WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

Republicans pass their giant budget reconciliation bill with only two Republicans voting against it. Democrats are already attacking it, and who will win the messaging war? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump visits a new immigration detention site in Florida dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” while saying more such facilities are needed to carry out his mass-deportation plan. Yet the president also says that farmers, and perhaps other businesses, need a "temporary pass" system that would let them keep reliable migrant workers who might be in the country illegally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GOP's tax-and-budget package passes 51-50, after a late night of negotiating and a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance. What amendments did the Senate make, and will Speaker Mike Johnson have trouble selling them to House conservatives? Plus, Sen. Thom Tillis, who opposes the Medicaid reforms, announces he won't seek reelection in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much is made about the 6-3 ideological makeup of the Supreme Court and how it affects the rulings from the bench. But was there more unity this past term than people realize? Paul Gigot and legal scholar Ilya Shapiro discuss the evolution of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority and the criticisms coming from the liberal Justices in their opinions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the last day of their term, the Justices issue a landmark opinion reining in "universal injunctions," with some pointed words by Justice Amy Coney Barrett toward one of the liberal dissents. Plus, rulings upholding parents' right to opt children out of transgender storybooks in elementary schools, as well as a Texas law that orders adult websites to verify user ages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The press touts a leaked, preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency assessment saying Iran's nuclear program was only set back by months by U.S. airstrikes. But the White House pushes back hard, and other analysts suggest far more extensive damage. Who's right? Plus, NATO allies agree to Donald Trump’s demand to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 33-year-old state assemblyman, who promises to freeze rent and provide free childcare, defeats former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the city's Democratic primary. If Cuomo now runs as an independent in November, will he split the nonsocialist vote with incumbent Mayor Eric Adams? Plus what does this result say about the Democratic Party's future, including in 2028? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump says the war is at an end, after Iran tries to save face by unsuccessfully firing 14 missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar. Are analysts confident that America's bunker-buster bombs disabled the Iranian nuclear program? If Tehran tries to rebuild its uranium enrichment capacity, will Israel strike again? And how does that fit into Trump's peace rhetoric? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In response to a United States airstrike aimed to decimate their nuclear capabilities, Iran launched an attack on a U.S. airbase in Qatar. Could Donald Trump’s actions help eliminate the existential threats Israel hoped to extinguish with “Operation Rising Lion?” Paul Gigot speaks with Minister of Strategic Affairs of Israel Ron Dermer about the message the United States is sending its enemies and allies by assisting Israel and how much damage the airstrikes did to Iran’s nuclear program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump says he'll decide within two weeks whether to help Israel destroy the Iranian nuclear program, which might mean hitting the Fordow enrichment site, which is buried in a mountain, using U.S. bunker-buster bombs. Some MAGA Republicans argue this isn't "America First," but do they misunderstand Trump's views about when the U.S. can act decisively? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next week Democrats will pick their nominee for New York City's next mayor, and polls show two clear frontrunners: Zohran Mamdani, who wants to freeze rent and open government grocery stores. And former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is selling his experience and asking voters to look past the scandals that forced his resignation. Yet ranked-choice voting also makes it unpredictable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tax-and-spending package being written by Senate Republicans differs in many ways from the version that passed the House. It makes some business deductions permanent, which is better for the economy, and it puts caps on the distorting new carve-outs for tax-free tips and overtime. Are Republicans, despite their slim majorities, now getting close to the finish line? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump moves to pause workplace enforcement in two industries that rely on migrant labor, saying his aggressive policy "is taking very good, long time workers away." But days later the White House seems to reverse course. Plus, Texas and the Justice Department quickly settle a lawsuit that will block a 2001 law letting Dreamers pay in-state tuition at public colleges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Israel continues its aerial assault on Iran and its nuclear facilities, Paul Gigot speaks with Foundation for Defense of Democracies CEO Mark Dubowitz about Donald Trump’s contribution to Israel’s initial surprise attack. They also discuss the possibility of regime change and how the United States can help Israel eliminate Iran as a nuclear threat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After stunning Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military chain of command, Donald Trump calls the operation "excellent" and says that Tehran should agree to a nuclear deal, "before there is nothing left." Why did Israel act now? How much capability does Iran have to retaliate? And how will MAGA voters react to Trump's support of Israel's military action? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is using the protests in Los Angeles to cast himself as leader of the resistance to Donald Trump. Will he gain politically? Plus, more demonstrations are planned for major cities across the nation this weekend, even as the President ramps up his deportation plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removes all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, alleging ethics concerns and conflicts of interest. Do those claims hold water, or is RFK Jr. merely feeding vaccine skepticism? Plus, Donald Trump says the U.S. has reached a trade deal with China. What are the details? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer seeks testimony from top White House advisers and Biden's physician, while Donald Trump suggests his predecessor's executive actions might be void if Biden didn't personally sign them. Plus, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is brought back from El Salvador, as the Supreme Court directed, to face federal criminal charges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump sends in the National Guard as demonstrations over his deportation agenda explode in California. Could Trump use the Insurrection Act as a response and will Gavin Newsom use the ugly incidents as a springboard for his own political aspirations? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump and Elon Musk part ways on the GOP's big beautiful bill, but as their spat turns personal, how might it affect the legislative debate in the Senate and the package's political prospects? Plus, the Supreme Court issues unanimous rulings on so-called reverse discrimination and whether Wisconsin can deny a religious tax exemption to Catholic Charities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices