'The double standards don't trouble the critics'
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day


'Judicial independence: Still a good idea'
James C. Ho at The Wall Street Journal
If "you don't like certain rulings, go win some elections, so that you can appoint different judges," says James C. Ho. But "don't mess with judicial independence simply because you don't like a particular decision." The "recent attacks on the judiciary are based on a series of double standards," Ho adds. It is a "deliberate strategy to create a perverse incentive structure for judges: If you rule the way the critics dictate, you won't be criticized — you'll be celebrated."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'Transgender wars are a test of whether our humanity can trump focus-group politics'
Will Bunch at The Philadelphia Inquirer
The "early fights over the president-elect's off-the-wall cabinet picks and TV debates over just how anti-democratically the Trump regime might govern are still an abstraction to most Americans," but it's "different in the transgender community," says Will Bunch. The "normalization of transphobia in American politics, and the signs of looming government repression, poses a major moral test." Can "those of us not in the transgender community fully embrace the humanity of our friends, family members, or neighbors who are?"
'Brazil's right should move on from Bolsonaro'
Juan Pablo Spinetto at Bloomberg
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jair Bolsonaro's indictment "should be a moment of deep reflection and reconfiguration for Brazil's political establishment," says Juan Pablo Spinetto. Brazilians "shouldn't overestimate the 'persecution effect' that these fresh allegations may trigger." For "all their seeming passion, not all Bolsonaro voters support a dictatorship or back his unproved claims of voter fraud." Brazil's "opposition parties should get smart and focus on building an alternative candidacy for the 2026 presidential election, moving on from Bolsonaro's long-lasting scandals."
'Don't give up on Democratic celebrities just yet'
David Litt at Politico
It "would be particularly ironic — not to mention disastrous — to reject celebrity support because of a disappointing presidential year," says David Litt. Presidential elections "are the ones in which celebrity endorsements matter least," because "by the time ballots are cast, candidates enjoy name recognition of 100%." Still, celebrities "can also help signal a party's willingness to expand its coalition," and Democrats should "augment their typical enthusiasm from Hollywood with supporters from surprising places."
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Eurovision faces its Waterloo over Israel boycotts
Talking Point Five major broadcasters have threatened to pull out of next year’s contest over Israel’s participation
-
What is Donald Trump’s visit worth to the UK economy?
In the Spotlight Centrepiece of the president’s trip, business-wise, is a ‘technology partnership’
-
Trump’s visit: the mouse and the walrus
Britain is keen to point to its own ‘tangible results’, but the US administration has made their demands clear
-
‘Mental health care is health care’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Supreme Court: Will it allow Trump’s tariffs?
Feature Justices fast-track Trump’s appeal to see if his sweeping tariffs are unconstitutional
-
Democrats’ strategy to woo voters for 2026: religion
The Explainer Politicians like Rob Sand and James Talarico have made a name for themselves pushing their faith
-
‘Tariffs at their essence are an income transfer’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
‘We must empower young athletes with the knowledge to stay safe’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
‘Peak consumption has become the Holy Grail of the energy debate’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years for coup attempt
Speed Read Bolsonaro was convicted of attempting to stay in power following his 2022 election loss
-
Why does Donald Trump keep showing up at major sporting events?
Today's Big Question Trump has appeared at the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and other events