April 29, 2026 - Read: The King's Speech to Congress

Too soon.

That might be your reaction when you see that today's poll question asks you to assess the Biden presidency. I ask because Princeton professor Julian Zelizer is my radio guest today to discuss his new book, “The Presidency of Joseph R. Biden: A First Historical Assessment” — a compilation of essays written by some of the leading historians in the country, offering the first serious scholarly look at what the Biden years actually meant. The book examines the Biden record across the full sweep of his presidency — the economy, education, foreign policy, labor relations, reproductive rights, climate, race, and the culture wars. It is not a partisan document. It is an attempt by serious people to do what historians do — step back, weigh the evidence, and render an honest judgment.

We have seen what Gallup found, what AP-NORC measured, and what the historical legacy polls tell us. We know that current verdicts are not always final — that history has a long habit of revision. For the record, Biden averaged a 42% approval rating according to Gallup. And in December of 2024, 54% said he would go down in history as a "below average" or "poor" president. One thing I know for sure — had he never sought a second term, those assessments would have been much higher. Imagine for a moment that on April 25, 2023, instead of announcing he was running for a second term, President Biden had said he was standing down. No June 27, 2024 debate with Trump. No withdrawal 24 days later. No Kamala Harris campaign of 107 days. Just accolades for Biden on a long career and presidency most remembered for a post-Covid economic recovery, support for Ukraine, and legislative accomplishments like the CHIPS Act. And maybe, no Trump second term?

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King Charles III used a historic address to Congress to urge stronger U.S.-U.K. unity on global security, including NATO and Ukraine, while warning that climate change and geopolitical instability demand urgent, collective action.

Daily Mail

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted over a social media post featuring seashells arranged as “86 47,” which prosecutors allege constituted a threat against President Donald Trump, though legal experts say the ambiguous message may fall short of the standard for a criminal threat.

CNN

The Federal Communications Commission has launched an early review of ABC’s broadcast licenses—citing concerns over Disney’s diversity policies—intensifying political pressure following backlash from President Donald Trump over a controversial Jimmy Kimmel monologue.

Semafor

Monica Hesse reflects on the chaotic events at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, particularly the viral moment where Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was escorted to safety by Secret Service, while his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, was left behind, struggling to keep up amidst the disarray.

The Washington Post

Senator Bernie Sanders has rapidly expanded Democratic support for blocking U.S. arms sales to Israel, signaling a major shift within the party as dozens more senators join his once-fringe position.

Politico

Despite heightened fears after a recent assassination attempt, data and historical context suggest the U.S. is not in an unprecedented era of political violence, with incidents remaining relatively rare and often driven by isolated individuals rather than organized movements.

The New York Times

Barbara Fried argues that the trial of her son, Sam Bankman-Fried, was fundamentally flawed because the jury was never instructed on whether FTX’s Terms of Service authorized the contested loans—an omission she claims amounts to “plain error” that undermines the conviction itself.

Barbara Fried

A new poll shows Democrat James Talarico narrowly leading Republicans John Cornyn and Ken Paxton in Texas’ U.S. Senate race, though both matchups remain within the margin of error, signaling a potentially tight contest.

The Texas Tribune

The State Department plans to release limited-edition “America250” passports featuring an image of President Donald Trump and patriotic imagery as part of a broader celebration marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Fox News

Shopping at Costco can feel like a chaotic “Mad Max” arena, where oversized carts, crowded aisles, and distracted shoppers create constant collisions and “cart tunnel vision,” prompting calls for better etiquette and even licensing tests for members.

USA Today