The Playbook Podcast

In public, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune get along just fine. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that all is not well: Capitol Hill’s two most powerful lawmakers have two very different legislative strategies, and that puts them at a loggerheads as they each vie for President-elect Donald Trump’s ear. How will it all shake out? Capitol bureau chief and senior Washington columnist Rachael Bade joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to walk through the possibilities. Plus, signs of a ceasefire in Gaza and President Joe Biden bids farewell to the presidency.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, faces an uphill battle for confirmation. Among other things, Kennedy is a noted vaccine skeptic and has spent years embroiled in controversy. So how will the Trump team negotiate his confirmation? White House reporter Adam Cancryn joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through the plan. Plus, a whopping six cabinet nominees will face confirmation hearings this morning, and what to expect from President Joe Biden’s farewell address.

This morning, the Senate will start confirmation hearings for Trump’s Cabinet nominees. Will any of Trump’s picks see resistance? Senate reporter Ursula Perano joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to go over what to expect. Plus, a sneak peek at the new era of Playbook.

This afternoon, President Joe Biden will deliver an address on foreign policy from the State Department—his first of two farewell speeches during the final week of his political career. Senior foreign affairs correspondent Nahal Toosi joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to explore how Biden’s foreign policy legacy might be remembered. Plus, the Senate will consider the Laken Riley Act, and a look ahead to a week filled with Senate confirmation hearings. All that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

Today, officials from TikTok will make arguments before the Supreme Court to save the app in the U.S. Though some have expressed interest in buying TikTok, the app’s fate seems largely sealed save for a surprise decision from SCOTUS. Steven Overly, host of the POLITICO Tech podcast, joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss the possible outcomes and what comes next. Plus, SCOTUS says Trump has to appear at a sentencing hearing, and a look at who may lead FEMA in the new administration. All that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

Jimmy Carter’s presidency and life after leaving the White House will be honored in a ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral today where all five members of the so-called presidents club are expected to attend. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels dives into Carter's legacy with Tia Mitchell, the Washington Bureau Chief at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

On Tuesday, 48 House Democrats joined every Republican to advance an illegal immigration crackdown known as the Laken Riley Act, in a sign that Democrats may be moving right on immigration. White House reporter Myah Ward joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, we're watching fallout from Trump's extraordinary comments yesterday where he said he wants to annex Greenland and regain control of the Panama Canal. All that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

The Republican House majority is narrow, and there are a lot of policy priorities President-elect Donald Trump would like to see addressed. But, his preference on how to best approach the budget reconciliation process is unclear. Senior Congress editor Mike DeBonis joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss the potential paths forward.

It’s Congress' first full week of 2025, and there is already a lot to do. The first item on the agenda is to certify the 2024 election results, exactly four years after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol. This time around, the process is expected to be relatively simple. What isn't so simple are the remaining items on the agenda, particularly President-elect Donald Trump hopes for a single reconciliation package that is "big" and "powerful." Congress reporter Daniella Diaz joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through Congress’ to-do list.

A shutdown was avoided. But a new dividing line was drawn between President-elect Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson — one with wide-reaching implications for the future of Johnson’s speakership and the early days of Trump’s presidency. POLITICO Capitol bureau chief and senior Washington columnist Rachael Bade spent some time at Mar-a-Lago last week; she chats with Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton about what to keep an eye on in the days ahead.

At this moment, we are mere hours away from a government shutdown. How did we get here? Well, just take a look at House Republicans: After Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial spending deal was scuttled amid opposition from President-elect Donald Trump, the replacement deal — this one backed by Trump — fell short of the votes it needed amid 38 GOP defections. With time running out, what options remain? Who’s in for the lion’s share of the blame? And who are the key players to watch today? Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton and Playbook editor Mike DeBonis talk through it all.

We’re one day closer to a government shutdown, and the best chance to avoid one just went kaput. When the sun rose yesterday morning, it looked like a solution was nigh. But that all changed in a matter of hours after Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump whipped Republicans into a frenzy in opposition to the proposed continuing resolution. So what happens now? Congressional reporter Daniella Diaz joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to talk it through.

On Tuesday, we finally got the continuing resolution that Republicans on both sides of the Hill were quarreling over. But today, with the fine print coming into view, it doesn't look like a sure thing that a unified GOP will show up to get it through. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) called the potential bill a “total dumpster fire.” Speaker Mike Johnson says he wants to take this bill to the House Rules Committee and then to the House floor. Playbook editor Mike Debonis and Playbook co-author break down what could happen next.

Congress is about to head out for holiday break, but there’s one problem: there’s still no sign of a continuing resolution that would fund the government through March. So, what’s the hold up? Jennifer Scholtes, editor of budget and appropriations for Politico Pro, joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through what to know about the 2024 legislative finale. Plus, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was dealt an early blow in her bid for top Dem on the House Oversight Committee, but the full caucus vote on Tuesday could still swing in her favor.

In just five days, lawmakers will leave D.C. for a two-week break, but a bill to fund the government is still pressing. With resistance mounting from GOP representatives in farm districts, House Speaker Mike Johnson may need Democratic support to get it over the finish line. Meanwhile, Republicans are also considering how to swiftly advance President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda next year. As Playbook co-author Rachael Bade reports, reconciliation was a key topic between Sen. John Thune and Trump at this weekend's Army-Navy game. Also, RFK Jr. is scheduled to meet with senators on the Hill this week. Notably absent from his calendar? A meeting with Sen. Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor. All that plus everything else you need to know today.

After a dizzying week of meetings on Capitol Hill, Trump’s myriad nominees seem to be on firmer ground than they were. But is that because of what was said in those one-on-ones, or is has Trump himself been flexing his influence? Where do things head from here? Congress reporter Anthony Adragna talks through it all with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels. Plus, shakeups in House committee leadership, and Time’s “Person of the Year” inspires some 2016 déjà vu.

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and arguably President-elect Donald Trump’s most important supporter, finds himself being wooed by some unlikely people in Washington: Democrats in Congress. There are any number of reasons for this — personal ambition, a hope of finding common ground with Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency panel and an eagerness to attract his business investments to their states. But there’s something big picture at play, too: The “Resistance” is going to look a whole lot different during Trump 2.0. Politics reporter Holly Otterbein joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to discuss. Plus, FBI Director Christopher Wray announces his departure. That, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

It may be too late for Matt Gaetz, but President-elect Donald Trump’s allies are engaged in a pressure campaign to ensure his Cabinet picks are confirmed. Trump World has used online criticism and threats of primary challenges against senators that could challenge his nominees. Will it work? Politics reporter Ally Mutnick joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to talk it all through. Plus, Trump names a flurry of new administration picks, and the spotlight shifts to RFK Jr.’s chances. That, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

It’s no secret that President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have profoundly different approaches to foreign policy. With Trump taking office in 40-odd days, the seismic geopolitical shift resulting from Bashar al-Assad’s ousting comes at a pivotal time for both Syria and the U.S. So what do we know about how the U.S. will handle the fallout and the future in the Middle East? National security reporter and author of National Security Daily Robbie Gramer joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

While President-elect Donald Trump’s other controversial picks like Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth have been sucking up all the oxygen in Washington, Tulsi Gabbard has managed to stay largely out of the spotlight. But now, Trump's enigmatic nominee for DNI is in the hot seat. The former Democrat is coming under fire for alleged sympathies towards Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, who was run out of the country by rebels this past weekend. Can Gabbard convince senators that she’s the right person to brief the president? Playbook co-author Rachael Bade shares what she’s hearing on Capitol Hill. Plus, Trump breaks down his day one agenda on “Meet the Press.”

GOP’s DOGE days have arrived on Capitol Hill. Yesterday, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the co-heads of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, were on Capitol Hill. And the nascent panel is already the basis of a turf war between different factions of the Republican Party. Jennifer Scholtes, the editor of POLITICO Pro’s budget and appropriations brief joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton, to break down the battle lines and where insiders expect things to spill from here.

With his nomination for Defense secretary teetering on the brink, Pete Hegseth will soon learn whether his 11th-hour offensive yesterday to save his nomination has succeeded. As Republican senators — notably including combat veteran Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) — express concerns about some of Hegseth’s views as well as the allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse, which he has denied, the nominee has remained resolute: “We’re not going anywhere,” he told Hill reporters yesterday. But it might not entirely be his call. National correspondent Betsy Woodruff Swan and Playbook co-author Rachael Bade discuss what to watch for now. Plus, President-elect Donald Trump announces another flurry of key administration officials, and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) rises in the ranks.

With Matt Gaetz gone, Pete Hegseth may be next on the chopping block. The Secretary of Defense nominee has to reckon with—and explain to Republican senators—the recent allegations of fund mismanagement, drinking on the job, and sexual promiscuity. President-elect Donald Trump is said to be eyeing an unlikely candidate for the role if his first choice doesn’t pan out: his longtime Republican rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Plus, Republicans on Capitol Hill are embroiled in internal debate over two policy bills, while Democrats in the House are dealing with their own internal conflict between Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Jerry Nadler of New York.

Lawmakers have a lot to get through in the roughly three weeks left in the year’s congressional session. Among the major responsibilities are the annual defense policy bill and a plan to fund the government. But each party is also dealing with internal politics. Democrats are reckoning with a call for new blood in leadership, and Republicans are planning their approach to President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees in the new year. Congress reporter Anthony Adragna joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through what’s left on the year’s to-do list.

Late Sunday, President Joe Biden issued a “full and unconditional” pardon to his son Hunter for any crime he "has committed or may have committed" in the previous 11 years. In a statement, Biden described Hunter as the victim of "politically weaponized prosecution." The move isn't surprising, but it does mark a 180 for the president, who had repeatedly said he wouldn’t issue a pardon for his son. National correspondent Betsy Woodruff Swan joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss.

A cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by France and the United States, is not the exact one Biden was hoping to be touting as a capstone to his presidency. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels and National Security Daily's Eric Bazail-Eimil discuss the agreement's impact on the region and why the president is still looking to end hostilities in Gaza. That, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Plus — happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday, special counsel Jack Smith announced that he would move to drop both federal criminal cases against president-elect Donald Trump due to a long-standing DOJ policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Judge Tanya Chutkan too dismissed a pending federal election interference case. Could things pick back up once Trump leaves office? Senior legal reporter Kyle Cheney joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, Trump takes to Truth Social to share his proposed tariffs.

When a new presidential administration prepares to take office, it typically signs transparency and ethics agreements with the White House, the Justice Department and the General Services Administration to ensure access to important government information and otherwise facilitate a smooth transition. But this time, President-elect Donald Trump’s team has been reluctant to sign them. White House reporter Adam Cancryn walks Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels through the reasons for the Trump team’s hesitation and the implications. Plus, the president-elect dominates the conversation at the Halifax Security Forum, and what we know about Kamala Harris’ next moves.

After a tumultuous eight days as Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration yesterday. While Senate Republicans cheered the move, the implications for Trump’s second administration are immense. Hours after the announcement, Trump nominated former Florida AG Pam Bondi for the role — a move cheered by Senate Republicans. But in the post-Gaetz landscape, other Trump nominees are likely to face increased scrutiny around their own imbroglios. What are the lessons of Gaetz’s fall, and where do things head from here? Playbook co-authors Eugene Daniels and Rachael Bade discuss.

Matt Gaetz has dominated the spotlight in Washington since President-elect Donald Trump announced him as nominee for attorney general. But Gaetz is far from Trump’s only contentious pick. On Capitol Hill, concerns are mounting about Pete Hegseth, the Fox News personality Trump picked to run the Department of Defense. There are concerns about Hegseth’s experience — he served in the military, but has never run a complex and vast organization. There are concerns about his controversial views — including that women should not be able to serve in combat roles. And then there are concerns about alleged sexual misconduct stemming from an encounter he maintains was consensual but which the woman in question maintains was not. What should we expect as Washington’s gaze turns to Hegseth? Defense reporter Joe Gould joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to discuss.

Today, the House Ethics Committee will meet to discuss is the findings of its investigation into Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz. Because the committee has an equal number of Republican and Democratic members, only one Republican would need to vote with Democrats to release the report. So how will this play out? Congress reporter Daniella Diaz and Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels walk through the possibilities. Plus, with the additions of Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Linda McMahon to be Education secretary, President-elect Donald Trump reinforces his affinity for reality tv politicians. That, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Correction: An earlier version of this episode stated that DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray would testify before the Homeland Security Committee at 10 a.m.

Since his first election win in 2016, Matt Gaetz has been embroiled in controversy, including a House Ethics Committee investigation and report that hasn’t been released. Those close to Trump are hoping the president-elect will reconsider his nomination as Attorney General. Plus, Trump confirmed his plans to potentially use military force for mass deportations and appointed another Fox News personality to his cabinet. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

Two of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet appointments are facing accusations of sexual misconduct, and the ensuing mess is just getting started. The House Ethics Committee report on Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, who has been under investigation for allegations of having sex with a minor and illicit drug use at sex parties, may be released yet. This, despite the Florida representative’s resignation from Congress, and even some Republicans are calling for the release of that report. But Gaetz isn’t alone. Over the weekend, the Washington Post reported that Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault as part of a nondisclosure agreement. He denies the assault. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade unpacks this situation. Plus, is Howard Lutnick too thirsty to be Treasury secretary? All that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

Donald Trump spent his first full week as president-elect making a flurry of announcements unveiling key officials in his coming administration. Yesterday, he unveiled among his most controversial picks yet: To lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — a leading proponent of false and disproven claims about the safety of vaccines. So, what does this move tell us about Trump’s approach and attitude toward his second term?National political correspondent Meridith McGraw — who scooped news of the announcement — walks Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton through what we know.

In a move that stunned much of Washington, President-elect Donald Trump yesterday unveiled his choice for attorney general: Rep. Matt Gaetz. The move would put Gaetz atop the Justice Department, which spent years investigating allegations that the Florida congressman had sex with underage girls and paid for their transportation — allegations which Gaetz has denied. Among those investigations is one by the House Ethics Committee, which was nearing completion — until, that is, yesterday, when Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress. How is the news landing among the Senate Republicans whose support he needs to win confirmation? And where does the Ethics Committee’s investigation go from here? Congressional reporter Ursula Perano joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, John Thune (R-S.D.) was elected to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader — and more about the other new Republican leaders on Capitol Hill.

President-elect Donald Trump will visit Washington this morning to meet with President Joe Biden. Although meetings between the outgoing and incoming presidents are a long-standing tradition, Trump has not always followed through. When their roles were reversed in 2020, Trump refused to meet with Joe Biden. There is no love lost between the two gentlemen who last met one-on-one on the debate stage, which ultimately ended Biden's reelection campaign. So, what could they possibly talk about? White House reporter Adam Cancryn talks with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels. Plus, inside Trump’s latest barrage of cabinet selections, and who will emerge victorious in the vote for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s GOP leadership successor.

We’re getting a clearer look at President-elect Donald Trump’s new cabinet and one thing is in common: loyalty. So far, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) has been named as ambassador to the United Nations, Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy. Health care reporter Alice Miranda Ollstein joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to discuss what we know about other cabinet picks.

Congress reconvenes on Tuesday for the first time since before the election, and the big winner, President-elect Donald Trump, is already asserting his dominance. The key players around Trump (but not the man himself ) have come out in full support of Sen. Rick Scott's bid for Majority Leader. But could the move doom Scott's campaign from the start? Playbook co-author Rachael Bade delves into this and other ways the president-elect is already making an impact on Capitol Hill.

Since Tuesday night, Donald Trump’s resounding victory has been the only thing on anyone’s minds in Washington. That … and how Democrats managed to mess up so spectacularly. With Trump’s selection of Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff, we’re already getting a glimpse of the president-elect’s team — and perhaps an insight into how Trump’s second term will differ from his first. From Democratic recriminations to the GOP’s new agenda, what is in store in the days ahead? Playbook co-authors Eugene Daniels and Rachael Bade discuss.

President-elect Donald Trump and his team launched into transition planning in Palm Beach on Wednesday, barely 12 hours after polls closed. So who's going to be chief of staff? And who’s going to head up personnel decisions? Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and Eugene Daniels share what they know about the transition so far — including Rachael's latest scoop on Chris LaCivita's beef with Corey Lewandowski.

It seemed unthinkable on Jan. 7, 2021. Now it’s reality. Donald Trump will retake the presidency after making sweeping gains in state after state, slashing away at the margins that kept him from a second term four years ago. He declared victory in a raucous speech in West Palm Beach last night, where he hailed “the greatest political movement of all time” — a boast that suddenly did not sound like unhinged hyperbole. Playbook editor Mike DeBonis breaks down what we know with Playbook co-authors Eugene Daniels and Rachael Bade.

After an election cycle that included an unprecedented switch at the top of a major party’s ticket, multiple assassination attempts against former president Donald Trump and razor-thin poll margins, Election Day is finally here. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade chats with national politics reporter Natalie Allison and Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to see what they’re hearing from both candidates on the campaign trail.

Most Republicans, or at least smart Republicans, had hoped that Donald Trump would wrap up his campaign with a disciplined message, focused on the economy and immigration. But if you read the headlines over the weekend, they told a different story. Meanwhile, Harris's team is projecting confidence after calling itself the underdog for weeks. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks down what she's watching on the last day on the campaign trail.

Four days remain in the election, and everyone is trying to predict how the presidential race will play out. You can learn a lot about the strength of a campaign from the number of donations it has received … or can you? Data reporter Jessica Piper joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to break down some of the surprising trends she has seen among donors to the Harris and Trump campaigns.

Wisconsin is the red-headed stepchild of swing states. More focus typically falls on Pennsylvania or Michigan, but Republicans and Democrats are flocking to the badger state in the final days before the 2024 election in hopes of winning its 10 electoral votes. National politics reporter Lisa Kashinsky tells Playbook Deputy Editor Zack Stanton that both campaigns are feeling optimistic, but largely agree on one thing: the race is going to be close. Plus, new polls show a slight Harris lead in two key swing states, and the Elon Musk-funded canvassing scheme is in very hot water. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

Last night, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her closing message from the Ellipse to a crowd of roughly 75,000 people. In the speech, she highlighted her policy aspirations, commitment to fighting for reproductive rights and pledged an ethos of unity. But shortly after she left the stage, President Joe Biden made headlines for potentially disparaging Trump voters as "garbage" in a video appearance with Latino supporters. He was reacting to comments Tony Hinchcliffe made at Trump's Sunday night Madison Square Garden rally that Puerto Rico was a "floating island of garbage." Playbook co-authors Eugene Daniels and Rachael Bade dive in to how effective Harris and Trump's closing messages were and whether Biden's flub will overshadow Harris’ message.

In 2020, it took days to announce Joe Biden as president-elect. This election cycle, officials are hopeful that the process will be much faster in several states due to improvements in preprocessing absentee and mail-in ballots. But, pivotal battleground states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin still lack faster preprocessing measures. Deputy national editor Zach Montellaro joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to explain what to expect after election day.

Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden won’t be remembered for the things the former President had to say, but for the racist and sexist rhetoric of other speakers who took the stage. The Trump campaign even issued a rare statement distancing itself from the speakers, concerned that the event will undermine recent attempts to focus messaging on the economy and immigration. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade digs in. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade digs in.

We’re 11 days out from the end of the election, so naturally, Kamala Harris is campaigning in … Texas? Today, the VP will travel to Houston to deliver a message aimed squarely at voters in other states: That Texas’ abortion ban is a result of Donald Trump’s court appointments, and that if he returns to the White House, those restrictions will only spread. Politics reporter Megan Messerly walks Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels through what we can expect from one of Harris’ marquee end-of-the-campaign events.

The internal machinations of Donald Trump’s campaign have dominated headlines this past week, although not in a way they might want. There are accounts of infighting, power struggles and chaos. And there's usually one of two reasons for those kind of stories: finger-pointing when things aren’t going well, or maneuvering because things are going so well that rivals want to elbow each other out of the way. So which is it? Playbook co-authors Eugene Daniels and Rachael Bade discuss.