This year was marked by the resurgence of the Kennedys, one of America’s dynasties, but in unexpected ways from MAHA to cancer to renaming a building.

It’s time to kick this progressive wolf in pro-life sheep’s clothing to the curb. RFK Jr. must go,” the memo stated.

For Gregg Phillips, Monday marked his first day as the new head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Response and Recovery. For the agency, it marked the beginning of a new era: one in which a genuine conspiracy theorist holds its second-most-powerful position.

The staff of Mother Jones is, once again, rounding up the heroes and monsters of the past year. This is a non-exhaustive and totally subjective list, giving our reporters a chance to write about something that brought joy, discontent, or curiosity. Happy holidays.