Two Blocks from the White House

There has been no shortage of news coming out of the White House this summer, and things are about to ramp up even more. From the ongoing trade war between Canada and the U.S., to the war in Iran and midterm elections in November, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Willy Lowry and Paul Hunter are back together to give you the lowdown on what to expect in the next few months.

From boycotting U.S. products, to avoiding travel across the border, to political trash talk – the mood in Canada in relation to the U.S. is definitely "elbows up" these days. But have Americans even noticed they’re in a trade war with Canada? CBC's Washington correspondents Katie Nicholson and Louis Blouin join host Willy Lowry to unpack what they heard in Ohio and Iowa about the escalating tariffs and counter-tariffs, and how Americans feel it could impact their lives and their votes.

Days after walking away from trade talks with the U.S., Canada has hit back with dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on American goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney said he cut off negotiations because Washington's terms could wipe out major Canadian industries like auto, steel and aluminum. As things start to get ugly, Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and Paul Hunter dig into how bad this trade war is going to get, and what it would take to bring both sides back to the table.

Front Burner is a daily news podcast that takes you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Each morning, from Monday to Friday, host Jayme Poisson talks with the smartest people covering the biggest stories to help you understand what’s going on. Recently, in the U.S., there’s been a wave of self described democratic socialists running for and winning elected office. So what exactly is democratic socialism? How does it differ from socialism, communism, or social democracy? Why has it returned now? And what does its resurgence reveal about this hour of history? More episodes of Front Burner are available everywhere you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/FBxTBFTWH

Abdul El-Sayed's recent win in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary is being hailed as a major victory for the party's progressive wing. The former public health official's campaign took on the party establishment with a much smaller budget and a considerably more left-of-centre platform than his opponent. But as other Democratic socialist and leftist candidates win primaries, some political watchers aren't convinced they'll lead to victory in this fall's midterm elections. We’re asking: What does this say about the direction of the Democratic Party — and about who might become the presidential candidate in 2028? This week, Washington correspondent Katie Simpson is joined by Front Burner host Jayme Poisson and Bloomberg senior White House reporter Josh Wingrove.

It’s said ‘history is written by the victors,’ but what if the victor is U.S. President Donald Trump? A new executive order is calling for signs to be installed outside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History warning visitors about “inaccuracies” in the exhibit – the latest move by the Trump administration to rewrite how history is explained in public institutions. Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and guest host Jayme Poisson take a look at the different ways Trump is trying to reshape American history, and why it’s become part of his politics.

Listening to U.S. President Donald Trump, Canada can’t do anything right these days. From the costs for the Gordie Howe bridge to wildfire smoke to a new round of tariffs, the relationship between the two countries is under renewed scrutiny from the president and U.S. lawmakers. Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and guest host Mike Crawley dig into what might be fuelling this ramped-up focus on Canada, and what it might take to turn the page.

The U.S. trade war with Canada escalated on Monday when President Donald Trump announced that his administration would be imposing new 50 per cent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian exports in 30 days' time. Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and guest host Mike Crawley explain everything we know about these new tariffs and ask what they mean for the strained U.S.-Canada relationship.

Three major news stories about the U.S. Senate are sparking questions about the upcoming fall midterms. Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry discuss the death of Republican Lindsey Graham, the ongoing absence of Republican Mitch McConnell and the campaign collapse of Democratic senate candidate Graham Platner.

U.S. President Donald Trump earned at least $2.2 billion US in his first year back in the White House in 2025. American historians say no previous sitting president has ever earned quite as much, so what ethical questions does this level of presidential profit raise? This week, Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Willy Lowry and guest host Katie Nicholson explore how Trump made money in crypto, how it compares to past presidents’ earnings and how much it matters in the end to voters.

Canada Day marks an important deadline for the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. The trilateral trade deal is up for a mandatory review this year. While Canada and Mexico would like to extend it for 16 more years, it’s not clear what the Trump administration will do. With so much at stake economically, there’s no shortage of anxiety. Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Paul Hunter and guest host Peter Armstrong ask: What happens after the July 1 deadline? Note: this episode was taped on June 30.

America’s top court is set to deliver decisions on more than a dozen major cases in the coming days. And with rulings on birthright citizenship, transgender athletes and the Federal Reserve on the docket, there’s a lot at stake as the U.S. president’s agenda is tested by the justice system. This week, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Willy Lowry and Paul Hunter ask: How far will the Supreme Court allow Donald Trump to go?

With a preliminary deal between the U.S. and Iran to end the war on the table, this week we're checking in on some key parts of the MAGA coalition, from conservative women at Turning Point USA Women’s Leadership Summit to the mostly male crowd at U.S. President Donald Trump’s UFC birthday bash at the White House. To hold onto power, the Republicans will need Christian women and young men to come out for the U.S. midterm elections. Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Willy Lowry and Louis Blouin ask: How are those groups feeling about the GOP after months of war and high gas prices?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off this week. With Canada, Mexico and the United States co-hosting, America and Israel at war with Iran, plus midterm elections around the corner, it's an undeniably political world event. In this episode, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry dive into the politics of sport and ask: Can Trump ride the World Cup wave?

It’s the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, and so far planned celebrations range from a UFC fight at the White House to a concert series featuring 90s rapper Vanilla Ice. But with musical acts dropping out citing polarization, tension over the ongoing Iran war and sky-high gas prices, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry ask: How do you have a birthday party if no one’s in the mood to celebrate?

From a $1.8 billion US fund for Donald Trump allies, which some critics call a 'MAGA slush fund', to retribution for Republicans who have spoken out against him, the U.S. president is pushing his personal agenda amid declining approval ratings and with the midterm elections right around the corner. This week on Two Blocks from the White House, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Louis Blouin ask: How far can Donald Trump go before paying the political price?

The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs this week. It’s being called the end of an era, and some critics say the cancellation of the iconic late night talk show represents a broader attack on dissent during Donald Trump’s second administration. This week Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry ask: What, if anything, does Colbert’s cancellation say about the state of free speech in Trump’s America?

From UFOs to 'missing scientists', fringe ideas and conspiracy theories have come to the forefront during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second administration. This week, Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry dig into the long history of conspiracy theories intersecting with American politics. Has Trump made conspiracy theories mainstream?

The race is on to redraw U.S. electoral districts after a landmark Supreme Court ruling last week on the Voting Rights Act. The court neutralized a longstanding piece of the voting rights legislation — a change that could have huge consequences for future U.S. election results. The 1965 Act was designed to ensure African American representation in Congress, but in a 6-3 decision, the top court ruled that a congressional map in Louisiana was unconstitutional because the state gave too much consideration to race when drawing up its voting districts. Following the court ruling, many states began redrawing existing electoral maps, with Florida passing a gerrymandered map giving Republicans more of an advantage in the state just hours after the Supreme Court decision was released. CBC Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry unpack what the ruling could mean for U.S. politics.

Our Washington correspondent Paul Hunter was in the room at the White House correspondents’ dinner when shots rang out. Today on Two Blocks from the White House, he shares new details about the scene. Fellow correspondents Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry bring us the latest on the suspect. As the political fallout continues, we ask what a third alleged attempt to assassinate Donald Trump says about the state of America.