On the final episode of Sidebar, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger breakdown the shaky ceasefire between Iran and Israel – and whether it will hold. And having decided to enter the conflict , President Trump is now trying to play peacemaker. Then, the crew breaks down Trump's stunning turn of fortune since Sidebar began – from being found guilty in his New York hush money and election interference trial, to winning the presidency for a second time and ...
Jun 24, 2025•50 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down the evolving news on Iran – from trading strikes with Israel to President Trump's increasing involvement. The crew breaks down what Trump says he might do, what his endgame is – and whether Israel is luring the United States into a war of its choosing. Then, Trump's 2024 financial disclosures have been released – and the President made money from all kinds of ventures, from his golf courses to crypto t...
Jun 17, 2025•29 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down just how much President Trump wants to remind you that he's Commander-in-Chief – from deploying the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, to Saturday's military parade in D.C. Plus, Democrats accuse Trump of intentionally provoking protests in an attempt to justify escalating use of military force . And later, video journalist Anna Liss-Roy joins the show to discuss what it's like along Saturday's...
Jun 12, 2025•29 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down the Republican drama surrounding President Trump's signature "Big, beautiful bill" – starting with the dramatic social media breakup occurring between Trump and Elon Musk. And are GOP senators on board with Trump's plan? Then, Trump seems to be reacting to that drama by creating distractions – from a new travel ban to a dubious investigation of his predecessor. Plus, former president Joe Biden's former...
Jun 05, 2025•31 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down some of the most controversial provisions in Republicans' giant spending and immigration bill : Provisions that would affect Medicare and the Affordable Care Act. While the bill has already passed the GOP-controlled House, it might have a tougher time getting through the Senate, where some Republican senators have already expressed doubts – like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Ark.), who has said it is “wrong to c...
Jun 03, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe to delve inside the ongoing drama in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's inner circle: Who is at odds with whom, and what does it mean for Hegseth's job security. Then, President Trump has been on a spree of issuing pardons and commutations for convicted felons – many of whom are his supporters. The crew breaks down who got pardons, and why. Finally, Elon Musk is out of go...
May 29, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann dive into the ways institutions are fighting back against President Trump – both culturally and legally – starting with Harvard University and NPR, which are both embroiled in lawsuits with the administration. Plus, how are those two institutions bellweathers for the rest of America, from other universities to media outlets and free speech?...
May 27, 2025•29 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down a busy week in Washington, starting with the shocking shooting of two Israeli embassy employees . Then, the crew dives into the GOP's "big, beautiful" budget bill : What's in it, what the sticking points were, and what had to be negotiated. Later, the crew breaks down the chaotic meeting in the Oval Office between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa – and how Trump is using Oval Office me...
May 22, 2025•29 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" – the 1,100-page proposal for a measure that includes a whole of of the GOP's priorities, all in one package . But does Trump have the support of his own caucus , or does he need to convince Republicans in both the House and the Senate to vote for it? The crew dives into what changes it would make to U.S. law, which tax cuts it would extend, and how Republicans h...
May 20, 2025•29 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger break down how President Trump is trying to remake Washington in a MAGA image – from hanging huge photos of himself from federal buildings to taking over cultural institutions and firing people, in some cases, seemingly simple for their gender or skin color. Then, the crew breaks down Trump's long history of financial conflicts of interest with the presidency, how he has ignored norms, how past preside...
May 15, 2025•28 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by national security reporter Abigail Hauslohner to discuss President Trump's trip to the Middle East . The crew breaks down Trump's sit-down with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and his plan to attract Saudi investment in the U.S. Then, the release of the last American hostage in Gaza, Edan Alexander. And is it a snub for Trump to skip meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Pl...
May 13, 2025•32 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by religion reporter Michelle Boorstein and Rome bureau chief Anthony Faiola to discuss the papal conclave and the election of the first American pope, Leo XIV . The crew breaks down the process the cardinals followed, then dives into the politics of the conclave : How cardinals make themselves candidates, and how they try to elevate their positions behind the scenes while adhering to the strict tradit...
May 08, 2025•27 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by senior national political correspondent Naftali Bendavid to break down whether President Trump is setting up his second term to make him a chief executive associated with prosperity, or with austerity . Having run on a platform of economic populism, Trump now says the country will have to endure "pain" – but is that what voters wanted? Then, Trump is using the power of the presidency to influence, or even bully,...
May 06, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey and Rhonda Colvin are joined by national political reporter Maeve Reston to break down what's going on with Democrats – from the big stars like Kamala Harris, who have recently run for office, to the up-and-coming names who are already positioning themselves for potential 2028 presidential runs. Plus, what are Democrats in Congress, and former Biden officials, doing to fight back against the Trump administration's most controversial policies?...
May 01, 2025•34 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by White House reporter Emily Davies to discuss President Trump's first 100 days back in office – from his campaign-trail promises to his shock-and-awe campaign to change the federal workforce, immigration the economy . What has Trump delivered on? And where has he gone farther than voters expected or wanted? Plus, how do Americans feel about Trump and his early policies – and is it what they voted for...
Apr 29, 2025•32 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this week’s episode, The Washington Post’s Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger discuss the ongoing fallout between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s top Cabinet and administration officials, as well as the CEO's announcement Tuesday that he will step away from his U.S. DOGE Service responsibilities as a "special government employee." Musk, a GOP megadonor and close adviser to Trump, has seen his net worth crumble in the aftermath of the current trade war, as his Tesla stock plummets...
Apr 24, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger discuss the latest allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared information about military plans on a group chat – this time, one that reportedly included his wife, brother and personal lawyer . The crew breaks down Hegseth's attempts at damage control, and why he's still in the job . Then, we go inside the reported chaos, screaming matches and proposed DOGE cuts at the Pentagon. And a former Hegseth aide s...
Apr 22, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger break down President Trump's broadside at Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell on Thursday , saying he looks forward to Powell's "termination." The crew explains why Trump wants Powell out as Fed chair – and his long history of targeting the country's central banking system for criticism. Then, a federal judge said he would launch an investigation into whether Trump officials should face criminal contempt charges fo...
Apr 17, 2025•29 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger break down whether President Trump has a plan to enact his biggest policy priorities – or if major changes to government and policy are being undertaken without detailed objectives. And is there anyone in the White House who Trump truly listens to? Plus, Trump has targeted another University – this time going after Harvard.
Apr 15, 2025•29 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down President Trump's apparent strategy of pushing norms and testing the U.S. court system to see how far he can push his policies. The crew looks at how Trump has approached firing federal workers and immigration, and how the court system has handled legal challenges on both policy fronts. Plus, has the Supreme Court largely given his policies a pass, or is it reigning him in?
Apr 10, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss the latest on the economy and Trump's tariffs – starting with the short-lived morning rally in the U.S. stock markets. The crew breaks down whether President Trump and his administration might be willing to negotiate with countries on the import duties Trump has put in place. Plus, will a proposed Senate bill that would limit the president's power to put tariffs in place without congressional approval act...
Apr 08, 2025•32 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by White House reporter Cat Zakrzewski to discuss the latest on the massive set of tariffs President Trump is putting into place. Plus, how will tariffs affect consumers – and is Congress finally preparing to take some of its own power back ? Then: The deadline for a TikTok sale is coming up soon. The crew breaks down the latest on attempts to negotiate some kind of sale to a U.S. buyer....
Apr 03, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by White House economic reporter Jeff Stein to discuss President Trump's proposed sweeping tariffs – and the day he and his team have referred to as "Liberation Day." What effect will those tariffs have, how will the costs be passed on to American citizens, and why is Trump so set on remaking the United States' relationship with the rest of the world? Plus, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) speaks for hours an...
Apr 02, 2025•29 min
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger discuss the Signal leak by Trump administration officials, whether there could be investigations , and why some of the officials involved are denying classified information was sent in the group chat that included a magazine editor. Plus, President Trump and his administration seem to be creating a climate of fear at the country's borders, checking visitors' phones and in several cases arresting people...
Mar 27, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down the Trump administration's leak of national security information to a magazine editor – and how Congress reacted to it in a fiery hearing on Tuesday. Plus, is the Trump administration transparent – or just claiming to be?...
Mar 25, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, President Trump has called Washington’s D.C. a ‘rat-infested…sh—hole’. Over $1 billion in city funding earmarked for 2025 has been held up by Republican lawmakers and the federal workforce is being decimated. Today, the gang is joined by local reporters Meagan Flynn and Emily Davies to make sense of the Trump administration’s complex and at times combative relationship with the nation’s capital. Washington’s federal workforce is reeling, with mass layoffs already announced and i...
Mar 20, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann, and immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti discuss the deportation of hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members to a prison in El Salvador without due process under the Alien Enemies Act , a rarely invoked law from the 18th century. In response to a court placing a restraining order on the deportations, the President called for the judge to be impeached, Trump and his allies' defiant tone against the judiciary drew the ire of Chief Just...
Mar 18, 2025•30 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann, and JM Rieger take a closer look at President Donald Trump’s transformation from vocal crypto critic to now spearheading the U.S. government’s full-throated embrace of cryptocurrency and digital commodities. Trump’s new love of crypto was on full display during White House Crypto Summit on March 7 , led by crypto and artificial intelligence czar David Sacks. The Trump administration, along with tech industry leaders, touted deregulation, a Strategic...
Mar 13, 2025•26 min•Season 315Ep. 10
On this episode, The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger explain why Washington is once again under the cloud of a looming government shutdown – and why fiscal conservatives might have to hold their noses and vote to keep the government open. Plus, how Vice President JD Vance is finding a role for himself as a go-between for members of Congress who want access to the White House....
Mar 11, 2025•30 min
In this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann decode President Trump's efforts to redefine America's role on the world stage – from seemingly starting trade wars with China, Mexico and Canada to straining alliances with Europe that have defined American foreign policy since the Second World War. Plus, what is Trump really trying to accomplish – and is he playing chess, with a longer strategy in mind, or just checkers?...
Mar 06, 2025•32 min•Season 315Ep. 10
