The Decoded Podcast

Latest Episodes:

‘Law and order’ Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

“I am mobilizing all federal resources, civilian and military to stop the rioting and looting.” That’s what President Trump told the nation in a Rose Garden address Monday night, as police fired tear gas at protestors outside. POLITICO’s Nancy Cook looks at why Trump skirted calls for unity amid national demonstrations over the death of George Floyd and instead went all in on declaring himself “a president of law and order.” Plus, a DHS memo warns that extremist groups could exploit the protests. And the Justice Department tries to force a dismissal of the Michael Flynn case.
Nancy Cook 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: How Trump’s scattered team scrambled to respond to historic protests

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Inside the Minneapolis protests Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

"They're in the street because they have no choice." POLITICO brings an inside look at the protests in Minneapolis that have sparked action across the country — through the eyes of an activist who says he and other black demonstrators have had enough and a journalist who's stretched thin covering the unrest. Plus, health officials worry the protests could complicate coronavirus contact tracing. And Trump says the US government will designate ANTIFA as a terrorist organization.
Mel Reeves is an activist and organizer in Minneapolis.
Ricardo Lopez is the senior political reporter for the Minnesota Reformer.
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.
Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO audio.
Thanks to Lauren from Minneapolis for describing her experience for this episode.

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Trump’s war with Twitter May 29, 2020

Show notes

Late last night, President Trump threatened violence against protestors in Minneapolis, saying, "when the looting starts, the shooting starts." In response, Twitter put a "glorifying violence" label on the post, further escalating tensions between Trump and the platform, after the president issued an executive order aimed at social media companies Thursday. POLITICO's Nancy Scola breaks down Trump's war with Twitter. Plus, the RNC outline safety guidelines for a coronavirus convention.
Nancy Scola is a senior tech 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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100,000 deaths. More cities reopen. May 28, 2020

Show notes

As the coronavirus death count passes a grime milestone in the US, a growing number of regions are reopening parts of their economies. POLITICO’s Renuka Rayasam and Dan Diamond break down how cities are reopening — and what that means for the country as it tries to emerge from the pandemic. Plus, Pelosi delays a vote on surveillance legislation after an 11th hour bipartisan revolt. And Trump plans to sign an executive order aimed at social media.
Renuka Rayasam is POLITICO's Texas correspondent and author of the POLITICO Nightly newsletter.
Dan Diamond is a health 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.

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NASA’s (and Elon Musk’s) big day May 27, 2020

Show notes

NASA. Elon Musk. A rocket. What could go wrong? POLITICO’s Bryan Bender breaks down what’s at stake in today’s historic launch by NASA and SpaceX — the first astronaut takeoff from US soil in nearly a decade. Plus, Twitter clamps down on the president’s tweets. And North Carolina throws Trump’s Republican convention threat back at the GOP.
Bryan Bender is a senior national 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:
Can NASA and Elon Musk lift off?
Trump and Musk unite over Twitter, the moon and sticking it to the establishment

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How coronavirus got so bad in Russia May 26, 2020

Show notes

Vladimir Putin had grand plans for the spring, including a constitutional change that would let him remain in power into his 80s. Then the coronavirus hit. Now, Russia has more cases than any country except the US. From Moscow, journalist Michele A. Berdy breaks down how the pandemic got so bad in Russia — and how it could turn the tide against Putin. Plus, Trump threatens to pull the GOP convention from North Carolina. And the WHO pauses its study of hydroxychloroquine.
Michele A. Berdy is a journalist at The Moscow Times.
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 Russia’s Coronavirus Crisis Got So Bad

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'A faceless threat': How coronavirus is felt across the world May 22, 2020

Show notes

From Jakarta to Vancouver, POLITICO brings you an on-the-ground look at how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyday life in cities across the globe.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.

Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

We want to hear how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting your life. Send a voice memo recording to audio@politico.com.

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Why thousands of National Guard troops fighting coronavirus could miss out on benefits May 21, 2020

Show notes

More than 40,000 National Guard troops are deployed across the US to help respond to coronavirus. But thousands are set to miss out on key federal benefits by ONE DAY if the White House doesn’t extend their deployment. POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein explains how she broke the story. Plus, the number of coronavirus cases worldwide tops 5 million. And GOP leaders distance themselves from a congressional candidate over social media posts demeaning Muslims.
Alice Miranda Ollstein 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.

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When will schools reopen? May 20, 2020

Show notes

School's out for ... well, no one really knows how long. POLITICO's Nicole Gaudiano explains why it's such a difficult question — and how schools are going to look very different when the doors are open again. Plus, the CDC quietly releases detailed reopening guidance for businesses and public institutions. And McConnell cries foul on the Michael Flynn case.
Nicole Gaudiano is an education 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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A war of words — and money — between the U.S. and China May 19, 2020

Show notes

President Trump is threatening to permanently pull U.S. funding from the World Health Organization. China, on the other hand, is pledging $2 billion to fight the virus. POLITICO’s Ryan Heath explains how the WHO has become a proxy war between the two world powers — and why China is expanding its reach within the organization. Plus, experts sound the alarm over Trump’s decision to take hydroxychloroquine. And Steven Mnuchin and Jerome Powell testify before congress.
Ryan Heath is a senior editor at POLITICO and author of the Global Translations newsletter.
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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