Odds and Ends — 21 February 2026

New results from The POLITICO Poll suggest a lasting chill has settled over the world’s former bosom buddies. Americans are rosy as ever about their northern neighbors, but Canadians don’t share the love.
Their message to America: It’s not us, it’s you.
In survey question after survey question, Canadians say the U.S. no longer reflects their values, is more likely to provoke conflict than to prevent it and, as a result, is pushing Canada to consider closer ties with other global powers — including overtures to China that would have seemed unthinkable only a couple of years ago.

https://twitter.com/acnewsitics/status/2024883160102879481

South Dakota Is Buzzing About Kristi Noem’s Future

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has faced intense scrutiny from Republicans and calls for her firing from Democrats since the January 24 shooting of Alex Pretti by Customs and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. Now Noem’s tenuous standing with the Trump White House is creating concern in her home state of South Dakota that she might leave the Cabinet to challenge Senator Mike Rounds in the state’s June Republican primary.
Political allies of Rounds have begun preparing for this scenario, even though they remain skeptical that Noem will actually make the move, three people familiar with the discussions told me. To get into the race, Noem would have to register for the primary and collect the 2,171 supportive signatures statewide by the end of next month. A Noem adviser told me today that she has no plans to leave. But Noem could have an incentive to seek elective office if Democrats remain on track to win back control of the House and launch investigations into her tenure at the Department of Homeland Security. A Senate seat would give her both a professional staff and a fundraising platform to help defend herself.

https://twitter.com/Daractenus/status/2024809810332455109

FCC Chair: Air ‘Patriotic, Pro-America Content’

FCC Chair Brendan Carr wants broadcasters to air ‘patriotic, pro-America content’ to support the White House’s plans to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

———— Minnesota Under Siege ————

https://twitter.com/keithellison/status/2024877704571506898

———— The Epstein Coverup ————

https://twitter.com/KBAndersen/status/2024814961013211490

https://twitter.com/DiligentDenizen/status/2024695319351423240

Trump admin seeks to strike Epstein connections from record

The Trump admin employs an extreme stalling tactic in suit concerning potential Epstein-related Trump interviews

https://twitter.com/stealthygeek/status/2024866032054050930

https://twitter.com/MikeNellis/status/2024853963384697252

In the 1630s, King Charles I tried to tax English people without the consent of their legislature. He lost his head.
In the 2020s, Donald Trump tried to tax Americans without the consent of Congress. He just lost his case.

https://twitter.com/ruthbenghiat/status/2024977587802419550

https://twitter.com/Daractenus/status/2024919338168259013

https://twitter.com/RadioFreeTom/status/2024914133154431165

The Supreme Court Just Basically Held Up a “No Kings” Sign

Trump lashes out at Supreme Court justices over tariffs ruling

https://twitter.com/mualphaxi/status/2024871454794244426

https://twitter.com/dccommonsense/status/2024910671792730154

https://twitter.com/BruneElections/status/2024896811614232621

Get Ready for Zombie Tariffs

If Trump were behaving purely rationally, he probably wouldn’t try any more tariff workarounds, given how unpopular his tariffs are and how much the cost of living dominates voter sentiment. He would simply accept a loss at the Supreme Court and move on. Without the tariffs in place, prices would likely come down, and the Federal Reserve might be more confident about lowering interest rates.
But for Trump, the tariff power is about a lot more than tariffs. It’s the primary way he exerts dominance over American companies and foreign countries. And he has shown little indication that he would ever be willing to give that up.

https://twitter.com/davidfrum/status/2024991507317481546

https://twitter.com/ScottGreenfield/status/2024941582785372222

https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/2024924091656835296

IYKYK:
https://twitter.com/neal_katyal/status/2024999453577412850

———— Melon Husk ————

https://twitter.com/drewharwell/status/2024956216024223818

———— Hegseth on the Rocks ————

https://twitter.com/ReichlinMelnick/status/2025034691129090377

———— Mors Imperii ————

https://twitter.com/Gabino_Iglesias/status/2024664923691774217

University of Texas regents approve limits on teaching “unnecessary controversial subjects”

The University of Texas System’s Board of Regents unanimously approved a rule requiring its universities to ensure students can graduate without studying ‘unnecessary controversial subjects,’ despite warnings it could leave them less prepared for the real world.

https://twitter.com/JeremyWard33/status/2024823854623785156