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
651
The future of Covid testing
Sure, vaccines are the talk of the town. But Covid testing will still play a massive role in the return to some semblance of normalcy. POLITICO's David Lim reports on what's next for Covid tests — in schools and at home. Plus, prosecutors will not charge the U.S. Capitol Police officer who fatally shot a rioter on Jan. 6. And the White House Correspondents' Association cancels its 2021 dinner.
12 min
652
Everything you need to know about the Johnson &...
POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle is one of more than 6 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine before regulators pressed the pause button over fears of extremely rare blood clotting events. Owermohle joins Dispatch to break down regulators’ decision to halt the J&J shots — and what it could mean for vaccine hesitancy. Plus, new data shows that 80 percent of student loan borrowers would have their debt completely erased if Biden agrees to a progressive proposal. And HUD moves to restore fair housing rules weakened under Trump.
16 min
653
How a fake reporter infiltrated the White House...
Who is “Kacey Montagu”? POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago tells the wild and weird story of how a fictitious correspondent rose from the depths of internet role playing to the White House briefing room. Plus, Biden plans to nominate Pentagon veteran Christine Wormuth to be the first female Army secretary. And Secretary of State Blinken names Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley as the department’s newly created chief diversity and inclusion officer.
13 min
654
A conversation with Navajo Nation President Jon...
Almost a year ago, the Navajo Nation had the worst Covid infection rate in America. Now, it's vaccinated more of its population than any state. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez talks with Dispatch’s Jeremy Siegel about how the nation fought back against the virus. Plus, Secretary of State Blinken says China has been forthright on the virus. And some Republican leaders aren’t pleased with Trump’s fiery Mar-a-Lago speech over the weekend.
18 min
655
What Biden’s executive orders on guns really do
In the aftermath of mass shootings in Georgia and Colorado, President Biden signed several executive orders on Thursday aimed at reducing gun violence. POLITICO’s Anita Kumar digs into what they really do — and why they’re set to face obstacles in the courts and in red states. Plus, Florida sues the Biden administration over cruise restrictions. And senators are set to question two top health nominees next week.
11 min
656
How we lost 15 million Covid vaccines
15 million doses. Gone. All because a plant accidentally mixed ingredients. POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle looks at how such a big mistake happened. Plus, Virginia’s legislature votes to speed up marijuana legalization. And a Cuomo accuser says the New York governor urged her to stay silent.
11 min
657
Three key moments from the Chauvin trial
The nation is on trial. And race is front and center in the courtroom. POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker breaks down three key moments from the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police officer charged with murdering George Floyd. Plus, the State Department says it isn't considering a joint boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics. And California aims to “fully reopen” its economy by June 15.
12 min
658
Big business gets ‘woke’ in Georgia
From Coca Cola to the MLB to Delta, big companies are criticizing a Georgia law that advocates say infringes on voting rights. POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro breaks down what’s in the legislation — and looks at what the corporate backlash could mean for Republican efforts to change voting rules in other states. Plus, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson vetoes a ban on youth transgender care. And former Rep. Katie Hill says Rep. Matt Gaetz should resign if allegations of sexual misconduct prove true.
11 min
659
A one-on-one with Dr. Fauci
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, joins Dispatch to discuss rising Covid cases, vaccine passports, the timeline for returning to normal and — not joking — Lord of the Rings. Plus, the Derek Chauvin trial enters its second week. And Buttigieg defends Biden’s infrastructure plan amid Republican criticism of the price tag.
15 min
660
All aboard the $2 trillion infrastructure train!
Expanded rail systems. Funding for crumbling roads and bridges. A new fleet of electric vehicles.. There’s a lot in Biden’s new infrastructure proposal. There’s also a big price tag. POLITICO’s Sam Mintz and Dispatch’s Jeremy Siegel hop aboard the ‘$2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Express’ for a quick tour of Biden’s goals — and look at whether they have any chance of making it through Congress. Plus, Democrats are poised to reintroduce legislation that aims to reshape college sports. And a group of unions are demanding the Biden administration forgive student loans for public service workers.
10 min
661
Another ‘oh sh*t’ moment in the pandemic
We’re on the verge of a fourth Covid surge. And that has health officials freaked out about a nightmare scenario where cases outpace vaccinations, more new variants emerge and things … get really bad. POLITICO’s Erin Banco reports. Plus, the Democrat who lost a House race in Iowa last year by only six votes is dropping her challenge to Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. And European regulators say there’s no evidence to support restricting the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
11 min
662
The Supreme Court gets a case of March Madness
Right now, college basketball players are competing in a tournament that generates billions of dollars, but they're not the ones raking in cash. Today, the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a case that could shift the way the NCAA regulates compensation for those athletes. POLITICO’s Juan Perez reports. Plus, Biden signs a bill extending the deadline for small business loans. And Asian American advocates praise some new White House actions to counter rising anti-Asian violence.
11 min
663
A small town in Alabama vs. the richest man on ...
Workers at an Amazon warehouse in the town of Bessemer have submitted their votes in an election that could shape the fate of Amazon — and the future of the labor movement in the U.S. POLITICO’s Rebecca Rainey gives an on-the-ground look at the facility and its employees during the final days of the union drive. Plus, Biden urges states to pause reopening. And another woman accuses New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment.
13 min
664
The fight for Black farmers comes to Washington
In 1920, Black farmers owned 14 percent of all farms in the U.S. Today, they own just 1.6 percent. POLITICO’s Ximena Bustillo breaks down the century of discrimination that led to that decline — and looks at newly invigorated efforts to undo the damage. Plus, Rep. Judy Chu says she’s concerned the Atlanta shootings suspect won’t be charged with a hate crime. And Sen. Susan Collins avoids censure from her state party.
13 min
665
We waited 65 days for that?
After more than two months in office, President Biden gave his first press conference on Thursday. Spoiler: It wasn’t that exciting. POLITICO’s Emily Cadei breaks down why the most notable moments came in the questions that Biden didn’t answer — and the questions that the press didn’t ask. Plus, the FEC says members of Congress can use campaign cash to hire bodyguards. And Pelosi urges California Democrats not to run in the Gov. Newsom recall.cash to hire bodyguards. And Pelosi urges California Democrats not to run in the Newsom recall.
11 min
666
AstraZeneca’s no good very bad week
There are PR disasters … and then there’s whatever the heck happened with AstraZeneca this week. POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle breaks down how and why the drug maker got into a public spat with U.S. health officials over the efficacy of its Covid vaccine. Plus, Biden makes Harris the point person on immigration issues. And Virginia bans the death penalty.
12 min
667
Biden’s do-over on gun reforms
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, President Obama tapped then-Vice President Biden to help push through gun reforms, but they ended up going nowhere in the Senate. Now, in the aftermath of two mass shootings in less than a week, Biden’s hoping to avoid a repeat — and activists are wondering why he isn’t doing more. POLITICO’s Anita Kumar reports. Plus, Biden extends the special enrollment season for Obamacare. And the Government Accountability Office launches an investigation into Biden's freeze on border wall funding. Anita Kumar is a White House correspondent and associate editor 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.
11 min
668
48 hours of grief in Atlanta
In the aftermath of last week’s mass shooting in Georgia that killed eight people — six of them women of Asian descent — activists, political leaders and the Asian American community are grieving and calling for justice. POLITICO’s Maya King and Catherine Kim report from a rally and a prayer service held in Atlanta over the weekend. Plus, Biden taps a prominent tech industry critic to join the FTC. And the U.S. and some allies announce sanctions on China. Catherine Kim is a reporter for POLITICO. Maya King covers race 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.
14 min
669
An icy showdown in Alaska
U.S. and Chinese officials met in Alaska for their first in-person talks under the Biden administration last week and things ... got pretty testy. POLITICO’s Stuart Lau gives the play-by-play for a meeting he says “was as frosty as the weather suggests.” Plus, lawmakers condemn violence against Asians and Asian Americans. And Republican Julia Letlow wins a special election to replace her late husband in Congress. Stuart Lau is POLITICO Europe's China correspondent. 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.
13 min
670
The reality at the border
13 min
671
The Great European Vaccine Panic
More than half of the countries in the EU have paused AstraZeneca vaccinations amid panic that the shot could cause blood clots — despite lack of evidence. POLITICO Europe’s Sarah Wheaton breaks down the three reasons why Europe freaked out. Plus, the White House defends a controversial measure in the Democratic Covid package. And the IRS pushes back Tax Day.
13 min
672
The California recall just got real
11 min
673
‘A swing and a miss’: How the U.S. let Google d...
12 min
674
‘Just targeted randomly and killed’
13 min
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An 'atmosphere of awkwardness': Biden's Ukraine...
12 min