The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

WAMU 88.5
  • 4.8 (45)
  • Politics
  • Updated 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. Aug 7

    The Politics Hour: MD redistricting, VA primaries, and one year since Trump's MPD takeover

    All eyes are now on November's midterm elections, after this week's Virginia primaries turned out to be a "big snoozer." Could the Commonwealth be the difference in which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives? We ask Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell. Plus, Sen. Surovell explains why he agrees with President Trump's plan to overhaul Dulles Airport and whether he shares Governor Abigail Spanberger's skepticism about a potential Dominion-NextEra merger. Maryland lawmakers greenlit a redistricting referendum this week that now heads to voters in November for approval. The move would redraw the state's congressional districts in 2028. We ask State Senator Cheryl Kagan what changed her mind on redistricting and what comes next. Plus, what's the status of her proposed special elections constitutional amendment? It's been one year since President Trump federalized D.C. police and deployed the National Guard to the nation's capital to deal with what he called "out of control crime." What has changed in the District during that time? Has crime actually gone down? Is the hundreds of millions spent on the National Guard, and the billions budgeted to keep them in the District through 2029, worth it? D.C. Police Union President Gregg Pemberton joined us on the show last year, and he sits down with Kojo and Tom again to discuss the police officers' perspective. Plus, he gives his thoughts on the recent report about MPD's ongoing issues with reporting crime data. 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.  Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  2. Jul 31

    The Politics Hour: Montgomery County pauses data centers and D.C.’s likely new councilmember Oye Owolewa

    D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced this week she will not sign the Council-approved budget, saying it sets up a nearly $900 million fiscal cliff for the city’s next mayor. It’s a move that some believe will invite Congress to intrude again in District affairs. D.C.’s Shadow Representative Oye Owolewa gets behind the mic to share what kind of message he thinks it sends. Owolewa also talks about his recent Democratic primary win in the D.C. Council At-Large race and his big plans if voters decide to give him the keys to the Wilson Building come November. The Montgomery County Council this week unanimously passed an 18-month moratorium on data center development. The county’s move is just the most recent example of localities pushing back on data center growth in their communities.  At-Large Councilmember Shebra Evans joins us to discuss why this is needed. Plus, she discusses why county lawmakers may revise their recently passed laws prohibiting county employees from cooperating with ICE. A D.C. inspector general report released this week describes “prolonged, systemic breakdown” of how city police reviewed and verified crime stats over the last decade. The report adds to the growing criticism over accusations that some at MPD were manipulating crime data. D.C. reporter Alex Koma joins Kojo and Tom to discuss. Plus, the Mubadala D.C. Open kicked off recently at the Rock Creek Tennis Center. What’s next for the historic, aging venue? 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.

  3. Jul 24

    The Politics Hour: House Republicans take aim at D.C. taxes and the Smithsonian

    House Republicans are pushing a bill aimed at restricting D.C.'s ability to decrease or increase local taxes. D.C. lawmakers are calling it an egregious attack on Home Rule. Council Chair Phil Mendelson joins the show to discuss why not allowing the District to change the tax code could "paralyze" the city. Plus, Kojo and Tom ask him his thoughts on driverless vehicles, potential renovations to Audi Field, and having Elissa Silverman back on the Council. The White House released a report earlier this month accusing the Smithsonian museums of "undermining faith in American institutions." This week, House Republicans followed the Trump administration's lead with a subcommittee hearing focused on sharply questioning the Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Virginia Congressman James Walkinshaw defended the Smithsonian throughout the hearing and joins the show to take us behind the scenes. Plus, he weighs in on proposed historic preservation changes that would make it easier for President Trump to remake the District. Maryland communities, like many others around the country, are pushing back on data center development. This week, Montgomery County moved closer to extending its data center permit pause to 18 months, and a Maryland state senator is looking to introduce legislation for a statewide moratorium. But tech companies are now fighting back. WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu explains what's at stake. Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  4. Jul 17

    The Politics Hour: D.C.’s likely next mayor Janeese Lewis George

    Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George secured the Democratic nomination last month to be the city’s next mayor. Her win, plus other progressive candidates’ victories, sets the stage for a new era in D.C. politics. She’s now poised to become the city’s first Democratic socialist mayor. Lewis George joins Kojo and Tom in the studio for an exclusive hour-long conversation about what her win means for District residents, why she thinks her brand of politics dominated, her plan to execute on campaign promises, and what it will take to establish a working relationship with President Donald Trump. Plus, as the current Ward 4 Councilmember, we get her take on the potential tax increases, RESALE Act, and Audi Field renovations.  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. Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  5. Jul 10

    The Politics Hour: Metro GM Randy Clarke talks ridership records, RFK stadium transit plans, and red line shutdowns

    Metro is having a moment. The agency set ridership records over the July 4th weekend, riders are buying up Metro merch, and the agency is a key player in the city's biggest development project in decades. Yes, Metro is cool again, but challenges remain, including an uncertain financial future, extended shutdowns, and fare evaders. Metro General Manager Randy Clarke takes a ride into our studio to discuss it all. Virginia's primary elections are less than a month away, but early voting is already underway. It's been a chaotic election season, with Virginia voters passing a redistricting referendum in April only for courts to halt the effort a month later. The verdict left the district boundaries created in 2021 intact. Locally, the decision also means most primaries are unlikely to be competitive. But that doesn't mean there isn't intrigue statewide. UVA's Center for Politics Larry Sabato joins us to break down what to watch for in next month's primaries and what implications they could have nationwide. Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  6. Jun 26

    The Politics Hour: Maryland's primary elections and the D.C. council reverses budget cuts

    Marylanders voted in key primary elections this week for congressional seats, county executive, county council, state legislatures, state's attorney, and other local seats. At-Large Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando appears poised to become the Democratic nominee to succeed Marc Elrich in the county's top role. The race was shaped by disagreements over data centers, taxes, and affordability. The race got contentious as major money poured into the contest. Councilmember Jawando joins the show to discuss his message to voters, his legislative priorities, and what comes next. Interim Prince George's County State's Attorney Tara Jackson has secured the Democratic nomination to take on the job permanently. She explains the role of the county's top prosecutor, her approach to public safety, and the position's reputation as a springboard to higher office. A week after the District's own history-making primaries, the D.C. Council approved its annual budget. Lawmakers voted to reverse major cuts proposed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. But the District's financial future remains murky and sets up a confrontation with the chief financial officer. WAMU's D.C. politics reporter Alex Koma explains what's in and out of the budget, what it means for the next mayor, and why councilmembers finally agreed to fund semi-open primaries.  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.  Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  7. Jun 19

    The Politics Hour: A historic D.C. primary election and Montgomery County voting on new leadership

    It was a historic primary election in the District, with several top jobs on the ballot. While it perhaps took longer than expected, the big races were finally called, including Janeese Lewis George securing the Democratic nomination for D.C. mayor. WAMU's D.C. politics reporter Alex Koma gets behind the mic to break down Lewis George's monumental win and what comes next. Plus, he talks about several races that will be decided by ranked-choice voting. In another closely-watched contest, D.C. Councilmember Robert White soundly defeated four other candidates to become the Democratic nominee in the race to succeed Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton as D.C. Delegate to Congress. The newly minted Democratic nominee joins Kojo and Tom to discuss what it means to replace a legend, his first-year priorities, and his plans to work on statehood for the District. Four years after losing her council seat, Elissa Silverman has made a political comeback. The progressive stalwart defeated two other candidates, including current councilmember Doni Crawford, in the At-Large Council special election. The councilmember-elect is in the studio to discuss getting back on the council, her agenda, and her plans for running again in November. Maryland is preparing for its own primary day next week, with Montgomery County Executive, Prince George's County Council positions, and local Congressional seats all on the ballot. WAMU's Jenny Abamu joins the show to break down the biggest races and questions facing voters as they head to the polls on Tuesday. Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

  8. Jun 12

    The Politics Hour: The final countdown to the D.C. primary and Virginia lawmakers stall over the budget

    D.C. voters are preparing to head to the polls to make their picks in the primary elections for mayor, D.C. delegate to Congress, and a handful of seats on the D.C. Council. A recent poll shows Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George leading her former Council colleague Kenyan McDuffie by double digits, but many voters remain undecided heading into the final stretch. WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics Reporter Alex Koma and the Washington Informer's Sam P.K. Collins stop by The Politics Hour to break down exactly what's happening in each race. They'll also talk about how ranked-choice voting might affect the results of the election (and when we might see the results). Virginia lawmakers are still struggling to negotiate a budget. Leaders in the Virginia House, Senate, and Executive Mansion can't come to an agreement on tax breaks for data centers in the commonwealth. House delegates will return to Richmond for a special session on the budget on June 18th in an effort to hammer out a deal before the June 30th deadline. If lawmakers fail to agree by then, the state government will shut down. Virginia delegate Vivian Watts comes by The Politics Hour to share where things stand at this point. 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.  Produced by Kayla Hewitt Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.org Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885 Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

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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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