POLITICO Tech

The POLITICO Tech podcast is your daily download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy. From AI and the metaverse to disinformation and microchips, we explore how today’s technology is shaping our world — and driving the policy decisions, global rivalries and industries that will matter tomorrow.

Tech News
Politics
Daily News
476
The knives are out for Lina Khan
President Biden’s top trustbuster is making enemies in Washington. POLITICO’s Leah Nylen reports. Plus, the CDC says side effects from third doses of Covid-19 shots are mild. And health groups urge the FDA to step up its e-cigarette regulation.
11 min
477
A 'problematic' alliance with India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a troubling track record when it comes to human rights. But Biden needs him to counter China. POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi reports. Plus, polls have Democrat Terry McAuliffe ahead in the Virginia gubernatorial election. And California becomes a permanent vote-by-mail state.
11 min
478
Two senators on their fight against military se...
Playbook’s Rachael Bade talks with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Joni Ernst about their bipartisan effort to overhaul the way the military handles sexual assault. Plus, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott defends his state’s audit of the 2020 election. And Pfizer’s CEO argues that first shots and boosters can be distributed simultaneously.
13 min
479
Presenting Global Insider: Colombian President ...
On this special presentation of POLITICO's new podcast Global Insider, host Ryan Heath sits down with Colombia’s leader Iván Duque.
14 min
480
FDA cracks down on vaping
Federal regulators are ordering millions of e-cigarette products off the market. POLITICO’s Katherine Foley breaks down how the move is reshaping the vaping industry. Plus, Biden picks up the tab for Florida school leaders fined by Gov. DeSantis. And the House sinks an effort to pull troops from Syria.
13 min
481
Where is Xavier Becerra?
The HHS Secretary is staying out of the spotlight and away from major Covid decisions. POLITICO’s Adam Canryn reports. Plus, the Fed signals that it plans to pull back economic support. And Biden commits to communication with France.
12 min
482
Ds and Rs agree: We hate Biden’s migration policy
Bipartisanship? POLITICO’s Sabrina Rodriguez explains why both sides of the aisle are mad at Biden for his handling of the Southern Border. Plus, Rep. Adam Schiff says the panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection is preparing to issue subpoenas. And the Justice Department plus several states sue to block a joint venture between American Airlines and JetBlue.
12 min
483
The unlikely story of Germany’s election
Earlier this year, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative party was poised to hold onto power even after its leader stepped down. But now, the uncharismatic head of the rival Social Democrats is on track to win an upcoming national election. POLITICO’s Chief Europe Correspondent Matt Karnitschnig reports. Plus, manufacturers urge the Biden administration to drop its push to waive intellectual property protections for Covid vaccines. And the White House buys at least 60 million over-the-counter Covid-19 test kits.
13 min
484
Battle of the boosters
POLITICO’s Lauren Gardner gives an inside look at the contentious debate among federal health officials over booster shots. Plus, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves argues against Biden’s vaccine mandate. And French President Macron is set to speak with Biden in the ‘next few days’ amid diplomatic tensions.
14 min
485
Inside the global race to dominate tech
It’s a three-way race between the US, China and the EU — and the final result could reshape our lives. Global Insider host Ryan Heath reports. Plus, a judge blocks Biden from using a Trump-era public health order to expel migrant families. And Obama endorses Trudeau (again).
13 min
486
Ron DeSantis’ flirtation with anti-vaxxers
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis isn't anti-vaccine. But he has started standing beside those who are. POLITICO’s Gary Fineout reports. Plus, Moderna says new data supports its booster shot. And Sen. Klobuchar says she’s confident Congress can pass legislation targeting tech giants.
11 min
487
A kick in the Fed
A group of progressive lawmakers is calling for President Biden to ditch Jerome Powell and nominate a new Federal Reserve Chair. POLITICO’s Victoria Guida reports. Plus, the Treasury plans to release more rental assistance funds to prevent evictions. And the Justice Department announces a ban on no-knock entries and chokeholds.
11 min
488
Lessons from Las Vegas’ reopening
Las Vegas tried to reopen without widespread vaccination, but those plans crashed into reality. Will things be different this time? POLITICO’s Megan Cassella reports. Plus, Homeland Security chief of staff Karen Olick abruptly resigns. And Secretary of State Antony Blinken defends Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal before Congress.
12 min
489
Newsom’s judgment day
Polling shows California Gov. Gavin Newsom coming out on top in tomorrow’s recall election. But that doesn’t mean his political future will go unscathed. POLITICO’s Kevin Yamamura reports. Plus, six Capitol Police officers are being disciplined for their conduct on Jan. 6. And Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer defends himself against calls to step down.
12 min
490
‘It was a mistake’: The 9/11 response reconsidered
After 20 years to think it over, many of the architects of the post-9/11 world would have done some things differently. POLITICO’s Daniel Lippman explains what he learned from conversations with the officials behind America’s response, including former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and former Deputy Director of the CIA John McLaughlin. Plus, the DOJ sues Texas over its restrictive abortion law. And the FDA says more than 5 million electronic cigarettes must be taken off the market.
15 min
491
Covid, hunger and a surprising statistic
As Covid destroyed the economy, the percentage of American households facing food insecurity remained stagnant — likely due to unprecedented government spending. POLITICO’s Helena Bottemiller Evich explains how pandemic programs could provide a path for ending hunger in the U.S. Plus, a Florida judge blocks DeSantis’ attempt to halt a mask mandate ruling. And Obama stars in Newsom ads ahead of the California recall election.
13 min
492
Presenting Playbook Deep Dive: These Republican...
For today's episode of POLITICO Dispatch, we're featuring the most recent episode of Playbook Deep Dive. Check it out — and subscribe below! There's an intra-party fight on the right — and it's not (all) about Trump! For decades, conservatives have called for the government to take a hands-off approach to the economy. But now, a group of self-styled “common good capitalists” — like Sen. Marco Rubio — want to change that. And, they’re gaining power. It’s a divide not only over what policy approach is best, but what the most effective political strategy is for the GOP in the 21st century. Playbook co-author Tara Palmeri talks with an influential voice in this new economic counterculture — Oren Cass, head of American Compass and Mitt Romney's former campaign advisor, as well as Eliana Johnson, POLITICO Magazine contributor and editor-in-chief of the Washington Free Beacon, about this policy divide and where the 2024 GOP hopefuls land on this spectrum. Subscribe to Playbook Deep Dive: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playbook-deep-dive/id1111319839
25 min
493
Rebroadcast: A genocide recognized
For more than a century the U.S. has not formally recognized the killing of more than a million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during WWI as genocide. This year, that changed. POLITICO’s Charlie Mahtesian explains what it means for Armenian Americans. Plus, the U.S. pledges aid to India amid a Covid surge. And a group of Senators Biden to push for Medicare expansion. This episode originally aired on April 26, 2021.
12 min
494
Your ulti-mutt guide to pets in the White House
On today's special episode of Dogs-patch — er, Dispatch: a brief history of presidential pets at 1600 Pennsylvania, featuring the Kennedy's dog Pushinka (who might have helped avert nuclear war), Teddy Roosevelt's badger (really more questions than answers here) and Nixon's dog Checkers (who sadly passed before he could rescue his owner from Watergate). Andrew Hager, the historian-in-residence at the Presidential Pet Museum, provides biting commentary on the furry residents of the White House.
16 min
495
Presenting POLITICO Energy: Humanity’s code red
The UN’s top climate panel has released a milestone report on the status of climate change, and according to scientists, it’s very unlikely the world will meet the most ambitious target of limiting global climate change rising 1.5 degrees Celsius. But POLITICO’s Zack Colman says things could still get much worse if bold action isn’t taken. This episode originally aired on POLITICO Energy on August 10, 2021.
10 min
496
Billionaires are in space. Is Washington ready?
Billionaires Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson have kicked off what's on track to be a commercial space boom in the coming years. POLITICO's Bryan Bender reports on how prepared Washington is to regulate it all.
10 min
497
How much is your immunity waning?
We know that the effectiveness of vaccines appears to be dipping. But we don't know how much yet — or when it will become a big problem. POLITICO's Sarah Owermohle reports. Plus, a group of progressive lawmakers call for Biden to Dump Jerome Powell as Fed chair. And the US is dropped from the EU's safe travel list.
12 min
498
Boston's big choice
Boston has an historically diverse field of mayoral candidates. But voters are having a hard time figuring out who to support. POLITICO's Lisa Kashinsky reports. Plus, Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he expects the Taliban won’t seal off Afghanistan after Aug. 31. And Dr. Fauci says the Biden administration is "sticking with" its booster shot recommendations.
11 min
499
‘The ultimate test of Trudeau’s Teflon’
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has held onto power despite a series of scandals. But a flash election is putting his popularity to the test. POLITICO Canada’s Nick Taylor-Vaisey reports.Plus, Biden vows retaliation after 12 U.S. troops were killed in ISIS attacks in Kabul. And the USDA projects record agricultural exports over the next year.
11 min
500
A shortage of health workers
Hospitalizations are up. But some areas don’t have enough health workers to handle the influx of patients. POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein reports. Plus, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces 12,000 deaths will be added to the state's Covid tally. And Pfizer and BioNTech ask the FDA to approve their booster shot.
11 min