After the Memo, Where Does the FBI Stand?

Coming up on today’s show:

• On Friday, Representative Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, released a four-page memo detailing aspects of the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election. The release raises concerns that the Trump administration and its congressional allies are trying to discredit special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into collusion and obstruction of justice. Could these attacks on the FBI by members of the GOP discredit an institution committed to investigative oversight? Douglas Charles, anassociate professor of history at Penn State University, joins The Takeaway to provide some historical perspective.

• Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen served her final day on Friday after four years in the position. Yellen’s departure is marked by record lows in unemployment rates and wage growth, and is a break with tradition, as new administrations usually hold over Fed chair appointments. Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton, looks back at Yellen’s tenure. 

• A migrant boat capsized off the Libyan coast last week and 90 migrants are feared drowned. The majority of those aboard were Pakistani, a departure from the migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa that most frequently have attempted this journey. Kathleen Newland, co-founder of the Migration Policy Institute, discusses the situation in Pakistan that is contributing to this uptick in crossings.

• Last week, Republican Jeff Colyer took the oath of office  to become the new Governor of Kansas. Colyer replaces Sam Brownback, who is now the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. So, who is Jeff Colyer?  And what will his strategy be as he attempts to govern the state while also courting the GOP nomination in the fall? Stephen Koranda, a statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio, explains. 

• Kansas has been facing legal battles over education funding, and as governor, settling the funding issue will be one of the first challenges Colyer faces. The state collected $165 million in taxes in January, raising some legislators’ hopes that they will have the money to increase spending on public schools. Dayna Miller, president of the Kansas Association of School Boards Board of Directors, explains what’s next for school funding in her state.

• On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that Florida’s system requiring felons to wait at least five years to apply for the right to vote, after they complete their sentences, serve probation and pay all restitution, was unconstitutional. The decision was a direct criticism of Governor Rick Scott, the lead defendant in the case, and the governor is expected to appeal. Congressman Charlie Crist, aDemocratic Congressman representing Florida’s 13th district and former Republican Governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011, joins The Takeaway to weigh in on the court’s decision.

• During the month of February, WNYC’s Rebecca Carroll is hosting a special book club for The Takeaway called, “Reading the Reckoning.” Over the next few weeks, she’ll speak to a number of women authors who are expressing their strength, conviction, rage and joy through writing. For part one of “Reading the Reckoning,” Carroll sits down with Ijeoma Oluo, editor at large for The Establishment and author of “So You Want to Talk About Race.” 

This episode is hosted by Todd Zwillich.