Chris Brennan is a national columnist for USA Today, writing about people, power and politics. He previously worked as a reporter, political editor and columnist at The Philadelphia Daily News and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Follow him on X: @ByChrisBrennan and write to him at [email protected]. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Translating Politics, here.
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My Recent Work
Translating Politics: Here's a joke I've been telling for decades
Anger won on election night. What lies ahead is a balancing actChris Brennan
If Trump gets what he's asking for, he'll have himself to blameChris Brennan
Voters bear brunt of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill. Don't let GOP forget itChris Brennan
Translating Politics: Don't forget Project 2025 at the ballot box
You don't hear about Project 2025, but its carnage is everywhereChris Brennan
Translating Politics: I know who'll decide the midterms
Independents decide the midterms. That's not good for the GOPChris Brennan
Midterms are underway. So are Trump's attempts to impede the resultsChris Brennan
Translating Politics: Trump looks more lost than ever
Translating Politics: Trump backed down. Sort of
Trump might try controlling elections. It won't be so easyChris Brennan
Translating Politics: The martial law midterms?
Trump doesn't fear election laws. These midterms will be no differentChris Brennan
Trump ruined his own media ban argument before lawyers could make itChris Brennan
Translating Politics: This isn't due process. This is CYA.
I know what Trump's Greenland deal actually isChris Brennan
Are you registered as an independent? Tell us why – or why not.Chris Brennan
Trump's Greenland 'deal' tries to sell an embarrassment as a winChris Brennan
Translating Politics: Trump's $246 million-per-day war
Trump is crashing out over mail-in voting as the RNC pushes for itChris Brennan
As Fed readies to raise rates, Trump's 'plan' is really a threatChris Brennan
Even Trump's Truth Social chatbot knows he's lying about $5,000 offerChris Brennan
Translating Politics: Trump is a unifying figure – in Canada
We covered 9/11 from Ground Zero. We will never forget.Chris Brennan
Republicans know voters dislike data centers. Trump doesn't care.Chris Brennan
Trump's fight over mail-in ballots raises serious questionsChris Brennan
Translating Politics: I have a simple test. Let's try it out.
Will the court stop Trump's mail-in voting scheme? I asked judges.Chris Brennan
Translating Politics: Trump picked the wrong fight
Fear is all Republicans have, and they want you afraid of MuslimsChris Brennan
The GOP is making an impossible pitch to midterm votersChris Brennan
Translating Politics: Data centers could decide the midterms
Democratic socialist's FL win is more than surprising. It's a lesson.Chris Brennan
Will Trump administration's conflict-riddled reality show ever air?Chris Brennan
I listened in on DOJ Epstein files hearing. Here's what I learned.Chris Brennan
Translating Politics: Three lessons from three primaries
Trump's circle of unaccountability just keeps spinningChris Brennan
We're getting the DSA's midterm influence all wrongChris Brennan
Translating Politics: One is a 'pig.' The other? A 'very good person.'
Republicans just fell for Trump's slush fund sleight of handChris Brennan
Musk was done with politics – until Trump offered a $1.6B contractChris Brennan
Trump may pull Blanche's nomination, but he's not going anywhereChris Brennan
Translating Politics: How Trump could finally face justice
Millions could've kept health insurance. Trump spent it on Iran.Chris Brennan
With no plan for inflation, Trump calls affordability 'made up'Chris Brennan
Translating Politics: I'm an independent. You too? Let's talk.
NJ's voting software glitch doesn't prove Trump's delusionsChris Brennan
When it comes to elections, Trump loves telling on himselfChris Brennan
Trump's election speech hid the details in what he didn't sayChris Brennan