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WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch
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WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

Author: Paul Gigot, The Wall Street Journal

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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 pwpodcast@wsj.com

1087 Episodes
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Rebels drove Bashar al-Assad from Syria, ending the Assad family's five decades of often brutal rule. The fall of Assad is a defeat for his protectors, Russia and Iran, and could reshape the Middle East. It opens up opportunities for President-elect Trump if he's willing to see them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As Donald Trump prepares to take over from Joe Biden on Jan. 20, the economy is adding jobs and the Federal Reserve is considering cutting interest rates, yet inflation is above 2% and markets are showing signs of exuberance. Meantime, the CEOs of Intel and Stellantis step aside, as Republicans prepare to pull back on Washington's green subsidies and industrial policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The ouster of the French Prime Minister and collapse of the German government are signs of broader anxiety and malaise. Can Europe's leaders meet the moment, as Russia threatens in the east and Donald Trump returns for a second U.S. term?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The federal government tells the high court in U.S. v. Skrmetti that the 14th Amendment means Tennessee can't ban doctors from providing hormones or puberty blockers to transgender adolescents. But if the justices agree that this is what "equal protection of the laws" means, would their ruling have consequences for other controversies, including about women's sports? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump says he wants an "'America First' fighter" as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. But given Patel's lack of experience with the FBI, will the Senate see him as the right the man to lead reform, or else an effort at MAGA retribution? Plus, more trouble for Pete Hegseth, as the press digs into the defense secretary nominee's background running veteran nonprofits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As the two parties pore over the results of this election, one thing is clear: Democrats are losing their grip on working-class and non-white voters, creating huge openings for Republicans. What's behind such a dramatic shift? On this episode of All Things, Kim Strassel talks with political analyst Mike Madrid about the growing political heft of Latino voters, how that diverse ethnic bloc is defying traditional voter stereotypes, and what both parties continue to get wrong in courting those votes.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Biden issues a pardon for his son Hunter that is so sweeping it applies to illegal acts for which Hunter hasn't been charged. Why did the President renege on his vow not to pardon his son, how will it affect his presidential legacy, and what lessons will Donald Trump take from pardon? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Donald Trump says the pair will lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, which will provide an external review of federal regulations and bureaucracy. What do Musk and Ramaswamy have in mind, and what are the limitations that this DOGE will face, given that they intend to work through executive action alone, rather than proposing legislative changes to Congress? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After Israeli strikes and spycraft decimate Hezbollah's commanders, the Iranian proxy agrees to a halt in fighting, abandoning its pledge to keep going in support of Hamas. But if it tries again to rearm in southern Lebanon, will Israel act? Plus, more pushback on the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, as France suggests he isn't subject to the ICC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The president-elect says that one of his first actions on Jan. 20 will be to impose steep across-the-board tariffs on imports from America's two neighbors, "until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!" Is this a serious proposal or a negotiating tactic, and what does it mean for the USMCA trade deal that Trump himself signed? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In what is turning out to be a Trumpian mix of loyalists, campaign allies, and unorthodox choices, the President-elect is putting the finishing touches on who will be serving in his administration. So who are some of the best and worst members of the team taking over the White House in January?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Justice Department files its proposal to remake internet search engines, after a federal judge ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly. But would it really help consumers to force Google to divest its Chrome browser? Or to require the company to share data with its rivals? Plus, Spirit Airlines goes bankrupt as antitrust enforcers halted its proposed merger with JetBlue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Donald Trump will need a new AG, after Gaetz drops out amid skepticism from Senate Republicans. Gaetz's resignation from the House prevented, at least for now, the release of an ethics report on his alleged conduct, but liabilities were piling up. Plus, GOP absences help confirm more of Joe Biden’s judicial nominees, as Sen. Dick Durbin pushes a bill to regulate credit cards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chuck Schumer wants to use Congress's lame-duck session to approve more lifetime appointments for President Biden's judicial nominees, and this week one went through on a 49-45 vote. Republicans might have blocked it, but five were absent, including JD Vance and Marco Rubio. Plus, Donald Trump makes more cabinet picks, including Linda McMahon for education secretary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Where does the Heritage Foundation and its Project 2025 stand after Kamala Harris Democrats made the think tank and its policy paper the bogeyman of the 2024 campaign? On this episode of All Things, Heritage President Kevin Roberts talks about the upsides of the attacks, walks through his favorite Trump cabinet picks so far, breaks down the big potential of Elon Musk's and Vivek Ramaswamy's Department of Government Efficiency, and engages in a thoughtful debate with Kim Strassel over the future of the conservative movement.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
He's down by nearly 20,000 votes in a race that was called long ago, yet the Democratic incumbent is still fundraising and trying to get more ballots counted, even as the Pennsylvania Supreme Court rebukes several counties that tried to tally undated mail votes. Plus, Gov. Josh Shapiro seems unwilling to take a stand, while some Democrats start telling Casey to move on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As Donald Trump is about to take control of the United States’ role in the Ukraine/Russia conflict, Joe Biden approves of Ukraine using long-range missiles on military targets inside Russia. What took him so long and how will the incoming administration respond? Plus, more questions about the nominations of Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, and Matt Gaetz to prominent roles inside Donald Trump’s cabinet.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Donald Trump names Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, but the GOP Senate will have questions about his views on vaccines, Wi-Fi, genetically modified foods, abortion, single-payer healthcare, and more. Plus, Sen. John Thune is elected Majority Leader to succeed Mitch McConnell, after a MAGA challenge from Sen. Rick Scott.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Donald Trump has roiled Washington by nominating Matt Gaetz to be Attorney General and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. Both are controversial and could face trouble in the Senate, so what was Trump thinking? Plus, will the Senate agree to recess appointments without confirmation votes? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Donald Trump meets with Joe Biden at the White House, while the U.S. says every dollar of allocated Ukraine aid will get out the door by Jan. 20. But after Trump promised a quick deal to settle Russia's invasion, what are his options if Vladimir Putin won't go along? Plus, Pete Hegseth of Fox News is tapped to lead the Department of Defense, if he can win Senate confirmation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Comments (56)

Burak

After listening to a lot of episodes, I'm still surprised by how ignorant you can be. The definition of fairness is obvious. You have to be fair, even to a murderer. Just remember what happened to post-WWI Germany after they were humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles.

Sep 29th
Reply

Burak

Funny how you praise debate culture, then immediately label campus protests as antisemitism.

Aug 17th
Reply

Ali Bagheri

is this supposed to be any more partisan?

Jul 31st
Reply

Burak

Alicia should be smart enough to know that anti-Israel≠pro-Hamas. The question is, is she smart enough to know that your listeners are also not dumb?

May 30th
Reply

Vorec6:17

Biden's "brave" visit to Ukraine is courage virtue signaling of strength. Unfortunately everyone can see through the signal to the fact of all his acts of weakness over the last two years.

Feb 23rd
Reply

Jr. Kruger

Zoe Thomas, Zoe Thomas, Zoe Thomas, Zoe Thomas!

Aug 16th
Reply

Taghizadeh MOHAMMADTAGHI

dsdssds

Jun 25th
Reply

Abdikadirm Farah

ILOVE all ask.yhsnks.

Sep 18th
Reply

Gabriella Arroyo

this woman's voice is hurting my ears

Sep 12th
Reply

Bhisham Mansukhani

the comments by the speakers here are sickening where there isn't a single word of acknowlegement for the women in Texas who will suffer. tone deaf idiots.

Sep 6th
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Gabriella Arroyo

this episode is grossly negligent. you're not going to talk about the fact that bezos' "income" is less than 6 figures?

Jun 15th
Reply (2)

Sabine Schnittger

PW is normally good, but I'd call this episode very one-sided and almost blinkered.

Jan 13th
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Marilyn Teague

As usual, taking up for the President. Kim saying it's the democrats fault. Obama? DACA? Trump insited a Resurrection!! Do you understand or care? I can't stand this show.

Jan 8th
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Marilyn Teague

If all the people you talk to don't want the stimulus check or need it they can donate it to a food pantry. LOTS of people need this money. Obviously, not people you talk to.

Dec 23rd
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Steve C

your uk ad for adp says 90 p... it should be pence vs p

Nov 28th
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Ken Feindt

if only the Opinion page of WSJ read the news side of the WSJ so that this Hunter Biden "conspiracy" would be debunked. Maybe this is good for Fox News appearances but as news what a joke. I have been looking for podcasts to hear legitimate discussions from the right but this podcast is not it. Un-subscribing based on this poor and fake reporting.

Oct 24th
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Ken Feindt

Did wall street journal forget Trump backed out of the 2nd debate?

Oct 17th
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Ken Feindt

Kim doesn't think Masks are effective..hahaha what a joke. I had no idea she is both a journalist and a doctor. Masks and distancing reduces the spread and allows economy to stay open. Excuses Excuses.

Oct 6th
Reply

Ken Feindt

Totally gloss over the presidents handling and subsequent COVID-19 diagnosis...what a joke

Oct 2nd
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Ken Feindt

Talk about Gaslighting.. i remember when they were a respected journalist organization.

Sep 11th
Reply