Commentary

FILE — Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy arrives to testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 14, 2025. After firing an influential panel that sets U.S. vaccine policies, some of Kennedy’s picks to replace them have filed statements in court flagging concerns about vaccines. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)

Comment: What RFK Jr. gets wrong on vaccine safety

Hundreds of studies on vaccines and their safety fact-check the HHS secretary’s false claims.

 

Comment: Does it matter if U.S. strike on Iran was lawful?

In international and domestic law, the question may never get a clear verdict. The bigger question: Was it wise?

 

Comment: Justice Department’s Bove unfit for appellate court

The former Trump attorney’s record of animosity toward the courts disqualifies him as a 3rd Circuit judge.

 

Comment: Bill in Congress can boost kidney donations, save lives

Support from Rep. DelBene and others can help win passage of a $10,000 tax credit for kidney donors.

Comment: Frequency of heat waves should have us in a cold sweat

The U.S. is unprepared for heat waves’ effects and is going the wrong way on the climate crisis behind them.

Comment: Your 6 cents will make sense to keep county moving

A 6-cent-a-gallon gas tax increase will fund road projects and maintenance and keep our economy strong.

Comment: Not that he’ll get it, but Trump deserves Nobel

Trump acted decisively, frustrated a nuclear threat and persauded two ancient enemies to halt hostilities.

Comment: Juneteenth holiday struggles to build on promise

The young federal holiday — and the racial equity it seeks — face unfamiliarity and anti-DEI efforts.

Comment: Cuts to Medicaid will hurt nearly half of U.S. kids

Between work requirements for parents and lost funding for rural hospitals, access will decline.

Comment: For democracy’s sake, take ‘fight’ out of our discourse

The political violence we see across America has its roots in thinking of the other side as enemies.

Comment: AI ‘cannibals’ eating into $20 billion music market

AI-produced songs are taking money from the artists it feeds from. A new detection tool could help.

Comment: Amid success, Trump can’t assume one-and-done in Iran

A tough road remains with a broader refocus on global nuclear non-proliferation and inspections.

Comment: Assault on abortion access quieter; just as dangerous

Along with threats to Planned Parenthood, access to medication abortion is increasingly threatened.

Comment: Immigration crackdown has economic fallout for all

Undocumented workers are a major source of labor in many fields. Replacing them won’t be easy; or cheap.

Comment: Trump isn’t first president to treat press badly

It doesn’t excuse excluding the AP from the Oval Office, but presidential cold shoulders are nothing new.

Comment: MAGA coalition may not survive U.S. attack on Iran

Split over Trump’s campaign promise of no ‘forever wars,’ his supporters are attacking each other.

Minnesota State Patrol Special Response Team vehicles on a rural road during a manhunt for a man suspected of assassinating a Democratic state lawmaker and attempting to kill another, in Green Isle, Minn., on Sunday, June 15, 2025. A man suspected of assassinating a Minnesota lawmaker on Saturday and of shooting another was identified by the authorities as Vance Boelter, 57. (Tim Gruber/The New York Times)

Comment: ‘Lone wolf’ myth makes it harder to confront extremism

Connected by social media, violent extremists often are inspired and encouraged by others.

Minnesota State Patrol Special Response Team vehicles on a rural road during a manhunt for a man suspected of assassinating a Democratic state lawmaker and attempting to kill another, in Green Isle, Minn., on Sunday, June 15, 2025. A man suspected of assassinating a Minnesota lawmaker on Saturday and of shooting another was identified by the authorities as Vance Boelter, 57. (Tim Gruber/The New York Times)

Comment: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ hides ugly consequences for families

Urge your members of Congress to preserve funding for Medicaid, SNAP and more that aids communities.

Shreya Karthik

Comment: Signing on to a bright future in STEM careers

A Jackson grad signs her intent to study neuroscience, impressed with the doctors who saved her dad.

Shreya Karthik

Comment: Why you don’t want MAHA as your nutritionist or doctor

Americans can make their own health choices; government helps best by informing those choices.