The Politics Hour: Why a candidate's text messages are shaking up Virginia's elections

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined the show to discuss the Trump administration's threat to withhold back pay from furloughed federal workers, despite 2019 legislation guaranteeing pay in the event of a shutdown. We also asked Sen. Kaine to weigh in on this week's Virginia gubernatorial debate which pitted Democrat Abigail Spanberger against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.He said the differences between the two candidates were stark as they sparred over transgender rights, political violence, and immigration."For those who haven't made their minds up, I think the temperament issue will really tip them Abigail's way," Kaine said. "For those who have made their minds up, their minds probably didn't change."Plus, violent text messages sent by the Democratic candidate for Attorney General in 2022 continue to shake up Virginia's statewide elections. Sen. Kaine gave his thoughts.Protestors rallied on Wednesday, calling for D.C. police to stop collaborating with federal immigration enforcement agents. D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson joined the show and said MPD's continued cooperation with ICE is eroding public trust.He noted that District law bars police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. A recent video shows D.C. police officers and federal agents detaining several individuals and threatening several bystanders with arrest for interfering in a possible immigration arrest."Our MPD needs to respect what our law is. More than that, they need to respect ordinary citizens of the District," he said.Also, the council debated emergency legislation this week that would have extended the youth curfew. Despite some drama, the lawmakers ultimately put off a final decision. We asked Chair Phil Mendelson why the vote became so controversial.Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org