The Brookings Institution

“In the coming years, migration within the United States will increase due to climate change. It is vitally important that we plan for the upheavals this migration will entail,” argue Vanessa Williamson and Ellis Chen.

Taxation, Representation, and Climate Migration Vanessa Williamson examines how climate migration intersects with taxation, representation, and political power in the U.S.

“Whether through broad reforms, narrow changes, or a combination of the two, tax expenditures present opportunities for the kinds of change DOGE leaders have been tasked with. The incoming Trump administration and the Republican majority in Congress would be wise to give them an overhaul,” William G. Gale writes.

A bigger, easier target for DOGE: Tax expenditures Cutting tax expenditures could be an effective and politically viable way to streamline the federal government and raise revenues.

“If [Trump] governs as a hardliner on immigration and cultural issues, he may solidify his loyal base, but if he fails to take down high prices or restore economic hopes of upward mobility, he risks losing swing voters while reenergizing his disheartened opponents. In an era of narrow and shifting majorities, this is a risk that he ignores at his peril.”

Trump second inaugural address: Immigration, culture, and conflict William Galston and Elaine Kamarck analyze the policy implications of President Trump's second inaugural address.

“This is not the time to make bad choices on federal immigration actions, nor is the time to put the brakes on programs that address racial disparities among America’s youth—the future of our labor force. Let’s hope the President-elect Trump’s inaugural address and early actions pay attention to policies that can address these demographic needs that are critical for the nation’s future prosperity,” argues William Frey.

Will Trump’s inaugural address recognize America’s key demographic shifts? Will Trump’s inaugural address recognize America’s key demographic shifts? Will Trump’s inaugural address recognize America’s key demographic shifts?

“Over a million people are displaced within Gaza, and the infrastructure is in shambles. A surge in aid, and its more effective distribution, could prevent further harm to civilians and allow them to start rebuilding their lives from a long and very bloody war.”

Gaza ceasefire: What the Israel-Hamas agreement means On Wednesday, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire and hostage-for-prisoner release agreement. Natan Sachs breaks down the situation.

“Technological innovations undoubtedly can improve government efficiency. However, if governments are to harness the transformative potential of AI, they must prioritize transparency, mitigate risk, and preserve a vital role for human decisionmaking.”

For AI to make government work better, reduce risk and increase transparency If governments are to harness AI's transformative potential, they must prioritize transparency, mitigate risk, and preserve a vital role for human decisionmaking.

“Rather than being used to cast blame at underequipped and overwhelmed utilities, disasters such as the Los Angeles fires should serve as a rallying cry to get ahead of these infrastructure challenges.”

The Los Angeles fires and America’s overwhelmed water infrastructure Why does the executive branch have so much power over tariffs? Why does the executive branch have so much power over tariffs?

“Without meaningful reform, unchecked tariff authority has the potential to destabilize economic and diplomatic relationships.”

Trump could impose tariffs on day one, with few checks on that power Donald Trump has promised expansive use of tariffs in his second term. Adam Looney and Elena Patel explain what he will likely do, and when.

“Even if President Trump himself does not take climate change and the energy transition seriously, the fact that the rest of the world does is a business opportunity the United States should not pass up.”

How do China and America think about the energy transition? China and the United States have very different energy systems and respective advantages and disadvantages in the clean energy transition.

Successfully implementing skills-based hiring could lead to a more equitable, efficient, and accessible job market that better serves both employers and job seekers.

There's more to skills-based hiring than just removing degree requirements Low-income workers experience—by far—the most earnings and work hours instability Low-income workers experience—by far—the most earnings and work hours instability

As the new administration takes shape, the number of multi-millionaires and billionaires moving to Washington grows.

Are the very rich taking over American politics? How successful are rich, self-funding candidates in U.S. elections, and is the list of billionaires in Trump's inner circle a cause for concern?

“China’s progress and power are substantial. But it has liabilities on its balance sheet, too, and without looking at these alongside its assets, it is impossible to evaluate the United States’ real position.”

Know Your Rival, Know Yourself Rightsizing the China challenge.

Over 60% of food and retail workers in the U.S. have less than two weeks’ notice for their work schedule, and about 70% experienced at least one last-minute shift change in the past month.

Low-income workers experience—by far—the most earnings and work hours instability Instability is a defining characteristic of low-income workers’ earnings and work hours.

“Above all, Carter was a decent and honest man who routinely took on the hardest and most unpopular issues because that is what he believed was the president’s job.”

The legacy of President Jimmy Carter As President Jimmy Carter is laid to rest, Brookings scholars reflect on the legacy of his presidency for American foreign policy.

“Immigration will be an important ingredient for our future national and economic survival,” argues William H. Frey.

Immigration drives the nation’s healthy post-pandemic population growth, new census data show What US rural policy could look like in the Trump administration What US rural policy could look like in the Trump administration

“The new Trump administration will be able to determine the tempo, tenor, and contours of Sino-U.S. competition in the coming year.”

Abetting competition, restraining Beijing: Recommendations for diplomacy toward China The challenge in the opening phases of diplomacy with China is to keep Beijing uncertain—neither reassuring it nor driving it to despair.

“No one knows exactly what shifts in jobs and society are in store. What can best protect and prepare our children is to help them become excellent at learning and adapting. This is incredibly hard to do if you are coasting through school, bored and checked out.”

The Disengaged Teen authors Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson discuss how to prepare kids for the future.

Coaching kids to be better learners: An interview with Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson What US rural policy could look like in the Trump administration What US rural policy could look like in the Trump administration

“For Democrats, the most challenging news of the election came in states solidly in their camp.”

What the nation told us in 2024, state by state Brookings senior fellow E.J. Dionne breaks down the results of the 2024 election and how much of a mandate it gives Trump.