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The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

WAMU 88.5
Loudoun County
Data Centers
Maryland
Donald Trump
Elections
Non-Citizen Voting
District Of Columbia
Gambling
Zachary Parker
John Falcicchio
Crime
June Primaries
Housing Affordability
Virginia Primary Elections
Virginia
Montgomery County
Prince George's County
Kamala Harris
D.C. Board Of Elections
Arlington County

Join Kojo and resident analyst Tom Sherwood on Fridays at noon for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Each week Kojo and Tom help make sense of legislation, hold elected officials accountable and provide in-depth analysis of local issues and elections. The Politics Hour is also a vital forum for Washingtonians to engag... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes32Founded20 years ago
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Artwork for The Politics Hour

Latest Episodes

The Supreme Court heard arguments this week about limiting birthright citizenship, with President Trump in attendance. It's a case with far-reaching implications nationally and across the D.C. region. U.S. Representative and constitutional lawyer Jam... more

After years of debate, the Virginia General Assembly finally gave the green light to controversial legislation allowing developers to build a casino in Tysons. Some local officials are vehemently against the proposal, including Fairfax County Board o... more

This week marked a key milestone in the 2026 D.C. election season: The deadline for candidates to submit signatures to qualify for the June primary ballot. WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma gave us the latest on the city's big elections,... more

We took the Politics Hour on the road this week, broadcasting our Montgomery County Executive forum, featuring Democratic primary candidates, from the Silver Spring Civic Building.

Kojo and WAMU Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu were joined by Andrew Fr... more

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Recent Guests

Andrew Friedson
Montgomery County Council member, District 1
Montgomery County Council
Episode: The Politics Hour: WAMU’s Montgomery County Executive candidate forum
Evan Glass
Montgomery County Council member, at-large
Montgomery County Council
Episode: The Politics Hour: WAMU’s Montgomery County Executive candidate forum
Eugene Vindman
Congressman, Virginia's 7th District
U.S. Congress
Episode: The Politics Hour: Local reaction to Iran war; pushback on police cooperation with ICE
Matt de Ferranti
Chair, Arlington County Board
Arlington County Board
Episode: The Politics Hour: Local reaction to Iran war; pushback on police cooperation with ICE
Jennifer Boysko
Virginia State Senator representing Fairfax County
Virginia State Senate
Episode: The Politics Hour: Virginia weighs ending data center tax breaks and Prince George’s aims to block ICE facility
Krystal Oriadha
Prince George's County Council Chair
Prince George's County Council
Episode: The Politics Hour: Virginia weighs ending data center tax breaks and Prince George’s aims to block ICE facility
Alex Koma
WAMU Senior DC Politics Reporter
WAMU
Episode: The Politics Hour: Virginia weighs ending data center tax breaks and Prince George’s aims to block ICE facility
Marilyn Balcomb
Montgomery County Council Vice President
Montgomery County Council
Episode: The Politics Hour: Latest on Potomac River sewage spill and Montgomery County's data center debate
Adele McClure
Virginia House Delegate representing Arlington County
Virginia House of Delegates
Episode: The Politics Hour: Latest on Potomac River sewage spill and Montgomery County's data center debate

Host

Kojo Nnamdi
Host of The Politics Hour, focused on local governance and policy analysis in the DC region.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 67 ratings
  • Wonderful show

    Tom and Kojo. Two DMV legends walking us through the local political scene. Helloooo everybody.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JMS32205
    United States2 years ago
  • Essential listening

    Podcast Addict
    5
    chrisabraham
    3 years ago
  • Can Tom Sherwood let the guest finish a sentence??

    Can Tom Sherwood let the guest finish a talking??

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    dc nowhere
    United States4 years ago
  • Best of WAMU

    Even though I have moved from Fairfax, VA to Fayetteville, NC, I tune into WAMU every weekday at noon for the Kojo NNamdi show. I noticed that the Politics Hour with Tom Sherwood has been taken off the network and there is no Apple Podcast available. What's going on???

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Margo from Fayetteville NC
    United States6 years ago
  • Love this show

    Kojo and Tom bring listeners the foremost political issues and public officials shaping the Washington DC region. The hosts are extremely well versed in regional issues and they grill their guests with tough but respectful questions. This show is essential listening for DC area citizens.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dan Bloom, your boy
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Tough but respectful interviewing style; very informed about regional issues.
Gaps noted: occasional hosting pace can feel combative according to some listeners.
Guests represent a wide range of DC/MD/VA political figures and policy experts.
Insightful, hyper-local political analysis with strong host engagement.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Politics Hour: VA State Sen. Scott Surovell on data center tax breaks and a Fairfax casino
Q: What is the state doing to balance data-center incentives with budget needs?
We're negotiating with the data-center industry to create a pathway for them to contribute more to the economy and state budget, while considering elimination or modification of the sales tax exemption to address the growing cost, which has ballooned from about $100 million in 2021 to about $1.9 billion this year.
The Politics Hour: Local reaction to Iran war; pushback on police cooperation with ICE
Q: What measures are DC and Virginia taking to manage tax and budget pressures amid broader policy shifts?
Legislators are discussing decoupling, possible tax adjustments, and the need to fund essential services while navigating potential federal changes, with ongoing debates about budget impacts and revenue projections.
The Politics Hour: Local reaction to Iran war; pushback on police cooperation with ICE
Q: What is your assessment of the Iran war and its constitutional basis?
It should be noted that the war was initiated without proper congressional authorization, with concerns about legal justification and long-term costs, and a call for clear planning and broad public support.
The Politics Hour: Local reaction to Iran war; pushback on police cooperation with ICE
Q: What's going on with the East Wing ballroom and the response of the National Capital Planning Commission?
There has been a surge of public complaints about the ballroom's size and impact on the White House, with thousands commenting that it is too large and gaudy, leading to a postponement of the vote while inputs and lawsuits are examined.
The Politics Hour: Latest on Potomac River sewage spill and Montgomery County's data center debate
Q: What must happen for the sewage issue to be cut back?
The collaborative efforts of multiple jurisdictions and timely action to control the sewage spill and ensure safe water for residents is critical.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Politics Hour

What is The Politics Hour about and what kind of topics does it cover?

- This program provides a sharp, locally focused examination of politics, policy, and governance across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Through interviews with lawmakers, officials, and regional analysts, it breaks down budgeting, elections, public safety, housing, transportation, and policy debates that affect residents daily. The hosts push for accountability and practical implications, often connecting federal actions to local impact and highlighting how local leadership shapes communities.

- Notable for a steady stream of high-profile guests from city councils, state legislatures, and federal representatives, plus reporters and policy experts. The style tends to be thorough, with direct questions and a focus on actionable outcomes for const... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Politics Hour?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Politics Hour:

1. City Cast DC
2. 1A
3. The New Yorker Radio Hour
4. Fresh Air
5. On the Media

How many episodes of The Politics Hour are there?

The Politics Hour launched 20 years ago and published 32 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Politics Hour?

Recent guests on The Politics Hour include:

1. Andrew Friedson
2. Evan Glass
3. Eugene Vindman
4. Matt de Ferranti
5. Jennifer Boysko
6. Krystal Oriadha
7. Alex Koma
8. Marilyn Balcomb

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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