Nicole Lafond

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Nicole Lafond is TPM’s deputy editor, based in New York. She has also worked as the special projects editor and as a senior newswriter for TPM. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and previously covered education in central Illinois.

Gov. Nikki Haley's attorney Butch Bowers addresses the S.C. House Ethics committee during day one of the committee's investigation into Gov. Nikki Haley at the Solomon Blatt Building in Columbia, South Carolina, Thursday, June 28, 2012. (C. Aluka Berry/The State/MCT) Where Things Stand: There’s A Reason Trump’s Impeachment Lawyer Sounds Familiar Prime Badge

Remember Mark Sanford? If you were a Golden Duke: Duke of Dukes voter this last time around, you most certainly will.

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Where Things Stand: The One Year Anniversary Of The First Reported US COVID Case Prime Badge
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One year ago today the CDC announced the first case of COVID-19 in the United States.

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Where Things Stand: It Begins Prime Badge
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Most of us weren’t going to believe it until we saw it.

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The Infamous Duke Cunningham Included In Trump Flurry Of 11th Hour Pardons
Where Things Stand: Almost There Prime Badge
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There are less than 24 hours left of the Trump administration. 

And the President is leaving behind a sicker, more divided and more violent nation than the one he inherited four long years ago. 

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Where Things Stand: Trump Crawls Back To Once-Estranged Friend Prime Badge
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Back in 2018, Trump had one of his most dramatic bromance breakups yet.

If you recall, it was back when excerpts of Michael Wolff’s new book “Fire and Fury” were trickling out. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon was quoted in the book calling the infamous 2016 Trump Tower meeting between Donnie Jr., Jared Kushner, Paul Manafort and a Russian lawyer “treasonous.” Trump dumped him immediately and in brutal fashion.

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UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 17: Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., arrives for the House Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Presidential Obstruction of Justice and Abuse of Power,” in Rayburn Building on Tuesday, September 17, 2019. Corey Lewandowski, former campaign manager for the Trump presidential campaign, testified. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) Where Things Stand: Impeachment Talks Began While Dems Hid From Violent Mob Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

Trump was formally impeached for the second time yesterday afternoon.

But the process began in real time while the Capitol was being mobbed by his supporters last week.

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WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 13:  Storm cloads fill the sky over the U.S. Capitol Building, June 13, 2013 in Washington, DC. Potentially damaging storms are forecasted to hit parts of the east coast with potential for causing power wide spread outages.  (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Where Things Stand: The Chilling Of Democracy Prime Badge
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The spectre of violence is already chilling democracy in a handful of ways.

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CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 21:  on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicked off on July 18. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Where Things Stand: Trump Uses First In-Person Appearance Since Mob To See If The ‘Witch Hunt’ Gimmick Still Works Prime Badge
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President Trump used his first public appearance in front of reporters since a mob of his supporters breached the Capitol last week, resulting in the deaths of five people, to test out whether his old defenses still carried any water.

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WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks during a weekly news conference on Capitol Hill on September 26, 2019 in Washington, DC.  Speaker Pelosi discussed an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.  (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images) Where Things Stand: One Article Of Impeachment, One Final Full Week Prime Badge
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It is the last full week of the Trump presidency and if last week was any indication of how long this week will feel, we should be prepared for another interminable one.

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