John Nichols

National Affairs Correspondent

@NicholsUprising

John Nichols is a national affairs correspondent for The Nation. He has written, cowritten, or edited over a dozen books on topics ranging from histories of American socialism and the Democratic Party to analyses of US and global media systems. His latest, cowritten with Senator Bernie Sanders, is the New York Times bestseller It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism.

Virginia state Senator Joe Morrissey gestures during an interview in his office on May 22, 2023.

Virginia’s Pro-Choice Majority Just Ousted an Anti-Abortion State Senator Virginia’s Pro-Choice Majority Just Ousted an Anti-Abortion State Senator

By an overwhelming margin, Virginians just voted out a Democratic legislator who sided with Republicans on restricting abortion access.

Jun 22, 2023 / John Nichols

Eugene Debs and Donald Trump.

Let’s Stop Casually Comparing Donald Trump to Eugene Debs Let’s Stop Casually Comparing Donald Trump to Eugene Debs

Trump could, like Debs, wind up running for president from prison. But Debs was a socialist, a free speech champion, and a fearless organizer. Trump is no Eugene Debs.

Jun 21, 2023 / John Nichols

William Spriggs, chief economist at the AFL-CIO, speaks during the National Association of Business Economics (NABE) economic policy conference in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

William Spriggs Was the Economist Who Fought for the Entire Working Class William Spriggs Was the Economist Who Fought for the Entire Working Class

From his days as a graduate student union leader, he championed an intersectional vision of economic, social, and racial justice.

Jun 15, 2023 / John Nichols

Ben Wikler Is Bringing His Activist Roots to His Bid for DNC Chair

Ben Wikler Is Bringing His Activist Roots to His Bid for DNC Chair Ben Wikler Is Bringing His Activist Roots to His Bid for DNC Chair

The latest candidate for Democratic National Committee chair has a long record of progressive organizing. Here's his story.

Jun 12, 2023 / Feature / John Nichols

US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) hits the gavel after being elected Speaker in the House Chamber at the US Capitol on January 7, 2023.

Kevin McCarthy’s Debt-Ceiling Deal Gets Approval From the Billionaire Class Kevin McCarthy’s Debt-Ceiling Deal Gets Approval From the Billionaire Class

Within hours of the vote on a deal that protected tax cuts for the rich, the Republican speaker was off raising funds from… the rich.

Jun 9, 2023 / John Nichols

Cornel West speaks at Harvard University

Cornel West’s Presidential Run Is Already Shaking Up the 2024 Race Cornel West’s Presidential Run Is Already Shaking Up the 2024 Race

The veteran academic and activist announced what is sure to be a controversial run, declaring, “Democracy creates disruption."

Jun 6, 2023 / John Nichols

Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal D-Wash.), and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) talk with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol after the House passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act

Here’s Why Principled Progressives Opposed a Cruel and Destructive Debt Ceiling Deal Here’s Why Principled Progressives Opposed a Cruel and Destructive Debt Ceiling Deal

These Democrats defied their president and their party leaders to vote against a deal that harms families, the poor, and the environment.

Jun 2, 2023 / John Nichols

Joe Biden delivers remarks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House

There’s Never a Debt Ceiling for the Military-Industrial Complex There’s Never a Debt Ceiling for the Military-Industrial Complex

While the Biden-McCarthy deal denies food to hungry people, it increases Pentagon spending by tens of billions.

May 31, 2023 / John Nichols

The Revolutionary Fight to “Begin the World Over Again” Did Not End in 1776

The Revolutionary Fight to “Begin the World Over Again” Did Not End in 1776 The Revolutionary Fight to “Begin the World Over Again” Did Not End in 1776

We do well on Memorial Day to remember that the struggle for liberty and justice was not settled by the break with British colonialism. It extends to this day.

May 29, 2023 / John Nichols

Tina Turner performing at the

When Tina Turner Rocked Out for George McGovern When Tina Turner Rocked Out for George McGovern

The “Queen of Rock and Roll” usually stayed out of politics. But in 1972, she headlined a remarkable rally for the anti-war senator’s presidential campaign.

May 26, 2023 / John Nichols

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