Jennifer Rubin

Washington, D.C.

Opinion columnist covering politics and policy, foreign and domestic

Education: University of California at Berkeley, BA in history; University of California at Berkeley, JD

Jennifer Rubin writes reported opinion for The Washington Post. She covers politics and policy, foreign and domestic, and provides insight into the conservative movement, the Republican and Democratic parties, and threats to Western democracies. Rubin, who is also an MSNBC contributor, came to The Post after three years with Commentary magazine. Prior to her career in journalism, Rubin practiced labor law for two decades, an experience that informs and enriches her work. She is a mother of two sons and lives with her husband in D.C. She is the author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy f
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October 23, 2024

Obama put Trump in his place. But he also put voters on the spot.

When did it become okay to normalize Donald Trump’s behavior?

October 14, 2024
Former president Barack Obama speaks at a campaign rally for Kamala Harris on Thursday.

Harris takes her message well beyond the usual venues. Good.

She goes on podcasts, satellite radio and daytime TV, promoting her agenda to big audiences.

October 13, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with Alex Cooper during a taping of the podcast “Call Her Daddy” on Oct. 6. (Call Her Daddy/Reuters)

Oct. 7 reveals the stark contrast between Harris and Trump

Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, held a compassionate ceremony. Trump acted with cruelty.

October 11, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris plants a tree to mark the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. (Nathan Howard/Reuters)

Help vs. lies: Hurricane relief is a microcosm of the election stakes

Trump’s responses to Hurricanes Helene and Milton put the danger of a second term in full view.

October 10, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris during a visit to Augusta, Ga., on Oct. 2, days after Hurricane Helene swept through the region. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Why did the media say Vance won the debate? I answered your questions.

Jennifer Rubin’s chat started at 12 p.m. Eastern. Read the transcript.

October 9, 2024

A wider war carries huge risks for Israel, but also opportunities

The leveling of Hezbollah can be a game changer.

October 8, 2024
Smoke rises in Beirut's southern suburbs after Israeli airstrikes, as seen from Sin El Fil in Lebanon on Sunday. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)

Never-Trumpers agree with Harris on plenty

If Harris wins, a real governing coalition will have to emerge to vanquish MAGA for good.

October 7, 2024
Former congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) campaigns with Vice President Kamala Harris in Ripon, Wis., on Thursday.

How JD Vance underlined Trump’s worst vulnerabilities

Vance’s misleading debate statements inadvertently highlighted Trump’s major weaknesses with voters.

October 6, 2024
Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance speaks from behind a bulletproof barrier at a campaign event in Marne, Mich., on Wednesday. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Trump is left with lies, both terrible and cruel

Plus: Georgia judge upholds abortion rights. ‘Lee’ is a must-see.

October 4, 2024
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the Israeli American Council National Summit on Sept. 19 in D.C. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)