Washington Today

President Donald Trump tells reporters outside the White House the U.S. has hit Iran "harder than virtually any country in history has been hit" but "we're not finished yet"; International Energy Agency says its 32 member countries have agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil to try to lower prices that have spiked with the disruptions caused by the war with Iran; United Nations Security Council adopts a resolution condemning Iranian attacks against neighboring Gulf nations. The resolution does not mention the attacks by the United States or Israel. Russia and China abstain from the vote; Department of Homeland Security remains closed after more failed funding attempts on the Senate floor. Democrats offer to reopen all agencies but Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs & Border Protections while negotiations over federal immigration procedure reform continues, and Republicans object. Republicans offered to reopen the entire department, and Democrats object; House Oversight Committee questions the accountant for the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Richard Kahn; Japan pauses to remember the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the country 15 years ago today, killing thousands and causing a nuclear power plant meltdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says the recent increase in oil and gas prices is temporary and the prices will drop rapidly once the objectives of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran are achieved; Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) says after a classified briefing on the Iran war the Trump Administration is on a path towards putting U.S. troops on the ground in Iran; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a morning briefing says today will be the 'most intense day of strikes' in the war; Senate confirms U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd to lead the National Security Agency and the U.S. Cyber Command; Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is asked about President Donald Trump's demand to make passage of a mandatory voter ID bill the top priority; Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) unveils a proposal to overhaul the delivery of programs like Medicaid, which have been the subject of federal fraud investigations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finance ministers from the Group of Seven major economies met today to discuss a possible coordinated release of strategic oil reserves, but no decision was announced. Meanwhile, the son of Iran’s deceased supreme leader has been named the country’s next leader — though President Trump says any transition would need approval from the United States. Back in Washington, House Republicans are holding their annual retreat, where President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are expected to address reporters. And as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security enters its fourth week, airport security delays are growing as TSA screeners continue working without pay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the conflict with Iran escalated, raising fears of a wider war in the Middle East. At home, President Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a major shake-up inside his administration. And the 2026 midterm elections got underway, with the first round of primary contests in Texas, North Carolina, and California offering an early test of the political landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: a conversation with journalist Avi Mayer - founder of the Jerusalem Journal – discusses ongoing U-S and Israeli combat operations against Iran. Then: the first primaries of Campaign 2026 kicked off this week. We read the tea leaves with National Journal's "Hotline" Editor Kirk Bado. Plus: the video depositions of former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton went public this week. We'll discuss the fallout and what's next in the Epstein files investigation with Ken Thomas of the Wall Street Journal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump says he will accept only 'unconditional surrender' from Iran and there are reports Russia is providing intelligence to Iran to target U.S. military positions in the Middle East; Jobs report from the Labor Department shows the U.S. lost 92,000 jobs in February and the unemployment rate went up from 4.3% to 4.4%. We will talk about the jobs report and the effect of the war with Iran on the economy with Courtenay Brown, Axios Senior Economics reporter (18); former Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton pay tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson at his funeral in Chicago; Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) tells C-SPAN about a late night phone call he had with President Trump; 2026 Paralympics open in Italy with some European countries boycotting because athletes from Russia & Belarus are being allowed to compete. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump says he is removing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and nominating Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as the new Secretary; House votes down a War Powers Act resolution to restrict President Trump's ability to wage war on Iran; Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) admits he had an affair with a staff member who later committed suicide. House Republicans leaders call on him to no longer seek reelection; Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. says medical schools have agreed to increase instruction on good nutrition; National Park Service predicts the peak bloom dates for the Cherry Blossom trees in Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate defeats a War Powers Act resolution to prohibit President Donald Trump from launching further military attacks on Iran without Congressional authorization; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says of the operations against Iran, “More and larger waves are coming. We are just getting started"; President Trump says the U.S. had to strike Iran because, “if we waited any longer – if we didn’t hit within two weeks – they would have had a nuclear weapon”; Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifies before the House Judiciary Committee about immigration enforcement operations and the shooting deaths of two protesters by federal agents; Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) & Attorney General Keith Ellison (D-MN) testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee about fraud in public aid programs; President Trump says he has secured a pledge from big technology companies to pay for the large quantity of electricity needed for AI data centers, so the cost is not passed on to American households. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former President Bill Clinton testifies at a closed-door deposition on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation before the House Oversight Committee in Chappaqua, New York. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next, the full audio recording from former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She testified before the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation of convicted financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She told House lawmakers that she had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's or Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes and had never met Epstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says his department is helping evacuate Americans in the Middle East in countries caught up in the war with Iran where commercial flights are not available; President Donald Trump meets German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, where the president suggests the U.S. & Israel attacked Iran because Iran was about to attack first; House & Senate will vote in the next few days on a War Powers Resolution that, if it became law, would limit President Trump's authority to conduct military operations against Iran; Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee for the first time since she suggested the actions of Renee Good & Alex Pretti, two anti-ICE protesters shot and killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, appeared to be domestic terrorism; Supreme Court hears a challenge to a federal law banning firearm possession by someone who uses or is addicted to illegal drugs. Plaintiff in the case said he smokes marijuana; preview of C-SPAN's Campaign 2026 Primary Night coverage of races in Texas, North Carolina & Arkansas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump talks about U.S. attacks on Iran. House Oversight Committee releases recordings of former President Bill Clinton & former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's testimony in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week in Washington, former President Bill Clinton testified before House lawmakers, answering questions about his past ties to Jeffrey Epstein in a rare and politically charged deposition. President Trump delivered his State of the Union address, laying out his administration’s priorities at home while striking a forceful tone on national security. And overseas, tensions with Iran remain front and center, as nuclear negotiations continue and debate grows in Washington over what comes next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: U-S- Iran nuclear talks continue –as the U-S continues its military buildup in the Persian Gulf. We talk about where things stand and the risks of an all-out war with Rose Kelanic of Defense Priorities & Danielle Pletka of the American Enterprise Institute. Then: This year's tax filing system is well underway. We speak with former IRS Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olsen about what you need to know -- including changes from the passage of the "Big Beautiful Bill." And finally: author & English professor Dan Chiasson discusses his new book on Sen. Bernie Sanders' early political life, titled "Bernie for Burlington." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former President Bill Clinton tells Members of the House Oversight Committee in their Jeffrey Epstein investigation, "I had no idea of the crimes Epstein was committing. I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong"; President Donald Trump says he is not happy with the way Iran is negotiating over its nuclear program, that he would love not to use military force, but "sometime you have to" and "They cannot have nuclear weapons"; President also says the U.S. could carry out what he calls a “friendly takeover” of Cuba; President is in Texas today to talk about energy production, ahead of next Tuesday's campaign primaries; New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani talks about his meeting this week with President Trump in the White House Oval Office, during which he pitched a multibillion dollar plan to build 12,000 new housing units; On Wall Street, Dow drops 500 points after an inflation report, the producer price index, was higher than expected; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces an agreement with Scouting America to continue the military's relationship with the organization, which includes not accepting transgender youth under their preferred gender; NASA Administrator Jared Isaccman says the Artemis moon mission is being overhauled to include an extra test flight before the attempt to land on the moon in 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testifies in closed session before the House Oversight Committee about Jeffrey Epstein and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, saying she has no new information to give them, and the Republican leaders of the committee should be asking people whose name comes up many times in the Epstein files, including President Donald Trump; Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) announces an anti-fraud legislative package and responds to the Trump Administration putting on hold nearly $300 million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota over fraud concerns; Vice President JD Vance travels to a portion of Wisconsin where a vulnerable House Republican is running for reelection to speak at a manufacturing facility about the economy; Federal bank regulators answer questions at a Senate Banking Committee hearing about debanking and a top UAE official's $500 million investment in a crypto company owned by the Trump family; another round of U.S.-Iran talks over Iran's nuclear program concludes with no announced breakthrough, as the U.S. House & Senate plan to vote next week on a War Powers Act resolution requiring Congressional approval before the President can use the military against Iran; Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray talks about way forward for the paper after recent, deep newsroom cuts; Cindy McCain says she is stepping down as head of the United Nations World Food Program due to health reasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice President JD Vance says the Administration is pausing some Medicaid funds to Minnesota over fraud concerns, a day after President Donald Trump said in his State of the Union Address the Vice President will lead a 'war on fraud'; Senate Republican leader John Thune and Democratic leader Chuck Schumer react to that and other issues in the president's nearly two-hour address, especially economic affordability, and what that means for the Senate agenda; two other Senators, Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) discuss Russia's war with Ukraine, a topic that got barely a mention in this year's State of the Union Address; nominee for Surgeon General Dr. Casey Means tells the Senate Health Committee that she will not unequivocally say that parents should vaccinate their children against diseases like measles, the flu or whooping cough; Supreme Court hears a case about a house in Michigan worth nearly $200,000, foreclosed on by the county for an unpaid $2,000 tax bill and sold at auction for $76,000. Plaintiffs say that is an unconstitutional taking without just compensation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump gives his first State of the Union speech tonight, which he says is "going to be a long speech because we have a lot to talk about." We get a preview from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders and Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), who will be giving the Democratic response. And The Hill's congressional reporter Emily Brooks on the Democrats who have already said they will boycott tonight's speech (18); House votes down a bill requiring aircraft broadcast locator signals which supporters say could have prevented last year's deadly midair collision between a commercial plane and military helicopter near Reagan National Airport. Opponents have introduced an alternative aviation safety bill they say goes further than the one that failed today; On this fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, we hear from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the Russian & U.S. Ambassadors to the United Nations; Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) says he will not resign after accusations he had an affair with the female staffer who committed suicide last year and the discovery of text messages that appear to show the congressman pressured her to “Send me a sexy pic." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Snow is piling up by the foot across parts of the eastern United States today… but here in Washington, we’re mostly dusting off our boots. Even so, the storm is having an impact — Congress canceled votes for the day, and federal offices opened on a delayed schedule. Still, preparations for tomorrow night’s State of the Union address are moving ahead inside the Capitol. At the White House, President Trump held one of his final public events before that speech — highlighting what he calls one of his early policy wins, the Laken Riley Act. We’ll bring you some of his remarks in just a moment. Meanwhile, reaction continues to Friday’s Supreme Court decision striking down much of the President’s tariff authority. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says Democrats will oppose any effort to extend the current tariffs — while reports suggest Republicans are split on how to respond. That same divide is playing out over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Talks between Republicans and Democrats remain stalled, and the White House has yet to offer a new proposal after last week’s plan was rejected. And on the foreign policy front — questions over potential military strikes on Iran are fueling debate over a House War Powers resolution, already dividing lawmakers in both parties. We’ll have all of it for you, coming up on Washington Today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, a high-stakes Supreme Court case that could redefine the scope of presidential power — as the justices weigh former President Trump’s use of tariff authority and what it means for the balance between Congress and the White House on trade. Then, we reflect on the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate whose decades of activism left a lasting mark on American politics. And finally, we examine the political storm surrounding Stephen Colbert and renewed scrutiny of the FCC, reigniting debate over free speech, satire, and the limits of federal oversight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: A discussion about the future of A-I and potential impact on jobs and energy in the U.S. with Former Trump OMB Chief Economist Vance Ginn. Then: PBS Frontline's Juan Ravell discusses his new documentary – titled "Crisis in Venezuela" – which explores the aftermath of Nicolas Maduro's capture in Caracas. And finally: Inside Elections deputy editor Jacob Rubashkin discusses the issues environment and key races to watch in Campaign 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Supreme Court strikes down President Donald Trump's global 'reciprocal' tariffs, ruling 6-3 that his use of an emergency powers law was unconstitutional because, as Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, 'The Framers did not vest any part of the taxing power in the Executive Branch.' President Trump calls the decision 'deeply disappointing' and that he is 'absolutely ashamed' of the justices who voted in the majority, but the President also says he will rely on other laws that do give him the ability to set tariffs and immediately sets a 10% global tariff; we will hear from the President & Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and talk to Vox Media's Supreme Court reporter Ian Millhiser (14); President Trump says he is considering a limited military strike on Iran if negotiations over Iran's nuclear program do not reach an acceptable agreement; Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says tests for Commercial Driver's Licenses will from now on be given only in English; National Governors Association hears from pollster Frank Luntz at its Winter Meeting in DC; NASA says the wet dress rehearsal of the Artemis II moon mission went well; First Lady Melania Trump donates her second inaugural gown to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump hosts in Washington the first meeting of the Board of Peace, designed to build on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and promote reconstruction of Gaza. President says board members have committed $7 billion, and the U.S. will give $10 billion; Former Prince Andrew in Great British is arrested on suspicion of sending trade information to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We will talk about it with C-SPAN's Westminster Correspondent Peter Knowles (16); Day 6 of the Homeland Security Department shutdown. We will talk with Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Chief Congressional Correspondent about where negotiations over federal immigration enforcement reform, a key Democratic demand to reopen the department, stand (30); state governors in Washington, DC for the National Governors Association Winter meeting are asked about Immigration & Customs Enforcement in their states; President Trump travels to Rome, Georgia to talk about the economy; Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) kicks off a ballot measure campaign in California for a one-time tax on billionaires; NASA releases the finding of an investigation into the Boeing Starliner spacecraft malfunction that turned what was to be a 10-day mission for two astronauts into a nine month stay on the International Space Station. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FCC Chair Brendan Carr says journalists were tricked into covering claims by late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert's claims that he was blocked by CBS from interviewing U.S. Senate candidate in Texas James Talarico; Early voting Texas is got underway this week. We will talk with Texas Tribune reporter Kayla Guo about the Senate race with competitive primaries in both parties and the new congressional district maps drawn to favor Republicans. (9); Billionaire Les Wexner tells Members of Congress he was not a co-conspirator to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and says he was "was duped by a world-class con man." We will talk with Ohio Capital Journal reporter Megan Henry. (20); Day five of the Homeland Security Department shutdown over disagreements about federal immigration operations changes. We get White House and House Democratic leader update; President Donald Trump hosts a Black History Month reception at the White House; Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) says President Trump has been telling lies about the state & federal response to the massive sewage spill in the Potomac River; United Nations Security Council holds a meeting on Middle East peace efforts, with the Secretary General's office expressing concern about Israel's actions in the West Bank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A man with a shotgun is arrested as he runs towards the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC; Tributes to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jr., civil rights movement pioneer and presidential candidate, who has died at the age of 84. We will hear from his son, Jesse Jackson, Jr. and a protégé, Rev. Al Sharpton, and talk with Washington Post Chief Political Correspondent Karen Tumulty, who reported on Jesse Jackson's 1988 presidential run (13); Homeland Security Department shutdown is on Day Four, and no signs it will come to an end soon, with the White House and Congressional Democrats trading offers on immigration enforcement reforms, but not reaching an agreement; latest round of U.S.-Iran talks over Iran's nuclear program conclude in Geneva. Both sides speak of progress and agree to "guiding principles" for an eventual deal; Commodities Futures Trading Commission says the agency will fight state regulation of prediction markets. We will hear from the CFTC Chair and talk about the stakes with Axios Business Reporter Nathan Bomey (41); former Sec of State Hillary Clinton accuses the Trump Administration of a cover-up when it comes the files of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; politicians celebrate Mardi Gras & Lunar New Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode we're featuring segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: The combative House Judiciary Committee hearing with Attorney General Pam Bondi got a lot of headlines this week. We get two different perspectives on the hearing -- and the on-going controversy over the Epstein files -- with Republican Mike Flood of Nebraska and Democrat Scott Peters of California Then: Justin Riemer of the group Restoring Integrity & Trust in Elections discusses the SAVE Act – and GOP efforts to change federal election law. Finally: a conversation with Jacob Weisberg – Chair of the Committee to Protect Journalists – on what the Committee sees are threats to First Amendment and Freedom of the Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Homeland Security Department shutdown is all but inevitable, with Congress out of session and no deal in sight to extend funding beyond tonight. Democrats are insisting that immigration enforcement reform be part of any agreement; Government inflation report comes in a bit lower than expected. Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% in January from a year ago; President Donald Trump congratulates U.S. special forces at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina for their role in capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last month; U.S. and world leaders attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany. Topics include a perceived divide between U.S. and European priorities, the war in Ukraine, and climate change policy. We hear from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Michael Walz, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy; an update from NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on Artemis II, the delayed mission to send astronauts around the moon for the first time in 50 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Partial federal government shutdown of the Homeland Security Department is looking likely after Senate Democrats block Republican attempts to fund the department beyond Friday's deadline. Republicans say the extra time is to finish negotiations on immigration enforcement reforms. Democrats say reforms need to be in the bill now; White House Border Czar Tom Homan announces the federal immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis will be coming to an end. We hear from him and from Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN); Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) testifies before a U.S. Senate Committee on the immigration operation in his state. A second panel of witnesses included leaders of Immigration of Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs & Border Protection (CBP), who are questioned about the shooting death of protester Alex Pretti by federal officers; Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) repeals a rule that classifies carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as a threat to public health. We hear from President Donald Trump and talk with Amy Harder, AXIOS National Energy Correspondent (37); Senate joins the House in passing a bill to nullify a Washington, DC law that exempts the city's local tax code from last year's Republican tax & spending cuts law, the One Big Beautiful Bill; U.S. House Press Gallery is renamed in honor of Frederick Douglass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the House Judiciary Committee with many of the questions about the Justice Department's handling of files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and many news articles describing her exchanges with Democrats on the committee as 'sparring' or 'combative'; Senate Democrats indicate they will oppose extending Homeland Security Department funding beyond Friday's deadline, even for a short time, without acceptable reforms to immigration enforcement attached; House votes on a bill to require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote; January jobs report from the Labor Department is stronger than many expected; House votes on a resolution to overturn President Donald Trump's emergency declaration that allowed him to put tariffs on Canada; President Trump promotes the use of coal; New federal deficit & national debt projects from the Congressional Budget Office; Senate Democrats are outraged that federal prosecutors tried to get an indictment against six Democratic lawmakers who posted a video telling active-duty members of the military and intelligence community they should refuse illegal orders. The grand jury refused to indict; Former boxing champion Mike Tyson talks about his Super Bowl ad promoting the Trump Administration's new dietary guidelines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices