WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

The House Foreign Affairs Committee releases its 350-page report documenting that President Biden failed to plan for the collapse of the Afghan government, though he was warned it would happen. But does the report let Donald Trump off the hook too easily, and what does it say about who should be America's next commander in chief? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colt Gray, the 14-year-old who killed four people this week, is facing life in prison. His father, Colin Gray, could get 180 years for knowingly letting his son possess the gun. Could holding parents responsible in this way help prevent such shootings from happening? Plus, Hunter Biden pleads guilty to federal tax charges, avoiding an embarrassing trial, but is a pardon coming from Joe Biden? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Vice President is trying to put some political distance between her ideas and the Biden economy. But is her proposal for a nearly 40% increase in the capital gains tax rate really moderate? Plus, Joe Biden is set to block Nippon Steel's proposed takeover of U.S. Steel, and layoffs at the U.S. company are a likely result. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As colleges begin the fall term, students at Columbia University are met by another round of disruptive protests against Israel. Have administrators learned any lessons from this spring's campus chaos? Plus, new reports at Columbia and Stanford find pervasive antisemitism, while UCLA won't appeal a judge's ruling that it must guarantee equal access for Jewish students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As millions of students head back to the classroom for another year, school-choice "evangelist" Corey DeAngelis joins Kim Strassel on All Things with the latest in the reform revolution taking place at the state level, and the challenges still to come. The senior fellow at the American Federation for Children breaks down the successes, the best policy prescriptions in the school-choice field, the campaign to replace rural, anti-choice Republicans with reformers, the union threat and his own call to eliminate the Department of Education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel recovers the bodies of six hostages taken on Oct. 7, including U.S. citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, amid new calls both to eliminate Hamas and to offer concessions to obtain a deal with the terrorist group. Plus, Kamala Harris plays up her old summer job at a McDonald's fast-food restaurant, but her administration's policies would make that kind of employment less available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her first big candidate interview, Kamala Harris says her "values have not changed" when asked why she no longer wants to ban fracking, as she did in 2019. While her campaign might see the gaffe-free night as a success, did voters learn anything new about how she would govern? Plus, Donald Trump pledges to have the government provide for free in vitro fertilization treatments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special counsel Jack Smith announced a new superseding indictment against Donald Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 election, despite losing a Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity earlier this year. The case won’t go to trial before November, but what does the indictment mean for the election campaign and prospects for a trial in 2025? Plus, Kamala Harris has her first sit-down interview since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee; will it also be her last? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lina Khan’s Federal Trade Commission goes to court to stop the supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons from combining, arguing it could raise food prices and limit competition for union workers. But the companies say the opposite, arguing that they're under pressure from club stores, online outlets, and more. Plus, the FTC loses a separate case on noncompete agreements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a red state, but last week's open primary had Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola on top, with 50.4%, going into November's ranked-choice election. Yet the GOP hopes to unify behind Nick Begich, while the No. 3 contender, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom drops out. Plus, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump debate the next debate's "mute" button, as JD Vance says his boss would veto a federal abortion law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Evangelicals propelled Donald Trump's 2016 and 2020 presidential bids, though Kamala Harris is making a bid for their support. Faith & Freedom Coalition Chair Ralph Reed joins this episode of All Things to discuss the state of the evangelical vote, his coalition's big-dollar plan for driving turnout, his thoughts on "Evangelicals for Harris" and why issues like Israel, the Supreme Court and abortion could prove decisive in close battleground races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel pre-empted an attack by the terrorist group Hezbollah, while Hezbollah’s response was mostly intercepted by Israel with little damage done. How will this missile exchange affect the negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza? Plus, it’s the three-year anniversary of the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a failure which looms large over the 2024 presidential election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Democratic National Convention ends with an acceptance speech in Chicago that continues the week’s overabundance of "joy,” while offering few details about how Kamala Harris would govern in the White House. Meantime, the Democratic Party showcases its next generation of potential leaders, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Plus, what effect will RFK’s dropping out have on the presidential race? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and tried to explain the difference between the way Republicans and Democrats define 'freedom.' But does the Vice Presidential nominee’s idea of freedom mean more government intrusion into people’s lives? Plus, as Kamala Harris prepares to accept her party’s nomination for president, will she give Americans more insight into her policies than the convention has? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A confrontation at the Israeli consulate leads to arrests of pro-Palestinian demonstrators Tuesday night, a day after thousands of protesters filled the city's Union Park. Collin Levy and Barton Swaim, who were there, describe what they saw and heard. Plus, Barack and Michelle Obama take the DNC stage to endorse Kamala Harris and urge the country to reject Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Direct from Chicago's Democratic National Convention, Kim Strassel sits down with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) to discuss Joe Biden’s "bittersweet" convention goodbye, what the Kamala Harris campaign needs to know about appealing to Midwestern voters; the challenge the Biden climate change agenda presents to the auto industry, and what's up with those protestors at the DNC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a late-night speech from Chicago, the President touts his administration's accomplishments, calls Donald Trump a threat to democracy, and says his best decision was picking Kamala Harris to be his VP. But the 81-year-old's delivery probably confirmed for some Democrats his decision to drop out. Plus, a closer look at the Democratic Party platform that delegates will approve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As President Biden prepares to speak on the first day of the Democratic National Convention, what is the legacy his tenure will leave? Plus, do Chicago's high crime and shaky finances under Mayor Brandon Johnson offer any lessons about Democratic governance, and will the anti-Israel protesters descending on the city this week distract from Kamala Harris's message? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following her “no tax on tips” proposal (mirroring Donald Trump), Kamala Harris finally goes into detail about her plans for fixing the economy, including proposals for price controls, housing payouts and an expansion of the child tax credit. But are any of her ideas different from Bidenomics, and how will the Trump campaign counter the Harris/Walz message? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Minouche Shafik resigns as Columbia University’s president just as students are about to return to a campus that in the spring was rife with anti-Israel protests. What message does the move send to other college presidents as the new school year begins, as well as protestors heading to Chicago for the DNC? Plus, J.D. Vance and Tim Walz agree to a debate, while Donald Trump and Kamala Harris consider two head-to-head matchups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices