The Decoded Podcast

Latest Episodes:

WTH did Trump tell Putin Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

Donald Trump talked with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone at least a dozen times during his presidency — sometimes for hours — but transcripts were never released. Now, President Biden’s team is trying to piece together whether those conversations could come back to haunt them. POLITICO’s Natasha Bertrand reports. Plus, Biden’s most controversial cabinet nominee faces a second day of hearings. And Trudeau says Canadians returning from the U.S. by land will need to show negative Covid tests.
Natasha Bertrand is a White House 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.

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What the impeachment trial is really about Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

It's virtually impossible for Democrats to get the votes they need to convict Donald Trump. So what's the point of this week's trial? Playbook's Rachael Bade says it's more about convincing the American public — not lawmakers — that Trump should never be able to hold office again. Plus, the final race of the 2020 election cycle finally ends. And the Biden administration drops a Trump-era lawsuit over California's net neutrality law.
Rachael Bade is a Playbook co-author 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 POLITICO Playbook newsletter.

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Ohio: The next center of the political universe Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

In Ohio, it’s already 2022. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are jockeying for a shot at the Senate after Republican Sen. Rob Portman’s announcement last month that he won’t seek reelection, giving Democrats an unlikely opening. POLITICO’s James Arkin breaks down why the race will be a bellwether of Rust Belt politics in the post-Trump era. Plus, South Africa suspends its AstraZeneca vaccine plans. And Rep. Liz Cheney still has no plans to resign.
James Arkin is a campaigns 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: Democrats seek a reset button in Ohio

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Can McCarthy keep the GOP together? Feb 05, 2021

Show notes

This week is only the beginning. The Republican party is bitterly divided, and the fringe views embodied by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green aren’t going anywhere. POLITICO’s Melanie Zanona reports on how House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is trying to keep it all together. Plus, Johnson & Johnson files for emergency use authorization. And Trump won’t testify at his impeachment trial.
Melanie Zanona is a Congress reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Read more:
How Kevin McCarthy fought off a party revolt
House strips Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee posts

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The battle over reopening schools Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

The CDC says vaccinations aren't a necessity for safely reopening schools. But many teachers unions aren't backing down. POLITICO's Mackenzie Mays reports on the fight over reopening schools in California — and how it could pose a major problem for President Biden. Plus, Democrats move to strip freshman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee assignments. And the House adopts a budget resolution to expedite Biden’s $1.9T pandemic plan.
Mackenzie Mays is a POLITICO education reporter based in California.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Read more:
One of Biden’s biggest problems in his first 100 days comes from an unlikely place
Newsom: California schools won't reopen 'if we wait for the perfect'

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Biden’s big bet on executive orders Feb 03, 2021

Show notes

Go big. Go fast. And, if need be, go without the GOP. That’s been President Biden’s credo while signing a record number of executive actions during his first days in office. POLITICO’s Natasha Korecki looks at the strategy behind the effort — and whether Biden is muffling his own message of bipartisanship and unity. Plus, Defense Secretary Austin roots out Trump appointees at the Pentagon. And Neera Tanden, Biden’s pick for budget director, is slated for a confirmation grilling next week.
Natasha Korecki is a White House 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: ‘Let them take you to court’: Biden dares GOP to obstruct him

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Biden’s first international crisis Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

On the campaign trail, President Biden promised to promote democracy and fight authoritarianism across the globe. Now, he’s facing a foreign policy crisis that puts those promises to the test: A military coup in Myanmar. POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi breaks down how the White House plans to respond — and how the situation could escalate tensions with China. Plus, the Senate will vote on confirming two cabinet positions. And Robinhood’s CEO is expected to testify before a House panel on GameStop later this month.
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.
Read more: An inconvenient insurrection tests Biden on China, democracy support

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How to save the coronavirus economy Feb 01, 2021

Show notes

President Biden wants $1.9 trillion. Republicans want a lot less. POLITICO’s Victoria Guida breaks down what would really save the Covid economy — and why we shouldn’t care too much about the price tag … for now. Plus, Blinken condemns Russia for arresting protestors. And a new CDC rule requiring travelers to wear face masks takes effect later today.
Victoria Guida covers economic policy 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:
Biden agrees to meeting with GOP senators on Covid relief
Wall Street shrugs at Washington’s debt pileup

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Biden’s plan to be boring Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

Every day has a theme. Every day has a briefing. Every day has some executive orders. The first full week of the Biden administration has certainly followed a pattern. POLITICO’s Sam Stein breaks down the strategy behind the blandness — and explains why boring isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Plus, Rep. Jim Jordan won’t run for Senate next year. And Novavax says early data from a U.K. trial shows its vaccine is more than 89 percent effective.
Sam Stein is POLITICO's White House editor.
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: Inside the Biden plan to be boring

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Your health data is for sale Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

There’s an app for everything. There’s also data on everyone. POLITICO’s Mohana Ravindranath breaks down how companies are slyly buying and selling the information we share with health apps — and explains why that data isn’t protected like medical records. Plus, spending on food stamps jumped by nearly 50 percent in 2020. And DHS warns of continued violence by domestic extremists.
Mohana Ravindranath is an eHealth 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.
This story was co-reported with POLITICO's Katy Murphy.
Read more in the Future Pulse newsletter.

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