- Lisa Rein and Hannah Natanson @ The Washington Post: Long waits, waves of calls, website crashes: Social Security is breaking down
The Social Security Administration website crashed four times in 10 days this month because the servers were overloaded, blocking millions of retirees and disabled Americans from logging in to their online accounts. In the field, office managers have resorted to answering phones in place of receptionists because so many employees have been pushed out.
- Hemant Mehta @ Friendly Atheist: Paula White’s pay-to-pray scam: Trump’s faith advisor wants your cash
On February 7, Donald Trump announced that Pastor Paula White-Cain would be the Senior Advisor to his reconstituted “White House Faith Office.” Over the past several weeks, she’s spent a good chunk of her time reaching out to leaders of various religious and non-relig—I’m just kidding. She’s been using her platform to promote a variety of faith-based grifts, essentially telling viewers they need to pay to pray.
- John Eligon @ The New York Times: Trump to Name Right-Wing Media Critic Ambassador to South Africa
L. Brent Bozell III, who must be confirmed by the Senate, would be stepping into the role at a time when relations between South Africa and the United States are at a low point.
- Bill Lueders @ The Bulwark: Wisconsin Supreme Court Race a Test of Musk’s Reach
Conservative contender Brad Schimel wants to keep the courts from reining in executive power. Trump’s co-president wants to help.
- Steve Benen @ The Maddow Blog: Republican leaders eye extreme alternatives to impeaching federal judges
Congress’ GOP leaders don’t see the point in trying to impeach judges, but they have some dramatic alternatives in mind that are nearly as radical.
- Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling @ The New Republic: Trump Has Bizarre Defense for Advisers Making Group Chat on Signal
Donald Trump was asked whether he approved of his top advisers using the messaging platform to discuss war plans.
