Paul Duginski
Cartoons
Sep
14
2026
The Trump administration has directed the removal of regulatory guardrails on artificial intelligence projects, allowing accelerated development along designated high-speed routes. Officials argue that strong oversight is unnecessary under current leadership. The move raises concerns about safety and accountability in a rapidly advancing sector where hazards like system failures remain unaddressed. The cartoon criticizes the policy as reckless deregulation that ignores evident risks to public safety and technological stability.
Sep
8
2026
Donald Trump has repeatedly positioned his administration as the primary force reshaping or challenging long-standing U.S. institutions and norms. Critics argue this approach risks permanent erosion of democratic safeguards and public trust. The cartoon presents Trump's own words as an admission that the damage stops only when he leaves office.
Sep
8
2026
Donald Trump has floated the idea of renaming the Strait of Hormuz, a key Middle East shipping route, drawing attention to its potential effects on global trade and domestic sectors. The proposal arrives as agricultural producers face persistent economic challenges including high input costs and market volatility. The cartoon uses the pun on "dire straits" to connect the foreign policy suggestion to farm belt hardships, implying the rename distracts from or worsens real economic pressures on rural communities.
Sep
7
2026
The Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts has issued a series of decisions that have curtailed key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, most notably in Shelby County v. Holder and subsequent cases limiting federal oversight of state election laws. These rulings have shifted power to states, enabling new voting restrictions in multiple jurisdictions. The editorial cartoon frames this judicial trend as a deliberate fading of the Liberty Bell, a symbol of American liberty, to argue that the court's actions are systematically undermining voting access and protections established decades earlier.
Sep
5
2026
Voters are showing clear signs of turning against sitting officeholders as the 2026 election cycle advances. Incumbents face mounting pressure from constituents frustrated with long-term entrenchment and perceived insulation from accountability. This shift reflects broader discontent with the status quo in Congress and state legislatures. The cartoon argues that the protective barriers incumbents have built around themselves are proving ineffective against rising voter anger.
Sep
2
2026
Donald Trump maintains tight control over his substantial campaign funds in the lead-up to the 2026 elections. Fellow Republicans have expressed frustration that he is unwilling to distribute resources from his war chest to support their races. The dynamic highlights ongoing tensions within the party over access to donor money. Trump has instead pointed to past gestures such as distributing returned merchandise. The cartoon criticizes this reluctance as self-serving and detrimental to broader Republican efforts.
Sep
1
2026
Donald J. Trump’s ideological legacy continues to shape Republican politics and foreign policy debates into 2026. Critics argue that Trumpism’s emphasis on transactional deals and nationalist rhetoric has eroded traditional US alliances and moral authority on the global stage. The cartoon presents this influence as a literal weight pulling the nation downward from its claimed leadership role, underscoring concerns that short-term domestic appeals come at the cost of long-term international credibility.
Aug
31
2026
Dark money continues to shape congressional races and policy debates through undisclosed channels. Lawmakers face pressure to address donor secrecy amid calls for stronger disclosure rules. The cartoon argues that such funds directly undermine public oversight of government actions.
Aug
27
2026
A president facing historically low approval ratings tied to prior felony convictions pushes the SAVE Act through Congress in late summer 2026. The legislation aims to require proof of citizenship for federal voting. The editorial view holds that the effort serves mainly as a lifeline for an embattled administration rather than a substantive reform.
Aug
26
2026
Republicans under Donald Trump have moved away from Ronald Reagan's free trade advocacy toward protectionist policies. The shift reflects internal party tensions over economic strategy and global engagement. The cartoon criticizes the GOP for abandoning a core Reagan principle in favor of current leadership priorities.
Aug
23
2026
Data center operators continue rapid expansion to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence workloads, driving sharp increases in electricity and water consumption across multiple states. Local utilities report strain on grids and aquifers as facilities require constant cooling and backup power. The editorial takes the position that unchecked growth treats public resources as unlimited, urging stronger oversight before shortages worsen.
Aug
19
2026
Republicans have long criticized deficit spending under Democratic administrations yet continue to support policies that expand federal borrowing when in power. The pattern reflects ongoing tension between stated fiscal restraint and actual legislative priorities on taxes and spending. The cartoon argues that the party has abandoned earlier commitments to balanced budgets in favor of repeated deficit increases.
Aug
18
2026
Workers fill positions inside a large letter A structure amid ongoing labor market shifts. The piece highlights the confined roles employees hold within major organizational frameworks.
Aug
16
2026
Silicon Valley billionaires have intensified efforts to reshape or bypass traditional democratic institutions in pursuit of greater autonomy for their enterprises. The move raises concerns about concentrated private power overriding public accountability. The cartoon argues that such figures seek to discard democratic constraints in favor of self-serving liberty.
Todd Blanche, recently confirmed to a senior administration post, has mounted a shield bearing Sen. Bill Cassidy\'s likeness on his office wall. The Louisiana Republican, long viewed as a potential swing vote, backed the nomination despite earlier signals of hesitation. RFK Jr. reportedly displayed the same item during his own tenure. The arrangement underscores ongoing tensions within the GOP over loyalty tests and confirmation battles. The piece portrays Cassidy\'s support as another instance of yielding under pressure rather than a principled stand.
