Biden/Trump rematch set, how will border battle shape race?
As the AP projects both President Biden and Donald Trump have secured the delegates needed to clinch their respective party nominations, the focus turns to the tenor of the race. Chris Johnson and Calvin Dark join Jim on "The Final 5" to weigh in on the messaging and how the recent uproar over border security might factor into the rematch.
The path forward after 4 years of COVID-19
Four years after it was declared a global pandemic, Jim Lokay looks back at the lessons learned in the medical profession with infections disease expert Dr. Amesh Adalja from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
Congress debates potential TikTok ban
As Congress debates a bill aimed at forcing the Chinese parent company of TikTok to either divest the app or face an outright ban, Jim gets the latest on why lawmakers are so passionate on the topic with Ashley Gold from Axios on "The Final 5."
Maryland businessman Jason Palmer bests Biden in one Super Tuesday contest
President Biden didn't coast to a full sweep on Super Tuesday. In the American Samoa caucus, Maryland-based businessman Jason Palmer scored an upset over Mr. Biden. In a D.C. exclusive, "The Final 5" host Jim Lokay talks with Palmer about the win, why he is in the race, and how he plans to use his profile to help downballot races in the future.
Local Congressmen react to SOTU
Tom Fitzgerald joins "The Final 5" with his one-on-ones with Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) and Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) and their reaction to President Biden's State of the Union address.
Laurie-Anne Sayles makes case for Maryland's 6th District
As the May 14th primary approaches, Jim Lokay continues his series of interviews on "The Final 5" with the candidates for Maryland's hotly-contested 6th Congressional District race. Tonight, he speaks with Democratic candidate and Montgomery County Councilmember At-Large Laurie-Anne Sayles.
What does it take to make the State of the Union speech happen?
Jim Lokay breaks down what it takes to make a State of the Union address happen with Paul Glastris, former chief speechwriter for President Bill Clinton. Glastris, now editor-in-chief of Washington Monthly, joins "The Final 5" to talk about the challenges President Biden faces, and where he thinks POTUS can make inroads as the general election campaign shapes up.
Democrats eye state legislative gains in 2024
The national divide may be stark on the Congressional front, but for America's legislative races, both parties are eyeing slim margins in several key states heading into November. Abhi Rahman of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee weighs with how Dems are approaching these races on "The Final 5" with Jim Lokay.
"The Truce" delves into divide between moderates, progressives
A new book details the battle for the soul of the Democratic party between the moderate and progressive factions that's only intensified since the election of Donald Trump in 2016. Hunter Walker and Luppe Luppen, authors of "The Truce: Progressives, Centrists, and the Future of the Democratic Party," join Jim on "The Final 5" to explain how the divisions are impacting the race for 2024, plus the added dimension of the conflict in Gaza.
JoAnn Hill's "Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, D.C."
D.C.-based author JoAnn Hill has tackled some of D.C.'s hidden tourist sites in previous books, but her new effort focuses on the region's vibrant dining scene. "Unique Eats and Eateries of Washington, D.C." is now on sale, and JoAnn shares the stories behind the book on "The Final 5" with Jim Lokay.
Trump legal team hopes to DQ Atlanta D.A.
We should know in about two weeks whether the Fulton County (GA) District Attorney's office will stay on Donald Trump's election interference case. Fani Willis has been the target of criticism after she had a relationship with a lead counsel in the case. Former Arkansas state Attorney General Dustin McDaniel joins Jim on "The Final 5" to explain what her potential removal means, plus the latest on Trump's SCOTUS immunity case.
McConnell's announcement, SCOTUS set to hear Trump immunity case
Wednesday marked a pivotal day in American politics: Mitch McConnell announced his plan to leave the Senate Republican leadership role he's held for 20 years, and the Supreme Court agreed to hear Donald Trump's claims of presidential immunity. Attorney and political strategist Kaivan Shroff weighs in with Jim Lokay on "The Final 5."
Jacqueline is rudely interrupted...by Jim
"The Final 5" has been in the capable hands of guest hosts while Jim Lokay has been on vacation, but on the eve of his return, he stops by to fill Jacqueline Matter in on what he's been up to (and what's coming up when he returns to the show on Wednesday, February 28.)
What are the defining issues for 2024?
New polling shows a schism amongst American voters on key issues ahead of the 2024 election ? but the one topic that shows bipartisan indifference? The dueling document controversies. Jim breaks down the polls with Cliff Young of Ipsos on "The Final 5."
Navalny's death and Putin's influence
The death of Russian opposition leader and fierce Putin critic Alexei Navalny puts new focus on the Russian leader's influence. George Beebe of the Quincy Institute, who once served as the CIA's head of Russia analysis, joins Jim on "The Final 5" with more.
Joel Rubin runs for Congress from Maryland's 6th
Former State Department senior official Joel Rubin has joined the crowded field vying for the soon-to-be-open seat from Maryland's 6th Congressional District. Rubin, a Democrat, joined Jim on "The Final 5" to explain how his international experience and time in local government is factoring into his campaign.
GOP charts course ahead for state races
Republicans control a majority of the nation's state legislatures, with 57 of the nation's 99 chambers in GOP hands ? but just like in Washington, a handful of seats determine the balance of power. Mike Joyce of the Republican State Leadership Committee joins Jim on "The Final 5."
Mark Leighton runs for Congress from VA-10
Mark Leighton has long been politically active, but for the first time, he's throwing his own hat into the ring as the race to replace retiring Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) shapes up. Leighton, one of the many Democrats in the race ahead of the June 18th primary, joins Jim on "The Final 5" to make his case for the job.
Mike Clancy joins race for Virginia's 10th
The retirement of Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) has opened up a seat in Northern Virginia. While Democrats have held the seat since 2019, Republicans are eying a pickup opportunity. One of the Republican candidates, attorney and business executive Mike Clancy is Jim's guest on "The Final 5" to talk about the race and the key issues in the Loudoun-area district.
Spanberger on Ukraine aid: "It has to continue"
A bipartisan delegation of lawmakers are back from Ukraine, where they met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the second anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches. That includes Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), who joins Jim on "The Final 5" to explain why she supports continued aid to Ukraine, plus her message to Virginians (and her fellow colleagues) who think it's time to cut the war-torn nation off.