Last week, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the ninth time since March of 2022, this time by a quarter of a percentage point. Interest rates are now at 5%, the highest level since 2007. The move comes at a time of unusual uncertainty, as some bankers and investors urge the Fed to pause the rate increases because of the failure of several mid-sized banks. Plus, I follow up on Friday's clickbait edition. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here (paywall...
Mar 27, 2023•23 min
On today's episode, we sit down with political psychologist Steven Kull and talk about developing new methods for giving us (the people) a greater voice in public policy. Kull is the director of the program for public consultation and part of the school of public policy at the University of Maryland. He is also the founder and president of Voice of the People (VOP), a nonpartisan organization seeking to give U.S. citizens a more direct line to members of Congress. You can subscribe to Tangle by ...
Mar 24, 2023•32 min
Members of Congress are proposing a TikTok ban. What are the best arguments for and against it? Plus, a reader question about what is happening in Israel. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here . Today’s clickables: Quick Hits (0:57), Today’s Story (2:49), Those Opposing Ban (7:20), Those Supporting Ban (11:02) , Isaac’s Take (14:46), Your Questions Answered (18:24), Under the Radar (20:15), Numbers (21:17), Have A Nice D...
Mar 23, 2023•23 min
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War. On March 17, 2003, former President George W. Bush gave Saddam Hussein an ultimatum: Leave Iraq within 48 hours or face military action. On March 19, the U.S. began bombing Iraq, and on March 20 began a ground invasion. Today, we're revisiting the Iraq War, and examining some present day arguments about what went right and what went wrong. Plus, a question about budget proposals. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “U...
Mar 22, 2023•24 min
On Saturday, the International Criminal Court accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of war crimes, and issued a warrant for his arrest. Putin became just the third head of state to be indicted by the ICC while still in power. Specifically, the ICC accuses Putin of deporting hundreds of Ukrainian children — and potentially many more — to Russia. On Monday, China's leader Xi Jinping visited Putin in Moscow for three days of talks. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” st...
Mar 21, 2023•22 min
On Saturday, former President Donald Trump claimed he is going to be arrested on Tuesday and called for supporters to protest on his behalf. Trump is currently under investigation by multiple agencies, but his post on Truth Social alleging an arrest was imminent appeared to be in reference to a New York grand jury investigation into hush money payments to women who say they had sexual encounters with the former president. Plus, a question about how much Europe is spending in Ukraine compared to ...
Mar 20, 2023•28 min
On Monday, Fox News published the results of a questionnaire it presented to every leading Republican presidential candidate about their position on Ukraine. Specifically, the questionnaire asked, "Is opposing Russia in Ukraine a vital American national strategic interest?" We break down what Ron DeSantis said about Ukraine, and I try to answer the question that got everyone talking. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here...
Mar 16, 2023•29 min
On Monday, the Biden administration said it was going to approve an oil drilling project in Alaska's North Slope, a petroleum-rich area in the northernmost county of the United States. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here . Today’s clickables: Quick Hits (0:54), Today’s Story (2:30), Right’s Take (6:49) Left’s Take (11:54) , Isaac’s Take (17:13), Your Questions Answered (23:04), Under the Radar (25:06), Numbers (25:54),...
Mar 15, 2023•28 min
Over the weekend, U.S. regulators took over Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) after it collapsed on Friday morning. In a matter of 48 hours, SVB experienced a bank run and capital crisis, becoming the second largest bank in U.S. history to go under . Over the weekend, panic spread among investors and economists who feared the failure of SVB could set off a national financial crisis, but those concerns were mostly allayed when U.S. regulators announced emergency measures to protect depositors. You can re...
Mar 14, 2023•28 min
On Thursday, President Joe Biden released a $6.8 trillion budget plan for 2024 that he says will cut deficits by $2.9 trillion over the next decade, increase military funding, raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations, and pay for Medicare and Social Security without any major cuts or reforms to the programs. While the budget increases the military’s budget, it represents a decline in military spending as a share of the overall U.S. economy in the next decade. Plus, a reader asks why I never p...
Mar 13, 2023•28 min
On Monday, Fox News host Tucker Carlson aired his first segment on January 6 after receiving some 41,000 hours of security footage from the Capitol. The footage was given to Carlson by new House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who promised to hand the footage over as part of his campaign for Speaker. You can find our summary of what we learned from the January 6 hearings here , our coverage of the Ray Epps story here , and all our previous January 6 coverage here . See the ProPublica archive of v...
Mar 09, 2023•31 min
Last week, a Republican bill to prevent pension fund managers from basing their investment decisions on things like climate change cleared Congress, setting up what is expected to be the first veto of Joe Biden's presidency. Plus, a reader question about my view on prisons. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here . From the Blindspot Report, a story the left missed here and a story the right missed here . Today’s clickable...
Mar 08, 2023•27 min
We're covering Trump's dominance at CPAC, his speech, and the reactions to it from the right and left. Plus, a reader question about whether liberal or conservative readers are more likely to unsubscribe from Tangle. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here . Today’s clickables: Quick Hits (0:53), Today’s Story (2:46), Right’s Take (11:53) Left’s Take (6:57) , Isaac’s Take (16:48), Your Questions Answered (20:59), Under the...
Mar 07, 2023•26 min
Today, we're breaking down the debate over the Washington D.C. crime bill and Biden's decision to oppose it. Plus, a reader question about my most extreme political views. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here. Today’s clickables: Quick Hits (0:53), Today’s Story (2:45), Right’s Take (6:35) Left’s Take (11:41) , Isaac’s Take (16:40), Your Questions Answered (22:00), Under the Radar (24:13), Numbers (24:50), Have A Nice D...
Mar 06, 2023•27 min
Last week, the Biden administration announced a new temporary rule that will penalize asylum seekers who cross the border illegally or fail to apply for asylum in the countries they traverse before arriving in the U.S., while also opening doors for increased legal entry through a government-created mobile app. Plus, a question about how unemployment rates are calculated. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here . Today’s cl...
Mar 02, 2023•29 min
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a challenge to President Biden's student debt cancellation program. Members of the Supreme Court's conservative majority seemed skeptical of the legality of the program, casting doubt on its future. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here . Read our previous coverage of student loan forgiveness here. From the Blindspot Report, a story that the left missed here and a sto...
Mar 01, 2023•28 min
On Sunday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) concluded the Covid-19 pandemic most likely arose from a laboratory leak, according to a classified intelligence report recently given to the White House. The Department of Energy had been undecided on how the virus likely emerged, but updated its 2021 determination and made its conclusion with "low confidence." Plus, a reader question about staying optimistic in times like these. You can read today's podcast he...
Feb 28, 2023•30 min
We covered the story of East Palestine in a special Friday edition, which included original reporting on what happened there. Since then, residents living within 30 miles of the crash have filed a class-action lawsuit, and both former President Trump and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have visited the area. Plus, I respond to some reader feedback about Friday's edition on Fox News. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” sto...
Feb 27, 2023•30 min
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in Gonzalez v. Google , a case that could change the liability social media companies have for the content published on their platforms. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here . Today’s clickables: Quick Hits (1:41), Today’s Story (3:16), Those against changing (6:52), Those in favor of changing (11:26), Isaac’s Take (16:46), Your Questions Answered (19:43), Under the Radar (2...
Feb 23, 2023•24 min
On Monday, President Biden made a surprise visit to the capital of Ukraine. It was the first time in the modern era that a president had traveled into a war zone not controlled by American forces. U.S. counterparts in Moscow were given notice about the trip before Biden departed. Plus, a question about using AI with Tangle and a feel-good story to wash it all down. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here . From the Blindsp...
Feb 22, 2023•23 min
On Wednesday night, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression, according to his spokesperson. The news of the hospitalization came just a few days after Fetterman was released from a prior hospitalization after feeling lightheaded and disoriented during a Democratic retreat. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here . Today’s clic...
Feb 21, 2023•24 min
In late January, the seven states that rely on the Colorado River for water failed to strike a water-sharing deal by the federally mandated deadline. Because the states were unable to come to an agreement, the Biden administration — led by the federal Bureau of Reclamation — may have to intervene and impose regional water cuts at a time when the states involved continue to battle droughts and historically low reservoirs. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here an...
Feb 16, 2023•22 min
In a matter of eight days, U.S. fighter jets have shot down four objects across North America. The first was the highly publicized downing of the purported Chinese spy balloon , which was downed off the coast of South Carolina. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here. If you're interested in a UFO newsletter by Isaac and his brother, sign up here . Today’s clickables: Quick Hits (2:20), Today’s Story (4:17), Left’s Take ( ...
Feb 15, 2023•26 min
On today's special episode of Tangle, as a way to celebrate Valentine's Day, I sat down and interviewed my wife. We talked about law school, our political disagreements, her favorite and least favorite things about me, and finished in the most mushy way possible. Happy Valentine's Day. Read today’s newsletter here (The Twitter hearings). You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our podcast is written by Isaac Saul and edited by Zosha Warpeha...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 22 min
During last week's State of the Union address , President Biden claimed that "some Republicans" want to sunset Social Security and Medicare, drawing boos and jeers from Republican members of Congress in attendance. In the week since, President Biden has escalated those attack lines , repeating the claims during public speeches in Florida. Republicans have continued to object, saying it's a "falsehood" that there are plans to get rid of Social Security or Medicare. You can read today's podcast he...
Feb 13, 2023•28 min
Manu Meel is the CEO of Bridge USA, a nationwide movement on college campuses that aims to promote open discussion between students about political issues. Bridge is currently located on over 50 college campuses and 24 high school campuses in the U.S., with some 3,000 students engaged last semester. Today, we discuss political division, Manu’s story, and what it’s like trying to get students to talk about difficult issues together. You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something i...
Feb 12, 2023•31 min
On Saturday, the Democratic National Committee approved President Biden's proposed changes to the primary calendar for 2024, making South Carolina the first state to vote in Democratic primary elections while moving Iowa back . In the new plan, New Hampshire would follow South Carolina, then Nevada, and then primaries would be held in Georgia and Michigan. You can read today's podcast here and today’s “Have a nice day” story here. From our Blindspot Report, a story that the left missed and one t...
Feb 09, 2023•26 min
Last night, President Biden delivered his second ever State of the Union, an annual address to Congress and the country meant to serve as an update on the nation's current condition. This episode includes a recap of the address and a fact check on some of his claims. Plus, a poll on what you think and a story about the Trump vs. DeSantis feud. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here , and today’s “Have a nice day” story here. Plus, a poll: Did you watch the State...
Feb 08, 2023•29 min
Ilhan Omar. Rep. Omar (D-MN) was voted off of the Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. Last week, we covered the removal of Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) from the House Intelligence Committee, which new House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was able to do on his own. Removing Omar, however, required a full vote in Congress. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here , and today’s “Have a nice day” story here. Today’s clickables: Quick Hits (1:01)...
Feb 07, 2023•29 min
On Saturday, a United States military fighter jet shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the Atlantic Ocean, about six nautical miles off the coast of South Carolina. The balloon had entered U.S. airspace nearly a week before, garnering national attention from citizens, news media, and the U.S. military alike. Plus, a question about my interview with the "Keep Nine" guys. You can read today's podcast here , today’s “Under the Radar” story here , and today’s “Have a nice day” story here. ...
Feb 06, 2023•27 min
