WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

Donald Trump says he'll impose new tariffs on eight European allies until Denmark agrees to cede the arctic island. But won't this only harden the opposition in Greenland, and what if the Supreme Court strikes down his "emergency" tariff powers? Plus, what does the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia have to do with it? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

Inflation isn't whipped yet, with new figures showing prices up 2.7% year over year, and 3.1% for food. But as Donald Trump seeks answers to "affordability," his latest is a plan to cap credit-card interest rates at 10%, an idea favored by Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. What economic side effects would this create for consumers? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com f...

In response to the escalating violence and protests in Minnesota, Donald Trump warns about using the Insurrection Act to allow him to use the military within the United States. Will turning up the temperature make an already dangerous situation even worse? Plus, Gov. Tim Walz tells citizens to protest peacefully, but encourages the filming of ICE agents’ actions on the ground.   Hosted by Simpleca...

Former Rep. Mike Gallagher and political scientist Kevin Wallsten say that President Biden's diversity, equity and inclusion agenda alienated would-be military recruits. What motivates young Americans to enlist, and can President Trump, who touts high standards and individual merit, reverse a cultural retreat from military service? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for...

The Justices hear two cases challenging laws in Idaho and West Virginia that bar biological males from participating in women's sports. The transgender athletes say this violates the 14th Amendment and Title IX. How does the Supreme Court seem to be leaning, and what does this portend for 27 states with such laws? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about...

Fed Chair Jerome Powell says the criminal subpoena issued to him is about controlling interest rates and not any wrongdoing. Plus, the number of protestors killed in Iran continues to rise while President Trump weighs his options to intervene. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump says he wants to ban "large institutional investors" from buying single-family homes, taking up another cause long championed by progressives, including Elizabeth Warren. How much housing do such companies own, and does the White House have the power to act, or is this more populist scapegoating? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou...

An ICE agent shoots and kills a woman in Minneapolis and both the right and the left are quick to blame the other side. Was a deadly incident like this inevitable? Plus, President Trump says the U.S. may run Venezuela for at least a year, maybe longer.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The White House renews its pressure campaign to take control of Greenland, even suggesting the U.S. could do it by force. But what military access to the island can't already be negotiated? Plus, the CDC drops several shots from its childhood vaccine recommendations, which the trial bar could use as an opening for lawsuits. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informat...

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ends his campaign for a third term, as the scandal of his state's welfare fraud continues to snowball. Plus, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the Pentagon will censure Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly for a video in which he and other Democrats told the military to refuse “illegal orders." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...

Donald Trump says the U.S. is now "in charge” in Caracas as ousted president Nicolás Maduro appears in federal court in New York. But the dictator's henchmen remain in power for now. Will they bow to Mr. Trump's wishes or leave the country? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New York's mayor uses his inaugural address to insist he won't back away from socialism, including freezing rent and providing free buses, as he's sworn into office by Bernie Sanders. But will Mamdani be able to deliver, and at what cost? And will other Democrats follow his lead in shifting the party further to the left? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

Ford takes a huge charge on its EV business, as the Trump Administration rewrites the CAFE standards and the European Union moves to water down its 2035 clean-car mandate. Will politicians ever learn? Apparently not, as California regulators keep subsidizing the uneconomical Ivanpah solar thermal electric plant. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou...

Donald Trump says he struck a facility in Venezuela that was being used to load drug boats, as the U.S. also seizes another oil tanker. What's the latest on the effort to force dictator Nicolás Maduro from power? How much have the regime's oil revenues fallen? And is this a standoff that either Trump or Maduro will win? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky meet to work out an agreement to end Ukraine’s war with Russia, but what kind of security guarantees is Zelensky looking for from the United States? Plus, Benjamin Netanyahu comes to Mar-a-Lago to discuss the next phase of the Gaza cease-fire plan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of perso...

Before leaving town for the holidays, the House votes 221-196 to pass the SPEED Act, which would accelerate construction projects that need federal permits under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA.  How much difference could the legislation make, and does it have a shot at 60 votes in the Senate? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our co...

Republicans avoid a costly primary in the race for New York Governor, after Rep. Elise Stefanik drops out and President Trump gets behind Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. While the polling favorite is still incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, could Zohran Mamdani shake up the state's politics once he's sworn in? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou...

Donald Trump announces the construction of new U.S. battleships that the Pentagon says will be armed with nuclear cruise missiles, railguns, and lasers. Is this a smart use of naval resources? How does it fit into Trump's security strategy? And can such ships be launched fast enough to fill America's deterrence gap? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information abou...

The battle over the future of the American conservative movement is on full display as Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson trade barbs, but which side will win? Plus, Vivek Ramaswamy rejects the ideas of “heritage Americans,” and the Heritage Foundation loses major policy leaders from its organization to Mike Pence’s group, further demonstrating the divide on the right. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz...

His plan to reclassify cannabis, so that it's no longer a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, wouldn't make pot legal in the U.S., but it could help marijuana companies do more business. What does the research show about marijuana's harms, and does this fit Trump's call to "Make America Healthy Again"? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information a...

The President claimed in a rare primetime Oval Office address that the economy is doing well and will boom in 2026. Will it persuade the public? Plus Paul Gigot and Matthew Continetti on Trump's best and worst decisions of the year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NATO’s secretary general urges Europe to prepare for "the scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured," yet a new report says Ukraine is on track this year to receive the lowest level of military aid allocations since Russia's invasion. Plus, what's the latest on Donald Trump's push for a peace deal? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information abou...

Republicans so far have stood their ground on refusing to extend the Covid-era ObamaCare subsidies that Democrats passed under President Biden. With their expiration now weeks away, the House unveils a GOP healthcare bill that could increase options for American workers, including by expanding association health plans. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information a...

A spate of weekend violence in Australia and Syria shows both the rise of antisemitism worldwide and why the threat of ISIS needs to be contained. Plus, a Hong Kong court hands down its guilty verdict against pro-democracy newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai, who has been in prison for five years. Could the verdict be the start of the diplomacy that could win Jimmy Lai's release?  Hosted by Simplecast,...

Ten big tech platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat, must now take "reasonable steps" to remove Australian users who aren't yet 16 years old, and one potential U.S. presidential candidate in 2028 is saying he'd like to follow suit. How is the law being enforced, and could the U.S. take a similar approach? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information abo...