Washington Today

The Weekly: Supreme Court Backs Trump on Immigration, Housing Bill Delayed & Campaign 2026 Results 27.06.2026 35min

This week on The Weekly, the Supreme Court hands President Trump two major victories on immigration, allowing the administration to end Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of migrants and continue turning asylum seekers away at the southern border. We also look at the president's decision to delay signing a bipartisan housing bill, new warnings about the U.S. Postal Service's long-term finances, and the latest inflation numbers. Plus, Campaign 2026 takes shape as primary voters head to the polls in New York and South Carolina, and we round up the week's top headlines from Washington and around the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weekend Edition: White House's $86.7B Supplemental Spending Request, Great American State Fair, and AEI Survey on American Attitudes on Civic Education and Patriotism 27.06.2026 26min

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: A discussion with NOTUS Senate reporter Igor Bobic – on the White House's $87.6 supplemental spending request. Then: Axios reporter Mimi Montgomery discussed this week's opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall here in Washington - part of America 250 celebrations. Finally: as we kick off America's 250th birthday - we speak with Karlyn Bowman of the American Enterprise Institute - on AEI's recent survey regarding American attitudes on civic education and patriotism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Bolton pleads guilty to mishandling classified docs; House Oversight Cmte subpoenas billionaire Leon Black in Epstein investigation; Pres. Trump speaks at Faith & Freedom Coalition conf. 26.06.2026 56min

John Bolton, former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, in a plea deal pleads guilty to illegally retaining national security information, admitting to mishandling classified notes he used in a memoir. He has agreed to a $2.5 million fine and faces up to five years in prison; House Oversight Committee leaders issue subpoenas for billionaire Leon Black after they say he did not answer questions to their satisfaction in today's voluntary interview about his business relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; President Donald Trump speaks at the Faith & Freedom Coalition annual conference; Neel Kashkari, president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, now says he expects one interest rate increase will be necessary this year; United Nations update on the pause in evacuating mariners in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran attacks a container ship; Israel and Lebanon sign a framework peace deal after talks mediated by the U.S.; Vice President JD Vance says the 'deep state' brought down former President Nixon like it tried to do to President Trump and the Watergate scandal with be a 12-hour news story if it happened today; Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) welcomes tall ships to Baltimore as part of the celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Supreme Court rules Haitians, Syrians with TPS can be deported; U.S. sends aid to Venezuela after earthquakes; inflation highest since 2023 25.06.2026 1t

Supreme Court rules the Trump Administration can move forward to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian nationals living in the United States and does not have to offer immigrants turned away at the border the chance to apply for asylum, saying the immigrants never 'arrived in' the U.S. because they did not physically set foot in the country; Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announces that the federal immigration detention center in the Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz is closing after one year in operation; Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin gets into heated exchanges over immigration policy with Democratic House Members at an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing; House conservatives shut down House floor legislative business for a second day in a row over their demands that the Senate pass the bill called the SAVE America Act to require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote; Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks about U.S. aid to Venezuela after devastating earthquakes hit that country; Senate reverses itself on the Iran War in a late-night vote, now blocking a War Powers Act resolution to require the President to withdraw forces without Congressional authorization; Nominee for chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Stephen Phelan, testifies before the Senate Banking Committee as a new inflation report shows prices rose at the highest level since 2023; Vice President JD Vance talks about his new book "Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith" at the Nixon Library in California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pres. Trump has tense exchange with Sen. Cassidy (R-LA) over Iran War; Pres. Trump cancels housing bill signing until Senate passes voter ID bill 24.06.2026 58min

President Donald Trump meets with Senate Republicans and news reports say there were some tense exchanges over the war with Iran. On the way out, he said it was a 'good meeting' and the party is 'unified', but he is not happy with every Republican Senator. He said, 'I don’t like a few people, but I think you know who they are'; President postpones signing a bipartisan housing bill into law, he says until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote; Three left-leaning Congressional candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) win Democratic primaries Tuesday, two of them defeating Democratic incumbents; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets with House Republicans about the proposed increase in defense spending; Today is the four year anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturning the Constitutional right to abortion; Bipartisan Congressional leadership holds a ceremony to dedicate a time capsule to honor America's 250th anniversary, scheduled to be opened when America turns 500, in 2276. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate joins House in passing Iran War Power Act resolution to require Pres. withdraw U.S. military; Pres. Trump visits Pennsylvania to talk about economy 23.06.2026 58min

Senate passes an Iran War Powers Act resolution to require the President to withdraw U.S. military forces. House also passed it, but it is symbolic. It will not go to the president desk for a signature or veto, and therefore has no force of law; President Trump insists Iran will allow international nuclear inspectors to enter their country, despite what they are saying now, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a tour of Gulf states to shore up support for the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran that has halted the war; Senators are asked today about President Trump's planned visit to Capitol Hill Wednesday to meet with Senate Republicans to talk about the Iran War and the SAVE America Act to require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote; President Donald Trump tours a Mack Truck facility in a competitive Congressional district in Pennsylvania and gives a speech on his economic agenda, highlighting his tariffs, saying, 'American Roads will be filled with American Trucks'; Voters in New York, South Carolina, Maryland and Utah are casting ballots in primary elections. NYC's Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani has endorsed candidates in line with his Democratic Socialist economic vision, in some cases opposing incumbent Democrats; U.S. House is expected to pass a bipartisan affordable housing bill the Senate passed Monday; Senate Democrats mark the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturning the Constitutional right to abortion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

VP Vance says Iran will allow nuclear inspectors; Senate prepares to pass housing bill 22.06.2026 55min

Vice President Vance says peace talks with Iran set "a good foundation;" The Senate prepares to pass a bipartisan affordable housing bill; and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weekend Edition: U.S. Economic Outlook, Education & Use of A.I., and Family Research Council 20.06.2026 28min

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: A discussion with Mike Konczal of the Economic Security Project and Richard Stern of Advancing American Freedom, discuss the U.S. economic outlook and the Iran War's impact on the economy. Then: American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten discusses challenges facing education & the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom. Finally: Family Research Council President Tony Perkins discusses the Southern Poverty Law Center labeling his organization a hate group and other news of the day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Juneteenth federal holiday; Pres. Trump unveils new Air Force One jet; U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva postponed 19.06.2026 57min

On this Juneteenth National Independence Day federal holiday, we hear from two African-American U.S. Senators, Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Scott (R-SC); President Donald Trump unveils the Boeing 747-8 that was a gift from Qatar and will serve as the new Air Force One. It is painted the president's preferred red, white & blue; Israel and Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon after continued military fighting there led to the scheduled U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland on such issues as Iran nuclear program to be postponed; Maryland's 6th Congressional District Democrat primary matchup between incumbent April McClain Delaney and challenger David Trone could end up being the most expensive U.S. House primary ever. We will talk about it with HuffPost Senior Reporter Arthur Delaney (28) ; Great Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is looking at an impending challenge to his leadership from former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who just won a special election to a seat in Parliament, specifically so he can launch a bid to be Prime Minister. We will talk about that with C-SPAN's Westminster Correspondent Peter Knowles (41); Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) speaks on the Senate floor about Father's Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barack & Michelle Obama dedicate Obama Presidential Center in Chicago; Defense Secretary Hegseth announces review of U.S. forces in Europe 18.06.2026 1t

Former President Barack Obama at the opening of his presidential center in Chicago calls on Americans to look to the future, saying, 'We want to find a way to look toward each other again, not further away' and 'I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious, our democracy truly is'; Vice President JD Vance defends the memorandum of understanding with Iran, saying it is 'bearing fruit' as oil starts moving through the Strait of Hormuz and oil prices drop. And he says the deal is a “win-win” for the U.S. If Iran changes its behavior, it's a transformative relationship, and if not, their military and their nuclear program is still destroyed; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces at a NATO defense ministerial a six-month review of U.S. military forces and bases in Europe.. saying 'an era of freeriding' is over; Senate Judiciary Committee approves a bill requiring the Supreme Court to allow cameras to cover oral arguments; New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) presents the NBA Champion New York Knicks with the keys to the city after a massive ticker tape parade down Broadway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pres. Trump says he will bomb Iran again if it violates peace deal; DNI Dir. nominee confirmation hearing canceled; Fed leaves interest rates unchanged 17.06.2026 1t

President Donald Trump in a concluding news conference at the G7 Summit in France says if Iran does not follow the agreement it will sign with the U.S. on Friday, the U.S. will resume bombing Iran; Senate confirmation hearing for Director of National Intelligence nominee Jay Clayton is postponed after President Trump prevents the nominee from testifying. Confirmation of a new DNI was expected to clear the way for Senate Democrats to support a reauthorization of a foreign surveillance tool as the Democrats opposed the president's Acting DNI Bill Pulte. Now the president says he will support the foreign spying power only if a bill to require ID to register to vote is attached, and Bill Pulte will stay as Acting DNI; Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady in the first meeting under new Chair Kevin Warsh, and announces new task forces, including on data sources the Fed considers in its decisions and how the Fed communicates with the public. We will hear from the Chair and talk with Wall Street Journal economics reporter Matt Grossman (20); Senate committee holds a confirmation hearing for nominees to lead the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency and to be Deputy Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget; in Campaign 2026, President Trump gets a split decision in Georgia. The candidate he endorsed for U.S. Senator wins, and the one he endorsed for governor loses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pres. Trump says he'll send U.S.-Iran deal to Congress for review; Senate defeats Iran War Powers Act res.; Senate Budget Cmte holds hearing for OMB Dep Dir nominee 16.06.2026 59min

President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in France praises the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) as a document that normalizes relations between the U.S. and Iran after months of warfare, indicates the text could be made public before the formal signing in Switzerland on Friday, and says he could send it to Congress for review; Senate votes for a 9th time on an Iran War Powers resolution offered by Democrats to force the president to withdraw U.S. forces. It fails 47-48; President Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and downplays the U.S. role in Ukraine's war with Russia, saying the U.S. has 'nothing to do' with a war that is 'thousands of miles away' and 'It has no impact on us, other than we sell weapons'; Vice President JD Vance is asked about the FBI saying it stopped a terror attack on the UFC fight event on the White House South Lawn; Federal prosecutors in Minnesota charge 15 people with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers and related crimes that 'violently oppose immigration law enforcement'; Senate Budget Committee holds a hearing for the nominee for Deputy Director of the White House Budget Office, Hal Duncan; former Vice President Kamala Harris talks about the Trump Administration's alleged weaponization of the Justice Department; Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) announces a deal to sell marijuana legally in the commonwealth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump Claims Iran Agreement Is Close; Senate Eyes FISA Extension 15.06.2026 50min

President Trump says the United States and Iran are close to finalizing an agreement to end the war, but major disagreements remain. Iran is demanding an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that won't happen. We hear from both leaders on the latest developments. Plus, the Senate returns to Washington with a possible extension of FISA surveillance authorities and the nomination of Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence on the agenda. Senate leaders weigh in on what's ahead this week on Capitol Hill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weekend Edition: Inflation at Three-Year High, Conditions at Immigration & Customs Enforcement Detention Centers, and Changes to the Federal Workforce 13.06.2026 29min

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: A discussion with Manhattan Institute's Allison Schrager, about the new inflation numbers hitting a three-year high. Then: ProPublica's Perla Trevizo discusses the conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers across the U.S. Finally: Max Stier of the Partnership for Public Service discusses the Trump administration's changes to the federal workforce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk is 1st trillionaire after SpaceX IPO; reports of progress in U.S.-Iran peace talks; DNI Gabbard says U.S. funded dangerous biolab research 12.06.2026 57min

SpaceX begins trading above its listing price following a record-setting IPO, making founder Elon Musk the world's first-ever trillionaire; Victims of the deadly Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida are remembered on this 10th anniversary; reports of progress in talks to end the war between the U.S. & Iran. Pakistan's Prime Minister says “final, agreed upon text of the peace deal has been reached” and Iranian Foreign Minister an agreement has “never been closer”; Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Sect. 702 spying power is almost certain to expire tonight, after Congress left Washington without renewing it; Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard releases what she says is evidence of U.S. government funding for more than 120 biolabs in over 30 countries where research on dangerous pathogens took place and that previous administrations covered it up; President Donald Trump threatens to revoke Washington, DC home rule if mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George, a self-described democratic socialist, wins; Hillary Clinton & Pete Buttigieg speak about the future of the Democratic party at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition conference in Chicago; FBI Director Kash Patel on security for the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FISA Sect. 702 spying power set to expire after House defeats extension; Pres. Trump calls of Iran bombing, says deal to end war being finalized 11.06.2026 1t

House votes down an extension of the foreign spying power called FISA Sect. 702 a day before it is set to expire, with many Democrats upset at President Trump naming FHFA Director Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence; after the vote, President Trump nominates Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to be the next permanent DNI; Just hours after President Trump says the U.S. would strike Iran 'very hard tonight,' he calls off the bombing, claiming a breakthrough in negotiations with Iran; Secretary of State Marco Rubio signs a sports diplomacy partnership with UFC CEO Dana White; Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announces indictments against three people in Ohio for conspiring to smuggle unaccompanied minors across the U.S. border; Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), Oversight Committee ranking member, accuses Vice President JD Vance of leading a 'cover-up' of the Jeffrey Epstein files after news reports about the Vice President's role in White House Situation Room meetings; First Lady Melania Trump promotes savings accounts for children in the foster care system; New York politicians talk about the NBA Knicks being one game closer to a championship and the World Cup soccer tournament getting underway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump Threatens New Iran Strikes, Bill Gates Testifies on Epstein Ties, Inflation Hits 4.2% 10.06.2026 1t 2min

President Trump says the U.S. will resume attacks on Iran amid stalled negotiations, inflation reaches a three-year high, Bill Gates appears before the House Oversight Committee to answer questions about Jeffrey Epstein, and we preview tonight's Congressional Baseball Game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House passes $70B ICE/CPB funding on party-line vote; Pres. Trump says U.S. 'must' respond to U.S. Army helicopter downed by Iran; NASA reveals Artemis III crew 09.06.2026 56min

House joins the Senate in passing $70 billion, budget reconciliation, multiyear funding bill for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs & Border Protection, ending a four month showdown with Democrats over whether federal immigration enforcement should be reformed; President Trump says the U.S. 'must' respond to an attack from Iran on a U.S. army helicopter that was patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. He said the two pilots were safe and unharmed; No apparent path forward yet on renewing the foreign spying power known as FISA Sect. 702 before it expires at the end of the week. President Trump is reportingly not willing to pull back his appointment of Bill Pulte as Director of National Intelligence, one of the obstacles; Interim President of the South Poverty Law Center testifies before a House committee on accusations the civil rights group secretly paid informants inside extremist groups it was supposedly trying to bring down; House Oversight Committee interviews Lesley Groff, longtime assistant to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; Congressional leaders of both parties asked about President Trump accusing California's elections of being rigged; NASA reveals the Artemis III crew; First Lady Melania Trump presents the Presidential AI Challenge Awards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GOP budget reconciliation bill to fund ICE & CPB moves to House; Pres. Trump attends NBA Finals game at MSG 09.06.2026 52min

Republicans’ budget reconciliation package is now in the House’s hands, and they could approve the immigration bill this week; Another contentious issue boils in the Senate, extending the government's overseas warrantless spy powers authority known as FISA. That power expires on Friday, but Congress has repeatedly punted an extension for the past two months. And throwing a wrench into this time, President Trump's decision to install Bill Pulte as director of national intelligence; President Trump demands that Israel and Iran stop 'shooting' after a weekend of strikes between the two countries. And while both sides stopped the attacks, neither side says they're backing down from the conflict; Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) talks about the misconduct allegations made against him last week; Three New York Knicks fans react to President Trump attending tonight's NBA Finals Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weekend Edition: Immigration Enforcement, Anti-Weaponization Fund, and PBS Frontline Documentary on Trump's "War Cabinet" 06.06.2026 30min

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: A discussion about the Trump Administration's immigration enforcement and deportation policies with Lora Ries of the Heritage Foundation. Then: Donald Sherman of Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington discusses his organization's efforts to block the Trump Administration's "anti-weaponization fund." Finally: PBS FRONTLINE Producer and writer Mike Wiser discusses his new documentary on President Trump's "War Cabinet" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices