In her time as the youngest-ever columnist at The Washington Post, Alexandra Petri honed the humor writing that has since won her a Thurber Prize. Now, at The Atlantic, she applies her formidable gifts to a stunt—taking on the duties of all the federal workers whose departments have been gutted by the Trump Administration—that will absolutely be remembered as one of the best participatory features of 2026.
And the potential duties kept piling up as I learned about each round of cuts. Since I started typing this paragraph, Donald Trump has fired many of the people who surveil infectious diseases; before I finish typing this paragraph, he may have hired them back. I hope so! I would do almost anything for a good story, but perhaps I should draw the line at “monitor Ebola.”
John F. Kennedy famously implored us: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Well, I asked! And the answer is: lots of things. If you don’t mind doing them wrong.
More yes pieces
Speaking Apartment
“The good ones are seldom advertised; they are passed down to friends or family members.”
I Gave Myself a Month to Make One New Friend. How Hard Could That Be?
“Americans have become terrible at making and keeping friends.”
I Drove a Cybertruck Around SF Because I Am a Smart, Cool Alpha Male
“You can see my thirst from the f—king moon, so why not drive an equally conspicuous truck?”
Laugh Riot
“To understand Trump’s continuing hold over his fans, we have to ask: Why do they find him so funny?”
When I Met the Pope
“Imagine an Irish Catholic bishop telling you that you have no chill.”
In Defense of the Rat
“That said, things obviously did get weird.”
