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After the Trump administration launched a massive Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operation in Minnesota, protesters gathered to defend immigrant neighbors. Renee Nicole Good, a mother of a six year old, showed up with her wife and dog to film altercations between officers and community members. What happened next changed everything. Guest: Jon Collins, senior reporter on the Minnesota Public Radio News race, class and communities team. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Feb 11, 2025 • 22min
What Next - The GOP Can't Quit "Stop the Steal"
Mark Joseph Stern, a senior writer at Slate focusing on courts and law, dives into the political theatrics surrounding election integrity in North Carolina. He discusses Republican strategies to contest election results, emphasizing Jefferson Griffin's aim to disqualify ballots from Democratic areas. The conversation highlights the implications for electoral democracy and the firsthand experiences of those impacted. Stern also connects these tactics to wider trends of partisan influence in judicial settings, raising alarms about the future of voter rights.

Feb 10, 2025 • 23min
What Next - Lessons From Hungary
Gábor Scheiring, a former Hungarian parliament member and assistant professor at Georgetown University Qatar, shares insights on Viktor Orbán's regime. He discusses the alarming parallels between Orbán and Trump, focusing on rising authoritarianism and political polarization in both Hungary and the U.S. Scheiring emphasizes the importance of actively defending democracy and addresses the socio-economic struggles of Hungary's working class. He encourages strategic engagement from opposition parties to resonate with citizens' concerns and shape a more hopeful political future.

Feb 9, 2025 • 23min
What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - Why Trump’s Data Purge is a Digital Book Burning
Using Github, you can watch as government websites are brought into compliance with Donald Trump’s executive orders. Out goes the word “equity;” in comes “fair.” And health and science data, once publicly available, disappears.Guest: Jason Koebler, cofounder of 404 Media.Jeremy Prokop, data science advisor in the MidwestWant more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 8, 2025 • 50min
Slate Money - The Trade War That Never Was
The hosts dive into the chaotic trade negotiations that almost spiraled into a war with Canada and Mexico. They reveal the absurdities behind Trump's proposed U.S. sovereign wealth fund. A captivating discussion unfolds on sports betting's legal landscape, particularly as companies find ways to monetize events like the Super Bowl despite state restrictions. Plus, the differences between betting and futures trading come into focus, shedding light on regulations that influence both. It's a blend of economic insights and entertaining banter.

Feb 8, 2025 • 56min
Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts - Trying To Undo A Coup, In The Courts
Former Judge Nancy Gertner discusses her role in suing the Trump administration, focusing on protecting FBI agents threatened for their January 6th prosecutions. She shares insights on recent court victories and their implications for democracy. Mark Joseph Stern then dives into the ongoing DOGE litigation and controversies surrounding birthright citizenship, highlighting the judiciary's critical role in safeguarding rights amid political turmoil. Together, they shed light on the fierce legal battles against authoritarianism.

Feb 7, 2025 • 7min
What Next - TBD Bonus: The Discourse | Why is Elon Musk Cheating at Video Games?
Elon Musk is supposed to be running several companies and a new government department—so why is he also spending money to pretend to be good at video games?Guest: Drew Harwell, tech reporter for the Washington Post.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 TBD—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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 7, 2025 • 7min
What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - Bonus: The Discourse | Why is Elon Musk Cheating at Video Games?
Elon Musk is supposed to be running several companies and a new government department—so why is he also spending money to pretend to be good at video games?Guest: Drew Harwell, tech reporter for the Washington Post.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 TBD—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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 7, 2025 • 24min
What Next - TBD | Is Elon Musk Unstoppable?
You can’t doubt the enthusiasm of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. You can question the legality of some of their early moves. Guest: Makena Kelly, senior writer at WIRED. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Evan Campbell, Patrick Fort, and Cheyna Roth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 7, 2025 • 24min
What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - Is Elon Musk Unstoppable?
In this intriguing discussion, guest Makena Kelly, a senior writer at WIRED focusing on politics and technology, delves into Elon Musk's ambitious government initiatives. She addresses the anxieties of federal employees under Musk's Doge program, exploring potential job security threats amidst efficiency drives. The conversation highlights the legal and political murkiness surrounding Musk's actions and their implications for democratic accountability. Kelly raises concerns on the growing influence of wealth in U.S. agencies, questioning the balance between private interests and public service.

Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 5min
Political Gabfest - Elon Musk’s DOGE Rampage
David Leonhardt, a New York Times columnist known for his insights on economics and social issues, joins the conversation. They delve into Elon Musk's bold actions impacting federal agencies and explore how U.S. economic growth contrasts with citizen well-being. The discussion highlights the widening gap between prosperity and quality of life, emphasizing income inequality and social isolation. They also examine recent state-level immigration efforts and their legal implications, navigating the contentious landscape of policy and governance in America.


