Washington Today

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a discussion with former Democratic Congressmen Tim Roemer – and Republican Congressman Charles Boustany from the non-profit group Issue One -- on efforts to reduce political polarization in the U.S. Then, Former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler discusses the Jimmy Kimmel controversy and the role the agency plays in what stations can broadcast on U.S. airwaves. Finally, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary discusses the administration's new policy approach on vaccine policy and autism research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Congress is out of session, and President Donald Trump spent the day in New York at the Ryder Cup golf tournament, Washington Today look at some of the major stories this past week, including: *Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted for lying to Congress. President Trump says it is justice and not revenge against a political opponent. *Deadly shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas leads to more bipartisan calls for an end to politically-inspired violence. *Chances grow for a federal government will shut down with Republicans and Democrats seemingly far apart on a funding deal. *FDA warns that using pain reliever acetaminophen in Tylenol during pregnancy increases the risk of autism. President Trump goes further, saying 'don't take Tylenol if you are pregnant.' *United Nations General Assembly meets  to hear speeches from President Trump and other world leaders. Today, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke, but not before a mass walkout of delegates in protest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

White House prepares for widespread layoffs of federal workers at government agencies if there is a government shutdown starting October 1st, the new fiscal year. We will hear from the House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, President Donald Trump, and talk with Reuters congressional reporter Bo Erickson (10); President Trump signs a deal to facilitate the sale of TikTok from a Chinese-based company to a group of American investors; Texas law enforcement says the 29 year old who open fired at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, killing one person, wounding two more, wrote a note that said “hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror”; Turkey's President visits the White House Oval Office. President Trump calls on Turkey to stop buying Russian oil. The two also talk about Turkey buying U.S. F-35 fighter planes; Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas tells the UN General Assembly that Hamas would not be part of governing a future Palestine state; Actor Matt Damon speaks the Clinton Global Initiative conference in New York City about his non-profit's work to bring clean water to as many people as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A gunman kills two detainees at an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas in what the FBI Director Kash Patel says looks like a politically motivated attack. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) says of this, and other recent attacks, "This violence is wrong and needs to stop"; ABC late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel returns to the airwaves after being suspended over comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk's murder, and his monologue gets tens of millions of online views; former President Bill Clinton talks about the importance of freedom of speech and freedom of the press at Clinton Global Initiative Conference and warns partisan disagreements have become so deep they are threatening the country as a whole; Adelita Grijalva (D) wins a special election for the U.S. House seat in Arizona held by her late father until his death earlier this year; Ben Carson, former HUD Secretary, takes a job as National Nutrition Adviser in the Trump Administration; NASA astronauts going to the moon in early 2026 talk about their mission; presidents of Ukraine and Iran speak at the United Nations General Assembly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening the 80th session of the United Nations on his “America First” agenda, criticizing the UN for being ineffective at preventing or stopping wars and Europe for his immigration policies; President also meets in New York City with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and in a post said Ukraine should be able to win the war against Russia and get all its land back; President Trump cancels a meeting with the House and Senate Democratic leaders to discuss federal government funding, a week before the deadline to prevent a shutdown, amid a standoff over the Democrats' insistence of including health care funding provisions; Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell tells a Chamber of Commerce in Rhode Island there is no risk-free path in deciding interest rate policy to balance lowering inflation and increasing job growth; "107 Days", the memoir from former Vice President Kamala Harris, 2024 dem presidential nominee, goes on sale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump joins federal health officials to announce that pain reliever acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, used by pregnant women, is linked to rising cases of autism, and that the drug Leucovorin is a potential treatment for autism; Disney says late night host Jimmy Kimmel is returning to the air on ABC, less than a week after his show was suspended over Kimmel's comments on the Trump Administration reaction to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk; White House says President Trump has every right to voice his frustration that his political opponents who brought criminal charges against him, including NY Attorney General Letitia James, have not yet been charged with crimes themselves; leaders of France & Great Britain announce recognition of Palestine as an independent country as they criticize how Israel has conducted the war against Hamas in Gaza. Israel's Ambassador to the UN calls the recognition 'theater' 'detached from reality'; new U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks at the UN Security Council for the first time, condemning Russia for sending its fighter planes over Estonian airspace; NASA announces the newest class of astronaut candidates who could one day fly on missions to the moon and Mars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a conversation on how Americans are viewing the economy right now with Heather Long - Washington Post columnist and chief economist for Navy Federal Credit Union. Then, we speak with National Constitution Center President & CEO Jeffrey Rosen about the history and significance of Constitution Day – commemorated earlier this week -- and the role the founding document continues to play in current political debates. Finally, former Centers for Disease Control & Prevention director Dr. Tom Frieden discusses the Trump administration's approach to vaccines – and public health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate fails to pass two versions of a government funding extension to avoid a shutdown At the end of the month: a Republican one that the House passed today that funds the government for another 7 weeks, and a Democratic one that does that but also extends Obamacare insurance subsidies; House passes a resolution to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was shot and killed, and condemn all political violence, but about half the House Democrats vote no & present or skip the vote, pointing to Kirk's political positions; In the investigation of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, House Oversight Committee hears from Alex Acosta, former U.S. Attorney for South Florida, who negotiated a plea deal with Epstein in 2008; A federal vaccine advisory panel votes to tighten requirements for the coronavirus vaccine, make changes to the MMRV vaccine guidelines and postpone action on Hepatitis B. We will talk about it with New York Times Science and global health reporter Apoorva Mandavilli (35); Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at the Pentagon's National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the final day of his state visit to Great Britain. The two announce what they call a "U.K.-U.S. Tech Prosperity Deal" and answer questions at a news conference about the wars in Ukraine & Gaza. We hear from the leaders and talk about the state visit with C-SPAN's Westminster Correspondent Peter Knowles (13); President Trump praises ABC's suspension of late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, at the prodding of the FCC Chair, for the host's comments about Republicans' reaction to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Democrats are saying this is the latest example of the president stifling dissent; House debates a resolution to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, and condemn political violence of all stripes; Washington, DC's Mayor, Council Chair and Attorney General testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee about crime in the DC and the effect of President Trump's federalization of the DC police and surge of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops; Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announces that, for the first time, an organization that distributes donated organs has been decertified for unsafe practices, administrative errors and underperformance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal Reserve announces an interest rate cut of a quarter percentage point, lowering borrowing costs for the first time since December. Newest Fed Governor Stephen Miran, who has taken a leave of absence from his job as chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, votes for a bigger cut of 0.5%; U.S. House begins work on the federal government funding extension to prevent a shutdown at the end of the month, debating and voting a resolution to set the rules for House floor debate on the funding measure itself; Former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Susan Monarez tells the Senate Health Committee that she was fired by Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for refusing to provide "blanket approval" for changes to vaccine recommendation not supported by science. She says, "Even under pressure, I could not replace evidence with ideology"; President Donald Trump & First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed for their state visit to Great Britain by the King & Queen with a carriage ride on the grounds of Windsor Castle, a military parade, RAF flyover, a chapel choir, and a lavish banquet; FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before the House Judiciary Committee about the Epstein files and politically-inspired violence; Former President Barack Obama discusses the current political climate after the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee about accusations the agency is being politicized, whether all the Epstein files will be released and his handling of the investigation into the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk; Utah County's Attorney General says the suspect in the Kirk shooting is being charged with aggravated murder, with an aggravating factor that Kirk was targeted for his political beliefs, and the state will pursue the death penalty; Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), who was targeted for his views, calls on all political violence to be condemned; U.S. House to vote on an additional $30 million for additional security for members of Congress and $28 million for Supreme Court Justices; House Republicans present a 7-week temporary federal government spending bill to prevent a shutdown at the end of the month, but Democrats are opposing it because it does not make changes they are seeking to healthcare programs; House takes up a bill to allow 14 year old defendants in Washington, DC charged with violent crimes to be tried as adults; President Donald Trump flies to Great Britain for a state visit; reaction to Israel's ground assault on Gaza City; actor and activist Robert Redford has died. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump announces he’s sending the National Guard into Memphis, Tennessee to combat crime; Vice President JD Vance host the late Charlie Kirk's daily radio show; talks continue in Congress to keep the government open and funded past the end of the month.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First – we chat with Punchbowl News congressional reporter Max Cohen about the prospects for a potential government shutdown in a few short weeks – and the political and policy obstacles to a potential deal. Then: Vaccine expert Dr. Paul Offit discusses his recent removal from the FDA vaccine advisory committee – and his concerns about Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's leadership at HHS. Finally: a conversation with Republican Mike Bost of Illinois - Chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee-- on this week's 9/11 anniversary, veterans' issues, and the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) announces the arrest in the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk of 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson of Utah; President Donald Trump says he will send National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, the next city he is targeting with federal resources to reduce crime; former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre gives a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee in its investigation of former President Biden's mental fitness while in office; The Hill's health care reporter Nathaniel Weixel on President Trump's Executive Order signed this week targeting pharmaceutical drug TV ads (30); NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Alexus Grynkevich launch "Eastern Sentry," a boost in military assets on the Eastern front in response to Russian drones flying into Polish airspace this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FBI releases photos of a person of interest in the shooting death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk and asks the public for help in identifying him. FBI also gives an update on the evidence recovered so far, including the suspected firearm used; President Donald Trump announces he will award Charlie Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom; House & Senate Democratic Leaders are asked about President Trump blaming the shooting on the 'radical left'; solemn ceremonies on this 24th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks at Ground Zero in New York City,  at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; Gen. Christopher Mahoney, Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chair nominee, is asked at his Senate confirmation hearing about handling a potential order from President Trump to deploy more U.S. troops to more U.S. cities to fight crime; Senate Republicans unilaterally change the rules to make it easier to confirm President Trump's nominees; bipartisan group of Senators introduce a bill to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism over its kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children; Herschel Walker, former professional football star & Republican nominee for U.S. Senator, testifies at his Senate hearing as nominee for U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk is shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) forces a vote in the Senate on an amendment to release all the files related to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says Russia flying drones over Poland "reckless and dangerous… whether it was intentional or not". Poland shot down the drones with the aid of NATO allies; U.S. House of Representatives votes on whether to continue U.S. aid to Ukraine for its war with Russia; Senate Banking committee approves the nomination of Stephen Miran for Federal Reserve Board governor in a party-line vote; Rep.-elect James Walkinshaw (D-VA) is sworn-in after winning Tuesday's special election; Attorney General Pam Bondi announces a major seizure of illegal vaping products around the country smuggled in from China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump Administration's Make America Health Again (MAHA) Commission releases a report with strategies to fight childhood chronic disease that focuses more on nutrition and lifestyle changes rather than government regulations; White House says President Donald Trump would be willing to bring in a handwriting expert to show that it is not his signature on a suggestive birthday congratulations 20 years ago to the late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein; former researchers at tech giant Meta tell a Senate subcommittee that the company downplayed research on the dangers to children of its virtual reality devices and apps; discussions are ongoing over extended federal government funding past the October 1st deadline to avoid a shutdown, but few signs of an agreement between Republicans and Democrats; President Trump criticizes Israel for a military attack in Doha, Qatar targeting Hamas leaders; House begins debate on the annual defense authorization bill (NDAA); House task force holds a hearing on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), with military veterans telling Members they have video of flying things they cannot explain and subcommittee member Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) saying, “I don’t really know what is true… I do know when we’re being lied to and we are definitely being lied to." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News from the Supreme Court today….In a 6-3 decision, it blocked a federal judge’s ruling that restricted federal officers’ ability to conduct immigration stops in the Los Angeles area…. The Court also received… a formal request from the White House to let it hold back 4 billion dollars of congressionally approved foreign aid. The appeal comes after a federal judge ruled last week that the administration must spend the money… -On Capitol Hill, multiple media accounts this afternoon say Congressional leaders are trying to de-escalate a standoff over the Sept. 30 government funding deadline, with both Republicans and Democrats saying they’d be open to a short-term bill that wouldn't include substantial funding cuts…. Meanwhile, Senate Republican leader John Thune is taking the first steps to change rules on executive nominations… This after Democrats blocked several of the president’s picks before August recess…. -From the Washington Post…A divided Supreme Court on Monday lifted a ruling by a lower-court judge who placed limits on immigration raids in the Los Angeles area after finding federal agents were indiscriminately targeting people based on race and other factors… The justices sided with the Trump administration, which argued that a temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge was hampering its ability to crack down on illegal migration and that the stops by authorities were not unlawful…. The Post goes on to write…The majority did not offer a rationale for the decision, which is common in cases decided on the Supreme Court’s emergency docket…. But Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in a concurring opinion that illegal immigration is a major issue in the Los Angeles area…. He added…“To be clear, apparent ethnicity alone cannot furnish reasonable suspicion; under this Court’s case law regarding immigration stops, however, it can be a ‘relevant factor’ when considered along with other salient factors… Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Kentanji Brown Jackson sharply disagreed… Justice Sotomayor wrote “We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job…Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent.” That from The Washington Post… Now….we'll hear what California Attorney General Rob Bonta had to say about the decision coming up… But now to the White House request to hold back 4 billion dollars in federal aid… NBC News' Lawrence Hurley reporting today… The case marks a showdown over to what extent the president can refuse to spend money that Congress has appropriated, a brewing issue as the Trump administration has embraced a sweeping view of presidential power since taking office again in January…. In the new filing, Solicitor General D. John Sauer described the case as raising “a grave and urgent threat” to the power of the presidency…. Under the Constitution, it is the job of Congress to allocate funds that the president can spend…. While the Trump administration has said it wants to withhold the 4 billion dollars…it has said it plans to spend another 6.5 billion dollars that Congress appropriated... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. Congress returned to Washington this week – and immediately was consumed by the Epstein files controversy and the looming government funding deadline at the end of the month. We talk with two lawmakers – on opposites sides of the aisle -- about potential Congressional action on the matter: Democrat Al Green of Texas and Republican Adrian Smith of Nebraska. Then – a conversation with Cook Political Report Senior Editor David Wasserman on how redistricting efforts in several states COULD impact the 2026 midterm elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Labor Department says the U.S. added just 22,000 jobs in August, lower than expectations, and the unemployment rate goes up to 4.3%. President Donald Trump says the real jobs numbers will be next year, after his policies have a chance to take effect; Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) talks about her vision of keeping the needs of the U.S. middle class front and center in U.S. foreign policy; Heritage Foundation think tank is about to publish a paper recommending government policies reward and promote married heterosexual couples having more children. We will talk about the implications with Jay Zigmont, CEO of Childfree Trust (12); President Trump to sign an Executive Order on renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, the name it had from its creation in 1789 until 1949; U.S. Attorney for the DC Jeanine Pirro says two 17 year old suspects have been arrested in the fatal shooting of a 21-year old Capitol Hill intern in June.. and they will be tried as adults; New York City Mayor Eric Adams says he is staying in the race for reelection as an independent, after reports the Trump Administration made him job offers to drop out to try to block the election of Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani; British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigns after admitting  she failed to pay enough taxes when she bought an apartment, leading to a major shakeup in the Labour government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices