The arrest of the Jewish American-Israeli teen who made hundreds of bomb threats against Jewish institutions across the United States sheds light on a paradox. Evelyn Gordon argues that by tying these threats to an “anti-Trump narrative,” American Jewish leaders and some in the media created a hysteria that only spurred on the young man in Israel and a copycat here in America. According to Ms. Gordon, Jewish leaders undermined their credibility by concluding, without evidence, that these threats were related to President Trump’s election.

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• Rich Lowry in Politico:

“[...] his most die-hard populist supporters will eventually be able to say that Trumpism, like socialism, hasn’t failed, it’s just never been tried.”

Rich Lowry, editor of National Review and supporter of President Trump, begins his column with this warning: “Trumpism is in crisis.” He goes on to point out missed legislative opportunities in the early days of the administration, and explains how no one in Washington — including the president — has quite figured out how to put populism into practice. Read more »

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• Mark Pulliam in City Journal:

“[...] the country is not called the ‘United States of Municipalities.’”

What happens to a reliably red state whose cities are increasingly becoming blue enclaves? One might look to Texas to find out. The Lone Star State’s “enviable prosperity” and “sound limited-government philosophy” are threatened by growing liberal cities, whose progressive elected officials and a higher education establishment are at odds with the rest of the state’s rural and conservative populace. Read more »

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• Colin Dueck in Claremont Review:

“Now we have a situation whereby some intellectuals still believe they, not the great majority of conservative voters, define conservatism. As a class, the intellectuals have failed to listen.”