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 [email protected]
After stunning Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military chain of command, Donald Trump calls the operation "excellent" and says that Tehran should agree to a nuclear deal, "before there is nothing left." Why did Israel act now? How much capability does Iran have to retaliate? And how will MAGA voters react to Trump's support of Israel's military action? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is using the protests in Los Angeles to cast himself as leader of the resistance to Donald Trump. Will he gain politically? Plus, more demonstrations are planned for major cities across the nation this weekend, even as the President ramps up his deportation plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removes all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, alleging ethics concerns and conflicts of interest. Do those claims hold water, or is RFK Jr. merely feeding vaccine skepticism? Plus, Donald Trump says the U.S. has reached a trade deal with China. What are the details? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer seeks testimony from top White House advisers and Biden's physician, while Donald Trump suggests his predecessor's executive actions might be void if Biden didn't personally sign them. Plus, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is brought back from El Salvador, as the Supreme Court directed, to face federal criminal charges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Donald Trump sends in the National Guard as demonstrations over his deportation agenda explode in California. Could Trump use the Insurrection Act as a response and will Gavin Newsom use the ugly incidents as a springboard for his own political aspirations? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Donald Trump and Elon Musk part ways on the GOP's big beautiful bill, but as their spat turns personal, how might it affect the legislative debate in the Senate and the package's political prospects? Plus, the Supreme Court issues unanimous rulings on so-called reverse discrimination and whether Wisconsin can deny a religious tax exemption to Catholic Charities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul Gigot speaks with former Sen. Phil Gramm about what free trade has done to American manufacturing, the political and economic damage that Donald Trump’s volatile tariff policy could have during the 2026 midterm elections, and his new book, “The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the GOP's tax-and-budget bill moves to the Senate, it gets a new opponent in Musk, who slams it on social media as a "disgusting abomination." How might the Senate improve the bill, since the alternative is a $4.5 trillion automatic tax increase amid a shaky economy? Plus, Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismisses a nuclear deal, by insisting on uranium enrichment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The daring Ukrainian attack reportedly involved sneaking drones into Russian territory, far from the front lines, until they were activated to strike Vladimir Putin's parked bombers. How much might this success affect the dynamic at the front lines? And as drone warfare changes the nature of the Ukraine conflict, is America paying attention to its own possible vulnerabilities? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul Gigot and John Yoo discuss Donald Trump's surprising attack on the Federalist Society and Leonard Leo, key allies in his successful first-term judicial appointments. They explore the puzzle of why Trump would turn against those who helped secure major conservative legal victories, examining his possible motivations and the independent nature of the judiciary. The conversation also touches on the evolution and potential fragmentation within the conservative legal movement and the implications for Trump's future judicial nominations and the retirement plans of current judges.
In an Oval Office farewell, he touts the work of his Department of Government Efficiency, while saying it will continue without him. How much has DOGE accomplished, and why did it fall short of the initial promises? Plus, the Supreme Court issues a unanimous ruling in favor of a railroad project that regulators finally approved after a 3,600-page environmental study. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After the U.S. Court of International Trade strikes down some of Donald Trump’s tariffs as a violation of his authority as president, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit pauses the decision pending further arguments. So what happens next, and will Trump win on appeal to the Supreme Court? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
He raises the idea of a 50% tax on imports from the European Union, then announces a pause two days later. Meantime, he says that Apple might face a 25% tariff on iPhones made in India, though is it economically feasible to manufacture them in the U.S.? Plus, the Trump administration changes its tone on the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As Russia continues its air bombardment of Ukraine, he takes a tougher rhetorical line, saying that Putin is "playing with fire." But if his peace negotiations go nowhere, is Trump prepared to resupply the Ukrainians with U.S. weapons and air defenses? Plus, Sen. Lindsey Graham argues for a bill, which has 82 co-sponsors, to ratchet up sanctions on Russian energy exports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Trump Administration moves to revoke Harvard's ability to enroll noncitizens on student visas, but it's temporarily blocked by a federal judge. Does the Ivy League school have a good case that this is mere retaliation by President Trump? Plus, the Supreme Court splits 4-4 on St. Isidore, the religious charter school, while signaling an end to so-called independent federal agencies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Republican tax-and-budget package squeaks through the House, 215-214, after late negotiations by the speaker to placate GOP fiscal hawks and SALT deduction enthusiasts. What are some of the highlights and lowlights of the 1,000-page bill, including on tax cuts, defense spending, food stamps, and green subsidies? And how much is the Senate likely to revise? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
New details about President Biden’s difficulties in office have prompted debate about whether the 25th Amendment could have been invoked to remove him if necessary. But it's doubtful, given the procedure that the Constitution requires. Will Democrats pay a political price for covering for Biden? Plus, his office now says he didn't receive the PSA test for prostate cancer since 2014. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rep. LaMonica McIver is accused of striking and impeding federal officers amid a confrontation at a Newark immigration detention facility. She calls the charges "ridiculous," while New Jersey's interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba says her conduct that day can't be overlooked. Plus, the Secret Service interviews James Comey about his “86 47” seashell photo posted on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A new book reveals the errors made by Democrats and the media by covering for Joe Biden's mental and physical decline that was obvious to voters. Did their efforts lead to the election of Donald Trump for a second time? Plus, Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis raises questions about the transparency of medical tests and physicals performed on presidents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The House Budget Committee votes down the Republican reconciliation package, amid a revolt by fiscal conservatives, including Rep. Chip Roy. What are their objections, and does Speaker Mike Johnson have a way to placate them without upsetting a different GOP faction? Meantime, Republican Senators are voicing a range of their own complaints about the House's handiwork. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On a four-day visit to the Middle East, Donald Trump gives a speech on his vision for the region, meets Syria's new leader, and urges Iran toward a better path. What does his agenda say about his view of U.S. foreign policy and the direction of his second term? Plus, how will Trump react to Vladimir Putin's refusal to attend the peace talks with Ukraine that were being held in Turkey? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Justices prepare to debate Donald Trump's executive order denying citizenship to U.S.-born children of illegal aliens and temporary residents, including those with student or work visas, in a case that challenges a long consensus on the 14th Amendment. Plus, the court will also consider whether federal judges overstep their authority when they issue nationwide injunctions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 14, 2025•29 min
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