Joseph Lawler

Joseph Lawler is the policy editor for the Washington Examiner, having previously been an economics reporter. Before joining the Washington Examiner, he worked for RealClearPolicy. He is a native of Massachusetts and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.

President Donald Trump, accompanied by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks with reporters while in flight on Air Force One, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, as they were returning to Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Lindsey Graham sold Iran operation to Trump by appealing to his legacy: ‘That’s Berlin Wall stuff’

David Zimmermann · March 4, 2026 10:58 am

Donald Trump.

Iran involvement presents ‘bigger’ potential downside for Trump than benefit: Byron York

Asher Notheis · March 4, 2026 10:43 am

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) speaks alongside U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) at a news conference on border security outside of the U.S. Capitol Building on November 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House Republicans spoke to reporters about the tabled impeachment motion for U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the southern border. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

House Ethics Committee launches investigation into Tony Gonzales over affair allegations

Brady Knox · March 4, 2026 10:33 am

North Carolina President Pro Tempore Phil Berger.

North Carolina state Senate race is separated by just two votes

Emily Hallas · March 4, 2026 10:09 am

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union

Beltway Confidential

Don’t fall for ‘Islamophobia’ legislation

Eric Rozenman · March 4, 2026 9:30 am

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

NATO shoots down Iranian missile headed for Turkey

Emily Hallas · March 4, 2026 9:22 am

Texas state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, left, shakes hands with Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, prior a debate during the Texas AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Convention, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Georgetown, Texas.

Four takeaways from the first primary election of 2026

Emily Hallas · March 4, 2026 9:00 am

War Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth confirms US submarine sunk Iranian warship off Sri Lanka coast

David Zimmermann · March 4, 2026 8:43 am

Inside Scoop: America off the rails, Colbert censorship controversy, Royal Reckoning

Amy DeLaura · March 4, 2026 8:34 am

Soldiers take part in a military ceremony marking Army Day, in Quito, Ecuador, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.

US and Ecuador target ‘designated terrorist organizations’ in joint operations

David Zimmermann · March 4, 2026 8:02 am

ABC News' Senior Political Correspondent Jonathan Karl sits with reporters in the Senate Radio-TV Gallery studio on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011, as lawmakers discuss the partisan standoff over a bill to end the partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

‘MAGA civil war’ over Iran is another figment of media’s imagination

Joe Concha · March 4, 2026 8:00 am

Delegates stand for a moment of silence during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of China's ruling Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.

Courage, Strength, and Optimism

Media ignores Chinese ties of groups behind anti-war protests

Mike Gonzalez · March 4, 2026 8:00 am