Charles Lane - The Washington Post

Charles Lane

Washington, D.C.

Deputy opinion editor and columnist

Education: Harvard College, BA in social studies; Yale Law School, MSL

Charles Lane is a deputy opinion editor and columnist. Lane joined The Post in 2000 as an editorial writer, did a stint as The Post’s Supreme Court reporter and then rejoined the editorial board in 2007. Previously, he was editor and a senior editor of the New Republic from 1993 to 1999 and a foreign correspondent for Newsweek from 1987 to 1993. He is the author of three books on U.S. history and legal affairs; he is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Latest from Charles Lane

Is it legal when Trump does it? 3 columnists debate presidential immunity.

On the “Impromptu” podcast, Post Opinions columnists discuss to what extent Trump is immune from prosecution for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

April 25, 2024

For many this year, Israeli hostages were on the Seder guest list

Talks over a hostage release broke down in part because Hamas could not provide a list of 40 living civilians to fulfill the terms of a U.S.-proposed deal.

April 24, 2024
At a Passover Seder in Kibbutz Nir Oz, chairs are set out for Israeli hostages captured in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

Is Trump above the law? The Supreme Court weighs in.

The Supreme Court is set to decide to what extent former President Trump could be immune from prosecution for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election on Jan. 6, 2021, as his lawyers have claimed. Post Opinions columnists Charles Lane, Ruth Marcus and Jason Willick discuss the strategy and timing of these arguments and what we might expect the justices to decide in this showdown about the future boundaries of presidential authority.

April 24, 2024

‘A lot of grim realism’: What our columnists heard in Ukraine

On the latest episode of Impromptu, David Ignatius and Jim Geraghty share their impressions with Charles Lane.

April 4, 2024

What we saw on the ground in Ukraine

Post columnists David Ignatius and Jim Geraghty just returned from Ukraine. They detail the mood on the ground, how much U.S. aid actually matters and whether the war seems winnable. Plus, Ignatius talks about his meeting with President Zelensky.

April 3, 2024

EVs are coming, ready or not! Three columnists on Biden’s mandate.

On the latest episode of “Impromptu”: Are Americans ready for an EV revolution? And do we even really want it?

March 28, 2024

Biden is pushing EVs. Who actually wants them?

The Biden administration wants America to transition to electric cars. But who’s actually opting in? Post Opinions columnists talk about how to navigate the speed bumps and what needs to happen to rev up this revolution.

March 27, 2024

A pro-Israel musician faces challenges to artistic freedom — in the U.S.

The international reggae-hip-hop-rock artist has had concerts canceled in Chicago, Tucson and Santa Fe, N.M., amid pressure from pro-Palestianian groups.

March 19, 2024
Matisyahu performs with the Maccabeats during the March for Israel at the National Mall in November. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Introducing, "Impromptu"

“Impromptu” from Washington Post Opinions invites listeners to eavesdrop on our columnists as they have frank, thoughtful conversations on the news and cultural debates they can’t stop thinking about.

March 6, 2024

Would Venezuela attack its neighbor? Crazier things have happened.

Venezuela’s escalation of territorial claims against Guyana will almost certainly not lead to war. But the likelihood is not zero.

December 13, 2023
Portraits of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro seen inside the Venezuelan Embassy in D.C. in 2019. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)