View this email online IN THE NEWS Fam, About a month ago, I wrote about Jeremy Carl, who at the time was in the midst of Congressional confirmation hearings for a senior role in the State Department. Ultimately, Carl withdrew from the process, after struggling in those hearings to answer questions about his stance that white people face more discrimination today than any other racial group, and that white erasure is a prominent issue facing the country. And throughout the whole process, Carl was criticized for beliefs that have been described as anti-Black, anti-immigrant, antisemitic, and just generally, racist. (Having read his book, I must say I agree with all of those characterizations.) So imagine my surprise last week, when I saw Carl’s face prominently featured in the New York Times. Why was he in the news again, I wondered? Hadn’t Democrats and Republicans alike agreed that this guy was too racist — even for a presidential administration that is infamous for tolerating a decent amount of racism? Turns out, the Times’ Ross Douthat had interviewed Carl for his Interesting Times podcast, shortly after the confirmation hearing. And even though the nomination didn’t go through, they decided to air the interview. In it, Carl was given about an hour to elaborate on some of his views: Things like the idea that “obvious visual differences in many groups that are coming over create more challenges to assimilation.” In other words, that people who don’t “look American” are fracturing American culture in a way that different categories of white immigrants didn’t. It’s a problem that crosses generations, apparently: “If I am from Ireland and I go and I marry some old stock English person, my kids are not necessarily going to look different in an obvious way,” Carl says, “whereas it’s more of a challenge when you have what Canada would call ‘visible minorities’ now.” So look. I understand why it makes sense to hear the views of prominent public officials. I get why you might want to give the public a window into how J.D. Vance thinks about race in this country, or Pete Hegseth, or Stephen Miller — even if their views are deeply controversial. They shape policy. They shape culture. We should understand what ideas shape them. But I really have to wonder — what is the utility of platforming someone who has already been forced to step out of the public eye because of his deeply offensive (not to mention poorly researched and reasoned) rhetoric? Why give space for him to convey his ideas as reasonable or thoughtful, if a bit “edgy”? The news media has an enormous role in signaling to the public what ideas are worthy of consideration, and which are beyond the pale. (You may have heard it described as the Overton Window.) When the New York Times (or NPR, or CNN) talks to someone, it gives that person the ability to present their viewpoints to large audiences, sometimes with little to no pushback. And it can give permission to the rest of that country to talk about whatever ideas that guest raises, for better or for worse. There are so many interesting and crucial things to talk about, from what ICE is doing in airports to why the latest season of the Bachelorette got canceled. I, for one, don’t think we need to open up any more space for fellow countrymen to discuss whether people with features like mine are posing a threat to the country simply by not looking Irish enough. Oh, and by the way — anyone historian worth a damn knows that Irishmen were absolutely considered “visible minorities” back in the day. But who cares about facts when fantasy is so much more convenient?   Newsletter continues after sponsor message ON THE POD Getty Images On Monday, Sen. Markwayne Mullin was confirmed as the newest head of the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem. It's an enormously consequential role that involves taking charge of ICE, border patrol, and TSA. And Mullin is an interesting choice for the role — he's a conservative, Christian citizen of Cherokee nation, known both for his ability to reach across the aisle, and for being a political firebrand. So today on the show, we're asking: What will Markwayne Mullin's leadership of DHS mean for Indian Country? And what will it mean for the nation as a whole? Listen Here TRY CODE SWITCH+ FOR FREE Support discussions that matter - try a subscription to Code Switch+. Dive deep into the conversation with none of the sponsor interruptions, and know that you’re making this all possible with your support. Learn more at plus.npr.org/codeswitch and start with 30 days free by using the code "freemonth".    Explore NPR+ WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT What do you all think? Am I tripping about this whole Jeremy Carl thing? Or am I right to be upset? Heaven knows I've overreacted to things before. Then again, maybe the rest of the world has just underreacted. Send us a note at CodeSwitch@npr.org and let us know where you land on this one. In the meantime, happy birthday to anyone who may be celebrating today. —Leah Donnella, senior editor Written by Leah Donnella and edited by Dalia Mortada Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. Subscribe to Code Switch+. Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free episodes. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: codeswitch@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. 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