Senior writer, N.Y. Times. Author, "Ours Was the Shining Future: The Story of the American Dream." Best book of the year, Atlantic, FT & TNR. Now in paperback.
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by David Leonhardt
Marijuana Is Everywhere. That’s a Problem.
More than a decade ago, The New York Times editorial board argued that the United States should legalize recreational marijuana. This week, the board modified its stance. Yes, it should be legalized — but marijuana is causing more harm than predicted by many during the fight to legalize it. Now, it must be better regulated.
Opinion | How We Can Reclaim the ‘Best Thing About America’
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Joe Biden’s immigration policies might have contributed to Donald Trump’s winning a second term, but a year later, Americans are increasingly unhappy with the president’s aggressive deportation tactics.
Opinion | Bret Stephens on the Fight for the Future of the Right
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. The Republican Party’s wholesale embrace of Donald Trump has left traditional conservatives like the Times Opinion columnist Bret Stephens without a political home. But what happens after Trump leaves office? Will the party return to its Reaganite roots?
Opinion | Cory Booker on What It Takes to Believe in America Again
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Cory Booker on What It Takes to Believe in America Again “If America hasn’t broken your heart, you don’t love her enough,” the New Jersey senator argues. Nov. 24, 2025, 5:02 a.m. ET Video Cory Booker on What It Takes to Believe in America Again “If America hasn’t broken your heart, you don’t love her enough,” the New Jersey senator argues.
Opinion | The Democrat Who Split MAGA Over the Epstein Files
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. The Democrat Who Split MAGA Over the Epstein Files Ro Khanna argues that even though there is a risk in releasing the documents, it still needs to happen. Nov.
Opinion | A Conservative Cure for Trumpism
Now that Donald Trump will never be on a ballot again, some conservatives are starting to imagine a future beyond him.
Opinion | ‘We Have a Border for a Reason’
Immigration has always been central to the American story, yet many Americans remain dissatisfied with the Trump administration’s aggressive approach. So how does the country move forward on this issue? In this “America’s Next Story” series episode of “The Opinions,” David Leonhardt, an editorial director in Times Opinion, speaks with Cecilia Muñoz, who helped shape immigration policy under President Barack Obama.
Opinion | Bernie Sanders: ‘There Ain’t Much of a Democratic Party’
Video Bernie Sanders: ‘There Ain’t Much of a Democratic Party’ The Vermont senator on how to take the country back from elites on both sides of the aisle. Bernie Sanders is not a fan of billionaires. His laser focus on economic inequality has made him one of the most influential politicians in the country.
Opinion | Bernie Sanders: ‘There Ain’t Much of a Democratic Party’
Opinion|Bernie Sanders: ‘There Ain’t Much of a Democratic Party’ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/opinion/bernie-sanders-oligarchs-americas-story.html You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. The Opinions The Vermont senator on how to take the country back from elites — on both sides of the aisle. Nov.
Opinion | Jill Lepore: ‘Most Forms of Tyranny Do Come to an End’
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. The Harvard historian Jill Lepore worries that citizens have become too passive, waiting for change to happen to them. She is on a mission to revive what has become a lost art in American politics: amending the Constitution.
Opinion | Three Words to Help Democrats Win
Video Three Words to Help Democrats Win Lessons from a Democrat who won in a Republican state. Senator Ruben Gallego won election in Arizona in 2024 by emphasizing prosperity over equity. Now, he wants the rest of the Democratic Party to follow suit.
Opinion | Pete Buttigieg on Rebuilding America After Trump
Pete Buttigieg has a clear vision of where his party lost its way. Now Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary, wants to use those lessons to shape the Democratic Party of the future and America’s next story. “Sooner or later, one day Donald Trump will not be active in American politics. And the sooner we spend our energy thinking about what to do next, I actually think the sooner that day will come,” he tells David Leonhardt, an editorial director in Times Opinion.
The New Right After Trump - The New York Times Original
The Opinions A conservative’s vision for MAGA beyond Trump. Oct. 6, 2025, 5:01 a.m. ET What and who comes after President Trump? That’s the question behind America’s Next Story, a limited series from “The Opinions.” In this episode David Leonhardt, an editorial director in Times Opinion, talks to Gladden Pappin, a national conservative dedicated to furthering MAGA’s success in the United States.
Opinion | Ken Burns on Why the American Revolution Never Ended Original
The Opinions The documentarian reflects on the ideas that drove our nation’s founding — and how they echo today. Sept. 29, 2025, 5:02 a.m. ET President Trump’s threats to democracy have prompted a number of experts to warn that the United States is in the midst of a constitutional crisis. As the country grapples with how to move forward, David Leonhardt looks back to America’s founding, with the filmmaker Ken Burns.
Opinion | Elizabeth Warren on the Story Democrats Didn’t — and Won’t — Embrace Original
Senator Elizabeth Warren arrived on the political scene during the 2008 financial crisis with a very specific story about the economy — that it’s rigged against hardworking Americans. But it was Donald Trump who ran with that message all the way to the White House. In this episode, David Leonhardt, an editorial director in Times Opinion, talks to Senator Warren about her vision for a progressive economic story and the lessons Democrats need to learn going forward.
‘The Game Is Rigged’: Elizabeth Warren on America’s Next Story | U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Senator Elizabeth Warren arrived on the political scene during the 2008 financial crisis with a very specific story about the economy — that it’s rigged against hardworking Americans. But it was Donald Trump who ran with that message all the way to the White House. In this episode, David Leonhardt, an editorial director in Times Opinion, talks to Senator Warren about her vision for a progressive economic story and the lessons Democrats need to learn going forward. … Read the full story here.
Opinion | America Was Defined by a Story. It’s Time for a New One. Original
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. The Opinions In a new series, David Leonhardt asks leading thinkers and politicians: What’s next. Sept. 16, 2025, 5:03 a.m. ET Donald Trump rose to power on a dark vision of American life: stagnation, lost greatness, unfairness. But he’ll eventually leave office — really, he will.
Opinion | What Will America’s Story Be After Trump?
Donald Trump rose to power on a dark vision of American life: stagnation, lost greatness, unfairness. But he’ll eventually leave office — really, he will. David Leonhardt, an editorial director in Times Opinion, wants to know what’s next. What should America’s next story be? In the first in the series, he looks back to America’s founding story. What do you think America’s next story should be? We want to hear from you. Record a voice memo on your phone and send it to theopinions@nytimes.com.
Opinion | Is There a Smart Way to Cede Power to Donald Trump?
|
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Is There a Smart Way to Cede Power to Donald Trump? Three Opinion writers debate whether universities should make a deal with the administration. Aug.
By David Leonhardt Verified, Binyamin Appelbaum Verified, Emily Bazelon Verified, Jillian Weinberger Verified
|
The New York Times
Verified
Opinion | ‘African American’ Is Awkward. It’s Time to Use ‘Black.’
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Opinion | There Is Hope for Democrats. Look to Kansas.
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. There Is Hope for Democrats. Look to Kansas. Two Opinion writers on the Democratic governors who might just save the party. David Leonhardt, an editorial director for Opinion, talks to the Opinion correspondent Michelle Cottle about her recent reporting trip to Kansas.
Opinion | Are the Courts Checking Trump — or Enabling Him?
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Are the Courts Checking Trump — or Enabling Him? A former federal judge weighs in. July 15, 2025, 5:01 a.m. ET In this episode of “The Opinions,” the editorial director David Leonhardt talks to a conservative former federal judge, Michael McConnell, about the role of the courts in President Trump’s second term.
How Losing the Middle Class Broke Politics
Manuel Muñiz (MM): Well David, it’s wonderful to have you here.
Opinion | Trump May Get His ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ but the G.O.P. Will Pay a Price Original
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.
Opinion | Is Iran Really a Threat to the United States? A Debate.
|
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. The Opinions A hawk and a skeptic on their shared hope for Iran.
By Bret Stephens Verified, Rosemary A. Kelanic, David Leonhardt Verified, Jillian Weinberger Verified
|
The New York Times
Verified
It’s Not Just Trump Voters. Both Parties Are in Denial.
In this episode of “The Opinions,” the editorial board director David Leonhardt talks to Arlie Russell Hochschild about why voters in Appalachia continue to support the president, despite the broken promises of Trump’s first term and looming cuts to social programs they depend on. Below is a transcript of an episode of “The Opinions.” We recommend listening to it in its original form for the full effect.
The Beautiful Danger of Normal Life During an Autocratic Rise
David Leonhardt sits down with M. Gessen to unpack this new phase of the Trump era. In this episode of “The Opinions,” the editorial director David Leonhardt and the Opinion columnist M. Gessen discuss the very human inclination to try to return to normal life in the midst of a serious crisis. Below is a transcript of an episode of “The Opinions.” We recommend listening to it in its original form for the full effect.
Opinion | The Beautiful Danger of Normal Life During an Autocratic Rise Original
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. The Opinions David Leonhardt sits down with M. Gessen to unpack this new phase of the Trump era. June 9, 2025 By David Leonhardt and M. Gessen Produced by Jillian Weinberger In this episode of “The Opinions,” the editorial director David Leonhardt and the Opinion columnist M.
How to Turn the Middle Against Trump Original
Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and David Leonhardt on the fundamental question Democrats need to answer. In this episode, David Leonhardt, an Opinion editorial director, asks Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan why the Democratic Party has lost so many voters without four-year college degrees, what Americans should do to stand up for democracy and what she appreciates about Senator Bernie Sanders.
Democrats Are Getting Some Things Right Original
Democrats have a lot of problems. But they are getting some things right. In this episode of "The Opinions," David Leonhardt, the editorial director of the editorial board, asks the Opinion columnist Michelle Goldberg what Democrats are doing right, what they're doing wrong and what they should consider doing next. Michelle Goldberg: 'More Democrats Need to Be Doing This' Democrats have a lot of problems. But they are getting some things right.
Are Trump's Tariffs Trying to Solve a Problem That Doesn't Exist? Original
A Harvard economist argues that a decline in manufacturing jobs is not what ails the United States. Jason Furman, an economist who was an adviser to President Barack Obama, believes that trade is an unmitigated good - a rarely heard opinion on the right or the left these days. In this episode of "The Opinions," David Leonhardt, the director of the Times editorial board, pushes Furman on the downsides of trade and asks him to explain its benefits - for both Americans and the rest of the world.
David Leonhardt on How Universities Can Stop Trump's 'Destroying Agenda' Original
And what will be lost if higher education fails to fight back. On this episode of "The Opinions," Patrick Healy and David Leonhardt discuss President Trump's attempts to remake higher education and argue that higher education should reform itself first. How Universities Can Push Back Against Trump And what will be lost if higher education fails to fight back. Below is a transcript of an episode of "The Opinions." We recommend listening to it in its original form for the full effect.
The Meaning of Germany's Election
Germany yesterday became the latest country where voters rejected a left-leaning government largely because of their unhappiness over immigration and the economy. Germany's next chancellor is likely to be Friedrich Merz, a former corporate lawyer who has promised to crack down on migration, cut taxes and regulation and adopt a hawkish policy toward Russia. Merz leads a center-right alliance that finished first in yesterday's election, with 29 percent of the vote.
How Denmark’s Social Democrats Are Succeeding With Stricter Immigration Policies
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Mette Frederiksen, the prime minister of Denmark, had returned from Ukraine hours earlier and was munching on a baby carrot when I walked into her office on a recent Wednesday afternoon. She laughed as she finished the carrot, evidently not expecting a visitor quite yet. “I need vegetables,” she explained.
Covid Learning Losses
Schoolchildren in Massachusetts, Ohio and Pennsylvania are still about half a year behind typical pre-Covid reading levels. In Florida and Michigan, the gap is about three-quarters of a year. In Maine, Oregon and Vermont, it is close to a full year. This morning, a group of academic researchers released their latest report card on pandemic learning loss, and it shows a disappointingly slow recovery in almost every state.
The US economy is racing ahead. Almost everything else is falling behind.
By David Leonhardt and Ashley Wu A politically diverse group of scholars — who together have advised every president since Bill Clinton and who work at many of the country’s top think tanks — last week released a report card on American well-being. The scholars spent months debating which metrics best captured the state of the nation and ultimately agreed on 37.
Trump's Early Stumbles
The biggest impediment to a successful second term for President Trump may be Trump himself. For all the early energy of his presidency - the flurry of executive orders, confirmations and firings - Trump has looked less disciplined this week than he did in the initial days after returning to office. The last few days have instead conjured the chaos of his first term, when his grand pronouncements often failed to change government policy.
Why Tariffs Are Different
Donald Trump's second presidency is obviously off to a fast start. In almost every area that's a priority for him and his advisers - immigration, energy, climate, race, gender and more - he has begun making major policy changes. But there is one notable exception: tariffs. Even though Trump has said that "the most beautiful word in the dictionary is 'tariff,'" he has been cautious in his first week back in office.
A Big, Bold TikTok Ban Original
It has become a cliché to lament that the U.S. government no longer does big, audacious things. But banning TikTok - a social media platform that roughly half of Americans use - would certainly qualify as big and audacious. That outcome became more likely yesterday, even if it is far from assured. The Supreme Court unanimously upheld a bill that Congress passed last year forcing ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, to sell it.
A Terrorism Resurgence Original
The killing of 14 people on New Year's Day in New Orleans was the latest sign of a resurgence in radical Islamist terrorism. Some of the attacks - like the one last week - seem to have been merely inspired by ISIS, the network of groups that are offshoots of Al Qaeda. In other cases, ISIS groups played an active role in the planning. In today's newsletter, we'll detail the scope of the recent terrorism and explain the main reasons for ISIS's resurgence.
Electoral Wishcasting
The Democrats' 2024 defeat had many causes, starting with inflation and immigration. In today's newsletter, I'll examine another item on the list: candidate quality. This subject might seem backward-looking, given that neither of this year's candidates, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, is likely to be the party's presidential nominee again. But it's relevant to the party's future.
A Chaotic Start
Charlie: For all the chaos of Trump's first term, he was occasionally constrained - by traditional Republicans in Congress and inside his own administration, by a federal judiciary he had not yet transformed and by career officials. All those constraints will be weaker this time. An important thing is that Trump is planning to reinstate a change from the end of the first administration, one that the Biden administration rolled back.
The Largest Immigration Surge in U.S. History
The immigration surge of the past few years has been the largest in U.S. history, surpassing the great immigration boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s, according to a New York Times analysis of government data. Source link
Ola migratoria, la mayor en la historia de EU
El aumento de la inmigración en los últimos años ha sido el mayor en la historia de Estados Unidos, superando el gran auge migratorio de finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX, según un análisis de datos del Gobierno realizado por el New York Times. La migración neta anual (el número de personas que llegan al país menos el número de personas que se van) promedió 2.4 millones de personas entre 2021 y 2023, según la Oficina de Presupuesto del Congreso (CBO).
Recent immigration surge has been largest in U.S. history
The immigration surge of the past few years has been the largest in U.S. history, surpassing the great immigration boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s, according to a New York Times analysis of government data. Annual net migration — the number of people coming to the country minus the number leaving — averaged 2.4 million people from 2021 to 2023, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Total net migration during the Biden administration is likely to exceed 8 million people.
The Largest Immigration Surge in U.S. History
My colleagues and I worked with government officials and outside experts in recent weeks to analyze the magnitude of the recent immigration surge in the United States. We published the results of that analysis this morning. In today's newsletter, I'll give you seven highlights, with help from charts by Albert Sun, a graphics editor at The Times. 1. The immigration surge since 2021 has been the largest in U.S. history, surpassing even the levels of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
What Is Happening in Syria
The Syrian Civil War is a long-running tragedy. Since 2011, more than 500,000 Syrians have died, including more than 200,000 civilians, according to human rights experts. Millions more Syrians have fled their homes. The flood of refugees into Europe has been large enough to help destabilize politics in France, Germany, Italy and elsewhere. Until recently, Bashar al-Assad - Syria's authoritarian president, who's responsible for much of the carnage - seemed to be in a dominant position.
Bird Flu, Explained
By now, you've probably seen some alarming headlines about bird flu, and you may be wondering how worried you should be. I understand the uncertainty. On the one hand, we have all spent decades hearing alarming stories about strange viruses - like MERS, Ebola, dengue and Zika - most of which don't end up having a big effect on the U.S. On the other hand, one of those recent viruses turned into the life-altering Covid pandemic.
Barack Obama's Big Lesson
It remains Barack Obama's most underrated political skill: his appeal to working-class voters, including those who are white. Obama won most voters without a four-year college degree in his two presidential campaigns. Those majorities helped him win Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin in both campaigns. He even won Indiana and North Carolina once.
Wishful Thinking on Abortion Politics
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, many Democrats argued that the issue would be the key to winning future elections. It was an alluring idea because it suggested that a central progressive policy goal - protecting abortion rights - doubled as a savvy political strategy. But it hasn't worked out. Instead, Republicans swept this year's elections even as Democrats made the subject central to their campaigns and even as abortion-rights ballot initiatives passed in seven states.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with David
Contact David, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack