Joe Biden says he opposes the growing movement to defund police departments amid national outrage over police brutality. But President Trump is still using it as a rallying cry against the Democratic nominee. POLITICO’s Natasha Korecki explains what defunding really is — and how it’s forcing Biden to tread a fine line between scaring off moderates and alienating activists. Plus, Romney is working on his own police reform bill. And Trump is hitting the rally road again. Natasha Korecki is a natio...
Jun 09, 2020•12 min
“I don’t want it to just be the brutal murder of a black person on camera that gets people out into the streets.” Ijeoma Oluo, author of “So You Want to Talk About Race,” discusses what she hopes is next for the national conversation about police brutality — and why she thinks reforms need to happen at the local level. Plus, Minneapolis lawmakers vow to disband the city’s police department. And the National Guard withdraws from the nation’s capitol. Ijeoma Oluo is the author of "So You Want to T...
Jun 08, 2020•13 min
America is facing a trio of crises that are disproportionately hitting black people: police violence, coronavirus and a flailing economy. POLITICO’s Laura Barrón-López explains why it’s a moment that could help Democrats galvanize disillusioned young black voters — but could also further alienate them. Plus, a memorial is held in honor of George Floyd. And a study that raised concerns about hydroxychloroquine is retracted. Laura Barrón-López is a national political reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy ...
Jun 05, 2020•11 min
Mass gatherings increase the risk of exposure to coronavirus. But health experts are expressing support for protests over the killing of George Floyd — and are calling for police brutality against people of color to be seen as a public health crisis. POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein breaks down the complicated relationship between the protests and the pandemic. Plus, Democrats are pushing for a police reform package in Congress. And Mattis breaks his silence on Trump’s response. Alice Miranda O...
Jun 04, 2020•11 min
“This is giving adversaries a cudgel to hit America with.” Other countries are closely watching US demonstrations over police violence — and how the Trump administration is responding. POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi and Ryan Heath explain what that means for international relations and America’s status on the world stage. Plus, Steve King is out. And Trump says the GOP is pulling its convention from North Carolina. Nahal Toosi is a foreign affairs reporter for POLITICO. Ryan Heath is a senior editor at ...
Jun 03, 2020•13 min
“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...
Jun 02, 2020•12 min
"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 a...
Jun 01, 2020•22 min
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 Sco...
May 29, 2020•11 min
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 ...
May 28, 2020•13 min
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 POLITI...
May 27, 2020•12 min
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 jo...
May 26, 2020•14 min
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 22, 2020•10 min
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...
May 21, 2020•12 min
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 produc...
May 20, 2020•10 min
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 ...
May 19, 2020•13 min
The House passed a $3 trillion relief package on Friday. But the measure is almost certainly dead upon arrival in the Senate. California Rep. Jackie Speier explains why Dems aimed high in their bill — and why she thinks lawmakers should be banned from living out of their Capitol offices. Plus, the Fed chairman warns unemployment could hit Depression-era levels. And Japan officially enters a recession. Jackie Speier is a US Congresswoman representing California's 14th Congressional District Jerem...
May 18, 2020•12 min
“It's like hitting conspiracy bingo." That's how coronavirus has flung open the door to conspiracy theories and misinformation, according to one expert. POLITICO's Steven Overly explains how fringe groups and extremists are seizing this moment to peddle dangerous messages online. Plus, Pelosi is pushing a vote on a $3 trillion relief bill. And the CDC releases previously withheld guidance for reopening — kind of. Steven Overly covers technology policy and politics for POLITICO. Jeremy Siegel is ...
May 15, 2020•13 min
Dr. Rick Bright, the vaccine expert turned whistleblower who claims he was unfairly ousted from his position at the Health Department, testifies before Congress today. His claims are explosive, but colleagues say some of his complaint leaves out key context. POLITICO's Dan Diamond and Sarah Owermohle break down the complicated case of Dr. Bright. Plus, a federal judge is tossing cold water on the Justice Department's efforts to drop the case against Michael Flynn. And Trump splits with Dr. Fauci...
May 14, 2020•13 min
Unlike most industries, cannabis sales have been booming during the coronavirus pandemic. And for the states where the drug is legal, that means more tax revenue during a financial crisis. POLITICO's Natalie Fertig explains how that could spur a push for legalization at the federal level. Plus, Wuhan plans to test all 11 million of its residents. And the UN chief is urging religious leaders to actively challenge hate speech and reject xenophobia during the pandemic. Natalie Fertig is a cannabis ...
May 13, 2020•11 min
President Trump had a "mission accomplished" moment in the Rose Garden on Monday as he touted an increase in testing and pushed for lifting restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus. But at the same time, the White House itself was instituting new internal restrictions to prevent its own outbreak. POLITICO's Nancy Cook breaks down the "split screen" view from the West Wing. Plus, some of the nation's top doctors are videoing into a Senate hearing on the pandemic. And the WHO is ...
May 12, 2020•10 min
There's no work from home for the more than 2 million farmworkers in the US who have been deemed "essential" during the coronavirus pandemic. But with packed transportation to the fields and crammed living quarters, many of them are facing conditions similar to before the crisis, putting them at risk of exposure to the virus. POLITICO's Helena Bottemiller Evich explains the "unprecedented" anxiety among agriculture workers. Plus, the White House fights an outbreak of its own. And Georgia's AG ca...
May 11, 2020•12 min
Catastrophic earthquakes. Solar flares that bring down the entire power grid. The global rise of white supremacy. As if the coronavirus pandemic wasn't enough to worry about, POLITICO Magazine looked into the world-changing threats that could be next. Journalist and historian Garrett Graff breaks it down. Plus, the Justice Department drops its case against Michael Flynn. And days after cell phone video sparked national outrage, Georgia authorities have charged a white father and son with murderi...
May 08, 2020•14 min
Fifty-two days ago, President Trump vowed that widespread drive-thru coronavirus screening was finally coming. Now, the White House is declaring victory in the race for more testing. POLITICO's Dan Diamond explains where we really are — and whether it's enough to get the country on track for reopening. Plus, the Trump administration shelves a CDC guide to reopening. And Trump dismisses an ousted vaccine expert as "disgruntled." Dan Diamond is a health care policy reporter for POLITICO. Jeremy Si...
May 07, 2020•11 min
"A very strange eeriness to this whole thing." That's how POLITICO's Marianne LeVine describes the scene at the Capitol right now. We look at what's different in the Senate amid the coronavirus pandemic — including a lack of lobster rolls at the GOP's weekly lunch. Plus, ousted HHS vaccine expert Rick Bright files a whistleblower complaint. And new research sheds light on how the pandemic is disproportionately hitting African American communities. Marianne LeVine is a congressional reporter for ...
May 06, 2020•11 min
Pollution has dropped dramatically. Los Angeles' skyline is no longer obscured by smog. Kangaroos have been spotted hopping through deserted Australian streets. POLITICO's Nick Juliano explains how the climate effects of the coronavirus pandemic are changing the way we think about sustainability. Plus, the Senate is baaaaaaack. And more states are letting businesses reopen. Nick Juliano is POLITICO's sustainability policy editor. Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is th...
May 05, 2020•12 min
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 PO...
May 04, 2020•10 min
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 ...
May 01, 2020•10 min
“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 l...
Apr 30, 2020•12 min
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 p...
Apr 29, 2020•10 min
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 Sieg...
Apr 28, 2020•12 min
