Senior politics reporter Aaron Blake talks with The Washington Post’s chief correspondent covering national politics, Dan Balz, and national security reporter Abigail Hauslohner about new reporting this week about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth’s continued use of Signal, an unclassified messaging app, to share highly sensitive information has roiled the agency he oversees. They also unpack new polling that shows warning signs for Trump: public support for his legally dubious immigration policies have turned negative.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter.

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David Hogg began his journey as a political activist after surviving the Parkland school shooting in 2018. Today, he’s a leader in the Democratic National Committee and co-founder of a group called Leaders We Deserve, which focuses on electing young, progressive candidates. The group’s recent announcement that it would spend $20 million to challenge Democratic incumbents in safe seats has stoked controversy within the party – even prompting DNC Chair Ken Martin to propose a rule change that would force Hogg to choose between his two roles.

Today, Colby Itkowitz speaks with Hogg about why Democrats' popularity is cratering and how he thinks primarying established Democrats will strengthen the party.

This show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Sam Bair, who also mixed the episode. It was edited by Reena Flores and Maggie Penman. And special thanks for the video production to Daniel Mich, David Bruns, Justin Scuiletti, Peter Stevenson and Billy Tucker. Watch Hogg’s interview with us on YouTube here.

Since Trump unleashed Elon Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service on the federal government, Post reporter Hannah Natanson has been deluged with messages from hundreds of federal workers. They fear for their jobs and are worried about the damage DOGE could do to crucial programs as it tries to make massive spending cuts across the government.

Colby Itkowitz speaks with Hannah about what it has been like to be on the receiving end of these messages, what federal workers are most concerned about, and what DOGE may look like now that Elon Musk is stepping back from leading the initiative.

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Peter Bresnan.

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América Platt was detained at Prairieland – an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Alvarado, Texas. She spent four sleepless nights on the floor because there weren’t enough beds. She had her period when she arrived, and a fever from an ear infection – but she said it took hours to access medical care or even a sanitary pad.

“You’re stripped from your humanity,” she told investigative reporter Doug MacMillan.

Today, producer Laura Benshoff speaks with Doug about the conditions in overcrowded ICE detention centers.

This episode was produced by Ariel Plotnick and edited by Maggie Penman. It was mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Evelyn Larrubia.

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Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became leader of the world's nearly 1.4 billion Catholics in 2013. Immediately, Francis made it clear that he would not be a traditional pope. He rejected the customary red slippers of the office in favor of simple black shoes, and he chose to live in a small boarding house instead of the lavish papal apartments above St. Peter’s Square.

Francis made few changes to church doctrine during his 12 years as pope, but he fostered an inclusive style that won him many admirers and provoked harsh criticism from the church’s more conservative factions. In particular, he tried to make the church more inclusive to women and to the LGBTQ community.

Anthony Faiola is the Post’s Rome bureau chief, and he has covered Francis for more than a decade. Colby Itkowitz speaks with him about the legacy Francis leaves behind, and about why the upcoming conclave to choose Francis’s successor is shrouded in mystery. “Even the most astute Vatican watchers would not hazard a guess as to who the next pope will be,” Anthony says.

Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Ted Muldoon.

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Think you know how to take a good nap? Think again. Neuroscientist and columnist Richard Sima discusses the latest research on how to maximize the benefits. Plus, how breathing can help calm our minds.

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon and mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Lucy Perkins, with help from Maggie Penman.

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The world’s two largest powers are closer than ever to a full economic break. Why neither the United States nor China want to blink, and what it will take for China to survive the trade war.

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A week after President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs roiled global markets, his administration put China in its crosshairs, with a 145 percent levy on Chinese imports.

China countered by raising tariffs on all U.S. goods to at least 125 percent and by publicly casting the United States as an irresponsible global power.

Today on “Post Reports,” The Post’s China bureau chief, Lily Kuo, joins guest host Chris Velazco to explain how the trade relationship between the two countries got so hostile, how China plans to weather the storm, and how the rest of the world might feel the consequences of this game of chicken.

And China correspondent Christian Shepherd brings us to an e-commerce expo in Shenzhen, China, where sellers are pledging to find a way through the tariffs.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Reena Flores. Thanks to Anna Fifield.

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Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has used his office to threaten or punish people he says have wronged him in the past. That includes prominent law firms that have represented Democratic causes or hired attorneys who have investigated him, such as former special counsel Robert S. Mueller III.

To get back on Trump’s good side, some law firms are now pledging to do pro bono work for causes the administration supports. As of late last week, some law firms Trump has pressured have promised him nearly a billion dollars in legal services. Others are taking the administration to court.

Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with law enforcement and criminal justice reporter Mark Berman about how Trump is using the power of the presidency to muzzle private law firms and why many lawyers say his moves undermine the entire justice system.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sean Carter.

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