Tangle

In today's Friday edition, Executive Editor Isaac Saul makes the case for due process for anyone on American soil — and explaining how the recent deportation stories represent a genuine threat to American citizens. This is a preview of today's special edition that is available in full and ad-free for our premium podcast subscribers. If you'd like to complete this episode and receive Sunday edition...

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump  announced  a 10% across-the-board tariff on all U.S. trading partners, as well as heightened rates on specific countries. The 10% baseline tariff is set to go into effect on April 5, while the individualized duties will begin on April 9. Additionally, a  25% levy on foreign-made automobiles went into effect at midnight on Thursday. In concert wi...

On Tuesday, voters in Florida elected two new U.S. representatives, while Wisconsin voters selected a new state Supreme Court justice. The races were the  first general elections  since President Donald Trump took office in January. In Florida, Republican candidates Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine  defeated  their Democratic opponents, preserving House Republicans’ narrow majorit...

Beginning in February, President Donald Trump issued a series of orders targeting law firms that he  claims  have engaged in “conduct detrimental to critical American interests.” The firms named in the orders — Covington & Burling, Paul Weiss, Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale — have previously represented clients or hired lawyers that opposed Trump and his admini...

On Monday, March 24, The Atlantic published  a partial transcript of communications among Trump administration officials as they discussed impending  military operations  against the Houthis in Yemen over the Signal messaging app. The outlet’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, had mistakenly been added to the chat and was privy to  sensitive discussions  about the details...

A few months ago I made a decision that changed my life and the trajectory of Tangle for good. I was approached by a producer for a new podcast called “Question Everything,” hosted by Brian Reed (who you might know from the hit podcast S-Town). The producer, Zach St. Louis, told me they were doing a series about the state and future of journalism. They wanted to do an episode about Tangle, which I...

If you’ve ever read one of Vox’s famous “Explainer” articles , you’re probably familiar with Christian Paz’s work. His reporting is at the forefront of several animating issues in U.S. politics — immigration, the courts, the cultural impact of the Make America Great Again movement, and more.  One recent story of his caught our eye and prompted us to reach out for an interview. The piece —&nbs...

I lived in California for four years. In that time, I left San Francisco because of wildfire smoke twice, helped plant trees in burn scars three times, and got a taste of the constant concerns over the pressure of cataclysm that native Californians have gotten used to. I say all that not to establish myself as an expert in California and its issues, just to say that when the Los Angeles wildfires...

Today is the beginning of the Tangle team’s “spring break.” As part of fostering work-life balance and also assuring our small team can survive the nonstop stream of news, I give our staff three breaks a year: one during August recess when Congress is out, one between Christmas and New Year’s, and one in March — a “spring break.” Our March break begins today. The team is taking full advantage of i...

In today's episode, Will Kaback and Isaac Saul discuss all the craziness and numerous stories we missed this week. The fact that President Trump is complying with court orders and nobody seems to care. We give some tip of the hats to Grok, Starlink and our dear friend Elon Musk. Then we play a game where Isaac tries to remember things we did a year ago. And last but not least, the Airing of Grieva...

California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom recently launched a podcast called  This is Gavin Newsom.  The show is advertised as a way for Newsom to sit down with a wide range of political thinkers, with a special emphasis on  MAGA personalities  who see politics very differently than Democrats do. So far, it’s living up to its billing. Ad-free podcasts are here! Many listene...

On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA)  announced they had carried out a series of airstrikes against what they said were Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. The strikes targeted mid-level Hamas commanders, senior political officials and Hamas's military infrastructure,  according  to an Israeli official. The IDF  claimed  to have killed...

On Saturday, the United States government transferred hundreds of noncitizens and alleged gang members to a detention facility in El Salvador, despite  an order  from a federal judge blocking the deportation flights. According to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, the deportees  were transferred  on three flights and included 238 alleged members of the Venezuelan prison gang Tr...

Over the weekend, the United States  carried out  a series of aerial and naval strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. President Donald Trump  said  the strikes were retaliation for the Houthis’ attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, adding that the assault would continue until the attacks stopped. At least 53 people, including five children, have...

On Saturday, President Donald Trump  signed  a stopgap bill to fund the government through September and avert a government shutdown. The bill — called a continuing resolution (CR) — was sent to Trump’s desk after the Senate  voted 54–46  on Friday to pass it, with two Democrats voting in favor and one Republican voting against. Prior to the final vote, the Senate invoked clotu...

In today's episode, Ari and Isaac discuss the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the implications for free speech, and the legal rights of green card holders. They touch on immigration law and its intersection with free speech rights, political dynamics in Kentucky, the problem with Democrats, and the potential for a government shutdown. They also conduct an interview with River Page from the Free Press. A...

As part of the Tangle ethos, we solicit reader questions about politics and our work every day in our newsletter.  And every few months, so many questions pile up on the back end that we decide to answer a bunch of them at once in a members-only reader mailbag. Today is one of those days. We think this is a healthy exercise that not only allows us to critically examine some of our own writing...

The budget resolution and potential government shutdown. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives  passed  a continuing resolution to fund the government through September 30 in a 217–213 vote. The spending package  would extend  much of current federal funding until the end of the fiscal year, with a $6 billion increase in defense spending and a $13 billion decrease in nondefe...

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump threatened to  double  his planned tariffs on all Canadian steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%. Trump’s announcement followed Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s  decision  to impose a 25% surcharge on electricity the province supplies to 1.5 million American homes and businesses in response to Trump’s tariff threats. However, on Wednesday, For...

On Friday, the Trump administration  announced  it will cut $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University in New York City for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students from harassment. Additionally, the administration  has directed  the Departments of Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services to form a Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism and investig...

President Donald Trump is  reportedly  planning to sign an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to facilitate closing the Education Department. McMahon, who was  confirmed  by the Senate last Monday,  said  she does not know when President Trump will sign the order, but affirmed that he is "crystal clear" on the move. Ad-free podcasts are here!...

In today's episode, Ari and Isaac fulfilled a promise to recap everything that happened between Thursday and Sunday last week. Then Isaac tries to make opening a six pack a thing. They talk about Bill Ackman, comedians doing politics, pancreatic cancer vaccines, Doge, duh, Gavin Newsom, and good democratic talking points for once. And last but not least, the Airing of Grievances. This is a preview...

A little over six weeks ago, my wife gave birth to our first child. For today’s Friday edition, I decided to take a brief break from the news to share a bit about our experience, what I learned, and how having a kid has already begun to impact some of my politics. I hope you enjoy it! This is a preview of today's special edition that is available in full and ad-free for our premium podcast subscri...

Just after midnight on Tuesday, President Donald Trump  imposed  25% tariffs on all Mexican and Canadian imports — with a lower 10% tariff on Canadian energy imports — and doubled the existing tariff on Chinese products to 20%. Shortly thereafter, China  imposed  up to 15% tariffs on some U.S. imports, and Canada  issued  a 25% levy. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbau...

Tuesday night, President Donald Trump  addressed  a joint session of Congress for the first time in his second term. Though not technically a State of the Union address, Trump used the platform to tout his administration’s early achievements. Additionally, President Trump outlined his legislative agenda, called attention to stories of Americans who had been victims of crime, and highligh...