WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

Donald Trump lands in Beijing for meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with agenda items that include trade and tariffs, the future of Taiwan, and the U.S. computer chips that are powering American artificial intelligence. Plus, will Trump make good on his promise to push for the freedom of Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump issues a five-month waiver of a 1920 law that says ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports must be American-built. Colin Grabow of the Cato Institute explains the results, as dozens of voyages now help to distribute oil and gasoline, and he argues the Jones Act is economic lunacy that should be repealed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran rejects Donald Trump's proposal to settle the war, and Trump says the cease-fire may not survive. On this episode of Potomac Watch, Paul Gigot speaks with the Hudson Institute's Michael Doran about the chances for renewed fighting and whether Iran's economy will break under U.S. pressure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Virginia Supreme Court strikes down a Democratic map that voters approved last month. Meantime, Tennessee moves to oust its only congressional Democrat by splitting his Memphis seat, a majority-black district held by Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white. Which side is now winning the gerrymander wars? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Clarence Thomas becomes the second-longest-service Justice on the Supreme Court, and his impact on American law is growing. Paul Gigot speaks with law professor and former Thomas clerk John Yoo about the Justice’s influence on the Court and the recent testy exchanges between Justices that have played out in public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Potomac Watch, Paul Gigot sits down with former Senator Ben Sasse about his diagnosis with Stage IV pancreatic cancer and his experience with experimental drug trials to battle it. They also discuss the challenges of reforming higher education, why there is so much dysfunction in the Senate, and what are the keys to a strong American comeback during its 250th anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal regulations permit the drug to be dispensed by mail without a doctor's visit, but after an appeals court rules against that policy, Justice Samuel Alito halts any change until the Supreme Court can consider it. Plus, does mifepristone by mail present concerns that women might be privately coerced into taking it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump moves to escort ships trapped in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran answers by firing on tankers and hits the U.A.E. What are the President’s options as a showdown in the Strait of Hormuz looms? Plus, Spirit Airlines shuts down, leaving thousands out of a job and questions about what could have prevented the end of the low-cost airline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justices say the Voting Rights Act requires an inference of "intentional discrimination" before states can be ordered to draw minority-majority districts. Does this "gut" the VRA, as Democrats claim? How many House seats might be affected? And why has Justice Clarence Thomas argued the result might be less racial polarization? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announces he will remain on the board as a governor as Kevin Warsh prepares to take over. What could be his reasons for staying and what does it mean for the Fed? Plus, the U.S. economy keeps growing modestly, but inflation is getting higher according to the new economic data from the first quarter of 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Justice Department releases a new indictment of the former FBI Director, claiming his Instagram post of seashells spelling out “86 47” was a threat to kill President Trump. Plus, Gov. Ron DeSantis's new House map could counter Virginia's Democratic gerrymandering, but is it a risk for the GOP if trends change? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Police caught Okello Chatrie using location data from Google, and now he wants the Justices to say this violated the Fourth Amendment, which protects against "unreasonable searches and seizures." Plus, the Court hears arguments on whether cancer lawsuits against the weed killer Roundup are preempted by federal law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After an assassin targets members of the Trump administration at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, questions about security protocols arise as the President vows for the event to be held again. Plus, Britain's King Charles visits the U.S. in a much anticipated state visit to Washington, bringing hopes of repairing a frayed relationship amid the pageantry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration shifts medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, opening up federal tax deductions that will be a boon to America's pot industry. Plus, President Trump suggests the federal government might step in to bail out or even buy Spirit Airlines, a precedent that progressives will love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump says the regime in Tehran is fractured, so the U.S. will hold off further strikes until its leaders "can come up with a unified proposal." What kind of a nuclear deal would be a U.S. victory that's worth accepting? Plus, as the White House ousts Navy Secretary John Phelan, who would be a worthy replacement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump won 46% of the vote in Virginia in 2024, yet Republicans might soon control only 9% of the House seats. How can Democrats seriously argue this is a win for "fairness"? What else did the GOP expect, after it started this gerrymandering race to the bottom in Texas? And what can fed-up voters do about it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to help New York City balance its budget with a new tax on second homes over $5 million, but what if wealthy owners simply leave? Plus, Mayor Zohran Mamdani offers new details about his proposed government-run grocery stores, including a $30 million plan to build one in East Harlem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peace talks between the United States and Iran are scheduled to resume this week, but will the Iranians show up and what will they have to offer? Plus, Iran says it'll keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the U.S. lifts its blockade of Iranian ports as both sides try to work out an agreement over Iran’s nuclear program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Swalwell quits the campaign and Congress after several women allege sexual misconduct going back years. While other Democrats deny that they knew about this behavior, why didn't they take the rumors more seriously? Plus, is there a chance that California's jungle primary could nominate two Republicans? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Speaking at WSJ Opinion Live in Washington, D.C., WSJ Editor at Large Gerard Baker and Texas Senator Ted Cruz discuss the war in Iran, the 2028 Republican primaries, and whether Mr. Cruz would accept a Supreme Court nomination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices