JENNIFER RUBIN

Jennifer Rubin is an American political commentator, opinion columnist, and author known for her sharp analysis and willingness to challenge both political parties. She graduated first in her law school class at UC Berkeley and went on to practice labor and employment law in Los Angeles for two decades, working with Hollywood studios and major entertainment companies.

After a successful legal career, she has since described herself as a "recovering lawyer" and transitioned into political journalism and commentary. She initially became known for her conservative political commentary and opinion columns, earning recognition as one of the right's most prolific online political writers, albeit controversial at times. She began writing her blog "Right Turn" for The Washington Post in 2010, where she provided conservative perspectives on politics, policy, and current events.

Throughout her career, she has never shied away from calling out both sides of the political aisle, irrespective of her own political affiliation. Her willingness to criticize fellow conservatives when she believed they were wrong set her apart from many partisan commentators and occasionally drew criticism from her ideological allies. However, it was this intellectual honesty and commitment to principles over party loyalty that would define the next chapter of her career.

The election of Donald Trump in 2016 and the emergence of pro-Trump conservatism and its converts soured her on the Republican Party, leading to a dramatic political evolution. She became one of the most prominent "Never Trump" conservatives, arguing that Trump's presidency represented a fundamental betrayal of conservative principles including limited government, fiscal responsibility, respect for democratic norms, and American leadership abroad. Her column, while still called "Right Turn," became increasingly critical of the Republican Party's embrace of Trump and what she viewed as its abandonment of core values.

By the time of the 2020 election, Rubin had become a staunch supporter of Joe Biden and the Democratic Party, arguing that defeating Trump and Trumpism was the most important political imperative facing the country. She endorsed Biden and urged other conservatives to do the same, making the case that traditional conservative values were better represented by center-left Democrats than by the Trump-led Republican Party. Her political journey from conservative stalwart to Democratic supporter has made her a controversial figure, with some praising her principled stand and others accusing her of abandoning her convictions.

In recent years, Rubin has expanded her influence beyond her Washington Post column. She launched a podcast and newsletter that allow her to provide more in-depth analysis and engage directly with her audience. Her writing has focused on defending democratic institutions, combating disinformation, supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, and advocating for pro-democracy candidates regardless of party affiliation. She has been particularly vocal about the threats to American democracy posed by election denialism and political violence, using her platform to sound the alarm about the fragility of democratic norms.

Rubin has also become an influential voice in conversations about the future of conservatism and whether a post-Trump conservative movement can emerge. She regularly appears on cable news programs where she provides political analysis and commentary. In 2021, she published "Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy from Donald Trump," celebrating the role women played in opposing Trump's presidency and highlighting female leaders across the political spectrum who stood up for democratic values. The book reflected her evolution as both a political thinker and an advocate for a more inclusive and principled politics.

Her work continues to spark debate and discussion across the political spectrum. While some former conservative allies view her as a traitor to the cause, others see her as a profile in courage—someone willing to prioritize country over party and principles over partisanship. Her columns remain widely read, her opinions sought after, and her voice an important part of the ongoing conversation about the direction of American politics and the future of democracy itself.