Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast

When Words Go Bad: A History Of Cursing May 15, 2021

We've got a list of words we can't say on the radio, and a whole slew more we won't say, even though we can. On today's show, John McWhorter, Columbia University linguistics professor, host of the Lexicon Valley podcast at Slate and the author of Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter: Then, Now, and Forever (Avery, 2021), joins to discuss his new book on profanity, where swear words come from and why they hold so much power.

Masking And Vaxing: Making Sense Of The CDC's New Guidance May 14, 2021

The CDC issued new guidance yesterday saying that vaccinated people can remove their masks in most indoor settings. What spurred the change, and what does it mean for COVID risk management? On today's show: Stephanie Silvera, epidemiologist at Montclair State University, talks about how this affects unvaccinated people, especially those who can't get it yet, like kids.

Winds of Change: Rep. Rice On Biden’s Big Wind Farms Announcement May 13, 2021

Biden announced yesterday the country's first large-scale project to build offshore wind turbines near Martha's Vineyard. We talked to one of wind's biggest proponents in Congress. On today's show, Kathleen Rice, United States representative for New York's 4th congressional district, talks about the latest news from Washington, including the development of offshore wind farms, and the ouster of Liz Cheney as a GOP party leader.

A Blip Or A Trend? What To Make Of This Morning’s Inflation Report May 12, 2021

A lackluster April jobs report came out last week, and this morning, an report on inflation has investors spooked. So what are the economic tea leaves saying about our economic recovery? On today's show, Jim Tankersley, New York Times White House correspondent with a focus on economic policy, talks about all the issues at play that might have led to the sluggish recovery numbers.

Should Your Kid Get Vaccinated? Ask A Virologist May 11, 2021

Now that kids as young as 12 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, parents had questions about how it could affect younger bodies. On today's show, Brianne Barker, virologist and immunologist, associate professor of biology at Drew University, and co-host of the podcast This Week in Virology, talks about the science behind the decision and answers questions from parents of kids in that age group, plus anyone still weighing their options for vaccination against COVID-19.

Cheney Out, Stefanik In: A Post-Trump GOP Reshapes Itself May 10, 2021

After criticizing former President Trump and his allies for spreading lies about the election and then violence at the Capitol, her party role is being challenged by NY's Elise Stefanik. On today's show, Jacqueline Alemany, Washington Post congressional correspondent and “Power Up” anchor, talks about the changes afoot in GOP House leadership.

Keeping Kids COVID-Safe This Summer May 07, 2021

Summer is on the horizon, and as the pandemic begins to draw down, parents are thinking about summer activities, and keeping un-vaccinated kids COVID safe once school's out. On today's show, Daniel Griffin, MD, PhD, an infectious disease clinician and researcher at Columbia, ProHEALTH chief of the division of Infectious Disease and president of Parasites Without Borders, talks about how best to plan and enjoy summer activities with children too young for COVID vaccines, including family vacations and summer camp.

How To Talk To People Not Yet Choosing To Get Vaccinated May 06, 2021

If there's people in your life who still don't want to get vaccinated, you might be wondering how to convince them. Turns out, it's a combo of sticks & carrots, and not being judgemental. On today's show, Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL Media and CEO and publisher of Epicenter-NYC, talks about Biden's new vaccine messaging, local outreach and how to strike a less judgmental tone with those questioning the vaccine.

Florida Joins Georgia In Trying To Decrease Voter Turnout. Here’s How May 05, 2021

Some GOP-run states are pushing forward with new voting laws that would make it harder for some to cast their ballots. What does that look like, and what does it mean for democracy? On today's show, Jami Floyd, senior editor for race and justice at WNYC, talks about what the new laws will do, and who they will harm.

We Probably Won't Eradicate COVID-19. Here's How We Can Live With It May 04, 2021

As the demand for the vaccine slows, scientists are saying we're unlikely to hit herd immunity, which means this virus will likely remain a factor for years to come. On today's show, Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times reporter focusing on science and global health talks about what it means that the U.S. may never reach herd immunity against the COVID-19 virus.

Why Kamala Harris’ First 100 Days Might Be “Misunderstood” May 03, 2021

Kamala Harris is simultaneously being labeled too cautious, and too ambitious. To what standards are we holding the first woman and first person of color to serve as vice president? On today's show, Eugene Daniels, a Politico Playbook author and White House correspondent, and Dr. Christina Greer, political science professor at Fordham University, host of the podcast FAQNYC, politics editor at The Grio and author of Black Ethnics (Oxford University Press, 2013) talk about the first 100 days of Vice President Kamala Harris in the White House.

Underreported Census Headline: Puerto Rico Suffers The Biggest Population Loss May 02, 2021

The overall US population grew by about 7 percent over the past 10 years. So why has Puerto Rico's population dropped by 11 percent? On today's show, Alana Casanova-Burgess, host of WNYC and Futuro Studio's La Brega and producer for WNYC Studios, talks about the conditions that led to so many people leaving the island. Plus, listeners who moved to the mainland call in to talk about why they did and where they went.

Biden’s Top Economic Adviser On Their 'American Families Plan' & Your Family May 01, 2021

One of the architects of Biden's 'American Families Plan' explains what they hope it will do for real families. On today's show, Cecilia Rouse, economist and chair of the Council of Economic Advisers and former dean of the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, talks about the president's proposals for the economy.- Then, listeners, along with Ruth Marcus columnist at the Washington Post and deputy editor of its editorial page, and the author of Supreme Ambition: Brett Kavanaugh and the Conservative Takeover (Simon & Schuster, 2019) weigh in on the full scope of the first 100 days.

A GOP Ally For Sen. Gillibrand's Fight Against Military Sexual Assault Apr 30, 2021

For years, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has been pushing for changes to the way the military handles sexual assault in the ranks. Now she's got an ally on the other side of the aisle. On today's show, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D NY) talks about her work in the Senate Armed Services committee. Plus, the Biden/Harris 'first 100 days, and more.

The FBI Raids Rudy. What Are They Looking For? Apr 29, 2021

What was the FBI looking for when it raided Rudy Giuliani's apartment on Wednesday, and what does it mean for the investigation into one of President Trump's most trusted allies? On today's show, Andrea Bernstein, WNYC senior editor and the author of American Oligarchs: The Kushners, the Trumps, and the Marriage of Money and Power (W. W. Norton & Company, 2020), and Ilya Marritz, WNYC senior reporter, co-hosts of the WNYC/Pro Publica podcast Trump, Inc., talk about the federal investigation into Rudy Giuliani's alleged lobbying work — which he undertook while he was also President Trump's personal lawyer.

Air Conditioning Meets The Census Results and 89 Missing New Yorkers Apr 28, 2021

Every 10 years, we count up the people in each state to determine how much representative power they should have. Well, the 2020 Census has been tallied. What does it mean for our politics? On today's show, Amy Walter, national editor of the Cook Political Report, talks about the states that lost seats, those that gained and what it means for national politics.

A Republican Congresswoman On Biden's First 100 Days Apr 27, 2021

How are Republicans thinking about the early days of Biden's presidency and other national issues now that they're in the minority party? On today's show, Nicole Malliotakis, U.S. Representative (R NY11, covering Staten Island and parts of South Brooklyn), offers her assessment as the Republican member of the NYC House delegation of the accomplishments of the first 100 days of the Biden/Harris administration.

D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Makes Her Case For Statehood Apr 26, 2021

The constitution does not enumerate qualifications for statehood. So how are Republicans arguing their opposition to D.C. becoming the 51st state, and what's at stake for the district? On today's show, Eleanor Holmes Norton, U.S. Representative (Washington, DC - D), talks about the DC statehood bill that passed the House last week, and why it's important to her and her constituents that the District becomes the 51st state.

Susan Page Writes A Pelosi Biography Like Usually Done About Men Apr 25, 2021

Nancy Pelosi is among most powerful people in Congress. After last year's challenges -- including an insurgent Left & an antagonistic Right -- a closer look at the Speaker of the House. On today's show, Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power (Twelve, April 2021), talks about the role of Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker and her impact on national politics.

Biden's New Climate Goal Explained, And Assessing His Record On Race (So Far) Apr 24, 2021

This week on our national call-in evening show, we talked about two of Biden's tentpole issues: Climate and racial justice. This week was Earth Day and President Biden hosted a virtual summit on combating climate change. Paula DiPerna, a special advisor for CDP, a non-profit that runs a global environmental impact disclosure platform, talks about the actions take so far by the administration. Plus, in the wake of the guilty verdict for the murder of George Floyd, Christina Greer, political science professor at Fordham University, host of the podcast FAQNYC, politics editor at The Grio and author of Black Ethnics (Oxford University Press, 2013), examines the Biden/Harris goal of racial equity.

Three Science Communicators On Addressing The Climate Emergency Apr 22, 2021

This Earth Day, we wanted to bring together a group of science communicators to unpack the current moment in the 'climate emergency.' On today's show, Laura Helmuth, editor-in-chief of Scientific American, Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, professor and chair in Earth Sciences, Life & Environmental Sciences Department at the University of California-Merced, and Sir David King, founder and chair of the Centre for Climate Repair, talk about the climate emergency we're living in, and where we go from here.

Can Congress Pick Up Where The Chauvin Jury Left Off? Apr 21, 2021

The jury in Derek Chauvin's case has convicted him of murdering George Floyd. And while they did deliver some individual accountability, delivering justice is a matter for policymakers. On today's show, Jamil Smith, senior correspondent for Vox, reacts to the guilty verdict of Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin, and talks about how it fits into the movement for racial justice.

What the Chauvin Jury is Actually Deliberating Apr 20, 2021

The jury in the Derek Chauvin trial is in deliberations, and a verdict is expected soon. So what issues are they considering, and how strong is each sides' case? On today's show:Jami Floyd, senior editor for race and justice at WNYC, offers legal analysis of the Chauvin trial, as the jurors deliberate, plus talks about the makeup of the jury, and the instructions they were given from the judge on how to apply the law to the facts of the case. NOTE: This interview was recorded at 10 AM, April 20, and does not reflect developments, including the jury's verdict, that have occurred after the discussion.

Why Biden Set Then Changed His Refugee Cap Within A Day Apr 19, 2021

In some ways, Biden is confounding the expectations of those to his ideological left. But recent blowback from many he considers allies on refugee issues led to a sudden policy reversal. On today's show, Philip Bump, national correspondent for The Washington Post, talks about the latest national political news, including the news that President Biden will raise the refugee cap, police gun violence and more national political news.

How Entertainment Venues Large And Small Are Handling Re-Opening Apr 17, 2021

Comedy clubs, sports arenas and music venues are starting to open back up. So how are they balancing the safety of their customers and the capacity they need to stay afloat? On today's show, Julie Kim, co-owner of Littlefield, a performance and arts space in Gowanus, Brooklyn, and Michael Dorf, founder and CEO of City Winery, and John Abbamondi, CEO of BSE Global, the parent company of the National Basketball Association’s Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, talk about how reopening their venues has been going, what COVID safety precautions they are taking and more on what it's like reopening amidst the ongoing pandemic.

What's With All These Corporations Speaking Out For Voting Rights? Apr 16, 2021

Some corporations are threatening to pull business out of states that make it harder to vote, and even working behind the scenes to soften efforts at what some call "voter suppression." On today's show, Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change, talks about how corporate America is reacting to legislation that generally restricts voting rights — and what more he thinks they could be doing.

Vets Who Fought Our Longest War Call In On Biden's Plan To End It Apr 15, 2021

Biden announced that he wants to have U.S. troops withdrawn from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, two decades since the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. What are the geopolitical ramifications of pulling out, and what do veterans who served there have to say about it? On today's show, David Sanger, White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times, talks about how world leaders and national security experts are reacting to the news.

Paul Butler: Toxic Masculinity And The Death of George Floyd Apr 14, 2021

As Minneapolis reels from another police killing of a young Black man, the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd last summer, continues. On today's show, Paul Butler, professor at Georgetown Law and the author of Chokehold: Policing Black Men (The New Press, 2017), joins to talk about what's happening in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer on trial for the murder of George Floyd, while nearby, people are protesting after a Black man named Daunte Wright was shot and killed by the police during a traffic stop.

Who Profited As COVID Spread Through Prisons And Jails? Apr 13, 2021

A year after returning home from prison, formerly incarcerated people have a mortality rate nearly four times the national average. Inmates who are sick or injured are often treated by for-profit healthcare companies that frequently fail patients by tending to their profits instead. On today's show, Dr. Homer Venters, clinical associate professor at NYU College of Global Public Healthand also newly appointed member of the Biden/Harris COVID 19 Health Equity Task Force, and Bianca Tylek, Worth Rises’s executive director, describe how the for profit healthcare system within jails and prisons often fail patients by ignoring preventative care and neglecting to offer treatments that might hurt their bottom line.

Weed, Black Farmers, and Enlarging The Supreme Court Apr 12, 2021

Today, we talk about several key policy issues on the table for the Biden administration, particularly those with ramifications for the working class. On today's show, Jason Johnson, MSNBC contributor, author, professor of Politics and Journalism at Morgan State University and host of the new Slate political podcast A Word … with Jason Johnson, talks about the latest news coming out of Washington, including Biden's commission to study the Supreme Court, relief for Black farmers and Amazon's union fight.

Why Home Care For Seniors Counts As 'Infrastructure' Apr 10, 2021

Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan goes well beyond bridges, roads and tunnels. His emphasis on 'human infrastructure' includes supporting elder care workers and family caregivers. On today's show, Clarence Anthony, CEO and executive director of the National League of Cities (NLC), digs in on the infrastructure needs of cities. Then, Jess Morales Rocketto, the civic engagement director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the executive director of Care in Action, talks about the "care infrastructure" components of the plan.

Don't Call It A 'Vaccine Passport' Apr 09, 2021

What are we really talking about when we talk about "vaccine passports," and is that label even accurate to describe a public health measure that could help to re-open safely? On today's show, Dr. Leana Wen, emergency physician, professor at George Washington University, contributing columnist for The Washington Post, CNN medical analyst, and former Baltimore Health Commissioner and the author of the forthcoming book Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health (Metropolitan Books, 2021), shares her thoughts on how to re-frame vaccine passports so they are less divisive, and explains how she believes proof of vaccination can give people more freedom, not less. Plus, she discusses the latest on the race between the variants causing new case spikes and vaccine distribution.

The Politics of Vaccine Passports At Your School, Workplace and Favorite Entertainment Venue Apr 08, 2021

While some say COVID vaccine passports are key to safely getting back to everyday activities, others are concerned about the access and equity issues at play. On today's show, Dan Diamond, national health reporter at The Washington Post, talks about how they'd work, the politics of the system and more.

Maybe We Should Call Puerto Rico A Colony To Have A More Real Conversation Apr 07, 2021

There's a proposal in Congress to put questions of statehood and representation to the people of Puerto Rico. But in thinking about its future, we must reckon with its colonial present. On today's show, Alana Casanova-Burgess, host of La Brega, and reporter and producer for WNYC's On the Media, and Yarimar Bonilla, professor of Puerto Rican Studies and Anthropology at the City University of New York, monthly columnist at El Nuevo Día, and incoming director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College, talk about how Puerto Ricans are weighing the many options for a new political future of the island.

Suozzi, AOC and Pelosi Confront A Suburban Tax Puzzle Apr 06, 2021

Paying for a $2 trillion infrastructure bill won't be easy, and Democrats don't all agree on what the taxes that pay for it should look like. On today's show, Rep. Tom Suozzi, (D-NY3, parts of Long Island and Queens), explains his stance on not voting for the infrastructure bill unless the SALT deduction is restored, and talks about the politics behind some current tax policy questions.

Do Biden’s Tax Hikes On The Wealthy Go Far Enough? Apr 05, 2021

Polls suggest that the public supports many of the progressive policies being pushed by the Biden administration. But how to pay for it is a more complicated question. On today's show, Catherine Rampell, syndicated opinion columnist at The Washington Post, political/economic commentator at CNN and special correspondent at PBS NewsHour, runs through the latest in national politics and news.

For Progressives, Biden's Plan Is 'the Absolute Floor, Not the Ceiling' Apr 02, 2021

While the mainstream press is focusing on the Democrat versus Republican parties debate over President Joe Biden's multi-trillion dollar infrastructure plan, there's another debate that's also emerging. This one between moderate Democrats, who think the plan is the right size, and more progressive Democrats, who think the plan is too small, in terms of the number of dollars. On today's show: Nelini Stamp, Working Families Party managing director, shares the WFP's critique of President Biden's infrastructure and jobs plan — which is, essentially, that it's not large enough to meet the moment.

An Infrastructure Plan That Includes Unions, Climate and Restoring Economic Balance Apr 01, 2021

President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan unveiled yesterday isn't just about infrastructure. It's also about unions, climate and restoring economic balance after decades of the concentration of wealth in this country. On today's show: Megan Cassella, Politico reporter covering Biden administration economic policy, talks about the big infrastructure proposal from President Biden.

The Vaccines Keep Proving Themselves. What Does It Mean For You? Mar 31, 2021

As scientists continue to monitor the impact of the available COVID vaccines, how do our personal equations around risk and safety change? On today's show, Celine Gounder, professor of medicine & infectious diseases at the NYU School of Medicine; Bellevue Hospital doctor, medical analyst for CNN and the host/producer of American Diagnosis and Epidemic podcasts, explains what a CDC study of essential workers found, including confirmation that the vaccines prevent illness from COVID-19 in real-world conditions and that they appear to prevent even asymptomatic infections.

Vaccine Passport Apps Are Here. We Explain and Critique Mar 30, 2021

The safest way to return to full-capacity mass gatherings is to make sure attendees have been vaccinated. The right software could help, but there are some privacy and equity concerns. On today's show, New York recently launched a vaccine passport called the "Excelsior Pass." Brian Behlendorf, general manager of Blockchain Healthcare and Identity at the Linux Foundation of Public Health, talks about what it is, and how people in the open source community are advocating for systems like these to be linked, so people don't need multiple apps. Then, Albert Fox Cahn, founder and executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) at the Urban Justice Center, a New York–based civil rights and privacy group, and a fellow at the Engelberg Center for Innovation Law & Policy at NYU School of Law shares concerns about privacy and the digital divide.

“Slightly More Idealistic” Than Obama: The Biden-Blinken Doctrine Mar 29, 2021

The geopolitical situation facing President Biden is largely a situation created by his predecessor, who re-shuffled old alliances and worked to dismantle the US foreign policy apparatus. On today's show, Gabriel Debenedetti, national correspondent at New York Magazine, talks about the latest news from Washington, D.C., including the uphill battle the Biden administration faces as it confronts the previous administration's legacy on foreign policy, and the challenges of diplomacy facing the new president.

Sports Keep Dropping The Ball On Women Athletes Mar 27, 2021

Why did the NCAA give their female athletes a rack of dumbells while male players got a full fitness facility? That, and more on gender disparities in sports. On today's show, Sally Jenkins, sports columnist for the Washington Post, and formerly a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, talks about the recent outrage over the NCAA's unequal treatment between men and women athletes competing in March Madness, and her own experiences covering women’s sports over her career.

Sen. Gillibrand On Cuomo, Franken & The Filibuster Mar 26, 2021

Filibuster reform is a key topic on the agenda for the Senate. What could it mean for the rest of the Democratic majority's agenda? Plus, reflections on calling out sexual misconduct. On today's show, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D NY) answers questions about the issues facing the senate and the state, including regulating firearms meant for military use, sexual harassment and due process, and the toxic 'burn pits' the Army uses to dispose of chemicals and electronics.

What The Filibuster Debate Means For Churchgoers’ Right To Vote Mar 25, 2021

The debate over the filibuster could have implications that reach deep into the Biden administration's ability to get things done, on issues like voting rights and gun safety. On today's show, Tyler Pager, Washington Post White House reporter, and Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post Congressional reporter covering the House of Representatives, talk about the prospects of any gun control legislation making it through Congress, where filibuster reform stands and more national political news.

Not Quite Private, Not Quite Federal: Stuck In The Middle With "Goldilocks" Student Loans Mar 24, 2021

Because of the way Congress has changed the rules governing student loans, 6 million people didn't get the relief most got in the first COVID package that passed last year. On today's show, Molly Webster, RadioLab senior correspondent, talks about her recent NYT op-ed explaining how she borrowed $78,000, has paid $60,000, and still owes $100,000 -- with no relief in sight.

What The Children Coming To The Border Need Mar 23, 2021

President Biden's challenge at the border is to craft a policy that's humane without encouraging unauthorized entries. So where do unaccompanied minors fit into the policy? On today's show, Bitta Mostofi, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, and Maria Odom, vice president for Legal Programs at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), talk about the situation at the southern border and the implications of Pres. Biden's immigration policies for children who cross the border alone.

Rep. Grace Meng On GOP Rhetoric & Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans Mar 22, 2021

For the past year, we've heard some politicians use racist rhetoric around COVID-19. On today's show, Rep. Grace Meng talks about the link between speech, bias and violence. Plus, Biden's immigration record, and what's next on Congress's agenda.

This Friday Is A Newly Invented Holiday. Here’s What and Why Mar 21, 2021

We all have that person we've been meaning to call and check in on. Those calls can be hard to make, but our WNYC colleague wants to make it a little easier, by doing it together. Text "Call Day" to 70101 to sign up for "Pick Up The Phone And Call Day." On today's show, the team at WNYC's Death, Sex & Money is instituting a new holiday called "Pick Up the Phone and Call" day, to help people who have become disconnected throughout the pandemic get back in touch. Anna Sale, host of the WNYC Studios podcast Death, Sex & Money, explains how to go about it, and why it's important.

Immigrants From Seven Countries Call In About Biden Mar 20, 2021

We asked immigrants to call in and recommend some policy positions they hope Biden takes with respect to their countries of origin. On Today's Show, Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post columnist, host of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, and the author of Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World (W. W. Norton & Company, 2020). Then, Susan Glasser, staff writer for The New Yorker, CNN global affairs analyst and the co-author, with Peter Baker, of The Man Who Ran Washington: the Life and Times of Jim Baker III (Doubleday, 2020)

The Vaccines Might Help Long-Haul COVID Sufferers Mar 19, 2021

The COVID vaccine is intended to make it harder for the virus to make you dangerously sick. But it also might help folks who got sick before and still have long-lingering symptoms.

On Today's Show:Daniel Griffin, MD, PhD, infectious disease clinician and researcher at Columbia, chief of the division of Infectious Disease for ProHEALTH Care medical group, talks about what we know about vaccines and treatment, in and out of the hospital and the anecdotal evidence that vaccines help some of those suffering from "long COVID." Dr. Griffin offers a weekly clinical update on the podcast This Week in Virology.

Asian-Americans React to Violence: 'I'm Afraid to Take the Subway Now' Mar 18, 2021

A shooting at three spas in Atlanta left eight people dead, including six women of Asian descent. Joo Han, deputy director of the Asian American Federation, reflects on the murders and talks about how her group is organizing to #StopAsianHate amidst a surge in violence.

Why Are The U.S. And Europe In Such Different COVID Conditions? Mar 17, 2021

Some US states are loosening COVID restrictions early, while much of Europe has suspended the use of a previously approved vaccine. On today's show, Ravina Kullar, PharmD, epidemiologist and infectious disease physician based in Los Angeles, discusses the latest COVID-19 developments — from the suspension of use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in several European countries to the news that officials in many states in America are loosening pandemic restrictions despite the danger of new variants.

Patriotism Biden-Style vs. COVID-19 Mar 16, 2021

Biden and Harris have hit the road, traveling the country to sell the public on the idea that masking up and staying cautious is the patriotic way to end this pandemic. On today's show, a conversation from right after Biden's prime-time speech last Thursday with Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief and author of the forthcoming Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power (Twelve, 2021); and Kai Wright, host of The United States of Anxiety from WNYC Studios, about the politics, and the substance, of the newly passed COVID relief bill.

How AI Creates Racial Disparities In The Justice System Mar 15, 2021

The relationship between criminal justice and technology is complicated, especially given that the tools marketed to law enforcement often perpetuate racial biases in mass incarceration. On today's show, Bianca Tylek, Worth Rises’s executive director, and Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, talk about the data and information systems that track individuals in the criminal legal system.

Dr. Leana Wen On What The Vaccinated Can Do Mar 13, 2021

People are uncertain about the CDC's guidance on safety once your vaccinated. But are public health messengers missing an opportunity to tie the vaccine to a return to normalcy? On today's show, Leana Wen, emergency physician, professor at George Washington University, contributing columnist for The Washington Post, CNN medical analyst, and former Baltimore Health Commissioner, shares her take on the new CDC guidance for vaccinated people, and talks about whether she thinks we'll be hit with a fourth wave of cases, helped along by the many variants, or if enough people will be vaccinated quickly enough to stave it off.

Biden’s Speech: I Alone Can’t Fix It Mar 12, 2021

Biden's speech last night laid out a timeline for "independence from this virus." But unlike his predecessor, he made it clear that a return to normalcy means masking up and getting vaccinated. On today's show, Ayesha Rascoe, White House correspondent for NPR, talks through the latest news coming out of Washington, including highlights from President Biden's address to the country after signing the $1.9 trillion economic relief package.

Jordan Klepper From The Daily Show On Covering The Insurrection For A Comedy Network Mar 11, 2021

The team at the Daily Show knew that Trump's Jan. 6 rally could turn violent. So they did what they do best: find the funny. What's the role of satire when Democracy is under attack? On today's show, Jordan Klepper, comedian, television host, and correspondent for The Daily Show, reflects on his time covering Trump rallies throughout the former President's term.

Why Liberal Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman Almost Voted No On The COVID Relief Bill Mar 09, 2021

The $1.9 trillion stimulus bill is nearing the finish line. So what wound up in the package, and what got cut? Who's getting a check, and how much? On today's show, Bonnie Watson Coleman, U.S. Representative (D, NJ-12), talks about recent legislation passed by the House, her work in Washington and her NJ district, and her recent bout with COVID.

How Companies That Sell Equipment To Prisons Affect How People Are Treated Mar 08, 2021

When companies sell supplies to prisons, does their influence over inmates' lives stop with the inventory? On today's show, Bianca Tylek, Worth Rises’s executive director, and WNYC/Gothamist reporter George Joseph, talk about the equipment and supplies corporations that provide nearly everything used in prisons and jails from desks and uniforms to restraint jackets and tear gas.

Can Biden Repair The Nation-To-Nation Relationship With Tribal Communities? Mar 06, 2021

President Biden’s nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland (D, NM) to be Secretary of the Interior would put a Native American (Laguna Pueblo) in charge of the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the first time ever and perhaps mark a new era for the relationship between the federal government and American Indians. Is it time for a new relationship between the U.S. government and America's Indian nations? On Today's Show, Joy Harjo (Muscogee Nation) U.S. Poet Laureate, performer and writer, editor of When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry (W. W. Norton & Company, 2020), talks about her new album "I Pray For My Enemies" - out tomorrow. Then, Julian Brave NoiseCat (Canim Lake Band) vice president of policy and strategy with Data for Progress; narrative change director of the Natural History Museum; and a fellow of the Type Media Center, NDN Collective, and the Center for Humans and Nature.

COVID Relief Bill Reading Marathon Ends, Actual Filibusters Loom Mar 05, 2021

Progressive policy items, like police reform and voting rights protections, are moving through Congress, not to mention a $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. On today's show, Elana Schor, Politico Congress editor, recaps the news out of Congress this week, including two bills the House passed on voting rights and policing, and more.

The Politics Of Red States' Rush To Reopen Mar 04, 2021

The governor of Texas is lifting all state-imposed COVID precautions. But public health experts say it's too soon to return to normal. What are the politics at play in reopening? On today's show, Jeremy Blackman, politics reporter for the Houston Chronicle, talks about Governor Greg Abbott's decision to end Texas's mask mandate and lift all capacity restrictions for businesses in the state and how residents and local politicians are reacting. Plus, callers from red sates call in with their thoughts on their states' reopening plans.

Biden's Report Card (So Far) On White Supremacy And Racial Justice Mar 03, 2021

Biden's journey on racial issues has been a long & winding one. The question now is, what will he do as president? What's he done so far, & what's on his agenda, for racial equality? On today's show, Paul Butler, professor at Georgetown Law and the author of Chokehold: Policing Black Men (The New Press, 2017), checks in on what more progress -- if any -- the administration has made on advancing racial justice so far.

Closing The Loophole In The Amendment That Banned Slavery Mar 02, 2021

The 13th Amendment removed slavery from our laws. Except as punishment for a crime. Do mass incarceration, prison labor and the profits it generates add up to modern day slavery? On today's show, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley talks about his "Abolition Amendment" which would seek to close the "slavery loophole" in the 13th amendment, and Bianca Tylek, Worth Rises’s executive director, talks about programs that require incarcerated people to work for little or no pay.

How Serious Is Andrew Cuomo's Sexual Harassment Scandal? Mar 01, 2021

Two women have accused NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment. How are those who were comforted by his leadership during the pandemic thinking about his other conduct? On today's show, Josefa Velásquez, senior reporter for THE CITY, talks about the story, the governor's (and Albany's) reactions and takes calls.

What Would Bipartisan Immigration Reform Look Like? Feb 27, 2021

Trump got elected on an anti-immigration platform. Can Biden deliver the comprehensive bipartisan immigration reform this country has tried, and failed, to implement for so long? On today's show, U.S. Representative Linda Sanchez (D CA-38th), House sponsor of the immigration bill Biden is backing; then, Sergio Gonzales, executive director Immigration Hub, former policy aide to then-Senator Kamala Harris, who helped draft the 2013 immigration reform package as a staffer for "Gang of Eight" member, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet.

The Filipino Women Who Keep Our Healthcare Running Feb 26, 2021

Over a third of nurses who have died from COVID-19 have been Filipino. We look at why so many Filipino immigrants become nurses, and how they've been failed by the healthcare system they work in. On today's show, Tracie Hunte, correspondent for The Experiment — a new series from The Atlantic and WNYC Studios — and Gabrielle Berbey, associate producer for The Experiment, discuss their reporting on how Filipino Americans came to work the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their new episode is called “The Sisterhood.”

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries on COVID Relief and Universal Basic Income Feb 25, 2021

The COVID relief bill is expected to pass in the House tomorrow. So let's dive into the details on what that could mean for people in different situations. On today's show, U.S. Representative (D-NY8) and House Democrats chairman Hakeem Jeffries, talks about the latest on the Covid-19 relief bill, and other national issues before Congress.

Sen. Gillibrand Still Has Questions About Jan. 6th And White Supremacy In The Military Feb 23, 2021

One of the startling facts to come out of the Jan. 6 insurrection is the fact that many of those charged in the attack are retired or active duty members of the military. On today's show, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) talks about rooting out extremism and sexual assault from the military, how Congress is protecting itself from future attacks, the COVID-19 relief bill and other issues.

How Not Compromising With Republicans Can Be A Path To Unity Feb 22, 2021

Can compromise be an obstacle to unity, rather than its herald? With all that's at stake in recovering from the pandemic, maybe a little partisanship is necessary. On today's show, U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY3), talks about COVID relief in Congress, the Biden agenda and the role of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus in today's political atmosphere.

America Are We Ready For A Recovery With Justice? Feb 20, 2021

President Biden has big plans for economic recovery, from the 1.9 trillion-dollar COVID relief package to green jobs creation, and polls show most Americans approve, but his plans face skepticism from deficit hawks and workers in the fossil fuel industry. On today's show, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D KY 3rd, Louisville), chair of the House Budget Committee; William Spriggs, Howard University economics professor, chief economist to the AFL-CIO, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy (2009-2012); and Thea Lee, president of the Economic Policy Institute talk about clawing ourselves out of the pandemic economy, and fashioning it into a sustainable system that works for everyone.

Can Algorithms Incite Violence? Can Laws Police Code? Feb 19, 2021

Social media giants have a lot of power over our behavior and information access, and attempts to regulate them raise complicated questions about speech and censorship. On today's show, Tom Malinowski, U.S. Representative (D NJ-7) who served as assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights, and labor in the Obama administration, joined us to discuss the recent congressional hearings into regulating social media.

Paul Krugman Is Actually 'Optimistic' About Our Economic Future Feb 18, 2021

Despite how the economy has looked during COVID, this Nobel Prize-winning economist says that once it's over, he actually has high hopes for the future. On today's show, Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate in economics, New York Times columnist, distinguished professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center, and the author of (now in paperback) Arguing with Zombies: Economics, Politics, and the Fight for a Better Future (W. W. Norton & Company, 2020), offers his analysis on Pres. Biden's economic recovery plans and why deficits shouldn't be a big concern.

Your Life On Two Vaccine Doses Feb 17, 2021

With the percentage of fully vaccinated people starting to climb, how should we adjust our calculus around risk to ourselves, and our risk to others? On today's show, Dhruv Khullar, M.D., contributing writer at The NewYorker and a practicing physician and an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, talks about the latest COVID-19 news including why vaccine hesitancy still exists in healthcare settings, updated CDC guidance, and how the vaccine and new variants of the virus change how we think about risk.

Fighting White Supremacy After Trump's Acquittal Feb 16, 2021

Now that Trump is out of office, and now that he's been acquitted by Congress of inciting an insurrection, what do we do about the white supremacist movement that embraced him? On today's show, Kai Wright, host of WNYC's "The United States of Anxiety", talks about what happens to the white supremacy movement without President Trump in the White House.

After Acquitting Trump, What's Next For The GOP? Feb 15, 2021

On Saturday, 7 Republican senators voted to disqualify Trump from future office. Others voted to acquit, but condemned Trump. Still others said he was innocent. On today's show, Olivia Nuzzi, Washington correspondent for New York magazine joins us to discuss what's next for the GOP.

Preet Bharara's Take On Trump's Second Impeachment Feb 12, 2021

After the Democrats wrapped up their impeachment case yesterday, Trump's lawyers make their case today. One of the nations preeminent legal minds brings his analysis of the Senate trial. On today's show, Preet Bharara, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, host of the CAFE podcast Stay Tuned and Doing Justice, based on his book Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law (Knopf, 2019), offers analysis of the second impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump. NOTE: This podcast is taken from live conversations that take place prior to noon, when the Senate begins its proceedings. Please be mindful that by the time you listen, events may have developed beyond what's discussed in the interview.

New Audio From The Insurrection And What It Could Mean For Impeachment Feb 11, 2021

Ahead of day 2 of Trump's second impeachment, we look at new evidence presented in the Senate yesterday, and how it changes how we understand what happened on Jan. 6. On today's show, Elie Honig, CNN legal analyst and host of the CAFE daily impeachment podcast Third Degree, talks about the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump, including how new evidence presented by House managers yesterday changes what we know about the Capitol insurrection. NOTE: This podcast is taken from live conversations that take place prior to noon, when the Senate begins its proceedings. Please be mindful that by the time you listen, events may have developed beyond what's discussed in the interview.

Impeachment Trial Evidence: Beyond The Opening Arguments Feb 10, 2021

It's Day 1 of the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump. Beyond both sides' opening arguments, what can we expect by way of evidence that proves what we all saw with our own eyes? On today's show, Ari Melber, chief legal correspondent for MSNBC and host of "The Beat with Ari Melber", joins to preview the Senate impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump, and offers legal and political analysis. NOTE: This podcast is made from live conversations that take place prior to noon, when the Senate begins its proceedings. Please be mindful that by the time you're listening, events may have developed beyond what's discussed in the interview.

Why Not Make COVID Relief Payments Automatic? Feb 09, 2021

For those struggling in the pandemic economy, any form of relief would be welcome. So what's the most effective way to make sure COVID doesn't keep people from making ends meet? On today's show, Claudia Sahm, economist, founder of Stay-at-Home-Macro Consulting, and contributing writer to Bloomberg Opinion and New York Times Opinion, discusses the latest developments in the push for more COVID relief and the path to a robust economic recovery.

What If Trump’s Incitement Trial Was In A Court Of Law? Feb 08, 2021

What would it look like if Trump's impeachment trial took place in a courtroom instead of the political circus that is the US Senate? On today's show, Emily Bazelon, staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, co-host of Slate's "Political Gabfest" podcast, Truman Capote fellow for creative writing and law at Yale Law School and author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration (Random House, 2019), talks about her reporting on how Big Tech is policing speech and disinformation, the upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate, and more national political news.

America, Are We Ready To Go Big Against Climate Change? Feb 06, 2021

We present America Are We Ready, a national call-in show on Biden's first 100 days. How will you be affected by climate change and climate policy? On today's show, Journalist Mark Hertsgaard, executive director of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism initiative, and the environmental correspondent for The Nation, and activist Peggy Shepard, co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, dig into the new administration's climate change agenda and ask how climate change -- and the policies to address it -- are affecting listeners and their neighborhoods.

Coping With Pandemic Parenting? Try A 'Primal Scream' Feb 05, 2021

Parenting is hard enough in normal times. But during a pandemic, it can lead you to a breaking point. Today, we look at those challenges, and how policy might help lighten the load. On today's show, Jessica Bennett, editor at large for The New York Times, and Dekeda Brown, autism mom and advocate and founder of the nonprofit Walk One Day In Our Shoes, talk about a new New York Times project called "Primal Scream" which collects diary entries from working mothers across the country on how they're managing life as we enter into the 11th month of the pandemic. Plus, parents call in with their own "primal scream" variants, including primal glasses of wine, and primal hiding-in-the-closet-for-a-moment-of-quiet.

How Biden Is Trying To Reunite Families Separated By Trump Feb 04, 2021

Throughout his administration, Trump's anti-immigrant policies bordered on cruelty. How is the new President is working to unravel his predecessor's border policy of "family separation?" On today's show, Elora Mukherjee, director of Columbia Law School’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, talks about the recent executive orders by President Biden and the impact of the changes on immigration policies and how they're carried out. Plus, a look into why it's so challenging to undo the damage Trump and his acolyte Stephen Miller did to the immigration system.

What We Know Now About Who Planned The Insurrection Feb 03, 2021

A little less than a month since Trump supporters stormed the Capitol Building, what's being done to hold those who planned the attack accountable? On today's show, Katie Benner, Justice Department reporter at The New York Times, talks about where the Justice Department and FBI are in their investigations into the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th, whether Trump is culpable for his supporters' actions, and the challenge for Biden's DOJ in pursuing more serious charges like sedition.

AOC’s Insurrection Experience; McConnell’s Surprising Criticism of a GOP Rep Feb 02, 2021

Punxsutawney Phil might have the right idea this "Groundhog's Day" to go back to sleep for the rest of a long winter, but Congress, still dealing with the aftermath of the January 6th attack, has a COVID Relief bill on its plate, a GOP House Member whose drawn criticism from Senate Minority Leader McConnell, and an impeachment trial starting next week. On today's show: Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer, founders of Punchbowl News and co-hosts of its podcast The Daily Punch and the co-authors of The Hill to Die On: The Battle for Congress and the future of Trump’s America, weigh in on the latest political news from Washington, D.C.

Let’s Make A Bipartisan Relief Deal! (Or Not) Feb 01, 2021

A group of ten moderate GOP Senators have proposed a smaller COVID relief bill. But Democrats are split over the lessons of the Obama administration's negotiations with Congress and question whether that's a good faith effort at bipartisanship or a way to make President Biden's call for unity look like empty rhetoric.

On Today's Show: Amanda Terkel, HuffPost Washington bureau chief, goes through their proposals and explains why there's a debate over how much negotiating the new administration should do.

How Can The White House Stop The Virus In *Your* House? Jan 30, 2021

Today, a Saturday special. We present America Are We Ready, a national call-in show on Biden's first 100 days. What federal policies would keep us and our families safe from COVID? On today's show, Brian is joined by Rose Scott, host of WABE's midday news program “Closer Look” in Atlanta, and their guest, Jayne Morgan, M.D., cardiologist and clinical director of the Covid Task Force for Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta, to talk about the Biden plan for vaccine equity, how to stay healthy until you get your shots, the new variants, and more.

Can Biden Fix The Climate Without Congress? Jan 29, 2021

One of President Biden's top policy priorities is to address the threat of climate change. So what will those initiatives look like, and what sort of support will he need from Congress to get it done? On today's show, Lisa Friedman, reporter at the New York Times covering climate and environmental policy, discusses President Biden's push to address climate change through executive orders and the legislative hurdles that might get in the way of his agenda.

Freshman Rep. Torres On Vaccine Inequities and Impeachment Uncertainties Jan 27, 2021

A lot of issues on the table for Congress, from vaccine distribution to impeachment. We asked a first-term Congressman from the poorest district in the country about his agenda in the House. On today's show, U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY15), talks about his first weeks in Congress and his priorities. Plus the new Biden administration's priorities, Senate filibuster reform, anti-poverty and housing initiatives and impeachment.

Rep. Mondaire Jones: The Case For Impeachment Even If Trump Is Acquitted Jan 26, 2021

This month in politics, we've had an attempted coup, an impeachment, and an inauguration. What's it like to step onto the national political stage for the first time amid all this? On today's show, U.S. Representative Mondaire Jones (D-NY17, Rockland County, part of Westchester), talks about his first weeks in Congress in the wake of the attack and amid the pandemic, as the Biden administration gets underway. Where do his progressive politics fit in with the Democratic-controlled Congress?

Racists In The Ranks: The Military and Far-Right Extremism Jan 25, 2021

After reports that some of the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol had ties to the military, we take a look at far-right ideologies, and why they might thrive in a military environment. On Today's Show, Leo Shane III, deputy editor for Military Times and former Stars and Stripes reporter, joins us to discuss this alarming trend.

W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu Laughing Darts At White Supremacy Jan 22, 2021

What's the best response to white supremacy? Our guests today have found that one of the best ways to delegitimize racists is to laugh them off the national stage. On today's show, comedians and co-hosts of the podcast "Politically Re-Active," Hari Kondabolu and W. Kamau Bell talk about the latest political headlines and the newest episodes of their podcast.

Does Unity Mean Timidity? Jan 21, 2021

Biden has been in office for one day, and while he's already undone a lot of Trump's executive orders, the new administration basically has to build a pandemic plan from the bottom up. On today's show, Marc Fisher, senior editor at The Washington Post, talks about President Biden's calls for unity, and the many executive actions he took on his first day in office, including rolling back some of Trump's immigration restrictions, and building a pandemic response, basically from scratch.

Last Letter From Trump’s Washington Jan 19, 2021

Today was President Trump's last full day in office. We look back on four tumultuous years of "unprecedented" moments and the tense political atmosphere we're left with. On today's show, Susan Glasser, staff writer for The New Yorker, CNN global affairs analyst and co-author, with Peter Baker, of The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III (Doubleday, 2020), reflects on the President's tenure, including the norms he blasted through, the major policy decisions, the two impeachments and the insurrection he incited. Plus, callers weigh in on how their political thinking has changed over the course of the Trump administration.

Rep. Watson Coleman’s Insurrection Infection Jan 18, 2021

When insurrectionists stormed the Capitol, Rep. Watson Coleman caught COVID-19 after sheltering with a GOP colleague who refused to wear a mask. Talk about workplace hazards. On today's show, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D, NJ-12), discusses the fallout from last week's siege at the US Capitol, the unprecedented second impeachment of President Trump, her case of COVID, racial justice and Dr. Martin Luther King, and the federal executions the Trump administration is trying to push through before he leaves office.

Debt vs. Death Jan 15, 2021

With Democrats in control of both houses of Congress, and the White House, questions of how to balance public health and the economy will fall to them. On today's show, Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ 9), talks about this past week in Congress and looks ahead to the new term.

Sen. Gillibrand on White Supremacy in the Military and Trying Trump In The Senate Jan 14, 2021

The House impeached Trump yesterday, which means that now, the ball is in the Senate's court. On today's show, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of NY talks about what happens now that the House has impeached Trump, and what's first on the docket for the first Senate session under Biden's administration.

Beyond Impeachment, What About *Criminal* Liability Jan 13, 2021

As the House debates and votes on the second impeachment of President Trump, we talked to a legal expert about whether he could be criminally charged, and what evidence would be at play. On today's show, Jessica Roth, Professor of Law at Cardozo School of Law and former federal prosecutor answers legal questions related to impeachment proceedings against President Trump.

What Holding Trump Accountable Could Look Like Jan 12, 2021

Biden takes office in 8 days, but for those worried about Trump's involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the capitol, that's 8 days too many. What's the right response to an attempted coup? On today's show, Susan Page, Washington bureau chief at USA Today, discusses the latest political headlines, including impeachment, the 25th Amendment, and the political calculus of holding Trump accountable.

How The Insurrection Was Even Worse Than We Knew Jan 11, 2021

Over the past few days, we've gotten a clearer picture of how the Jan.6 attack on the Capitol went down, and the more we learn, the worse it seems to get. On today's show, Mike DeBonis, Congress and national politics reporter for The Washington Post, talks about the latest on a second impeachment of President Trump, following the attack on the Capitol, and other national news.

What Do The Insurrectionists Believe, And What Are They Capable Of? Jan 08, 2021

What drove a mob of conspiracy theorists to attack the Capitol building amid critical election proceedings? And in the aftermath, what does the broader far-right think went down? On today's show, Brandy Zadrozny, investigative reporter for NBC News, where she mostly covers misinformation, disinformation and extremism on the Internet, talks about the events that led up to Wednesday's breach on the Capitol, and how the event is being viewed by Trump's most ardent supporters and far right activists.

Hakeem Jeffries: Impeachment 2.0? Jan 07, 2021

The shocking attack on Congress yesterday, in the midst of a critical democratic function, has called to the forefront questions of how to stop an attempted coup. On today's show, U.S. Rep. and House Democrats Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D NY-8th, Brooklyn and Queens), talks about yesterday's insurrection and what comes next for Congress.

Why China vs. Biden On Climate Change Looks Like Good News Jan 05, 2021

2020 was a crash course in navigating risk. Now, we look ahead at some of the major political risks we're likely to encounter in the coming year, including climate change, cybersecurity and China. On today's show, Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group and GZero Media, host of GZERO World with Ian Bremmer and the author of Us vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism (Portfolio, 2018), previews the top political risks ahead for 2021.

That Phone Call! Jan 04, 2021

Trump pressured Georgia election officials to "find" more votes. But amid these affronts to democracy, don't forget about COVID relief and vaccine distribution policy. On today's show, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Representative (D, NJ-11), talks about the role of the House of Representatives in the transition of power, President Trump's phone call to the Georgia secretary of state and more news from Washington, D.C.

Brooke Gladstone Tells 2030 About The Media Of Today Jan 01, 2021

In 10 years, what will we remember about 2020? What lessons about our democracy do we want to make sure we keep in mind in the next decade? On today's show, Brooke Gladstone, co-host of WNYC's On The Media, talks about how the news covered the pandemic, the election, and the intersection of the two.

Don't Know Much About History News Quiz: Part 2 Dec 31, 2020

A special treat as we close out this consequential year: a history and civics news quiz. Listen to our callers answer questions from the citizenship test, and see how well you'd do. On today's show, 2020 was a year for the history books. For today's show, Kenneth C. Davis, author of the "Don't Know Much About History" series and most recently, "More Deadly Than War: The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the First World War," brings his best historical quiz questions for the listeners, from OTHER important eras of American history, including questions on civics, one-term presidents and more.

Don't Know Much About History News Quiz: Part 1 Dec 30, 2020

A special treat as we close out this consequential year: a history and civics news quiz. Listen to our callers answer questions from the citizenship test, and see how well you'd do. On today's show, 2020 was a year for the history books. For today's show, Kenneth C. Davis, author of the "Don't Know Much About History" series and most recently, "More Deadly Than War: The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the First World War," brings his best historical quiz questions for the listeners, from OTHER important eras of American history, including questions on civics, one-term presidents and more.

Biden’s Team Of Non-Rivals Dec 29, 2020

As Joe Biden's cabinet comes together, there's a pattern emerging: he knows and gets along with most his nominees on a personal level. On today's show, Gabriel Debenedetti, national correspondent at New York Magazine, talks about Biden's executive branch, and what it means for the next four years.

Today: How Trump Is For (And Against) His Georgia Senate Candidates Dec 28, 2020

Trump isn't making life easy for his party, which is trying to hold on to the Senate amid two runoff elections in Georgia, scheduled for next week. What's his angle? On today's show, Gabriel Debenedetti, national correspondent at New York Magazine, talks about the upcoming Georgia Senate runoffs, and how Trump politics and tactics are coming into play even as the sun sets on his presidency.

Pardon me... Dec 24, 2020

Trump pardoned Roger Stone and Paul Manafort, two of his loyal defenders. He also pardoned Jared Kushner's dad. What should we make of the sunset of the Trump administration? On today's show, Andrea Bernstein, WNYC senior editor and co-host of the WNYC/Pro Publica podcast Trump, Inc. and the author of American Oligarchs: The Kushners, the Trumps, and the Marriage of Money and Power (W.W. Norton and Company, 2020), and Ilya Marritz, WNYC senior reporter and co-host of the WNYC/Pro Publica podcast Trump, Inc., talk about the president's pardons so far, including those for Jared Kushner's father and Paul Manafort, plus what legal consequences Donald Trump could face post-presidency.

Have Questions On Congress's COVID Relief Bill? Rep. Jeffries Has Answers Dec 22, 2020

Congress passed a $9 billion COVID relief package. So what relief is coming? But you don't have to read all 5,000 pages. We asked Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY8) for the rundown.

The Biden Cabinet Aims For Environmental Justice Dec 21, 2020

Trump has spent the past 4 years unraveling the EPA. What does Biden need to do to restore it, and direct it to address not only climate change, but local environmental injustices? On today's show, Peggy Shepard, co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice and Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post senior national affairs correspondent, covering environmental and energy policy changes to the government in the Trump administration, talk about EPA in the Biden administration and the extent to which environmental justice will be a priority.

A Russian Hack, A COVID Relief Bill, and Other Early Christmas Presents Dec 18, 2020

Officials say that Russian intelligence infiltrated several US government computer systems, including parts of the military. Plus, COVID relief in Congress and Hunter Biden. On today's show, Jonathan Lemire, AP White House reporter, talks about the COVID relief bill in Congress, the Russian hack of government agencies and more national news.

Holiday Party: Citizenship Tests for Citizens, and Hannukah for Jew'ish' People Dec 17, 2020

Today on the radio, we held a Holiday Party on the air. Hear two selections: Can citizens pass the citizenship test, and some secular Hanukah laughs. On today's show, Andy Borowitz, author, comedian, and creator of The New Yorker's “Borowitz Report,” a satirical news column, talks about his holiday traditions and keeping a sense of humor during such a dark winter. Then, Maeve Higgins, comedian and contributing writer for The New York Times, tries to stump us with questions from the new citizenship exam.

Why Did Biden Tap Mayor Pete For Transportation Secretary? Dec 16, 2020

Biden named his former campaign trail opponent Pete Buttigeig to be Secretary of Transportation. How will the former mayor of South Bend run the country's transportation efforts? On today's show, Janette Sadik-Khan, former Department of Transportation commissioner for New York City under the Bloomberg administration, principal at Bloomberg Associates and author of the book Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution (Penguin Books, 2017) talks about the news that President-elect Biden has nominated his former rival in the presidential campaign (and the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana) to be the next transportation secretary -- and what that means for the transportation and infrastructure needs of the New York area.

Rep. Rice On McConnell Recognizing Biden’s Election Dec 15, 2020

Sen. Maj. Leader Mitch McConnell, one of the nation's leading Republicans, just congratulated Biden on his victory, a month after the race was called. On today's show, U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice (D NY-4), shares the latest on the coronavirus relief bill, plus reacts to some of the big news of the day, including Barr's resignation, President-elect Biden's message of unity, and Mitch McConnell's acknowledgement this morning that Biden won the election.

The Electors Vote Today. So Is The Election Over Yet? Dec 14, 2020

More than a month after Election Day, and the result has been made official. But just because Biden's win is now concrete, it doesn't mean Trump will concede defeat. On today's show, Anita Kumar, White House correspondent and associate editor at Politico and Rebecca Green, professor of law at William & Mary and co-director of its Election Law Program, talk about the latest national political news.

How Jonathan Capehart Wants To Cover Politics After Trump Dec 10, 2020

Opinion columnist Jonathan Capehart has a new Sunday morning show on MSNBC. So how will he cover the news and politics in a post-Trump America? On today's show, Jonathan Capehart, Pulitzer Prize-Winning journalist, opinion columnist and editorial board member of The Washington Post and now the new host of MSNBC’s The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart, which premieres this Sunday, December 13th from 10AM to noon ET on MSNBC, talks about the latest political headlines and what viewers should expect from The Sunday Show.

Trump's Not 'Crazy Like A Fox.' He's Just... Dec 09, 2020

With Trump's ongoing efforts to overturn the election, it's worth asking: does he really want to change the result? Or is he sowing strategic chaos? On today's show, Susan Glasser, staff writer for The New Yorker, CNN global affairs analyst and co-author, with Peter Baker, of The Man Who Ran Washington: the Life and Times of Jim Baker III (Doubleday, 2020), talks about the latest national political news.

Is The Electoral College's 'Safe Harbor' Safe From Trump? Dec 08, 2020

We've reached "safe harbor," a point on the calendar where Congress is bound by federal law to accept the results of the Electoral College, which votes next week. On today's show, what is "safe harbor day" and what does it mean for President Trump's efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 Election? Aaron Blake, Washington Post senior political reporter, discusses this and other national political news of the day.

As COVID Surges, Where Are People Catching It? Dec 07, 2020

How is the medical profession handling the latest surge in COVID cases? How should the rest of us change our behavior around it? On today's show, Wafaa El-Sadr, university professor of epidemiology and medicine at Columbia University, the director of ICAP at Columbia University, and director of the Global Health Initiative at the Mailman School of Public Health, talks about the latest COVID surge, and how frontline workers are fighting back the second wave.

Give Me The Vaccine! Don’t Make Me Take The Vaccine! Dec 04, 2020

With COVID cases rising around the country, and the policy conversation turning to vaccine distribution, we take a look at who'll get the first doses, and who might still be skeptical of it. On today's show, Dara Kass, MD, emergency medicine physician at Columbia University Medical Center and Yahoo News medical contributor, talks about the latest numbers and the latest on vaccine development and distribution.

Rep. Espaillat On COVID Relief And The Next Congress Dec 03, 2020

Thousands are still jobless due to the COVID pandemic and unemployment supplements ended months ago. Should those who need it expect Congress to step up in its next session? On today's show, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D, NY-13), talks about the COVID surge in his district (and everywhere), plus the latest on where the next coronavirus relief bill stands, as economic aid to millions of people is about to run out and the pandemic is still wreaking havoc on people's health and the economy.

What Do Progressives Think Of Biden’s Cabinet Picks? Dec 02, 2020

As the Biden administration continues to take shape, the executive branch is filling up with familiar faces. We check in on how progressives are feeling about the appointees? On today's show, Karthik Ganapathy, progressive communications consultant who recently advised Charles Booker’s US Senate campaign, served as a spokesperson for Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Keith Ellison, and the climate change campaign organization 350.org and Katrina vanden Heuvel editorial director and publisher of The Nation magazine, on Biden’s cabinet picks and where progressives go from here.

'Republican' Judges Are Skeptical Of Cuomo — And Donald Trump Dec 01, 2020

It's the first Supreme Court session with a new conservative majority, and there's three politically charged issues on the docket. This week, we get our first good look at the new SCOTUS on COVID precautions v. religious freedom, counting everyone v. counting citizens in the Census, and baseless fraud allegations v. a legitimate election. On today's show, Emily Bazelon, staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, talks about recent and upcoming Supreme Court court hearings on three crucial issues to democracy.

John Podesta Defends Controversial Biden Nominees Nov 30, 2020

John Podesta ran Obama's transition team in 2008. So what does he think of Biden's cabinet nominees? And what do progressives think about the incoming Biden administration? On today's show, John Podesta, former senior advisor to Presidents Clinton and Obama, talks about President-elect Biden's transition, including his cabinet appointments, and specifically, how the Biden administration will tackle climate change.

Is Trump Just Mocking Us Or Is He Really Still Trying To Flip The Election? Nov 26, 2020

With Biden's inauguration approaching, Trump is running out of legal ways to challenge the results of the election. So where are those efforts now? On today's show, Zoe Tillman, senior legal reporter for BuzzFeed News, talks about how the Trump campaign is still trying to change the results of the election through the courts, and whether there is any chance they could succeed. NOTE: This conversation was recorded on Wednesday, Nov. 25. That afternoon, a judge in Pennsylvania put the certification process on hold, pending a hearing scheduled for Friday, Nov. 27.

Do Biden’s Cabinet Picks Just Want To Make It 2016 Again? Nov 25, 2020

Every presidential transition, we can see the incoming administration start to take shape. So what's the executive branch going to look like under Biden? On today's show, John Hudson, national security reporter for The Washington Post, talks about the establishment figures President-elect Biden is appointing to join his cabinet and the White House.

Why (Some) Women Voted Against The First Female Vice-President Nov 24, 2020

For the first woman elected to the Vice Presidency, Kamala Harris's support among women, and specifically white women, is lacking. What political, racial and gender dynamics are at play? On today's show, Kat Stafford, AP national race and ethnicity reporter, and Julie Kohler, fellow in residence at the National Women's Law Center, a senior advisor to the Democracy Alliance, a progressive donor network, and host of the podcast White Picket Fence, talk about how women voted and the effect of having a woman on the ticket as vice president.

Faith in Democracy vs. Trump’s Faith In Faithless Electors Nov 20, 2020

Trump's attempts to overturn the election in the courts isn't going well for him. But are there other ways, through quirks in the Electoral College, that he could hold on to power? On today's show, Robert Alexander, professor of political science and founding director of the Institute for Civics and Public Policy at Ohio Northern University and the author of Representation and the Electoral College (Oxford University Press, 2019), talks about how tightly the Electoral College is bound by certified election results in their states.

Listeners Have Questions About Trump's Election Lawsuits. We've Got Answers Nov 19, 2020

Trump's lawsuits continue, but there are so many of them, being brought on so many different complaints, that it's hard to keep track of them all. On today's show, Rebecca Green, professor of law at William & Mary and co-director of its Election Law Program, gives an update on the president's attempts to overturn the results of the election by filing (what most legal experts say are baseless) lawsuits.

America is Drowning in Student Debt. Will Biden Throw A Life Preserver? Nov 18, 2020

Joe Biden has proposed changes that would affect millions of student loan borrowers, while leaders in the Democratic Party have pushed for student debt to be forgiven. Other commentators have said forgiving student loan debt would be unfair to people who did not go to college or have already paid back their loans. On today's show, Sarah Jones, senior writer at the Intelligencer and New York Magazine, talks about the potential backlash against these changes, and argues that change is needed anyway.

A Squad Of Their Own: The Wave Of Incoming GOP Congresswomen Nov 17, 2020

Voters have sent a record-breaking wave of Republican Congresswomen will be going to DC in January, and they want to challenge what they call the 'socialism' of the progressive left. On today's show, Olivia Perez-Cubas, communications director for Winning For Women, which advocates and organizes to elect Republican women, and the former communications director for Senator Marco Rubio (R FL), talks about how Republicans got 35 women elected, and what it means for the GOP.

Can Trump and Three State Legislatures Steal The Election? Nov 16, 2020

Trump has yet to concede the election. And while he's not doing well in his court ballot challenges, he could turn to state legislatures to help him win the electoral college. On today's show, Amber Phillips, Washington Post political reporter and author of “The 5-Minute Fix” newsletter, talks about the latest national political news, as the president still refuses to concede, the Biden transition hums along and the coronavirus continues to rage out of control.

Is At-Home Rapid Testing The Best Way Out? Nov 13, 2020

Imagine if a coronavirus test was as simple and fast as a pregnancy test. It's possible, but not likely under the current administration.

The Score So Far: No Fraud 50, Fraud 0 Nov 12, 2020

Trump has claimed massive voter fraud as the reason he didn't win the election. The New York Times called officials in each state. None of them had reason to believe there was fraud. On today's show, Nick Corasaniti, New York Times national politics reporter, and his colleagues called around to election officials all over the country and found zero evidence of such fraud.

Could Citizen Trump Face Prosecution? Nov 11, 2020

President Trump is no stranger to legal battles. In some cases, it's only his high office that's kept prosecutors for bringing charges. So what happens when he leaves the White House? On today's show, Jane Mayer, staff writer and chief Washington correspondent for The New Yorker, talks about the latest political headlines plus her recent story about President Trump's post-election loss fate.

Trump Controls The Military Until Jan. 20. Will He Use It? Nov 10, 2020

The Commander in Chief is empowered to use the military to protect American interests. But in his final days in office, could Trump start a war to serve his own interests? On today's show, Zach Montellaro, Campaign Pro reporter for Politico and the author of the Morning Score newsletter, and Fred Kaplan, Slate's War Stories columnist and the author of many books, including The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War (Simon & Schuster, 2020), talk about the latest political news, including the president's lawsuits to try to change the outcome of the presidential election, Attorney General Barr's involvement, and the firing secretary of defense Mark Esper.

Suppressing The Vote Didn't Work For Trump. Will Throwing Out Ballots? Nov 09, 2020

President Trump is in court, fighting to invalidate enough ballots to flip the projected results of the 2020 election. But there might be other motivations behind this legal strategy. On today's show, Richard Hasen, professor of law and political science at the University of California, Irvine, author of Election Meltdown: Dirty Tricks, Distrust, and the Threat to American Democracy (Yale University Press, 2020) and writer behind the Election Law blog, talks about the current Trump campaign challenges to the vote counting -- and why he's not expecting the Biden victory to be overturned in the courthouse.

All The President's Lawsuits Nov 06, 2020

Votes are still pouring in and the President's path to an electoral victory is narrowing. So, he's begun a different approach: He's trying to sue himself into a second term. Will it work? On today's show, Ari Berman senior reporter at Mother Jones, covering voting rights and author of Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America and Jami Floyd, senior editor for race & justice at WNYC, break down the legal challenges, the unfounded claims of rampant voter fraud, and where we go from here.

Rep. Jeffries On House Seats Dems Lost But Trump Lawsuits He Thinks They'll Win Nov 05, 2020

Democrats didn't see the electoral blowout they hoped for, and they actually lost some seats in the House. That, plus the Trump campaigns count the vote/stop the vote lawsuits. On today's show, Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Representative (D NY-8th, Brooklyn and Queens), talks about where the Democratic Party stands after Election Day, and what comes next.

Trump To Voters: See You In Court Nov 04, 2020

The voting ended yesterday, the election saga continues, now in the courts and at election authorities around the country. So what's next? And when will we have a president? On today's show, Dale Ho, director of the ACLU Voting Rights Project, talks about legal challenges to voter access or the counting of ballots.

Election Day Call-In: Party Switchers, Late Deciders And Early Returns Nov 03, 2020

It's election day, so we thought we'd talk to voters who switched parties, or hadn't made their choice until recently, as we go over what to expect from the returns tonight as the polls close on the 2020 election. On today's show, Jim Newell, senior political writer for Slate, offers the latest news on races, polls, voter intimidation and more.

Depoliticizing the CDC Oct 30, 2020

When public health agencies get politicized, it's that much harder to separate medical advice from political messaging. But in a pandemic, "communication is medicine." So how do we fix it? On today's show, Andy Slavitt, former acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and host of the podcast In the Bubble, talks about the presidential candidates' pandemic preparedness in the context of the CDC, the FDA, and the healthcare system.

Reaction To Kushner Saying Black Americans Don’t Want To Succeed Oct 29, 2020

The president's top advisor said that Trump wants to help Black Americans, but "he can't want them to be successful more than they want to be successful." How do Black Americans feel about that? On today's show:Callers react to Kushner's statements, and Kai Wright, host and managing editor for the WNYC show The United States of Anxiety, talks about how this line of thinking has permeated the Republican Party.

How To Fight The Disparate Impact Of Covid-19 Oct 28, 2020

We've talked about the underlying reasons that Black and Brown people have been hit disproportionately hard by this pandemic. But what can we do about it? On today's show, Mary Bassett, director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, as well as professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, talks about how to fight the disparate impact in who gets sick, and who dies, from COVID-19.

How Pete Buttigieg Would Pack The Court Oct 27, 2020

On today's show, former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg discusses his book, the election, and how the new Supreme Court could affect same-sex marriages like his.

Trump’s White Flag on COVID Oct 26, 2020

It's the final countdown to election day, just 8 days away, and the Trump administration has signaled that it's done trying to contain the pandemic. The election, the pandemic, and today's Senate vote on Amy Coney Barrett, Trump's pick for the Supreme Court. On today's show, Amber Phillips, reporter for The Washington Post's The Fix, discusses the latest in politics, polls, COVID and SCOTUS, and takes your calls.

Donna Brazile On Al Gore’s Post-Election Storm And Ours Oct 23, 2020

Possible parallels between post-election 2020 and the uncertainty caused by Florida's recount in 2000? Plus, how Trump's racism actively hurts people of color. On today's show, Donna Brazile, Fox New analyst, former Democratic National Committee chair and author of Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House (Hachette, 2017), offers analysis of last night's debate between Pres. Trump and his Democratic challenger, former vice president Joe Biden. Plus her lessons from the contested 2000 election.

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