The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

It's the District's trial of the year. Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White is being tried in federal court this week on charges that he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes in late 2024. The trial's outcome will have major ramifications for the D.C. Council and Ward 8 residents. The Washington Sun's Jenny Gathright explains what's at stake and gives us the latest from court.

Loudoun County lawmakers pushed forward a year-long pause on data center development this week. It's the latest sign of recent community backlash against the industry. And now federal lawmakers are getting...

It’s been 25 years since 9/11. The attacks here and across the country deeply changed our region. This week on The Politics Hour, we look back on that day. Barbara Favola was an Arlington County Board member in 2001 and helped coordinate the response to the attack on the Pentagon, which is in the county. Kojo talks to the now-Virginia State Senator.

Plus, we hear from listeners who all week have sent in their own reflections and memories about what happened that day. Kojo and Tom will also share their thoughts and discuss how the region has changed in th...

The Loudoun County data center debate has gone national. The growth of "Data Center Alley" - and the tax revenue that comes from it - has led to gleaming new community centers and low property taxes. But the proliferation of data centers in the region has also led to mounting resident concerns over the environmental impacts and potential health risks.

Now, county lawmakers are weighing whether to pause data center development. Loudoun County Board Chair Phyllis Randall joins the show to weigh in on the big vote later this month about halting new projects. Plus, why Loudoun...

The Politics Hour is back from summer break with another big show!

A judge's ruling this week put the Maryland Democrat-backed redistricting plan in limbo. WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu explains the court's decision and what comes next.

Local officials are sharing their concerns about the surge in federal immigration enforcement operations across the region. In Northern Virginia, elected leaders and residents are accusing ICE agents of using particularly brutal tactics. This includes an incident in Arlington where a man suffered a brain hemorrhage. Arlington County Board Vice Chair Maureen Coffey gets behind the mic...

All eyes are now on November's midterm elections, after this week's Virginia primaries turned out to be a "big snoozer." Could the Commonwealth be the difference in which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives? We ask Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell. Plus, Sen. Surovell explains why he agrees with President Trump's plan to overhaul Dulles Airport and whether he shares Governor Abigail Spanberger's skepticism about a potential Dominion-NextEra merger.

Maryland lawmakers greenlit a redistricting referendum this week that now heads to voters in November for approval. The move would redraw the state's congressional districts...

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced this week she will not sign the Council-approved budget, saying it sets up a nearly $900 million fiscal cliff for the city’s next mayor. It’s a move that some believe will invite Congress to intrude again in District affairs. D.C.’s Shadow Representative Oye Owolewa gets behind the mic to share what kind of message he thinks it sends. Owolewa also talks about his recent Democratic primary win in the D.C. Council At-Large race and his big plans if voters decide to give him the keys to the Wilson Building come N...

House Republicans are pushing a bill aimed at restricting D.C.'s ability to decrease or increase local taxes. D.C. lawmakers are calling it an egregious attack on Home Rule. Council Chair Phil Mendelson joins the show to discuss why not allowing the District to change the tax code could "paralyze" the city. Plus, Kojo and Tom ask him his thoughts on driverless vehicles, potential renovations to Audi Field, and having Elissa Silverman back on the Council.

The White House released a report earlier this month accusing the Smithsonian museums of "undermining faith in American institutions."...

Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George secured the Democratic nomination last month to be the city’s next mayor. Her win, plus other progressive candidates’ victories, sets the stage for a new era in D.C. politics. She’s now poised to become the city’s first Democratic socialist mayor. Lewis George joins Kojo and Tom in the studio for an exclusive hour-long conversation about what her win means for District residents, why she thinks her brand of politics dominated, her plan to execute on campaign promises, and what it will take to establish a working relationship with Presiden...

Metro is having a moment. The agency set ridership records over the July 4th weekend, riders are buying up Metro merch, and the agency is a key player in the city's biggest development project in decades. Yes, Metro is cool again, but challenges remain, including an uncertain financial future, extended shutdowns, and fare evaders. Metro General Manager Randy Clarke takes a ride into our studio to discuss it all.

Virginia's primary elections are less than a month away, but early voting is already underway. It's been a chaotic election season, with Virginia voters passing a redistricting referendum...

Marylanders voted in key primary elections this week for congressional seats, county executive, county council, state legislatures, state's attorney, and other local seats.

At-Large Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando appears poised to become the Democratic nominee to succeed Marc Elrich in the county's top role. The race was shaped by disagreements over data centers, taxes, and affordability. The race got contentious as major money poured into the contest. Councilmember Jawando joins the show to discuss his message to voters, his legislative priorities, and what comes next.

Interim Prince George's County State's Attorney Tara Jackson has...

It was a historic primary election in the District, with several top jobs on the ballot. While it perhaps took longer than expected, the big races were finally called, including Janeese Lewis George securing the Democratic nomination for D.C. mayor. WAMU's D.C. politics reporter Alex Koma gets behind the mic to break down Lewis George's monumental win and what comes next. Plus, he talks about several races that will be decided by ranked-choice voting.

In another closely-watched contest, D.C. Councilmember Robert White soundly defeated four other candidates to become the Democratic nominee in the...

D.C. voters are preparing to head to the polls to make their picks in the primary elections for mayor, D.C. delegate to Congress, and a handful of seats on the D.C. Council.

A recent poll shows Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George leading her former Council colleague Kenyan McDuffie by double digits, but many voters remain undecided heading into the final stretch. WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics Reporter Alex Koma and the Washington Informer's Sam P.K. Collins stop by The Politics Hour to break down exactly what's happening in each race. They'll...

Montgomery County Public Schools are looking to cut hundreds of positions to close a nearly $40 million budget gap. The cuts follow the Montgomery County Council's failure to fully fund MCPS's budget request. Throughout the budget process, District 5 Councilmember Kristin Mink looked for ways to fully fund the school district. She joins the show to explain what the council can do now to support schools. Plus, she discusses her support for bills signed by the County Executive this week limiting federal immigration enforcement in the county, and we ask her to weigh in on the County Executive race.

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The Politics Hour goes on the road this week, broadcasting our D.C. Delegate Democratic primary forum live from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Northwest D.C.!

Kojo and Tom are joined on stage by all five candidates running in the Democratic primary to represent the District in Congress. We ask the big questions.. and get answers... about public safety, D.C.'s economy, protecting the District from federal intrusion, and so much more. Listen to learn about the candidates vying to succeed Eleanor Holmes Norton before heading to the polls for the Democratic...

The first public poll in the D.C. mayoral race is out, showing Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George with a slight lead over former At-Large D.C Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. However, ranked-choice voting could play a huge role in the tightening race. The poll, from City Cast DC, is a fascinating deep dive glimpse into how age, race, geography, and even being a D.C. sports fan shape residents' political leanings. City Cast host and executive editor Michael Schaffer joins us to break down what they found and also what polling says about the D.C. Delegate...

After months as the main roadblock, it appears Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson is softening his position on redistricting. The recent Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act and Maryland Governor Wes Moore notably leaving Ferguson off his list of political endorsements appear to be two big factors. WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu gets behind the mic to tell us about what she's hearing from lawmakers about Maryland redistricting.

Virginia Democrats are throwing a Hail Mary in hopes of saving their redistricting efforts. On Monday, they asked the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency injunction...

The Virginia Supreme Court blocked the voter-passed redistricting amendment on Friday, sending shockwaves through the Commonwealth and the nation. The ruling dramatically alters Democrats' plans to take back the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, who represents Virginia's 10th Congressional District, joins the show to give us his take on the ruling and what comes next for his party.

Maryland's own redistricting push appeared to be dead, but could recent rulings revive it? We ask WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu what she's heard. Plus, the race to replace retiring Prince George's County Congressman Steny Hoyer...

A new report from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments revealed that the D.C. area federal workforce is its lowest level in nearly 40 years. The Trump administration's 2025 cuts led to the loss of more than 60,000 federal jobs. Clark Mercer, who leads the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, joins the show to discuss what drastic job losses over the last year means for the region's economy, annual budgets, and social services.

The D-C Council plans to vote yet again next week on an emergency measure to extend an enhanced youth curfew. But some councilmembers think there are...

Virginia voters approved a temporary redrawing of Congressional maps that is expected to give Democrats a 10-to-1 advantage and help national Democrats retake control of the House . But legal challenges remain. U.S. Representative James Walkinshaw (D-VA), who represents a large portion of Fairfax County, joined the show to explain what redistricting means for his constituents, the midterms, and beyond.

Proposed tax hikes are taking center stage in Montgomery County's budget negotiations. Many councilmembers are rejecting County Executive Marc Elrich's pitch to raise property taxes. Council President Natali Fani-González released a proposal late last week that i...

The Maryland General Assembly wrapped its session this week, but not before a rowdy last few minutes. Lawmakers are touting major accomplishments such as the Utility RELIEF Act, a balanced budget, and a slew of anti-ICE bills. However, notable legislation was left on the Capitol floor, including election reforms and redistricting. State Senator Cheryl Kagan, who represents Montgomery County, got behind the mic to recap a busy session and what comes next.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled her proposed budget late last week. It includes significant cuts to childcare and paid leave programs. The budget now...

Tension is testing the unsteady ceasefire in the Iran War. The D.C. region is feeling the impacts on public safety, gas prices, and the local Iranian community. U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), who sits on the House Oversight Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, talked with Kojo and Tom about how the overseas conflict is affecting area residents. Plus, we get his take on Virginia's redistricting referendum heading into the midterms and his push for a national data center strategy.

This week, the Prince George's County Council unanimously passed a series of emergency measures aimed...

The Supreme Court heard arguments this week about limiting birthright citizenship, with President Trump in attendance. It's a case with far-reaching implications nationally and across the D.C. region. U.S. Representative and constitutional lawyer Jamie Raskin (D-MD) joined the show to explain the case and why judges appear to be leaning in one direction. Plus, we asked Rep. Raskin about the war in Iran and the redistricting push in the Maryland House of Delegates.

Rep. Raskin said he supports redrawing the state's congressional maps and has lobbied Senate President Bill Ferguson to take up the measure. 

After years of debate, the Virginia General Assembly finally gave the green light to controversial legislation allowing developers to build a casino in Tysons. Some local officials are vehemently against the proposal, including Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay. He got behind the mic to explain his opposition and what could happen next.

The Maryland General Assembly this week hit its midpoint, known as "Crossover Day," when bills must move to the other chamber or be shelved. Lawmakers are considering bills to lower utility costs, expand Medicaid to include obesity treatment, and ban cell phones...

This week marked a key milestone in the 2026 D.C. election season: The deadline for candidates to submit signatures to qualify for the June primary ballot. WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma gave us the latest on the city's big elections, including the first open seats in years for mayor and D.C. delegate. Plus, we discussed another attempt by Congress to undermine D.C.'s ability to self-govern.

This week, the U.S. House Oversight Committee advanced a proposal to ban D.C. traffic cameras. While the measure still needs to be passed by...

We took the Politics Hour on the road this week, broadcasting our Montgomery County Executive forum, featuring Democratic primary candidates, from the Silver Spring Civic Building.

Kojo and WAMU Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu were joined by Andrew Friedson, Evan Glass, and Will Jawando, all Montgomery County councilmembers. We asked them for their takes on a range of topics, including housing, federal immigration enforcement, and data centers, as the candidates made their cases to voters ahead of the Democratic primary on June 23.

Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us...

Members of the local congressional delegation are strongly criticizing President Trump's decision to enter into a war with Iran. Iraqi war veteran and U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman joined the show from the U.S. Capitol to discuss why he thinks the military strikes were illegal and what might be next. Plus, Rep. Vindman weighed in on Virginia redistricting as early voting gets underway.

The D.C. Council passed two bills this week aimed at increasing transparency around MPD's cooperation with federal immigration agencies. At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson got behind the mic to talk about the legislation...

Virginia state lawmakers are considering eliminating a billion-dollar data center tax break to help balance the budget. This comes as local jurisdictions, including Fairfax County, continue to debate restrictions amid plans for more data centers.  Virginia State Senator Jennifer Boysko, who sits on the senate finance committee and represents Fairfax County, joined the show from Richmond to discuss lawmakers' latest proposal. Plus, she explained her opposition to Fairfax County casino legislation, which is currently moving through the Virginia House of Delegates.

D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a legal opinion this week Congress missed its deadline t...

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser this week declared the Potomac River sewage spill a public emergency while also requesting federal help and money for cleanup. It's the latest move in a local disaster that has turned political. NBC 4 Washington reporter Mark Segraves joined Kojo and Tom to break down what exactly happened, how local officials are trying to manage the crisis, and what comes next.

The data center debate has come to Montgomery County. Elected officials in recent weeks have taken competing stances on the best way to manage data center growth, including a proposal to restrict...

The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a bill to block D.C. from uncoupling the city's tax code from the federal code. It's a move that will cost the District nearly $700 million in revenue and will almost certainly lead the city to ax the first-of-its-kind local child tax credit. Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker joined the show to discuss what Congress's interference means for the District.

Parker said the change could also create tax season chaos. 360,000 District residents file personal income returns. The tax code shift might force the city to push back its tax...

Last month's winter storm continues to pose challenges for counties and cities across the region. In Prince George's County, some side streets are still snow- and ice-covered, and schools only reopened on Wednesday of this week. Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy joined Kojo and Tom to explain why the county is struggling with cleanup. Plus, we asked County Executive Braveboy why she supports some Maryland lawmakers' efforts to redraw Congressional maps.

The bill allows Democrats to re-work the congressional map in their favor, with the goal of ousting the state’s lone Republican representative. \But the le...

The D.C. area experienced one of its most significant winter storms in a decade, resulting in days of impassable roads, closed schools, and unshoveled bus stops. Criticism has mounted against local officials as they continue to struggle to get the region moving again.

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke joined the show to discuss how Metro approaches storm cleanup, the challenges of returning to regular service, and what lessons can be learned. Plus, we asked about the ongoing debate over the best way to fund Metro and transit police's relationship with federal immigration agents.

A...

Maryland Governor Wes Moore is pitching a plan to close the state's $1.4 billion budget without tax hikes. Instead, he's proposing spending cuts, budget shifts, and drawing from a clean energy fund. The governor joined the show to break down his budget proposal. Plus, what's next in the redistricting battle.

Maryland House Democrats introduced a bill Friday that would redraw the state’s eight congressional districts. The changes could give Democrats the ability to flip Maryland’s lone Republican District. This comes only days after the state’s redistricting commission recommended a "concept map" favoring Democrats in Congress.

G...

Locals are protesting last week's fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, while officials wrestle with how to keep residents safe as the Trump administration continues its immigration crackdown. In Montgomery County, elected leaders are proposing a law limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. County Executive Marc Elrich joined the show to discuss the Trust Act, and how the county is working to protect its most vulnerable residents.

The Trust Act extends county services to all residents regardless of immigration status and prevents local police from working with federal immigration authorities in certain circumstances, including participating in federal immigration...

Next week, Virginia's government shifts to Democratic control as the party takes over the Governor's mansion, the General Assembly, and the Attorney General's office. It gives the Democrats a rare opportunity to push through bold legislation, even as several longtime lawmakers depart. Virginia's longest-serving House Delegate, Vivian Watts, got behind the mic to talk about top priorities for the upcoming legislative session, including increasing the minimum wage, reproductive care access, and redistricting. Del. Watts, chair of the finance committee, also explained the need for Metro funding. 

Last month, Maryland lawmakers made history by electing Prince George's County D...

Prince George’s County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha has a lot on her plate as she starts her one-year term. She’s looking to make child care more affordable, housing more obtainable, and the county safer. The council’s new leader will try to do all of this while navigating a growing budget gap. Chair Oriadha joined Kojo and Tom to discuss her priorities and whether data centers could be an answer to the county’s money challenges.

2025 was certainly an eventful year in national and local politics. We were joined for the last Politics Hour of the year...

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced late last month she would not be running for a fourth term, bringing to a close one of the longest mayoral tenures in the city's history. From guiding the District through a series of crises to bringing the football team home, Mayor Bowser has led D.C. through profound change.

Mayor Bowser joined the show to explain her decision not to run for reelection, her legacy, and what's next. Plus, who might she support to be the District's next Mayor? Also, D.C. police chief Pamela Smith is stepping down. We...

After months of weighing the decision, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced last month she would not run for a fourth term. Immediately, attention turned to who might jump into the race to replace her. The first major candidate to declare was Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George. She joined us to discuss her campaign rollout.

Lewis George said as a Democratic socialist, she is focused on affordability, income equality, and defending District residents, including from a federal takeover of the city, something President Trump has threatened on multiple occasions. Lewis George talked about what she sees as...

We took the Politics Hour on the road this week, broadcasting live from Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Virginia.

U.S. Representative James Walkinshaw (D-VA11) joined Kojo and Tom first on stage.

With elections and the government shutdown in the rearview mirror, we turned to what the future holds for the commonwealth. Federal cuts continue to affect Northern Virginia's economy, but perhaps not in the way some initially feared. As Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger prepares to take office in January, many Virginia Democrats believe the party's big wins in statewide elections should translate to an aggressive...

Congress voted on Wednesday to end the longest federal shutdown in the nation's history. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine joined a handful of Democrats to broker a deal with Senate Republicans. The deal included reversing some federal layoffs and guaranteeing payment for furloughed workers. 

What it did not include was an extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits, a provision many Democrats insisted Republicans needed to add before they'd approve a funding bill. Sen. Kaine joined the show to explain why he voted to end the shutdown, despite pushback from many in his own party.

K...

Virginia Democrats had a big night in Tuesday's elections, sweeping all the statewide races and winning a supermajority in the House of Delegates. We broke down the historic election from all angles. We dove into the results with WAMU's Northern Virginia reporter, Margaret Barthel, and David Poole, founder of the Virginia Public Access Project.

We were then joined by one of the big winners, Lieutenant Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi, to discuss what it means for Virginians and her historic election victory as the first Muslim woman to win statewide office in the U.S.

During the...