Post Reports

Bob Woodward, a renowned Washington Post journalist famous for his Watergate coverage, discusses the current political landscape under Donald Trump. He reflects on how Trump's presidency challenges traditions established after Watergate. Woodward draws parallels between Nixon's era and today's political climate, emphasizing concerns over accountability and the media's role. He also explores Trump's complex approach to governance, including his economic strategies and turbulent interactions with advisors, while highlighting the enduring strength of the Constitution and First Amendment.

Chelsea Janes, a national baseball writer for the Washington Post, dives into the Los Angeles Dodgers' quest for back-to-back World Series titles. They discuss the implications of forming a 'super team' and its impact on competition. Topics include the challenges of player health, financial disparities in MLB, and evolving game dynamics. The conversation also touches on the nostalgia of traditional baseball versus modern challenges, including the potential of robotic umpiring to change officiating. Can the Dodgers navigate these complexities?

In this enlightening discussion, Jacob Bogage, Congressional economics correspondent for The Washington Post, delves into the tumultuous state of the IRS as Tax Day approaches. He reveals a staggering predicted shortfall of over $500 billion in tax receipts and explores how the Trump administration’s policies have reshaped taxpayer behavior and agency effectiveness. The conversation also touches on a controversial proposal that would allow the IRS to share taxpayer information with ICE, raising critical concerns about privacy and the implications for undocumented immigrants.

Dan Lamothe and Abigail Hauslohner, national security reporters for The Washington Post, dive into a scandal involving Trump administration officials discussing sensitive military plans in a Signal group chat. They reveal the risks of using unsecured platforms for classified information and explore the ensuing Senate hearing, where officials faced tough questions about accountability. The conversation highlights the need for secure communication channels in the military and critiques varying political responses to such leaks.

The podcast dives into a prominent political figure's quirky fixation on Canada as the 51st state. It examines the implications of this suggestive proposal and its mixed reception, raising eyebrows among lawmakers. The complicated U.S.-Canada relationship adds fuel to the fire, with discussions on trade and immigration. Misconceptions around the benefits of annexation are debunked, emphasizing Canadian identity. Trump’s remarks unexpectedly ignite a surge of Canadian patriotism, altering the political landscape before upcoming elections.

Uzo Aduba, celebrated for her role in 'The Residence,' joins Cleve Wootson to discuss the fascinating blend of fiction and reality within the gripping murder mystery set in the White House. They explore the character of detective Cordelia Cupp, who uses her passion for birdwatching to unravel complex puzzles. The duo highlights the often-overlooked lives of marginalized figures in the White House, particularly Black women, and the importance of authenticity in portraying this historic setting, revealing deeper narratives often left in the shadows.

Justin Jouvenal, a Supreme Court reporter for The Washington Post, and White House reporter Natalie Allison dive deep into Trump's latest courtroom clashes. They discuss Trump's controversial use of the Alien Enemies Act and his public insults towards a judge, sparking significant pushback from Chief Justice Roberts. The duo also analyzes the implications of a partial ceasefire deal in Ukraine, exploring how Trump's relations with both Putin and Zelensky affect U.S. foreign policy amid ongoing legal battles.

Sarah Ellison, a media and democracy reporter for The Washington Post, joins Drew Harwell, a tech reporter, to dissect the Trump administration's bold new communication strategies. They explore how the White House is shunning legacy media to dominate narratives through social media, even using viral content to simplify complex issues. Their discussion touches on the clever use of memes and satire, and how these tactics reshape public discourse and challenge traditional democratic checks, showcasing a radical shift in political messaging.

More than 400 people were killed and hundreds more wounded in Tuesday’s attacks, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, making it one of the deadliest days of the 17-month war.Host Colby Itkowitz talks with Miriam Berger, who has been covering the conflict for The Post, about what it’s like in Gaza right now and what this means for the possibility of a ceasefire in the future. Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Bishop Sand. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Reena Flores, and mixed by Sam Bair.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Marianne LeVine, an immigration reporter for The Washington Post, joins the discussion to delve into the Trump administration's controversial use of the Alien Enemies Act. She explains the legal challenges arising from deporting migrants linked to gang activities. LeVine highlights the implications of this act, originally used during WWII, and the federal judge's halt on deportations. The conversation also touches on the financial agreements with El Salvador and the ethical concerns surrounding these unprecedented actions amid growing national security fears.