Emily Badger
@emmbadger.bsky.social
New York Times journalist covering cities and urban policy for The Upshot. emily.badger@nytimes.com, ebadger.21 on Signal
This Kirsten Soltis Anderson phrase will stick with me: swapping "McDonald’s Drive-Thru Guy for Golden Ballroom Guy"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/o...
November 7, 2025 at 2:56 PM
This Kirsten Soltis Anderson phrase will stick with me: swapping "McDonald’s Drive-Thru Guy for Golden Ballroom Guy"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/o...
Smart Eliza Shapiro story about the six-figure economic precarity in New York that has helped fuel Mamdani's rise: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/n...
Zohran Mamdani and the Revenge of the Struggling Yuppie
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Smart Eliza Shapiro story about the six-figure economic precarity in New York that has helped fuel Mamdani's rise: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/n...
There are now cement trucks entering the White House construction site, which is not what you'd expect for a project that hasn't been reviewed by anyone yet.
The White House has previously said no NCPC approvals are needed yet because they're just doing demo, not construction.
The White House has previously said no NCPC approvals are needed yet because they're just doing demo, not construction.
November 6, 2025 at 3:33 PM
There are now cement trucks entering the White House construction site, which is not what you'd expect for a project that hasn't been reviewed by anyone yet.
The White House has previously said no NCPC approvals are needed yet because they're just doing demo, not construction.
The White House has previously said no NCPC approvals are needed yet because they're just doing demo, not construction.
Reposted by Emily Badger
Good morning. We crunched 4.6GB of trade data to find out how much of U.S. imports are getting tariffed (quite a bit) www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Almost Half of U.S. Imports Now Have Steep Tariffs
President Trump has transformed U.S. trade policy. Here's how much of his tariff agenda is under threat at the Supreme Court.
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Good morning. We crunched 4.6GB of trade data to find out how much of U.S. imports are getting tariffed (quite a bit) www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Emily Badger
Zohran Mamdani's focus on public transportation - and on affordability in general - paid off in a big way. Lots of fascinating insights in this map (free link)
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
November 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Zohran Mamdani's focus on public transportation - and on affordability in general - paid off in a big way. Lots of fascinating insights in this map (free link)
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Emily Badger
NJ election is the first real measure of Latino support since last year. A test of whether the Trump discontent in polls is re-shaping behavior heading into '26: will Sherrill come in closer to '21 or '24 in Hispanic bellwethers?
Here are cities to watch. Note '24 vs. prior.
Here are cities to watch. Note '24 vs. prior.
November 4, 2025 at 8:48 PM
NJ election is the first real measure of Latino support since last year. A test of whether the Trump discontent in polls is re-shaping behavior heading into '26: will Sherrill come in closer to '21 or '24 in Hispanic bellwethers?
Here are cities to watch. Note '24 vs. prior.
Here are cities to watch. Note '24 vs. prior.
A federal judge ruled today that the U.S. DOT violated the constitution by trying to coerce states to cooperate with ICE if they want federal transportation dollars.
November 4, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A federal judge ruled today that the U.S. DOT violated the constitution by trying to coerce states to cooperate with ICE if they want federal transportation dollars.
DOJ lawyers have told two federal judges the government will make partial SNAP payments this month. Then Trump said today the government won't pay anything until the shutdown ends: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
Trump Threatens to Withhold SNAP Payments, Despite Court Order
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:24 PM
DOJ lawyers have told two federal judges the government will make partial SNAP payments this month. Then Trump said today the government won't pay anything until the shutdown ends: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
The One Big Beautiful Bill ratchets up work requirements for Medicaid.
In the process it will force states to pay millions more to Equifax to verify that residents qualify for the program.
Wild story by @sangerkatz.bsky.social @asmaaelk.bsky.social and Sarah Kliff
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/h...
In the process it will force states to pay millions more to Equifax to verify that residents qualify for the program.
Wild story by @sangerkatz.bsky.social @asmaaelk.bsky.social and Sarah Kliff
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/h...
‘A Big Positive’: How One Company Plans to Profit From Medicaid Cuts
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
The One Big Beautiful Bill ratchets up work requirements for Medicaid.
In the process it will force states to pay millions more to Equifax to verify that residents qualify for the program.
Wild story by @sangerkatz.bsky.social @asmaaelk.bsky.social and Sarah Kliff
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/h...
In the process it will force states to pay millions more to Equifax to verify that residents qualify for the program.
Wild story by @sangerkatz.bsky.social @asmaaelk.bsky.social and Sarah Kliff
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/h...
Unlike other projects the Trump administration has canceled during the shutdown to punish Democratic-leaning places, disruption to SNAP will touch every corner of the country, including many communities that support the president.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/u...
Here’s Who Will Be Affected by Disruptions to Federal Food Aid
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Unlike other projects the Trump administration has canceled during the shutdown to punish Democratic-leaning places, disruption to SNAP will touch every corner of the country, including many communities that support the president.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/u...
The Trump Administration has rearranged funds to pay for the parts of government it values most during the shutdown. In court, it is now saying it won't do that for food assistance.
via @tonyromm.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/u...
via @tonyromm.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/u...
October 30, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The Trump Administration has rearranged funds to pay for the parts of government it values most during the shutdown. In court, it is now saying it won't do that for food assistance.
via @tonyromm.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/u...
via @tonyromm.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/u...
Reposted by Emily Badger
A US Drug Enforcement Administration agent said the DEA made “high-level arrests” of 171 Sinaloa Cartel members across New England in August.
A Globe investigation found that many of the DEA’s targets were addicts, low-level dealers, shoplifters, and homeless people.
A Globe investigation found that many of the DEA’s targets were addicts, low-level dealers, shoplifters, and homeless people.
The DEA said they arrested 171 ‘high ranking’ Sinaloa Cartel members. A Spotlight investigation found that’s not true. - The Boston Globe
A Globe investigation found that the federal agency misrepresented the stature of its targets, claiming cartel ties at a time when the Trump administration is taking lethal military action against such groups.
trib.al
October 29, 2025 at 1:32 PM
A US Drug Enforcement Administration agent said the DEA made “high-level arrests” of 171 Sinaloa Cartel members across New England in August.
A Globe investigation found that many of the DEA’s targets were addicts, low-level dealers, shoplifters, and homeless people.
A Globe investigation found that many of the DEA’s targets were addicts, low-level dealers, shoplifters, and homeless people.
“Kids dressed in Halloween costumes walking to a parade do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer. They just don’t. And you can’t use riot control weapons against them.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
Judge Questions Border Patrol Leader Over Immigration Crackdown Tactics
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
“Kids dressed in Halloween costumes walking to a parade do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer. They just don’t. And you can’t use riot control weapons against them.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
Can fast buses in New York actually be free?
@stefanoschen.bsky.social + Larry Buchanan and I take a close look at an idea that has helped propel Zohran Mamdani's campaign for mayor.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
@stefanoschen.bsky.social + Larry Buchanan and I take a close look at an idea that has helped propel Zohran Mamdani's campaign for mayor.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Can Faster Buses Really Be Free? (Gift Article)
An analysis of the possible promise and fundamental tension in one of Zohran Mamdani’s big plans for New York.
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Can fast buses in New York actually be free?
@stefanoschen.bsky.social + Larry Buchanan and I take a close look at an idea that has helped propel Zohran Mamdani's campaign for mayor.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
@stefanoschen.bsky.social + Larry Buchanan and I take a close look at an idea that has helped propel Zohran Mamdani's campaign for mayor.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Emily Badger
Picture of the East Wing demolition of the White House taken on my flight out of DCA.
October 23, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Picture of the East Wing demolition of the White House taken on my flight out of DCA.
Counterpoint: One of the more endearing things about the White House is that it's small. You walk up to it, and it's just... a startlingly modest building in scale... where a real-life family actually lives. You can get close to them, peer into their back yard, see them as human.
October 23, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Counterpoint: One of the more endearing things about the White House is that it's small. You walk up to it, and it's just... a startlingly modest building in scale... where a real-life family actually lives. You can get close to them, peer into their back yard, see them as human.
One of the potential upsides of autonomous cars is that they could drive *better* and more safely than humans do. What's the point of programming them to have human-like sloppiness, making rolling stops and disobeying traffic laws?
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Musk doubles down in fight with Trump administration, risking his empire
The tech executive has shown little sign of backing down from a battle over the future of NASA. It has spilled into the Transportation Department, which oversees regulation for Tesla.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:06 PM
One of the potential upsides of autonomous cars is that they could drive *better* and more safely than humans do. What's the point of programming them to have human-like sloppiness, making rolling stops and disobeying traffic laws?
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Remarkable photo via @washingtonpost.com of the White House undergoing demolition, after the president vowed that his new ballroom would leave the existing building untouched.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
White House begins demolishing East Wing facade to build Trump’s ballroom
The president had claimed construction of the $250 million ballroom wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Remarkable photo via @washingtonpost.com of the White House undergoing demolition, after the president vowed that his new ballroom would leave the existing building untouched.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Portland leaders are trying to push back against ICE by targeting its... conditional use permit.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
To Fight ICE, Portland’s Leaders Turn to What They Know Best: Zoning
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Portland leaders are trying to push back against ICE by targeting its... conditional use permit.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
A video the White House circulated to portray Chicago as violent and chaotic used footage of drug busts, arrests and deportation raids in Florida, Texas, South Carolina and Nebraska, via the AFP.
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
factcheck.afp.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:46 PM
A video the White House circulated to portray Chicago as violent and chaotic used footage of drug busts, arrests and deportation raids in Florida, Texas, South Carolina and Nebraska, via the AFP.
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
If Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act falls, Democrats might need to win the national popular vote by 5 to 6 points to take control of the House, via Nate Cohn
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
October 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM
If Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act falls, Democrats might need to win the national popular vote by 5 to 6 points to take control of the House, via Nate Cohn
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Landmark SCOTUS cases often have a public face, a plaintiff whose name and story become known to us all.
Smart @abbievansickle.bsky.social story on how that is not true of the 12 "non-African-American” voters nominally behind the VRA case before the court today: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/u...
Smart @abbievansickle.bsky.social story on how that is not true of the 12 "non-African-American” voters nominally behind the VRA case before the court today: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/u...
Who Are the Louisiana Voters Behind a Major Supreme Court Challenge?
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Landmark SCOTUS cases often have a public face, a plaintiff whose name and story become known to us all.
Smart @abbievansickle.bsky.social story on how that is not true of the 12 "non-African-American” voters nominally behind the VRA case before the court today: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/u...
Smart @abbievansickle.bsky.social story on how that is not true of the 12 "non-African-American” voters nominally behind the VRA case before the court today: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/u...
We thought about trying to quantify DOGE's effect at the end of the fiscal year — Musk’s own deadline for finding $1T — and realized it was impossible.
That’s the larger story: No one, even Congressional appropriators, can follow what’s happened to federal spending.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
That’s the larger story: No one, even Congressional appropriators, can follow what’s happened to federal spending.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
Not Even Congress Knows How Much Money DOGE Cut
www.nytimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
We thought about trying to quantify DOGE's effect at the end of the fiscal year — Musk’s own deadline for finding $1T — and realized it was impossible.
That’s the larger story: No one, even Congressional appropriators, can follow what’s happened to federal spending.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
That’s the larger story: No one, even Congressional appropriators, can follow what’s happened to federal spending.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
For perspective in Portland: Former mayor Charlie Hales points out that the city is composed of about 25,000 blocks.
Fewer than 5 of them are touched by the ICE protests Trump has used to portray the city as "on fire" and in need of federal troops.
Fewer than 5 of them are touched by the ICE protests Trump has used to portray the city as "on fire" and in need of federal troops.
October 8, 2025 at 2:47 PM
For perspective in Portland: Former mayor Charlie Hales points out that the city is composed of about 25,000 blocks.
Fewer than 5 of them are touched by the ICE protests Trump has used to portray the city as "on fire" and in need of federal troops.
Fewer than 5 of them are touched by the ICE protests Trump has used to portray the city as "on fire" and in need of federal troops.
Really helpful initial @jeffasher.bsky.social look at crime trends in D.C. during the federal law enforcement surge:
jasher.substack.com/p/re-evaluat...
jasher.substack.com/p/re-evaluat...
October 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Really helpful initial @jeffasher.bsky.social look at crime trends in D.C. during the federal law enforcement surge:
jasher.substack.com/p/re-evaluat...
jasher.substack.com/p/re-evaluat...