Swamp Notes

A 37-year-old demonstrator, Alex Pretti, was killed by border patrol agents in Minnesota last week. His death sparked international outrage. It also prompted the Trump administration to back down from its most strenuous immigration enforcement positions. The FT’s Washington bureau chief James Politi and deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor look ahead at what the administration’s pivot could mean for deportations and the president’s remaining time in office. Plus, the FT’s US economics editor Claire Jones breaks down Trump’s pick for chair of the Federal Reserve.

Mentioned in this podcast:
US plans ICE drawdown in Minnesota after outcry over immigration raids
How Donald Trump was forced to back off his harshest immigration tactics
Donald Trump nominates Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair
Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here

Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz and the FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: The White House, NBC News, Roll Call, Forbes

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An affordability crisis is sweeping through the US. High prices of food, rents and healthcare are forcing Americans to cut back on necessities. This comes as President Donald Trump’s administration is curbing government support. Sonja Hutson visits Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding Lehigh Valley, and learns how residents are trying to make ends meet.

Mentioned in this podcast:
‘Scraping for crumbs’: Americans squeezed by affordability crisis
Inside Trump’s America

Swamp Notes: The Bethlehem Project is produced by Sonja Hutson and Henry Larson, and edited by Marc Filippino. The show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Our Executive Producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before his trip to Davos this week, Donald Trump threatened tariffs, and even hinted at using military force, to take over Greenland. The US president’s fixation ripped open a diplomatic wound that has been growing steadily over the past year. The Council on Foreign Relations' Benn Steil and the FT’s US foreign affairs correspondent Abigail Hauslohner explain how this week may have reshaped the western world permanently.

Mentioned in this podcast:
‘Waiting for the king’: how Trump dominated Davos
Broad mandate of Trump’s Board of Peace sets it up for rivalry with UN
Read Benn’s column in The Dispatch
Credit: The World Economic Forum, Roll Call

Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here

Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Help from Lauren Fedor The FT’s acting co head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

State governments and many activists are pushing back on the federal government’s mass immigration raids. In response, US President Donald Trump threatened to use the Insurrection Act to quell protests in Minneapolis. The FT’s US national correspondent Guy Chazan and US legal correspondent Stefania Palma describe how this tension is changing the relationship between local leaders and the Trump administration.

Mentioned in this podcast:
‘Anger, grief and tear gas:’ outrage in Minnesota after ICE shooting
Donald Trump threatens to deploy military to Minnesota after ICE shooting

Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here

Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz and the FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: Alpha News, Fox News

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a military operation to capture Venezuela's leader, the Trump administration is seeking influence over other regions across the western hemisphere. The FT’s national editor Edward Luce and US-Europe foreign affairs correspondent Amy Mackinnon share their insights on how Trump and his cabinet have come to embrace the idea of foreign intervention.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Trump really wants Greenland
US says using military is among ‘options’ to acquire Greenland
How the US’s audacious operation to capture Nicolás Maduro unfolded

Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here

Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: Roll Call, CNN, Democracy Now!

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.