The Decoded Podcast

Latest Episodes:

'Armageddon in Atlantic City' May 04, 2020

Show notes

In February, Atlantic City was finally rebounding after years of financial turmoil. Then coronavirus hit. POLITICO's Matt Friedman explains why the coastal city could be one of the biggest economic disasters of the pandemic — and the harsh lessons we can learn. Plus, Dr. Birx calls anti-lockdown protests "devastatingly worrisome." And the Supreme Court hears arguments over the phone ... Up next: SCOTUS on TikTok.
Matt Friedman is a reporter for POLITICO New Jersey.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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The culture war over masks May 01, 2020

Show notes

For progressives, it's a sign of taking coronavirus seriously. On the right, it's a symbol of overreaction. POLITICO's Ryan Lizza breaks down the emerging cultural and political divide over wearing a mask — and how it gives a glimpse into the two Americas emerging amid the pandemic. Plus, Dr. Fauci warns against reopening too quickly. And the top intelligence agency rules out the theory that the coronavirus was manmade.
Ryan Lizza is POLITICO's Chief Washington Correspondent.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Read more: Wearing a mask is for smug liberals. Refusing to is for reckless Republicans.

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Chaos at the health department Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

“Alex is doing an excellent job!” That's what President Trump tweeted after POLITICO broke the story on White House officials weighing a plan to replace HHS secretary Alex Azar — just the latest in a series of chaotic and confusing events at the health department. Dan Diamond and Adam Cancryn explain what it all means for the agency at the center of the country's response to coronavirus. Plus, the White House's "Stay at Home" guidelines are expiring. And the head of the central bank warns of a lengthy economic recovery.
Adam Cancryn is a health reporter for POLITICO.
Dan Diamond is a health care policy reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Read more:
'HHS has been kicked in the teeth'
White House weighing plan to replace Azar
Trump rejects reports of Azar firing

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Trump and Republicans bet big on reopening. Will it work? Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

Republicans are resisting another massive coronavirus relief package and hoping the economy booms back sooner rather than later. POLITICO's Ben White explains why that's a big risk ahead of the November election. Plus, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US tops 1 million. And Dr. Fauci says he has "no doubt" new cases will emerge with reopening.
Ben White is chief economic correspondent for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Read more: Trump faces the risk of a coronavirus cliff.

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How we trace the spread of coronavirus Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

Tracking who comes in close contact with people infected by the coronavirus is essential to understanding the spread of the disease — and getting regions on track to lift restrictions. POLITICO's Victoria Colliver explains how California plans to "build an army" of 10,000 contact tracers. Plus, Trump touts a new blueprint for increased testing that punts responsibility to states. And the WHO says the pandemic is far from over.
Victoria Colliver is a health care reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Read more: How California's contact tracing army could serve as model for nation's reopening.

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Campaigning in the age of coronavirus Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

Campaigns are adjusting to life during a pandemic just like everyone else. POLITICO's Elena Schneider explains why that means a pivot to mail-in ballots — even for Republicans who have slammed remote voting in the past. Plus, Italy announces a plan for reopening. And Trump disputes reports of replacing HHS Secretary Alex Azar.
Elena Schneideris a national political reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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The cartoon life of Matt Wuerker Apr 24, 2020

Show notes

"I have very little adult supervision." Matt Wuerker, POLITICO's Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, has a colorful career sketching Trump, Pelosi, and other characters. We go inside the wonderful world of Wuerker as he shares some of his best stories... including that one time he tried using a Rumsfeld cartoon to negotiate troop withdrawals.

Also, be sure to check out the new video series Punchlines featuring Matt Wuerker's cartoons and register for a free virtual cartoon workshop POLITICO Live is hosting with Matt on April 29.

Matt Wuerker is the political cartoonist for POLITICO.
Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

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Coronavirus: Why was Jerome Adams pushed to the sidelines? Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

Surgeon General Jerome Adams was back at the podium for the coronavirus task force briefing Wednesday after being sidelined earlier this week. POLITICO's Dan Diamond and Maya King look at why Adams was pushed away — and what his shifting role at the White House means for the conversation about racial disparities in the pandemic. Plus, Trump denies knowledge of a top vaccine expert's ouster. And the House is set to pass funding for small businesses.
Maya King is a 2020 reporting fellow at POLITICO.
Dan Diamond is a health care policy reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Read more:
Surgeon general gets pushed to sidelines, sparking questions.
Black doctors blast 'woefully anemic' data on minority coronavirus cases.

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Coronavirus: The fight over reopening the country Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

Some state are taking a cue from President Trump and pressing ahead with lifting coronavirus restrictions. Others are seeing anti-lockdown protests. POLITICO's Anita Kumar explains what's next in the fight over reopening. Plus, the first coronavirus death happened weeks earlier than previously believed. And Trump's immigration order falls short of his initial announcement.
Anita Kumar is a White House correspondent and associate editor for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Read more: Trump allies have their fingerprints on lockdown protests.

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Coronavirus: The fight over saving small businesses Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Congress is on track to pass another round of relief for small businesses after cash for sorely-needed loans dried up last week. But POLITICO's Zach Warmbrodt says the lending program has been riddled with problems — and the next wave of funding could only last a couple days. Plus, Trump says he is suspending immigration into the US. And some states are beginning to reopen.
Zach Warmbrodt is a financial services reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Read more: Banks warn that new small-business funding could evaporate in 2 days.

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