Denver Riggleman on new GOP challenges
He lost his party’s nomination after officiating a same-sex wedding. Now, former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA) is sounding the alarm against extremism within his own party, and the moves made against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA.) He joined Jim on The Final 5 to explain why he thinks party leadership isn’t taking a strong enough stance.
Ex-Trump advisor weighs in on Biden orders on energy
Myron Ebell from the Competitive Enterprise Institute led the Trump transition on energy and environmental issues, and he has some thoughts on the moves the Biden administration is making in its early days. He joined Jim on The Final 5 to explain.
White House, GOP Senators signal possible bipartisanship on COVID relief
In between the priorities for Democrats and Republicans, millions of Americans remain in the lurch as both sides squabble over a COVID-19 relief package. New moves on the Hill, and a new administration’s approach to the issue could mean some kind of action is on the way. Cheddar’s White House and Capitol Hill correspondent J.D. Durkin (@jiveDurkey) joined Jim on The Final 5 to explain why people may, for once, trump politics.
Even with total control, Dems still need help with relief Bill
Democrats now control the White House and Congress, but passing a COVID-19 relief bill isn’t as easy as it seems. Howard University political science professor Dr. Michael Fauntroy joined Jim on The Final 5 to talk about the challenges we face, how the looming second impeachment trial of former President Trump could affect those talks, and how the Republicans are grappling with their own warring factions.
GameStop stock saga evokes nostalgia for gamers
GameStop has been back in the headlines for the massive gains its stock made in the markets this week. However, it’s also a reminder that the video game industry has seen massive changes that many retail experts believe made the chain obsolete. Tahmineh Dehbozorgi from Young Voices joined Jim to discuss what happened and what’s next.
Twitter tries to stop misinformation, but will it work?
Three weeks after booting former President Trump from the platform that helped give rise to his 2016 presidential campaign, Twitter is rolling out a new feature aimed at policing misinformation on the site. Birdwatch is rolling out in earnest, and Will Rinehart from the Center for Growth and Opportunity joined Jim on the Final 5 to explain what it means, and will it actually work?
Will the restaurant industry get a lifeline?
With the pandemic nearly a year old, America’s bars and restaurants continue to struggle – with different restrictions for different businesses, all depending on which state they’re in. As Congress debates more COVID-19 aid, the hospitality industry is still holding the bag as it tries to adapt and evolve. Nick Bogacz, a restaurateur and host of the Business Equation podcast, joined Jim on the Final 5 to offer up his ideas, and explain how the pandemic even put the World Pizza Championships on hold!
Now that Trump is gone, what will 'Never-Trump' conservatives focus on?
President Trump may have had significant levels of support from within the Republican party, but many disaffected conservatives found themselves backing Joe Biden, or sitting out the 2020 election. Evan McMullin, who ran an independent presidential candidacy in 2016, now heads the group Stand Up Republic. He joined Jim on The Final 5 to talk about what’s next.
Final 5 Inauguration Panel: What happens next?
Troy Prestwood, Cristina Antelo, Amanda Makki, and Stephen Kent join Jim to talk about the challenges ahead for the new administration.
Final 5 Inauguration Panel: Day One for the new POTUS
Jim welcomes an all-star panel of returning guests to review President Biden’s Inauguration Day and what the big headlines were on day one. Troy Prestwood, Cristina Antelo, Amanda Makki, and Stephen Kent weigh in.
What is in store for Trump’s last day, Biden’s first week
President Trump prepares to leave D.C. while the new administration takes shape. But will the specter of Donald Trump loom over President-elect Biden? Business Insider’s Dave Levinthal joined Jim on The Final 5 to break down what hurdles the new POTUS will face, and how the soon-to-be-former commander-in-chief could still make his presence known in Washington.
DC prepares for an inauguration unlike any other
The 59th Presidential Inauguration was already going to be drastically different in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the added security concerns brought on by the failed Capitol insurrection are making it even more of a challenge. D.C. Shadow Senator Paul Strauss joined Jim on The Final 5 to talk about preparations, what will and will not change, and how he hopes it changes the debate on statehood for the District of Columbia.
The COVID-19 recovery plan Biden hopes to implement may face snags
Last week, President-elect Joe Biden laid out a massive COVID-19 plan, covering both the cost of dealing with the pandemic, as well as paying for another round of stimulus. But some aspects of the plan are under scrutiny, including a $15 minimum wage, and with a virtual tie in the Senate, may face a long road ahead. Brad Polumbo from the Foundation for Economic Education joined Jim on The Final 5 to explain where the problems may lie for the President-elect’s ambitious plans.
Frank Figliuzzi on Capitol insurrection, 'The FBI Way'
After 25 years in the FBI, former assistant director of counterintelligence Frank Figliuzzi has a lot to say. His new bestseller, 'The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau’s Code of Excellence' adopts FBI values to today’s decision makers and business leaders. On 'The Final 5,' he also weighed in on last week’s Capitol insurrection and tells Jim Lokay where he believes it all went wrong.
Why push through with impeachment now?
As Democrats (and a small handful of Republicans) voice their support to impeach President Trump again, this time with only eight days remaining in his term, it still illustrates a divide in the Republican party. Princeton University politics professor Dr. Lauren Wright joined Jim on The Final 5 to look at the optics of impeachment, how the GOP is approaching the reaction to last week's Capitol rioting, and the politics of the House vs. the Senate.
Trump then and now, on the record
In September, Brian Karem asked President Trump, face to face, if he'd accept a hypothetical electoral loss. Now, two months after the election and a week after the Capitol insurrection, the Playboy Sr. White House Correspondent is revisiting that question and how the President's response then is shaping his response now. Karem joined Jim on The Final 5 to discuss the contentious exchange, the famous rift between the White House and the press corps, and what could unfold before Joe Biden's inauguration.
President Trump vs. Facebook
While the President’s 12-hour ban from Twitter expired on Thursday, paving the way for him to deliver his concession speech and condemn the rioters who charged the Capitol in his name, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts would remain locked until after he leaves office. Steven Overly of POLITICO joined Jim on The Final 5 to break down what it means for the relationship between Republicans and Big Tech, and how Democrats have also expressed consternation over Section 230.
Georgia election results too close to call
With Georgia’s twin Senate runoffs down to the wire, with candidates in both races deadlocked in razor-thin margins, what lessons can be learned? Ameshia Cross and Alex Flint join Jim on The Final 5 to break down what we know so far, and what it says about Georgia’s electoral future, two months after Joe Biden flipped the state blue.
All eyes on Georgia
One day out from a pair of crucial Senate runoffs that will determine control of the chamber, and audio that emerged detailing President Trump’s plea for Georgia’s Secretary of State to manipulate the results in his favor, all attention is on Georgia. Titus Nichols and Dan Eberhar join Jim to break down what could happen, and how this paves the way for Georgia’s future.
One last look at 2020
The 2020 campaign and election may have been on our political radars all year, but there were other stories that came out of the year that are worth remembering. Stephen Kent from Young Voices joined Jim to break those down, including our nation beginning 2020 on the brink of war, and ending with the rebirth of an American tradition.