The Decoded Podcast

You can’t please everyone … especially when you’re putting together a team to run the federal government. POLITICO’s Megan Cassella looks at why Biden’s promise to have a cabinet that “looks like America” hasn’t turned out the way advocates had hoped — and what sort of turbulence his nominees could face in the Senate. Plus, lawmakers finally move on Covid relief, but a deal remains elusive. And a Georgia election official condemns Trump after an election worker receives death threats.

Megan Cassella covers the Biden 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: Lawmakers to Biden: 'Step it up' on Cabinet diversity

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When he ran for president in 2016, Trump promised he would revisit America's role in NATO and the World Health Organization, as well as the Iran nuclear deal. And true to his word, he rattled the world's biggest organizations — often pulling the US from its ranks. POLITICO's Nahal Toosi reports on how Trump reshaped US relations in the Middle East and shook up global alliances — and what challenges Biden faces.

Listen to Part One of this series on Trump's foreign policy legacy here.

Nahal Toosi is a foreign affairs reporter for POLITICO.
Carlos Prieto is a podcast producer for POLITICO.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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Since the 1980s, Donald Trump has enjoyed criticizing American presidents and ruminating on how he might do things better. It probably won't be too different once President-elect Biden takes office in January. POLITICO's Michael Kruse breaks down what to expect from Trump after the White House — and why his refusal to admit defeat could be a launching point for a possible 2024 run.

Michael Kruse  a senior staff writer for POLITICO and POLITICO Magazine.
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 Crazy and Confoundingly Successful Conspiracy Theory
Donald Trump Confronts a New Label: Loser

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Trump's win in 2016 sent American allies and adversaries to a panic, not knowing what to expect when dealing with the United States over the next four years. But was his term at the White House as messy as world leaders expected? POLITICO's foreign affairs reporter Nahal Toosi analyzes Trump's policy with China, Russia, and North Korea.

Nahal Toosi is a foreign affairs reporter for POLITICO.
Carlos Prieto is a podcast producer for POLITICO.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Biden turns to familiar faces to grapple with a changed world

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Covid cases are soaring, businesses are staring at a gloomy winter, millions of Americans are struggling and Congress ..... well, they’re on recess. POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris breaks down why there’s still no deal on another round of coronavirus relief — and what role President-Elect Biden will play in future negotiations. Plus, the Trump administration lets Biden move forward with the transition. And the CDC urges overwhelmed contact tracers to prioritize certain cases.

Sarah Ferris is a congressional 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.

Stay up on the latest congressional news in POLITICO's Huddle newsletter.

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As the virus rages across the country, schools are shutting down again — or remain shuttered — even though they haven't turned out to be the super-spreader sites experts feared. At the same time, many bars and restaurants remain open for business. POLITICO's Nirvi Shah explains how the situation is reigniting a heated debate over pandemic priorities. Plus, the CDC recommends travelers get tested before and after international flights. And President-Elect Biden is expected to release some Cabinet picks Tuesday.

Nirvi Shah is a senior deputy 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: It's starting to sink in: Schools before bars

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The technologies that protect us, move us and power our daily lives require mining minerals and metals in distant places. But access to these essential materials is increasingly under threat. Hosts Luiza Savage and Ryan Heath talk with experts who are sounding the alarm. 

Luiza Savage is the host of Global Translations.
Ryan Heath is a host of Global Translations.
Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio. 
Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO Audio. 
Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO Audio. 
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.

Sharon Burke is a senior advisor for the International Security Program and Resource Security Program at New America. 
Nedal T. Nassar is Chief of Materials Flow Analysis Section at the U.S. Geological Survey.
Tom Duesterberg is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute. He is an expert on trade and foreign policy.

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Short answer: No. Long answer: Listen to the episode. POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro breaks down the convoluted Electoral College process between now and December 14th, when the results become official, and why there’s virtually nothing that could change the fact that Joe Biden is the President-Elect. Plus, Biden is set to meet with Pelosi and Schumer in Delaware. And the Trump administration moves to ease oil drilling rules in the Arctic.

Zach Montellaro is a campaign 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:
Could GOP states ignore voters and send Trump delegates to the Electoral College?
Giuliani and fellow Trump lawyers crank out conspiracies as legal challenges implode

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It’s a weird moment in the pandemic: There’s promising news about vaccines and at-home testing … and a nationwide surge in cases that’s only expected to get worse in the coming weeks. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn and Dan Diamond break down the state of the Covid crisis and what’s next with the holidays just around the corner. Plus, the nation’s largest public school system shuts down in-person learning. And Republicans denounce Trump’s latest firing.

Adam Cancryn is a health 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.

Sign up for the POLITICO Pulse newsletter for the latest on the pandemic.

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