Washington Week with The Atlantic

Washington Week Extra for December 27, 2019.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a stinging rebuke of Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu this week. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson insists he’s looking for a way to pass aid to Ukraine, even if it risks angering far-right members. The panel discusses these notable moves that could have far-reaching

With the clock ticking down to the November election, former President Donald Trump is facing four criminal trials. This week, more than one judge turned down his attempts to dismiss his cases outright. But a number of delays in these trials is also playing to Trump’s favor.

Thursday night’s State of the Union proved that President Joe Biden, despite his advanced age, can still deliver an impassioned speech. But it’s not yet clear that voters — including many who think he’s simply too old to run — will get on board.

The last time two U.S. presidents ran against each other was in the 1950s. With another faceoff between Joe Biden and Donald Trump all but certain in the 2024 presidential election, the panel discusses the matchup in depth.

Mitch McConnell’s announcement he will end his tenure as the longest-serving Senate leader in U.S. history solidifies Donald Trump as the leader of today’s Republican Party. The panel discusses his legacy and what's next for the GOP.

Both President Biden and former President Trump won their respective primaries on Tuesday, but the results revealed vulnerabilities in their 2024 bids for the White House. The panel looks at Biden’s and Trump’s electoral weaknesses and strengths heading into November.

The Ukrainians are outmanned, outgunned and struggling against Russia's military and Republicans in the House are in no rush to help. It raises concerns that should Donald Trump return to office, will abandon Ukraine to Vladimir Putin.

Saturday marks two years since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. The panel discusses Ukraine's fight for survival, its central place in the global struggle between democracies and autocracies, its battlefield difficulties and worries that aid from the U.S. could end.

Former President Trump was dealt another legal blow Friday when a judge ordered him to pay over $350 million in damages in the New York civil fraud suit. How are the latest developments in Trump’s multiple ongoing trials affecting his 2024 campaign strategy?

After reports that Putin’s top critic Alexei Navalny has died in prison, President Biden lashed out at Russia and called on House Republicans to pass critical funding for Ukraine. This comes days after former President Trump’s criticism of NATO sparked panic in Europe.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing the first direct threat to his speakership. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate against him for working with Democrats to fund the government. The panel discusses whether Johnson can survive or if he will need a deal with Democrats to

U.S. support for Israel and its controversial prime minister has long been a source of domestic political tension, but never like this past month. Sen. Chuck Schumer, the most senior Jewish official on Capitol Hill. broke with Netanyahu publicly and bitterly last week. Now, House Speaker Mike Johnson is

Despite their "differences," House Speaker Paul Ryan officially announced after weeks of conversation that he will vote for his party's presidential nominee Donald Trump in November because the businessman is best suited to make the Republican agenda a reality. Plus, the unemployment rate fell to 4.

After being under strong pressure from conservatives in Congress to push for tighter government spending, House Speaker John Boehner announced his resignation this week. As he continued his tour around the U.S., Pope Francis came to Washington to address Congress on controversial issues including immigration and climate change.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid made a surprise announcement Friday that he will not run for re-election in Nevada in 2016 which set off discussions inside the Democratic leadership about who will replace the long-time leader. Also this week, President Obama met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and announced that

In the latest embarrassment for the agency tasked with protecting the president, two Secret Service agents are being investigated for driving a vehicle into a White House security barricade while under the influence of alcohol. The agents allegedly drove into an active bomb investigation, nearly missing a suspicious package.

Gwen and the panel analyze the results of the National Journal Congressional Insiders poll on bipartisanship in Congress, the dynamics of the new Congress colliding with establishment politics, President Obama heads to Asia and Europe, and the Supreme Court examines immigration and the rights of veterans.

On the Webcast Extra: how big of a deal was the billion dollar mortgage settlement this week? Plus, President Obama reverse decision on Super PACs. Also, notes from CPAC, including Ron Paul's absence, Newt Gingrich's speech, and possible outcomes of the Straw Poll.

The Congress debates the debt ceiling and sides are taken on tax breaks versus spending. How will the same-sex marriage debate play in the 2010 presidential election? Plus, an update on Rick Perry and Sarah Palin's presidential plans. Also, Christine Lagarde begins her new position as IMF Chief

Did the six-hour debate kill health care reform forever?

The panel continues the conversation online with an update on developments from the New York terror plot, more on the 2010 primary elections, the continuing oil spill and the recent Supreme Court nomination. Remember to send your questions to washingtonweek@pbs.org next week to get your answers from the

In the wake of the Congressional special election upset in New York this week, we look back into the "Vault" at parallels to a 1994 special election. Like this year, in which a national issue (Medicare Reform) shaped the debate, in 1994 the issue was Bill Clinton'

The panel looks at the results of the National Journal Congressional Insiders Poll: Will spending caps and entitlement reform be attached to the debt limit increase? And analysis of President Obama's moment of candor at a fundraiser and his tough talk on the GOP ahead of his 2012

Gwen and the panel analyze the 5 to 7 dead-heat Senate races that will decide majority rule; the vulnerability of Democratic candidates among blue-collar white male voters; and Democrats alleging foreign money is pouring into GOP campaign coffers.

Sarah Palin's influence, the economy & Obama's standing and fighting healthcare in court.