Washington Today

Senate Finance Committee approves Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to be Health & Human Services Secretary and Senate Intelligence Committee approves Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, both on party-line votes; President Donald Trump on China's retaliatory tariffs, reports the Education Department will be dismantled and visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; White House Crypto & AI Czar David Sacks on digital asset policy.

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Today's program covers the latest updates on the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Mexico, Canada, and China. We’ll also hear the current developments at USAID and the latest happenings with DOGE.

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In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First a discussion about the role of faith leaders in politics with the Reverend Paul Brandeis Raushenbush president and CEO of the Interfaith Alliance. Then, a conversation with Brian Blase (blaze) of the Paragon Institute about the "Make America Healthy Again" movement and Robert F. Kennedy Junior's nomination to be H-H-S secretary. Finally, we talk about the future of Electric Vehicles in the Trump administration with Detroit-based auto reporter Jeff Gilbert with WWJ radio.

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Updates on the investigation of the deadly plane-helicopter collision; tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, China to take effect Saturday; outgoing DNC Chair Jaime Harrison gives farewell address; Senate confirms Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

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President Trump says FAA's DEI policies in hiring air traffic controllers could have led to deadly midair collision between Army helicopter and passenger plane over Potomac River; Senate confirmation hearings for DNI nominee Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Senate Budget Committee approves OMB Director nominee Russell Vought with Republican votes after Democrats boycott.

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Health & Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on vaccine safety, nutrition & chronic disease, abortion and Medicaid reform; White House Budget Office rescinds a freeze on federal grants & loans, but says the president's Executive Order limiting money for such programs as DEI is still in effect; Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady; President Trump signs his first bill into law, the Laken Riley Act, requiring detention of undocumented immigrants accused of theft-related crimes; Senate confirms Lee Zeldin for EPA Administrator; Senate Judiciary Committee approves Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi.

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Federal judge puts a temporary hold on President Trump's order pausing federal grants and loans, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds her first news conference, interview with NBC's Scott Wong from House Republican retreat in Doral, FL (20), Senate confirms Sean Duffy to be Transportation Secretary, Senate Democrats block a bill to sanction ICC, Israel bars UNWRA, Senate committee hearing on Panama Canal and treaty obligations, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moves hands on "Doomsday Clock" to 89 seconds to midnight.

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House Republicans met in Florida today for their annual strategy session. House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters there's QUOTE no daylight between Congress and President Trump's use of economic sanctions to enforce his illegal immigration policies. The Speaker's comments come as the US and Colombia agreed on accepting deported migrants. That agreement followed a flurry of threats from President Trump, including steep tariffs.

The Senate is in this week. They're working on more of President Trump's cabinet nominations. They start today with votes on Scott Bessent to lead the treasury and Sean Duffy to lead the Department of Transportation.

Then, later this week, there are Confirmation hearings for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and FBI Director nominee Kash Patel. and Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard. We'll hear from Senate Republican Leader John Thune…and Democratic leader Chuck Schumer coming up.

Today was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's first day on the job. After being greeted by Joint Chiefs chair Gen. CQ. Brown told reporters that it was an honor to serve on behalf of the president and the country. He also promised to send more troops to the southern border and assist with deportations.

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In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, we look at new polling on President Trump's policy agenda, with Cliff Young, president of Polling & Societal Trends at Ipsos. Then, USA Today Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen discusses President Trump's January 6 pardons. Plus, Federal News Network Reporter Drew Friedman discusses President Trump's executive actions aimed at overhauling the federal government workforce. 

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President Trump surveys disaster zones in NC & CA, says he is considering 'getting rid of FEMA' and wants conditions on aid to CA; Vice President JD Vance speaks to the anti-abortion "March for Life" rally in DC; Senate may be in session this weekend to confirm nominees for Defense Secretary and Homeland Security Secretary; interview with Vox's Dylan Matthews on President Trump's plans not to spend money authorized by Congress, known as 'impoundment' (24); Govs. Sanders (R-AR) & Beshear (D-KY) and head of the European Central Bank on President Trump's threat of tariffs; giant pandas debut at National Zoo.

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