February 20, 2025

WAMU The Politics Hour

On Wednesday night, President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One he thinks the federal government should take over the District: “I think that we should run it strong, run it with law and order, make it absolutely, flawlessly beautiful,” Trump said. Many D.C. leaders are worried about what’s next for the District’s ability to self-govern. Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember and chair of the city’s judiciary and public safety committee, Brooke Pinto, joins the show to give us her thoughts.

Legislation making its way through the Virginia General Assembly could eventually reshape Arlington County’s government. We ask Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis to weigh in. Plus, why the White House’s push to shrink the federal workforce leaves Arlington County with an uncertain economic future. He’ll also discuss how the county is protecting transgender students in the wake of new federal policies.

The Maryland General Assembly continues to debate how to close the state’s three billion dollar budget gap. Governor Wes Moore recently pitched changes to the massive education reform plan Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, but the proposal is not sitting well with everyone. Maryland State Senator Cheryl Kagan, who represents parts of Montgomery County, gets behind the mic to give us her take.

Sorting political fact from fiction, and having fun while we’re at it. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

Produced by Matt Blitz

Guests

Tom Sherwood, Resident Analyst; Contributing Writer for Washington City Paper

Brooke Pinto, D.C. Councilmember, Ward 2

Takis Karantonis, Arlington County Board Chair

Cheryl Kagan, Maryland State Senator, District 17