WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Donald Trump in Washington, the first White House visit for a Syrian president. Can Trump bring the war torn country into America's orbit? Plus, Russia makes gains in Ukraine's east. How will it affect Trump's negotiations to settle the war? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump is taking on "affordability" in the wake of Democratic wins last week in New Jersey and Virginia. The president is proposing $2,000 payments from tariff revenues and a new 50-year mortgage for homebuyers, while his Department of Justice opens an investigation into meatpacking companies in light of high beef prices. But are any of these proposals good for the economy? And will any calm voters' anxieties over the high cost of living? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eight Senate Democrats break with their party to vote for a deal to reopen the federal government, after 40 days of a funding impasse in Washington. What produced the breakthrough deal? And what happens next for Obamacare subsidies? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After sweeping Tuesday's elections, Democrats decide to keep their government shutdown going, as Chuck Schumer again pushes the Senate to renew expiring ObamaCare subsidies. But the pain on the public is rising, as the FAA cuts 10% of flights at hubs. Plus, Donald Trump says the way out is to nuke the filibuster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oral arguments are presented about whether Donald Trump can hold on to his power to impose tariffs without the approval of Congress. The Justices question the nature of the 'emergency,' but will the eventual ruling hurt or help the President’s economic agenda, and how will investors react? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats win races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia on Election Day, exceeding expectations and sending a warning sign to Donald Trump and Republicans everywhere. So how does the President respond and what does it mean for the midterms? Plus, Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor of New York City, but faces challenges from Albany and elsewhere to get his progressive agenda approved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justices could end President Trump's sweeping global tariffs, if they find he lacks the power to impose them using a 1977 statute called IEEPA. What does that law say, how has it previously been used, and where's the limiting principle? Plus, what to make of the White House's warnings of economic calamity if it loses? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Wall Street Journal columnist Matt Continetti joins Paul Gigot to discuss what to look for in Tuesday's elections. Plus, what the fight over antisemitism reveals about the future of the MAGA movement and the GOP presidential race in 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voters next week in Texas will decide on three measures to put bad tax policy off limits, as the state seeks to lure finance companies to "Y'all Street," while Maine will consider voter ID and a "red flag" law on guns. Plus, money pours into Pennsylvania for the retention elections of three liberal jurists on the state Supreme Court. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump calls his meeting with President Xi Jinping a ‘12 out of 10,’ and reduces tariffs by 10%. What does it mean for the future of U.S.-China relations? Plus, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by another 25 basis points on Wednesday, even though inflation is still above target. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As world leaders get set for the United Nations COP30 climate summit, Bill Gates urges them to "pivot," saying the biggest problem for millions is still poverty and disease. Has he been reading Bjorn Lomborg? Plus, Texas AG Ken Paxton sues the maker of Tylenol, echoing claims by RFK Jr. about an alleged link to autism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Air-traffic controllers miss a paycheck Tuesday, and there's no money for SNAP food benefits, after Congress fails again to fund federal programs. But as the pressure on Washington keeps rising, are Democrats beginning to crack? And are Republicans winning the argument over pandemic ObamaCare subsidies? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Ontario releases an ad featuring Ronald Reagan touting free trade over tariffs, Donald Trump increases the tariffs on Canada to 10% in response. Is Trump right about Reagan? Plus, President Javier Milei wins in Argentina on a mandate of free-market reforms, and President Trump heads to Asia as the U.S. and China reach a trade truce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump has long wanted a bigger event space at the White House, but after previously saying his ballroom plans would respect the existing structure, he takes Washington by surprise and levels the East Wing in a few days. How does this fit into the history of White House upgrades, from Jefferson to Truman to Nixon, and what's the balance between preservation and functionality? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Donald Trump pushes for Russia to make a deal to end its war with Ukraine, the U.S. imposes major sanctions on two major Russian oil producers. But why the delay in making such a move? Plus, President Trump says a proposed meeting with Vladimir Putin is cancelled, citing the Russian President's unwillingness to come to an agreement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a federal judge blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago, Donald Trump asks the Justices to intervene, arguing that violent protests at an immigration site in Broadview, Ill., have left the government unable to enforce the law. Plus, as universities reject the administration's "compact" for reforming higher ed, how will the White House respond? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan is tested by a new exchange of fire and Hamas's effort to consolidate power instead of putting down its arms, while the President threatens to "eradicate" the terror group if it refuses to comply. Plus, the U.S. and Australia sign a deal on rare-earth minerals, after China says it will put export controls on the global supply chain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Millions across the U.S. protest the Trump administration's policies as part of the 'No Kings' movement. What are the implications of this movement for the Trump agenda and the midterm elections? Plus, former Trump national security advisor John Bolton is indicted on 18 charges of transmitting or retaining classified information. Is it a case of political revenge? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three contenders for New York mayor spend two hours tangling on TV, but does Zohran Mamdani's polling lead make this too little, too late for Andrew Cuomo, who has also struggled to win over the GOP supporters of Curtis Sliwa? Plus, would Mamdani's socialism be constrained by the limits of mayoral power, and how big of a political problem is it for the Democratic Party? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Donald Trump suggests he might send Ukraine's defenders U.S. long-range Tomahawk missiles, he has a phone call with Vladimir Putin, one day before Volodymyr Zelensky is set to arrive in Washington. Is this an opportunity for Trump to take concrete action that matches his hardening rhetoric toward Putin's war, and how much could Tomahawks matter on the battlefield? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices