
Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a major in religious studies, and a minor in integrated liberal studies.
Rafi lives in the Twin Cities, where he does not bike, run or take part in any team sports. He does, however, have a variety of interests, hobbies and passions.
Latest articles by Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
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Microsoft pursues digital intelligence ‘aligned to human values’ in shift from OpenAI
UNDER THE RADAR The iconic tech giant is jumping into the AI game with a bold new initiative designed to place people first in the search for digital intelligence
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Trump tariffs face stiff scrutiny at Supreme Court
Speed Read Even some of the Court’s conservative justices appeared skeptical
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Democrats seek 2026 inspiration from special election routs
IN THE SPOTLIGHT High-profile wins are helping a party demoralized by Trump’s reelection regain momentum
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Dozens dead as typhoon slams Philippines
Speed Read The storm ravaged the island of Cebu
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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JD Vance wades into choppy religious waters about wife Usha
THE EXPLAINER By emphasizing his hope that the Second Lady convert to Christianity, the vice president is inviting controversy from across the religious spectrum
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Two men accused of plotting LGBTQ+ attacks
Speed Read The men were arrested alongside an unidentified minor
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Sudan stands on the brink of another national schism
The Explainer With tens of thousands dead and millions displaced, one of Africa’s most severe outbreaks of sectarian violence is poised to take a dramatic turn for the worse
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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King Charles strips Andrew of ‘prince’ title
Speed Read He will now be known only as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Judge rules US attorney ‘unlawfully serving’
Speed Read Bill Essayli had been serving in the role without Senate confirmation
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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France’s ‘red hands’ trial highlights alleged Russian disruption operations
UNDER THE RADAR Attacks on religious and cultural institutions around France have authorities worried about Moscow’s effort to sow chaos in one of Europe’s political centers
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Gaza ceasefire teeters as Netanyahu orders strikes
Speed Read Israel accused Hamas of firing on Israeli troops
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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How are Americans bracing for the end of SNAP?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Millions depend on supplemental federal food funds that are set to expire this month, as the government shutdown begins to be acutely felt
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Navy jet, helicopter crash half-hour apart off carrier
Speed Read A US Navy helicopter and a fighter jet both crashed in the same half-hour during separate operations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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How are ICE’s recruitment woes complicating Trump’s immigration agenda?
TODAY’S BIG QUESTION Lowered training standards and ‘athletically allergic’ hopefuls are hindering the White House plan to turn the Department of Homeland Security into a federal police force
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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FBI nabs dozens in alleged NBA gambling ring
Speed Read Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are among 34 people indicted in connection with federal gambling investigations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footage
Speed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Plastic whistles emerge as Chicago’s tool to fight ICE
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As federal agents continue raiding the city, communities have turned to noisemakers to create a warning system
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Warner Bros. explores sale amid Paramount bids
Speed Read The media giant, home to HBO and DC Studios, has received interest from multiple buying parties
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroom
speed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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US Supreme Court to tackle gun rights for casual drug users
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Justices are preparing to dive back into the choppy waters of the Second Amendment as the White House pushes to penalize recreational narcotic users
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Conservative megadonors build a new bank thanks to Trump administration approval
IN THE SPOTLIGHT With a 'Lord of the Rings'-inspired name, and the backing of some of the biggest GOP financiers around, Erebor Bank is set to make major waves in the crypto world
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Western Alaska reels as storm aftermath prompts mass evacuations
UNDER THE RADAR Alaskan lawmakers point to climate change as airlifts relocate hundreds from coastal communities devastated by the remnants of Typhoon Halong
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
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