Episodios

  • Ted Cruz wants to limit facial recognition at TSA, expand it for masked ICE agents

    Ted Cruz wants to limit facial recognition at TSA, expand it for masked ICE agents
    Aug 15 2025
    Visit Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode,Who?Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) — Chair, Senate Commerce Committee**just a few weeks ago at the end of July, Chair Cruz was forced to pull a measure from consideration before his Commerce Committee that would place minimal guardrails around the TSA — or Transportation Security Administration — and its expanding use of facial recognition technology.At the same time, Cruz and other Republican leaders oppose any attempt to limit the use of facial recognition apps, DNA swabs and other new tech surveillance being deployed by masked ICE — Immigration & Customs Enforcement — agents.LISTEN: Laslo & CruzAsk a Pol asks:Some Democrats, including AOC and her fellow Squad member Rashida Tlaib, worry about surveillance creep.They fear that once ICE officers normalize facial recognition apps or mandatory DNA swabs those surveillance techniques will become normalized in agencies like the TSA and then deployed against everyday citizens?Key Cruz:“ICE is confronting an acute public safety and national security challenge,” Sen. Ted Cruz exclusively told Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo.ICYMI — the other side of the debate…AOC ICE exclusiveAbout Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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    2 m
  • AOC: ICE’s use of facial recognition apps, DNA swabs "highly concerning”

    AOC: ICE’s use of facial recognition apps, DNA swabs "highly concerning”
    Aug 15 2025

    Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:

    What do you make of the new tech — from facial recognition apps to DNA swabs — being deployed by ICE against migrant communities?

    Key AOC:

    “I think it's horrible from any agency perspective whatsoever,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez exclusively told Ask a Pol. “ICE, of course, is one of the most concerning, not just because it's an immigration thing, but because they have some of the least guardrails.”

    About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest.

    Find us on social media:

    SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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    2 m
  • Sen. Slotkin enjoying "catfight between two powerful men" but unsure if Elon Musk's 3rd party matters

    Sen. Slotkin enjoying "catfight between two powerful men" but unsure if Elon Musk's 3rd party matters
    Aug 9 2025

    Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:

    Do you think Elon Musk starting a new, third “America Party” is gonna mean anything?

    Key Slotkin:

    “I don’t know yet,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “Like, he certainly has the money, but he also has to have people who decide that they’re with him.”

    About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest.

    Find us on social media:

    SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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    2 m
  • “I wouldn’t say he's turning on us,” Sen. Mullin, GOP not letting Musk divorce GOP yet

    “I wouldn’t say he's turning on us,” Sen. Mullin, GOP not letting Musk divorce GOP yet
    Aug 9 2025

    Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:

    What do you make of Elon Musk turning on Republicans and announcing this new, third “America Party”?

    Key Mullin:

    “Oh, I wouldn’t say he's turning on us, he's a right to his opinion,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin exclusively tells Ask a Pol, “but turning on us would go back to the dark side: the Democrats.”

    It doesn't look like he’s going to support the GOP in the 2026 midterms, but you’re not worried?

    “No,” Mullin says. “I still say he's a great entrepreneur, but a great entrepreneur doesn't make you great in politics.”

    About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest.

    Find us on social media:

    SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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    2 m
  • Secrets Chair Luna says DOJ blocking Epstein inquiry — "multiple inquiries that went unanswered"

    Secrets Chair Luna says DOJ blocking Epstein inquiry — "multiple inquiries that went unanswered"
    Aug 2 2025

    Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:

    Are you guys on Secrets Task Force still planning on investigating Jeffrey Epstein even though President Donald Trump and House Republican leaders have blocked a congressional inquiry?

    Key Luna:

    “I’ve already done everything that I can from my perspective,” Secrets Task Force Chair Anna Paulina Luna exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “I literally have multiple inquiries that went unanswered, so it’s not in my hands.”

    About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest.

    Find us on social media:

    SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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    2 m
  • “It doesn't look good how it's going” — Republicans fear Speaker’s bungling Epstein

    “It doesn't look good how it's going” — Republicans fear Speaker’s bungling Epstein
    Jul 26 2025

    Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:

    Are House Republicans going to gavel out to avoid voting on the Jeffrey Epstein records now that allegations are flying that President Donald Trump is named in the files and doesn’t want them public?*

    Key LaMalfa:

    “What my leadership colleagues are saying is, let a process work through and see what actually is there, because we don’t really have the right to try things in Congress. It’s gonna be up to the executive branch through DOJ and its associates to figure that out,” Rep. Doug LaMalfa exclusively tells Ask a Pol.

    “But at some point on the other side of this,, there better be a satisfactory vetting and outcome on this. It may not be today, but, you know, when we get back September,* whatever it is, there better be something real out of this, because it don’t look good.”

    *This interview took place Tuesday — the following afternoon Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP leaders let the House of Representatives out a few days early for their annual monthslong August recess.

    About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest.

    Find us on social media:

    SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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    3 m
  • EXCLUSIVE: Epstein saga shows GOP “as incompetent as they are callous,” Squad member says

    EXCLUSIVE: Epstein saga shows GOP “as incompetent as they are callous,” Squad member says
    Jul 25 2025

    Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:

    What do you make of the House of Representatives pulling up, taking out of town early, because of some pedo?

    Key Pressley:

    “What can I say?” Rep. Ayanna Pressley exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “It’s just that under this Republican majority, I mean they are as incompetent as they are callous and clueless about the struggles of everyday people.”

    About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest.

    Find us on social media:

    SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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    2 m
  • “Hell of a lot more problems than Epstein," Republican Senate shrugs

    “Hell of a lot more problems than Epstein," Republican Senate shrugs
    Jul 19 2025
    Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Where should the Jeffry Epstein investigation go from here? Who?Nine powerful Senate Republicans, one senior Senate Democrat and one intellectually feisty House DemocratLISTEN: Soundcloud mix of Ask a Pol exclusivesAUDIO POSTCARD TRANSCRIPT:* Rep. Jared Moskowitz, House Judiciary Committee“Why have they changed? Did they lie then? Are they lying now? Something Pam Bondi said is not accurate,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) tells congressional reporters on the US Capitol steps.“I either want her to say there was no list and she lied about that or there is a list and they can’t release it and here are the reasons why. It’s one or the other, right? She said the list was on her desk. So that was either not true or she’s not releasing the list."* Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso“No. It’s not something that comes up in Wyoming,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) tells me while boarding one of the US Senate’s underground trams. “Nobody at all is asking about that topic.”* Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham“If there had been any there there we’d have known it a long time ago, but, you know, I’ve been more focused on other events,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) tells me as his elevator ascends.“Do you fear, though, that many in the base are now upset?”“I think most people accept President Trump’s suggestion to move on,” Graham says.* Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Jim Risch“No. I don’t know anything about it. Nothing,” Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) tells me while boarding a tram with an aide. “I didn’t look into it to begin with, not looking into it now.”ICYMI — Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo first sold these interviews through his regionally-focused, national wire service, The LCB* Environment & Public Works Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito“I really haven’t paid much attention to it, to be honest with you,” Sen. Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) tells me while walking alongside the Senate trams. “It’s just not something I’m focused on. Just let the story play out however it does.”* Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley“I think transparency’s always a good thing in government," Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) — the president pro tempore, i.e. third in line for presidency… — tells me through his large security detail as he rides an escalator in the Capitol’s basement.* Senate Aging Committee Chair Rick Scott“I know Pam Bondi, she’s transparent,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) tells me over his new aide’s question.* Fmr. Auburn Head Football Coach Tommy Tuberville“We’ve got a hell of a lot more problems than Epstein,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) tells me through a laugh.* Fmr. Senate Homeland Security Committee Chair Ron Johnson“I have no information on it whatsoever. I’m as curious as everybody else,” Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) tells me as he jets to a vote on the Senate floor. “I’ve got questions, I don’t have any answers.”What should we ask Congress this week?* Fmr. Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley“Make it all public. That’s my view. I’m in favor of getting it all out there,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) tells journalists squeezed into a cramped elevator. “I know they’ve got an ongoing series of prosecutions. Unload it all on the public. I think they deserve to know.”Griselda Maxwell wants to testify publicly?“That’d be fine," Hawley says. “We should put her under oath.”* Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner“I’d love to see more information,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) tells a gaggle of congressional reporters before hopping a Senators Only elevator up to the Senate floor.“It is more than a little ironic, meaning that, when you create what appears to be a false flag operation and then there’s nothing there, and you’ve gotta live with the ramifications of that — a little poetic justice seems to be coming about.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapolpolitics.com/subscribe
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    5 m