The Washington Post’s Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann gather for a weekly in-depth conversation about politics and power. From presidential candida...
This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down Elon Musk's successful effort to torpedo a government spending bill – and what that means about how president-elect Donald Trump's White House will function.
Plus, how are Democrats preparing for a Trump presidency in which they are the minority in both the House and Senate?
Later, the crew looks at longtime members of the Senate who won't be back in the next Congress – and their final messages as they prepare to leave Washington.
Finally, Trump's criminal racketeering case in Georgia may be on ice after prosecutor Fani T. Willis was disqualified by an appeals court.
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39:50
Who's left for the Democrats?
This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss what's left of the Democratic party after its 2024 election losses – from who's left in Congress and who will have positions of authority, to the fading presence of the party's biggest voices in recent decades. The crew breaks down who could step up as Democrats' ideological leader – and who definitely won't be in the picture.
Then, what's the status of Trump's cabinet picks? Right now, it looks like the ones left standing will all make it to January confirmation hearings.
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47:52
Unconfirmed
This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss whether Pete Hegseth, Trump's pick for secretary of defense, can make it through the nomination process. Plus, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are on Capitol Hill touting their Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – but how much power will they really have?Then, President Biden pardoned his son Hunter last weekend. Does that represent a final departure from the norms Biden promised to uphold?And who's really president right now? President Biden is on a foreign trip, but Capitol Hill and foreign leaders are all focused on Trump.
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46:49
Gaetz withdraws as attorney general nominee
This week, the crew breaks down former rep. Matt Gaetz's sudden withdrawal as Trump's intended nominee for attorney general.Then, Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger examine president-elect Donald Trump's promises: What does he say he will do on his first day in office? And what priorities will come later?Plus, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Trump's pick for Health and Human Services secretary – but will his proposed policy changes conflict with big business priorities? And can he actually take the flouride out of your water?
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45:44
Trump assembles his team
This week, president-elect Donald Trump picks Matt Gaetz for attorney general, causing controversy on Capitol Hill. Plus, Trump's other cabinet picks so far, the race for Senate majority leader, and the fate of Trump's legal cases.
The Washington Post’s Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann gather for a weekly in-depth conversation about politics and power. From presidential candidates to members of Congress to the judicial system, Sidebar dives deep on the topics and people at the forefront of the political conversation.
The crew sits down each Thursday (with the occasional breaking news episode) to discuss what has happened that week, and what’s coming up the next week – with guest appearances from Washington Post reporters.
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