#TheFinal5: SCOTUS rejects NY concealed carry law
The Supreme Court today struck down a New York state law governing who qualifies for a concealed carry law. In a 6-3 opinion, justices said the law put an undue restriction on 2nd Amendment rights. Joe Pinion, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from New York, joined Jim to weigh in.
#TheFinal5: Jon Baron runs for MD Governor
He’s never run for elected office before, but Montgomery County Democrat Jon Baron says his background in policy positions him uniquely for his foray into politics. Baron, one of several Democrats running in the July 19th primary, joins Jim on "The Final 5" to make a case for his campaign.
#TheFinal5: Will new gun laws pass?
The Senate takes up debate on that sweeping bipartisan compromise on gun laws. What’s next in the process, and could it be derailed before backers reach the finish line? Dave Levinthal from Insider is Jim’s guest on "The Final 5."
#TheFinal5: Mason on the Mall
The throngs of tourists are returning to D.C., so Jim sent Final 5 intern Mason to the National Mall to talk with visitors, quiz them on politics, and try to convince them he’s Conan O’Brien’s son (he isn’t).
#TheFinal5: Wrapping up DC’s primary
It was a big night for Mayor Muriel Bowser and several other incumbents across the city, as voters largely turned away a push towards more progressive policies in the District. Jim wraps up the results with political strategist Troy Prestwood on "The Final 5."
#TheFinal5: Last minute maneuvers ahead of DC Primary
Voters have already been casting ballots in D.C.’s primary election, thanks to mail-in balloting efforts, but three major races are attracting high-level attention and big money: the Democratic primaries for mayor, attorney general, and a contentious battle for the Ward 1 council seat. Michael Brice-Saddler from The Washington Post is Jim’s guest.
#TheFinal5: What do Hollywood blockbusters say about your politics?
The line between politics and entertainment is blurred now more than ever. New research from Echelon Insights shows how your favorite movies might say more about your politics than you realize. Stephen Kent joins Jim on "The Final 5" to look at the numbers.
#TheFinal5: Gas prices and Biden’s foreign policy
How much of an impact does the White House’s foreign policy have on gas prices? Plenty, according to some observers. Kelley Vlahos from the Quincy Institute joins Jim on "The Final 5" to explain why the buck stops at President Biden.
#TheFinal5: Former political dissident on January 6th
He saw political upheaval in his native Zimbabwe, when former President Robert Mugabe lost an election but refused to leave office. Now, Evan Mawarire is the Director of Education for the Renew Democracy Initiative and he joins Jim on "The Final 5" to explain why what he sees parallels now to what he saw in 2008.
#TheFinal5: Beyer proposes 1,000% excise tax on assault weapons
The bipartisan deal on gun safety reform announced by 20 senators doesn't include any specifics when it comes to the sale of certain weapons. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who supports that measure, is also calling for a separate measure to slap a 1,000% excise tax on the sale of assault weapons and certain high-capacity magazines. He joins Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" to explain why.
#TheFinal5: Bipartisan gun deal draws mixed reaction
While a bipartisan group of Senators herald a deal on gun safety measures, the plan faces skepticism by many. Congressional candidate Jarrod Sessler (R-WA) says the measures contain some good ideas, but believes many gun owners won’t embrace the proposal. He joins Jim on "The Final 5" to explain why.
#TheFinal5: Kellyanne Conway on life after the White House
One of the most talked-about dynamics of the Trump White House era has been Kellyanne Conway’s stalwart support of the former president, and her husband George’s vocal opposition to his politics. In part two of her conversation with Jim Lokay, she talks about the effect it has had on her life.
#TheFinal5: Kellyanne Conway on working with Trump, 1/6
She is the first woman to manage a winning presidential campaign and a longtime Republican operative. Now, best-selling author Kellyanne Conway (“Here’s The Deal”) is opening up to Jim Lokay about her time working for Donald Trump, what eventually convinced her to put aside past statements about the then-candidate and join his team, and what else she learned from time in the White House.
Will Dems find compromise on gun laws?
As a small group of bipartisan lawmakers work towards legislation in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting and other mass murders across the nation, history suggests there might be much talk but no action. Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross joins Jim to talk about where she thinks progressives see room for compromise, if any, and what else she expects out of Congress as the January 6th committee gears up for primetime hearings.
#TheFinal5: Joe Walsh on Gun Laws, Jan. 6 Committee
Former Illinois Republican Congressman Joe Walsh is now no longer a Republican nor a Congressman, but he’s been watching developments closely on gun reform legislation and the pending hearings by the January 6th Committee. Walsh, a one-time Trump supporter who ended up briefly challenging him for the 2020 GOP nomination, joins Jim on “The Final 5” to talk about what he believes could change after the Uvalde school shooting, whether he believes the January 6th hearings will actually change any minds, and why he decided to launch his “White Flag” podcast.
#TheFinal5: The confluence of business and democracy
A new push underway among several business groups aims to support pro-democracy efforts on the state and federal levels. Rhett Buttle of Public Private Strategies joins Jim on #TheFinal5 to explain why he believes it’s vital, and whether it’s risky for businesses to get involved in advocacy efforts.
#TheFinal5: New ballot push to boost service worker pay in DC
Four years ago, a ballot question aimed at ending the tipped wage for bar and restaurant workers in D.C. passed, but City Council put the brakes on the measure. Now, another push to give service industry employees the same minimum wage as the rest of the District’s workforce is underway, and voters will have their say in November. Ryan O’Leary, who’s behind Initiative 82, joins Jim on #TheFinal5 to explain what’s behind the latest effort.
#TheFinal5: Mark Esper has his say
In his new book, “A Sacred Oath: Memoirs of a Secretary of Defense During Extraordinary Times,” former Defense Secretary Mark Esper details his time in the Trump administration. He joins Jim on #TheFinal5 to look at his military service, what he says surprised him about serving under former President Trump, and his reaction to the handling of the racial justice protests from two years ago in D.C.
#TheFinal5: President Biden considers canceling $10,000 in student debt per borrower
Ahead of President Biden's expected announcement on student loan forgiveness, FOX 5's Jacqueline Matter sits down with Young Voices Contributor Sean Themea to talk about what that could mean and what other options are out there.
#TheFinal5: Final thoughts on the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Jim delivers his final thoughts on the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. And asks, "If we can't send kids to school without worrying if they'll make it home safely, what are we even doing here?"