Washington Week with The Atlantic

News and Public Affairs Series / 23 Seasons

Washington Week with The Atlantic is the longest-running primetime news and public affairs program on television. The show features a group of journalists participating in a roundtable discussion of major news events and can be found at 8pm ET on most local PBS stations.

Watch Latest: S2025 E17

26m 46s

The week of failed votes and McCarthy's leadership

15m 55s

The new year has brought new problems to the House, the likes of which this country has not seen in more than a century. But after days of failed votes to elect him the next speaker, Rep. Kevin McCarthy has mounted a comeback after numerous closed-door meetings, concessions and compromises. After flipping several holdout votes, he’s expressing optimism that he'll get the job.

Biden's show of bipartisanship in the divided government

6m 49s

With a week of chaos in the House, the spirit in the Senate has been one of cooperation. This week, President Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell traveled to Kentucky to tout the bipartisan infrastructure act passed last year and the benefits of working across the aisle.

What did the Jan. 6 committee accomplish with its report?

16m 41s

The Jan. 6 committee finally released its full report and a trove of interview transcripts from key witnesses. Along with sending four criminal referrals to the DOJ for former President Trump, the committee said Trump is to blame for the Capitol attack and should be barred from holding elected office again.

How Zelenskyy's trip to Washington impacts debate over aid

6m 39s

Defending democracy abroad was front and center in the nation’s capital this week. On Wednesday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a wartime visit to Washington. During a meeting at the White House, President Biden pledged to supply Ukraine with the highly sophisticated Patriot missile system. That evening, Zelenskyy addressed Congress which later approved more U.S. aid for Ukraine.

Jan. 6 committee expected to urge charges against Trump

19m 15s

The Jan. 6 Committee is preparing to vote on urging the DOJ to pursue at least three criminal charges against former President Trump. The charges under consideration are insurrection, obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government. Meanwhile, lawmakers scramble to avoid a government shutdown as Kevin McCarthy works to secure the votes to become House speaker.

Biden invests in Africa as China and Russia loom large there

4m 5s

President Biden celebrated signing legislation protecting same-sex marriages and interracial marriages. He also held a three-day U.S.-Africa summit focused on investing more in the continent as China and Russia loom large there. The panel takes a look at why the president is focusing on Africa and how Russia's and China’s influence play into the timing.

Uncertainty in the Senate as Sinema leaves Democratic Party

15m 3s

Sen. Raphael Warnock this week beat his GOP rival Herschel Walker in Georgia’s runoff election, temporarily handing Democrats a 51-49 majority in the Senate. But that advantage was thrown into doubt Friday after Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent. Meanwhile, the Biden administration negotiated the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from Russia.

Trump faces new legal challenges and Republicans criticisms

8m 4s

President Trump faced another week of legal challenges after his real estate company was found guilty of tax fraud, more classified documents were discovered in a Florida facility he used, and the Jan. 6 committee indicated it would send a criminal referral for him to the Department of Justice. Trump was also the target of GOP criticisms for comments he made about suspending the Constitution.

McCarthy struggles to secure votes to become speaker

17m 11s

House Democrats celebrated this week as they elected a new and younger leadership team. Meanwhile, Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is expected to be the next Speaker of the House, but he has yet to secure the votes needed to be elected to the position as some hardliners in the Freedom Caucus continue to withhold their support.

Jan. 6 committee could soon announce criminal referrals

3m 57s

With only weeks left to complete their work and before Democrats lose power in the House, the January 6 committee met to discuss whether to make criminal referrals to the Justice Department. Members say the probe’s final report will be released later this month. Plus, the founder of the Oath Keepers, Stewart Rhodes, was found guilty of seditious conspiracy for his role in the Capitol attack.

Did anti-LGBTQ rhetoric motivate Colorado Springs shooter?

11m 2s

In Colorado Springs, a gunman opened fire inside an LGBTQ nightclub long considered to be a safe space for the community within the historically conservative city. The panel discusses if recent anti-LGBTQ rhetoric may have motivated the deadly mass shooting.

Some Republicans speak out against Trump's role in the GOP

9m 50s

A rift is growing among Republicans over the party’s current and future leaders. This week, prominent members of the GOP called on the party to put former President Trump behind them after multiple election losses. Still, Trump remains popular among many in the base which will be critical to winning the presidential nomination.

Why the red wave fell flat

11m 24s

While it’s still unclear at this time which party will control the House or the Senate, what is certain is that the Republican red wave simply did not happen. The panel discusses why it fell flat and what it means for the Biden administration's agenda for the next two years.

How midterms impact Trump's plan to launch campaign

11m 28s

Former President Trump is widely expected to announce another run for the White House next week. But some Republicans are openly criticizing him after the GOP's performance in the midterms. Plus, President Biden has also signaled he intends to run but has left the door open that, perhaps, he may not. The panel discusses the questions swirling within both parties about the future.

Pelosi attack highlights concerns over political violence

11m 6s

The brutal attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband comes as threats to American lawmakers are at an all-time high. The incident highlights recent concerns over political violence in the years following the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Republicans, Democrats focus on economy in final days

12m 19s

With less than two weeks until Election Day, President Biden and Democrats are telling voters if the GOP takes control of Congress, the threat of government shutdowns, defaults and other cuts will create economic chaos. But Republicans are arguing they are best qualified to get the economy back on track and are confident a red wave is coming.

Do Democrats have any hope of holding onto Congress?

6m 45s

The midterm election is just 18 days away and Republicans are feeling confident about their chances of winning control of the House and the Senate. Democrats had been hoping they could hold onto power, but gas prices and inflation are on the rise again and back at top of voter concerns.

Midterm candidates meet face-to-face before Election Day

16m 18s

This election season has been notable for the limited number of debates, but several candidates in key races went face-to-face this week. The panel analyzes the performances as midterm candidates clashed over guns, abortion and the future of democracy.

Biden says nuclear risk at highest level since in decades

4m 51s

President Biden says because of Russia’s recent military setbacks in Ukraine and threats by Vladimir Putin, the global nuclear risk is at a level not seen in decades.

Will abortion allegations impact Senate race in Georgia?

11m 9s

The midterm election is just a month away and several key Senate races are heating up. In Georgia, Republican Herschel Walker is facing accusations of hypocrisy after the alleged mother of one of his children says he paid for her to have an abortion in 2009. Plus, Republicans are stepping up their claims that the Democrats are to blame for spikes in crime.

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