Ep 1. January 4, 2019

Washington Week is a political analysis show that airs on PBS every Friday evening. The first episode of the 2019 season aired on January 4th, 2019 and provided an in-depth analysis of the latest political developments in the United States.

The episode began with a report on the ongoing government shutdown, which had been initiated on December 22nd, 2018. The shutdown occurred due to disagreements within the government about the allocation of funds for the construction of a border wall along the southern border of the country. The report outlined the major players involved in the shutdown and assessed the political implications of the situation for both the Democratic and Republican parties.

The panel of experts then discussed the impact that the new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives would have on the government in 2019. Specifically, the panel discussed the possibility of the House launching investigative proceedings against the Trump administration, particularly relating to the ongoing Russian interference scandal.

Another major topic of discussion was the recent resignation of Secretary of Defense James Mattis. The panel examined the potential reasons for Mattis's resignation, as well as the potential implications of his departure for foreign policy, national security, and the direction of the Trump administration.

The experts also analyzed the recent developments in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. The panel discussed the recent plea deal made by Michael Cohen, the former lawyer and fixer for President Trump, and the possibility that Cohen's testimony could further implicate the president in wrongdoing.

Finally, the episode explored the potential implications of the recent stock market volatility on the US economy and examined the challenges facing the Trump administration in tackling the issue of income inequality.

Overall, the first episode of Washington Week's 2019 season was a comprehensive analysis of the latest political developments in the United States. The panel of experts provided insightful commentary and analysis on a wide range of topics, including the government shutdown, the investigation into Russian interference, and the recent resignation of Secretary Mattis. The episode provided viewers with a nuanced understanding of the political landscape in the US and the challenges facing the government in the year ahead.