The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

WAMU 88.5

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.

7hr 54min

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins talks Old Town tourism and Washington Post's Marc Fisher on Ovechkin".

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins on what a shrinking federal workforce means for the city's economy. Plus, Washington Post columnist Marc Fisher on Alexander Ovechkin's special relationship with the District and Maryland Matters' reporter Will Ford breaks down what happened during the Maryland General Assembly session.

April 11, 202550min 28sec48.46 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on federal health agency firings".

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on the Trump administration firing thousands at the National Institutes of Health. Plus, D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto on President Trump's executive order aimed at the District.

April 4, 202549min 26sec47.46 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Trump's new executive order aimed at D.C. and Maryland Governor Wes Moore on new taxes".

Kojo and Tom weighs in on President Trump signing an executive order aimed at reducing crime and increasing immigration enforcement in the District. Maryland Governor Wes Moore on the state budget deal and Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell on what to expect out of budget debates next week. Plus, Prince George's County Council Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha on the sudden shake-up in county leadership.

March 28, 202549min 16sec47.31 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi: A House vote worth $1B to D.C., and Maryland's plan to close a shortfall".

Maryland state Sen. Will Smith and D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson joined the show.

March 21, 202536min 44sec35.28 MB

Thumbnail for "Why a federal spending bill could blow a billion dollar hole in D.C.’s budget".

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine explains why he plans to vote no on the federal spending bill, even if it means a government shutdown. Plus, D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson and WAMU’s D.C. politics reporter Alex Koma break down why the legislation could force the District to make a billion dollar in cuts.

March 14, 202537min 42sec36.2 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Could the D.C. region be headed into a recession?".

Chair of the Virginia Democratic party Susan Swecker on the ups and downs of Virginia politics. Plus, Clark Mercer, head of the regional leadership group known as COG, on the economic fallout of the shrinking of the federal government.

March 7, 202550min 29sec72.59 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb on the dangers of the federal government taking over D.C.".

D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb on President Trump wanting to take over the District and the lawsuits his office has filed against the White House. Plus, Washington Informer's Richard Elliott breaks down the Prince George's County Executive race.

February 28, 202550min 29sec48.47 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: D.C. leaders on President Trump’s threat to take over the District".

D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto on President Trump wanting the federal government to take over the District. Plus, Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis on how the county is protecting transgender students and Maryland State Senator Cheryl Kagan talks bridging the state’s $3 billion budget gap.

February 21, 202549min 26sec47.46 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: What recent White House moves mean for D.C. and Maryland".

D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson on threats to D.C.'s autonomy. Plus, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown on suing the Trump administration, and WAMU's Margaret Barthel discusses the failed Fairfax County casino bill.

February 15, 202550min 28sec48.46 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Rep. Jamie Raskin on President Trump’s push to shrink the federal workforce".

A federal judge paused the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" offer hours before the Thursday deadline. What does it mean for the region and what are lawmakers doing to help local federal workers.

February 7, 202549min 37sec47.64 MB

The Politics Hour: Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins talks Old Town tourism and Washington Post's Marc Fisher on Ovechkin

April 11, 202550min 28sec

Alexandria is dealing with the impacts of a shrinking federal workforce on its economy, tax base, and ability to fund even some basic services. Mayor Alyia Gaskins sat down with Kojo and Tom to discuss the local challenges that come with cutting thousands of federal positions. Plus, Mayor Gaskins explained why Alexandria is not a sanctuary city.

Washington Capitals legend Alexander Ovechkin broke the long-held NHL scoring record this past weekend. The hockey superstar has played his entire 20-year career in the District, and local fans have bonded with the Russian-born athlete. Washington Post columnist Marc Fisher got behind the mic to talk about the city's special relationship with "Ovi," despite the superstar's uncomfortable relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

And the Maryland General Assembly wrapped its 90-day session earlier this week with compromises on the budget, immigrant protections, and cuts to the state's massive education reform plan. Maryland Matters' reporter Will Ford broke down what passed - and what didn't - during the General Assembly's final chaotic days of its 2025 session.

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