What Next | Daily News and Analysis

While the What Next team celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day, please enjoy this episode from our colleagues at Amicus, Slate’s legal podcast. Mary will be back with a new episode of What Next tomorrow.In this week’s episode of Amicus, we delve into the recent Supreme Court shadow docket order in Noem v. Vasquez-Perdomo, which in essence legalized racial profiling by roving ICE patrols, and in practice may have ushered in America’s “show your papers” era for Americans with brown skin, who speak Spanish, and/or go to Home Depot in work clothes. Join Dahlia Lithwick and Ahilan Arulanantham, a longstanding human rights lawyer and law professor, as they unpack what this unargued, unreasoned, unsigned and (in Kavanaugh’s case) uncited decision means for both immigrants and U.S. citizens, for 4th amendment doctrine, and for the lower courts expected to parse SCOTUS’ tea leaves. Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerrit De Vynck, a technology reporter at The Washington Post, dives into the complex world of AI in policing. He explains how tools like LongEye help detectives manage overwhelming amounts of digital evidence. The conversation raises crucial civil rights concerns, discussing data access, surveillance tools, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining human oversight in AI use. Gerrit also touches on public sentiment regarding privacy versus convenience, revealing the broader implications of AI on society and law enforcement.

As troops continue to roll in, unwelcome, to American cities, you can be forgiven for calling the national picture “pretty bleak.” But even now, the news will occasionally let you get off a chuckle or guffaw, even if it isn’t always from your better nature. It’s SchadenFriday; go ahead and indulge.Guest: Alex Sammon, Slate feature writer. This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock exclusive episodes of What Next —you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joseph Cox, cofounder of 404 Media and an investigative journalist, dives into the challenges of obtaining information from ICE and DHS. He discusses the significance of FOIA requests and the controversies surrounding a data-sharing agreement between CMS and ICE, which could expose how Medicaid data is utilized for enforcement. Cox also reveals troubling insights about ICE's spyware contracts, emphasizing the potential implications for privacy and immigrant rights. His pursuit of transparency highlights the broader issues of government secrecy and public accountability.

Robert Klemko, a Washington Post reporter focused on law enforcement and criminal justice reform, sheds light on ICE's controversial recruitment practices. He discusses the urgency behind attracting new agents through lowered standards and the implications for public safety. Klemko reveals alarming trends at recruitment fairs, including troubling attitudes among applicants and the dangers of miscommunications due to inadequate training. With increased funding, he warns of the risks of a rapidly growing, ideologically driven agency, potentially paving the way for a more confrontational future.

Isaac Stanley-Becker, a staff writer at The Atlantic, shares insights on the contrasts between President Trump's rhetoric and the reality of protests in Portland. He highlights the diverse makeup of demonstrators and their focus on supporting migrants. Elizabeth Lopatto from The Verge delves into how media narratives shape perceptions of the protests and discusses the implications of labeling groups like Antifa as domestic extremists. Both guests examine the impact of federal interventions and the evolving local tactics in response to ongoing tensions.

Yair Rosenberg, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of the newsletter Deep Shtetl, dives deep into the complexities of Trump's Gaza negotiations. He discusses why the announcement seemed premature, the contents of the 20-point plan, and the cautious approach to Palestinian self-governance without explicitly mentioning statehood. Rosenberg also explores the shifting dynamics in Israel's negotiations, the role of Hamas, and the sticky issues like hostages and guarantees, offering insights into potential outcomes and implications for Netanyahu's future.

Mark Joseph Stern, a senior writer for Slate and co-host of Amicus, dives into the Supreme Court's contentious new term. He unpacks the implications of upcoming cases, highlighting how partisan agendas are normalized within the Court. Expect a potential strike down of Colorado's ban on conversion therapy and a discussion on Louisiana's redistricting efforts that dilute Black votes. Stern also critiques the shadow docket, revealing how it favors Trump, and voices concerns from legal experts about the Court's fracturing of coherent law.

In this engaging discussion, Jason Schreier, a seasoned video game reporter for Bloomberg, delves into the recent $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and Jared Kushner. He highlights the concerns around employee layoffs and the significance of the deal within the gaming industry. Jason also explores the shift towards live service models, the implications of taking EA private, and Saudi Arabia's interest in diversifying its economy through gaming, all while reflecting on the future of game types.

Emily Baker White, a senior writer at Forbes and author of 'Every Screen on the Planet: The War Over TikTok,' discusses TikTok's fascinating algorithm, shaped by insights from young curators in Mexico City. She reveals how the platform used data from various sources to refine its recommendations and explains the controversial 'heating' feature that allowed manual boosts. The conversation delves into the implications of a U.S. takeover, questioning whether control over the algorithm would actually change user experience and content diversity.