Politics and Policy Columnist, Bloomberg Opinion. Formerly: Miami Herald, Nieman fellow. St. Paul native. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/authors/AWmDah46OJk/mary-ellen-klashttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mlvuypggd22eJared Kushner is both brokering peace in Iran and courting Middle East investors — an unprecedented arrangement that ethics experts say tests conflict-of-interest laws. Remarkable story via @bloomberg.com https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-05-14/jared-kushner-s-dual-role-trump-peace-envoy-and-6-billion-fund-manager?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3ODg2Njg0MSwiZXhwIjoxNzc5NDcxNjQxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURjEzOURLR1pBTTIwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.hn9JRqgpEQ2ZZvwhA7ErV2gqBwb-kesjK92roUf81lo15 May 2026 17:42 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvuypggd22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mlvrbjyo6c2eWith the South Carolina GOP now divided over whether to crack apart Black and Hispanic communities to prevent them from electing Democrats, it's time to get one thing clear: there’s nothing "race-neutral" about it. Even some in the GOP get it. Gift link. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-05-14/the-south-s-redistricting-rush-isn-t-race-neutral?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3ODg2MjU2MiwiZXhwIjoxNzc5NDY3MzYyLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURjBWVThLSVAzVkwwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.ak_lH9CG0H-VLXqi1d8AR1EgJBpDytAPxq3lL4iwxEQ15 May 2026 16:36 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvrbjyo6c2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mlljlnsogc2aOssoff's campaign against “the Epstein class” is deliberately bipartisan. His focus cuts to the core of American grievance and the vulnerable Democrat now leading in the polls. Other Democrats should take note. Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-05-11/georgia-senator-ossoff-s-corruption-message-goes-beyond-trump?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3ODUxMDgwMywiZXhwIjoxNzc5MTE1NjAzLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURVZCVUJLSVVQU1gwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.ZcGFojAlN_AZWZhPV4-V5i3PakrmZ9YhYPAc3Hp4qlA11 May 2026 14:51 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlljlnsogc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mlbcsx22yc2gElected officials in states across the US are rushing to draw maps that will dilute voters' power. It's the latest assault on representative democracy and voters are the big losers. Americans need to reclaim their power back in November. /1 Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-05-07/redistricting-voters-don-t-give-away-your-power?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3ODE2MDEyNSwiZXhwIjoxNzc4NzY0OTI1LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURU5aWUlLSVAzS1UwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.Nb4biu1GaCC-Qawo-vBlBPfYtnMIJvW360WmbHsYtsc07 May 2026 13:24 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbcsx22yc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mkunuigykk2hBy passing a map based on a presumption instead of a certainty, Florida lawmakers betrayed the state constitution, struck another blow against the rule of law — and reminded Americans that their political institutions are failing them. Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-05-02/florida-still-has-redistricting-laws-it-s-just-ignoring-them?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NzcyNDcyOSwiZXhwIjoxNzc4MzI5NTI5LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURUVTMEtLSUpIOFUwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.24NiYP0wiypJppdrYVdfF2Fn4pUvXWgeC9mdH80sjAg02 May 2026 12:37 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkunuigykk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mkppihy4ec2rThe reason so many people support Thomas Massie's fight for the Epstein files? Because so many Americans are survivors of sexual abuse themselves. Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-04-30/pardoning-maxwell-would-betray-epstein-s-victims?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NzU1NTEwMywiZXhwIjoxNzc4MTU5OTAzLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURUFZSUpLR1pBUFowMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.VAk5kSkervfOYXWg7dn5Q-W9lk4NXSpdNXJggzA89yI30 Apr 2026 13:22 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkppihy4ec2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mknmzmrhhc2kThe perverse result of the Supreme Court decision to allow states to redraw congressional districts and eliminate Black Democratic seats "is a Constitution that enables discrimination rather than protecting against it," says @profnoahfeldman. Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-04-29/supreme-court-voting-rights-ruling-neuters-the-law?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NzQ4MzY2NCwiZXhwIjoxNzc4MDg4NDY0LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURTlOMVpLSUpIQUswMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.pigyi0ejyaIBYevVoAWisRfZYhjI9ODcEbIb6iet9ao29 Apr 2026 17:33 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknmzmrhhc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mklkhb2oh22kWow. Courage still happens evidently in the Florida Legislature. Sen. Jennifer Bradley, a Republican, says she's a "no" on the DeSantis map because "it's unconstitutional" - based on "a signal" from the Supreme Court and a ruling that's never happened on Fair Districts amendments.28 Apr 2026 21:42 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mklkhb2oh22khttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mki7z3hy3c2rThe nationwide redistricting war comes to Florida this week — but the political landscape is not what it was in 2024 and lawmakers are queasy about it. Do they rubber stamp DeSantis plan, or end in stalemate? Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-04-27/florida-redistricting-push-could-backfire-on-republicans?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NzI5NzM2NywiZXhwIjoxNzc3OTAyMTY3LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURTVIQUlLSUpIRUEwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.4B4wJKTfpvbq-VvXxEAah_GGgQ30eyi3jrDG_JDnn6I27 Apr 2026 13:57 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mki7z3hy3c2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mk3wa44d3k2yThree recent resignations from Congress show that the dysfunctional chamber can clean up its act — when it wants to. And is Cory Mills next? Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-04-22/is-cory-mills-next-cherfilus-mccormick-resignation-adds-pressure?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3Njg3NTEzNywiZXhwIjoxNzc3NDc5OTM3LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURFdMNThLR1pBSlcwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.CXU12PXZs49Ao0V5mXIZfTjaeKAC0bEh1H0Smx_XxOo22 Apr 2026 16:30 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3wa44d3k2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mjfbtbuazc26The collapse of Eric Swalwell’s campaign for governor shows that California’s Democratic establishment actually does have power — when it wants to use it, at least. @erika-d-smith.bsky.social makes sense of the party’s selective show of strength. Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-04-13/swalwell-s-exit-shows-california-democrats-still-have-power?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NjA5NzMzMSwiZXhwIjoxNzc2NzAyMTMxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUREZXRzlLR0lGUEcwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.tHY73EOTDgpJ5aa4y1OhXzrukMMajx4JwWB1YyF97TQ13 Apr 2026 16:26 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjfbtbuazc26https://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mjf5ljoeok26Boston's Michelle Wu is trying to rebuild trust in a local government - especially in prosperous blue cities -- that Washington is determined to undermine. Read Frank Wilkinson's excellent analysis. Gift link. via @opinion.bloomberg.com https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2026-opinion-boston-michelle-wu-model-mayor-trump-era/?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NjA5MjgwMSwiZXhwIjoxNzc2Njk3NjAxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJURERRTzVLSVVQUzEwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.lKJ2Em_t1Sh5tlAEvGgbWmNMjJGhGmM9kvREFivT0yM13 Apr 2026 15:10 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjf5ljoeok26https://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mijw3x3zdc2gPam Bondi failed Epstein's victims as Florida AG, even as she claimed to be a protector of victims of sex trafficking. She failed them again as Trump's AG, repeatedly refusing to hold his enablers accountable. Now she's out of a job. Was it worth it? https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-07-27/bondi-has-been-failing-epstein-s-victims-for-years?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NTE1NzI3MywiZXhwIjoxNzc1NzYyMDczLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUMDI0MDlHUEZITVAwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.XxKNLVfnC_K-XQ6nBAGDOzuhNqC06W5v-ZsQtHzQuoo02 Apr 2026 19:14 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mijw3x3zdc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mii462l5vk2aHe should have ended the speech: "April Fool's!" Nothing new.02 Apr 2026 01:58 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mii462l5vk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3migqi5zacc2mOptimism and hard work make America great, and young immigrants have long been an inexhaustible source of both. So why is the US pushing Dreamers into the shadows? It's a shortsighted and reckless policy. Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-03-31/trump-s-crackdown-on-dreamers-hurts-the-us-economy-and-its-soul?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NTA0Nzk3OCwiZXhwIjoxNzc1NjUyNzc4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUQ1JFSTRLR0lGWEwwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.zmfXZLuatog7kXAjWN5YZMh-jO2oO1SrGmkpU6XBMbM01 Apr 2026 12:56 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3migqi5zacc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mhxoumtpus2kMarco Rubio’s testimony against his former political ally in a criminal trial this week is more than just courtroom drama. It also has a political upside as Rubio positions himself for 2028. Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-03-26/marco-rubio-testimony-in-rivera-trial-has-implications-for-2028-run?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3NDUzMDg3OCwiZXhwIjoxNzc1MTM1Njc4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUQ0k2SzZLR0lGWUgwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.lZslr21Zd8v9kNtW1VUX_jGkPTjjjfPELTzU7dPzACs26 Mar 2026 13:17 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhxoumtpus2khttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mhvwmlwqq227UN votes to recognize slavery as 'gravest crime against humanity'. Will Florida update its history standards which are now required to say that some African Americans "benefited from" slavery? https://bbc.com/news/articles/cvg06q36052o?xtor=AL-71-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_medium=social&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_format=link&at_campaign_type=owned&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_link_id=27703418-2874-11F1-8FB7-D66EDAB0C0E6&at_link_type=web_link&at_link_origin=BBCNews25 Mar 2026 20:30 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvwmlwqq227https://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mhvsinho6k2f"An epidemic of suspicious trading has emerged around President Trump's most consequential decisions — each time, just minutes or hours before he rattles global markets, according to exchange data." ~ Axios https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/trump-iran-oil-insider-trading25 Mar 2026 19:17 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvsinho6k2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mhstvmu2vk2zTrump, Who Calls Mail-in Voting ‘Cheating,’ Just Voted by Mail https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/politics/trump-mail-in-voting-florida.html?smid=bs-share24 Mar 2026 15:04 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhstvmu2vk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/maryellenklas.bsky.social/post/3mhg2k2aurk2pWhen even Florida sheriffs start offering a way for Trump to pivot from his overzealous immigration enforcement, you know the politics of mass deportation are shifting. Gift link: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-03-19/florida-sheriffs-signal-shift-on-trump-immigration-policy?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3MzkyNTA5OCwiZXhwIjoxNzc0NTI5ODk4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUQzU3VzJLR0lGUFUwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIxOTMwQzdBNkYyODA0MTg4OTZCRjk3QzUyQ0MxMkVDOCJ9.6cQF5YB5bpUrNAsSzSMwOrzpp0aF_Oh4TXDU6_6RXig19 Mar 2026 12:58 +0000at://did:plc:zwmdguybv52u2md4df5ga4ab/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhg2k2aurk2p