WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

President Trump removes AG Pam Bondi, shortly after ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Could this be the beginning of a larger cabinet shakeup, and who might lead the Justice Department next? Plus, NASA sends astronauts toward the moon for the first time since the end of the Apollo program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How effective was the President's primetime address on the U.S. military operation in Iran? Plus, Republicans agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security with the exception of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, bringing an end to the long lines and chaos at TSA checkpoints in U.S. airports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Donald Trump watches from the public seats, the Justices consider his order to reinterpret the 14th Amendment and deny citizenship to babies whose parents are in the U.S. illegally or temporarily. While he argues that birth tourism and illegal migration make this necessary, Solicitor General John Sauer faces tough questioning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The IRS releases new figures on income migration between 2022 and 2023, which show taxpayers continuing to flee high-tax states for more welcoming ones, including Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. But Democratic leaders aren't getting the message, as Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signs a new millionaire's tax. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. continues to make military progress but its strategic goals remain elusive. President Trump contemplates sending ground troops for discrete missions in Iran, and financial markets try to assess the economic impact of the Iran oil shock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the wee hours, the Senate approves a bill to reopen most of the Department of Homeland Security, but the House rejects the idea of partial DHS funding. While this puts a spotlight on Republican disagreements, Democrats are keeping the shutdown going by refusing policy concessions on immigration enforcement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A jury finds Meta and Google’s YouTube responsible for contributing to a young plaintiff’s internet addiction and causing harm to her mental health. But was the lawsuit more a victory for trial lawyers, and could legislation from Congress assist parents in navigating social media for their children? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. holds off striking Iran's power infrastructure, as President Trump cites "productive conversations" with the regime, but Tehran denies any talks are taking place. Meantime, Iran fires missiles at Diego Garcia, a base in the Indian Ocean that's about 4,000 kilometers away, which should be a threat warning to Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many states count absentee ballots that are mailed on time, even if they don't arrive until days or weeks later. But the Justices seem prepared to rule that this policy is contrary to federal laws setting a uniform Election Day. How could this affect the November midterms and the GOP debate over the SAVE America Act? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chaos continues to grow at airports across the United States as the partial government shutdown leaves DHS unable to pay workers. At the same time, the Trump administration looks for upwards of $200 billion to supplement military action against Iran. So how will Congress respond? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration gets more serious about California's oil and gas vulnerability and how it might impact national security, ordering the resumption of a project in federal waters off California's coast. Will the state's security weakness play a role in Governor Gavin Newsom's quest for the White House and commander-in-chief role? Plus, social media sites like TikTok highlight the problem of adversaries spreading AI-generated video propaganda during wartime operations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Gigot and Barton Swaim discuss the Republican debate about the Senate's 60-vote rule, dissent on the MAGA right over the Iran war, and the Texas Senate primary that could cost the GOP a seat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump Administration's counterterrorism director resigns, saying Iran didn't pose an imminent threat to the United States and accusing Israel of dragging America into wars. What does the episode suggest about the politics of the war, and will more exits follow? Plus, the fight over funding the Department of Homeland Security continues as Sen. Markwayne Mullin appears on Capitol Hill for his confirmation hearing to run the agency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. military action against Iran continues and the question is how soon American forces can open up the Strait of Hormuz. On this episode of Potomac Watch, Kate Odell talks with war scholar John Spencer about the next phases of the conflict and how the war is testing Beijing's strategic bet on Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump calls on allies to assist in patrolling the Strait of Hormuz to keep the vital oil chokepoint open and keep gas prices down. Plus, how will the Federal Reserve react this week to the economic impact of the war and higher energy prices? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump presses to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, meaning many driver's licenses wouldn't be enough. As some Republicans demand a talking filibuster to enact the bill, Sen. John Thune says that isn't so easy in practice, and the GOP lacks the votes for it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the U.S. and Israel joint operation destroys drones and nuclear missiles in Iran, the regime counters the only way it can, by threatening the world energy market. Plus, Donald Trump gives mixed messages about not leaving the region too soon, while still declaring the United States has 'already won.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voters are frustrated by home prices, and the Senate will soon take up the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. But the bill is a 300-page melange of federal grants and pilot programs, plus a progressive ban on home purchases by big investors. Plus, 22 states sue over Donald Trump's tariffs under Section 122. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Food and Drug Administration's controversial regulator is set to exit, amid more criticisms that the agency is stifling promising treatments. Meantime, the AI company Anthropic sues the Pentagon, after the Trump administration labels it a "supply chain risk" after a dispute over surveillance and autonomous weapons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. and Israeli war with Iran begins its second week with worry about rising oil prices and volatile financial markets. Plus, signs point to Russia providing intelligence to Iran, and Iran chooses the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to be its new leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices