Washington Today

Senate on way to confirming Todd Blanche as Attorney Gen. after GOP Sen. Cassidy says he will vote 'yes'; Fed. appeals court panel puts WH ballroom on hold

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 22:44:00 -0000

Senate is on track to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General, after the final two undecided Republicans announced how they will vote: Lisa Murkowski (AK) is a 'no', but Bill Cassidy (LA) is a 'yes', meaning Blanche has just enough support to make it; Senate passes the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia & Iran Act' with an overwhelming bipartisan vote. It gives the U.S. President power to sanction countries that import Russian oil and gas, aiming to cut off the Russia's money supply to continue its war against Ukraine; Labor Department says the U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July… not what forecasters had expected; Federal appeals court panel rules construction of President Trump's White House ballroom must stop because it requires Congressional approval. President says he will appeal to the Supreme Court, calling the project necessary for presidential security and the court's decision was "horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful"; What is next for the Farm Bill now that the Senate Agriculture Committee has voted it down over party disagreements about food aid funding? We will talk with Grace Yarrow, Food & Agriculture Reporter for Politico (36); House Speaker Mike Johnson predicts his Republican party will buck the historical trend of the President's party losing House seats in the midterm elections.. and he will remain Speaker after November.

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Senate Cmte votes to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress over his taking the Fifth at a COVID hearing; Pres. Trump signs order banning 'birth tourism' citizenship

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 22:46:00 -0000

Senate Committee votes to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci, former top government official during COVID-19, in contempt of Congress after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to answer questions at last week's hearing on the origins and response to the pandemic; Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) talks about what could be voted on in the Senate these final few days in session before the August recess; Senate Agriculture Committee votes down a 5 year Farm Bill after Democrats demanded, and Republicans, rejected a two-year delay to changes to the food-aid program SNAP; FCC votes to repeal a rule that prohibits any company from owning television stations reaching more than 39% of U.S. TV households; Latest on the war with Iran and talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and the reported clash him had with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the how the war has reduced the U.S. supply of certain munitions; President Trump signs Executive Orders to limit birthright citizenship, including in cases known as 'birth tourism'; Congressional Democrats highlight today's 61st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act being signed into law, warning of the voting restrictions being pursued by Republicans today.

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Progressive Abdul El-Sayed Defeats Moderate Haley Stevens in Michigan U.S. Senate Democratic primary

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:58:00 -0000

Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed is declared the winner in a very close Michigan U.S. Senate Democratic primary over more moderate candidate Haley Stevens; Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) signs Congressional redistricting legislation that could result in Republican losing their only current U.S. House seat in the state; Gov. Maura Healey (D-MA) signs a bill to restrict U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in places like schools, hospitals, and courthouses. She calls it the calling it the toughest and strongest state law in this area; President Donald Trump visits Las Vegas to talk about the economy and immigration; Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche is asked about the President's anger at U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for dropping charges against defendants in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool cases; Vice President JD Vance says he wants Congress to take steps to advance the White House Anti-Fraud Task Force efforts; Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announces the federal government is ending its relationship with an organ donation coordination group – Network for Hope – after findings cases where the organ procurement process began in patients that showed signs of life.

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Senate Judiciary Cmte approves Todd Blanche Attorney General nomination; 19 in Pennsylvania charged with multi-million dollar home health care fraud

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:35:00 -0000

Senate Judiciary Committee votes along party lines to approve the nomination of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to be in that role permanently; Senate leaders discuss the agenda for what they hope will be the last week in session in Washington before the August break, including a bill to prevent another government shutdown in October; Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) asks for and get a House Ethics Committee investigation of allegations of domestic abuse made by his ex-wife against him, he says to clear his name. We will hear from his former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), who has said he is unfit to be in office; Justice Department announces charges against 19 people in Pennsylvania accused of collecting more than $4 million in fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid home health care claims; Stocks jump on Wall Street, partly on hopes the energy waterway Strait of Hormuz will soon reopen; Astronaut Chris Williams, who returned to Earth a week ago from the International Space Station, is asked about support of family during his mission, including from his uncle, Fox News Senior Political Analyst Juan Williams.

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Trump Calls Iran Talks 'Last Chance' as Senate Backs Todd Blanche

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:01:00 -0000

President Trump says upcoming talks with Iran represent the country's "last chance" to reach a deal and avoid an escalation in U.S. military action. We have the latest from the White House on negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program. On Capitol Hill, Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis announce they'll support Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General after he rescinds the administration's anti-weaponization fund. Plus, the Senate begins its final week before the August recess, and Campaign 2026 heads to Michigan, where Democrats are set to choose their U.S. Senate nominee. We also look at the latest races in Ohio, New Hampshire, and Maine.

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Weekend Edition: Interest Rates, Dr. Fauci Hearing and the Iran War

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0000

This weekend, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, Punchbowl News Senior Financial Services Reporter Brendan Pedersen reacts to the week's economic news and the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady this week. Then, a conversation with White House trade adviser Peter Navarro ahead of Dr. Anthony Fauci's contentious senate hearing earlier this week. Finally, Former NATO Ambassador Kurt Volker gives us his take on where we are in the nearly 5-month war with Iran and the U.S. role in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

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President Trump says anti-weaponization fund is dead, but 'I wish it weren't'; Politico's Lisa Kashinsky on why some donors are upset with DNC Chair Martin

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:51:00 -0000

President Donald Trump holds a Cabinet meeting at the presidential retreat Camp David in Frederick County, Maryland, where he acknowledges a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund designed to pay defendants in the January 6th attack at the U.S. Capitol and others who he says were unfairly targeted by the government is 'dead,' but he adds, 'I wish it weren't'; President also says, 'This has nothing to do with Todd,' referring to Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche, whose confirmation has been held up by a few Republican Senators opposed the fund; President Trump also claims 'Israel is very happy" with his Board of Peace reaching a deal with Hamas to disarm in exchange for Israel withdrawing troops from Gaza; Three potential 2028 Democratic Presidential candidates speak at the National Urban League conference in Nashville, Tennessee: former Vice President Kamala Harris, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg; Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin is reportedly coming under fire from some donors not happy with his leadership. We will talk about it with Politico National Political Reporter Lisa Kashinsky (35); Discussion about what the rise of artificial intelligence means for people's jobs in the future with two governors: Wes Moore (D-MD) and Spencer Cox (R-UT).

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Sen. Cornyn's Demand Pres. Trump IRS Immunity Be Scaled Back Keeps Blanche Attorney General Nomination on Hold

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 22:39:00 -0000

Nomination of Todd Blanche to be Attorney General is still in limbo after Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), whose vote is needed to report the nomination from committee, says the White House has not agreed to put in writing limits on tax audit immunity the President Donald Trump and his family received from a recent lawsuit settlement. President Trump says he may pull the nomination until after the midterm elections and let Todd Blanche remain Acting Attorney General; Senate Health Committee votes to approve CDC Director nominee Dr. Erica Schwartz and Assistant Health Secretary nominee Sean Kaufman, but not before committee chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) gives a speech about the value of vaccines; Economic growth slowed in the 2nd quarter from 2.1% to 1.5%, and June inflation dipped to 3.7% from 4.1% in May; National Urban League releases its 50th annual State of Black America report; President Trump promotes a program to get more veterans into truck driving positions quicker, as the Administration has been cracking down on CDL's given to illegal immigrants or those with limited English proficiency; Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduces a bill to create an Anti-Corruption Bureau to restrain presidents like President Trump whom he calls the "grifter-in-chief"; Senate defeats another Iran War Powers Act resolution introduced by Democrats aimed at requiring the president to withdraw U.S. forces absent Congressional authorization.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci pleads the Fifth at Senate committee hearing on COVID response; Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 23:06:00 -0000

Dr. Anthony Fauci called to testify before a Senate committee under subpoena about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic invokes his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over 100 times. Committee Chair Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) accused Dr. Fauci of covering up evidence of the "lab leak" theory for coronavirus. Dr. Fauci calls Sen. Paul "unhinged" and trying to trap him in any lie before Congress to start a prosecution. And Sen. Paul is threatening to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress; President Donald Trump says the U.S. would be hitting Iran hard and "smacking them a little bit" after an attempted Iranian surprise missile attack on American targets in the Middle East; Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh announced the Fed is keeping interest rates steady for a fifth consecutive meeting, but the Fed is still determined to bring down inflation; Senate Republicans block Senate Democrats' attempt to pass a bill to create a legal pathway for immigrants with Temporary Protected Status, as TPS for 300,000 Haitian immigrants in the U.S. expired this week and the Trump Administration said it will move to start deportations; President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveil a $22 billion renovation plan for Dulles International Airport; We talk to AP reporter Bill Barrow about the Joe Biden tapes, the conversations he had with a ghostwriter in 2016 & 2017, released after a conservative group filed a Freedom of Information Act request.

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Memorial services in DC for late Sen. Graham; Israeli PM & Ukrainian Pres. visit White House; AP's Julie Carr Smyth on Ohio Senate race

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:57:00 -0000

Memorial services today for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Capitol Hill and at Washington National Cathedral. President Donald Trump calls Graham "a true American original" and "beloved friend" who "died doing the work he was born to do, serving the country he loved"; Lindsey Graham's funeral brings world leaders to Washington, including Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Both met President Trump at the White House about the war with Iran and Russia's war with Ukraine, respectively; Very close U.S. Senate race in Ohio between incumbent republican Jon Husted and Democratic challenger, former Senator Sherrod Brown, is shaping up to be pivotal in helping decide which party controls the Senate after the midterm elections. We will hear from the candidates and talk with an Associated Press National Political Reporter in Ohio, Julie Carr Smyth (36); former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) at a Reagan Foundation forum talks about why bipartisanship today is not like years ago; President Trump responds to critical diary entries by Dr. Anthony Fauci released ahead of his Senate testimony on the COVID-19 pandemic response this week.

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POTUS Trump Warns Iran as Senate Tackles Funding and Confirmations

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:00:00 -0000

The pause in the Iran war continues after two weeks of escalating strikes, as President Trump warns the U.S. is prepared to respond if Iran again threatens shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The latest comes as senior U.S. officials raise concerns about dwindling munitions stockpiles. We'll hear the president's comments from earlier today before he traveled to Michigan.

On Capitol Hill, the House has begun its August recess, but the Senate remains in Washington with a packed agenda. Lawmakers are expected to take up legislation to keep the government funded beyond the end of September, along with confirmation votes for a new Director of National Intelligence and attorney general. We'll have reaction from Senate leaders.

And with fewer than 100 days until Election Day, the campaign trail is heating up. Maine Democrats have a new Senate nominee, candidates in Michigan are rallying supporters, and we'll have the latest developments in Georgia's closely watched Senate race.

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Weekend Edition: Iran War Funding and Cyclospora Outbreak

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 08:30:00 -0000

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal.

It was a big week in Congress with Iran war funding front and center. We talk to two lawmakers on BOTH sides of the aisle on the Pentagon's 60-billion dollar ask: California Republican Tom McClintock & Hawaii Democrat Jill Tokuda.

And then a conversation with Dr. David Acheson, former chief medical officer at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. He discusses the cyclospora outbreak and the federal government's role in food safety.

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New Trump Admin tariffs to combat forced labor take effect; Pres. Trump asked about possible 'massive attack' on Iran; Preview of rescheduled White House Correspondents Assn. dinner

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:40:00 -0000

Trump administration puts in place new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 major trading partners, covering nearly 100% of U.S. imports, under the rationale of combatting forced labor; President Trump is asked about his comment this week that he is considering a "massive attack" on Iran because that country has not yet received "enough pain" in the war so far; President is asked about his reported frustration with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) over the Senate not passing a bill to require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote, and Sen. Thune firing back that the White House needs to work to round up votes needed for passage instead of criticizing; Democratic National Committee's rules committee recommends South Carolina hold the first presidential primary in 2028, and five other states be allowed to hold primaries earlier than the rest of the states: Nevada, New Hampshire, Michigan, New Mexico and Virginia;; Race for U.S. Senator from Michigan this year is being talked about as a bellwether for the future of the Democratic party. We will hear from the two major candidates: progressive Abdul El-Sayed and moderate Haley Stevens; Jewish leaders in New York City criticize Mayor Zohran Mamdani's position on Israel after a double stabbing of a suspect who reportedly yelled in Arabic 'God in great'; preview of tonight's rescheduled White House Correspondent Association dinner, featuring a speech by President Trump, after the original event was called off when a gunman burst in allegedly trying to assassinate the president and other government officials.

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House passes, Senate defeats, Iran War Powers Act resolution; Pres. Trump promotes pledge data centers won't increase consumer electricity bills

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 22:54:00 -0000

Both the House & Senate vote again on Iran War Powers Act resolutions sponsored by Democrats to force President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces without Congressional approval. House resolution passes, Senate resolution fails; President Trump says the civilian nuclear agreement the U.S. signed with Saudi Arabia requires Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and recognize Israel, something that was not in the original agreement; President welcomes electricity companies and governors joining technology companies in signing a pledge that the expansion of data centers will not mean consumers have higher utility bills; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director nominee Brian Johnson goes before the Senate Banking Committee; House passes a bill to explore ways Social Security Disability recipients can earn more money without losing their benefits; Race for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senator from Maine is now down to two candidates ahead of Saturday's convention; House Oversight Committee interviews former Barclays bank executive Jes Staley in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation; Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Judiciary Committee chair, refers former special counsel Jack Smith to the Justice Department for prosecution for allegedly lying to Congress; Former James Woolsey, former CIA Director in the Bill Clinton Administration has died.

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Pres. Trump attends dignified transfer of U.S. troops killed by Iran; House passes NDAA & first step in $95 billion budget reconciliation

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:45:00 -0000

President Donald Trump says the American public supports the war against Iran, with the renewed fighting now on Day 12, as he travels to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for a ceremony to receive four of the U.S. servicemembers killed by Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Middle East; President Trump approves a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that includes potentially a uranium-enrichment facility and does not include rigorous inspections from the International Atomic Energy Agency; New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) is asked about a video he posted explaining the city cannot arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on an International Criminal Court war crimes warrant when he next comes to town, but the federal government should; U.S. House passes the annual Pentagon program and policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act or NDAA, a budget resolution that starts the process for the next $95 billion budget reconciliation package, mostly defense spending, that can be passed with Republican votes only, and a bill that combines a ban on Members of Congress buying individual stocks with a requirement for photo ID to vote in federal elections; President Trump travels to Georgia to talk about his economic policies and promote Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections in that battleground state; Secret Service Director Sean Curran answers questions about this Friday's White House Correspondents Association dinner, which was rescheduled after the first one was cut short after a gunman tried to burst in and allegedly assassinate President Trump and other government officials.

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Pres. Trump says he has no interest in meeting with Iran as war escalates; over $1 billion in Medicaid paused to CA & MN over fraud concerns; Smithsonian Amer. History Dir. testifies about bias allegations

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:34:00 -0000

President Donald Trump says Iran desperately wants to meet to end the current war escalation with the U.S., but the U.S. has no interest in doing so until 'they're ready to meet in a meaningful way', and the President says the U.S. will be able to deal with the Houthi terror group if they move to aid Iran and block oil shipments between the Red Sea and Indian Ocean; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the Trump Administration's supplemental spending request, most of which is for the military and costs of the war with Iran; House debates a bill to extend federal government funding from the current deadline October 1 through December 4, after the midterm elections, as concerns grow that disagreements between Republicans and Democrats could lead to another government shutdown; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responds to President Trump's threat of 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods; Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announces $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota are being withheld because of suspected fraud; Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History Anthea Hartig testifies before Congress after a White House report accused the museum of anti-American bias, telling the lawmakers, 'The museum does not take sides in America's political debates. We preserve and document the evidence of American life in all of its breadth, so that the public can encounter the past and draw their own conclusions.'

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Trump to Attend Dover Transfer as Congress Faces Busy Week Before Recess

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:07:00 -0000

President Trump prepares to attend the dignified transfer of U.S. service members killed in the Middle East as he warns Iran it "will pay." Congress faces a packed week before the August recess, including defense legislation, government funding, and a budget resolution. Plus, the latest on a fire outside a federal building in New York City, a change in leadership in the United Kingdom, and new developments in Campaign 2026.

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Weekend Edition: Democratic Socialists, Iran Conflict & Maine Senate Race

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 08:30:00 -0000

This week on Washington Journal... Democratic Socialists of America National Co-Chair Ashik Siddique explains the principles of democratic socialism and discusses recent primary victories by DSA-backed candidates. Then, Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman of Indiana joins us to talk about renewed U.S. military action in Iran and defense spending. And News Center Maine political reporter Phil Hirschkorn looks at the latest developments in Maine's U.S. Senate race and the upcoming Democratic nominating convention.

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DHS Sec Mullin threatens states' funding over election security & vows to aggressively pursue voter fraud

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:41:00 -0000

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin says states who do not take certain steps to safeguard election security will lose federal counterterrorism grant money, and he promises to aggressively pursue voter fraud cases; He spoke the day after President Donald Trump gave a primetime address on election fraud, claiming U.S. election infrastructure has vulnerabilities, China has been amassing U.S. voter data and a quarter million illegal voters are on U.S. rolls; North Carolina U.S. Senate Republican nominee Michael Whatley accuses his Democratic opponent Roy Cooper of being soft on crime, in that very closely watched race that will likely help decide which party controls the Senate after this year's election; U.S. & Iranian military trade fire for a sixth night since the collapse of the ceasefire; House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill (R-ARK) pushes the Senate to join the House and pass a cryptocurrency and digital asset bill known as the CLARITY Act; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney asked about U.S. lawmaker complaints about the wildfire smoke coming down from Canada and choking many U.S. cities; British Labour Party officially elects a new leader, Andy Burnham, who will on Monday become the new Prime Minister, replacing Keir Starmer, who is resigning. We will talk about the swap with C-SPAN's Westminster Correspondent Peter Knowles. (49)

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Pres. Trump gives primetime address on election security; WH promises 'shocking' new evidence of potential foreign interference

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:57:00 -0000

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says President Donald Trump will in his primetime address to the nation present new evidence about election security and potential foreign interference and the "findings" will "shock" listeners; Senate Judiciary Committee holds a second day of hearings on the nomination of Todd Blanche to be Attorney General. Witnesses include former Attorney General John Ashcroft, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse and a mother whose daughter was the victim of a crime by an illegal alien; White House teleprompter operator is accused of making nearly $100,000 in prediction market bets about what President Trump would say in speeches; Senate confirmation hearings for Labor Secretary Nominee Keith Sonderling and TSA Administration nominee David Cummins; Russell Vought, Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, testifies before the Senate Banking Committee; House Speaker Mike Johnson pulls from the House floor before a final vote a controversial veterans benefits overhaul bill; Secretary of State Marco Rubio says at an international conference on political terrorism hosted by the State Department in Washington that the greatest threat comes from terrorists on the political left.

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Senate confirmation hearings for Todd Blanche for Atty Gen., Jay Clayton for DNI, Dr. Erica Schwartz for CDC Dir; House defeats amendment to cut U.S. aid to Israel

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 22:54:00 -0000

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says at his Senate confirmation hearing to be Attorney General that mistakes were made during the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and apologizes to survivors whose personal information was not redacted. He also says the $1.8 billion proposed anti-weaponization fund is 'dead'; Nominee for Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton refuses to answer Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats' questions about whether Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election; CDC Director nominee Dr. Erica Schwartz faces tough questions at her confirmation hearing from Republican Committee Chair Dr. Bill Cassidy, who asks if she will resist political interference in vaccine policy and other public health policy decisions; House votes on an amendment to eliminate $3.3 billion of U.S. military aid to Israel; President Donald Trump announces $10 billion in defense production investments at a defense summit at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Vice President JD Vance meets with House Republicans as they plan to move a $93 billion spending package, most of it for costs related to the war with Iran, through the budget reconciliation process that will allow them to pass it in the Senate with only Republican votes; former President Joe Biden has a new book coming out; British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says farewell as he holds his last Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons in London before his resignation.

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President Trump says Gulf states' investments in U.S. will replace Strait of Hormuz 20% toll proposal

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 23:00:00 -0000

President Donald Trump walks back his previous demand of 20 percent of the value of all cargo through the Strait of Hormuz as payment for the U.S. patrolling the Strait and instead says Gulf nations will be making major economic investments in the U.S.; Senate Democrats block the Senate from taking up the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), citing resumption of the war with Iran and failure of Republican and Democratic negotiators to reach agreement on spending levels, defense and non-defense, for the next fiscal year; Labor Department's Consumer Price Index inflation report for June was 3.5% year over year, less than expected; Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh testifies before a House committee, promising the Fed will tackle inflation and make its decisions without regard to politics; Senate swears-in its newest member, Darline Graham, appointed to serve out the term of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Russia sanctions bill championed by Sen. Lindsey Graham before he died gets bipartisan support on Capitol Hill and in the White House; Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan testify before Congress on the Supreme Court's budget request, which includes more money for security in light of increase threats; CDC update on the cyclosporiasis outbreak across the country; House passes the Sunshine Protection Act, to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide.

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Senators offer tributes for Sen. Lindsey Graham; SC Gov. apppoints Sen. Graham's sister to fill the seat for now; US resumes its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz; The latest on Democratic Senate races in Maine, Michigan.

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:42:00 -0000

Congress is back in DC and a lot has changed since they left two weeks ago. The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has sent ripples through the Senate, along with the continued absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) nominated Darlene Graham Nordone to take Sen. Graham's place for now. Meanwhile, President Trump says the US is resuming its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. And the latest from Campaign 2026 on the Democratic Senate races in Maine & Michigan.

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The Weekly: Trump Wraps NATO Summit, Maine Senate Race Upended, Questions Grow Over Sen. Mitch McConnell

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 16:01:00 -0000

President Trump returns from the NATO summit in Turkey after allies agree to boost defense spending and expand support for Ukraine. We also look at the latest developments in indirect U.S.-Iran talks, the shakeup in Maine's Senate race after Democrat Graham Platner suspends his campaign, and the continuing questions surrounding Senator Mitch McConnell's health and absence from the Senate. Plus: a new Secret Service badge, China's helium export ban, a foiled plot targeting the White House UFC event, and other top stories from Washington.

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Weekend Edition: Dr. Oz on Coverage of GLP-1 Medication, Iran War and NATO Summit, and Democratic Socialist Candidates

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0000

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal.

First: A discussion about the start of a new, temporary program covering GLP-1 medications for obesity for certain Medicare beneficiaries with Dr. Mehmet Oz of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Then: James Robbins of Institute of World Politics discusses the latest on the Iran War and this week's NATO Summit

Finally: Matt Bennett – co-founder of the center-left group "Third Way" discusses recent wins by Democratic Socialist candidates and what it means for the future of the Democratic Party.

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Bipartisan affordable housing bill to become law without Pres. Trump's signature

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 22:40:00 -0000

President Donald Trump says he will not sign a bipartisan housing bill passed by Congress because the Senate has not passed a separate bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to vote, so the housing bill will become law without his signature at midnight tonight under the Constitution. We will talk about that and Congress returning from its holiday recess next week with Chad Pegram, Fox News Chief Congressional Correspondent (5); Calls for further investigations in the case of an ICE agent in Houston shooting and killing an undocumented immigrant and in the case of African-American teen Nolan Wells, found dead after a weekend trip with friends; New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) proposes rules to prohibit hidden fees on goods and service, what he calls junk fees; National Capital Planning Commission gives preliminary approval to President Trump's 250-foot Triumphal Arch on a traffic circle on the Virginia side of Memorial Bridge between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery; United Nations Security Council holds a meeting on Iran's nuclear program, as President Trump says U.S.-Iran peace talks can continue, but the ceasefire between the countries is no longer in effect.

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Many Maine Dems. enter U.S. Senate race after fmr. nominee Platner drops out; Hearn pleads not guilty to damaging Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 22:38:00 -0000

Now that Graham Platner has suspended his campaign as Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Maine, a lot of other candidates are jumping into the race. We will hear from them and talk with Maine Public reporter Kevin Miller about who is most likely to get the party's approval to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in November (12); Former Olympian David Hearn pleads not guilty in D.C. Superior Court to charges he damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. One of his lawyers says the Trump dministration is using Hearn as a 'scapegoat… for their own failures'; A bridge in Tennessee and an airport in Florida are named after Pres. Donald Trump; U.S. and Iran for a second day trade military strikes after Pres. Trump says the agreement to end the war is ‘over’ because of Iranian attacks on some ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz; United Nations Security Council holds an emergency meeting on the recent waves of Russia missiles and drones hitting Ukrainian cities, killing many civilians.

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Pres. Trump says U.S.-Iran ceasefire is over & Ukraine can produce Patriot defense missiles; Rahm Emanuel says U.S. can no longer support Israel unconditionally

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:57:00 -0000

President Donald Trump at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey says the U.S.-Iran ceasefire is over, and calls Iranian leadership 'scum' and 'cuckoo', and warned the U.S. is preparing more military strikes against Iran. Then U.S. Central Command announces those strikes have begun; President Trump also meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and says Ukraine will be allowed to produce U.S.-designed Patriot air-defense missiles to defend against Russian attacks; Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago Mayor and possible Democratic presidential candidate in a speech in Israel said that countries leaders have turned it into a 'territorial pariah' and said the U.S. can no longer provide unconditional support for Israel; Immigration activists are calling for an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of a man from Mexico by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during a traffic stop in Houston; Vice President JD Vance speaks in Milwaukee about the work of his White House Fraud Task Force; Campaign manager of Democratic Senate nominee from Maine Graham Platner, who is facing rape allegations, pushes back against Democratic party leaders who he says are looking to replace Platner without the input of Platner supporters; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the 10 year old plan to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill is on not happening in the current Trump Administration.

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Pres. Trump at NATO Summit on defense spending, selling F-35's to Turkey, Russia-Ukraine war; Sen. Sanders says Maine Dem. Senate nominee Platner should drop out of race

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 22:49:00 -0000

President Donald Trump at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey says he was 'very disappointed' with NATO member states during the U.S. war with Iran and suggests the U.S. may withdraw more military forces from Europe; NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says NATO nations are on track to meet the increased defense spending goals that President Trump has demanded; President Trump tells Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey that have prevented that country from buying U.S. F-35 fighter jets; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO Summit appeals for more air defense systems to counter Russia's advantage; Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) joins the long list of Democrats urging Maine's Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to end his candidacy after a woman he was dating says he sexually assaulted her five years ago; Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC) signs a state budget bill into law, ending multi-year a stand-off over funding priorities with the Republican-controlled General Assembly; In Great Britain, Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, resigns from Parliament to trigger a special election in which he will be a candidate. He is facing allegations he improperly took millions of pounds in gifts, and says he wants his constituents to be the judges by deciding whether to vote him back in.

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Trump Travels to NATO Summit; Campaign 2026 Senate Races Heat Up

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 21:57:00 -0000

President Trump departs tonight for Ankara, Turkey, for the annual NATO summit, where leaders are expected to focus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the president's calls for European allies to take on a greater share of the alliance's defense burden. President Trump is also expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Before leaving Washington, he spoke with reporters at the White House during an event launching the new Trump Accounts program for children. We'll bring you some of those remarks.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is already in Ankara. He met with reporters today and addressed many of the same issues ahead of the summit. We'll hear from him as well.

And later, we'll check in on Campaign 2026, with the latest developments in key Senate races in Maine, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, and Alaska.

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Weekend Edition: Landmark Supreme Court Decisions: Birthright Citizenship and Party Spending in Federal Elections

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0000

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal – examining the big decisions coming out of the Supreme Court this week:

We'll hear first from former Bush Deputy Attorney General John Malcolm of the group Advancing American Freedom – and then Nation Magazine Justice correspondent Elie Mystal. The two take very different positions on the High Court's opinion upholding birthright citizenship in the U-S – striking down President Trump's executive order on that issue.

And we'll conclude with a conversation with Michael Beckel of the political reform group Issue One on the Supreme Court's decision striking down limits on party spending in federal elections.

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June jobs report; U.S. does not extend USMCA; reflecting pool 'vandalism' indictment; Spkr. Johnson & Min. Ldr. Jeffries at America 250th anniv. celebrations

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 22:50:00 -0000

U.S. economy adds 57,000 jobs in June, according to the Labor Department, about half what many economists expected. Unemployment rate falls from 4.3% to 4.2%, mainly due to people leaving the labor market; U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer explains why the Trump Administration has decided not to extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. We hear from him and talk with Washington Post trade reporter David Lynch (10); Former Olympian David Hearn has been indicted on a felony charge of property destruction for what President Donald Trump has called vandalism of the Reflecting Pool between the Washington Monument & Lincoln Memorial; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth thanks National Guard members at a park in Washington, DC for their part in the work of the Administration's D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. He is met by protesters; More celebrations of America's 250th anniversary ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. We hear from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin on the legacy of former President Theodore Roosevelt, as a new library dedicated to the 26th president is opening in North Dakota.

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Pres. Trump asked about $1B+ crypto income; Pres. Trump opens Theodore Roosevelt Pres. Library in ND; Dem. Socialist wins Cong. primary in CO

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 22:42:00 -0000

President Donald Trump is asked about the over $1 billion he earned from cryptocurrency, according to a new financial disclosure; President travels to North Dakota for the opening of a new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, part of the celebration of America's 250th anniversary; another self-described Democratic Socialist Congressional candidate defeats a Democratic incumbent, this time in Colorado; Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh at a central bankers meeting in Portugal does not say whether the Fed will change interest rates at a meeting later this month, but does say inflation is still too high; Vice President JD Vance speaks to troops at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach about the post-war talks with Iran, saying the President is 'negotiating from a position of strength because of you'; Justice Department announces eight alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua are charged with murder and kidnapping in Texas and Illinois; National Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC marks its 50th anniversary with a rededication ceremony and the opening of new exhibits.

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Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship and state law banning transgender athletes in school sports; Rep. Kean (R-NJ) says he was hospitalized for depression

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 22:43:00 -0000

Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship under the Constitution's 14th Amendment, ruling unconstitutional President Donald Trump's Executive Order declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens; Supreme Court also rules that states may may ban transgender girls from participating in sports at publicly funded schools; U.S. House legislative business remains at a standstill with a handful of House Republicans refusing to let bills come up for debate and votes until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and restrict mail in ballots. Today those Republicans blocked the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA); Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urges oil and gas companies to lower their prices, now that the war with Iran is in the peace negotiating stage, echoing President Trump's posts, saying, 'we're watching'; First Congressional hearing today in 50 years on a former CIA program called MKUltra that experimented on human subjects with mind-control techniques and behavior-altering drugs; House passes a children's online safety bill, but it is different than what is being considered in the Senate; Rep. Tom Kean (R-NJ) says in a House floor speech that he has been away from Washington, DC for months because he was hospitalized with depression.

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Supreme Court Rules on Trump, Lisa Cook, Mail Ballots & Congress Moves Housing Bill

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:14:00 -0000

The Supreme Court rejected President Trump's attempt to immediately remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from office, while at the same time expanding presidential authority to remove other federal officials. The justices also upheld state laws allowing mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even if they arrive afterward.

On Capitol Hill, Politico reports House Speaker Mike Johnson has officially sent the bipartisan housing affordability bill to President Trump's desk after Congress approved it last week. The measure had been delayed after the president called on lawmakers to prioritize the SAVE America Act, the Republican election reform bill that remains stalled. The dispute is now spilling over into the annual defense authorization bill, with some House Republicans threatening to oppose a procedural vote unless the SAVE Act is included.

And with Independence Day approaching, we'll preview this year's National Mall fireworks celebration.

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The Weekly: Supreme Court Backs Trump on Immigration, Housing Bill Delayed & Campaign 2026 Results

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:00:00 -0000

This week on The Weekly, the Supreme Court hands President Trump two major victories on immigration, allowing the administration to end Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of migrants and continue turning asylum seekers away at the southern border. We also look at the president's decision to delay signing a bipartisan housing bill, new warnings about the U.S. Postal Service's long-term finances, and the latest inflation numbers. Plus, Campaign 2026 takes shape as primary voters head to the polls in New York and South Carolina, and we round up the week's top headlines from Washington and around the world.

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Weekend Edition: White House's $86.7B Supplemental Spending Request, Great American State Fair, and AEI Survey on American Attitudes on Civic Education and Patriotism

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0000

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal.

First: A discussion with NOTUS Senate reporter Igor Bobic – on the White House's $87.6 supplemental spending request.

Then: Axios reporter Mimi Montgomery discussed this week's opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall here in Washington - part of America 250 celebrations.

Finally: as we kick off America's 250th birthday - we speak with Karlyn Bowman of the American Enterprise Institute - on AEI's recent survey regarding American attitudes on civic education and patriotism.

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John Bolton pleads guilty to mishandling classified docs; House Oversight Cmte subpoenas billionaire Leon Black in Epstein investigation; Pres. Trump speaks at Faith & Freedom Coalition conf.

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:43:00 -0000

John Bolton, former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, in a plea deal pleads guilty to illegally retaining national security information, admitting to mishandling classified notes he used in a memoir. He has agreed to a $2.5 million fine and faces up to five years in prison; House Oversight Committee leaders issue subpoenas for billionaire Leon Black after they say he did not answer questions to their satisfaction in today's voluntary interview about his business relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; President Donald Trump speaks at the Faith & Freedom Coalition annual conference; Neel Kashkari, president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, now says he expects one interest rate increase will be necessary this year; United Nations update on the pause in evacuating mariners in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran attacks a container ship; Israel and Lebanon sign a framework peace deal after talks mediated by the U.S.; Vice President JD Vance says the 'deep state' brought down former President Nixon like it tried to do to President Trump and the Watergate scandal with be a 12-hour news story if it happened today; Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) welcomes tall ships to Baltimore as part of the celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

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Supreme Court rules Haitians, Syrians with TPS can be deported; U.S. sends aid to Venezuela after earthquakes; inflation highest since 2023

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:29:00 -0000

Supreme Court rules the Trump Administration can move forward to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian nationals living in the United States and does not have to offer immigrants turned away at the border the chance to apply for asylum, saying the immigrants never 'arrived in' the U.S. because they did not physically set foot in the country; Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announces that the federal immigration detention center in the Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz is closing after one year in operation; Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin gets into heated exchanges over immigration policy with Democratic House Members at an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing; House conservatives shut down House floor legislative business for a second day in a row over their demands that the Senate pass the bill called the SAVE America Act to require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote; Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks about U.S. aid to Venezuela after devastating earthquakes hit that country; Senate reverses itself on the Iran War in a late-night vote, now blocking a War Powers Act resolution to require the President to withdraw forces without Congressional authorization; Nominee for chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Stephen Phelan, testifies before the Senate Banking Committee as a new inflation report shows prices rose at the highest level since 2023; Vice President JD Vance talks about his new book "Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith" at the Nixon Library in California.

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Pres. Trump has tense exchange with Sen. Cassidy (R-LA) over Iran War; Pres. Trump cancels housing bill signing until Senate passes voter ID bill

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:40:00 -0000

President Donald Trump meets with Senate Republicans and news reports say there were some tense exchanges over the war with Iran. On the way out, he said it was a 'good meeting' and the party is 'unified', but he is not happy with every Republican Senator. He said, 'I don’t like a few people, but I think you know who they are'; President postpones signing a bipartisan housing bill into law, he says until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote; Three left-leaning Congressional candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) win Democratic primaries Tuesday, two of them defeating Democratic incumbents; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets with House Republicans about the proposed increase in defense spending; Today is the four year anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturning the Constitutional right to abortion; Bipartisan Congressional leadership holds a ceremony to dedicate a time capsule to honor America's 250th anniversary, scheduled to be opened when America turns 500, in 2276.

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Senate joins House in passing Iran War Power Act resolution to require Pres. withdraw U.S. military; Pres. Trump visits Pennsylvania to talk about economy

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:28:00 -0000

Senate passes an Iran War Powers Act resolution to require the President to withdraw U.S. military forces. House also passed it, but it is symbolic. It will not go to the president desk for a signature or veto, and therefore has no force of law; President Trump insists Iran will allow international nuclear inspectors to enter their country, despite what they are saying now, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a tour of Gulf states to shore up support for the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran that has halted the war; Senators are asked today about President Trump's planned visit to Capitol Hill Wednesday to meet with Senate Republicans to talk about the Iran War and the SAVE America Act to require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote; President Donald Trump tours a Mack Truck facility in a competitive Congressional district in Pennsylvania and gives a speech on his economic agenda, highlighting his tariffs, saying, 'American Roads will be filled with American Trucks'; Voters in New York, South Carolina, Maryland and Utah are casting ballots in primary elections. NYC's Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani has endorsed candidates in line with his Democratic Socialist economic vision, in some cases opposing incumbent Democrats; U.S. House is expected to pass a bipartisan affordable housing bill the Senate passed Monday; Senate Democrats mark the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturning the Constitutional right to abortion.

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VP Vance says Iran will allow nuclear inspectors; Senate prepares to pass housing bill

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:37:00 -0000

Vice President Vance says peace talks with Iran set "a good foundation;" The Senate prepares to pass a bipartisan affordable housing bill; and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns.

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Weekend Edition: U.S. Economic Outlook, Education & Use of A.I., and Family Research Council

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0000

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal.

First: A discussion with Mike Konczal of the Economic Security Project and Richard Stern of Advancing American Freedom, discuss the U.S. economic outlook and the Iran War's impact on the economy.

Then: American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten discusses challenges facing education & the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom.

Finally: Family Research Council President Tony Perkins discusses the Southern Poverty Law Center labeling his organization a hate group and other news of the day.

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Juneteenth federal holiday; Pres. Trump unveils new Air Force One jet; U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva postponed

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 22:30:00 -0000

On this Juneteenth National Independence Day federal holiday, we hear from two African-American U.S. Senators, Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Scott (R-SC); President Donald Trump unveils the Boeing 747-8 that was a gift from Qatar and will serve as the new Air Force One. It is painted the president's preferred red, white & blue; Israel and Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon after continued military fighting there led to the scheduled U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland on such issues as Iran nuclear program to be postponed; Maryland's 6th Congressional District Democrat primary matchup between incumbent April McClain Delaney and challenger David Trone could end up being the most expensive U.S. House primary ever. We will talk about it with HuffPost Senior Reporter Arthur Delaney (28) ; Great Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is looking at an impending challenge to his leadership from former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who just won a special election to a seat in Parliament, specifically so he can launch a bid to be Prime Minister. We will talk about that with C-SPAN's Westminster Correspondent Peter Knowles (41); Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) speaks on the Senate floor about Father's Day.

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Barack & Michelle Obama dedicate Obama Presidential Center in Chicago; Defense Secretary Hegseth announces review of U.S. forces in Europe

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:41:00 -0000

Former President Barack Obama at the opening of his presidential center in Chicago calls on Americans to look to the future, saying, 'We want to find a way to look toward each other again, not further away' and 'I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious, our democracy truly is'; Vice President JD Vance defends the memorandum of understanding with Iran, saying it is 'bearing fruit' as oil starts moving through the Strait of Hormuz and oil prices drop. And he says the deal is a “win-win” for the U.S. If Iran changes its behavior, it's a transformative relationship, and if not, their military and their nuclear program is still destroyed; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces at a NATO defense ministerial a six-month review of U.S. military forces and bases in Europe.. saying 'an era of freeriding' is over; Senate Judiciary Committee approves a bill requiring the Supreme Court to allow cameras to cover oral arguments; New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) presents the NBA Champion New York Knicks with the keys to the city after a massive ticker tape parade down Broadway.

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Pres. Trump says he will bomb Iran again if it violates peace deal; DNI Dir. nominee confirmation hearing canceled; Fed leaves interest rates unchanged

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:02:00 -0000

President Donald Trump in a concluding news conference at the G7 Summit in France says if Iran does not follow the agreement it will sign with the U.S. on Friday, the U.S. will resume bombing Iran; Senate confirmation hearing for Director of National Intelligence nominee Jay Clayton is postponed after President Trump prevents the nominee from testifying. Confirmation of a new DNI was expected to clear the way for Senate Democrats to support a reauthorization of a foreign surveillance tool as the Democrats opposed the president's Acting DNI Bill Pulte. Now the president says he will support the foreign spying power only if a bill to require ID to register to vote is attached, and Bill Pulte will stay as Acting DNI; Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady in the first meeting under new Chair Kevin Warsh, and announces new task forces, including on data sources the Fed considers in its decisions and how the Fed communicates with the public. We will hear from the Chair and talk with Wall Street Journal economics reporter Matt Grossman (20); Senate committee holds a confirmation hearing for nominees to lead the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency and to be Deputy Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget; in Campaign 2026, President Trump gets a split decision in Georgia. The candidate he endorsed for U.S. Senator wins, and the one he endorsed for governor loses.

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Pres. Trump says he'll send U.S.-Iran deal to Congress for review; Senate defeats Iran War Powers Act res.; Senate Budget Cmte holds hearing for OMB Dep Dir nominee

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:31:00 -0000

President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in France praises the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) as a document that normalizes relations between the U.S. and Iran after months of warfare, indicates the text could be made public before the formal signing in Switzerland on Friday, and says he could send it to Congress for review; Senate votes for a 9th time on an Iran War Powers resolution offered by Democrats to force the president to withdraw U.S. forces. It fails 47-48; President Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and downplays the U.S. role in Ukraine's war with Russia, saying the U.S. has 'nothing to do' with a war that is 'thousands of miles away' and 'It has no impact on us, other than we sell weapons'; Vice President JD Vance is asked about the FBI saying it stopped a terror attack on the UFC fight event on the White House South Lawn; Federal prosecutors in Minnesota charge 15 people with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers and related crimes that 'violently oppose immigration law enforcement'; Senate Budget Committee holds a hearing for the nominee for Deputy Director of the White House Budget Office, Hal Duncan; former Vice President Kamala Harris talks about the Trump Administration's alleged weaponization of the Justice Department; Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) announces a deal to sell marijuana legally in the commonwealth.

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Trump Claims Iran Agreement Is Close; Senate Eyes FISA Extension

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 22:00:00 -0000

President Trump says the United States and Iran are close to finalizing an agreement to end the war, but major disagreements remain. Iran is demanding an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that won't happen. We hear from both leaders on the latest developments.

Plus, the Senate returns to Washington with a possible extension of FISA surveillance authorities and the nomination of Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence on the agenda. Senate leaders weigh in on what's ahead this week on Capitol Hill.

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Weekend Edition: Inflation at Three-Year High, Conditions at Immigration & Customs Enforcement Detention Centers, and Changes to the Federal Workforce

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0000

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal.

First: A discussion with Manhattan Institute's Allison Schrager, about the new inflation numbers hitting a three-year high.

Then: ProPublica's Perla Trevizo discusses the conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers across the U.S.

Finally: Max Stier of the Partnership for Public Service discusses the Trump administration's changes to the federal workforce.

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Elon Musk is 1st trillionaire after SpaceX IPO; reports of progress in U.S.-Iran peace talks; DNI Gabbard says U.S. funded dangerous biolab research

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 22:51:00 -0000

SpaceX begins trading above its listing price following a record-setting IPO, making founder Elon Musk the world's first-ever trillionaire; Victims of the deadly Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida are remembered on this 10th anniversary; reports of progress in talks to end the war between the U.S. & Iran. Pakistan's Prime Minister says “final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached” and Iranian Foreign Minister an agreement has “never been closer”; Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Sect. 702 spying power is almost certain to expire tonight, after Congress left Washington without renewing it; Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard releases what she says is evidence of U.S. government funding for more than 120 biolabs in over 30 countries where research on dangerous pathogens took place and that previous administrations covered it up; President Donald Trump threatens to revoke Washington, DC home rule if mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George, a self-described democratic socialist, wins; Hillary Clinton & Pete Buttigieg speak about the future of the Democratic party at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition conference in Chicago; FBI Director Kash Patel on security for the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament.

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FISA Sect. 702 spying power set to expire after House defeats extension; Pres. Trump calls of Iran bombing, says deal to end war being finalized

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:42:00 -0000

House votes down an extension of the foreign spying power called FISA Sect. 702 a day before it is set to expire, with many Democrats upset at President Trump naming FHFA Director Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence; after the vote, President Trump nominates Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to be the next permanent DNI; Just hours after President Trump says the U.S. would strike Iran 'very hard tonight,' he calls off the bombing, claiming a breakthrough in negotiations with Iran; Secretary of State Marco Rubio signs a sports diplomacy partnership with UFC CEO Dana White; Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announces indictments against three people in Ohio for conspiring to smuggle unaccompanied minors across the U.S. border; Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), Oversight Committee ranking member, accuses Vice President JD Vance of leading a 'cover-up' of the Jeffrey Epstein files after news reports about the Vice President's role in White House Situation Room meetings; First Lady Melania Trump promotes savings accounts for children in the foster care system; New York politicians talk about the NBA Knicks being one game closer to a championship and the World Cup soccer tournament getting underway.

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Trump Threatens New Iran Strikes, Bill Gates Testifies on Epstein Ties, Inflation Hits 4.2%

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:09:00 -0000

President Trump says the U.S. will resume attacks on Iran amid stalled negotiations, inflation reaches a three-year high, Bill Gates appears before the House Oversight Committee to answer questions about Jeffrey Epstein, and we preview tonight's Congressional Baseball Game.

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