A U.S. flag flaps in the distance behind the remains of burnt buildings following devastating January wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Photo by Mike Blake/Reuters
It's Tuesday, the traditional day for elections and for our pause-and-consider newsletter on politics and policy. We think of it as a mini-magazine in your inbox.
YOUR POLITICAL WORD OF THE YEAR IS … By Lisa Desjardins, @LisaDNews Correspondent
2025 was determined to be remembered, jolting and roaring with repeated gusts of history, from President Donald Trump's second inauguration to the 43-day government shutdown this fall.
How to describe such a year?
We asked, and hundreds of you sent us many thoughtful suggestions. You also voted for a clear favorite word of the year from the ones we offered.
We'll get to your top pick in a minute. First, a look at other words you sent in that describe how you see 2025.
Trump's actions
Your words convey an overwhelming sense that this was a year of sharp turns.
"Chaos," wrote Steve Stenavage of Florida. "All you have to do is read the daily news! Up/down; on/off, implement/rescind and executive order/injunction."
In Nebraska, Sally Kahle chose it, too.
"Trump's actions are not analyzed for long term effects. They blow in the wind such as tariffs one day only to be changed the next," Kahle wrote.
Susan Major of Iowa added, "I'd just like one 24 hour period of silence from the White House. Just one day."
A similar theme we heard: "destruction."
"On a personal level, many things I value and need as a retired older woman are in a state of utter destruction," wrote Pat Yancovitz of New York.
But in California, Floyd Gripman chose "reorientation," writing, "Many of us support much of what the current administration is trying to accomplish but reject a lot of how it is being done."
Critique of media, including us
Gripman reflected another 2025 theme: critique of the media, politely disagreeing with our group of suggested words ("dismantle," "affordability," "shutdown" and "immigration.")
"Many of us who consider ourselves to be moderate will consider your choice of words to be biased in favor of disparaging everything being done by the current administration," Gripman wrote.
On that note: We appreciate and thank you for feedback, especially about potential bias, and consider it thoughtfully. I see these words objectively as key words in 2025 and not as disparaging to Trump. "Shutdown" easily could be a negative for Democrats as well, "dismantle" speaks to what Trump himself wanted to do, and "immigration" has been his lead policy push and repeatedly his most popular issue.
Concern for government
My fellow Virginian Betsy Talbott also saw "standstill," writing, "The federal government has not functioned well in the past year. It's at a standstill."
"Authoritarianism." The use of this term, rising within the public discourse, has been debated. That includes scrutiny around how media organizations use the word or cover the issue. Donald Laufer of Pennsylvania chose it, expressing concern that the Trump administration is using power to punish those who oppose the president.
For Eric Swenson in California, the word is "capitulation." He wrote, "Everyone from politicians to business have been guilty of this during Trump 2.0."
Other words
"Tariff" stood out in 2025. Daniel Ruiz of Florida put it well: "We may have understood it as a passing thought from colonial times, but I feel it is something that not only impacts us now but will resonate for years to come."
And "disgruntled." Cat Folks of Tennessee wrote, "I believe that many Americans feel dissatisfied with how hard it is to simply live the ordinary middle-class life that we have grown to expect since the end of World War II."
And now. :: drumroll :: Your choice for political word of the year …
Photo by Jessica Koscielniak/Reuters
… Dismantle. It was the overwhelming winner.
Mary Apel of Colorado voted for "immigrant" but also mentioned why "dismantle" struck a chord.
"I worked for the U.S. Forest Service and for the National Park Service. I cannot believe federal employees were terminated without cause," Apel wrote to us. "I was heart sick at the destruction of the East Wing of the White House, especially that it occurred during the Shutdown when others were going without paychecks & SNAP benefits."
Some of you suggested the "dismantle" did not go far enough. But, as above, we like it as a word describing many facets of 2025, including what Trump pledged to do, as well as actions he had not promised or laid out beforehand. It is both philosophical and literal.
My word to you
As with last year, my word for you is "grateful."
Keep up your support. We are strong and determined, but want to hear from and reach more of you than ever. If you feel inspired, please recommend or forward this newsletter to anyone who might want to get the latest political news and tidbits. (Thanks to you who have already done this — we see new subscribers thanks to you!)
Cheers to another year with the best and most loyal community around.
One Big Question: What did this year reveal about Trump and the balance of power? NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter discuss.
A Closer Look: 2 Mideast experts analyze the chances of the Gaza peace proposal advancing.
Perspectives: Imran Ahmed, founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, on Trump's threat to deport him over "censorship" for addressing online hate.
THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION
The public enters the White House on Jan. 1, 1927, during a New Year's Day reception. Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing
By Erica R. Hendry Senior Managing Editor, Digital
For more than a century, the hottest New Year's Day ticket was an invitation to the White House.
Presidents from John Adams to Herbert Hoover opened up "The People's House" to the public to ring in a new year. (No ticket actually required). Thousands of people lined up for a chance to shake the president's hand, a queue that at its peak crept past the gates and around the block.
Hoover held the last reception in 1932 and was often blamed for ending the tradition, though as the White House Historical Association notes, it was actually President Franklin D. Roosevelt who chose the following year to forgo a reception.
Our question: Before the White House was built, another president held a New Year's Day reception. Which president was it and — bonus — where was it held?
Send your answers to NewsHourPolitics@newshour.org or tweet using #PoliticsTrivia. The first correct answers will earn a shoutout next week.
Last week, we asked: A monumental work from this famous American composer debuted on the opening night of the Kennedy Center in 1971. Who was the composer?
Congratulations to our winners: Marc Walker and Harriet Rodiger!
Thank you all for reading and watching. We'll drop into your inbox next week.
PBS News depends on the support of individuals who believe in the importance of independent, balanced and in-depth reporting on the most important domestic and international issues of the day. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to ensure our vital reporting continues to thrive. Thank you.
0 Komentar untuk "Your political word of the year is …"