The Trump administration laid off thousands of employees working at federal health agencies this week, including many at the National Institutes of Health in Montgomery County. The firings are expected to have far-ranging effects on the local workforce, county revenue, and public health. County Executive Marc Elrich joined Kojo and Tom to discuss what the continued shrinking of the federal workforce means for Montgomery County. Plus, he explained why he is proposing an increase in property taxes in this year's budget.

Late last week, President Trump issued an executive order creating a task force aimed at crime and immigrants in the District. While many details remain vague, D.C. officials are on high alert awaiting a House vote on a bill preventing a billion-dollar cut in the city's spending. Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto weighed in on Republican attempts to exert more control over the District. Councilmember Pinto also broke down why she supports legislation allowing the Council to hold more meetings in private and her new plan to reduce crime.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday night aimed at reducing crime and increasing immigration enforcement in the District.  Kojo and Tom talked about what it means for D.C. and what might happen next.

Maryland is on the verge of approving its state budget, but it came with contentious debate over tax increases, cuts, and changes to its ambitious education plan, Blueprint for Maryland's Future. Governor Wes Moore joined Kojo and Tom to explain what is - and isn't - in the state budget this year. 

And it's been a year since the Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed. We asked Governor Moore what is being done to prevent a tragic accident of this nature from happening again.

There was a sudden shake-up in Prince George's County Council leadership this week, elevating Edward Burroughs to Council Chair and Krystal Oriadha to Council Vice Chair. It's a move expected to have significant political ramifications on the county as it grapples with "difficult" budget debates, a county executive election, and the likely loss of a new FBI headquarters. Council Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha got behind the mic to talk about her priorities and what the future holds for Prince George's County.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a raft of Democratic-supported legislation this week, including a proposal to increase the minimum wage and one creating a retail cannabis market. Virginia State Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell weighed in. Plus, what to expect next week when the General Assembly heads back into session to hammer out a budget.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

Maryland state Sen. Will Smith joined the show to discuss the plan to bring in $1billion in new revenue,  and what lawmakers are doing at the state level on immigration, including two bills that made it through "Crossover Day." 

And D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson appeared on the show to talk about the District's budget limbo, as the city awaits a fix the House of Representatives is expected to take up when they return from recess Monday. 

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

The United States House of Representatives passed a federal stopgap spending bill earlier this week that could force D.C. to cut $1.1 billion in spending. It would also give the Trump administration even more power to cut spending and shrink the federal workforce. The legislation is being weighed by the U.S. Senate.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine joined Kojo and Tom to explain why he planned to vote 'no' on the Republican-backed spending bill, even if it means a government shutdown.

The continuing resolution passed by the House would mean huge cuts to D.C.'s schools, public safety, and social services. It has sent D.C. leaders to Capitol Hill this week in an attempt to convince members of Congress to find another way to fund the government without slashing D.C.'s budget. WAMU's new D.C. politics reporter Alex Koma and D.C. At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson got behind the mic to explain how we got here, what comes next, and what a billion dollars in cuts would mean for District residents.

Councilmember Henderson described how devastating it would be for the city to be prevented from spending its own budget.

"It would just sit while we are cutting police, fire teachers, summer camp, summer youth employment, trash pickup, recreation centers, libraries, senior wellness centers. It's a lot," she said.

Later on Friday, after the show, a standalone bill was introduced returning control of the budget back to the city.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

Elected leaders across the region are grappling with the economic fallout of the White House's continued push to shrink the federal government. Some economists fear it could send the D.C.-area into a recession. Clark Mercer, who leads the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, got behind the mic to break down the economic impact a shrinking federal workforce could have the region.

687,000 people living in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia work for the federal government, according to COG. Mercer compared the D.C. area to other company towns. 

"We are more reliant in this region on the federal government than Detroit is on the auto industry, or Houston is on oil and gas... by a long shot," he said.

He says the D-C region's reputation as recession-proof is now being tested, and we could see unemployment rates higher than at the height of the pandemi

Plus, he explained what a shrinking federal workforce means for local government budgets, housing, and public transportation.

Virginia Democratic Party Chair Susan Swecker announced recently she was stepping down. Her decade-long tenure heading up the Virginia Democrats has seen plenty of ups and downs, including flipping a Northern Virginia Congressional seat, Republican Glenn Youngkin's gubernatorial win in 2021, and a blue wave in 2023. She joined Kojo and Tom to share what she's learned over her ten years at the helm, and what advice she has for Democrats nationwide. They also discussed the upcoming governor and House of Delegates races.

Swecker predicted that Virginia Republicans will suffer this year at the ballot box due to their support of President Donald Trump's federal job cuts

"I don't want anybody to be hurt. This is gut-wrenching. But do I think they're gonna pay a price, Republicans, at the polls for what they're doing and standing lock, stock and barrel behind Donald Trump? Yes, I do," she said.

Swecker also talked about the future of federal workers and what's next for the Virginia Democratic party.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

President Trump declared last week that he supports the federal government taking over the governance of the District. Many local officials spoke out strongly against the idea, including D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. He joined the show to weigh in on why stripping D.C. of its autonomy would hurt city residents. Plus, he broke down the lawsuits his office has filed against the Trump administration, over the White House's federal funding freeze to ending birthright citizenship. He also explained why over the last six months his office has shut down 25 unlicensed cannabis shops across the city. Schwalb many of these businesses were selling unlicensed, unregulated products.

"Many of these cannabis products, aside from being illegal in the sense that they're not licensed, can be very dangerous. They can be laced with other drugs," Schwalb said. "Oftentimes, in the shutdowns, we have found not only methamphetamine and other drugs with the cannabis, but guns and other contraband."

Early voting started this week in Prince George's County special election primaries for County Executive and District 5. The County Executive race is particularly competitive, with eight Democrats and three Republicans on the ballot vying to replace Angela Alsobrooks, who vacated the seat late last year after being elected U.S. Senator. Washington Informer's Richard Elliott got behind the mic to break down the March 4 election and explain what the races mean for the future of the county.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

On Wednesday night, President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One he thinks the federal government should take over the District: "I think that we should run it strong, run it with law and order, make it absolutely, flawlessly beautiful," Trump said. Many D.C. leaders are worried about what's next for the District's ability to self-govern. Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember and chair of the city's judiciary and public safety committee, Brooke Pinto, joined the show to give us her thoughts.

Legislation making its way through the Virginia General Assembly could eventually reshape Arlington County's government. We asked Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis to weigh in. Plus, why the White House's push to shrink the federal workforce leaves Arlington County with an uncertain economic future. He also discussed how the county is protecting transgender students in the wake of new federal policies.

The Maryland General Assembly continues to debate how to close the state's three billion dollar budget gap. Governor Wes Moore recently pitched changes to the massive education reform plan Blueprint for Maryland's Future, but the proposal is not sitting well with everyone. Maryland State Senator Cheryl Kagan, who represents parts of Montgomery County, got behind the mic to give us her take.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

President Trump is expected to issue an executive order focused on crime and homeless encampments in the District. Some fear this could be a first step toward the White House stripping away the District’s ability to govern itself. D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson joined the show to weigh in. 

Plus, we asked Mendelson’s thoughts on the long-term future of the RFK Stadium site. The question of using taxpayer dollars to subsidize the construction of a multi-billion dollar stadium is expected to be a major sticking point in the conversation. At Thursday’s community meeting in Ward seven, D-C Mayor Muriel Bowser alluded to the possibility of the city spending money to sweeten the deal for the team.

Mendelson disagrees with using public money andited his long standing view on the issue. “I think there are a lot of advantages to a stadium. But we also know from research in city after city after city… public dollars don’t have that return,” he said. The stadium would likely anchor a larger development including a sports and entertainment complex, retail, and housing.

A Virginia House subcommittee this week tabled the much-discussed Fairfax County casino bill. Does this mean the effort to bring a casino and entertainment complex to Tysons has gone bust? We asked WAMU’s Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel. And what’s the future of the Virginia Democratic Party now that Susan Swecker is stepping down after a decade at the helm?

Maryland is one of the states suing the Trump administration over recent executive actions, from ending birthright citizenship to granting Elon Musk access to sensitive Treasury Department data. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown joined Kojo and Tom to break down the legal strategy and why it is necessary. 

“Elon Musk is in the central payment system. Maryland gets eleven billion dollars through that system and Marylanders get fifty-one billion,” Brown said. “So, the 1.5 million to protect Marylanders and defend the interest of the state are well worth it.” 

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

A federal judge paused the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" offer hours before the Thursday deadline. Many of the particulars of the offer remain unclear, including if it is even lawful. U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D) joined the show to weigh in on what it means for the region and what lawmakers are doing to help local federal workers.

Plus, the Congressman explained why the White House's recent immigration enforcement actions could be illegal and his thoughts on legislation that would repeal D.C.'s self-governance.

Debate is raging over a proposal in the Virginia General Assembly to bring a casino to Fairfax County. Supporters believe it will bring economic development and jobs to the county, while detractors argue it does not have the public's backing. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay got behind the mic to weigh in on the debate.

He said he does not favor the legislation that passed the Virginia Senate earlier this week, noting it turns a potential casino into a “ATM” for Richmond with little economic benefit to the county.

"The way the bill is currently written right now, what passed the Senate, is absolutely not a good deal for Fairfax County," McKay said. "It’s a great deal for the Commonwealth of Virginia."

Plus, how the Trump administration's push to shrink the federal workforce could affect the county's economy.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore delivered his "State of the State" address this week where he focused on the growing financial challenges facing his state. He called on bipartisan compromise and the need to make "tough choices" to address the state's $3 billion budget gap. We asked Maryland Matters' founding editor and reporter Josh Kurtz to break down Governor Moore's remarks and explain Maryland lawmakers' agendas. And we said goodbye to the long-time Maryland politico, who announced this week he's moving on.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885

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. A preliminary F-A-A report confirmed staffing levels at National Airport’s air control tower were below what they should have been on Wednesday night. It’s been the case for years, with a workforce nearly a third below-targeted staffing levels per a 2023 workforce plan. 

Warner is also warning that President Trump’s push to shrink the federal workforce could further deplete staffing levels. He worried about workers taking the White House’s delayed resignation offer. 

“If a few thousand aircraft controllers say ‘we’re done with this, too much stress, too much hassle'... I don’t know how we operate airspace in America," Warner said.

Plus, we asked his warnings against adding flights at DCA.

Prince George's County is also helping with recovery and is closing sections of National Harbor as officials continue to recover debris. We asked Prince George's County Councilmember Wala Blegay about her county's role. And what does the White House's push to shrink the federal workforce mean for Prince George's County? 

The District continues to offer support in the plane crash recovery operations. But it's doing so without an ice-breaking fire boat that's been out of service since 2022. We asked D.C. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen his thoughts. Plus, how does the confusion over the White House's federal funding freeze impact D.C?

And Allen talked about D.C. Council's vote next week on whether to expel Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White. He was arrested in August on federal bribery charges and the Council is expected to vote in favor of dismissing him from the legislative body. While Allen is saddened to have to make this choice, he said the penalty is needed.

"All of the rules of our code of conduct was violated. And I think it is clear as day and, obviously, on video," Allen said.

Become a member of WAMU: wamu.org/donate

Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885