The Playbook Podcast

Washington may not agree on much at the moment, but there’s a broad consensus on at least one thing about the federal shutdown: There is, at this moment, no end in sight. Today, it’s all but certain that Republicans and Democrats will continue to lob barbs — and subpar memes — at one another. Meanwhile, outside the Beltway, Americans will feel the day-to-day consequences of an unfunded government....

Overnight, the federal government shut down as its congressionally approved funding lapsed. How long will it last? Who will the American public hold responsible for it? And what is going to happen to the government while a prospective solution gets sorted out? Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and POLITICO White House bureau chief Dasha Burns walk through every angle.

Barring a last-minute deal, the federal government will shut down at midnight tonight. And at this hour, the two sides seem as far apart as ever. A meeting at the White House saw Democratic and Republican leaders dig in their heels and emerge while aiming fire at one another, confident that they can spin a shutdown as the other side’s fault. What does President Donald Trump think about all of it?...

First came Los Angeles. Then, Washington, D.C. Now, President Donald Trump’s ongoing federal crackdown on big cities comes to Portland, Oregon. Last night, the city and state filed suit to block Trump from deploying 200 members of the Oregon National Guard to the City of Roses. But in an era when the confrontation is the point, that’s a fight Trump is perfectly willing to have. Playbook’s Adam Wre...

James Talarico is a Texas state representative who’s recently announced his candidacy for US Senate. He’s a Democrat, but not afraid to criticize some aspects of his party.  “National Democrats have talked about defending democracy or protecting institutions,” he said. “But, this democracy of ours doesn't work for a lot of people in this country. It doesn't work for a lot of people in Texas…. This...

Last night, federal prosecutors in Virginia charged former FBI Director James Comey with obstruction and making a false statement to Congress. It comes just days after President Donald Trump publicly demanded that Attorney General Pam Bondi more aggressively pursue criminal charges against Comey and other political enemies. What does it mean for the rule of law and where does Trump’s retribution c...

President Donald Trump has found his next big foreign policy project: Peace in the Middle East. And where that’s a goal hat has vexed generations of presidential administrations, Trump believes he can force a breakthrough with a bit of help from his friends in the region. On Tuesday, Trump met with eight leaders of Arab or Muslim-majority nations in New York. Today, he welcomes Turkish President R...

With just days left before a federal funding lapses, a government shutdown is looking more and more likely. There’s no deal in sight that would deliver the Democratic votes to make it through the Senate, top congressional leaders aren’t talking to one another and the race is on to pre-assign blame. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren sort through what you need to know with T-minus seven days r...

President Donald Trump is set to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York today, and there’s no shortage of topics he could wade into. There’s Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a smattering of U.S.-brokered peace deals, the outlook for beleaguered international institutions and new attempts to reset and remake the global order. Playbook’s Jack Blancha...

President Donald Trump and dozens of top administration officials and aides spent Sunday at Charlie Kirk’s stadium-sized memorial service in Arizona. Trump called Kirk “our greatest evangelist for American liberty” and a “martyr” for American freedom, while drawing at least one stark contrast between himself and the late conservative Christian activist. “He did not hate his opponents. He wanted th...

Sriram Krishnan is a venture capitalist who once served as general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Now, he serves as White House Senior Policy Advisor for AI, where he has helped to develop President Trump’s American AI Action Plan.  In a live interview with The Conversation host Dasha Burns at POLITICO’s AI & Tech Summit, Krishnan discussed what it takes for the United States to win the AI race,...

There's a hot new fitness trend that may offer some insight into the 2026 midterms, according to a new poll. Women who wear weighted vests are the new niche voting group that could be key for both parties to capture. So who has the early edge? Playbook’s Adam Wren and White House reporter Myah Ward dig in. Plus, former Vice President Kamala Harris paints a fiery picture of her 107-day presidential...

President Donald Trump is on day two of his U.K. state visit. While Wednesday saw plenty of pomp and circumstance, today will bring the business end. Trump is set to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and talks about trade and Ukraine are likely to top the agenda. Trump will be back in the U.S. later today, and he’s returning as Washington grapples with two big pieces of news: Disney i...

President Donald Trump is in the U.K. today for his second state visit, but the spotlight today will be pointed squarely back home in Washington. Attorney General Pam Bondi is attempting to define the debate over free speech one week after Charlie Kirk’s death. Susan Monarez, who was dismissed as head of the CDC, is set to appear before the Senate to detail the break with HHS Secretary Robert F. K...

As President Donald Trump travels to the U.K. this morning, the conversation in the U.S. remains focused on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death. FBI Director Kash Patel is set to appear for a Senate hearing this morning, where he’ll likely face questions over his credibility in light of his response to the investigation. Meanwhile, Kirk’s death is spurring Republicans to go after what they have...

In the days since the public killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the country has seen an unprecedented level of eulogizing from Washington. Vice President JD Vance escorted Kirk’s body back to Arizona in Air Force Two and is set to host Kirk's podcast Monday afternoon. A number of senior Trump officials spoke at a memorial for Kirk at the Kennedy Center on Sunday night. But how will Kir...

Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10. Kirk founded Turning Point USA, which became one of the most influential conservative grassroots organizations in the country. He was a larger-than-life figure in Republican politics who was controversial, provocative, and intrinsically tied to the movement of youth toward voting for D...

The FBI and top law enforcement officials continue to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah on Wednesday. In Washington, President Donald Trump and others are cementing the MAGA leader’s legacy, posthumously awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And though Trump praised what he said was Kirk’s advocacy for nonviolence, he also told reporters “we...

Charlie Kirk, the right-wing political influencer and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead in an apparent act of political violence during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Scores of politicians from both sides of the aisle quickly condemned the killing. Trump — who counted Kirk among his close allies — promised action in an address from the Oval Office, stating that his admi...

It has been one month since President Donald Trump federalized Washington, D.C. His control over the police department expires today, and it appears unlikely Congress will act to extend his power. But the National Guard troops and other federal agents are set to stay for now, so Trump’s influence will likely still be felt throughout the city. The question on everyone’s mind: Where will he direct t...

The Jeffrey Epstein files are dominating the conversation in Washington today, following the release yesterday of a birthday greeting reportedly sent to Epstein by Donald Trump. Democrats are taking some glee over the release, but Republicans are ignoring the issue altogether, opting instead to focus on immigration and crime. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and POLITICO White House Bureau Chief Dasha Bu...

This morning, President Donald Trump will head to the Museum of the Bible to speak at the second meeting of his Religious Liberty Commission. But as his words aim to shore up support from a key constituency, his actions — ranging from deploying the National Guard in major cities to favorably comparing his efforts to “Apocalypse Now” — risk opening new fissures in American life. Playbook’s Jack Bla...

The Conversation with Dasha Burns is back! In Season 1, Burns sat down with some of the most powerful players in Washington to get their perspectives on what’s really going on inside The White House. Join The Conversation again as Burns continues to explore how President Trump and his team are fundamentally reshaping the country, and how Democrats are tackling this new era of American politics. Fu...

The private sector jobs boom that President Donald Trump pledged to deliver in his second term is starting to look shaky — and that raises the political stakes for this morning’s new monthly jobs report. Weak numbers — or substantial revisions to previously reported gains — would blow a hole in the Trump administration’s claims its agenda has unleashed a new “Golden Age” for American workers — and...

This morning on Capitol Hill, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear before the Senate Finance Committee to answer questions. Officially, the topic is the "President's 2026 Health Care Agenda." But unofficially, the hearing will offer the first chance for senators to grill Kennedy since the the CDC's internal war over vaccines spilled into public view, pitting sci...