Nicole Lafond

 Have a tip? Send it Here!
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.

UNITED STATES - JULY 1: Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.,attends the House Armed Services Committee markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in Longworth Building on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) Where Things Stand: As Commission Vote Fails, Gaetz Flirts With Idea Of Political Violence Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) continued their tour of terribleness last night.

As arguably the most Trumpy and scandal-plagued lawmakers in the House, the two have been holding a series of weird MAGA rallies around the country in recent weeks for unclear reasons — perhaps to prove their fealty to the master, to burnish their brand, or just because the two have nothing better to do. One has no committee assignments because she threatened violence against her now-colleagues on social media in the past. The other is under federal investigation for the possible sex trafficking of a minor. As Trump maintains — only the best people.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: There’s A Lot More Support For QAnon Conspiracy Theories Than You’d Think Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

As expected, Republicans are the main group of Americans who support some of the most outlandish conspiracy theories connected to the QAnon movement.

But a lot more Americans believe in some aspects of the far-right conspiracy theory than you’d think.

Read More 

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 3: A U.S. Capitol Police Officer holds a program for the ceremony memorializing U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, as he lies in honor in the Rotunda of the Capitol on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Officer Sicknick was responding to the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, when he was fatally injured while physically engaging with the mob. Members of Congress will pay tribute to the officer on Wednesday morning before his burial at Arlington National Cemetery. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post/POOL) Where Things Stand: Sicknick’s Mom Requests Meetings With Every Single Senate GOPer Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

The mother of Brian Sicknick, the Capitol police officer who died after the insurrection, is trying to pressure Senate Republicans to take the Jan. 6 commission bill seriously.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: It’s Been One Year Since George Floyd Was Murdered Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

It’s been a year since George Floyd was murdered by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly 10 minutes while he repeatedly told the officer he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin was found guilty of murder on all counts last month.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: Pool Of Pro-Trump Election Critics Running For Office Grows Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

A handful of proponents of the Big Lie have launched bids for secretary of state — elected, state-level positions that will have a say in voting operations for future election cycles.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: Gaetz And Greene Hold Rally To Support Sketchy AZ Audit Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

Only the best people.

The scandal-embroiled Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is teaming up with one of his most controversial (and annoying) colleagues, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), to do their dear leader’s bidding in Arizona.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: McCarthy Specifically Asked For A Commission Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

When impeachment was on the table, the House minority leader was all about putting together a Jan. 6 commission in lieu of a trial.

Read More 

45 EAST 66TH STREET, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2021/04/28: Andrew Giuliani addresses press outside of his father's apartment. His father, Rudy Giuliani was personal attorney of the former President Donald Trump. Federal agents executed a search warrant early on this day at the Manhattan home of Rudy Giuliani in connection with criminal investigation into his involvement with Ukraine. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) Where Things Stand: The Other Giuliani Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

“I’m a politician out of the womb.”

This is how the son of Rudy Giuliani announced his bid for the Republican nomination in New York’s gubernatorial race, a fittingly bizarre statement for an under-the-radar bizarre boy.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: Americans Would Rather See Roe Left Alone Prime Badge
This is your TPM afternoon briefing.

And they hardly see it as a pressing issue, at least not right now.

Read More 

Where Things Stand: Politics Is Still A Main Indicator Of Vaccine Hesitancy Prime Badge

It’s not for a lack of access in the U.S.

Republicans are still the main the main demographic unwilling to get the COVID-19 shot.

Read More 

Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: