Tangle
Independent, non-partisan politics news where you'll hear the best arguments from across the political spectrum on the news of the day. Plus, fascinating interviews with people in the political world. Check out our newsletter: https://www.readtangle.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PREVIEW: The Friday Edition. - The case for the Democratic Socialists of America.
One of the core tenets of Tangle’s mission is ideological diversity. As a big-tent news organization, we believe that we can be a space for readers of all political backgrounds to hear arguments from across the political spectrum.
As I look around today’s media landscape, something occurs to me: It’s becoming a hobbyhorse of political commentators to beat up on the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Both moderate Democrats and Republicans attack it constantly, as do independents. And in my own writing, I’ve overtly criticized the DSA. Indeed, it’s hard to find write...
The EPA’s power plant deregulation.
On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the repeal of Biden-era emissions regulations for power plants and proposed rolling back all remaining greenhouse gas standards for the power sector. The agency said the move will create an estimated $310 billion in savings and lower energy prices for consumers. On Thursday, environmental advocates sued the EPA for this week’s power plant deregulatory actions.
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“Am I the...
Suspension of the rules. - Isaac, Kmele and Ari chat about the threat of artificial intelligence, Mitch McConnell's return and more.
On today's episode of Suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele chat about whether or no artificial intelligence will kill us all and some reflection on Mitch McConnell's return to congress. They then play a fun little game called "Is Isaac an idiot or not?". Last but not least, a somber but very good grievance.
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Is our food safe?
If yo...
SCOTUS blocks mail-in voting changes.
On Monday, the Supreme Court denieda request from the Trump administration to allow the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to carry out parts of President Donald Trump’s executive order placing new regulations on mail-in voting. The president had issued the order in March to address alleged voter fraud, and the Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s block on parts of the executive order in August. The Court’s most recent decision prevents the order from taking effect before the November midterm elections.
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AI leaders call for a slowdown.
On Saturday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay arguing that artificial intelligence (AI) development is advancing at an unsafe pace and should be moderated. Executives at other leading AI companies endorsed Amodei’s post, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman saying “we need to pace the frontier.” In recent months, AI systems have allegedly hacked other companies’ platforms without their immediate knowledge, and former Anthropic employee Jacob Coxon publicly resigned last week, citing the company’s purportedly insufficient AI-safety policies.
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Trump’s $5,000 dividend promise.
At the Republican Party’s inaugural midterm convention on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said that his administration will send $5,000 to every U.S. adult citizen if the GOP retains control of the House and Senate in November’s elections. The president called the “Trump Dividend” a way for Americans to share in the economic strength that would result from Republican governance.
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9/11 reflections.<...
PREVIEW: The Friday Edition - Your questions about 9/11, answered.
What have we learned since that fateful day?
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What happened to al-Qaeda?
This Friday marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Ahead of the anniversary, The Atlantic’s Graeme Wood published a detailed report on the attack’s impact on the Middle East and the state of al-Qaeda. Senior Editor Will Kaback spoke with Wood about the surprising information we’ve learned about Os...
The latest on John Fetterman.
On Wednesday, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) appeared via video at the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention, reiterating his opposition to socialism and praising Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA). Fetterman has frequently criticized the Democratic Party’s embrace of democratic socialism and anti-Israel rhetoric, leading to speculation that he could switch parties or become an independent.
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Suspension of the Rules.
This week’s edition of Suspension of the Rule...
Suspension of the rules. - The Maine anniversary episode. Isaac, Ari and Kmele reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and Tangle's 7 year anniversary.
On today's episode of suspension of the rules, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele are in the great state of Maine together to commemorate and reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and their own personal experience from 9/11. The guys then shift gears to a less somber note to celebrate Tangle's 7th anniversary and chat about where Tangle started and where its heading. Its a great episode!
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What happened to...
The August economic reports.
In the run-up to the November midterm elections, new reports on key economic indicators have shed light on the state of the U.S. economy. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will meet next week for the third time under Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh to consider changes to the interest rate in light of a strong jobs report and persistent inflation. Meanwhile, the Iran war and a burgeoning trade dispute with Canada have added new variables to the economic picture.
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PREVIEW: SPECIAL EDITION - What happened to al-Qaeda? Will Kaback interviews American journalist Graeme Wood.
It’s been nearly 25 years since the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Virtually all of the leadership of al-Qaeda that planned and orchestrated the attacks have now been killed, but the group remains intact today. But if you talk to national security and terrorism experts, they’ll offer wildly different assessments of how strong — and how much of a threat — it still poses.
Graeme Wood is a journalist and staff writer at The Atlantic who covers the Middle East, terrorism, and political Islam. Earlier this month, he published a piece in The Atlantic with a simple, provocative title: What ha...
The Army secretary resigns.
On Monday, August 31, The Wall Street Journal reported that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll had resigned amid protracted disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; Driscoll’s last workday was September 2. Several other military leaders have been fired or resigned under Hegseth, who has sought to reduce the size of military leadership. President Donald Trump appointed Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle to serve as acting secretary and did not give a timeline for nominating a replacement.
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PREVIEW: The Friday Edition. - Not all billionaires are bad.
But should they exist?
Let me start by saying that I get it.
A few years ago, I read a fascinating piece about how professional basketball had lost its cool factor. The current stars of the NBA, like Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, just don’t have it. They aren’t charismatic in the same ways Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan or Dr. J were. They aren’t eccentric, or captivating, or culture-defining. “No aura,” as the kids say.
Spend a few minutes watching Elon Musk work a room or Mark Zuckerberg t...
The data center pushback grows.
In recent months, opposition to data centers has increased across the United States, prompting both Republican and Democratic politicians to oppose the facilities and some states to pause new construction. While some political leaders, including President Donald Trump, remain supportive of data centers, the topic has become a major issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, often linked to concerns about societal disruptions brought on by artificial intelligence (AI).
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Susp...
Suspension of the rules. - Kmele Foster blows up on the internet, Ari has a good guy of the week, Abdul El-Sayed, an inriguing whistle blower complaint and much more.
Coming up on today's jam packed and lengthy episode of Suspension of the Rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele cover lots of ground including addressing all of the internet buzzing about Kmele Foster's lastest CNN appearance, Ari has a good guy of the week, Abdul El-Sayed and some CBS coverage, and a very intriguing whistle blower that got Isaac's attention. All of this and much more on today's episode of SOTR. It's a good one!
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SCOTUS and the White House ballroom.
On Monday, the Supreme Court decided 5–4 to allow President Trump to continue above-ground construction on his White House ballroom project. The unsigned order pauses a federal judge’s halt on above-ground construction, stating the plaintiff likely lacks legal standing. However, the majority did not decide whether Trump has the legal authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval, and litigation will continue in lower courts.
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The U.S. oil deal with Venezuela.
On Friday, President Donald Trump announced an agreement to make the United States government an investor in the production of Venezuelan oil. Under the reported terms of the deal, the U.S. will take a stake in a private Venezuelan company that will be given the rights to develop 17 oil fields believed to contain 65 billion barrels of oil. President Trump said the deal will help build up U.S. oil reserves, bring down gas prices, and promote investment and production in Venezuela from other U.S. energy companies. Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez said the deal will economically ben...
CIA Director Ratcliffe’s trip to Russia.
On Tuesday, August 25, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow, Russia, for the first publicly disclosed time to meet with Russian intelligence officials. While the CIA has not shared the official purpose of the trip, Ratcliffe reportedly cautioned Russia against attacking North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states. The visit also comes after four and a half years of war between Russia and Ukraine with little progress in peace discussions.
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PREVIEW: The Friday Edition. - Have we no shame?
Against normalization culture.
Dear readers,
In this week’s Press Pass, I introduced our newest editor, Carina Pacheco. As I said in that newsletter, when Carina applied to work here, I was struck by her writing voice, the lens through which she sees the world, and her interest in the intersection of culture and politics. To me, she offered something distinct from the rest of the team. Today, I’m thrilled to share her debut Tangle essay, which is adapted from a piece she published in her newsletter.— Isaac
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The Meta settlement.
On Wednesday, Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Threads, reached a settlement with a group of state attorneys general to pay up to $16.7 billion to resolve a case over alleged harms to children caused by its social media apps. The company also agreed to implement safeguards designed to mitigate excessive use of Facebook and Instagram by minors.
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The latest Suspension of the Rules.
Is...
Suspension of the rules. - Isaac, Ari and Kmele mourn Dolly Parton and then get into Iowa's interesting candidate for governor, Darline Graham, Jesse Watters and more.
Coming up on today's episode of Suspension of the Rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele mourn the loss of the great Dolly Parton. They then chat about the very interesting candidate for governor in Iowa, Darline Graham officially winning the South Carolina primary, and then a good guy of the week featuring Jesse Watters? Last but not least, our grievances. It's a good one!
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The Supreme Court’s latest mail-in ballot ruling.
On Monday, the Supreme Court stayed a federal injunction on President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to change its rules for mail-in ballots. The Court’s unsigned opinion did not address the legality of the executive order; instead, the Court found that the states challenging it lacked standing to do so. The three Democratic-appointed justices dissented. A separate injunction blocking implementation of the executive order remains in place. In compliance with President Trump’s order, on August 21, USPS published a finalized rule specifying it would not deliver mail ballots in states that do not sha...
The national debt hits $40 trillion.
On Tuesday, August 18, the Treasury Department announced that the debt held by the U.S. government surpassed $40 trillion, a record high. The national debt has more than doubled since 2017, and it increased from $39 trillion to $40 trillion in roughly the past five months. In response to the latest milestone, lawmakers from both parties called for new initiatives to reduce the debt.
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For the past...
The U.S.–Canada trade war escalates.
On Saturday, the United States imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods, including lumber, dairy products, clothing, and alcohol. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada would match the U.S. tariffs “dollar for dollar,” with retaliatory duties set to begin on September 8. Though Canada has not officially released information on its tariff plans, Carney said the duties would target U.S. “steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.” On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. would increase tariffs on “all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automotiv...
PREVIEW: The Friday Edition. - I was wrong about DOGE.
A full accounting of the initiative’s impact.
Back in 2024, when the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was first proposed, its goals were clear.Elon Musk said he’d attempt to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget. Like many Americans (including me) who are concerned about our debt and deficit, Musk’s view was that if government spending didn’t meaningfully change, the U.S. was headed for a financial crisis that would leave the country in ruins. In a November 2024 op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, he and Vivek Ramaswamy said they’d operate the new agency...
Trump’s vaccine executive order.
On Monday, August 10, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to make changes to its recommended childhood vaccine schedule. In remarks at the White House signing event, the president also suggested that a link may exist between the number of vaccines children receive and increased rates of autism.
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The new Suspension of the Rules.
This week, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele discuss the deba...
Suspension of the rules. - Isaac, Ari and Kmele discuss "Woke 1" and the 2020 post mortem that's happening, Tuesday's wild election results, Jon Ossoff and more.
Coming up on today's episode of Suspension of the Rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele discuss the AOC "Woke 1 was crazy" commentary and the 2020 covid era post mortem conversations that seem to be happening right now. Then we dive into Tuesday's wild election results from Florida and the rest of the country. Kmele talks about Jon Ossoff and we respond to a clip of Darline Graham. Last but not least, our grievances. It's a good one!
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Challenges aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
On Friday, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is returning to the United States as part of a “planned rotation.” Cao’s announcement follows weeks of reporting on strained conditions aboard the ship, including food and supply shortages, mental health struggles among sailors, and multiple sailors reportedly attempting to jump overboard. Aside from brief stops in Guam in December and Oman in July, the carrier has been operating for 271 days at sea without its crew taking a port call. The Japan-based USS George Washington (CVN-73) is set to relieve the Lincoln.
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The Flock surveillance cameras debate.
In recent weeks, public opposition has grown toward vehicle-tracking cameras used by law enforcement in criminal investigations. Private manufacturer Flock Safety operates the largest network of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in the United States, with approximately 127,000 cameras across the country. The company has recently faced scrutiny for potential civil liberties violations and misuse by police officers, prompting some localities to review or cancel their contracts with the company.
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The Wisconsin gubernatorial primaries.
On Tuesday, August 11, Wisconsin held primary elections for the 2026 midterms, headlined by the gubernatorial race to replace outgoing Gov. Tony Evers (D). U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany won the Republican nomination with 95% of the vote, while on the Democratic side, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong 39.8%–39.4%. Crowley’s victory was a significant upset, as pre-election polls showedHong with a double-digit lead.
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PREVIEW: The Friday Edition. - I don’t pledge allegiance to the flag.
Because if I did, I wouldn’t mean it.
Dear readers,
One of the only Tangle products I don’t have my hand in editing is our Sunday newsletter, which I get the pleasure of enjoying as a consumer (and is a highly-recommended Tangle member perk!). Last year, I was perusing The Sunday when I came across the week’s reader essay, written by a young reporter from Appalachia named Isaac Wood. The piece was about his experience as a white journalist producing a podcast about the historical experiences of black Americans living in East Tenn...
The abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller.
Over the past week, Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) has faced growing calls to resign or drop his bid for reelection amid allegations of domestic abuse. Emily Moreno, Miller’s ex-wife and the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), accused Miller of verbally and physically abusing her and their two-year-old daughter; Miller denies the allegations. In recent days, Sen. Moreno has spoken out against Miller, saying the representative is unfit to serve in Congress.
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Suspension of the rules. - Isaac and Ari are joined by Audrey Moorehead to discuss the Michigan Senate primary results, a Trump scandal turned into a fun game and the Rep. Max Miller allegations.
Coming up on today's episode of Suspension of the Rules, Isaac and Ari are joined by Tangle editor Audrey Moorehead to discuss the Michigan Senate primary results, a Trump scandal that has been driving Isaac nuts which Ari then turns it into a fun game, and then we talk about the allegations against Representative Max Miller. Last, but not least, our grievances. It's a good one!
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The Michigan primaries.
On Tuesday, the Democratic and Republican parties held primary elections for several key seats in Michigan. The contests were headlined by the Democratic Senate primary, in which Rep. Haley Stevens (MI) faced off against former public health official Abdul El-Sayed to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters. At 8:35 AM ET on Wednesday, Decision Desk HQ declared El-Sayed the winner, and Stevens conceded the race shortly after. El-Sayed will face former Rep. Mike Rogers (R) in the general election.
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The cyberattacks on U.S. water systems.
On Thursday, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an alert about potential cyber threats to water systems after approximately 36 sites in Minnesota reported cyberattacks. Then, on Saturday, Michigan reported cyberattacks on nine water systems; both states say their water supplies are not actively threatened. Separately, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that attacks have been reported in at least seven states. Federal authorities are investigating the source of the threat, which U.S. investigators believe bears the hallmarks of cyberterrorist groups linked to Iran.
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A potential breakthrough in Gaza.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump said that the Board of Peace, a U.S.-led international body aiming to achieve peace in the Gaza Strip, had reached an agreement for Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza to disarm. The next day, the board shared a 15-point “roadmap” for a multi-step peace plan, outlining actions that Hamas and Israel would take to eventually transfer control of the strip to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). Hamas officials said the group’s disarmament was contingent on Israel withdrawing from Gaza, while Israeli officials have expressed skepticism about Hamas’s co...
PREVIEW: SPECIAL EDITION - Ari Weitzman interviews climate research lead at Stripe Zeke Hausfather about the recent wild fires.
In today's special edition, Ari Weitzman interviews Zeke Hausfather who is the climate research lead at Stripe, climate research scientist at Berkeley Earth and contributor at Carbon Brief about the recent global wild fires and what they have to do with changing climate.
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The latest Suspension of the Rules.
In this week’s episode, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele discu...
PREVIEW: The Friday Edition. - Is sports betting really that bad?
What my experience (and the data) show.
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The latest Suspension of the Rules.
In this week’s episode, Isaac, Ari, and Kmele discuss what we have and haven’t learned from the Covid-19 pandemic. Plus, a conversation about whether government-run grocery stores will help or hurt consumer prices, and Isaac heaps some praise onto an unlikely character. Check it out here!
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Fauci’s diary and Senate hearing.
On Wednesday, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee questionedDr. Anthony Fauci about his decision-making during the Covid-19 pandemic. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment throughout the roughly three-hour hearing, drawing rebuke from committee Republicans and a warning from Committee Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) that he could be charged with contempt of Congress. The hearing followed the release of diary entries from Fauci between December 2019 and December 2022, which described how he approached key moments of the pandemic and processed his rising celebrity.
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Suspension of the rules. - Isaac, Ari and Kmele chat Anthony Fauci, Mamdani's city-ran grocery stores and a surprising "Good guy of the week" segment.
Coming up on today's episode of Suspension of the Rules, Isaac, Ari and Kmele talk about Anthony Fauci pleading the fifth and his legacy. They then get into a really surprising "Good guy of the week" segment followed by a conversation about Zohran Mamdani's plan for city-ran grocery stores coming together. Last but not least, our grievances where Kmele defends his horrible position about the NYC subways. It's a good one!
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