Abortions rising despite Dobbs decision
Kara Swisher pointed out that the number of abortions has actually increased since the Dobbs decision, undermining the stated goal of reducing abortions.
Snapshot · Pivot
Michigan's Primary Drama, the DOJ's Next Boss, and Hillary Clinton Co-Hosts
Explore episode
Aug 7, 2026
Where this was said
Todd Blanche's Rise and the Perversion of the Justice Department
At 37:49 · chapter starts 34:30
Kara outlines the Blanche nomination mechanics: the 12-10 Judiciary Committee vote, McConnell's expected absence, Collins as the first Republican 'no.' Clinton doesn't hesitate — she calls Blanche a sycophant in every way, noting his once-robust legal career has been wholly subordinated to Trump's grievances. The deeper concern, she argues, is what the perversion of the Justice Department means for American economic confidence: for 250 years, a credible legal system and rule of law were foundational to US economic success. Destroy confidence in that, and you erode the economic system too, not just the political one. Clinton also addresses Blanche's remarks to faith leaders about rolling back abortion access — she argues that the Dobbs 'return to states' framing was never the final goal, and that the movement intends a uniform national ban with criminal penalties. She predicts the Anti-Weaponization Fund will be relaunched under a different name and that Trump's pardon record — a pay-to-play exchange she calls 'coin-operated' — is an underutilized Democratic campaign weapon. [1] — Hillary Clinton "Hillary Clinton calls Todd Blanche a 'total sycophant' whose nomination represents a fundamental perversion of the Justice Department. She …" 34:30
Todd Blanche Is Trump's Lawyer, Not America's AG
Hillary Clinton calls Todd Blanche a 'total sycophant' whose nomination represents a fundamental perversion of the Justice Department. She argues that destroying confidence in the rule of law has far-reaching economic consequences — not just political ones — because a credible legal system underpins 250 years of American economic success.
Senate Judiciary voted 12-10 along party lines for Blanche
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination on a strict 12-10 party-line vote.
The Pardon Factory: Pay-to-Play Clemency
Clinton describes Trump's pardon record as a 'totally transactional exchange' — money in, criminal record erased, regardless of how heinous the crime. She cites a pardoned fraudster who cheated elderly nursing home residents out of billions. Democrats can run against specific pardons, she argues, because most voters don't know what actually happened.
Similar snapshots
500 self-help techniques → 12 levers
Spencer Greenberg and Jeremy Stevenson analyzed almost 500 self-improvement techniques and found they all reduce to just 12 underlying psychological drivers.
Cold exposure: weak long-term evidence
Cold exposure has good short-term alertness benefits but the evidence base for long-term health benefits is much weaker than popularly believed.
20 habit techniques tested; almost none worked
In a randomized study of 20 habit-formation techniques run on hundreds of people, almost none of the techniques produced statistically meaningful results.
Tiny habit users stick to the FULL habit more
People given a tiny-habit fallback option (e.g. 10 squats instead of gym) were actually MORE successful at completing the full habit, not less.
Habit reflection = standout technique
The most effective habit-formation technique was 'habit reflection' — recalling a past successful habit, writing down what helped, then applying those lessons to a new habit.
Behavioral activation rivals CBT for depression
A study found that simply scheduling enjoyable activities was as effective as standard cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, leading to its own therapy called behavioral activation.
Worry time: batch all worries to 5 PM
The 'worry time' technique — deferring all worries to a designated time of day — helps people realize they have more control over worry than they thought and reveals it is less useful than it feels.
Sleeping faster by trying to stay awake
A study found that participants told to try to stay awake while in bed fell asleep faster than participants told to try to sleep — illustrating the paradox of direct effort.
Social anxiety eliminated in ~6 months
Spencer Greenberg reduced his severe social anxiety dramatically in roughly 6 months through a structured exposure therapy hierarchy, culminating in asking strangers for hugs.
