Doge Debacle: Budgetary Conflicts Uncovered

The New Yorker staff writer Benjamin Wallace-Wells joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss the decline of DOGE, what Elon Musk’s exit from the White House means for its work, and the initiative’s legacy in the long run. Plus, the assassination of the Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, and the growing trend of impersonating law enforcement.

This week’s reading:

• “What Did Elon Musk Accomplish at DOGE?,” by Benjamin Wallace-Wells
• “The Minnesota Shootings and the Dangerous Trend of Impersonating Law Enforcement,” by Benjamin Wallace-Wells
• “The Trump Crackdown on Elected Officials,” by  Jonathan Blitzer
• “What Is Israel’s Endgame with Iran?,” by Robin Wright
• “The Military’s Birthday Parade Rolls Quietly Through Trump’s Washington,” by Antonia Hitchens 

To discover more podcasts from The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/podcasts. To send feedback on this episode, write to themail@newyorker.com.

The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week.