Swamp Notes

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.

The FT’s Lauren Fedor and Derek Brower look back on the moments that stood out in 2025 and offer their predictions for what’s to come in the new year.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Forecasting the world in 2026

Email Marc with your questions ([email protected])
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: Zohran Mamdani for NYC, CBS News, ABC News, The joint congressional committee on inaugural ceremonies, CNBC

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

This is an episode of Political Fix, the FT weekly podcast that takes you into the corridors of Westminster to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular panel of FT correspondents.

Can you name all the Labour frontbenchers who resigned or were sacked during the past year? Why was Peter Mandelson delayed from returning to the UK after being sacked as US ambassador? And who will be crowned Political Fix’s Wonk-in-Chief? Find out as host George Parker puts the entire podcast panel - Miranda Green, Stephen Bush, Robert Shrimsley, Jim Pickard and Anna Gross - through their paces in this big, fat, fiendishly difficult end-of-year quiz. The panellists also highlight their most memorable moment of 2025 and unveil their wildest predictions for the year ahead. Plus, discover who scooped all the chocolate coins in the studio to win the annual Political Fix stockpicks portfolio prize.

This is a repeat of an episode published on Political Fix, a sister podcast of FT News Briefing, on December 19, 2025

To listen and subscribe to more episodes, find Political Fix on your favourite platform by clicking here!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four Republican members of the US House of Representatives broke ranks and supported Democrats this week to force a vote on healthcare spending. The FT’s US national correspondent Guy Chazan and deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor explain the ticking clock Congress is facing down on health insurance, and what will happen to Americans if prices increase dramatically.

Mentioned in this podcast:
‘A full-blown crisis’: Americans brace for a surge in healthcare costs
US healthcare costs set to leap as senators fail to reach deal

Email Marc with your questions ([email protected])
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 Kelly Garry. 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: CBS News, NBC News Chicago

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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