Sidebar

The Washington Post’s Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann gather for a weekly in-depth conversation about politics and power. From presidential candidates to members of Congress to the judicial system, Sidebar dives deep on the topics and people at the forefront of the political conversation. The crew sits down each Thursday (with the occasional breaking news episode) to discuss what has happened that week, and what’s coming up the next week – with guest appearances from Washington Post reporters.

Preparing for the VP debate

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by senior video journalist JM Rieger to preview the Oct. 1 vice-presidential debate between Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The crew examines the two vice-presidential nominees' popularity with voters, key topics that might come up in the debate, and how vice-presidential debates actually impact elections.Later, the crew breaks down the gender dynamics in the 2024 race, from the abortion issue to comments by candidates including former president Donald Trump and North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), and the possibility of the country electing its first woman president.

09-26
59:00

The Truth About Springfield, Ohio

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down with Senior Video Journalist Jorge Ribas, who just got back from Springfield, Ohio – where the neighborhood pets are decidedly not being eaten. The crew dives into why former president Donald Trump continues to lean into anti-immigrant rhetoric and how Springfield residents feel about the sudden wave of national attention on their city.Plus, a new Washington Post poll shows Trump and Vice President Harris are essentially tied in Pennsylvania – the key swing state that could determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.And does the Teamsters' decision not to endorse a candidate matter?

09-19
54:32

Philadelphia Face-off

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by Senior Critic-at-Large Robin Givhan, as they discuss how former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris performed at the Sept. 10 presidential debate – and the impressions each left voters with. Plus, why is Pennsylvania one of the key states in the 2024 presidential election – and can either candidate win without it?And later, the crew dives into Taylor Swift's endorsement of Harris – and considers whether celebrity endorsements actually move the needle in elections.

09-12
58:07

Debate prep

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, JM Rieger and James Hohmann preview next week's debate, and what Vice President Harris and former president Trump need to do in what could be the final presidential debate of the cycle. Plus, abortion – and Trump's stance on an abortion ballot initiative in his home state of Florida – has become a big part of the 2024 conversation. And what's the latest on Trump's legal troubles? The delay tactics continue.

09-05
43:19

Superseding indictment

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and JM Rieger sit down with chief correspondent Dan Balz to discuss the aftermath of the Democratic National Convention, and where the presidential race is heading with a debate scheduled less than two weeks away. Plus, the crew dives into Trump's apparent campaign strategy and his social media rants.Later, law enforcement reporter Devlin Barrett joins the show for an update on Trump's legal cases, from special counsel Jack Smith's appeal in Trump's Florida classified documents case, to his new superseding indictment in the Jan. 6 case, to updates from Georgia and New York.

08-29
53:57

The Democratic Party's party

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down just after the conclusion of Vice President Kamala Harris's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. The crew discusses the vibes of the convention, how different it felt from the July Republican National Convention, and the policies Democrats put at the heart of their 2024 campaign. Then, the team goes through their favorite moments of the week.Plus, were Democrats more effective than Republicans at harnessing the power of influencers and social media? The Washington Post Universe's Carmella Boykin and Joseph Ferguson join the show to discuss what's going on in the DNC's "influencer lounges" and beyond.

08-23
57:07

Trump stumped

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger preview next week's Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and dive into when Vice President Harris might start focusing more on policy. Plus, why hasn't the new Democratic nominee done any formal interviews with reporters yet?And former president Donald Trump is still struggling to adjust to the new dynamic in the presidential race – as his legal cases slowly march on.

08-15
48:05

Resetting the race

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss the huge vibe shift in the 2024 campaign, Vice President Harris's selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, and how the Republican ticket is responding.Plus, former president Donald Trump is still litigating the 2020 election in his speeches, and attacked the Republican Governor of Georgia and his wife at a recent Atlanta rally.And Trump's legal cases continue to move forwards slowly; the crew recaps what's happening with his D.C. election interference case and New York hush money case. 

08-08
50:47

Weird

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger are joined by The Washington Post Universe's Joseph Ferguson to discuss former president Donald Trump's appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, and his attacks on Vice President Harris's racial identity.Later, the crew dives into Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance's continuing controversy over past comments he's made about women who don't have children. And who will Harris pick as her own vice-presidential nominee? We're like to find out in the next few days.

08-01
54:01

Veep

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger discuss Vice President Harris's sudden entrance into the 2024 presidential race, Democrats' huge fundraising haul in the days since, and who Harris might consider as her running mate.Plus, the crew recaps where each of former president Donald Trump's legal cases stand, and breaks down Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance's tough week.

07-25
59:15

Introducing, "The Sports Moment"

Ava Wallace, sports reporter at The Washington Post, is in France to report on the Summer Games — and eat a lot of croissants. Join her starting July 24, continuing through the entire run of the games, for several episodes a week as she captures the highs, the lows and the Paris of it all, along with other Post colleagues.Follow The Sports Moment podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or YouTube. Sign up for The Sports Moment: Olympics Edition newsletter here.

07-23
01:30

Prosecutor for president

On this special bonus episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger gather to react to President Biden's exit from the presidential race, what it means for Democrats, and what happens next.And is Vice President Harris already a shoo-in to succeed Biden as Democratic nominee? The crew dives into Harris's quick succession of endorsements, and previews the Democratic National Convention looming in four weeks.Plus, how are Republicans reacting? 

07-22
40:12

Unconventional

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann report from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump officially became the 2024 Republican presidential nominee just days after the shooting at his rally in Butler, Pa.The crew discusses Trump's nomination speech, the momentum his campaign seems to have gained, and what might happen next in the presidential campaign. And Trump's legal cases in Florida and New York are still delayed.Plus, Washington Post Universe stars Dave Jorgenson and Joseph Ferguson join the show, revealing how social media has taken over political conventions.

07-19
50:54

The Pick is In

On this special bonus episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss the breaking news of Trump's pick for his vice-presidential running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (R).Plus, the crew dives into Judge Aileen Cannon's decision to dismiss special counsel Jack Smith's case against Trump in Florida, where the former president is charged with illegally retaining classified documents after his presidency.

07-15
21:13

Veepstakes

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey sits down with Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann to talk about the continued ripple effects of the Supreme Court's immunity decision, which meant Trump's scheduled sentencing for his New York conviction is delayed.And it isn't just the New York case; there are also delays in his Florida and Washington, D.C. cases.Plus, the Republican National Convention is next week, and Trump still hasn't named a vice-presidential nominee. The crew previews the convention, and who might appear onstage as Trump's running mate.

07-11
41:17

Immunity

On this special bonus episode, The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin sits down with senior video journalist JM Rieger, columnist James Hohmann, video journalist Blair Guild and law enforcement reporter Tom Jackman to discuss the historic Supreme Court ruling that gives former president Trump – and every president – broad immunity from prosecution for official acts. The crew breaks down what the court's ruling means for Trump and his ongoing legal cases, what actually constitutes an official act, and how it might affect some of the charges filed against him. Plus, how does all of this affect the presidential campaign?And don't forget, the sentencing hearing for Trump's New York case – in which he was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying documents – is set for next week.

07-01
33:41

The age-old debate

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey is joined by James Hohmann, Rhonda Colvin and JM Rieger to discuss the first presidential debate. The crew breaks down President Biden's shaky performance, how Trump addressed his felony conviction and ongoing legal issues, and how the debate could affect the presidential race.Plus, the Supreme Court has ruled on a key case brought by a Jan. 6 defendant who argued he shouldn't have been charged with obstructing an official proceeding. The crew analyzes how Trump’s legal team may use the decision to try to whittle down one of his criminal cases.

06-28
48:28

The calm before the storm

On this week's episode, the crew discusses former president Donald Trump's upcoming busy month, from Supreme Court decisions to the first presidential debate.The Washington Post's Libby Casey sits down with senior video journalist JM Rieger to discuss the Supreme Court and several Trump-related cases that could be decided in the coming days – and how the decisions the court makes could reshape presidential power in America.Then, national political reporter Isaac Arnsdorf joins the show to discuss Trump's campaign trail rhetoric, and what to expect from his debate with President Biden next week.

06-20
33:48

The Capitol Hill Club

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey and James Hohmann sit down with reporters Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein, co-authors of The Trump Trials newsletter, to discuss where things stand on former president Donald Trump's many legal issues.First up: What did Trump hope to accomplish in his first return to Capitol Hill since the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol? Plus, a breakdown of Trump's schedule over the next few months, from the sentencing hearing for his New York conviction, the upcoming debate against President Biden, and the Republican National Convention in July.And what's going on with Trump's indictments in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C.? Devlin and Perry provide insights into the motions, hearings and judicial decisions that are shaping each of Trump's cases.

06-13
42:50

Fallout

The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss the fallout from former president Donald Trump's New York trial, in which he was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. In the week since his conviction, Trump has raised a huge amount of money, and received the public backing of most prominent elected Republicans. He's scheduled to be sentenced on July 11.And looming over all of it is the Supreme Court, which can't overturn Trump's New York conviction, but is still weighing his appeal that he should be immune from federal prosecution for crimes allegedly committed while president.Plus, the crew provides an update on the other legal cases Trump still faces.Keep track of all of the Trump cases in The Trump Trials newsletter.

06-06
40:33

infobunny

what is going on in America?

09-01 Reply

Tony Lovell

I cannot understand why the ridiculous SCOTUS decision on immunity isn't being attacked head-on, today, by lame duck (but immune) Biden. Directing the military to arrest the GOP justices would be an official act. That done. Biden could announce that there would be no election until an amendment is passed to spell out that Presidents can be prosecuted for official acts. That would win bipartisan support in HOURS. Do I have to think of everything?

08-30 Reply

Claire McCabe

OMG when is the next episode can't wait !! Claire, Dublin Ireland

05-30 Reply

Melissa Nordin

Beautiful.

01-08 Reply

Melissa Nordin

Beautiful.

01-08 Reply

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