WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

The explosive meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump continues to radiate fallout, as the president announced a pause in aid to Ukraine, and Europe rallied around Ukraine with promises of troops. Can the U.S.-Ukraine rare minerals deal still be salvaged? And what's the next stage in the now three-year conflict that Russian president Vladimir Putin started with his invasion of his neighbor?    On this episode of All Things, New York Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) explains why Vladimir Putin was the only winner after the Trump/Zelensky meeting and what he thinks comes next--as well as his sense of Trump's broader vision of foreign policy. He also provides the latest state of play on a bill to avoid a shutdown, and the broader negotiations on a reconciliation bill to enact Trump's border, energy and tax policies this year.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The President follows through on his threat to impose 25% tariffs, as Canada and Mexico plan to retaliate with reciprocal taxes on U.S. goods, such as orange juice and bourbon. Given that voters are still upset about inflation under Joe Biden, is Trump taking a political risk, if his trade war means that U.S. consumers will see higher prices on produce, SUVs, and other items? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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