The Washington Post

Sidebar

News EN ↓ 402 episodes

The Washington Post’s Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann gather for a weekly in-depth conversation about politics and power. From presidential candidates to members of Congress to the judicial system, Sidebar dives deep on the topics and people at the forefront of the political conversation. The crew sits down each Thursday (with the occasional breaking news episode) to discuss what has happened that week, and what’s coming up the next week – with guest appearances from Washington Post reporters.

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The Washington Post

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News

Latest episode

Jun 24, 2025

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Episodes

The age-old debate 28.06.2024

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey is joined by James Hohmann, Rhonda Colvin and JM Rieger to discuss the first presidential debate. The crew breaks down President Biden's shaky performance , how Trump addressed his felony conviction and ongoing legal issues, and how the debate could affect the presidential race. Plus, the Supreme Court has ruled on a key case brought by a J...

The calm before the storm 20.06.2024

On this week's episode, the crew discusses former president Donald Trump's upcoming busy month, from Supreme Court decisions to the first presidential debate . The Washington Post's Libby Casey sits down with senior video journalist JM Rieger to discuss the Supreme Court and several Trump-related cases that could be decided in the coming days – and how the decisions the court makes could reshape p...

The Capitol Hill Club 13.06.2024

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey and James Hohmann sit down with reporters Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein, co-authors of The Trump Trials newsletter , to discuss where things stand on former president Donald Trump's many legal issues. First up: What did Trump hope to accomplish in his first return to Capitol Hill since the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol? Plus, a breakd...

Fallout 06.06.2024

The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss the fallout from former president Donald Trump's New York trial, in which he was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. In the week since his conviction, Trump has raised a huge amount of money, and received the public backing of most prominent elected Republicans. He's scheduled to be sentenced on...

Guilty 31.05.2024

On this bonus episode, the crew reacts to the guilty verdict against Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to an adult-film actress. The Washington Post's Libby Casey and James Hohmann, with Rhonda Colvin outside the Manhattan courthouse, are joined by special guests Dan Balz, chief correspondent, and Robin Givhan, senior critic-at-large. Plus, will Trum...

Jury's out 30.05.2024

This week, the crew discusses the closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense in Trump's New York trial. Justice Department reporter Perry Stein joins Libby Casey and James Hohmann in the studio, while Rhonda Colvin reports from outside the Manhattan courthouse. Plus, what were the legal instructions that Justice Juan Merchan gave the jury? And when there's a verdict, join us on Washin...

Verdict incoming 23.05.2024

This week, the crew dives into the strongest parts of the prosecution's case against former president Donald Trump in his New York Trial – and the parts of the case that might not be as strong. Law enforcement reporters Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett join the show to break down what will happen after the jury returns from a full week off from the trial: Final arguments, jury instructions, and th...

Take a Friend to Court Day 16.05.2024

This week, the crew discusses former Trump attorney Michael Cohen's testimony and cross-examination by defense lawyers – and whether Cohen ended up being the star witness prosecutors hoped for. Law enforcement reporter Tom Jackman joins the show to discuss what he's seen in court, whether the jury is likely to believe Cohen's testimony, and the tight-rope Justice Juan Merchan has walked in trying...

Special episode: The Fixer 13.05.2024

The crew gathers for a special Monday episode all about former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who was called to testify in Trump's New York trial by prosecutors on Monday morning. Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down with political investigations reporter Peter Jamison to discuss Cohen's past as Trump's self-described "fixer," and Cohen's claims that he has changed since leaving Tr...

Stormy and the bookkeepers 09.05.2024

On this week's episode, the crew discusses adult film actress Stormy Daniels' testimony about her sexual encounter with the former president, and whether the prosecution went too far in asking for specific details.  And senior video journalist Jorge Ribas joins the show from outside the Manhattan courthouse where the trial is taking place, to reveal what it's like covering the trial and what...

Hope on the horizon 02.05.2024

In this week's episode, the crew discusses Judge Juan Merchan's finding that former president Donald Trump is in contempt of court, the $9,000 fine he faces, and what could happen if he continues violating the gag order imposed by the court. Washington Post Senior National Political Correspondent Ashley Parker joins the show to talk about Hope Hicks, the former Trump aide who could be called to te...

Co-conspirator #1 25.04.2024

In this week's episode, the crew discusses what's happened in former president Donald Trump's New York trial so far – and what we're hearing from witnesses. Washington Post reporter Devlin Barrett returns to take us inside the courtroom, while senior video journalist JM Rieger analyzes Trump's repetitive, falsehood-filled statements outside the courtroom. Read more in The Trump Trials newsletter .

Sleepy Don 18.04.2024

At the start of Trump's Manhattan criminal trial, the court needs 12 jurors and six alternates – but many times that number have been dismissed, for a whole variety of reasons, some mundane and others surprising. Seven have been sworn in so far, including a foreman. In our second episode, the crew discusses the jurors selected during the first two days in court. Plus, the dynamic between Trump's l...

No cameras in court 15.04.2024

Former president Donald Trump arrived at the Manhattan criminal court on April 15 for a first: Charged with falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, he becomes the first former president in U.S. history to be put on criminal trial. In our first episode, the crew discusses the first day of Trump's trial in the case brought by Manhattan District...

The Trump Trials: Sidebar 15.04.2024

When The Washington Post started the "Can He Do That?" podcast, the U.S. faced unprecedented questions as former president Donald Trump pushed on the limits of presidential power. Now, his legal challenges raise new questions.  The Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann will host a weekly conversation as trials loom in New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C. On the new sh...

Introducing: "The Campaign Moment" 29.03.2024

Check out The Campaign Moment, The Washington Post’s weekly politics roundtable to help you keep track of the biggest developments during the 2024 campaign. Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Post’s new newsletter by the same name, and investigative political reporter Josh Dawsey join Martine Powers this week. They talk about how election denial is becoming more central to the R...

Introducing, "Impromptu" 07.03.2024

“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.  Washington Post Opinions columnists want to bring you inside their conversations, before they start typing, to help you figure out your own point of view. If you've enjoyed the recent...

Try This: Stop trying to fall asleep 11.12.2023

“Try This” from The Washington Post is a series of audio courses designed to jump-start the parts of life where we can all use a few pointers — with pithy, snackable solutions you can easily use. Host Cristina Quinn brings exactly the right amount of motivation with her endearing enthusiasm and the curiosity to learn along with you. Each course is a quick and practical guide that provides new pers...

The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop: ‘Somebody knows’ 07.11.2023

Every 19th of October, Grenadians mark a somber anniversary: the 1983 execution of the country’s former prime minister and revolutionary leader, Maurice Bishop, and others who died alongside him. The people of this Caribbean nation still have no closure 40 years later. The remains of Bishop and his supporters were never returned to their family members and are missing to this day.  In the fir...

Introducing “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop” 20.10.2023

Grenada’s Black revolutionary leader, Maurice Bishop, was executed in a coup in 1983, along with seven others. The whereabouts of their remains are unknown. Now, The Washington Post’s Martine Powers uncovers new answers about how the U.S. fits into this 40-year-old Caribbean mystery. “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop” is an investigative podcast that delves into the revolutionary history of Grena...

Introducing “Field Trip” 21.06.2023

Journey through the messy past and uncertain future of America’s national parks. The Washington Post’s Lillian Cunningham ventures off the marked trail to better understand the most urgent stories playing out in five iconic landscapes today. “Field Trip” is a new podcast series that will transport you to five national parks: Yosemite, Everglades, Glacier, White Sands and Gates of the Arctic. Follo...

Trump’s indicted. Now what? 31.03.2023

Former president Donald Trump has been indicted. We couldn't leave you hanging without an update from Post journalists. Here's today's 'Post Reports' episode that explains how the case could test the limits of our political and legal systems.

Check out The 7 09.12.2022

On The Post’s new podcast, "The 7," host Jeff Pierre takes you through the seven most important and interesting stories of the day. It's a way to get caught up in just a few minutes. It comes out every weekday at 7 a.m. Check it out today, then find and follow "The 7" so you're set for the new week! You can also read "The 7" here .

So… can he do that? 12.05.2022

More than five years later, what’s the answer to: “Can he do that?” What major lessons have we learned about the stability of our democracy and the limitations on presidential power? How have our systems been tested and how have they endured those tests? Related reading and links  Trump, 2024 and the fragility of American democracy Biden’s struggle to tackle ‘four historic crises’ at once Ame...

A message from Allison 05.05.2022

Allison shares some news about the future of the show. Plus, a request to hear from listeners. 

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