Jonathan Alter

Only a handful of Republicans are needed to stand up for the Senate’s right to advise and consent on nominations.

If Democrats win the White House and Congress, they might finally make lasting changes to voting rights and abortion access.

A trial-watcher’s prediction.

Conversations and insights about the moment.

The prosecution gets some help for its theory of the crime behind the false documents.

The witness tried to play judge, and the real judge was not pleased.

Inside the courtroom, Jonathan Alter sees the evidence mounting.

Jurors may believe she and Trump had a tryst, but not necessarily her entire testimony.

She had explanations — some more convincing than others — for zig-zagging in interviews.

Trump shouldn’t be allowed to use his punishment to play the martyr.

In a case about falsified records, it’s the records themselves that count the most.

It sunk in that her testimony was hurting the man she still admires.

Jurors are forced to listen to a swamp of sleazy evidence.

With any other president, a contempt citation would mean banner headlines.

The senior staff in the Carter White House often wished the stubborn president would listen even more to his impressive wife, especially on politics.

The president needs to be a sharper politician than he has been and also not become his own worst enemy.

It’s all about jobs and infrastructure, and President Biden is off to a good start.

Suddenly, Franklin D. Roosevelt is all the rage. But many Democrats don’t understand what his legacy means.

The work in George W. Bush’s “Portraits of Courage” reveals a surprisingly adept artist who has dramatically improved his technique while also doing penance for a great disaster of American history.

The vice president looks back — and forward.