The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

Jan 31 2025 10 ep. 48 mins 133
The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi Podcast artwork

Join Kojo and resident analyst Tom Sherwood on Fridays at noon for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Each week Kojo and Tom help make sense of legislation, hold elected officials accountable and provide in-depth analysis of local issues and elections. The Politics Hour is also a vital forum for Washingtonians to engage directly with their local leaders.

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The Politics Hour: Local leaders give us the latest on the deadly plane crash at DCA

Jan 31 2025 49 mins  
On Wednesday night, a Blackhawk helicopter collided with a regional passenger jet over the Potomac River landing at National Airport in Arlington. There are no survivors, and 67 people are believed to be dead. U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia) discussed the latest on the deadly plane crash. He said the crash has further heightened his concerns over air traffic control staffing

The Politics Hour: Local lawmakers on what Trump's executive actions mean for the region

Jan 24 2025 50 mins  
President Trump issued a slew of executive actions in his first few days in office focused on federal workers. That includes requiring a return to full-time to in-person work and making it easier for the executive branch to replace civil servants with political appointees. D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson and Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart joined us to weigh in a

The Politics Hour: Regional leaders weigh in on inauguration security and the future of local federal workers

Jan 17 2025 50 mins  
"We have to change our plan. But we can do that... We'll continue to make sure that wherever it is, however it's done, that it's done safely and without any disruption," Manger said. Then, D.C. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah got behind the mic to explain the city's preparations and provided advice for those planning to attend the events across the city.

The Politics Hour: The latest from Maryland and Virginia’s legislative sessions

Jan 10 2025 50 mins  
The Maryland General Assembly reconvened for a 90-day legislative session in Annapolis this week. Dominating debate will be a nearly three billion dollar projected budget deficit over the next five years. It's the largest gap the state has faced in two decades, and it threatens investment in transportation, education, and health care. House of Delegates Majority Leader David Moon f

The Politics Hour: U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie

Dec 20 2024 50 mins  
The country is facing the threat of a government shutdown just as the holidays are approaching. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) talked with Kojo and Tom about what it would mean for federal workers in Virginia and the region. “I did get a bill passed in 2019 that guarantees everyone back pay in the event of any shutdown, now or in the future,” Kaine said. “So, back pay is forthc

The Politics Hour: Metro General Manager Randy Clarke on automated trains and increasing ridership

Dec 13 2024 37 mins  
Metro announced a return to automated trains as soon as this coming weekend, a move that will save millions. Metro General Manager Randy Clarke sat down with Kojo and Tom to discuss why the time is now to return to automation 15 years after a deadly Red Line crash ended the practice. Clarke explained even with automated trains, an operator remains at the controls, watching the tra

The Politics Hour: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson

Dec 06 2024 50 mins  
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is warning residents that a realignment of the federal workforce and cuts to federal agency could have dire consequences for the county. He joined the show to talk about what a second Trump presidency could mean for the county. Plus, Elrich spoke about how he is preparing if Trump follows through on his promise of mass deportations of undocu

The Politics Hour: Prince George County's Jolene Ivey and Congressman-elect Eugene Vindman

Nov 22 2024 49 mins  
President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear he wants the FBI headquarters to stay in the District. There's a possibility he could reverse the decision made last year to move the FBI to Prince George's County. Prince George's County Council Chair Jolene Ivey joined us to discuss. Plus, a Senate committee moved legislation forward that would give D.C. control of the R-F-K Stadium

The Politics Hour: D.C. GOP Chair Patrick Mara on why Trump will be good for D.C.

Nov 15 2024 50 mins  
While many District residents are concerned a Republican-led Congress could rescind the city's autonomy, not everyone sees doom and gloom. The chair of the Republican Party of D.C. Patrick Mara got behind the mic to explain why a Trump presidency will be good for the District of Columbia. Mara said public safety and concerns over crime could lead the federal government to assert m

11-08-2024

Nov 08 2024 50 mins  
The Politics Hour, November 8, 2024