The Trump Trials: Sidebar

An unusual warrant. A pattern of questionable no-knock raids. A reporting thread that just kept going. “Broken Doors” is a new investigative podcast series from the Washington Post. Hosted by Jenn Abelson and Nicole Dungca.

President Biden and former President Obama have seen little of each other recently, despite an ostensibly close relationship. What does Obama's appearance at the White House say about the relationship? And will it yield the results Democrats hope for? 

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And now, here’s your host — Barack Obama

With Obama looking on, White House to open ACA plans to more families

A federal judge ruled this week that then-President Donald Trump “more likely than not” committed federal crimes in trying to block President Biden’s election win on Jan. 6, 2021. What are the likely implications for Trump and the Justice Department? 

• Justice Dept. expands Jan. 6 probe to look at rally prep, financing
• Judge: Trump ‘more likely than not’ committed crime
• Trump, 2024 and the fragility of American democracy

President Biden is in Europe this week, making stops in Belgium and in Poland in hopes of keeping the Western alliance united and showcasing American leadership. How much further will the allies go in support of Ukraine? 

• Biden heads to Europe to bolster the Western alliance
• Where Biden’s climate goals and a Russian oil ban collide
• Biden’s response to Putin’s invasion

Some lawmakers hope to set up an independent probe into the country’s pandemic response, after months of contentious and partisan oversight efforts in Congress. Would this probe avoid politics and help us understand how to fight future pandemics?

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• Lawmakers push pandemic probe modeled on 9/11 Commission
• The mystery of the pandemic’s origins (and what it means for Biden)

President Biden pledged to move America’s climate reforms forward. How can he ensure that the U.S. has enough oil supply to keep prices from surging, while also ensuring that efforts to obtain that oil don’t infringe on his climate promises?

Here’s where Russian oil flows

How the invasion of Ukraine scrambles American energy politics

Biden’s climate agenda is bold. Is it enough?

President Biden is trying to refocus messaging around Democrats' accomplishments. Is it too late for a political course correction with such little time before the midterms? Biden’s made his priorities clear, but will the Democratic party follow suit? 

• Blue states are moving on from the pandemic. Can Biden?
• Biden’s struggle to tackle ‘four historic crises’ at once

President Biden’s choice of Judge Jackson fulfills his campaign promise to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court. She spent years overcoming obstacles by finding the middle ground. 

• Biden’s Supreme Court nominee overcame obstacles by finding middle ground
• How can the Supreme Court maintain impartiality in America's modern political climate?

Russia launched a full-scale attack against Ukraine in what U.S. officials say is an attempt to topple the democratically-elected, pro-Western government. The U.S. and its allies responded with massive sanctions. Will they work to deter Russia?

• Live updating coverage of the situation in Ukraine
• Why we’re talking about Ukraine… again

With the midterm elections on the horizon, both parties are searching for ways to connect with voters. But what if the thing voters want most is for politics to stop feeling like an existential death match? A reporter looks for answers in Virginia. 

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What Does Virginia Want Now?

Are we too divided for unity?