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.

8hr 8min

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Winter storm clean-up and marking a year since the DCA plane crash".

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke on getting the trains running again after a big winter storm and WAMU's Kayla Hewitt on the latest findings about what led to last year's DCA plane crash.

January 30, 202649min 19sec47.36 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy and D.C.’s Congress woes".

Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy on winter storm cleanup challenges and county council upheaval. Plus, Ward 6 D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen on the lastest Congressional interference in District affairs.

February 6, 202649min 27sec47.47 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: MD Governor Wes Moore and new D.C. Councilmember Doni Crawford".

Maryland Governor Wes Moore on plans to close the state's budget gap. Plus, D.C. Councilmember Doni Crawford and WAMU's Margaret Barthel on the new Virginia governor's first week.

January 23, 202650min 28sec72.68 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Local officials grapple with the federal immigration crackdown".

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich discusses what federal cuts mean for county spending and Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto on demanding answers from MPD about its relationship with ICE.

January 16, 202650min 27sec48.44 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Md. House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk and Virginia Del. Vivian Watts".

Maryland's new Speaker of the House Joseline Peña-Melnyk talks federal job losses and the budget crisis. Plus, Virginia's longest-serving House Delegate Vivian Watts on redistricting.

January 9, 202649min 32sec47.55 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: The year in local politics and what’s ahead in 2026".

New Prince George’s County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha talks budget priorities, public safety, and data centers. Plus, WAMU’s politics reporters breaks down the year’s top stories and what to watch for in 2026.

December 19, 202550min 26sec48.43 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on the District’s future".

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on her decision to not run again, her tenure, and who might be the city’s next police chief.

December 12, 202538min 2sec36.52 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: With Muriel Bowser bowing out, D.C. mayor’s race heats up".

Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George on jumping into the D.C. mayoral race and Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González on her journey to leading the council.

December 5, 202549min 33sec47.57 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: U.S. Rep James Walkinshaw on what’s ahead for Virginia".

The Politics Hour is live in Fairfax, Virginia at Fair Oaks Mall with U.S. Representative James Walkinshaw and former House Delegate David Ramadan.

November 21, 202550min 29sec48.47 MB

Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Sen. Tim Kaine voted to end the shutdown, drawing fire from some Democrats".

U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Chris Van Hollen were on opposite sides of the vote to end the federal shutdown. They join us to discuss. Plus, D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie discusses his political future.

November 14, 202550min 30sec72.61 MB

The Politics Hour: Winter storm clean-up and marking a year since the DCA plane crash

January 30, 202649min 19sec

The D.C. area experienced one of its most significant winter storms in a decade, resulting in days of impassable roads, closed schools, and unshoveled bus stops. Criticism has mounted against local officials as they continue to struggle to get the region moving again.

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke joined the show to discuss how Metro approaches storm cleanup, the challenges of returning to regular service, and what lessons can be learned. Plus, we asked about the ongoing debate over the best way to fund Metro and transit police's relationship with federal immigration agents.

A year ago this week, an American Airlines passenger jet and a Black Hawk military helicopter collided over the Potomac River, killing 67 people. WAMU's Kayla Hewitt joined the show to talk about her conversations with loved ones and first responders about that tragic day, which she did for a WAMU News special. Plus, Hewitt broke down the latest NTSB findings about what led to the crash and the steps lawmakers are taking to make DCA safer.

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