February 19, 2025

EARLY AND OFTEN

We’ll Soon Find Out How Much Permanent Damage Trump Can Do

By Ross Barkan

A protest outside of Seattle Children’s Hospital on February 9 after the institution postponed some gender-affirming surgeries for minors following an executive order by Donald Trump. Photo: Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo

For all the extraordinary upheaval Donald Trump promises for America — mass deportations, mass layoffs of federal employees, the revoking of birthright citizenship — we will start to learn, in the coming months, how effective he’ll really be. Executive orders can be rescinded by later administrations, or get snagged in the courts, as has already happened over the past month. Yes, Trump can inflict tangible pain by himself. But becoming a dictator is easier said than done, even with the DOGE boys sowing chaos at the Treasury and IRS.

Stay informed about business, politics, technology, and where they intersect.

Subscribe now to save over 40% on unlimited access to Intelligencer and everything New York.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Today's Top Stories

Required Reading for Political Compulsives

1. Trump Is Officially Trying to Kill NYC’s Congestion Pricing

The Trump administration called the toll to drive into lower Manhattan a “slap in the face to working class Americans.”

By Matt Stieb

Trump Is Officially Trying to Kill NYC’s Congestion Pricing

2. The Luka Trade Finally Ended the NBA’s LeBron Era

And other miscellaneous thoughts on a transitional but excellent season.

By Will Leitch

The Luka Trade Finally Ended the NBA’s LeBron Era

3. Elon Musk’s DOGE Keeps Accidentally Firing Very Important People

Like the government experts responsible for stopping the spread of bird flu and keeping America’s nuclear stockpile safe.

By Matt Stieb

Elon Musk’s DOGE Keeps Accidentally Firing Very Important People

ADVERTISER CONTENT

4. Trump Blows Up Senate Budget Bill at the Last Minute

Presumably, House Republicans will now take the lead on enacting Trump’s agenda — but he’s also made their job a lot harder.

By Ed Kilgore

Trump Blows Up Senate Budget Bill at the Last Minute

5. Adams, DOJ Defend Dropped Charges In Court: Live Updates

A federal judge ordered the mayor and Justice Department officials to appear in court Wednesday to explain their dismissal motion for the record.

By Intelligencer Staff

Adams, DOJ Defend Dropped Charges In Court: Live Updates

6. Elon Musk and GOP Pretend No One Is Responsible for DOGE Chaos

Republicans in Congress have no control over DOGE, and now the White House denies Elon Musk is running it. Convenient!

By Ed Kilgore

Elon Musk and GOP Pretend No One Is Responsible for DOGE Chaos

7. Trump Cabinet: Hearings Schedule & Who’s Confirmed

The Senate has approved Trump’s most controversial picks, including Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr. Here’s the full list and hearings schedule.

By Margaret Hartmann, Chas Danner

Trump Cabinet: Hearings Schedule & Who’s Confirmed

8. Meghan Markle Gives Lifestyle Brand New, Still Bad Name

The Duchess is relaunching herself as a modern-day Martha Stewart, without the business acumen.

By Margaret Hartmann

ADVERTISER CONTENT

My Week in New York

A week-in-review newsletter from the people who make New York Magazine. Sign up to get it every Saturday.

SIGN UP

follow us on facebook • twitter

unsubscribe | privacy notice | preferences

This email was sent to you. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get this newsletter in your inbox.

View this email in your browser.

Vox Media, LLC
1701 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
Copyright © 2025, All rights reserved

We’ll Soon Find Out How Much Permanent Damage Trump Can Do

We’ll Soon Find Out How Much Permanent Damage Trump Can Do

Stay informed about business, politics, technology, and where they intersect.

Today's Top Stories

The Trump administration called the toll to drive into lower Manhattan a “slap in the face to working class Americans.”

By Matt Stieb

And other miscellaneous thoughts on a transitional but excellent season.

By Will Leitch

Like the government experts responsible for stopping the spread of bird flu and keeping America’s nuclear stockpile safe.

By Matt Stieb

Presumably, House Republicans will now take the lead on enacting Trump’s agenda — but he’s also made their job a lot harder.

By Ed Kilgore

A federal judge ordered the mayor and Justice Department officials to appear in court Wednesday to explain their dismissal motion for the record.

By Intelligencer Staff

Republicans in Congress have no control over DOGE, and now the White House denies Elon Musk is running it. Convenient!

By Ed Kilgore

The Senate has approved Trump’s most controversial picks, including Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr. Here’s the full list and hearings schedule.

By Margaret Hartmann, Chas Danner

The Duchess is relaunching herself as a modern-day Martha Stewart, without the business acumen.

By Margaret Hartmann

My Week in New York

Older messages

You Might Also Like