James Hohmann

Washington, D.C.

Editorial writer and columnist specializing in domestic policy and politics

Education: Stanford University, B.A. in History

James Hohmann is a Washington Post editorial writer and columnist specializing in domestic policy and politics. He is also chief commentator for The Post’s video team, offering analysis during all live coverage. And he is a Stanford University lecturer, teaching courses on campaigns and Congress. Hohmann first joined The Post in 2008 and returned to the newspaper in 2015 after six years at Politico. He previously served as a national political correspondent, authored The Daily 202 newsletter, hosted The Big Idea podcast and anchored PowerPost, a newsroom vertical focused on the intersection
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Latest from James Hohmann

Gaetz withdraws as attorney general nominee

This week, the crew breaks down former rep. Matt Gaetz's sudden withdrawal as Trump's intended nominee for attorney general. Then, Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger examine president-elect Donald Trump's promises: What does he say he will do on his first day in office? And what priorities will come later? Plus, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Trump's pick for Health and Human Services secretary – but will his proposed policy changes conflict with big business priorities? And can he actually take the flouride out of your water?

November 21, 2024

Trump assembles his team

This week, president-elect Donald Trump picks Matt Gaetz for attorney general, causing controversy on Capitol Hill. Plus, Trump's other cabinet picks so far, the race for Senate majority leader, and the fate of Trump's legal cases.

November 14, 2024

Impromptu after the election: ‘It’s still sinking in’

“Impromptu” grapples with what the Trump victory says about the United States.

November 7, 2024

Trump wins - and so does Trumpism

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down president-elect Donald Trump's sweeping victory, and what's next for the Democratic Party after a decisive loss. Then, senior video journalist JM Rieger joins to discuss what will happen when Trump takes office in January – and who he intends to appoint in his administration.

November 6, 2024

This is bigger than any one mistake Harris made

Donald Trump won. But why? Were Americans really just mad about their grocery bill? Columnists Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and James Hohmann grapple with this election result as an “X-ray into our national soul.”

November 6, 2024

Into the nervy climax of the 2024 elections

Our columnists are trying to keep calm as this year’s immensely consequential vote wraps up.

November 5, 2024
“I Voted Today” stickers are seen at the Douglas County Election Commission in Omaha on Monday. (Scott Morgan/Reuters)

It’s Election Week. Grab the whiskey.

None of us can know the outcome of the election, but our columnists talk through the campaigns' final spasms. Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and James Hohmann discuss the shifting mood in Pennsylvania, whether abortion will be as motivating this time around and if Donald Trump can get “crypto bros and the guy who vapes” to actually vote.

November 4, 2024

Who’s going to win on Election Day? Here are 8 columnists’ predictions.

Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? Which party will control Congress? Here are our best guesses.

November 4, 2024

Who's going to win on Election Day?

This week, with five days to go before Election Day, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down three reasons that each of former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris could win the presidency. Then, which parts of the country should you keep a close eye on as results come in? James highlights three areas in critical swing states that could decide the winner.

October 31, 2024

Elon Musk is at the door

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by senior video journalists JM Rieger and Jorge Ribas to discuss two key states – Michigan and Pennsylvania – and what voters and grassroots organizers are telling them in the final weeks of the election. Plus, tech billionaire Elon Musk is using his money and influence – as well as his app, X (formerly Twitter) – in support of Trump in the final weeks of the election. But how much do those efforts rely on distorting the truth or promising voters money in a way that might be illegal? And later, video journalist HyoJung Kim joins the show to share her reporting on how Trump and Harris voters say they will feel if their candidate loses the election – and what they plan to do about it.

October 24, 2024