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PODCAST

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

Join Kojo and resident analyst Tom Sherwood on Fridays at noon for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Each week Kojo and Tom help make sense of legislation, hold elected officials accountable and provide in-depth analysis of local issues and elections. The Politics Hour is also a vital forum for Washingtonians to engage directly with their local leaders.

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All Episodes

49:32

The Politics Hour: Md. House Speaker Joseline...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2026/01/09

Next week, Virginia's government shifts to Democratic control as the party takes over the Governor's mansion, the General Assembly, and the Attorney General's office. It gives the Democrats a rare opportunity to push through bold legislation, even as several longtime lawmakers depart. Virginia's longest-serving House Delegate, Vivian Watts, got behind the mic to talk about top priorities for the upcoming legislative session, including increasing the minimum wage, reproductive care access,

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50:26

The Politics Hour: The year in local politics and...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/12/19

Prince George’s County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha has a lot on her plate as she starts her one-year term. She’s looking to make child care more affordable, housing more obtainable, and the county safer. The council’s new leader will try to do all of this while navigating a growing budget gap. Chair Oriadha joined Kojo and Tom to discuss her priorities and whether data centers could be an answer to the county’s money challenges.2025 was certainly an eventful year in national and local

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38:02

The Politics Hour: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on the...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/12/12

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced late last month she would not be running for a fourth term, bringing to a close one of the longest mayoral tenures in the city's history. From guiding the District through a series of crises to bringing the football team home, Mayor Bowser has led D.C. through profound change.Mayor Bowser joined the show to explain her decision not to run for reelection, her legacy, and what's next. Plus, who might she support to be the District's next Mayor? Also, D.C

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49:33

The Politics Hour: With Muriel Bowser bowing out,...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/12/05

After months of weighing the decision, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced last month she would not run for a fourth term. Immediately, attention turned to who might jump into the race to replace her. The first major candidate to declare was Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George. She joined us to discuss her campaign rollout.Lewis George said as a Democratic socialist, she is focused on affordability, income equality, and defending District residents, including from a federal takeover of

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50:29

The Politics Hour: U.S. Rep James Walkinshaw on...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/11/21

We took the Politics Hour on the road this week, broadcasting live from Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Virginia.U.S. Representative James Walkinshaw (D-VA11) joined Kojo and Tom first on stage.With elections and the government shutdown in the rearview mirror, we turned to what the future holds for the commonwealth. Federal cuts continue to affect Northern Virginia's economy, but perhaps not in the way some initially feared. As Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger prepares to take office in

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50:30

The Politics Hour: Sen. Tim Kaine voted to end the...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/11/14

Congress voted on Wednesday to end the longest federal shutdown in the nation's history. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine joined a handful of Democrats to broker a deal with Senate Republicans. The deal included reversing some federal layoffs and guaranteeing payment for furloughed workers. What it did not include was an extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits, a provision many Democrats insisted Republicans needed to add before they'd approve a funding bill. Sen. Kaine joined the show

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50:58

The Politics Hour: Virginia Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/11/07

Virginia Democrats had a big night in Tuesday's elections, sweeping all the statewide races and winning a supermajority in the House of Delegates. We broke down the historic election from all angles. We dove into the results with WAMU's Northern Virginia reporter, Margaret Barthel, and David Poole, founder of the Virginia Public Access Project.We were then joined by one of the big winners, Lieutenant Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi, to discuss what it means for Virginians and her historic

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49:16

The Politics Hour: Virginia’s redistricting push...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/10/31

All eyes are on Virginia ahead of next week's statewide elections. Recent polls continue to show Democrat Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, while both the Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General races are in virtual dead heats. We previewed Virginia's upcoming elections with WAMU's Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel and former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA). A split ticket remains a possibility, said Davis, meaning that members of different parties could be

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50:28

The Politics Hour: Federal cuts are hitting...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/10/24

Montgomery County is home to more than 50,000 federal workers and numerous federal agencies, so residents are feeling the impact of the weeks-long shutdown. Plus, the possibility remains for tens of thousands of federal employees to be fired as the shutdown continues. Local officials are sounding the alarm on rising rates of homelessness and longer lines at food banks. Council President Kate Stewart joined the show to discuss how the county is managing the crisis. She also weighed in on the

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50:28

The Politics Hour: Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks on...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/10/17

U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) joined the show to discuss the federal shutdown, as it drags on with no apparent end in sight. The Trump administration is continuing to lay off federal employees, while threatening to terminate thousands more. Maryland's and Virginia's congressional delegations gathered together this week to urge the White House to stop the federal cuts and end the government shutdown.Democrats are holding out for a spending bill that includes a permanent extension of

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38:18

The Politics Hour: Why a candidate's text messages...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/10/10

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined the show to discuss the Trump administration's threat to withhold back pay from furloughed federal workers, despite 2019 legislation guaranteeing pay in the event of a shutdown. We also asked Sen. Kaine to weigh in on this week's Virginia gubernatorial debate which pitted Democrat Abigail Spanberger against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.He said the differences between the two candidates were stark as they sparred over transgender rights, political

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38:42

The Politics Hour: What a federal government shutdown...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/10/03

The federal government partially shut down for the first time since 2018. The shutdown puts the D.C. region in a particularly perilous position, considering the area's close relationship with the federal government. Additionally, President Trump is again threatening to fire more civil servants and further slash federal programs. Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivey joined the show to discuss how the shutdown will affect area residents. Plus, he explained why Democrats are holding out for a

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50:29

The Politics Hour: Why Virginia's lieutenant...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/09/26

Virginia's statewide elections are now in the home stretch, with both sides pouring money into the races. The lieutenant governor contest might be the most competitive, with the race earning national attention and unexpected endorsements. The Democratic candidate joined us last week; now, Republican candidate John Reid took the mic and discussed the campaign and the issues, including reproductive rights and school gender policies. Plus, we asked Reid about turning down the temperature on

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48:56

The Politics Hour: D.C. Council approves RFK stadium...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/09/19

After some last-minute negotiations, the D.C. Council gave its final approval to a $3.7 billion deal to build a football complex at the RFK Stadium site and bring the Washington Commanders back to the District. Supporters hailed it as a transformative project for the city, one that will bring a domed stadium, retail, housing, and green space to a site along the Anacostia River currently occupied by what's left of the old RFK stadium. Ward 7 D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder represents the

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50:29

The Politics Hour: Virginia’s newly elected U.S. Rep....

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/09/12

Fairfax voters this week overwhelmingly elected Democrat James Walkinshaw to succeed the late Gerry Connolly in Congress in Virginia's 11th district. Walkinshaw, who was sworn in on Wednesday, takes over for his mentor during a particularly tumultuous time for Northern Virginia. Congressman Walkinshaw joined the show to discuss the 51,000 civilian federal workers who live in the district, a potential regional recession, and the possibility of a federal shutdown. Plus, we asked him to weigh

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47:49

The Politics Hour: It's back to school with Prince...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/09/05

With students across the region returning to class, local school superintendents discussed student safety, cell phone policies, and concerns over immigration enforcement.In Prince George's County, schools continue to deal with the fallout from the federal government freezing and then unfreezing millions of dollars in education funds. While funds are expected to be dispersed by next month, more federal cuts could be on the horizon. Interim Prince George's County Public Schools Superintendent

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50:30

The Politics Hour: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore; plus, two...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/08/29

The federal takeover of D.C. police is now in its third week, and we were joined on this week’s show by guests with different perspectives on the federal law enforcement surge in the District.Maryland Governor Wes Moore joined the show to weigh in. He has called the federal police takeover “disrespectful” and unconstitutional. Additionally, the Governor discussed his recent public spat with President Trump, with the White House hinting at the possibility of sending National Guard troops to

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50:30

WAMU News Call-In Special: A community conversation...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/08/15

President Trump announced this week he was federalizing the D.C. police and sending in the National Guard to curb what he calls "out of control" crime in the District. The move comes as violent crime in D.C. is down 26% compared to this time last year, according to Metropolitan Police Department data. Hundreds of federal law enforcement officials and the National Guard have already been brought in, and have been seen patrolling D.C. streets.Residents across the region have lots of questions

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50:30

The Politics Hour: Prince George’s County Executive...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/08/08

It's likely that the Washington Commanders will be leaving their current home in Prince George's County for a new stadium in the District. What would happen to the Northwest Stadium site? How about the land currently home to Six Flags, which is closing close to the end of the year? Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy weighed in, saying the county is already preparing for the team’s departure from the 200-acre-site. Redeveloping the land, Braveboy said, could be a boon. “We

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50:29

The Politics Hour: The D.C. Council seals the RFK...

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi ·

2025/08/01

After two days of hearings, the D.C. Council took a first vote on the much-anticipated multi-billion-dollar RFK Stadium deal. WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma joined us live from the Wilson building to give us the latest. He also broke down this week's final vote on the budget, which included a controversial compromise on the future of the tipped minimum wage.The Trump administration has opened multiple investigations into George Mason University over alleged discriminatory

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