How Sports and Politics Collided in 2017

Coming up on today’s show:

• From the “Take a Knee” movement in the NFL to racism at Fenway Park, it was nearly impossible to keep politics off the field in 2017. Today, Jelani Cobb, staff writer for The New Yorker, joins The Takeaway to break down what made 2017 a landmark year in sports activism. 

• Last Friday, President Trump signed the Republican tax bill into law. Now, the burden shifts to the IRS to determine how to interpret and implement the new changes to the tax code. Nina Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate, who serves as the voice of the taxpayer within the IRS and before Congress, explains how the agency plans to tackle the new legislation. 

• On Sunday, the U.N. agreed to a reduced budget for the coming fiscal year. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley took credit for negotiating the smaller budget and said in a statement it would help with the organization’s “bloated management.” But how much of a say did the U.S. actually have in the slimmed down U.N. budget? Alynna Lyon, author of “U.S. Politics and the United Nations: A Tale of Dysfunctional Dynamics,” weighs in. 

• Earlier this month, almost a hundred Somali immigrants who had been living in the U.S. were shackled on an airplane and forced to stay in their seats during a 48 hour attempted deportation journey, according to a lawsuit filed on December 18 against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rebecca Sharpless, immigration attorney and director of the Immigration Clinic at the University of Miami School of Law, joins The Takeaway to discuss the case. 

• In Seattle, immigrant advocates have created a hotline for people to report ICE activity and get help. Today, KOUW’s Liz Jones speaks with Jose, who recently used the hotline when ICE agents were attempting to get access to the building he manages.

• An 18-month investigation by The Guardian looks at the process of homeless relocation, when homeless people are provided free transportation to relocate elsewhere. It’s been happening for more than three decades, and little to no research has been conducted on the consequences for the individuals and the cities that receive them. Alastair Gee, homelessness editor at The Guardian, breaks down his team’s reporting. 

This episode is hosted by Todd Zwillich.