Decoded by POLITICO

With tattoos and the looks of a WWE body double, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman isn’t your average politician. He says that will help win over working class Trump voters in his bid to flip an open Senate seat in 2022, but he’s facing resistance from fellow Democrats who think the party should pick the most progressive candidate possible — not another white man with Rust Belt appeal. POLITICO’s Holly Otterbein reports on how the race has become an inflection point in the party. Plus, Speaker Pelosi says she won’t bring progressive “court packing” legislation to the floor. And House Minority Leader McCarthy meets with scandal-ridden Congressman Matt Gaetz.

Holly Otterbein 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

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.

David Lim is a health care reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Subscribe to the Prescription Pulse newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Sarah Owermohle is a health care reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Biden officials bracing for possibility of weekslong disruption to J&J vaccine supply

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Christopher Cadelago is a White House reporter for POLITICO (seriously).
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 an online ‘Lego’ gamer infiltrated the White House press corps

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Jonathan Nez is the President of the Navajo Nation.
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

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.

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.

Read more: Biden lays out executive orders to curb ‘international embarrassment’ of gun violence

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Sarah Owermohle is a health care reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel  is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more:
J&J vaccine-maker’s troubles started months ago
U.S. searches for new AstraZeneca vaccine producer after Emergent mix-up
Senior Trump and Biden officials knew for months about problems at vaccine plant

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Brakkton Booker is a national correspondent and author of The Recast newsletter 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 in The Recast newsletter.
 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Zach Montellaro is a campaign reporter for POLITICO and author of the Morning Score 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.

Read more: McConnell: Big Business acting like 'woke parallel government'

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Dr. Anthony Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
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