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Washington Today

Catch up on the biggest stories of the day from Washington with interviews and analysis from leading journalists. Posted weekdays at 6:30 pm ET. From C-SPAN, the network that brings you the "Q&A" podcast.

Episodes

Weekend Edition: Faith Leaders in Politics, RFK Jr.'s Nomination to be HHS Secretary, and Electric Vehicles in Trump Admin.

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First a discussion about the role of faith leaders in politics with the Reverend Paul Brandeis Raushenbush president and CEO of the Interfaith Alliance. Then, a conversation with Brian Blase (blaze) of the Paragon Institute about the "Make America Healthy Again" movement and Robert F. Kennedy Junior's nomination to be H-H-S secretary. Finally, we talk about the future of Electric Vehicles in the Trump administrat...

Feb 02, 202533 min

President Trump suggests FAA workforce DEI to blame for deadly midair helicopter-plane collision

President Trump says FAA's DEI policies in hiring air traffic controllers could have led to deadly midair collision between Army helicopter and passenger plane over Potomac River; Senate confirmation hearings for DNI nominee Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Senate Budget Committee approves OMB Director nominee Russell Vought with Republican votes after Democrats boycott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 30, 202554 min

HHS Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. tells Senate Finance Committee, 'I'm not anti-vaccine. I'm pro-safety'

Health & Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on vaccine safety, nutrition & chronic disease, abortion and Medicaid reform; White House Budget Office rescinds a freeze on federal grants & loans, but says the president's Executive Order limiting money for such programs as DEI is still in effect; Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady; President Trump signs his first bill into law, the Laken Riley Act, requiring detention of und...

Jan 30, 202550 min

Judge blocks President Trump temporary freeze on federal loans & grants; WH Press Sec Karoline Leavitt holds first news conference

Federal judge puts a temporary hold on President Trump's order pausing federal grants and loans, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds her first news conference, interview with NBC's Scott Wong from House Republican retreat in Doral, FL (20), Senate confirms Sean Duffy to be Transportation Secretary, Senate Democrats block a bill to sanction ICC, Israel bars UNWRA, Senate committee hearing on Panama Canal and treaty obligations, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moves hands on "Doomsday...

Jan 29, 202554 min

Hegseth Promises ‘Shift’ at Pentagon and a Focus on Immigration

House Republicans met in Florida today for their annual strategy session. House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters there's QUOTE no daylight between Congress and President Trump's use of economic sanctions to enforce his illegal immigration policies. The Speaker's comments come as the US and Colombia agreed on accepting deported migrants. That agreement followed a flurry of threats from President Trump, including steep tariffs. The Senate is in this week. They're working on more of President Tr...

Jan 27, 202540 min

Weekend Edition: Polling on Trump's Policy Agenda, January 6 Pardons, and Executive Actions

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, we look at new polling on President Trump's policy agenda, with Cliff Young, president of Polling & Societal Trends at Ipsos. Then, USA Today Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen discusses President Trump's January 6 pardons. Plus, Federal News Network Reporter Drew Friedman discusses President Trump's executive actions aimed at overhauling the federal government workforce. Learn more about your ad...

Jan 25, 202535 min

President Trump says in visit to NC area hit hard by Hurricane Helene he will reform or eliminate FEMA

President Trump surveys disaster zones in NC & CA, says he is considering 'getting rid of FEMA' and wants conditions on aid to CA; Vice President JD Vance speaks to the anti-abortion "March for Life" rally in DC; Senate may be in session this weekend to confirm nominees for Defense Secretary and Homeland Security Secretary; interview with Vox's Dylan Matthews on President Trump's plans not to spend money authorized by Congress, known as 'impoundment' (24); Govs. Sanders (R-AR) & Beshear (D-KY) a...

Jan 24, 202549 min

President Trump speaks to World Economic Forum; Senate confirms CIA Dir Ratcliffe, advances Def Sec nominee Hegseth

President Trump speaks to the World Economic Forum about tariffs and trade, war in Ukraine and U.S.-China relations; Senate confirms John Ratcliffe for CIA Director and advances Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary; Senate confirmation hearing for Agriculture Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins; interview with The Hill's Zach Schonfeld on a federal judge putting a hold on President Trump's Executive Order to restrict birthright citizenship. (41) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

Jan 23, 202550 min

Laken Riley Act clears Congress, sent to President Trump to sign into law

House passes Laken Riley Act requiring detention of undocumented immigrants for theft-related crimes, sending it to President Trump; Senate does not advance a bill requiring doctors to provide medical care to an infant that survives an abortion; Speaker Johnson says he does not "second guess" President Trump's decision to pardon more than 1,500 January 6thrioters, including those who assaulted police; new allegations of abusive behavior by Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth; Senate Transport...

Jan 22, 202549 min

President Trump announces AI infrastructure investment, defends pardoning January 6 rioters who attacked police

President Trump announces up to $500 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure investment and talks about his first day Executive Orders, including pardoning January 6 attack rioters; Senate hearings for UN Ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik and Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee Doug Collins; Senate committee approves Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent; Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks about America First foreign policy agenda; Episcopal Bishop pleads with President Trump at Na...

Jan 22, 202554 min

Donald Trump Sworn In as 47th U.S. President in Second Term

For the first time since 1985, a presidential inauguration was held inside the Capitol Rotunda due to frigid temperatures and biting wind chills in Washington, D.C. Despite the scaled-back setting; the event maintained the pomp and circumstance expected of such a momentous occasion. Today's edition of Washington Today highlights President Trump's inauguration, President Joe Biden's final acts, including last-minute pardons, and Martin Luther King III's reflections on his father’s enduring legacy...

Jan 20, 202543 min

Weekend Edition: Incoming Trump Admin. Trade Policies, House Legislation Bans Transgender Athletes In Women's Sports, and Think Tank Funding

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a discussion about the incoming Trump Administration's trade and tariff policies with Republican Congressman Adrian Smith of the Ways & Means Committee. Then, we discuss House legislation passed earlier this week – that bans transgender athletes in women’s sports with former college athlete and Massachusetts representative Lori Trahan (D-MA). Finally, Quincy Institute's Ben Freeman joins us to discuss his ...

Jan 19, 202534 min

Trump inauguration moves indoors, Supreme Court upholds law banning TikTok in U.S., DHS Sec Noem testifies

President-elect Trump moves indoors due to cold weather, Supreme Court upholds ban on TikTok if parent company does not sell, DHS Secretary nominee Kristi Noem asked about border security at her Senate confirmation hearing, Senate advances Laken Riley Act immigration bill, President Biden says Equal Rights Amendment is part of the Constitution, Gov. DeWine (R-OH) appoints Lt. Gov. Husted (R-OH) to vacant U.S. Senate seat, latest on Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release agreement. Learn more...

Jan 17, 202549 min

Treasury Sec nominee Scott Bessent tells Senate Finance Cmte the Trump Admin. will unleash a 'new economic golden age'

More Trump Cabinet confirmation hearings: Scott Bessent (Treasury), Doug Burgum (Interior), Lee Zeldin (EPA); Gov. DeSantis says he will appoint FL Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill Senate seat that will be vacant when Sen. Rubio is confirmed as Secretary of State; last-minute maneuvering to try to prevent TikTok ban in U.S. starting Sunday; Secretary of State Blinken's final news conference interrupted by journalists upset at policy towards Israel; President Biden honored at Defense Departm...

Jan 16, 202551 min

Israel & Hamas reach ceasefire & hostage release deal; Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi testifies at a Senate confirmation hearing

President Biden & President-elect Trump both claim credit for Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release agreement; Senate confirmation hearings for Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi, Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, CIA Director nominee John Ratcliffe; Vice President Harris on L.A. wildfire misinformation; Supreme Court case challenges pornography website age verification law in Texas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 16, 202553 min

Senators question Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth about sexual assault allegations, excessive drinking, women in combat

Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, debate over adding conditions to federal disaster aid for California wildfires, House passes bill banning transgender girls and women in K-12 and college sports, reaction to special counsel Jack Smith's report on charges against Donald Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release deal said to be close. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...

Jan 14, 202553 min

POTUS Biden Delivers Final Foreign Policy Speech

In his final foreign policy speech today, President Biden said the US is winning the worldwide competition…Speaking at the State Department, the president reflected on his administration’s accomplishments around the world…He talked about the Afghanistan withdrawal…Russia's invasion of Ukraine…and said his administration is working urgently to reach a cease-fire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas terrorists…We'll hear from the president's speech coming up… The Pentagon said today US milita...

Jan 13, 202543 min

President-elect Trump is sentenced in his hush money criminal case to 'unconditional discharge', with no punishment

President-elect Trump is given an unconditional discharge sentence in his hush money case with no punishment, The Hill's Zach Schoenfeld on the Supreme Court oral argument in a case challenging the law that could ban TikTok in the U.S. (20), President Biden on the response to the Southern California wildfires, Biden Administration sanctions Russia's energy industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 10, 202553 min

President Biden in eulogy commends former President's Carter's 'strength of character'

President Biden emphasizes former President Carter's 'character' at state funeral at Washington National Cathedral, President Biden gets briefing on response to Los Angeles wildfires, Senate advances Laken Riley Act immigration bill, House passes bill to sanction ICC over arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, Defense Secretary Austin urges U.S. continued military support for Ukraine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 10, 202556 min

President Biden briefed on LA wildfires, pledges federal gov't will 'do anything and everything' to help

President Biden & Gov. Newsom briefed on the LA wildfires; President-elect Trump meets with Senate Republicans in Washington, DC on agenda; departing leaders of FTC, CFTC, CDC discuss policies under new administration; more reaction to Donald Trump saying U.S. should take Greenland; possibly final meeting this week of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 09, 202549 min