With video appearances by Jon Stewart, Jen Psaki, an EPA official caught on tape, and a 990 form or two. Which set of lawbreakers is ahead? Plus, "The Fatalist," by Mikhail Lermontov

Tulsi Gabbard confirmed. Plus, "Angel Fire," by our own Walter Kirn

Walter and Matt discuss mainstream media outlets that have government as giant customers. Also, "The Story of an Hour," by Kate Chopin

Walter attends the Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. hearings. We discuss highlights and (mostly) lowlights. Also, "Dark-Brown Dog," by Stephen Crane

Undoing the Great American Cluster$&%k? Also, “Alyosha the Pot” by Lev Tolstoy

A historically peculiar presidency ends on an oddly half-assed note. Plus, the chilling "Tall Tales from the Mekong Delta," by Kate Braverman

Los Angeles is in flames, and California's leaders seem helpless, unmasking a generation of public investment in non-essential services. Also, "On Guard," by Evelyn Waugh

Pundits throw a fit over a settlement, and the legend of Luigi Mangione expands. Plus, "Damn!" by Charles Portis

The suspect in the United Health CEO murder becomes a "folk hero" through preposterous means. Also, "The Elephant" by Slawomir Mrozek

A trial balloon floats presidential pardons no one asked for, no one knows anything about, and no one needs, but will be done anyway. Plus, the "Masque of the Red Death," by Edgar Allan Poe