Trump Wants the Mailman Checking Your Ballot

HAVING MADE A MESS of its “emergency” docket at Donald Trump’s behest, the Supreme Court now finds itself in a high-stakes game of ping-pong over whether he gets to illegally meddle with the midterms. On Sunday, for the third time in six weeks, he asked his pals in the high court’s majority for an exit ramp from Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the Constitution, which states that the “Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof.” It says nothing about presidents having any power whatsoever over nationwide elections. Nonetheless, last time around, the majority effectively bowed to Trump’s demands. Nobody should expect it to do the right thing this time.

The CIA Director Is a Failure

ON SEPTEMBER 18, THE CIA turns 79. Whether it reaches 80 with its integrity intact depends largely on the man who leads it. In an administration of amateurs, talk-show hosts, and relatives, CIA Director John Ratcliffe stands out by not standing out. He does not sound unhinged and has no obvious grift. Next to a former director of national intelligence whose guru scripted her talking points, an FBI director who chugged beer with the U.S. Olympic hockey team, and an acting DNI who used mortgage-fraud referrals against the president’s enemies, the CIA director looks reassuringly normal.