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Foreign policy and defense reporter Cristina Maza returns  from her trip to Estonia, where she attended a security conference centered on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. She joins the podcast with National Journal Daily Managing Editor Ledge King to break down her takeaways from the conference, the differences between the Estonian and American position on Ukraine, and her travel recommendations for Tallinn.  

In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal’s webinar series “Cook Catch Up,” Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook talk what helped or hurt former President Trump at the CNN townhall, what's the media's best practices for covering the former president now among other headlines of the week.

While the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby already passed, there's an upcoming showdown in Kentucky politics and Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado brings on gubernatorial races reporter Mary Frances McGowan to talk the horse race in the Republican primary for the Kentucky gubernatorial race. With a week way from the primary, they discuss the campaigns of former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft and state Attorney General Daniel Cameron and whether they could pose as formidable opponents to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.

In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal’s webinar series “Cook Catch Up,” Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour talks to Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder and National Journal columnist Charlie Cook about President Biden’s reelection bid, the contours of the 2024 presidential race, and what role former President Trump may play in the GOP primary.

The Supreme Court has been facing controversies in its rulings and on the bench. NJ Daily Managing Editor Ledge King brings on health reporter Erin Durkin to discuss the latest ruling to keep an abortion pill available among the recent fight for abortion access. Then, Senate reporter Savannah Behrmann comes on the podcast to discuss the ethics issues surrounding Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and how Congress may act.    

In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal’s webinar series “Cook Catch Up,” Hotline editor Kirk A. Bado and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder Charlie Cook discuss the latest on Trump's indictment and arrest and what this could mean for the 2024 presidential race, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signing a six-week abortion ban in Florida, and more headlines of the week.

Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado brings on governor-races and state-politics reporter Mary Frances McGowan to break down what's happening in legislatures across the country. They discuss the wave of abortion restrictions and anti-LGBTQ legislation working their way through statehouses, and how they could impact upcoming gubernatorial races. As the conservative majority on the Supreme Court defers more and more powers to individual states, McGowan outlines the ballot initiatives and referenda that could be coming to a polling place near you.

With the news of former President Trump being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, it's raised questions on how this news could impact his electability for 2024. In this special live event with National Journal Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour, National Journal White House correspondent George Condon Jr., and Cook Political Report Editor-in-Chief Amy Walter, they discuss the electability of Trump, what impact this could have on the 2024 presidential race, and Biden's response to the indictment.

National Journal Daily managing Editor Ledge King and Technology correspondent Philip Athey break down Congress's hearing with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. They discuss lawmakers' concerns with the popular social media app, whether a ban on the app is imminent and how could this hurt Democrats looking to capture younger voters. 

In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal's webinar series "Hotline Power Hour," Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado is joined by national correspondent Zac Weisz, Senate races correspondent Matt Holt, gubernatorial races correspondent Mary Frances McGowan and House races correspondent Michelle Shen. Listen as the Hotline team discuss what's approaching in this stretch of the campaign trail in 2023.

Some right-wing members of Congress have started the side hustle of podcasting in addition to their lawmaking duties. James A. Downs authors “What’s Ringing in the Right?” Hotline's new weekly segment chronicling the legislative and political takeaways, as well as noteworthy quotes, from these podcasts. Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado talks to James about his findings from these shows and more.

In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal's webinar series "Cook Catch Up," Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado and Charlie Cook, National Journal columnist and Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder and contributor, sparse through the headlines of the news cycle and give their analysis on what the D.C. crime bill signals among Democrats, how Florida has fallen off the Senate map and more topics.

It's been a year since Russia invaded Ukraine and changed the lives of Ukranians. White House correspondent George E. Condon Jr. and foreign policy and defense correspondent Cristina Maza have written a series about President Biden's recent visit to Ukraine and Poland and Ukranian morale and where the war stands now. They come on the podcast with Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour to break down the latest in Ukraine and what role America could play going forward.

Last week, President Biden gave his State of the Union address to the divided 118th Congress and experienced some of the rowdiness for himself by certain lawmakers. National correspondent Zac Weisz joins Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado to decode Biden's address and whether this could be a soft launch for his 2024 campaign.

In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal's webinar series Cook Catch Up, Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour talks to Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder and National Journal columnist Charlie Cook about Nikki Haley being poised to enter the 2024 presidential race and President Biden's upcoming State of the Union address.

President Biden is halfway through his term and National Journal Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour brings in White House correspondent George E. Condon Jr. to rank Biden's successes and fumbles, including his recent document scandal. Despite these fumbles, can he find his footing for the 2024 presidential campaign season? Listen for these answers and more.

In this bonus episode of National Journal Radio adapted from National Journal's webinar series Cook Catch Up, Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado talks to Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder and National Journal columnist Charlie Cook about the political battle of the debt ceiling in a divided Congress and more tough battles to come in Washington. 

Hotline Editor Kirk A. Bado brings on House correspondent Casey Wooten to recap the days-long battle to swear in Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. They analyze what governing may happen with McCarthy as Speaker and what could happens if he falters.

In this bonus episode adapted from National Journal's webinar series Cook Catch Up, National Journal Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour and The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter founder and contributor and National Journal columnist Charlie Cook discuss the tumultuous battle to vote Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker and what power struggles still remain in the House GOP conference.

In this reporters' roundtable episode, Editor-in-Chief Jeff Dufour takes a look back at the year in politics and policy with House correspondent Casey Wooten, Senate correspondent Savannah Behrmann, White House correspondent George Condon Jr. and Hotline managing editor Kirk A. Bado. Listen as they discuss what they followed this year on their beats and what they'll follow in 2023.