The Decoded Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The year that broke America’s mayors Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Covid, economic collapse, mass protests and unrest. 2020 was tough — especially for city leaders. POLITICO’s Lisa Kashensky explains why mayors across the country are calling it quits after a year like no other. Plus, Schumer says the Senate will vote to repeal the nearly two-decade-old authorization for the use of military force in Iraq. And the Justice Department watchdog says the U.S. Marshals Service has ‘inadequate’ resources to protect judges.
Lisa Kashinsky is the author of POLITICO's Massachusetts Playbook.
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.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
Read more: ‘It was exhaustion, it was sadness, it was fatigue’: America’s mayors call it quits

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The mainstreamification of anti-vaxxers Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

Before the pandemic, anti-vaxxers were mostly fringe groups, falsely claiming that shots could cause autism in children. Now, Covid culture wars and red state laws to restrict vaccine mandates are reinvigorating the anti-vaccine movement nationwide — and that's a problem for ending the pandemic. POLITICO's Lauren Gardner reports. Plus, Biden nominates nine ambassadors. And progressive tech critic Lina Kahn is set to chair the FTC.
Lauren Gardner is an FDA 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.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
Read more: Anti-vax groups rack up victories against Covid-19 push

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Biden, Putin and the ‘airing of grievances’ Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

The state of U.S.-Russia relations isn’t great. And Biden and Putin have a whole platter of issues to scold one another about. But as POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi reports, you shouldn’t expect much more than sharp words to come out of tomorrow's summit. Plus, McConnell says he’d block a Biden Supreme Court nominee in 2024. And Eric Adams tops a new poll of New York mayoral candidates.
Nahal Toosi is a foreign affairs 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.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
Read more: U.S. officials worry about Russia’s growing links to China

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Biden-Macron bromance? And other takeaways from the G-7 summit Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

The Trump drama is out, but are world leaders ready for America to completely return to its leadership role? It’s a little more complicated than the photo-ops might suggest. POLITICO’s Anita Kumar reports. Plus, Pelosi calls for Barr and Sessions to testify over seized data records of prominent Democrats. And voting begins in the New York City primary election.
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.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where Trump, Covid and armed militias collide Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

The Idaho State Capitol has become a reflection of GOP infighting in the age of Trump and Covid. POLITICO’s Ximena Bustillo reports on a messy gubernatorial race where a Republican governor is being challenged by his own lieutenant governor — and an anti-government militant. Plus, the Labor Department says new workplace safety rules apply to healthcare settings but aren't required for most other industries. And most colleges plan to offer in-person learning for international students this fall.
Ximena Bustillo is an agriculture 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.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.
Subscribe to the Weekly Agriculture newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bernie: "Are you stoned now?" (Bonus mini episode) Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

That one time Sen. Bernie Sanders asked POLITICO's cannabis reporter if she was stoned.
Natalie Fertig is a cannabis 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.
Listen to POLITICO Dispatch's two-part series "The edge of legalization":
The edge of legalization, part one: Border weed
The edge of legalization, part two: Ripe for corruption

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hot vax summer, but who's invited? Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

Covid is receding in the U.S. But globally the pandemic is on track to be worse this year than in 2020 — and world health leaders are calling on wealthy nations to step up their game. POLITICO’s Carmen Paun looks at whether anything could come out of this week’s G7 summit. Plus, a new study says the top 1 percent will bear the brunt of Biden’s proposed tax hikes. And the White House plans new sanctions on Belarus.
Carmen Paun is a global health 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 in the Global Pulse newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Boris and Biden put Brexit behind them? Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Biden are hoping to reaffirm their transatlantic alliance when they meet in Britain tomorrow. But as POLITICO Europe’s Esther Webber reports, lingering disagreements over Brexit could haunt them. Plus, Schumer says Democrats are somewhat open to changes on their sweeping elections bill. And the IRS opens an investigation into a report saying ultra-rich Americans paid little-to-no taxes.
Esther Webber is the senior U.K. correspondent for POLITICO Europe.
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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve been Manchined. Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

Sen. Joe Manchin’s name has become synonymous with the act of upending Democrats’ ambitious legislative goals. His latest victim? A massive bill aimed at combating voter suppression. POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro breaks down what exactly is in the measure — and why the moderate Democrat decided to tank it. Plus, federal investigators recover more than half of Colonial Pipeline’s ransom payment. And 51 percent of Americans support Facebook’s decision to ban Trump for two years.
Zach Montellaro cover voting rights and state politics 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: What’s in the massive Democratic bill Joe Manchin just tanked

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why the N.Y.C. mayor’s race is a hot mess Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

Eight candidates. A handful of scandals. And a new, complicated way of tallying votes. POLITICO’s Erin Durkin breaks down everything you need to know about the messy, confusing race to become mayor of America’s biggest city. Plus, the White House briefing room is returning to full capacity. And Sen. Joe Manchin says he has “all the confidence in the world” that there will be a bipartisan infrastructure deal.
Erin Durkin is a reporter for POLITICO New York.
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 in the New York Playbook newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices