The president today literally implied he’s a king. Maybe he didn’t mean to, but it fits a pattern of behavior we have come to expect. Today’s tweet, moreover, underscores an argument I’ve made recently: that he doesn’t think of himself as above the law. He thinks of himself as the law. He can’t break it, because he is the embodiment of it.

I am the state, he may as well have said.

The Editorial Board is a newsletter for normal people trying to understand politics. Every weekday, I sit down at my computer and try to think about what’s important to normal people (me and you) and try to think of ways to communicate what’s important.

Every morning, I write an essay of about 800 words (ish) and send it straight to your inbox around lunchtime on the east coast. In doing so, I tap into years as a reporter, columnist, writer and teacher of students who themselves are trying to understand.

I don’t know all the answers. I don’t pretend to. But I have learned things, and I’m trying to learn a few more, even as I write in the service of the common good.

This isn’t easy. It’s hard. Real hard. But I love it. I hope you do too. Please, if you are one of the people who have signed up for free alerts, take a moment to support my work.

Many thanks for reading, and sharing, the Editorial Board!

—John Stoehr

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

MONDAY FEB. 10, 2020
Democrats, Unite Against the Enemy
The Republicans are treating party affiliation as a crime.

TUESDAY FEB. 11, 2020
For 2020, Asymmetric Info Warfare
The latest Q Poll is good news, but be careful.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 12, 2020
Is Mueller in Trump’s Crosshairs?
The president is not going to settle for pardons.

THURSDAY FEB. 13, 2020
Let’s Talk About How We Talk About Politics
More political reality, less political fiction. Please.

FRIDAY FEB. 14, 2020
Principled or Patsy? Interpreting Barr
How much benefit of the doubt are you willing to give him?