedispatch.com/article/soft-power-pro-democracy-tools-state-department/
https://thedispatch.com/article/soft-power-pro-democracy-tools-state-department/
The Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti, and the Aftermath | Plus: Israel recovers the final hostage body, and the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln arrives in the Middle East. | Morning Dispatch
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/the-fatal-shooting-of-alex-pretti-and-the-aftermath/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/the-fatal-shooting-of-alex-pretti-and-the-aftermath/
January 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti, and the Aftermath | Plus: Israel recovers the final hostage body, and the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln arrives in the Middle East. | Morning Dispatch
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/the-fatal-shooting-of-alex-pretti-and-the-aftermath/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/the-fatal-shooting-of-alex-pretti-and-the-aftermath/
"There is no doubt—zero—that the White House would have aggressively hidden the truth about Pretti’s death if bystanders hadn’t captured it." | Nick Catoggio in Boiling Frogs
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/alex-pretti-shooting-minneapolis-trump-noem-bovino/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/alex-pretti-shooting-minneapolis-trump-noem-bovino/
January 27, 2026 at 1:13 AM
"There is no doubt—zero—that the White House would have aggressively hidden the truth about Pretti’s death if bystanders hadn’t captured it." | Nick Catoggio in Boiling Frogs
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/alex-pretti-shooting-minneapolis-trump-noem-bovino/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/alex-pretti-shooting-minneapolis-trump-noem-bovino/
Congress isn't acting like Congress | Jonah Goldberg on The Dispatch Podcast
January 27, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Congress isn't acting like Congress | Jonah Goldberg on The Dispatch Podcast
The Pro-Life Movement Finally Pushes Back Against Trump: Abortion opponents recoil at the president's call for ‘flexibility’ on taxpayer-funded abortion and inaction on Biden abortion pill rules | John McCormack
https://thedispatch.com/article/march-for-life-jd-vance-donald-trump-abortion/
https://thedispatch.com/article/march-for-life-jd-vance-donald-trump-abortion/
January 26, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The Pro-Life Movement Finally Pushes Back Against Trump: Abortion opponents recoil at the president's call for ‘flexibility’ on taxpayer-funded abortion and inaction on Biden abortion pill rules | John McCormack
https://thedispatch.com/article/march-for-life-jd-vance-donald-trump-abortion/
https://thedispatch.com/article/march-for-life-jd-vance-donald-trump-abortion/
The Long Slide: A new book on Tucker Carlson shows the dark power of breaking norms for clicks | Steve Hayes
January 26, 2026 at 9:30 PM
The Long Slide: A new book on Tucker Carlson shows the dark power of breaking norms for clicks | Steve Hayes
Roe was overturned in 2022—but the March for Life didn’t stop.
Every January, thousands still gather on Capitol Hill, pushing state-level abortion restrictions and what they call a “culture of life.”
Victoria Holmes talked to the marchers.
Every January, thousands still gather on Capitol Hill, pushing state-level abortion restrictions and what they call a “culture of life.”
Victoria Holmes talked to the marchers.
January 26, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Roe was overturned in 2022—but the March for Life didn’t stop.
Every January, thousands still gather on Capitol Hill, pushing state-level abortion restrictions and what they call a “culture of life.”
Victoria Holmes talked to the marchers.
Every January, thousands still gather on Capitol Hill, pushing state-level abortion restrictions and what they call a “culture of life.”
Victoria Holmes talked to the marchers.
Welcome Emmett Rensin to The Dispatch!
January 26, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Welcome Emmett Rensin to The Dispatch!
"And that phrase, 'heritage Americans'—ye gods: It sounds like they’re talking about tomatoes." | Kevin D. Williamson in Wanderland
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/wanderland/heritage-americans-white-supremacy-race/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/wanderland/heritage-americans-white-supremacy-race/
January 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM
"And that phrase, 'heritage Americans'—ye gods: It sounds like they’re talking about tomatoes." | Kevin D. Williamson in Wanderland
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/wanderland/heritage-americans-white-supremacy-race/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/wanderland/heritage-americans-white-supremacy-race/
"The thing we were talking about was not really the thing we were talking about." | Kevin Brown in Dispatch Faith
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/pluralism-religion-liberalism-secularism/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/pluralism-religion-liberalism-secularism/
The Religion Underneath Our Arguments
What we fight about is not really what we disagree about.
thedispatch.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:15 PM
"The thing we were talking about was not really the thing we were talking about." | Kevin Brown in Dispatch Faith
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/pluralism-religion-liberalism-secularism/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/pluralism-religion-liberalism-secularism/
Can Europe Constrain Trump? Plus: Border Patrol kills a protester in Minneapolis, and Xi Jinping purges Chinese military command. | Morning Dispatch
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/can-europe-constrain-trump/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/can-europe-constrain-trump/
Can Europe Constrain Trump?
Plus: Border Patrol kills a protester in Minneapolis, and Xi Jinping purges Chinese military command.
thedispatch.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Can Europe Constrain Trump? Plus: Border Patrol kills a protester in Minneapolis, and Xi Jinping purges Chinese military command. | Morning Dispatch
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/can-europe-constrain-trump/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/morning/can-europe-constrain-trump/
Dispatch Contributor Benn Steil discussed his recent article, The Paradox America Can No Longer Sustain, on the Financial Times podcast.
Listen here: https://www.ft.com/content/d88255bf-e9c4-47bf-8205-0e5b59e5f597
Listen here: https://www.ft.com/content/d88255bf-e9c4-47bf-8205-0e5b59e5f597
Trump’s bid to remake the world order
Nato’s relationship with US President Donald Trump took a turn for the worse this week.
www.ft.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Dispatch Contributor Benn Steil discussed his recent article, The Paradox America Can No Longer Sustain, on the Financial Times podcast.
Listen here: https://www.ft.com/content/d88255bf-e9c4-47bf-8205-0e5b59e5f597
Listen here: https://www.ft.com/content/d88255bf-e9c4-47bf-8205-0e5b59e5f597
"The White House created a false reality to make its political opponents look bad, it’s not the least bit sorry, and there’s not a thing you can do about it. The memes will continue." | Nick Catoggio in Boiling Frogs
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/trump-memes-disinformation-power/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/trump-memes-disinformation-power/
The Memes Will Continue
Who needs credibility when you have impunity?
thedispatch.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:45 AM
"The White House created a false reality to make its political opponents look bad, it’s not the least bit sorry, and there’s not a thing you can do about it. The memes will continue." | Nick Catoggio in Boiling Frogs
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/trump-memes-disinformation-power/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/boilingfrogs/trump-memes-disinformation-power/
"Pour one out for national conservatism. It’s over." | Jonah Goldberg in G-File
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/gfile/transnational-nationalism-greenland-trump-maga/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/gfile/transnational-nationalism-greenland-trump-maga/
January 24, 2026 at 12:41 AM
"Pour one out for national conservatism. It’s over." | Jonah Goldberg in G-File
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/gfile/transnational-nationalism-greenland-trump-maga/
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/gfile/transnational-nationalism-greenland-trump-maga/
"The rules-based international order relied on the U.S. to lead the way without acting in naked self-interest." | Benn Steil
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-greenland-nato-wto-world-order/
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-greenland-nato-wto-world-order/
January 24, 2026 at 12:15 AM
"The rules-based international order relied on the U.S. to lead the way without acting in naked self-interest." | Benn Steil
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-greenland-nato-wto-world-order/
https://thedispatch.com/article/trump-greenland-nato-wto-world-order/
"Vance doesn’t seem to realize he’s the tool, not the star." | Kevin D. Williamson
https://thedispatch.com/article/vance-trump-dummy-ventriloquist/
https://thedispatch.com/article/vance-trump-dummy-ventriloquist/
Hey, Dummy
Vance doesn’t seem to realize he’s the tool, not the star.
thedispatch.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:00 PM
"Vance doesn’t seem to realize he’s the tool, not the star." | Kevin D. Williamson
https://thedispatch.com/article/vance-trump-dummy-ventriloquist/
https://thedispatch.com/article/vance-trump-dummy-ventriloquist/
"None of these jabronis on the MAGA side who actually run the party and have been installed by Trump know how to argue their case. They know how to argue Donald Trump's case." | Jonah Goldberg on The Dispatch Podcast
January 23, 2026 at 9:30 PM
"None of these jabronis on the MAGA side who actually run the party and have been installed by Trump know how to argue their case. They know how to argue Donald Trump's case." | Jonah Goldberg on The Dispatch Podcast