The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

WAMU 88.5
  • 4.8 (44)
  • Politics
  • Weekly

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.

  1. 4d ago

    The Politics Hour: What's at stake locally in the 2026 midterm elections

    After all the campaigning, forums, primaries, and controversies, the 2026 midterm elections are finally here. This week, we go deep into what's at stake for Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. in next week's elections. Virginia could be critical for the Democrats' hope of flipping the House, despite the state party's failed redistricting attempt earlier this year. UVA’s Center for Politics Larry Sabato joins Kojo and Tom to break down what to watch for on election night, the implications nationwide, and how the Northern Virginia races factor in. A proposal to change the state constitution that would alter how congressional districts are drawn is grabbing most of the headlines in Maryland. WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu breaks down question 3 for us. Plus, she discusses the congressional races, Montgomery County Executive contest, a Prince George's County plan to eliminate at-large seats, and why Maryland Governor Wes Moore might be looking beyond this Election Day. What was thought to be a gilded path for At-large D.C. Councilmember Robert White to the D.C. Delegate seat has gotten a bit more complicated. A D.C. law is likely to force the at-large D.C. Councilmember to resign his Council seat before Election Day. The Washington Sun's Martin Austermuhle gives us the latest on this developing story. Martin also discusses concerns about possible federal election interference, why the city's likely next mayor isn't voting to give herself a pay bump, and how foie gras has become the District's biggest election debate this year. Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  2. Oct 23

    The Politics Hour: On the road in Prince George's County with U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and Council Chair Krystal Oriadha

    We take the Politics Hour on the road this week, broadcasting live from the Prince George's Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville, Maryland! The midterm elections are just over a week away, and Democrats are cautiously optimistic about the party's chances of flipping both the House and Senate. U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) has been traveling around the country campaigning for Democratic candidates. She joins Kojo and Tom on stage to talk about what's at stake in the midterms and the message she is sharing with voters. Plus, we ask her to share her thoughts on the proposed change to the state constitution that would change how congressional districts are drawn and what she is doing to help make life more affordable for Maryland. Prince George's lawmakers are grappling with a widening controversy over the dispensing of millions of dollars in county grants to groups run by friends of council leaders.  We ask Prince George's Council Chair Krystal Oriadha what exactly happened and what comes next. Prince George's County leaders have their sights set on a Vegas-style entertainment venue as a key economic driver. In recent months, county lawmakers have advanced legislation that would allow a mini-Sphere to be built at National Harbor.l Chair Oriadha sits down to discuss why she's putting her faith in this $1.4 billion project. Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  3. Oct 16

    The Politics Hour: What's next for East Potomac Park golf course and federal presence at D.C. schools

    A federal judge this week temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting down any more trees at East Potomac Golf Links. This comes after the federal government had contractors hastily chop down hundreds of trees at the public course last weekend, claiming it was related to a 2019 rehabilitation plan. For months, President Trump has threatened to take over and close the District's largest public golf course to turn it into a "championship-level" course. Virginia Congressman Don Beyer has been at the forefront of the fight to protect the course and joins the show to discuss what's next. And we ask why he and other Democrats are calling for the FAA to stop using an AI air traffic control tool. D.C. students, staff, and parents remain very concerned about the presence of National Guard troops and federal agents near schools. Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto held a community listening session this week where residents shared their experiences. She joins Kojo and Tom to explain what she heard and what she plans to do. Plus, we get her thoughts on possible tax hikes and why D.C. police data shows one category of violent crime is on the rise. Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday. Produced by Matt Blitz Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  4. Oct 9

    The Politics Hour: D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb on going after 'extreme housing neglect'

    In recent months, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has used his office to improve housing conditions across the city, including filing lawsuits that force landlords to clean up trash and stop illegal activities. The city's top lawyer joins Kojo and Tom to explain why this is one of his top priorities. Plus, the Attorney General breaks down the settlement with Amazon over the company's discriminatory delivery practices in Wards 7 and 8, and how his office is working to reduce youth crime. Maryland Governor Wes Moore did not promise to serve a full second term if reelected during this week's gubernatorial debate. Moore's comments have made many political experts think he might run for President in 2028. WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu explains what the future could hold for the governor. Plus, the Prince George's County Council unanimously advanced legislation for the proposed Sphere project at National Harbor without a union labor agreement. Jenny explains how community members are reacting and what it means for the project moving forward. Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  5. Oct 2

    The Politics Hour: After a mistrial, what’s the political future of Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White?

    Virginia officials are scrutinizing the proposed $67 billion Dominion-NextEra merger, which would create the world's largest regulated electric utility company. Federal lawmakers this week warned the proposed merger could raise electricity prices for customers. Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi recently went on a listening tour to hear Virginia residents' thoughts on the proposed merger. She joins the show to share what she learned. Plus, we ask her about Governor Spanberger's plans to restrict data center development and the three constitutional amendments Virginians are voting on in this year's elections. A judge has declared a mistrial in the federal bribery case of Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White. His legal, financial, and political future remains very uncertain. The D.C. Council could expel him again, but many councilmembers are not yet commenting publicly.  D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson will play a central role in the decision. He sits down with Kojo and Tom to discuss. We also ask the Council Chair to preview an upcoming hearing on ways to raise the city's revenue, including potential tax hikes, and why he's advocating spending hundreds of millions of dollars to renovate two of D.C.'s major sports stadiums.

  6. Sep 25

    The Politics Hour: Montgomery County's trash and an RFK campus master plan heads to the D.C. Council

    Montgomery County lawmakers are talking trash. More specifically, the county council is deciding what to do about its aging trash incinerator. Council President Natali Fani-González joins the show to talk about the future of the county's trash. The county's police chief abruptly resigned last week after a county report showed he misused county funds and made false statements. We ask Council President Fani-González for her thoughts, plus we talk about Maryland Governor Wes Moore's statewide data center plan and colleague Will Jawando's return to the council after a recent heart attack. The D.C. Council returned for its first legislative hearing of the fall this week. They quickly moved to support a proposal that restricts ballot initiatives. We ask Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker why he was against it. We'll also ask him his thoughts on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's proposed master plan for the RFK campus. And, the jury is still deliberating in the federal bribery trial of Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White. We get the latest on the District's trial of the year. We want to hear from you!  Send your questions for Council President Natali Fani-González and Councilmember Parker to kojo@wamu.org. You can also call in at noon on Friday to 1-800-433-8850. Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday.

  7. Sep 18

    The Politics Hour: The Trayon White trial and back to school with D.C.'s public schools chancellor

    It's the District's trial of the year. Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White is being tried in federal court this week on charges that he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes in late 2024. The trial's outcome will have major ramifications for the D.C. Council and Ward 8 residents. The Washington Sun's Jenny Gathright explains what's at stake and gives us the latest from court. Loudoun County lawmakers pushed forward a year-long pause on data center development this week. It's the latest sign of recent community backlash against the industry. And now federal lawmakers are getting involved. Virginia Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, who represents "data center alley," recently unveiled his plan to regulate data centers nationwide. He joins the show to discuss. The Politics Hour is going back to school! DCPS Interim Chancellor Dr. Kim Jackson joins Kojo and Tom to talk about school renovations, new graduation requirements, public safety, cell phone policies, and chronic absenteeism. Plus, we ask her about DCPS's involvement in the ongoing federal grand jury investigation and how schools are handling a recent influx in federal immigration enforcement.  Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  8. Sep 11

    The Politics Hour: The D.C. Council returns from summer break… and remembering 9/11, 25 years later

    It’s been 25 years since 9/11. The attacks here and across the country deeply changed our region. This week on The Politics Hour, we look back on that day. Barbara Favola was an Arlington County Board member in 2001 and helped coordinate the response to the attack on the Pentagon, which is in the county. Kojo talks to the now-Virginia State Senator. Plus, we hear from listeners who all week have sent in their own reflections and memories about what happened that day. Kojo and Tom will also share their thoughts and discuss how the region has changed in the quarter century since the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The D.C. Council is returning to work after its summer break, and there is a lot to do. Facing an $800 million budget shortfall, the council is set to debate the best ways to raise revenue… which could mean raising taxes, even as Congress tries to stop city officials from doing that. Ward 6 D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen gets behind the mic to weigh in. Plus, Councilmember Allen explains why he believes the new football stadium needs a second Metro station, and we ask for his thoughts on the upcoming federal bribery trial of his council colleague, Trayon White. Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia at 12 p.m. on Friday.

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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.

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