Washington Week Extra January 17, 2020

Reporters from Iowa Public Radio and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel joined the conversation to share their on-the-ground reporting on how farmers, communities, and the 2020 vote in their key swing states could be impacted by a trade war.

As special counsel Robert Mueller's probe appears to be winding down, Democrats are stepping up their investigations into President Donald Trump. The panelists discussed the latest in the investigations, the resignation of White House communications director Bill Shine, the latest economic numbers, and the recently-passed congressional resolution denouncing bigotry.

Panelists discuss the volatile week on Wall Street after talk of a possible trade war between the U.S. and China causes stock market trouble. Plus, a group of key lawmakers move to punish Saudi Arabia for the brutal murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

As members of Congress spend Thanksgiving weekend with family and put the 2018 midterm elections behind them, Robert Costa and this week’s panel look ahead to January, and the new era of divided government in Washington. Will there be bipartisanship or political war?

Mounting questions surround the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, pitting the Trump Administration against a key ally, Saudi Arabia. Plus, the president prepares to say goodbye to a member of his foreign policy team, and the midterm battle grows fierce.

A dozen Russian nationals are indicted days before President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump also made global headlines during his international trip this week. Panelists discussed his time at the NATO summit and comments about British Prime Minister Theresa May.

President Donald Trump is expected to announce his new Supreme Court nominee on Monday. The panelists discussed the leading contenders who could replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy and the confirmation battle brewing on Capitol Hill. Conversation also turned to the resignation of EPA administrator Scott Pruitt and the trade war between the United States and China.

America first, or America isolated? President Trump comes face to face with world leaders at the G-7 summit in Canada amid trade policy tension and his nod to Russia. Plus, new indictments in the Russia investigation days before the president meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for a historic summit in Singapore.

After a meeting with a top North Korean official at the White House Friday, the president announced a previously cancelled summit with Kim Jong Un in Singapore is back on the agenda for June 12. The panelists discussed the events, along with the ramification of the new metal tariffs.