POLITICO Tech

POLITICO

The POLITICO Tech podcast is your download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy. New episodes on Thursdays.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

1,037 episodes
Updated Dec 18, 2025

Episodes1037

Newest first

Jun 9, 2020 · 12 min
How defunding the police could change the election
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 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: Trump's latest attempt to tag Biden as a radical flops Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 8, 2020 · 13 min
Ijeoma Oluo: ‘Start talking action. Look local.’
“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 Talk About Race." 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 5, 2020 · 11 min
Can Biden win over black protesters?
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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 4, 2020 · 11 min
The complications of protesting during a pandemic
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 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. Read more: Mass protests could undo hard-won progress in pandemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 3, 2020 · 12 min
How the world is watching America right now
“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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 2, 2020 · 11 min
‘Law and order’
“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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 1, 2020 · 21 min
Inside the Minneapolis protests
"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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 29, 2020 · 11 min
Trump’s war with Twitter
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 28, 2020 · 13 min
100,000 deaths. More cities reopen.
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 27, 2020 · 12 min
NASA’s (and Elon Musk’s) big day
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 26, 2020 · 13 min
How coronavirus got so bad in Russia
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 22, 2020 · 10 min
'A faceless threat': How coronavirus is felt across the world
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 21, 2020 · 11 min
Why thousands of National Guard troops fighting coronavirus could miss out on benefits
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 20, 2020 · 10 min
When will schools reopen?
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 19, 2020 · 12 min
A war of words — and money — between the U.S. and China
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 18, 2020 · 12 min
‘We have to step up’: Rep. Jackie Speier on the House’s doomed relief package
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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 15, 2020 · 13 min
Coronavirus: A crisis of misinformation
“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 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: Conspiracy theorists, far-right extremists around the world seize on the pandemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 14, 2020 · 12 min
The whistleblower
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 on how quickly schools should reopen. Sarah Owermohle is a health care reporter for POLITICO. Dan Diamond is a health care 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. Read more: Colleagues paint a mixed picture of ousted vaccine chief Top Trump critic will testify before a chairwoman who is a close ally Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 13, 2020 · 11 min
Cannabis in the age of coronavirus
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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 12, 2020 · 10 min
Coronavirus: A tale of two White Houses
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 warning countries not to reopen too quickly. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices