”The president’s decision to shrug off dollar depreciation fits within a broader pattern, suggesting that the White House is comfortable with a weaker dollar because they view it as a tool to address global trade imbalances. However, this strategy carries risks: it could help rebalance the U.S. trade deficit but would also likely erode returns for foreign investors,” says Daniel McDowell, professor of political science.

“The key factor driving this interest in secession is polarization. Whether it is the Red-State secessionists, the BlueExiters, the California Independence Party or the Texas Nationalists, they all point to unstoppable polarization and political dysfunction as the reason secession is necessary,” says Ryan Griffiths, professor of political science.

Thomas, professor emeritus of political science and philosophy at Maxwell and the College of Arts and Sciences, passed away on Dec. 27 at age 76.