WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

The NATO summit kicks off this week in Turkey, with President Trump airing his complaints about European allies and their defense spending. But is the U.S. sending mixed messages about its own military posture in Europe? Plus, Donald Trump shocks the sports world by calling for a review of a red card against U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun, who is now eligible to play in a major match against Belgium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On its 250th anniversary, why does the Declaration of Independence still matter, and what are the threats to the U.S. today?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denver's 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette loses her primary to 29-year-old Melat Kiros, a socialist who says 9/11 was inevitable and the U.S. should quit sending Israel even defensive arms. While a few mainstream Democrats are starting to oppose this hostile takeover of their party, most appear willing to accommodate it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justices say the 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship, striking down President Trump's order to exclude children of illegal aliens and temporary visitors. Plus, transgender athletes don't have a constitutional right to play women's sports, and a limit on "coordinated" political spending fails the First Amendment..  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justices issue four major rulings on executive power, voting law and the Fourth Amendment, with mixed majorities in each one. The Court says Donald Trump can fire the heads of independent agencies like the Federal Trade Commission with one exception--the Federal Reserve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justices say 6-3 that the law gives the Trump Administration unreviewable authority to tell immigrants with Temporary Protected Status, including about 360,000 Haitians and Syrians, that they must go home. Plus, Hawaii's law prohibiting guns by default on private property fails the Second Amendment test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump and Senate Republicans clash on war powers and the filibuster, and a recent closed-door meeting was especially testy. Plus, the President delays signing a housing bill until Congress approves the Save America voting bill, which lacks the voters to pass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The state's Democratic primary nominates three more socialist House candidates, including Darializa Avila Chevalier, who says every deportation is wrong, calls proudly to abolish ICE, and wants to pass national rent control. How will mainstream Democrats respond, and could this hard left turn help the GOP win the midterms? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justices unanimously agree that pot consumption alone isn't enough to justify a loss of Second Amendment rights, though they offer few hints about harder cases involving harder drugs. Plus, will Congress reinforce religious liberty, after a 6-3 ruling against a Rastafarian whose head was shaved by prison guards? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns, and his successor Andy Burnham would be the seventh PM in 10 years. What's driving the instability, and what are the lessons for the U.S.? Plus, the U.S.-Iran talks go ahead, despite threats from both sides. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why were some scientists blacklisted and censored for questioning the need for lockdowns during the Covid pandemic? And why did some in Washington encourage it? Paul Gigot speaks with the Wall Street Journal's James Taranto and executive producer Michael Pack about the new documentary “The Lockdown Dissidents," the lessons learned and how to avoid repeating the same mistakes.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump explains that oil and stock prices drove his decision to sign the memorandum of understanding with Iran, in a surprising admission of U.S. weakness. What concessions did the U.S. make to Iran, and what did it get in return.? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The White House effectively bans the advanced Fable 5 model by placing it off limits to foreigners, even ones working at Anthropic. Plus, Donald Trump upends Jay Clayton's confirmation as director of national intelligence, while making new demands that Congress pass the SAVE America Act, a federal voting takeover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As D.C. holds its Democratic primary, the polling leader is Janeese Lewis George, who wants new taxes on businesses, "childcare for all," and more. But President Trump warns that D.C. is ultimately under federal control. Plus, two Dan Sullivans running in Alaska? Here's another ranked-choice voting fiasco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump and Iran say they've agreed to a ceasefire deal that lets commercial and oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz but delays talks on issues like Iran's nuclear program for another 60 days.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After President Trump names Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, the House fails to reauthorize the Section 702 surveillance program. What are the risks of letting that intelligence go dark? And now that Jay Clayton has been nominated for the permanent DNI job, how quickly will the Senate move to confirm? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump says an agreement with Iran has been made, but Iranians say the deal is not done just yet. Plus, will Republicans pass the President's defense spending request before their hold on Congress runs out?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democratic voters nominate Platner, the progressive oyster farmer, despite a string of news stories about personal scandals, including a Nazi-linked tattoo and rough treatment of a former girlfriend. Is he too unappealing and too far left to beat Sen. Susan Collins? Or could he still drop out before the November election? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On election night Pratt was in second place to Mayor Karen Bass, and now after a week of watching his position be steadily eroded by late-arriving ballots, some Republicans are crying foul. Is there hard evidence of fraud? Or is this simply another example of California's lax voting rules straining public confidence? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran and Israel exchange missiles as the Iran war passes its 100th day, with Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu saying they want the same goals despite their disagreements. Are the two world leaders heading in the right direction? Plus, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett is targeted by online harassment, as threats of violence grow in this era of polarized politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump continues to negotiate with Tehran, but lurking behind the war in the Middle East is America's larger strategic contest with the Chinese Communist Party. How is Beijing reading events in Iran? And why is President Trump sounding softer on China than he did in his first term? On this episode of Potomac Watch, Kate Odell talks with former deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger about Trump's worldview, Taiwan and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four House Republicans side with Democrats to pass a resolution calling for the end of hostilities in Iran unless Congress approves further action. Is Capitol Hill showing its lack of faith in Donald Trump’s vision for ending the war? Plus, housing regulator Bill Pulte is picked to be the next director of national intelligence despite a lack of credentials for the job, putting into question the need for the department and the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Late mail ballots will straggle in for days, but California could get some political competition in November, if Republicans Steve Hilton and Spencer Pratt hang on in the races for Governor and Los Angeles mayor. Plus, primaries in New Jersey and Iowa offer additional signs of where the midterm winds might be blowing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican lawmakers are trying to pass a reconciliation bill to fund immigration enforcement, but first they want answers on Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” slush fund. Also on Congress's agenda: Section 702 surveillance powers, a highway bill, and what about that third reconciliation package? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran suspends ceasefire negotiations with the United States as airstrikes resume in the Middle East. With threats of Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, can a deal be reached on keeping it open? Plus, New York City mayor Zoran Mamdani breaks precedent and refuses to attend the city's annual Israel Day Parade, reflecting his own anti-Israel sentiments and similar opinions growing inside the Democratic Party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The former First Lady reveals that when Joe Biden melted down during his 2024 debate with Donald Trump, she worried it might be a stroke. Yet she also insists that she saw no signs of cognitive decline. Plus, hundreds of professors at the University of California call for a return to standardized testing with the SAT or ACT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt is using viral videos to make his case against Karen Bass and become the new mayor of Los Angeles. Plus, candidates from both parties vie for the top two spots in the California primary for governor, and Pope Leo releases his first encyclical, sharing his concerns about artificial intelligence and human dignity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican voters resoundingly nominate Attorney General Ken Paxton, instead of incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, but can the AG win? Democrat James Talarico will try to make the race about Paxton's baggage, rather than his progressive views, and the GOP will have to spend money in Texas that it can't use elsewhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump says the latest negotiations with Iran are "proceeding nicely," but the details of any nuclear deal remain elusive, as U.S. forces strike new Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz. How should proposed terms be evaluated, particularly in comparison to President Obama's agreement, known as the JCPOA? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A leaked campaign "autopsy" from the Democratic National Committee says Kamala Harris lost in 2024 because the Biden White House didn't help her enough and she didn't run hard enough against Trump. But the report makes no mention of Biden's age or the Democratic divide on Israel. Plus, Tulsi Gabbard resigns from her post as President Trump's director of national intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States indicts Cuban leader Raul Castro, the brother of the late revolutionary Fidel Castro, for murder as it increases pressure on the current regime. Are the days of the dictatorship numbered at last? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump carries a GOP challenger to a primary victory over Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who made few friends with his quixotic positions, including on Israel and the Epstein files. Plus, Trump endorses in the Texas Senate race, making a risky bet to spurn Sen. John Cornyn and reward AG Ken Paxton’s MAGA loyalty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Donald Trump ends his lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax records, the Justice Department steers nearly $1.8 billion toward targets of government "weaponization." Does this mean payouts to Jan. 6 rioters, or who will get money? Plus, the GOP debates security funding for a White House ballroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senator Bill Cassidy loses in the Louisiana GOP primary after Donald Trump pushes hard for his opponent as payback for voting to convict him during his second impeachment trial. Could Thomas Massie suffer the same fate in what’s becoming a high-priced House contest for Republicans? Plus, with very few legislative achievements to run on, what are the prospects for Republicans to retain control of Congress after the November midterms? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Donald Trump leaves Beijing after meeting Xi Jinping, how much did this diplomacy accomplish? Plus, does Dr. Marty Makary's resignation at the FDA signal an agency turn? And the High Court halts an appellate ruling against mail-order mifepristone, the abortion pill, with no liberal dissents about the "shadow docket." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate approves the Federal Reserve's new leader 54-45, one day after new figures from the Labor Department show consumer prices accelerating, and not only due to oil stuck at the Strait of Hormuz. How will Warsh approach the job of getting back to 2%, and what's the legacy of outgoing Chair Jerome Powell? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump lands in Beijing for meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with agenda items that include trade and tariffs, the future of Taiwan, and the U.S. computer chips that are powering American artificial intelligence. Plus, will Trump make good on his promise to push for the freedom of Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump issues a five-month waiver of a 1920 law that says ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports must be American-built. Colin Grabow of the Cato Institute explains the results, as dozens of voyages now help to distribute oil and gasoline, and he argues the Jones Act is economic lunacy that should be repealed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran rejects Donald Trump's proposal to settle the war, and Trump says the cease-fire may not survive. On this episode of Potomac Watch, Paul Gigot speaks with the Hudson Institute's Michael Doran about the chances for renewed fighting and whether Iran's economy will break under U.S. pressure.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Virginia Supreme Court strikes down a Democratic map that voters approved last month. Meantime, Tennessee moves to oust its only congressional Democrat by splitting his Memphis seat, a majority-black district held by Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white. Which side is now winning the gerrymander wars? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Clarence Thomas becomes the second-longest-service Justice on the Supreme Court, and his impact on American law is growing. Paul Gigot speaks with law professor and former Thomas clerk John Yoo about the Justice’s influence on the Court and the recent testy exchanges between Justices that have played out in public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Potomac Watch, Paul Gigot sits down with former Senator Ben Sasse about his diagnosis with Stage IV pancreatic cancer and his experience with experimental drug trials to battle it. They also discuss the challenges of reforming higher education, why there is so much dysfunction in the Senate, and what are the keys to a strong American comeback during its 250th anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal regulations permit the drug to be dispensed by mail without a doctor's visit, but after an appeals court rules against that policy, Justice Samuel Alito halts any change until the Supreme Court can consider it. Plus, does mifepristone by mail present concerns that women might be privately coerced into taking it?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump moves to escort ships trapped in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran answers by firing on tankers and hits the U.A.E. What are the President’s options as a showdown in the Strait of Hormuz looms? Plus, Spirit Airlines shuts down, leaving thousands out of a job and questions about what could have prevented the end of the low-cost airline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justices say the Voting Rights Act requires an inference of "intentional discrimination" before states can be ordered to draw minority-majority districts. Does this "gut" the VRA, as Democrats claim? How many House seats might be affected? And why has Justice Clarence Thomas argued the result might be less racial polarization? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announces he will remain on the board as a governor as Kevin Warsh prepares to take over. What could be his reasons for staying and what does it mean for the Fed? Plus, the U.S. economy keeps growing modestly, but inflation is getting higher according to the new economic data from the first quarter of 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justice Department releases a new indictment of the former FBI Director, claiming his Instagram post of seashells spelling out “86 47” was a threat to kill President Trump. Plus, Gov. Ron DeSantis's new House map could counter Virginia's Democratic gerrymandering, but is it a risk for the GOP if trends change? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Police caught Okello Chatrie using location data from Google, and now he wants the Justices to say this violated the Fourth Amendment, which protects against "unreasonable searches and seizures." Plus, the Court hears arguments on whether cancer lawsuits against the weed killer Roundup are preempted by federal law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After an assassin targets members of the Trump administration at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, questions about security protocols arise as the President vows for the event to be held again. Plus, Britain's King Charles visits the U.S. in a much anticipated state visit to Washington, bringing hopes of repairing a frayed relationship amid the pageantry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration shifts medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, opening up federal tax deductions that will be a boon to America's pot industry. Plus, President Trump suggests the federal government might step in to bail out or even buy Spirit Airlines, a precedent that progressives will love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices