Washington Today

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a discussion with Former USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk (CON-non-dyke) about the Trump Administration's efforts to dismantle USAID and future of U.S. foreign aid programs. Then, Citizens Against Government Waste President Tom Schatz discusses government efficiency, waste in federal spending, and efforts by the Trump administration and Elon Musk to overhaul the federal government. Finally, Cato institute senior fellow Dr. Jeffrey Singer discusses the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. and Trump administration's approach to address it.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice President JD Vance meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference in Germany to discuss efforts to end Ukraine's war with Russia; Vice President Vance in a speech at the Munich criticizes European leaders for violating free speech and allowing uncontrolled immigration; New York City Mayor Eric Adams says there was no qui pro quo to help immigration enforcement in exchange for dropping federal charges against him; President Donald Trump signs an executive order withholding federal money from any school or college that has a COVID-19 vaccine mandate; House Budget Committee passes a budget resolution to enact the president agenda on tax cuts, spending cut, immigration and energy; National Transportation Safety Board gives an update on the investigation into the deadly passenger plane & helicopter collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate confirms Robert F. Kennedy, Jr for Health & Human Services Secretary; Senate Judiciary Committee approves Kash Patel for FBI Director; Senate Education Committee questions Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon about plans to abolish the department; interview with AP's Josh Boak on President Donald Trump's memorandum calling for "fair and reciprocal" trade tariffs on all major U.S. trading partners (24); House Budget Committee works on budget resolution to enact Republican tax and spending cut agenda; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth questioned about whether Russia is getting concessions ahead of peace talks with Ukraine.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview with Politico's Mia McCarthy on House Republican budget proposal of tax cuts and spending cuts (5), House DOGE Subcommittee holds first hearing on wasteful spending, Senate confirms Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and advances the nomination of Health & Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President Donald Trump speaks to presidents of Russia & Ukraine about ending the war between them.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk joins President Trump in Oval office defending the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cutting federal spending; Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell tells the Senate Banking Committee the Fed is not in a hurry to reduce interest rates given the strength of the economy; Senate is on a path to confirm Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard and will take a pivotal procedural vote on Health & Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; President Trump meets with Jordan's King Abdullah about U.S. 'taking' Gaz to rebuild it; Vice President JD Vance speaks about European 'excessive regulation' at AI Summit; New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) thanks the Justice Department for moving to dismiss the federal corruption charges against him.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Senate, Trump cabinet nominees are leading this week's to do list and two of the most contentious are at the top--Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence, and Robert F Kennedy, Jr to be Health and Human Services Secretary. In the House, members on both sides of the aisle are working on their strategies to fund the government past next month's deadline.

President Trump has announced he plans to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. He also said he'll announce massive new reciprocal tariffs that could match other countries’ tariffs on US goods dollar-for-dollar. The president is also saying more about his plans in the Middle East stating explicitly that Palestinians would not have a right to return to Gaza under his plan to take US ownership of the area.

Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought was hit with two union lawsuits today following his order to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. That move follows a federal judge's order to extend the Feb. 6 deadline for federal workers to accept the Trump administration's buyout offer.

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 with Politico Economics Correspondent, Victoria Guida about President Trump's threat – and use of tariffs – against Canada, Mexico and China. Then, Democratic Al Green of Texas discusses why he's planning to move articles of impeachment against President Trump – just weeks into the new administration. Finally – we speak with health care reform advocate Calley Means – an informal adviser to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – about Kennedy's nomination to be H-H-S secretary - and the origins of the "Make America Healthy Again" movement.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump applauds DOGE's near-shutdown of USAID; House Democrats are prevented from entering the Education Department in protest of possible elimination; Senate confirms OMB Director Russell Vought in party-line vote; President Trump meets Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at White House to talk about trade and security; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commits to clean Pentagon audit within four year; Homeland Security Department leads security reparations for Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview with The Hill's Mychael Schnell on House Republicans having trouble finalizing Budget Reconciliation tax cuts and spending cuts, leading Senate Republicans to move ahead on separate immigration and border security funding; Federal judge delays deadline for federal employee buyout offers; Elon Musk says he will be involved in FAA technology upgrades; Senate Judiciary Committee postpones vote on FBI Director nominee Kash Patel; President Trump doubles down on Gaza rebuilding plan; President Trump speaks at two National Prayer Breakfasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reaction to President Trump's saying the U.S. will take “ownership” in redeveloping Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East"; Attorney General Pam Bondi is sworn-in after the Senate voted to confirm her on a near party-line vote; President Trump signs an executive order to ban transgender athletes from competing on girls' and women's sports teams by withholding federal money for schools and colleges that allow it; Senate votes to advance the nomination of Russell Vought for White House Budget Director, with Senate Democrats planning to speak against the nominee on the Senate floor for 30 hours straight before the confirmation vote Thursday night; Democrats on the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee try and fail to subpoena Elon Musk to testify about the actions of the quasi-governmental Dept of Government Efficiency.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices