Post Reports

Stern. Exacting. Infallible. The reputation of the U.S. Secret Service is all about perfection. But behind the scenes, the agency is far from perfect. Carol Leonnig goes behind the scenes on scandals and close calls that have come to define the agency.Read more:Before Post reporter Carol Leonnig started covering the Secret Service, she had the same impression most of us do about the men and women in suits standing next to the president. “They are super serious, they never crack a smile. They've got those impenetrable faces and impenetrable shiny glasses. Everything about them is spit, polish and perfect,” says Leonnig.But behind the scenes, the agency tasked with protecting the president is anything but perfect. “As an organization, you just started seeing morale break down,” says Jonathan Wackrow, a former agent and security expert.In her new book “Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service,” Leonnig brings to light the secrets, scandals and shortcomings that plague the agency today--from a toxic work culture to dangerously outdated equipment. “They have witnessed countless security vulnerabilities and gaffes...which make them fear that the zero-fail mission is perpetually at risk,” Leonnig says. “And that is a danger for the lives of the president and his family.”Check out the book: “Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service,” by Carol Leonnig.Read an excerpt: “How Trump set back the Secret Service’s recovery from scandal and strain.”Watch Leonnig’s interview on Washington Post Live.This story was produced by Martine Powers and Ariel Plotnick, and edited by Maggie Penman.

What new legislation can –– and can’t –– do to address anti-Asian hate crimes. And, the growing role of people of color in far-right organizations.Read more:On Thursday, President Biden signed the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, which Congress passed in a rare moment of bipartisanship. Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) discusses the promise — and limits — of the bill aimed at combating anti-Asian hate crimes and how it will be implemented. People of color are playing increasingly visible roles across the spectrum of far-right activism. Today, non-White activists speak for groups of radicalized MAGA supporters, parts of the “Patriot” movement and –– in rare cases –– neo-Nazi factions. Hannah Allam reports on what’s attracting people of color to these groups and how the groups might be benefiting from their membership.

A new tax benefit aims to cut U.S. child poverty in half — if it can reach the parents who need it most. And what happens when the world’s fourth richest person gets a divorce.Read more:Democrats passed a new child tax credit that they hope will cut U.S. child poverty in half. Millions of parents will start getting money as soon as July. But will it reach the families most in need? White House economics writer Jeff Stein reports.After 27 years of marriage and philanthropic partnership, Bill and Melinda Gates are calling it quits. For tech reporter Jay Greene, it’s a moment to reexamine Bill Gates’s image.Post Reports is now a Webby Award winner. We won for best episode of a news and politics podcast, for our story “The Life of George Floyd.”

What we know about the investigation of Rep. Matt Gaetz. And a covid-stricken New Delhi family’s harrowing 12-day ordeal.Read more:Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) was a darling of the Republican right. Now he’s embroiled in allegations that he engaged in sex trafficking involving a minor. Matt Zapotosky reports the latest on the investigation.Foreign affairs reporter Ruby Mellen brings us the story of two sisters scrambling to find care for their parents in coronavirus-ravaged New Delhi.If you value the journalism you hear in this podcast, please subscribe to The Washington Post. We have a deal for our listeners — one year of unlimited access to everything The Post publishes for just $29. To sign up, go to postreports.com/offer.

No end in sight as the Israel-Hamas conflict enters a second week. And, how will the Biden White House respond to the intensifying crisis? Read more:The crisis in the Middle East continues to escalate. Over the past few days, Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have destroyed multiple buildings, including one that housed international media. Miriam Berger reports that at least 200 Palestinians have died, including dozens of children. President Biden and his aides have spent recent days trying to tamp down the eruption of violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip. But as White House reporter Anne Gearan explains, the administration has declined to join calls for Israel to temper its response. 

How to interpret the latest mask-wearing guidance from the CDC. And, what the wave of election laws across the U.S. means for voter access. Read more:On Thursday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky announced that in many cases, fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or outdoors. Yasmeen Abutaleb reports on the CDC’s rationale for the new guidance. National reporter Amy Gardner explains the election laws taking hold inseveralstates, raising concerns over voter access and how elections are run.

The threats — real and imagined — driving a run on gas across the Southeast. And why Peloton decided to recall 125,000 treadmills.Read more:A ransomware attack by suspected Russia-based hackers brought the Colonial Pipeline system to a grinding halt Friday. But gas shortages across the Southeast are largely driven by something else — panic. Will Englund reports.Todd Frankel reported on dozens of injuries, and the death of one child, connected to a Peloton treadmill. Under pressure from consumers and regulators, the company issued a recall.If you value the journalism you hear in this podcast, please subscribe to The Washington Post. We have a deal for our listeners — one year of unlimited access to everything the Post publishes for just $29. To sign up, go to postreports.com/offer.

Where have all the Uber and Lyft drivers gone? And, how the pandemic economy is fueling protests and violence in Colombia.Read more:Uber and Lyft are facing major driver shortages, leading to long wait times and more expensive fares. Faiz Siddiqui reports on why this is happening — and what it may mean for the future of these popular ride-hailing apps.Weeks of protests in Colombia have left dozens dead. South America bureau chief Anthony Faiola explains how the pandemic-ravaged economy has led to massive demonstrations across the country and criticism of Colombian police over the use of force. 

Liz Cheney’s losing battle with the Republican Party. And, the athletes living with covid for the long haul. Read more:Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) is fighting for her life in the party she helps lead. Congress reporter Marianna Sotomayor and Post Reports senior producer Reena Flores discuss the political head winds for Cheney, the third-ranking Republican in the House and an anti-Trump Republican in a party that values loyalty to the former president over everything else. Long-haul symptoms of covid-19 can make any job hard. But what if you’re an elite athlete? Reporter Michael Lee looks at the ramifications of the career-threatening virus in the sports world. Subscribe to The Washington Post: postreports.com/offer

Israeli-Palestinian violence is flaring as Israel marks the contentious Jerusalem Day holiday. What April’s job numbers mean for the future of work. And, the prom must go on. Read more:Violence erupted on Jerusalem Day, leaving at least 300 Palestinians injured. Jerusalem bureau chief Steve Hendrix reports on the escalating violence. April’s job numbers showed a dip in hiring. Economics correspondent Heather Long reports that the drop does not indicate a labor shortage, but a great reassessment of work in America. Education reporter Hannah Natanson reports on a rural Virginia high school that crossed state lines to hold a pandemic prom to remember. Post Reports has been nominated for a Peabody Award for the episode “The Life of George Floyd.” To see the full list of Peabody nominees, click here.