Happy Friday and welcome back to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco—your daily briefing on politics. Let’s break it down.
Supreme Court Lets Texas Use GOP-Rigged Map….The Supreme Court halted a lower court ruling and cleared the way for Texas to use its new congressional map—one experts say is likely racially gerrymandered and designed to boost Republican gains. The unsigned order, supported by the conservative majority, said the lower court failed to give lawmakers “the presumption of legislative good faith” and improperly intervened too close to the election. The map could flip up to five Democratic seats and strengthen Trump’s push to keep GOP control of the House. Liberal justices blasted the decision, with Justice Kagan warning it “disserves millions of Texans” assigned to districts based on race. Civil rights groups say the ruling is a major blow to Black and brown voters, while Texas Republicans are celebrating what they call a “massive win.” The fight over mid-decade redistricting—and over the future of the Voting Rights Act—is far from over.
Common Sense takeaway: What a disgrace. These maps are so wildly rigged and serve no purpose other than giving House Republicans 5 more seats. When they can’t win, they cheat. Just look at the Supreme Court. And now the rigged Court has successfully rigged multiple Democratic lawmakers, including Jasmine Crockett, out of their seats. Like I said, a disgrace.
Speaker Johnson Faces Revolt From His Own Party….House Speaker Mike Johnson is limping into the toughest stretch of his speakership, battered by a Republican conference that’s openly losing patience—and with Donald Trump offering little backup. His job is safe for now, but whether he survives after the 2026 midterms may come down to Trump’s whims. Both conservative hard-liners and centrist Republicans are demanding major changes, accusing Johnson of weak leadership, a stalled agenda, and letting the House drift while Trump dominates headlines. Members are furious over the 43-day shutdown, the lack of a health care plan as ACA subsidies expire, and a political message they say is falling apart ahead of the midterms. Some have warned Johnson that morale “has never been lower.” Johnson insists he’s fine and still plans to run for speaker again—but GOP infighting, sagging poll numbers for Trump, and a stalled legislative agenda have left the House in chaos and Republicans wondering whether they can afford to keep Johnson as Speaker.
Common Sense takeaway: I hate to say it, but I agree with House Republicans. It seems like there is no real legislative agenda happening. Meanwhile, Trump is focused on trivial stuff like his ballroom and renaming the Department of Defense, among other random things. Who exactly is lowering costs for the American people? Ah yes, no one.
Pipe Bomb Suspect Told FBI He Believed the 2020 Election Was Stolen….Federal investigators say Brian Cole—arrested for planting pipe bombs outside the DNC and RNC the night before the January 6 attack—told the FBI he believed the 2020 election was stolen, offering the first glimpse of a possible motive. Authorities say he spent months gathering bomb-making materials before placing the devices. Cole faces federal charges for transporting explosives and attempted malicious destruction, and is set to appear in court Friday. His claims echo the same conspiracy theories that fueled the Capitol riot. And once again, the consequences of those lies are showing up in violent, real-world threats to democracy.
Common Sense takeaway: It’s always the people you suspect the most. This guy was an election-denying lunatic and he tried to kill people for it. Just like the January 6th insurrectionists. Donald Trump is responsible for inciting this violence and he has yet to pay any price.
Trump Slaps His Name on the U.S. Institute of Peace….The Trump administration has renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace headquarters in D.C., adding Trump’s name to the facade as Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised him as “the greatest dealmaker” and “the President of Peace.” The move comes amid an ongoing legal battle over the administration’s attempt to dismantle the independent, nonpartisan institute—a takeover a federal judge has already deemed illegal before the ruling was paused on appeal. Trump celebrated the rebranding during a ceremony tied to a Rwanda–DRC peace announcement, even as experts dispute his claims of ending multiple global conflicts.
Common Sense takeaway: This is like saying “Dogs for Saving Cats” or “Hunters for Saving Deer.” Backwards and simply just untrue. Slapping your name on a building does not make something true, it actually just reeks of North Korean-style propaganda.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense. Check back on Monday for more.
Interesting that SCOTUS thinks the approximate 106 Texas Republicans can redraw a map disenfranchising millions of people and it's okay.
This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone!! A paid for crooked/whorish Supreme Court has to protect itself too
They know that if the Democrats are lucky enough to take back both chambers of congress their asses are also grass!!