On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced a 10% across-the-board tariff on all U.S. trading partners, as well as heightened rates on specific countries. The 10% baseline tariff is set to go into effect on April 5, while the individualized duties will begin on April 9. Additionally, a 25% levy on foreign-made automobiles went into effect at midnight on Thursday. In concert with the announcement, President Trump issued an executive order declaring a national emergency ...
Apr 03, 2025•31 min
On Tuesday, voters in Florida elected two new U.S. representatives, while Wisconsin voters selected a new state Supreme Court justice. The races were the first general elections since President Donald Trump took office in January. In Florida, Republican candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine defeated their Democratic opponents, preserving House Republicans’ narrow majority. In Wisconsin, the Democrat-backed Susan Crawford defeated the Republican-backed Brad ...
Apr 02, 2025•29 min
Beginning in February, President Donald Trump issued a series of orders targeting law firms that he claims have engaged in “conduct detrimental to critical American interests.” The firms named in the orders — Covington & Burling, Paul Weiss, Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale — have previously represented clients or hired lawyers that opposed Trump and his administration. Several firms have brought lawsuits to challenge the executive actions, while others have ...
Apr 01, 2025•30 min
On Monday, March 24, The Atlantic published a partial transcript of communications among Trump administration officials as they discussed impending military operations against the Houthis in Yemen over the Signal messaging app. The outlet’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, had mistakenly been added to the chat and was privy to sensitive discussions about the details of the attack (including types of aircraft, missiles and launch times, as well as the name of a CIA...
Mar 31, 2025•34 min
A few months ago I made a decision that changed my life and the trajectory of Tangle for good. I was approached by a producer for a new podcast called “Question Everything,” hosted by Brian Reed (who you might know from the hit podcast S-Town). The producer, Zach St. Louis, told me they were doing a series about the state and future of journalism. They wanted to do an episode about Tangle, which I agreed to enthusiastically, and then Zach came down to the Tangle office and interviewed me for a f...
Mar 27, 2025•33 min
If you’ve ever read one of Vox’s famous “Explainer” articles , you’re probably familiar with Christian Paz’s work. His reporting is at the forefront of several animating issues in U.S. politics — immigration, the courts, the cultural impact of the Make America Great Again movement, and more. One recent story of his caught our eye and prompted us to reach out for an interview. The piece — titled “The Democrats’ young man problem is real” — offers a detailed look at the shift away ...
Mar 26, 2025•32 min
I lived in California for four years. In that time, I left San Francisco because of wildfire smoke twice, helped plant trees in burn scars three times, and got a taste of the constant concerns over the pressure of cataclysm that native Californians have gotten used to. I say all that not to establish myself as an expert in California and its issues, just to say that when the Los Angeles wildfires broke out earlier this year, I saw the continuing of a story that had been underway for decades, if ...
Mar 25, 2025•42 min
Today is the beginning of the Tangle team’s “spring break.” As part of fostering work-life balance and also assuring our small team can survive the nonstop stream of news, I give our staff three breaks a year: one during August recess when Congress is out, one between Christmas and New Year’s, and one in March — a “spring break.” Our March break begins today. The team is taking full advantage of it — we’re spread out from Japan to West Texas, taking vacation or recharging at home. However, as ou...
Mar 24, 2025•38 min
In today's episode, Will Kaback and Isaac Saul discuss all the craziness and numerous stories we missed this week. The fact that President Trump is complying with court orders and nobody seems to care. We give some tip of the hats to Grok, Starlink and our dear friend Elon Musk. Then we play a game where Isaac tries to remember things we did a year ago. And last but not least, the Airing of Grievances. This is a preview of today's special edition that is available in full and ad-free for our pre...
Mar 23, 2025•26 min
California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom recently launched a podcast called This is Gavin Newsom. The show is advertised as a way for Newsom to sit down with a wide range of political thinkers, with a special emphasis on MAGA personalities who see politics very differently than Democrats do. So far, it’s living up to its billing. Ad-free podcasts are here! Many listeners have been asking for an ad-free version of this podcast that they could subscribe to — and we fin...
Mar 21, 2025•11 min
On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) announced they had carried out a series of airstrikes against what they said were Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. The strikes targeted mid-level Hamas commanders, senior political officials and Hamas's military infrastructure, according to an Israeli official. The IDF claimed to have killed Essam al-Da'alis, the head of the Hamas government, in the strikes. Then on Wednesday, the IDF ...
Mar 20, 2025•31 min
On Saturday, the United States government transferred hundreds of noncitizens and alleged gang members to a detention facility in El Salvador, despite an order from a federal judge blocking the deportation flights. According to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, the deportees were transferred on three flights and included 238 alleged members of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), as well as 23 alleged members of the street gang Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13). Pr...
Mar 19, 2025•31 min
Over the weekend, the United States carried out a series of aerial and naval strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. President Donald Trump said the strikes were retaliation for the Houthis’ attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, adding that the assault would continue until the attacks stopped. At least 53 people, including five children, have been killed by the strikes, according to a Houthi health ministry spokesperson. White Ho...
Mar 18, 2025•27 min
On Saturday, President Donald Trump signed a stopgap bill to fund the government through September and avert a government shutdown. The bill — called a continuing resolution (CR) — was sent to Trump’s desk after the Senate voted 54–46 on Friday to pass it, with two Democrats voting in favor and one Republican voting against. Prior to the final vote, the Senate invoked cloture 62–38. Refresher: The Senate’s cloture rule outlines the procedure of end...
Mar 17, 2025•30 min
In today's episode, Ari and Isaac discuss the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the implications for free speech, and the legal rights of green card holders. They touch on immigration law and its intersection with free speech rights, political dynamics in Kentucky, the problem with Democrats, and the potential for a government shutdown. They also conduct an interview with River Page from the Free Press. And last but not least, the Airing of Grievances. This is a preview of today's special edition that i...
Mar 16, 2025•27 min
As part of the Tangle ethos, we solicit reader questions about politics and our work every day in our newsletter. And every few months, so many questions pile up on the back end that we decide to answer a bunch of them at once in a members-only reader mailbag. Today is one of those days. We think this is a healthy exercise that not only allows us to critically examine some of our own writing, but also provides readers with more perspectives that help us fulfill our core mission. If y...
Mar 14, 2025•26 min
The budget resolution and potential government shutdown. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through September 30 in a 217–213 vote. The spending package would extend much of current federal funding until the end of the fiscal year, with a $6 billion increase in defense spending and a $13 billion decrease in nondefense spending. The bill passed mostly along party lines, with Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) jo...
Mar 13, 2025•28 min
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump threatened to double his planned tariffs on all Canadian steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%. Trump’s announcement followed Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s decision to impose a 25% surcharge on electricity the province supplies to 1.5 million American homes and businesses in response to Trump’s tariff threats. However, on Wednesday, Ford announced he would suspend the electricity surcharge after agreeing with U.S. Secretar...
Mar 12, 2025•30 min
On Friday, the Trump administration announced it will cut $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University in New York City for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students from harassment. Additionally, the administration has directed the Departments of Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services to form a Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism and investigate participants in pro-Palestinian protests on campuses last year. On Saturday, Immigration and Cus...
Mar 11, 2025•29 min
President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to facilitate closing the Education Department. McMahon, who was confirmed by the Senate last Monday, said she does not know when President Trump will sign the order, but affirmed that he is "crystal clear" on the move. Ad-free podcasts are here! Many listeners have been asking for an ad-free version of this podcast that they could subscribe to ...
Mar 10, 2025•29 min
In today's episode, Ari and Isaac fulfilled a promise to recap everything that happened between Thursday and Sunday last week. Then Isaac tries to make opening a six pack a thing. They talk about Bill Ackman, comedians doing politics, pancreatic cancer vaccines, Doge, duh, Gavin Newsom, and good democratic talking points for once. And last but not least, the Airing of Grievances. This is a preview of today's special edition that is available in full and ad-free for our premium podcast subscriber...
Mar 09, 2025•26 min
A little over six weeks ago, my wife gave birth to our first child. For today’s Friday edition, I decided to take a brief break from the news to share a bit about our experience, what I learned, and how having a kid has already begun to impact some of my politics. I hope you enjoy it! This is a preview of today's special edition that is available in full and ad-free for our premium podcast subscribers. If you'd like to complete this episode and receive Sunday editions, exclusive interviews, bonu...
Mar 07, 2025•25 min
Just after midnight on Tuesday, President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all Mexican and Canadian imports — with a lower 10% tariff on Canadian energy imports — and doubled the existing tariff on Chinese products to 20%. Shortly thereafter, China imposed up to 15% tariffs on some U.S. imports, and Canada issued a 25% levy. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that Mexico would issue tariffs on U.S. goods by this Sunday but did not offer sp...
Mar 06, 2025•30 min
Tuesday night, President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time in his second term. Though not technically a State of the Union address, Trump used the platform to tout his administration’s early achievements. Additionally, President Trump outlined his legislative agenda, called attention to stories of Americans who had been victims of crime, and highlighted his administration’s cost-cutting initiatives and executive orders on social issues. The speech ...
Mar 05, 2025•29 min
In January, Managing Editor talked with Meredith Sumpter. She is the CEO of FairVote, a nonpartisan organization that researches and advances voting reforms including ranked choice voting and the Fair Representation Act. They discuss the significance of ranked choice voting (RCV) as a reform for improving American democracy. She addresses misconceptions about RCV, emphasizing its simplicity and effectiveness in enhancing voter representation and accountability. This is a preview of today's speci...
Mar 05, 2025•23 min
On Sunday, President Donald Trump named five digital assets — Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana, and Cardano — that will make up a “Crypto Strategic Reserve” for the United States. The announcement follows Trump’s January 23 executive order establishing the Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, which is tasked with evaluating the creation of a strategic stockpile of national digital assets. Ad-free podcasts are here! Many listeners have been asking for an ad-free version of this po...
Mar 04, 2025•26 min
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met at the White House to conduct final negotiations over a mineral-rights deal. During an Oval Office discussion open to the press, Trump, Zelensky and Vice President JD Vance discussed the future of the Ukraine-Russia war. Toward the end of the meeting, however, Vance and Zelensky clashed over how the administration might navigate Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. After the meeting, Zelensky left the...
Mar 03, 2025•32 min
In today's episode, Isaac is officially back! Isaac and Ari talk about Elon Musk obviously, government waste, DOGE, some of the people that are flying under the radar thanks to Elon Musk, the republicans new budget bill and the Ukraine deal. Finally, Ari and and Isaac play a game and learn about a terrible D3 college that ruin them. And last but not least, the Airing of Grievances. This is a preview of today's special edition that is available in full and ad-free for our premium podcast subscrib...
Mar 02, 2025•33 min
In today's Friday edition, Executive Editor and Founder, Isaac Saul, debunks some of the myths and misconceptions about Tangle (and himself). He outlines our company's principles and gives a candid description about our mission, our work, and the goals we aim to accomplish. Thank you to all of our readers and listeners and we hope this gives clarity to everyone. As always, please feel free to write in with any thoughts your have to [email protected]. You can subscribe to Tangle by...
Feb 28, 2025•13 min
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump told reporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had accepted the draft of a deal that would send partial revenues from Ukraine’s rare earth minerals to the United States. Zelensky described the agreement as a “framework” and said he and Trump would be holding further discussions. The deal could be signed as soon as Friday, when Zelensky reportedly plans to visit the White House. Ad-free podcasts are here! Man...
Feb 27, 2025•29 min
