WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch
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WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch
From the award-winning opinion pages of The Wall Street Journal, Paul Gigot, Kim Strassel, Bill McGurn and Kyle Peterson discuss the latest from Washington. Get critical perspective and the analysis you need on developments from the nation’s capital. Join them every weekday. Send your feedback to pw...
Recent Episodes
2132 episodes
Dan Driscoll and the Pentagon's Leadership Churn
What does the Army secretary's resignation mean for the war in Iran and the Trump agenda? Meanwhile, House Democrats vow to punish two members who hel...
Donald Trump's Case for Building More Data Centers: Taxes, Jobs and Chinese AI
As midterm candidates from both parties try to make data centers a political bogeyman, what's the reality of their water and electricity use, and can...
A New Exchange of Fire Between the U.S. and Iran
Iran's leaders worry about the U.S. economic squeeze as the United States and Iran trade fire in the Persian Gulf region. Plus, faculty at the Univers...
Mail Ballots, the USPS, and the Supreme Court / Meta's Settlement on Youth Mental Health
The Justices lift a hold on President Trump's effort to make the postal service a ballot regulator, but the case is only starting. Plus, Meta settles...
Inside WSJ Opinion's 'The Path to Zero' Documentary on the Chaotic Retreat From Afghanistan
Paul Gigot talks with producer Michael Pack about the Journal's new documentary looking back on the August 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, through t...
Paul Ryan's Big Idea to Revamp American Welfare
Paul Ryan's Big Idea to Revamp American Welfare
The former Speaker of the House joins Potomac Watch to discuss new state experiments to help mor...
Abdul El-Sayed Keeps Driving Left / Linda McMahon's College Call to Action
GOP voters in South Carolina pick Darline Graham or Ralph Norman; Michigan's El-Sayed won't pivot; and Texas and Iowa Senate seats are now tossups. Pl...
Trump Escalates His Trade War With Canada and His Sanctions War with Iran
The President threatens a 50% tariff on cars and parts from Canada, while the U.S. Treasury launches 'Operation Economic Outcast' against Iran.
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Does Anyone Understand America’s Taiwan Policy?
South Carolina Senate hopeful Darline Graham flubs a question about Taiwan, but are other politicians just as confused about this vital national secur...
Trump Pauses His 50% Canada Tariffs / The West Coast Refuels Under a Jones Act Waiver
President Trump holds off taxing more imports, including hockey sticks and building materials, saying an agreement is near. But what about his USMCA t...
A Socialist Senator from Florida?
State legislator Angie Nixon manages a surprise victory in Florida's Democratic Senate primary, but is a candidate who supports a 5% annual wealth tax...
The Florida Race to Succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Alaska's Latest Ranked-Choice Fiasco
Byron Donalds leads for the Republican nomination, while David Jolly is the Democratic favorite. Meantime, socialist candidates are popping up in Flor...
The Military Needs Funds, But Will the Bills Get Paid?
Congress worries about military readiness in the Middle East, but are Democrats willing to approve the funds to fix the problem? Plus, social media co...
New York City Takes on Amazon and Second Homeowners
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces support for the Delivery Protection Act, to force Amazon to hire its own drivers in the Big Apple. Plus, a leg...
Duke Law Admissions, Haverford's Legal Settlement, and Michigan's Grading Policy
The Justice Department accuses Duke Law of illegal race preferences and flouting the Supreme Court. Haverford College settles claims of a hostile envi...
The Badger State Says No to Socialism
Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong loses her bid to be the Democratic candidate for governor in Wisconsin, but only by a few thousand votes. What wil...
Do Democrats Want Socialist Francesca Hong as Wisconsin's Next Governor?
Francesca Hong, a 37-year-old DSA member who wants public grocery stores, is the Democratic favorite, but is she electable against Republican Tom Tiff...
A Pause on the Gaza Peace Plan?
Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the next steps in Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza, while Iran insists on charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, V...
A Senate Pileup Before Summer Recess / The FDA Approves an mRNA Flu Vaccine
Senators race to handle Todd Blanche’s confirmation as Attorney General, the late Lindsey Graham's Russia sanctions bill, a deal to fund the governmen...
Abdul El-Sayed Narrowly Wins Michigan Democrats. Can He Pivot to November?
The insurgent progressive sneaks past Rep. Haley Stevens, amid big polling error, prompting new debate on socialism and the future of the Democratic P...
Trump Fans Another Deal with Iran
President Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will open soon, but is his purported deal a capitulation that would allow Iran to control a vital waterway?...
Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens, and the Senate Choice for Michigan Democrats
The polling frontrunner is El-Sayed, who wants to pass Medicare for All and abolish ICE. Why won't mainstream Democrats, such as Stevens, take on thes...
Is Another Iran Deal in Sight After Trump Calls Off Another Attack?
President Trump again decides not to escalate the conflict with Iran, saying the regime now wants to make a deal. Plus, Attorney General nominee Todd...
The U.S. Hits Iran Again, as the Regime Widens its Aggression
Donald Trump renews strikes on Iran, after it launches ballistic missiles at U.S. forces, an attack that was thankfully intercepted. Plus, what to mak...
The Economy Slows, as the Fed Keeps Rates Steady
The economy grows a tepid 1.5% in the second quarter, despite the boom in spending for AI. Plus, the Kevin Warsh Federal Reserve holds interest rates...
Fauci Takes the Fifth on Capitol Hill
Sen. Rand Paul releases pages of the government scientist's diary from the Covid-19 pandemic, but Fauci refuses to answer questions. Plus, Ukraine's P...
Donald Trump Pushes to End the Filibuster, as Sen. John Fetterman Defends It
The President urges the GOP to nuke the Senate's 60-vote rule now, even as Fetterman flips and says Democrats were wrong about the filibuster. Plus Ma...
How Progressive Democrats Became Power Players
Recent primary results show Democratic Socialists and other progressives on the rise heading into the November midterm elections. But can the Democrat...
Trump vs. Thune, New Jersey's 400 Noncitizen Voters, and Congressional Stock Trading
The White House vents frustration that Sen. John Thune can't pass the SAVE America Act, as New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill says a glitch added 6,600 no...
The Houthis Complicate a Possibly Escalating Iran War
As President Trump surges military forces to the Middle East after nearly two weeks of nightly bombing, the Houthis hit two Saudi Arabian tankers in t...
Mamdani Drops His Threat to Handcuff Bibi
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani admits he lacks the legal authority to arrest the Israeli prime minister. But what does the episode say about the D...
JD Vance and Marco Rubio: Who's the Future of the Republican Party?
Chatter about 2028 picks up, as the Vice President presents a worldview skeptical of free-market economics, including in his book "Communion" and on t...
The War With Iran Escalates and Andy Burnham Is Britain's Newest PM
Iran strikes a U.S. base in Jordan, while three more Americans killed brings the total number of U.S. casualties to 17 during the conflict. Plus, who...
The GOP's Reconciliation 3.0 and Trump's Speech on the SAVE America Act
As Republicans try for a third reconciliation bill, what's in the House's new $95 billion budget framework? Plus Donald Trump gives a prime-time addre...
Trump Won't Renew His USMCA Trade Deal, as Michigan Gets a New Bridge to Canada
The White House wants to renegotiate trade terms with Canada and Mexico, creating uncertainty for businesses, including auto makers. Plus, the Gordie...
The Supreme Court Wants a Security Upgrade / Todd Blanche's Confirmation Hearings
Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan testify about rising security threats, as the Court seeks more money from Congress. Plus, acting Attorney G...
Trump Blockades Iran Again, While Saying the U.S. Will Guard Hormuz
Donald Trump reinstates his naval blockade of Iran and pledges to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, with or without its help. Yet his initial talk of ch...
The Legacy of Sen. Lindsey Graham and How Will His Death Affect the Senate?
Lindsey Graham will be remembered as a man who loved politics and as an advocate for a muscular, principled U.S. foreign policy. Why was he so influen...
Michigan’s Democratic Senate Debate / Trump Fires the Election Assistance Commission
The next test for leftist Democrats is Michigan's race between Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens. Plus, Alaska's top court puts Dan J. Sullivan ba...
Raging Against the Machine, Graham Platner Exits the Maine Senate Race
Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner announces he’s leaving the race by denying the allegations against him and railing against establishmen...