Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”

Ketanji Brown Jackson

Mitch McConnell and Ketanji Brown Jackson Mitch McConnell and Ketanji Brown Jackson

If Mitch controlled the Senate, how would he Explain why Jackson’s hearings weren’t to be? No hearings while the French election nears? No hearings held in even-numbered years?…

Mar 8, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Trump Took 15 Boxes of Official Documents When He Left Office

Trump Took 15 Boxes of Official Documents When He Left Office Trump Took 15 Boxes of Official Documents When He Left Office

So why’d he take those boxes home? Well, here’s a strong suspicion: He meant to put stuff on display And charge a steep admission.

Feb 22, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Palin Redux

Palin Redux Palin Redux

Sarah Palin flouts a New York ordinance by dining in an Upper East Side restaurant unvaccinated.—News reports Refusing the vaccine means freedom, she says, And no one can ever nega…

Feb 8, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Ballot Box

Republicans Replace Local Election Officials With Trump Loyalists Republicans Replace Local Election Officials With Trump Loyalists

Is this, in fact, a type of coup? Well, fears of that are mounting: It’s not just who can vote that counts. It’s who can do the counting.

Jan 25, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

About 2021

About 2021 About 2021

Disasters happened all year long. Whatever could go wrong went wrong. So, ’21, it’s simply true: We’re glad to see the back of you.

Jan 11, 2022 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Josh-Hawley-insurrectionist-ap

Senator Hawley Touts Masculinity Senator Hawley Touts Masculinity

Josh Hawley says we need more men With pride in all that manly stuff. If Hawley means more men like him, Well, thanks, but we’ve got quite enough.

Dec 14, 2021 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Hero as Intern

Hero as Intern Hero as Intern

Congressman Matt Gaetz says he’s open to offering Kyle Rittenhouse a congressional internship.—News report Following closely an intern’s routine, Kyle arrives early, stays late at…

Nov 30, 2021 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Capitol building

Infrastructure Bill Passes Infrastructure Bill Passes

Yes, Democrats improved their mid-term prospects. Those shovel-ready projects bring in votes— Assuming that enough back-ordered shovels Can get unloaded from the jammed up boats.

Nov 16, 2021 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Bannon-Muellerinvestigation-ap-img

Steve Bannon Steve Bannon

Defiant still is Stephen Bannon, Who could be nut-right’s loosest cannon. Contempt, which Congress now has cited, May very well get Steve indicted. If Steve’s convicted, fair and s…

Nov 2, 2021 / Column / Calvin Trillin

What Riot?

What Riot? What Riot?

Mike Pence stood up to Donald Trump’s tirade. He certified the vote. He was unflinching. He now implies that day’s been overblown, Though he’s the one the mob had talked of lynchin…

Oct 19, 2021 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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