MOTHER JONES DAILY: Joe Kent’s Resignation Is Tearing MAGA Apart, 10 Worst Crises You Won’t See in Headlines (But Should), Trump wants $200 billion for bombs. Here's what that could buy instead., Workers in Colorado have shut down one of the nation’s biggest meatpacking plants, A clarinetist, a high school student, and some climate deniers write a science paper, Mr. Rogers and the fight for public media 20MAR26

 

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March 20, 2026 $200 billion. That's what Pete Hegseth is asking for in additional Pentagon funding to continue its devastating war in Iran. As Hegseth so elegantly told reporters this week, "It takes money to kill bad guys." If the Trump administration weren't so hellbent on "death and destruction," what else could that money pay for? My colleagues and I ran the numbers, and boy, it turns out $200 billion can do a whole lot. Here's a sample: 2.8 million public school teacher salaries 2,857 luxury 737 jets, bedroom included 378 years of federal public broadcasting funding 500 more White House ballrooms 1,779,628 Washington Post salaries And plenty more. Take a maddening look here. —Inae Oh P.S. Today is the final day of our $50,000 fundraising match. As a reader, you’re part of the Mother Jones community fighting for the truth. And our investigations are fueled by reader donations. Make a donation of any amount today to support fearless, unwavering reporting—and see your gift doubled for twice the impact.

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Joe Kent’s Resignation Is Tearing MAGA Apart The former Green Beret's criticism of the Iran war is fueling a broader crack-up among Trump's base. BY NOAH LANARD

SPONSORED POST 10 Worst Crises You Won’t See in Headlines (But Should) CARE’s annual Crisis Report notes countries the media isn’t covering. THIS CONTENT WAS PAID FOR AND SPONSORED BY CARE.ORG.

Trump wants $200 billion for bombs. Here's what that could buy instead. BY TIM MURPHY, INAE OH, AND KATIE HERCHENROEDER Workers in Colorado have shut down one of the nation’s biggest meatpacking plants BY TED GENOWAYS A clarinetist, a high school student, and some climate deniers write a science paper BY JESSICA MCKENZIE

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Mr. Rogers and the fight for public media Take a trip to Mr. Rogers’ real-life neighborhood in this special episode that celebrates the life and work of public media’s most famous defender. BY REVEAL

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