The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

The Politics Hour: Supreme Court's birthright citizenship case and why the D.C. budget is delayed

The Supreme Court heard arguments this week about limiting birthright citizenship, with President Trump in attendance. It's a case with far-reaching implications nationally and across the D.C. region. U.S. Representative and constitutional lawyer Jamie Raskin (D-MD) joined the show to explain the case and why judges appear to be leaning in one direction. Plus, we asked Rep. Raskin about the war in Iran and the redistricting push in the Maryland House of Delegates.Rep. Raskin said he supports redrawing the state's congressional maps and has lobbied Senate President Bill Ferguson to take up the measure. "I have felt that to the extent we've been thrust into this position by Trump and MAGA, then we've got to fight back with everything we've got," he said. The D.C. Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser are once again at odds after the council overrode a mayoral veto of a bill requiring federal law enforcement oversight. The council also agreed to allow enhanced youth curfew rules to expire this month, over the mayor's objections. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson discussed the friction between the legislative and executive branches.He also discussed why he thinks D.C. Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee is at fault for the Mayor's delay in delivering the budget. CFO Lee serves as the city’s independent financial chief. It’s his job to manage and oversee the city’s budget, including ensuring it is fiscally sound. This week, though, both the mayor and lawmakers criticized Lee for taking too long to complete his review of the mayor’s 2027 budget proposal and for overstepping his role."The CFO's role is to account the numbers and determine whether the budget is balanced," Mendelson said on The Politics Hour. "Not to make rulings with regard to policy."The mayor is now expected to formally submit the budget to the council by April 14, two weeks late.Chair Mendelson also discussed the ethics complaint against him for using his government office for campaign activity. Finally, as a member of the National Capital Planning Commission, Chair Mendelson shared his thoughts on President Trump's White House ballroom project. The commission approved the project this week, but a federal judge ruled the plan requires congressional approval.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

The Politics Hour: Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay and 'Crossover Day' in Maryland

After years of debate, the Virginia General Assembly finally gave the green light to controversial legislation allowing developers to build a casino in Tysons. Some local officials are vehemently against the proposal, including Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay. He got behind the mic to explain his opposition and what could happen next.The Maryland General Assembly this week hit its midpoint, known as "Crossover Day," when bills must move to the other chamber or be shelved. Lawmakers are considering bills to lower utility costs, expand Medicaid to include obesity treatment, and ban cell phones in schools. House Majority Whip and Prince George's County delegate Ashanti Martinez joined us from Annapolis to explain what's next on the docket for lawmakers. Plus, we ask about the House's late push to revive redistricting efforts against Senate President Bill Ferguson's wishes.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

The Politics Hour: VA State Sen. Scott Surovell on data center tax breaks and a Fairfax casino

This week marked a key milestone in the 2026 D.C. election season: The deadline for candidates to submit signatures to qualify for the June primary ballot. WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma gave us the latest on the city's big elections, including the first open seats in years for mayor and D.C. delegate. Plus, we discussed another attempt by Congress to undermine D.C.'s ability to self-govern.This week, the U.S. House Oversight Committee advanced a proposal to ban D.C. traffic cameras. While the measure still needs to be passed by the full House and Senate, Koma said eliminating traffic would be “catastrophic” for the city’s budget and would require a complete rethinking of how D.C. controls traffic. “The impact can’t be overstated," he said.The Virginia General Assembly gaveled out of its 2026 session without a budget deal, leaving a plan to eliminate data center tax breaks in limbo. Virginia state Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell got behind the mic to explain the hang-up.The state senate is pushing to eliminate a data center tax exemption that costs the state nearly $2 billion in revenue. But the House left the exemption in, arguing the industry brings in significant tax revenue,  putting the chambers at odds. Surovell said the state needs the money but cited the importance of data centers to Northern Virginia’s economy. "They have a massive impact on the electrical grid, but they also create many jobs. They create a lot of investment. They create this local tax revenue. We have to figure out the right balance to achieve," he said.The General Assembly will aim to resolve the issue in a special budget session on April 23.The General Assembly also passed a slew of legislation that now heads to the governor's desk, including bills addressing affordability, a ban on assault-style firearms, and a mechanism to establish a legal marijuana marketplace. Virginia state Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell discussed it all, as well as his push for a Fairfax County casino.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

The Politics Hour: WAMU’s Montgomery County Executive candidate forum

We took the Politics Hour on the road this week, broadcasting our Montgomery County Executive forum, featuring Democratic primary candidates, from the Silver Spring Civic Building.Kojo and WAMU Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu were joined by Andrew Friedson, Evan Glass, and Will Jawando, all Montgomery County councilmembers. We asked them for their takes on a range of topics, including housing, federal immigration enforcement, and data centers, as the candidates made their cases to voters ahead of the Democratic primary on June 23.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, Virginia, and Maryland, live from the Silver Spring Civic Building in Montgomery County!Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

The Politics Hour: Local reaction to Iran war; pushback on police cooperation with ICE

Members of the local congressional delegation are strongly criticizing President Trump's decision to enter into a war with Iran. Iraqi war veteran and U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman joined the show from the U.S. Capitol to discuss why he thinks the military strikes were illegal and what might be next. Plus, Rep. Vindman weighed in on Virginia redistricting as early voting gets underway.The D.C. Council passed two bills this week aimed at increasing transparency around MPD's cooperation with federal immigration agencies. At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson got behind the mic to talk about the legislation and why the bills are necessary, despite objections from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.She also discussed her efforts to raise taxes on "flushable" wipes. Henderson introduced the bill following an incident in which wipes clogged pumps used to mitigate a sewage spill in the Potomac.It may say flushable on your package, and, sure, it may get down the drain in that immediate, but we know that it is causing backups, not just in the D.C water utility system, but in folks' homes and apartment buildings," she said.The tax revenue generated by the bill would go toward sewer maintenance and repair by D.C. Water. As a potential alternative to the wipes, Henderson's bill also offers a sales tax break on bidetsArlington County is facing major budget challenges that could lead the County Board to raise taxes. Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti sat down with Kojo and Tom to discuss how the board plans to navigate a nearly $40 million budget gap, including possibly eliminating a popular youth gymnastics program and saving the county nearly $1 million.But some residents are pushing back, saying the program serves thousands of kids. Board Chair de Ferranti said the county needs to make tough budget choices."We have to be looking at all the services that might not be core services or might not be serving the most vulnerable," he said.De Ferranti said the board is considering other options for the program, like changing fees and focusing on serving kids with special needs. Plus, Board Chair de Ferranti talked about how leaders are preparing for a potential surge in federal immigration enforcement in the county.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org