WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

The world is still reacting to the contentious Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, with European leaders pledging boots on the ground to defend Ukraine. But while Donald Trump waits for an apology, what will it take for a return to the rare mineral deal that brought Zelensky and Trump together, and will Russia come to the negotiating table?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Washington to sign a deal with the U.S. on mineral rights, but an Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump and JD Vance breaks down in acrimony. Zelensky says any cease-fire with Russia must be backed by security guarantees, given Vladimir Putin's record of breaking his word. Trump says the meeting shows Zelensky isn't ready for peace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The House GOP narrowly passes the budget outline for Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill.” Democrats think they can ultimately defeat the bill by targeting Medicaid reform, and Republicans will have to join that debate or lose.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Donald Trump gave America’s neighbors a 30-day reprieve from his threatened tariffs, he now says they’ll go into effect in a matter of weeks. But a new study of the North American auto industry estimates that those border taxes could add thousands to the price of an SUV, and does Trump have the legal power to impose such tariffs on allies, or could this go to the courts? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump wants "one big, beautiful bill" to pass his agenda via budget reconciliation, but can House Speaker Mike Johnson keep Republicans united to get it through? Plus, the latest DOGE earthquake is a weekend email telling federal employees to write back with five things they accomplished last week, or else Elon Musk threatens that they could be terminated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China is the world's new “evil empire" and has already infiltrated our government and society. On this episode of All Things, Sen. Tom Cotton shares these and other warnings from his new book, "Seven Things You Can't Say About China." The Arkansas Republican explains China's unprecedented military buildup--partly aimed at dominating Taiwan--its use of TikTok to capture American youth, and what everyday citizens can do to counter the rising China threat. Also, his take on the latest negotiations to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and whether DOGE efforts will hit Pentagon spending. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friedrich Merz won election in Germany, which is being received as a victory for centrists looking to revive the German economy. But how will Donald Trump react after Merz stated his hope for “independence” from the United States?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump orders "independent" agencies to run their regulations through the White House, an assertion of executive authority and democratic accountability that could help upend how Washington works. Plus, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. considers reshaping a CDC vaccine committee, while a measles outbreak in Texas hits 90 cases and 16 hospitalizations, mostly children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Volodymyr Zelensky says Donald Trump is in a “disinformation space” after the President blamed Ukraine for starting the war with Russia, then Donald Trump calls Zelensky “a dictator” in return. Is this part of a bigger strategy to turn Americans against Ukraine?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump picked Lori Chavez-DeRemer as a thank you to the Teamsters for staying neutral in the 2024 election. But given her past support for bills that would override right-to-work laws and bolster public unions, will Republicans in the Senate go along with her confirmation? And as union membership falls to a historic low of 9.9%, is courting labor bosses a good GOP strategy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices