Kevin Robillard
@robillard.bsky.social
HuffPost politics editor. Dad. Terp. Massachusetts native. Pitches, bookings, etc.: [email protected]
Shutdown takeaways w/ @paulblumenthal.bsky.social:
• Mods folding hurts the case for "combative centrism"
• This wasn't about protecting the filibuster
• Dems controlled the news cycle
• This only matters for Nov if Trump approval stays down
• This thing was probably doomed from the start
• Mods folding hurts the case for "combative centrism"
• This wasn't about protecting the filibuster
• Dems controlled the news cycle
• This only matters for Nov if Trump approval stays down
• This thing was probably doomed from the start
Moderates Have Something To Prove After Shutdown Fold
And four other takeaways from the apparent end of the longest government shutdown in American history.
www.huffpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Shutdown takeaways w/ @paulblumenthal.bsky.social:
• Mods folding hurts the case for "combative centrism"
• This wasn't about protecting the filibuster
• Dems controlled the news cycle
• This only matters for Nov if Trump approval stays down
• This thing was probably doomed from the start
• Mods folding hurts the case for "combative centrism"
• This wasn't about protecting the filibuster
• Dems controlled the news cycle
• This only matters for Nov if Trump approval stays down
• This thing was probably doomed from the start
This article will be a fascinating artifact: A number of Trump allies complaining about someone who is simply more effective at manipulating Trump than they are.
It's other boyars complaining a boyar is corrupting the good tsar.
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
It's other boyars complaining a boyar is corrupting the good tsar.
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
‘Sold POTUS a bill of goods’: WH furious with Pulte over 50-year mortgage
The White House was blindsided by the idea and is now dealing with a furious backlash from conservative allies, business leaders and lawmakers.
www.politico.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 PM
This article will be a fascinating artifact: A number of Trump allies complaining about someone who is simply more effective at manipulating Trump than they are.
It's other boyars complaining a boyar is corrupting the good tsar.
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
It's other boyars complaining a boyar is corrupting the good tsar.
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Kevin Robillard
On stage at Crooked Con, Jon Lovett presses Sen. Ruben Gallego on Schumer’s non-endorsement in the NYC mayor’s race.
“I don’t know” why Schumer didn’t endorse either way. But said it would’ve been better to pick a side: “You made it a bigger story by trying to avoid the story.”
“I don’t know” why Schumer didn’t endorse either way. But said it would’ve been better to pick a side: “You made it a bigger story by trying to avoid the story.”
November 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
On stage at Crooked Con, Jon Lovett presses Sen. Ruben Gallego on Schumer’s non-endorsement in the NYC mayor’s race.
“I don’t know” why Schumer didn’t endorse either way. But said it would’ve been better to pick a side: “You made it a bigger story by trying to avoid the story.”
“I don’t know” why Schumer didn’t endorse either way. But said it would’ve been better to pick a side: “You made it a bigger story by trying to avoid the story.”
DNC Chair Ken Martin slammed Trump as “soulless” and “depraved” for throwing a Gatsby-themed party right before a planned cutoff of federal food benefits.
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
DNC Chair: Trump 'Soulless' And 'Depraved' For Partying Before SNAP Cuts
www.huffpost.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:41 PM
DNC Chair Ken Martin slammed Trump as “soulless” and “depraved” for throwing a Gatsby-themed party right before a planned cutoff of federal food benefits.
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Putting forth a staunch Trump ally like Stefanik to run in a blue state like NY is a vivid example of the problem of handing the GOP’s decision-making and candidate selection entirely over to Trump.
www.huffpost.com/entry/elise-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/elise-...
Trump Loyalist Elise Stefanik Launches Run For New York Governor
The onetime moderate Republican turned staunch MAGA ally is entering one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 campaign season.
www.huffpost.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Putting forth a staunch Trump ally like Stefanik to run in a blue state like NY is a vivid example of the problem of handing the GOP’s decision-making and candidate selection entirely over to Trump.
www.huffpost.com/entry/elise-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/elise-...
So which DC sandwich shop is going to sell the Sean Dunn sandwich and make a mint this weekend?
November 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
So which DC sandwich shop is going to sell the Sean Dunn sandwich and make a mint this weekend?
This quote from Jamie Dimon about the WH ballroom donations exemplifies how at least some Democrats want business leaders to be thinking: "We have to be very careful how anything is perceived — and also how the next DOJ is going to deal with it."
www.huffpost.com/entry/jamie-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/jamie-...
JPMorgan Boss Explains Why Bank Isn’t Donating To Trump Ballroom: ‘We Have An Issue, OK?’
The bank did support Donald Trump’s inauguration to the tune of $1 million.
www.huffpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:38 PM
This quote from Jamie Dimon about the WH ballroom donations exemplifies how at least some Democrats want business leaders to be thinking: "We have to be very careful how anything is perceived — and also how the next DOJ is going to deal with it."
www.huffpost.com/entry/jamie-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/jamie-...
New: The most significant part of Tuesday's results may be the Latino vote shift
-Cements Latinos as the key swing voters of the '20s
-4 highest % Latino counties in VA saw biggest shifts to Spanberger
www.huffpost.com/entry/desper...
-Cements Latinos as the key swing voters of the '20s
-4 highest % Latino counties in VA saw biggest shifts to Spanberger
www.huffpost.com/entry/desper...
‘Desperate, Frustrated, Angry’: Latinos Are The Swing Voters At The Center Of American Politics
Their big shift to Democrats in 2025 may be more about a Trump backlash than renewed affection for the party.
www.huffpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
New: The most significant part of Tuesday's results may be the Latino vote shift
-Cements Latinos as the key swing voters of the '20s
-4 highest % Latino counties in VA saw biggest shifts to Spanberger
www.huffpost.com/entry/desper...
-Cements Latinos as the key swing voters of the '20s
-4 highest % Latino counties in VA saw biggest shifts to Spanberger
www.huffpost.com/entry/desper...
New from @jbendery.bsky.social: Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi is officially retiring from Congress. www.huffpost.com/entry/nancy-...
Nancy Pelosi Announces Retirement From Congress
The historic former House speaker and Democratic Party power broker is hanging it up after nearly four decades of representing San Francisco.
www.huffpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
New from @jbendery.bsky.social: Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi is officially retiring from Congress. www.huffpost.com/entry/nancy-...
Reposted by Kevin Robillard
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
UMass-Amherst/WCVB out with the first poll I've seen of the Massachusetts Senate primary since Moulton entered the race.
Markey 44%
Moulton 25%
Markey 31%
Moulton 24%
Pressley 20%
Surveyed 416 likely primary voters, 6% MOE.
htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/senate...
Markey 44%
Moulton 25%
Markey 31%
Moulton 24%
Pressley 20%
Surveyed 416 likely primary voters, 6% MOE.
htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/senate...
htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:10 PM
UMass-Amherst/WCVB out with the first poll I've seen of the Massachusetts Senate primary since Moulton entered the race.
Markey 44%
Moulton 25%
Markey 31%
Moulton 24%
Pressley 20%
Surveyed 416 likely primary voters, 6% MOE.
htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/senate...
Markey 44%
Moulton 25%
Markey 31%
Moulton 24%
Pressley 20%
Surveyed 416 likely primary voters, 6% MOE.
htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/senate...
New: The most surprising part of the 2025 elections, and one with major implications for 2026, is how the GOP candidates have barely even tried to distance themselves from an increasingly unpopular Trump.
www.huffpost.com/entry/2025-e...
www.huffpost.com/entry/2025-e...
November 3, 2025 at 2:13 PM
New: The most surprising part of the 2025 elections, and one with major implications for 2026, is how the GOP candidates have barely even tried to distance themselves from an increasingly unpopular Trump.
www.huffpost.com/entry/2025-e...
www.huffpost.com/entry/2025-e...
Reposted by Kevin Robillard
New: A number of moderate Democratic Senate candidates are going shaky on reforming or eliminating the filibuster.
Mills wants to keep it, Pappas seems torn, Cooper + Turek didn't respond to questions.
www.huffpost.com/entry/establ...
Mills wants to keep it, Pappas seems torn, Cooper + Turek didn't respond to questions.
www.huffpost.com/entry/establ...
Establishment Senate Candidates Go Shaky On Filibuster Reform
A number of top Democratic recruits are ducking questions on the issue.
www.huffpost.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
New: A number of moderate Democratic Senate candidates are going shaky on reforming or eliminating the filibuster.
Mills wants to keep it, Pappas seems torn, Cooper + Turek didn't respond to questions.
www.huffpost.com/entry/establ...
Mills wants to keep it, Pappas seems torn, Cooper + Turek didn't respond to questions.
www.huffpost.com/entry/establ...
Reposted by Kevin Robillard
Dems reading the Trump section of polls then the section about what voters think of Democrats
October 24, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Dems reading the Trump section of polls then the section about what voters think of Democrats
New: A number of moderate Democratic Senate candidates are going shaky on reforming or eliminating the filibuster.
Mills wants to keep it, Pappas seems torn, Cooper + Turek didn't respond to questions.
www.huffpost.com/entry/establ...
Mills wants to keep it, Pappas seems torn, Cooper + Turek didn't respond to questions.
www.huffpost.com/entry/establ...
Establishment Senate Candidates Go Shaky On Filibuster Reform
A number of top Democratic recruits are ducking questions on the issue.
www.huffpost.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
New: A number of moderate Democratic Senate candidates are going shaky on reforming or eliminating the filibuster.
Mills wants to keep it, Pappas seems torn, Cooper + Turek didn't respond to questions.
www.huffpost.com/entry/establ...
Mills wants to keep it, Pappas seems torn, Cooper + Turek didn't respond to questions.
www.huffpost.com/entry/establ...
Reposted by Kevin Robillard
Internal DHS memo shows Trump plans to keep paying ICE agents and Border Patrol officers throughout the shutdown, while other feds go without pay.
Even the DHS administrative staff processing the paychecks won't get theirs, employee tells me.
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Even the DHS administrative staff processing the paychecks won't get theirs, employee tells me.
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Trump Plans To Keep Paying Immigration Agents While Other Federal Workers Go Without Paychecks
The move amounts to special treatment for Trump’s favorite constituency within the federal bureaucracy.
www.huffpost.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Internal DHS memo shows Trump plans to keep paying ICE agents and Border Patrol officers throughout the shutdown, while other feds go without pay.
Even the DHS administrative staff processing the paychecks won't get theirs, employee tells me.
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Even the DHS administrative staff processing the paychecks won't get theirs, employee tells me.
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Why are Senate Democrats recruiting 77-year-old Janet Mills? Because they're focused proven vote-winners: Everyone likes that they recruited Cooper + Brown.
But the same philosophy is leading them to back Mills, Stevens and Turek, which is causing grumbling.
www.huffpost.com/entry/the-de...
But the same philosophy is leading them to back Mills, Stevens and Turek, which is causing grumbling.
www.huffpost.com/entry/the-de...
October 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Why are Senate Democrats recruiting 77-year-old Janet Mills? Because they're focused proven vote-winners: Everyone likes that they recruited Cooper + Brown.
But the same philosophy is leading them to back Mills, Stevens and Turek, which is causing grumbling.
www.huffpost.com/entry/the-de...
But the same philosophy is leading them to back Mills, Stevens and Turek, which is causing grumbling.
www.huffpost.com/entry/the-de...
This is a noteworthy escalation from Sanders, who actually very rarely gets crosswise with the DSCC -- the only time he has endorsed against the DSCC's pick in his career was in Kentucky in 2020.
This cycle, he's backing both Platner + El-Sayed.
This cycle, he's backing both Platner + El-Sayed.
October 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
This is a noteworthy escalation from Sanders, who actually very rarely gets crosswise with the DSCC -- the only time he has endorsed against the DSCC's pick in his career was in Kentucky in 2020.
This cycle, he's backing both Platner + El-Sayed.
This cycle, he's backing both Platner + El-Sayed.
New Pew Research Center data:
66% say Trump has improperly used his office to punish people
62% say he's improperly encouraged fed'l investigation of his opponents
61% say he's improperly used his office to enrich himself.
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
66% say Trump has improperly used his office to punish people
62% say he's improperly encouraged fed'l investigation of his opponents
61% say he's improperly used his office to enrich himself.
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
October 8, 2025 at 7:42 PM
New Pew Research Center data:
66% say Trump has improperly used his office to punish people
62% say he's improperly encouraged fed'l investigation of his opponents
61% say he's improperly used his office to enrich himself.
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
66% say Trump has improperly used his office to punish people
62% say he's improperly encouraged fed'l investigation of his opponents
61% say he's improperly used his office to enrich himself.
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
New: "Am I the Cuomo in this situation?"
Democrats' youth movement is heading to Arizona, where 25-year-old influencer Deja Foxx is making noise, but frontrunner Adelita Grijalva should make a tougher out than a certain former NY guv.
www.huffpost.com/entry/arizon...
Democrats' youth movement is heading to Arizona, where 25-year-old influencer Deja Foxx is making noise, but frontrunner Adelita Grijalva should make a tougher out than a certain former NY guv.
www.huffpost.com/entry/arizon...
A Race In Arizona Poses A Stiffer Test For Democrats’ Youth Movement
Not every front-runner is going to be Andrew Cuomo.
www.huffpost.com
July 15, 2025 at 5:11 PM
New: "Am I the Cuomo in this situation?"
Democrats' youth movement is heading to Arizona, where 25-year-old influencer Deja Foxx is making noise, but frontrunner Adelita Grijalva should make a tougher out than a certain former NY guv.
www.huffpost.com/entry/arizon...
Democrats' youth movement is heading to Arizona, where 25-year-old influencer Deja Foxx is making noise, but frontrunner Adelita Grijalva should make a tougher out than a certain former NY guv.
www.huffpost.com/entry/arizon...
New: I wrote about New Yorkers for Lower Costs, the partially grassroots-funded super PAC backing Mamdani that wouldn't make sense anywhere outside of NYC.
Their efforts provide some insights into Mamdani's broader strategy, and a contrast to Cuomo's super PAC: www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
Their efforts provide some insights into Mamdani's broader strategy, and a contrast to Cuomo's super PAC: www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
Andrew Cuomo Has Bloomberg’s Cash. Zohran Mamdani Has These Guys.
How a small super PAC helped a progressive close the gap in the most-watched primary of the year.
www.huffpost.com
June 24, 2025 at 4:23 PM
New: I wrote about New Yorkers for Lower Costs, the partially grassroots-funded super PAC backing Mamdani that wouldn't make sense anywhere outside of NYC.
Their efforts provide some insights into Mamdani's broader strategy, and a contrast to Cuomo's super PAC: www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
Their efforts provide some insights into Mamdani's broader strategy, and a contrast to Cuomo's super PAC: www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
New: If it can happen to Cuomo, it can happen to them.
Why the former governor's struggles in the NYC mayor race should be a blaring alarm for establishment Democrats elsewhere.
www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
Why the former governor's struggles in the NYC mayor race should be a blaring alarm for establishment Democrats elsewhere.
www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
Andrew Cuomo’s Struggles Are A Blaring Alarm For The Democratic Establishment
If a spirited primary challenge can happen to him, it can happen to anyone.
www.huffpost.com
June 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
New: If it can happen to Cuomo, it can happen to them.
Why the former governor's struggles in the NYC mayor race should be a blaring alarm for establishment Democrats elsewhere.
www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
Why the former governor's struggles in the NYC mayor race should be a blaring alarm for establishment Democrats elsewhere.
www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
Reposted by Kevin Robillard
The Senate's draft of the reconciliation bill is horrendous for federal workers. New hires would have to sacrifice 10% of their salary or else be classified as "at-will." A blatant scheme to undo job security and upend the civil service.
www.huffpost.com/entry/senate...
www.huffpost.com/entry/senate...
A Dangerous Plan From Senate Republicans Would Give Trump Even More Power
The proposal mirrors a House plan that would undermine civil service protections and give a president like Trump more power to fire whomever he wants.
www.huffpost.com
June 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The Senate's draft of the reconciliation bill is horrendous for federal workers. New hires would have to sacrifice 10% of their salary or else be classified as "at-will." A blatant scheme to undo job security and upend the civil service.
www.huffpost.com/entry/senate...
www.huffpost.com/entry/senate...
Reposted by Kevin Robillard
NEW: Andrew Cuomo is mounting a stunning political comeback despite 12 women accusing him of sexual harassment just 3 years ago.
I spoke with several of the women whose claims were substantiated by three investigations. They feel betrayed & forgotten. www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
I spoke with several of the women whose claims were substantiated by three investigations. They feel betrayed & forgotten. www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
May 22, 2025 at 5:54 PM
NEW: Andrew Cuomo is mounting a stunning political comeback despite 12 women accusing him of sexual harassment just 3 years ago.
I spoke with several of the women whose claims were substantiated by three investigations. They feel betrayed & forgotten. www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...
I spoke with several of the women whose claims were substantiated by three investigations. They feel betrayed & forgotten. www.huffpost.com/entry/andrew...