WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

Oral arguments are presented about whether Donald Trump can hold on to his power to impose tariffs without the approval of Congress. The Justices question the nature of the 'emergency,' but will the eventual ruling hurt or help the President’s economic agenda, and how will investors react? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of...

Democrats win races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia on Election Day, exceeding expectations and sending a warning sign to Donald Trump and Republicans everywhere. So how does the President respond and what does it mean for the midterms? Plus, Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor of New York City, but faces challenges from Albany and elsewhere to get his progressive agenda a...

The Justices could end President Trump's sweeping global tariffs, if they find he lacks the power to impose them using a 1977 statute called IEEPA. What does that law say, how has it previously been used, and where's the limiting principle? Plus, what to make of the White House's warnings of economic calamity if it loses? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informatio...

New Wall Street Journal columnist Matt Continetti joins Paul Gigot to discuss what to look for in Tuesday's elections. Plus, what the fight over antisemitism reveals about the future of the MAGA movement and the GOP presidential race in 2028. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Voters next week in Texas will decide on three measures to put bad tax policy off limits, as the state seeks to lure finance companies to "Y'all Street," while Maine will consider voter ID and a "red flag" law on guns. Plus, money pours into Pennsylvania for the retention elections of three liberal jurists on the state Supreme Court. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com fo...

Donald Trump calls his meeting with President Xi Jinping a ‘12 out of 10,’ and reduces tariffs by 10%. What does it mean for the future of U.S.-China relations? Plus, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by another 25 basis points on Wednesday, even though inflation is still above target. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use...

As world leaders get set for the United Nations COP30 climate summit, Bill Gates urges them to "pivot," saying the biggest problem for millions is still poverty and disease. Has he been reading Bjorn Lomborg? Plus, Texas AG Ken Paxton sues the maker of Tylenol, echoing claims by RFK Jr. about an alleged link to autism. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information a...

Air-traffic controllers miss a paycheck Tuesday, and there's no money for SNAP food benefits, after Congress fails again to fund federal programs. But as the pressure on Washington keeps rising, are Democrats beginning to crack? And are Republicans winning the argument over pandemic ObamaCare subsidies? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect...

After Ontario releases an ad featuring Ronald Reagan touting free trade over tariffs, Donald Trump increases the tariffs on Canada to 10% in response. Is Trump right about Reagan? Plus, President Javier Milei wins in Argentina on a mandate of free-market reforms, and President Trump heads to Asia as the U.S. and China reach a trade truce.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz...

Trump has long wanted a bigger event space at the White House, but after previously saying his ballroom plans would respect the existing structure, he takes Washington by surprise and levels the East Wing in a few days. How does this fit into the history of White House upgrades, from Jefferson to Truman to Nixon, and what's the balance between preservation and functionality? Hosted by Simplecast,...

While Donald Trump pushes for Russia to make a deal to end its war with Ukraine, the U.S. imposes major sanctions on two major Russian oil producers. But why the delay in making such a move? Plus, President Trump says a proposed meeting with Vladimir Putin is cancelled, citing the Russian President's unwillingness to come to an agreement.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz....

After a federal judge blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago, Donald Trump asks the Justices to intervene, arguing that violent protests at an immigration site in Broadview, Ill., have left the government unable to enforce the law. Plus, as universities reject the administration's "compact" for reforming higher ed, how will the White House respond? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsW...

Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan is tested by a new exchange of fire and Hamas's effort to consolidate power instead of putting down its arms, while the President threatens to "eradicate" the terror group if it refuses to comply. Plus, the U.S. and Australia sign a deal on rare-earth minerals, after China says it will put export controls on the global supply chain. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWi...

Millions across the U.S. protest the Trump administration's policies as part of the 'No Kings' movement. What are the implications of this movement for the Trump agenda and the midterm elections? Plus, former Trump national security advisor John Bolton is indicted on 18 charges of transmitting or retaining classified information. Is it a case of political revenge? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz...

Three contenders for New York mayor spend two hours tangling on TV, but does Zohran Mamdani's polling lead make this too little, too late for Andrew Cuomo, who has also struggled to win over the GOP supporters of Curtis Sliwa? Plus, would Mamdani's socialism be constrained by the limits of mayoral power, and how big of a political problem is it for the Democratic Party? Hosted by Simplecast, an Ad...

After Donald Trump suggests he might send Ukraine's defenders U.S. long-range Tomahawk missiles, he has a phone call with Vladimir Putin, one day before Volodymyr Zelensky is set to arrive in Washington. Is this an opportunity for Trump to take concrete action that matches his hardening rhetoric toward Putin's war, and how much could Tomahawks matter on the battlefield? Hosted by Simplecast, an Ad...

The Justices hear an appeal from Louisiana that could end the legal demands for states to draw majority-minority House districts, as judges have long required under the Voting Rights Act. But could this actually help to make politics less racially polarized, and what about predictions that the ruling could let the GOP pick up a dozen or more seats during the 2026 midterms? Hosted by Simplecast, an...

The CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools, which teaches 22,000 students in New York, reflects on the daily battle of operating under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, as the city's voters consider electing charter opponent Zohran Mamdani. Plus, Moskowitz explains how she plans to open 40 schools in Florida and why falling test scores should be a national emergency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz co...

Donald Trump addresses the Israeli Parliament to celebrate a cease-fire deal that sees all living hostages released by Hamas. What does the agreement mean for lasting peace in the Middle East, and will it save Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO's secretary general from 2009-14, says the alliance should pledge to shoot down intruding Russian drones and fighter jets, while moving swiftly to install a "drone wall." He also suggests that a coalition of willing European states send a "reassurance force" into Ukraine, positioned behind the front lines, to pressure Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace. Hosted by Simplec...

Donald Trump reversed the Biden policy of leaning on Israel to make concessions and instead backed the U.S. ally as it put military pressure on Hamas. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Republicans are trying to protect Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s legacy in Virginia, though the polls say Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is trailing Abigail Spanberger. But a scandal over awful rhetoric by Jay Jones, the Democratic AG candidate, might give an opening to the GOP incumbent Jason Miyares. Plus, Jack Ciattarelli is now within three points of Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey. Hosted by Simplecast, an...

Nine schools, including MIT and the University of Texas at Austin, are offered preferential access to federal dollars if they sign a compact with the Trump Administration, agreeing to specific commitments on standardized testing, admissions, campus speech, grade inflation, tuition, and more. Are these useful reforms to higher ed? Is this federal overreach? Or is it perhaps both? Hosted by Simpleca...

The new Supreme Court term will feature arguments over Donald Trump’s power to fire officials at independent agencies, his tariffs policies, as well as cases involving transgender issues. Paul Gigot and legal scholar Ilya Shapiro discuss why the conservative majority on the Court doesn’t guarantee as many wins for the President as he thinks.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswi...

The Senate tries again to fund the government and reopen Washington, but it fails, with the same three Democrats voting yes, but no additional takers. Are Republicans preparing to cave on extending emergency pandemic ObamaCare subsidies? Does the White House see this as an opening to remake the civil service? And what about those ideas to avoid future shutdowns? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz co...