WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

A leaked campaign "autopsy" from the Democratic National Committee says Kamala Harris lost in 2024 because the Biden White House didn't help her enough and she didn't run hard enough against Trump. But the report makes no mention of Biden's age or the Democratic divide on Israel. Plus, Tulsi Gabbard resigns from her post as President Trump's director of national intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States indicts Cuban leader Raul Castro, the brother of the late revolutionary Fidel Castro, for murder as it increases pressure on the current regime. Are the days of the dictatorship numbered at last? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump carries a GOP challenger to a primary victory over Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who made few friends with his quixotic positions, including on Israel and the Epstein files. Plus, Trump endorses in the Texas Senate race, making a risky bet to spurn Sen. John Cornyn and reward AG Ken Paxton’s MAGA loyalty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Donald Trump ends his lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax records, the Justice Department steers nearly $1.8 billion toward targets of government "weaponization." Does this mean payouts to Jan. 6 rioters, or who will get money? Plus, the GOP debates security funding for a White House ballroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senator Bill Cassidy loses in the Louisiana GOP primary after Donald Trump pushes hard for his opponent as payback for voting to convict him during his second impeachment trial. Could Thomas Massie suffer the same fate in what’s becoming a high-priced House contest for Republicans? Plus, with very few legislative achievements to run on, what are the prospects for Republicans to retain control of Congress after the November midterms? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Donald Trump leaves Beijing after meeting Xi Jinping, how much did this diplomacy accomplish? Plus, does Dr. Marty Makary's resignation at the FDA signal an agency turn? And the High Court halts an appellate ruling against mail-order mifepristone, the abortion pill, with no liberal dissents about the "shadow docket." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate approves the Federal Reserve's new leader 54-45, one day after new figures from the Labor Department show consumer prices accelerating, and not only due to oil stuck at the Strait of Hormuz. How will Warsh approach the job of getting back to 2%, and what's the legacy of outgoing Chair Jerome Powell? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump lands in Beijing for meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with agenda items that include trade and tariffs, the future of Taiwan, and the U.S. computer chips that are powering American artificial intelligence. Plus, will Trump make good on his promise to push for the freedom of Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump issues a five-month waiver of a 1920 law that says ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports must be American-built. Colin Grabow of the Cato Institute explains the results, as dozens of voyages now help to distribute oil and gasoline, and he argues the Jones Act is economic lunacy that should be repealed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran rejects Donald Trump's proposal to settle the war, and Trump says the cease-fire may not survive. On this episode of Potomac Watch, Paul Gigot speaks with the Hudson Institute's Michael Doran about the chances for renewed fighting and whether Iran's economy will break under U.S. pressure.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Virginia Supreme Court strikes down a Democratic map that voters approved last month. Meantime, Tennessee moves to oust its only congressional Democrat by splitting his Memphis seat, a majority-black district held by Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white. Which side is now winning the gerrymander wars? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Clarence Thomas becomes the second-longest-service Justice on the Supreme Court, and his impact on American law is growing. Paul Gigot speaks with law professor and former Thomas clerk John Yoo about the Justice’s influence on the Court and the recent testy exchanges between Justices that have played out in public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Potomac Watch, Paul Gigot sits down with former Senator Ben Sasse about his diagnosis with Stage IV pancreatic cancer and his experience with experimental drug trials to battle it. They also discuss the challenges of reforming higher education, why there is so much dysfunction in the Senate, and what are the keys to a strong American comeback during its 250th anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal regulations permit the drug to be dispensed by mail without a doctor's visit, but after an appeals court rules against that policy, Justice Samuel Alito halts any change until the Supreme Court can consider it. Plus, does mifepristone by mail present concerns that women might be privately coerced into taking it?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump moves to escort ships trapped in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran answers by firing on tankers and hits the U.A.E. What are the President’s options as a showdown in the Strait of Hormuz looms? Plus, Spirit Airlines shuts down, leaving thousands out of a job and questions about what could have prevented the end of the low-cost airline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justices say the Voting Rights Act requires an inference of "intentional discrimination" before states can be ordered to draw minority-majority districts. Does this "gut" the VRA, as Democrats claim? How many House seats might be affected? And why has Justice Clarence Thomas argued the result might be less racial polarization? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announces he will remain on the board as a governor as Kevin Warsh prepares to take over. What could be his reasons for staying and what does it mean for the Fed? Plus, the U.S. economy keeps growing modestly, but inflation is getting higher according to the new economic data from the first quarter of 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justice Department releases a new indictment of the former FBI Director, claiming his Instagram post of seashells spelling out “86 47” was a threat to kill President Trump. Plus, Gov. Ron DeSantis's new House map could counter Virginia's Democratic gerrymandering, but is it a risk for the GOP if trends change? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Police caught Okello Chatrie using location data from Google, and now he wants the Justices to say this violated the Fourth Amendment, which protects against "unreasonable searches and seizures." Plus, the Court hears arguments on whether cancer lawsuits against the weed killer Roundup are preempted by federal law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After an assassin targets members of the Trump administration at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, questions about security protocols arise as the President vows for the event to be held again. Plus, Britain's King Charles visits the U.S. in a much anticipated state visit to Washington, bringing hopes of repairing a frayed relationship amid the pageantry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices