Advertise on podcast: The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

We take the Politics Hour on the road this week, broadcasting live from the Prince George's Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville, Maryland! The midterm elections are just over a week away, and Democrats are cautiously optimistic about the party's chances of flipping both the House and Senate. U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) has been traveling around the country campaigning for Democratic candidates. She joins Kojo and Tom on stage to talk about what's at stake in the midterms and the message she is sharing with voters. Plus, we ask her to share her thoughts on the proposed change to the state constitution that would change how congressional districts are drawn and what she is doing to help make life more affordable for Maryland. Prince George's lawmakers are grappling with a widening controversy over the dispensing of millions of dollars in county grants to groups run by friends of council leaders.  We ask Prince George's Council Chair Krystal Oriadha what exactly happened and what comes next. Prince George's County leaders have their sights set on a Vegas-style entertainment venue as a key economic driver. In recent months, county lawmakers have advanced legislation that would allow a mini-Sphere to be built at National Harbor.l Chair Oriadha sits down to discuss why she's putting her faith in this $1.4 billion project. Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

A federal judge this week temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting down any more trees at East Potomac Golf Links. This comes after the federal government had contractors hastily chop down hundreds of trees at the public course last weekend, claiming it was related to a 2019 rehabilitation plan. For months, President Trump has threatened to take over and close the District's largest public golf course to turn it into a "championship-level" course. Virginia Congressman Don Beyer has been at the forefront of the fight to protect the course and joins the show to discuss what's next. And we ask why he and other Democrats are calling for the FAA to stop using an AI air traffic control tool. D.C. students, staff, and parents remain very concerned about the presence of National Guard troops and federal agents near schools. Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto held a community listening session this week where residents shared their experiences. She joins Kojo and Tom to explain what she heard and what she plans to do. Plus, we get her thoughts on possible tax hikes and why D.C. police data shows one category of violent crime is on the rise. Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday. Produced by Matt Blitz Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

In recent months, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has used his office to improve housing conditions across the city, including filing lawsuits that force landlords to clean up trash and stop illegal activities. The city's top lawyer joins Kojo and Tom to explain why this is one of his top priorities. Plus, the Attorney General breaks down the settlement with Amazon over the company's discriminatory delivery practices in Wards 7 and 8, and how his office is working to reduce youth crime. Maryland Governor Wes Moore did not promise to serve a full second term if reelected during this week's gubernatorial debate. Moore's comments have made many political experts think he might run for President in 2028. WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu explains what the future could hold for the governor. Plus, the Prince George's County Council unanimously advanced legislation for the proposed Sphere project at National Harbor without a union labor agreement. Jenny explains how community members are reacting and what it means for the project moving forward. Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

Virginia officials are scrutinizing the proposed $67 billion Dominion-NextEra merger, which would create the world's largest regulated electric utility company. Federal lawmakers this week warned the proposed merger could raise electricity prices for customers. Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi recently went on a listening tour to hear Virginia residents' thoughts on the proposed merger. She joins the show to share what she learned. Plus, we ask her about Governor Spanberger's plans to restrict data center development and the three constitutional amendments Virginians are voting on in this year's elections. A judge has declared a mistrial in the federal bribery case of Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White. His legal, financial, and political future remains very uncertain. The D.C. Council could expel him again, but many councilmembers are not yet commenting publicly.  D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson will play a central role in the decision. He sits down with Kojo and Tom to discuss. We also ask the Council Chair to preview an upcoming hearing on ways to raise the city's revenue, including potential tax hikes, and why he's advocating spending hundreds of millions of dollars to renovate two of D.C.'s major sports stadiums.

Montgomery County lawmakers are talking trash. More specifically, the county council is deciding what to do about its aging trash incinerator. Council President Natali Fani-González joins the show to talk about the future of the county's trash. The county's police chief abruptly resigned last week after a county report showed he misused county funds and made false statements. We ask Council President Fani-González for her thoughts, plus we talk about Maryland Governor Wes Moore's statewide data center plan and colleague Will Jawando's return to the council after a recent heart attack. The D.C. Council returned for its first legislative hearing of the fall this week. They quickly moved to support a proposal that restricts ballot initiatives. We ask Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker why he was against it. We'll also ask him his thoughts on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's proposed master plan for the RFK campus. And, the jury is still deliberating in the federal bribery trial of Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White. We get the latest on the District's trial of the year. We want to hear from you!  Send your questions for Council President Natali Fani-González and Councilmember Parker to [email protected]. You can also call in at noon on Friday to 1-800-433-8850. Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday.

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 involved. Virginia Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, who represents "data center alley," recently unveiled his plan to regulate data centers nationwide. He joins the show to discuss. The Politics Hour is going back to school! DCPS Interim Chancellor Dr. Kim Jackson joins Kojo and Tom to talk about school renovations, new graduation requirements, public safety, cell phone policies, and chronic absenteeism. Plus, we ask her about DCPS's involvement in the ongoing federal grand jury investigation and how schools are handling a recent influx in federal immigration enforcement.  Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

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 the quarter century since the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The D.C. Council is returning to work after its summer break, and there is a lot to do. Facing an $800 million budget shortfall, the council is set to debate the best ways to raise revenue… which could mean raising taxes, even as Congress tries to stop city officials from doing that. Ward 6 D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen gets behind the mic to weigh in. Plus, Councilmember Allen explains why he believes the new football stadium needs a second Metro station, and we ask for his thoughts on the upcoming federal bribery trial of his council colleague, Trayon White. Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday.

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 is divided on how to handle federal immigration enforcement in the county. Also ... residents across the region are concerned about local law enforcement's use of Flock cameras. District police have so far remained mum on exactly how they are using the surveillance technology. NOTUS reporter Martin Austermuhle gets behind the mic to talk about his reporting. Plus, we get the latest on  Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White's upcoming federal trial, and the future of Hains Point. Plus, the Maryland Supreme Court ruled this week that a question about Maryland's redistricting rules can appear on the November ballot, overturning two lower courts.  The legal decision has state and national implications. Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk joins the show to discuss the ruling and what it means for Maryland voters. Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

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 to talk about how the county is reacting to the increased federal immigration enforcement. Plus, a recent rash of drivers in cars striking pedestrians has local lawmakers looking to make roads safer. Prince George's County leaders are celebrating a legal victory that could keep the 2023 plan to move the FBI headquarters to Greenbelt on track. However, with the White House promising to fight the decision, the FBI's move to Maryland is far from assured. Prince George's County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha weighs in and discusses what comes next. She'll also explain why thousands of Prince George's County students get left without a bus on the first day of school. Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday. Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

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 in 2028. We ask State Senator Cheryl Kagan what changed her mind on redistricting and what comes next. Plus, what's the status of her proposed special elections constitutional amendment? It's been one year since President Trump federalized D.C. police and deployed the National Guard to the nation's capital to deal with what he called "out of control crime." What has changed in the District during that time? Has crime actually gone down? Is the hundreds of millions spent on the National Guard, and the billions budgeted to keep them in the District through 2029, worth it? D.C. Police Union President Gregg Pemberton joined us on the show last year, and he sits down with Kojo and Tom again to discuss the police officers' perspective. Plus, he gives his thoughts on the recent report about MPD's ongoing issues with reporting crime data. Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday.  Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

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 November. The Montgomery County Council this week unanimously passed an 18-month moratorium on data center development. The county’s move is just the most recent example of localities pushing back on data center growth in their communities.  At-Large Councilmember Shebra Evans joins us to discuss why this is needed. Plus, she discusses why county lawmakers may revise their recently passed laws prohibiting county employees from cooperating with ICE. A D.C. inspector general report released this week describes “prolonged, systemic breakdown” of how city police reviewed and verified crime stats over the last decade. The report adds to the growing criticism over accusations that some at MPD were manipulating crime data. D.C. reporter Alex Koma joins Kojo and Tom to discuss. Plus, the Mubadala D.C. Open kicked off recently at the Rock Creek Tennis Center. What’s next for the historic, aging venue? Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

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." This week, House Republicans followed the Trump administration's lead with a subcommittee hearing focused on sharply questioning the Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Virginia Congressman James Walkinshaw defended the Smithsonian throughout the hearing and joins the show to take us behind the scenes. Plus, he weighs in on proposed historic preservation changes that would make it easier for President Trump to remake the District. Maryland communities, like many others around the country, are pushing back on data center development. This week, Montgomery County moved closer to extending its data center permit pause to 18 months, and a Maryland state senator is looking to introduce legislation for a statewide moratorium. But tech companies are now fighting back. WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu explains what's at stake. Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

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 President Donald Trump. Plus, as the current Ward 4 Councilmember, we get her take on the potential tax increases, RESALE Act, and Audi Field renovations.  Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

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 in April only for courts to halt the effort a month later. The verdict left the district boundaries created in 2021 intact. Locally, the decision also means most primaries are unlikely to be competitive. But that doesn't mean there isn't intrigue statewide. UVA's Center for Politics Larry Sabato joins us to break down what to watch for in next month's primaries and what implications they could have nationwide. Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

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 secured the Democratic nomination to take on the job permanently. She explains the role of the county's top prosecutor, her approach to public safety, and the position's reputation as a springboard to higher office. A week after the District's own history-making primaries, the D.C. Council approved its annual budget. Lawmakers voted to reverse major cuts proposed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. But the District's financial future remains murky and sets up a confrontation with the chief financial officer. WAMU's D.C. politics reporter Alex Koma explains what's in and out of the budget, what it means for the next mayor, and why councilmembers finally agreed to fund semi-open primaries.  Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.  Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885