The Trump Trials: Sidebar

Where did Congress succeed this year and where did our governing body fall short? What does party extremism in the Capitol mean for gridlock? And is the existing American system still the best means to govern our country?

Related episodes and reading

• One year (almost) of Biden’s America
• Prices are going up. Can Biden bring them down?
• Are we too divided for unity?

President Biden pledged to unify the country, and to do it amid tense racial and cultural division. How far has Biden come on that promise? Will he move toward more aggressively tackling social issues in year 2?

Related episodes and reading

• One year (almost) of Biden’s America
• Prices are going up. Can Biden bring them down?
• Biden promised unity. Voters are still divided.

President Biden ran on the promise of returning the nation back to"normal." How far has Biden come? Washington Post White House reporters Ashley Parker, Annie Linskey and Sean Sullivan chat about where things stand nearly a year into Biden's presidency. 

• Prices are going up. Can Biden bring them down?
• Biden’s climate agenda is bold. Is it enough?
• Biden vowed a smooth exit from Afghanistan. Now what?

A close look at the state of Donald Trump post-presidency — his businesses, his finances, the ongoing criminal investigations into his actions and how all of those things could affect a potential political comeback.

What levers do presidents have to slow inflation? How much of our current economic situation can be attributed to President Biden’s policies and what can he really do to change the course of the American economy in the months ahead?

• Inflation emerges as defining economic challenge of Biden presidency
• White House takes aim at oil industry as gas prices create economic and politics rifts

Now that the Biden administration has released rules for vaccine and testing mandates, court battles are starting to heat up. The Post’s labor reporter, and a legal expert, weigh in on what the future might hold for Biden’s vaccine workforce rules.

Related episodes and reading

• Biden mandates vaccines for millions. Can he do that?
• Legal battle over Biden’s vax-or-test mandate for businesses is just beginning
• GOP-appointed judges freeze Biden vaccine requirement after federal lawsuit

In a major upset for Democrats Tuesday, Republican Glenn Youngkin eked out a victory in Virginia’s gubernatorial race. Today, we look at the results of that election, and others, to understand the nation one year after the divisive 2020 elections.

• Elections spur doubts for Biden’s agenda, party’s outlook
• A sobering reality hits Democrats

McCarthy says he can recapture the House, but navigating an unpredictable former President Trump and keeping donors happy at the same time is sizable challenge. McCarthy wants to win in 2022 and unify the Republican party. Can he do that?

• Would-be speaker Kevin McCarthy walks the Trump tightrope, pursuing a GOP House
• The voter-fraud allegation that perfectly captures the post-2020 Republican Party
• One big threat to Biden’s agenda: The map

In the last episode of our series about President Biden and the War in Afghanistan, he takes the reins as commander-in-chief and withdraws U.S. forces. Ultimately, Biden rethinks his stance on military intervention and America’s role in the world.  

Listen to Part One: The Senator and Part Two: The War.

In the second episode of our series about President Biden and the War in Afghanistan, we look at the years after the Sept. 11 attacks when Biden called for a major nation-building effort. Over time, though, he begins to doubt his own instincts.

Related links: Part One: The Senator