#TheFinal5: Biden defies “Defund Police” crowd, but is it too late?
After two years of calls to reduce police funding in favor of alternative crime-fighting measures, President Biden is calling for a hike in federal dollars towards America’s police departments. Josh Crawford of the Pegasus Institute and a Young Voices contributor, joins Jim to look at what’s being done in the face of rising crime in many of America’s cities.
#TheFinal5: Breaking down sanctions vs. Russia
As President Biden hands down a new round of financial sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, there are questions about the potential impact they could have, and whether they would deter Vladimir Putin. Plus, can Congress join in on the sanction parade against Russia? Washington Post political reporter Amber Phillips joins Jim on "The Final 5" to take a look at what it all means.
#TheFinal5: Franchot runs for Governor
As the Maryland gubernatorial campaign continues, Jim is joined by longtime Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, who’s part of the crowded Democratic field. Franchot, who’s leading in some primary polls, lays out his vision for the office, priorities in a blue state that’s gone for a Republican governor twice, and why he says he’s uniquely qualified to reach across the aisle.
Joe Cunningham talks medical marijuana, sports betting
Once considered taboo, states across the U.S. are more and more commonly pursuing things like medical marijuana and sports betting. South Carolina Governor Candidate Joe Cunningham joins The Final Five to discuss these two issues.
#TheFinal5: VA, MD looking at future with recreational marijuana
Virginia has already approved recreational marijuana and is now working on the regulatory framework. Maryland appears poised to turn the question over to voters this year. D.C., where weed is decriminalized, still must contend with the federal ban. But the process has already played out in Massachusetts. Dr. Karen Munkacy, Founder of Garden Remedies, joins Jim to talk about the challenges that pro-legalization forces have encountered along the way.
#TheFinal5: Laura Neuman runs for MD Governor
As Jim welcomes in the candidates vying to be Maryland’s next governor, Laura Neuman gets her turn on “The Final 5.” The former Anne Arundel County Executive, who served as a Republican, is now running as a Democrat, and the only woman in her party’s primary so far. She talks about her background and the issues confronting Maryland voters in the 2022 election.
#TheFinal5: COVID-19 and ivermectin
The use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 has been a hot-button issue during the pandemic, with many claiming it helped cure them of coronavirus, even though U.S. health authorities have not recommended it for that specific use. So why are doctors still prescribing it? Insider health reporter Aria Bendix is Jim’s guest on "The Final 5."
#TheFinal5: Will Russia invade Ukraine this week?
The simmering tensions at the Russia/Ukraine border have the U.S. bracing for a potential invasion this week, perhaps by Wednesday. Whether invasions can be scheduled though, is a different story. Harry Kazianis from the Center for the National Interest joins Jim to assess the situation, and lay out what effects Americans will feel halfway around the world, if that happens.
#TheFinal5: Is inflation here to stay?
As the U.S. marks the highest level of inflation in four decades, consumers are watching their bottom lines, and some want the Federal Reserve to step in. How can they influence the cost of consumer goods? Young Voices contributor Jon Hartley joins Jim to look at the possibilities on "The Final 5."
#TheFinal5: Vince and Jason save the show
Five weeks in 2022, and while the Supreme Court and political discord have ruled the headlines, many stories have slipped through the cracks. Vince Coglianese and Jason Nichols, co-hosts of the “Vince and Jason Save the Nation” podcast, join Jim on "The Final 5" to look at lessons learned so far, the looming midterm elections, and what America can take away from what we’ve seen play out in Virginia since Election Day 2021.
#TheFinal5: Trump tore docs, violated Records Act
The Washington Post broke the story of the National Archives resorting to seizing boxes of official records that former President Donald Trump took with him to Mar-a-Lago, instead of leaving them in D.C. The practice, outlined in the Presidential Records Act, aims to prevent any administration from leaving office with material that otherwise should be stored at the National Archives. Amber Phillips from the Post joined Jim to explain what happened, why Trump isn’t the first President to run afoul of the Act, and what the law dictates really can be done.
#TheFinal5: What does the jobs report mean for you?
The January 2022 jobs report defied expectations from economists, who thought the rapid spread of the Omicron variant would put a damper on growth. But do those numbers mean anything more than political points to those in the job market? Michael Farren from the Mercatus Center at George Mason is Jim’s guest as they delve into the story behind the numbers.
#TheFinal5: Getting more truckers on the road
America is experiencing a historic shortage when it comes to long-haul truckers across the country. So what can be done to address a projected shortfall of 80,000 truckers? Young Voices commentator Andrew Donaldson joined Jim to break it down.
#TheFinal5: Biden’s SCOTUS promise ignites controversy
As the political world awaits President Biden’s forthcoming Supreme Court nominee, his vow to name a Black woman is garnering praise from some, and scorn from others. While the promise is similar to then-President Reagan’s promise to nominate the first female justice in 1981 (Justice Sandra Day O’Connor), and former President Trump’s determination to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg with another woman (Justice Amy Coney Barrett), it’s still igniting controversy from the likes of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who called Mr. Biden’s plan “offensive.” Amanda Hunter from the Barbara Lee Family Foundation is Jim’s guest on "The Final 5."
#TheFinal5: Wes Moore runs for MD Governor
As Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan delivers his final State of the State address, the focus shifts to the growing field of candidates seeking to replace the two-term Republican this year. That includes former non-profit CEO, New York Times bestselling author, and combat vet Wes Moore. The first-time candidate is part of the large Democratic field. He joins Jim to talk about his candidacy on “The Final 5.”
#TheFinal5: Biden's foreign policy
Jim talks with California GOO congressional candidate and Navy vet Joe Collins about the latest developments on the Ukraine/Russia conflict and how the Biden administration has been responding to international crises.
#TheFinal5: Fighting anti-Semitism
The discovery of swastikas spray-painted outside of Union Station, recent attacks on synagogues across the country, and anti-Jewish rhetoric by politicians underscore the scourge of anti-Semitism still plaguing our national discourse. Gil Preuss from the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington joins Jim to talk about ways to stand up against hate speech and offers his thoughts on the decision by a Tennessee school board to ban the Holocaust novel “Maus” because of what it called objectionable content.
#TheFinal5: The politics of Breyer’s retirement
As Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer confirmed his plans to retire, the speculation has begun on President Biden’s potential nominee. Former House Judiciary Committee member and host of the “Doug Collins Podcast,” Doug Collins joins Jim and former Georgia State Rep. Dee Dawkins Haigler to discuss the process as it unfolds on The Final 5.
#TheFinal5: Raskin on 1/6 Committee
As the Jan. 6 Select Committee continues its investigation into the Capitol riot, panel member Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) joins Jim to offer an inside perspective on the progress of the probe, his response to calls by former speaker Newt Gingrich to arrest committee members, and whether former VP Mike Pence will cooperate.
#TheFinal5: Biden, Ukraine, and Oil Prices
As inflation fuels a rise in crude oil prices, the costs continue to trickle down to consumers. Add in the potential of conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and it could have an even more demonstrable impact. Dan Eberhart, CEO of Canary, offers his thoughts on White House energy policy with Jim, and what he believes the White House could do to stem the rising tide.