WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch
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]
Israel Votes, Weighing the Leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu
The country's first election since the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre is a referendum on the prime minister, but challenger Gadi Eisenkot says he's equally as tough. Plus, Brazil's Lula da Silva wins again, and Maria Corina Machado returns to Venezuela.
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Will the Midterms Show Shifting Coalitions for Democrats and Republicans?
Paul Gigot speaks with political scientist Ruy Teixeira about what could happen to moderate voices in the Democratic party if progressives succeed in the midterms, and what the potential results could mean for the Trump coalition in 2028.
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Justice Elena Kagan’s Gerrymandering Fix Is to Put Judges in Charge
Two weeks before the midterms, Justice Kagan accuses the Supreme Court of undermining democracy. But how much will gerrymandering help the GOP, and can't voters solve it? Plus, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall favors a giant Social Security tax increase.
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Races in Minnesota and Michigan May Decide Senate Control
Abdul El-Sayed will test whether a Bernie Sanders Democrat can win in a swing state, while Republicans hope Michele Tafoya can pull off an upset in liberal Minnesota. Plus, the controversy over Vivek Ramaswamy's ad featuring opponent Amy Acton's mother.
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Closing Arguments in the Texas Senate Race
The Journal’s Jack Butler joins the show to debrief a reporting trip to Texas and how James Talarico is wooing Republican voters who aren’t warm to Ken Paxton. Plus, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby endorses a wealth tax grab and new death taxes.
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A Trump, Xi and Putin Summit?
President Trump doesn't rule out meeting with China and Russia as he ratchets up the pressure on Ukraine. Global View columnist Walter Russell Mead joins the show to unpack the larger thinking behind Trump's latest flurry of diplomacy.
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Donald Trump Moves Closer to an Alliance With Russia
The U.S. President escalates his strategy to end the Russia-Ukraine war by putting pressure only on Ukraine. Plus, what's behind the riots in France?
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California’s Prop. 40 Wealth Tax and the Economic Stakes
It's pitched as a one-time 5% retroactive tax on billionaire wealth, but money is already fleeing California in response, which is why Gov. Gavin Newsom backs Prop. 42 to nullify it. Plus, the latest inflation report shows prices up 3.7% in a year.
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Can Alaska Save the Senate Majority for Republicans?
Sen. Dan Sullivan says the road to a Republican majority in the Senate goes through Alaska, but can he overcome a challenge from not just Mary Peltola, but also the confusion caused by ranked choice voting and “Decoy Dan” Sullivan?
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A Starlink Slowdown in Ukraine?
Ukraine says its satellite data is being throttled and hamstringing the country’s ability to defend against Vladimir Putin. Plus, NATO’s top military commander unveils a plan to defend the alliance in the event Putin widens his war.
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Could Texas Turn Blue, and South Carolina, Too?
Sen. Darline Graham avoids another serious debate misstep, but recent polls show her only a point ahead of Democrat Annie Andrews. Plus, the GOP spends millions to try to save Ken Paxton in Texas, as the press publishes more damaging leaked recordings.
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Donald Trump’s ‘Diesel Deal’ and ‘Energy Ceasefire’
Donald Trump looks to end the Russia-Ukraine war by making a fuel deal with Vladimir Putin, and calls for an energy ceasefire. Plus, Donald Trump says he may resume a military campaign against the Houthis after the Riyadh airport bombing.
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Senate Candidates Debate: Medicare for All, Tariffs, Iran and Social Security
What did voters learn from TV showdowns in Michigan, Maine and Iowa? Republicans are on defense about tariffs, while Democrats struggle to explain abolishing health insurance. Meantime, Abdul El-Sayed won't say Iran is a bigger threat than Israel.
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Marco Rubio Hails the Accomplishments of Western Civilization
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a speech in Greece defending the achievements of Western civilization. Plus, riots break out across France over school conditions, and the country’s gloomy economic outlook looms large over the protests.
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Can Anduril Help Fix American Shipbuilding?
The defense technology company is betting it can speed up production of U.S. Navy attack submarines. Christian Brose of Anduril joins Kate B. Odell to unpack the new venture announced this week with the Trump Administration.
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Justice Samuel Alito on Originalism, ‘Speechifying’ Colleagues, and Media Caricatures
In a wide-ranging interview, Justice Alito talks about his legal approach; his decision to sit out the Suncor v. Boulder County climate case; the "very unfair" media portrayals; and threats to the Court that he sees as historically unprecedented.
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Sen. Thom Tillis on Losing Friends, Antagonizing Trump, and the GOP’s Future
As he eyes retirement, the North Carolinian reflects on his biggest regret, tussles with President Trump, worries for Republicans in the midterms, views on JD Vance vs. Marco Rubio, and his new book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents.”
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Pete Hegseth Says ‘No Beardos, No Weirdos’ / Donald Trump’s AI Safety Accord
The Defense Secretary's speech to the troops includes a welcome focus on drone warfare, but he also picks cultural fights that drown out his larger message. Plus, Donald Trump gathers tech leaders to sign a “morally binding” pact on controls.
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Justice Alito Recuses From the Supreme Court’s Big Climate Case
Can cities and counties sue oil companies for global climate change? The Supreme Court is starting a new term with case asking that question, Suncor v. Boulder County. Alas, Justice Samuel Alito now says he'll recuse, which could lead to a 4-4 split.
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The Democratic ‘Affordability’ Ruse
Democratic candidates are running on the high cost of living, but their policy plans would drive up the cost of groceries, gas and houses. Plus, do Democrats really regret the excesses of “woke”?
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Sen. John Cornyn on Jack Smith, Ken Paxton and the GOP Midterm Chances
Is a Texas Senate seat in danger of turning blue? Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) talks to Kim Strassel about facing off against Jack Smith, the recent legislation on college sports, and the expensive GOP effort to elect Ken Paxton in Texas.
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How Senate Republicans Frame the Midterms / Pope Leo Draws 800,000 in France
The Senate debates college sports, data centers, and stock trading, as the GOP tries to send a final message to voters before the November election. Plus, Pope Leo gets a warm welcome in secular Paris, as he speaks on AI, assisted suicide, and more.
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An Inside Look at the Drone War in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how modern warfare is changing by using data and drones. Jillian Melchior tells Paul Gigot about what she saw at a command center in Ukraine and how the U.S. military can learn from what's happening in Europe.
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Wrapping Up the Trump-Xi Summit / The President vs. the White House Press Corps
Donald Trump's meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping result in an extended trade truce, as Beijing presses the U.S. on its stance regarding Taiwan. Meantime, a federal judge halts Trump from banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.
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A Standoff of Presidents at the U.N.
President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered defiant speeches targeting each other at this week's U.N. General Assembly, giving no indication that a peace agreement is near or that Iran intends to reach a deal before the midterm elections.
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What’s on Trump’s Agenda With Xi?
President Trump will host China’s Xi Jinping for meetings and a state dinner at the White House. But behind all the pomp, will he press Beijing to stop supporting Iran? And will Trump hold back weapons from Taiwan?
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Donald Trump's U.N. Speech on Iran and 'Super Intelligence'
He gets applause for saying Iran can't be allowed nuclear weapons, while dismissing the idea of any global regulator for artificial intelligence. While in New York, he also holds diplomatic meetings, plus a friendly chat with Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
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Sen. Ted Cruz on Justice Thomas and the Supreme Court’s Future
Sen. Ted Cruz sits down with Paul Gigot to discuss why the current makeup of the Supreme Court is the best in his lifetime, his thoughts about running for president, and his new book, “Going Further: The Incomparable Clarence Thomas.”
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The Houthis Seize a Red Sea Chokepoint / Rep. Salazar's Immigration Warning to Trump
Iranian proxies send oil prices up again, as the Houthis threaten Red Sea shipping, while an Iraqi militia strikes Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline. Plus, a GOP congresswoman in Florida tells Trump in a TV ad that Hispanic supporters feel betrayed.
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Mitch Daniels on Life Lessons from Politics and Academia
Paul Gigot speaks with former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels about the future of the Republican party, the changes he made while president of Purdue University, and his new book, “Impatience Is a Virtue.”
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The Facts on the Ground in Ukraine
Kate Odell speaks with Jillian Melchior from Lviv about Russia's new jet-powered drones and how Ukraine is using real-time battlefield pictures to hold the line on the front. Plus, can a bill moving through the U.S. House of Representatives this week put more economic pressure on Vladimir Putin?
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Trump's USPS Plan for Mail Ballots Loses at the Supreme Court
The Justices won't revive Trump's proposal for the U.S. Postal Service to regulate ballots, as border czar Tom Homan says there's no plan to send ICE to the polls. Plus, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh weighs interest rates, after a worrying inflation report.
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Will an AI Slowdown Calm Fears About its Development?
The CEOs of companies building artificial intelligence call for a developmental slowdown and regulation, while Donald Trump says China will win if the U.S. slows down.
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Lessons Learned and Changes Made 25 Years After 9/11
Dan Henninger, Bill McGurn and Paul Gigot recall their experience on 9/11 and whether the war on terror succeeded.
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‘In the War Room’ After Six Months of Conflict with Iran
Iran still poses a threat to oil products flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, but where does the U.S.-Israel alliance stand after October 7? Elliot Kaufman joins Paul Gigot to discuss the current stalemate and his new book, “In the War Room.”
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A Trump Plan to Pay Stay-at-Home-Moms?
Press reports suggest the Trump Administration is drafting a proposal to spend federal welfare dollars on stay-at-home parents. Plus, a new report from the American Enterprise Institute reveals what teachers are studying in graduate school.
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The GOP's Midterm Convention / Ex-Aides Turn On Sen. John Fetterman
Republicans prepare to gather in Dallas, amid concerns of a possible blue wave in November, with Senate seats at risk in Iowa, Alaska, and maybe Texas, where James Talarico leads Ken Paxton. Plus, what to make of leaks that Fetterman has checked out?
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Make Hollywood Great Again? Donald Trump Wants Tax Subsidies for Movie Making
After meeting with Jon Voight, President Trump calls on Congress to pass film "incentives" to keep jobs in California. Plus, the number of people on food stamps has dipped by nearly six million, but Democrats are pushing to weaken the GOP's reforms.
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Donald Trump’s Venezuela Oil Deal and Concerns About Bonds
Donald Trump's Venezuela oil deal comes into clearer focus, but what does it mean for American policy in Latin America? Plus, should Americans worry about rising interest rates as bond yields fall?
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Dan Driscoll and the Pentagon's Leadership Churn
What does the Army secretary's resignation mean for the war in Iran and the Trump agenda? Meanwhile, House Democrats vow to punish two members who helped pass GOP bills.
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