1A

It's been two years since Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people and seized more than 250 hostages from inside Israel.More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's retaliatory war. On Monday, Israeli and Hamas negotiators met in Egypt to discuss President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza.Over the weekend, thousands of Israeli citizens took to the streets in Tel Aviv in support of a deal to release the hostages and end the war in Gaza.What do we know about the U.S.-backed plan to end the war in Gaza? And what does this plan mean for Israelis and Palestinians two years into this conflict? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Supreme Court begins its new term this week.It's agreed to hear cases on several hot button issues like tariffs, trans athletes in sports, and the use of presidential power.The rulings could change constitutional precedent as we know it. What's at stake in these cases?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined some stark changes to the U.S. military's policies and norms at last week's gathering of its top brass.From new standards that question the fitness of women in combat roles, to deploying the military to U.S. cities, the White House is outlining a new vision for the armed forces. It's also looking to eliminate existing channels to report abuse and harassment within the ranks and implement random polygraph tests.We talk through all these changes, how they affect our troops, and what they mean for civilians.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After Congress failed to reach an agreement to keep the doors in Washington open, the government has shut down. This comes as tens of thousands of federal workers are set to exit the federal payroll due to firings and deferred buyout agreements.Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called all military generals to Quantico, Virginia, to listen to an address about his vision for the armed forces.President Donald Trump said he plans on sending troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents working there.Meanwhile, overseas, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a 20-point plan to end Israel's war in Gaza.Following multiple Russian incursions into NATO airspace, the alliance has stepped up its drone defense, with Ukraine sharing its expertise with Denmark.Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is ready to declare a state of emergency, as the U.S. military builds up presence in the Caribbean.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

How does hatred towards women relate to violence?We've seen more than a few incidents of political extremism and mass violence in the U.S. over the last few years.In the days, weeks, and months after acts like these, we seek motives. We try to understand why violence is perpetrated in hopes of preventing it in the future.One expert argues that in that search for answers – we're missing something crucial. Something that keeps us from addressing this violence and extremism head on. That blind spot is misogyny.We sit down with Cynthia Miller-Idriss. She is a sociologist and founding director of the Polarization and Extremism Research & Innovation Lab, or PERIL at American University. She's also the author of “Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism.” She joins us to talk about her book and latest research.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The White House is continuing its mission to hollow out the federal workforce. The Trump administration has signaled that it will use the government shutdown to prompt and encourage mass resignations and layoffs.More than 150,000 federal employees plan to leave the U.S. government payroll this week. It's the largest single-year exodus of federal workers since World War II.For workers who opted into the deferred exit program, those resignations began on Tuesday. Workers who didn't take the buyouts were recently threatened with dismissal.We check in on the state of the federal workforce. What happens now that tens of thousands of these employees are leaving? And what's life like for those who remain?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Many of us know that being outside feels good. Maybe it's for a short walk to the store. Maybe for a hike at a nearby mountain. Or maybe spending time at the beach with loved ones for a holiday.But did you know that a short walk in nature can improve your attention span by 20 percent? And that even fake plants have been shown to deliver health benefits? There are real benefits to surrounding yourself with the natural world. We sit down with the pioneer of environmental neuroscience, Marc Berman. He's out with a new book all about the science behind the benefits spending time outside called “Nature and the Mind.”Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

NATO's airspace is busy these days. And not in a good way. That's especially true for member nations on the alliance's eastern flank.It's not supposed to be that way. In recent weeks, states like Poland, Estonia, Romania, and Denmark have seen drones or other aircraft violate their airspace. In some cases, these airborne craft clearly identify they're Russian in origin.Multiple countries have called on NATO to consult about what to do next. So, what's going on? What is Russia up to?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump has, according to many legal experts, crossed the Rubicon.After years of railing against his perceived enemies and publicly threatening to use the government for revenge, he's pressured the Justice Department to bring charges against someone he hates despite warnings from top prosecutors.Late last week, a grand jury narrowly indicted former FBI Director James Comey on allegations that he lied to Congress in 2020. The 5-year statute of limitations was set to expire on Tuesday.So, how independent is the DOJ? And how much independence should it have? We talk about how the Justice Department is treating Trump's enemies and also how it's treated his friends.Find more of our programs online.Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A gunman opened fire at an ICE detention facility in Dallas leaving one person dead and two more injured. All three of the victims were detainees and no ICE agents were hurt. The shooter was found dead according to senior law enforcement officials.Late night host Jimmy Kimmel returned to the air on ABC this week. He was suspended after he made comments concerning the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.The deadline to pass the government funding bill  is fast approaching. The Trump White House is threatening mass firings if the government does shuts down.And, in global news, President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly this week. In a nearly hour-long speech, he attacked the U.N., criticized the immigration policies of its member states, and called climate awareness the “greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.”Spanish and Italian frigates were sent to protect the Global Sumud Flotilla. The boats carrying aid were attacked by drones on Tuesday.And in a meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Donald Trump said Ukraine could win back all its territory taken by Russia with NATO assistance.We cover the most important stories here and around the globe in the News Roundup.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

More than 50 years ago, President Richard Nixon declared war on cancer when he signed the National Cancer Act in 1971. Since then, the United States has emerged as a juggernaut in cancer research, funded largely by the government.But since President Donald Trump took office in January, the administration's sweeping cuts to the federal workforce and government funding are upending the country's research system.So, how are these funding and staffing cuts affecting cancer research and treatment? And how could they impact our progress towards scientific breakthroughs?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A record number of people are being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And the conditions they're reporting have been described as cruel and inhumane.Last month, 60,000 people were detained by ICE, breaking a record set by the previous Trump administration. A Los Angeles Times analysis of public data found that more than a third of detainees have spent time in a dedicated facility that is over capacity.And now, county jails and ICE field offices are being transformed to fill those gaps. Jails held an average of about 10 percent of all detainees (7,100 people) each day in July, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.So, what fallout is the Trump administration's immigration crackdown having on ICE detention centers? What are the conditions in these centers like? And what legal options do detainees have?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It happens every year — sometimes even more frequently than that.A fight is brewing over funding the government before a deadline at the end of September. On Friday, Republicans in the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, passed a stop-gap measure to fund the government through Nov. 21.This is all happening against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's summer of immigration raids, the deployment of the National Guard to Washington D.C., and the claw back of approved federal funding.In this installment of 1A‘s weekly politics series, we talk about how this month's government funding fight could turn into a shutdown, and what Democrats could demand in exchange for keeping the government open.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In a blow to free speech, TV host Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show was suspended from ABC's lineup after the comedian made jokes about President Donald Trump's relationship with the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.The 22-year-old suspect in Kirk's killing was charged on  Tuesday in Utah County with aggravated murder. The state is seeking the death penalty.This week the president announced the National Guard will be deployed to Memphis, Tennessee.Meanwhile, a United Nations commission concluded that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza against the Palestinian people.The UK rolled out the red carpet for President Trump during his visit with the royal family and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In a press conference at the conclusion of the trip Trump said the two governments were making ties “closer than ever before.”Following recent Russian drone incursions in its own airspace, Poland suggests the European Union should set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Fourteen people are dead after the U.S. military launched strikes on two Venezuelan boats this month in international waters. President Donald Trump says they were heading towards the U.S.That's despite reports from several agencies saying the boat attacked two weeks ago was headed away from the U.S. when it was hit. Trump is also accusing the boats of being connected to Venezuelan drug trafficking cartels that he says posed a threat to the U.S.Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, says the U.S. is trying to start a war.We discuss the stakes and what we know about the situation. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

FBI Director Kash Patel appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for a second day of questioning by lawmakers.He faced questions about his leadership of the bureau including the firing of dozens of FBI agents and officials, the release of investigative files related to alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, and the shooting of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk.Patel began his hearings on Wednesday by defending the agency under his leadership. What were some of the biggest takeaways from the the hearing?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Various states in the U.S. are locked in a fight over redistricting. It's all centered on which party will keep the House next year. Republicans now have a slim majority, 219 seats to 213.It started this summer when President Donald Trump asked Republicans in Texas to redraw the state's congressional maps early. The goal he said, was to improve Republicans' shot at winning five more seats in the House of Representatives during the 2026 midterm elections. After a standoff with Democrats in the state legislature, Republicans passed a map that did just that.Democrats in California, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, responded with their own map. It's a redraw aimed at giving Democrats five more seats in the House. Newsom signed that bill into law in late August, saying it would “neutralize” what happened in Texas. Unlike Texas, California's map goes to the voters this November for approval. It would last through the 2030 elections.But the redistricting fights don't end there. Another GOP effort is nearing the finish line in Missouri. Republicans pushed a new map that will set them up to win seven seats instead of the usual six. Democrats currently hold two House seats in Missouri.Missouri Senate Republicans passed their redistricting bill on Friday. Now, it's at the desk of Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe for his signature. So, what does this mean for the state, the Democrats, and the midterms?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer broke the norm when he handed President Donald Trump an invitation for a second state visit.The pomp begins on Wednesday, and leadership across the pond is making no secret of its intention to woo President Trump. But there's more on the docket than making nice – and more at stake, too.What does the visit mean for both the U.S. And the UK?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On Friday, law enforcement authorities announced the arrest of a 22-year-old for the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. Kirk, a Trump ally and the co-founder of Turning Point USA, died after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University. He was speaking to a large crowd at an outdoor “Prove Me Wrong” debate, where he invited students to challenge his political and cultural views. At a press conference, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox asked Americans to consider what happens from here – an escalation or an off ramp.Kirk's killing is the latest in a spate of rising political violence across the country. A Minnesota state legislator was murdered in her home in June. The Pennsylvania governor's house was set on fire in April. And last year on the campaign trail, Donald Trump faced two assassination attempts.Experts who study political violence say the frequency and seriousness is increasing significantly. So, how did we get here. And is it possible to pull back? We examine the effect political violence has on the health of our democracy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Republican provocateur and online personality Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while hosting an event at Utah Valley University this week. Despite authorities searching for the person responsible, no suspects are in custody.Donald Trump's takeover of the Washington D.C. police department expired Thursday evening. Trump signaled that he would seek an extension, but that desire has reportedly cooled.Meanwhile, in an attempt to harm Hamas, Israel bombed the Qatari capital of Doha this week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that he and his forces are prepared to do so again despite a rare condemnation of Israeli military strategy by the U.S.Poland invoked NATO's Article 4 this week after Russian drones entered its airspace, leading to consultations between representatives of the alliances member nations.France's government has collapsed again. Now, President Emmanuel Macron has appointed outgoing defense minister Sébastien Lecornu as the country's next prime minister.We get into all this and more during this week's News Roundup.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The nation's patchwork system of abortion laws is once again being challenged.This time, opponents are targeting telehealth abortions. That's when a provider in a state where abortion is legal meets virtually with a patient and sends them pills to take at home.Those patients come from states all over the country – even those with abortion bans. A quarter of all abortions in the U.S. are done via telehealth. That's according to a June report from the Society of Family Planning.Now, attorneys general in Texas and Louisiana are suing a doctor in New York for prescribing pills to patients in their states, where abortion is almost completely banned. New York is one of several states that's enacted shield laws after Roe was overturned. These statutes ban cooperation with other states' attempts to enforce abortion bans.Now that this has evolved into a battle between states, the Supreme Court is expected to weigh in soon. Their decision could drastically change access to abortion nationwide.So, what's at stake in this case? And how did states' rights become the latest flashpoint in the battle over abortion access?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

What's behind Donald Trump's ongoing battle with the Federal Reserve? That's the question on some analysts minds as the White House proposes staff shakeups at the historically independent central bank.Trump has been attempting to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook since Aug. 25. Cook was nominated by Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2022.The administration is attempting to fire her based on allegations that she committed mortgage fraud before joining the Fed – that's despite the fact that she hasn't been convicted or charged with any crime.On Tuesday night, a federal judge temporarily blocked the president from removing Cook from the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. She'll continue to serve as she contests her dismissal.The Fed has operated independently since its inception more than a century ago. How do the Trump administration's proposed changes threaten that independence? And what effect could changes at the Fed have on the U.S. economy?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump has tested the limits of the law since the day he took office at the start his second term.This includes signing an executive order to end birthright citizenship, terminating or freezing billions of dollars in federal funding, and enacting sweeping tariffs on foreign goods without congressional approval.But these actions have not been met with silence.Over the last eight months, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed by state attorneys, physicians, media organizations, international students, and others to challenge the Trump administration's policies.We check in on major lawsuits against the administration. Where do they stand now? What do they mean for our country's system of checks and balances?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In recent weeks, we've seen a seismic shakeup inside the Department of Health and Human Services and unprecedented discord between the agency, scientists, and doctors.HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. is bucking the science-backed guidance of physicians on vaccines. That's angered some Democrats. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren went after Kennedy over his pseudoscientific approach to running the agency during a Senate hearing Thursday.So, what happens when political ideology outweighs medical consensus?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jobs numbers are out. They indicate a stalling labor market, with U.S. employers adding just 22,000 jobs in August and unemployment rising to 4.3 percent.After rumors about the president's supposedly failing health swirled online last weekend, Donald Trump appeared in public at a press conference this week announcing the relocation of the Space Force headquarters from Colorado to Alabama.Florida announced this week that it's set to become the first state in the U.S. to end vaccine mandates in schools, including for young children.The leaders of China, India, Russia met this week in a display of friendship meant to signal unity to the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping convened in China for a summit of powers not aligned with the West.Meanwhile, Putin told officials in Kyiv he was willing to try and negotiate the end the war in Ukraine should “common sense prevail.” However, he also threatened that he was prepared to continue should he not find terms agreeable.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Every August, New York City becomes the headquarters for all things tennis thanks to the U.S. Open.And a lot has happened for the sport in the Big Apple. This year marks 75 since Althea Gibson broke the tennis color barrier at the tournament.So, ahead of the finals this weekend, we sit down with a panel of experts to talk about the biggest takeaways from this year's event and the future of the sport.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A 6.0 earthquake hit Afghanistan on Sunday night leaving more than 1,400 dead and at least 3,000 injured.Rescue crews struggled to reach affected villages in remote areas of the country's Kunar Province as powerful aftershocks continued to rattle the area.All of this is happening in a country already reeling from deep cuts to aid funding, a struggling economy, and an influx of millions of Afghans forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Congress returned to the Capitol on Tuesday after their month-long summer break. They're already in a time crunch.Lawmakers have around four weeks – or around just 14 legislative days – to pass a spending measure and avoid a government shutdown before Sept. 30.Tensions between Republicans and Democrats are high. After the passages of President Donald Trump's spending and rescission bills, Democrats say they are ready for a fight. But the potential for being blamed for a government shutdown also puts them in a tough spot.On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the ball is in the Democrats' court, but will Republicans play ball at all?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Donald Trump says the office of the president gives him the right to deploy the National Guard to U.S. states. But does it? And who decides?The president signed an executive order last week calling for a restructuring of the National Guard. It also asks the nation's defense secretary to create a rapid response force to be deployed to states for “quelling civil disturbances and ensuring public safety.” Meanwhile, Trump says the city of Chicago is in need of National Guard presence due to a rise in crime. But the president has declined to say how the federal government can intervene outside of D.C., a federal enclave.Violent crime in Chicago is on a decline. In the first half of 2025, gun violence is down 25 percent compared to last year and down 41 percent from the average reported between 2020 and 2024. That data is from the CBS News Chicago Gun Violence Tracker. What could that deployment look like? And what has the response been from city officials? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We love talking about food at 1A. From the latest cookbooks to answering your questions about your favorite foods.As a holiday weekend treat and a fond look back at summer, we bring you highlights from an episode of Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Radio Podcast. The team discusses grilling and answer listener questions.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A shooter opened fire in a Minneapolis church on Wednesday, injuring 17 people and killing two children. Parishioners and students were gathered at a Mass marking the first week of schoolA federal grand jury in the nation's capital this week declined to indict a man who threw a sandwich at a federal officer in Washington DC.Emails between top Florida officials show that they expect the state's newest immigration detention facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” to be emptied in the coming weeks. The White House is fighting a judge's order to shut it down.Israeli and U.S. officials met this week in Washington to discuss plans for post-war Gaza. This comes as the Israeli military expands the offensive in Gaza City and they come under fire for a “double-tap” bombing of a hospital.In the war in Ukraine, both sides are attacking energy resources. In Europe, leaders sit down to try and negotiate peace in the region.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It's been two decades since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, making landfall in the city as a Category 3 storm. The massive storm surge broke through levees and the flood walls.Some 80 percent of New Orleans flooded. Entire neighborhoods were wiped out. The official death toll totaled nearly 1,400 people. And what happened in the storm's wake changed the face of emergency response in this country forever.We mark 20 years since Hurricane Katrina hit. We take you back to that time, look at what rebuilding has meant for New Orleans, and what lessons were learned.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump is ramping up his attacks on the Federal Reserve.On Monday, the president posted orders on Truth Social to remove Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook – effective immediately. The president claims she committed mortgage fraud, an allegation first raised by a Trump loyalist and housing official.Cook, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, responded in a statement saying that Trump has no authority to remove her and that she will continue her duties. Cook has not been charged with a crime.It's an unprecedented move that puts into question the independence of the central bank. So, what comes next and what does this mean for the Fed?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Another Friday, another move against a perceived enemy of the president.Last week, the FBI searched the Maryland home and Washington office of President Trump's former national security advisor, John Bolton.Since he was fired from the administration during Trump's first term, Bolton has turned into one of the president's most vocal critics.Vice President JD Vance confirmed in an interview that aired this weekend that this raid was in part connected to a criminal investigation over Bolton's handling of classified documents and information.What does this investigation say about the priorities of the Justice Department in Trump's second term?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

"Corrupt" is the word President Trump is using, without evidence, to describe mail-in voting. It's how almost one third of Americans cast their ballots in the last election.States including Florida and Pennsylvania also saw recent jumps in GOP mail-in ballots, after President Trump in his campaign called for votes by any means possible, including by mail.And while mail-in voting has historically favored Democrats, there is no evidence of the fraud Trump is claiming. But his push to end it fits a pattern: our President wants to change how elections are run in the United States.In this installment of our weekly series, “If You Can Keep It,” we get to the issue right at the very heart of U.S. democracy: the ability to cast a ballot in free and fair elections.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump is continuing his efforts to influence the Federal Reserve. He's calling on one of its governors to resign, publicly criticized Chair Jerome Powell, and is trying to fast-track a close ally onto the board.The White House continued its campaign against the Smithsonian Institution this week. Its given museums 120 days to adjust any content that the administration finds problematic in “tone, historical framing and alignment with American ideals.”In a break from the federal guidance under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the American Academy of Pediatrics released updated recommendations this week that urge COVID-19 vaccinations for infants and young children.Meanwhile, on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov questioned whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy even has the authority to sign a “peace deal” for the war in his country at all.Israel's military says they've taken the first steps in their planned operation to take over and occupy Gaza City. On Thursday, they ramped up their attacks in a move that could displace close to one million Palestinians.Haitian police are deploying drones armed with explosives in an attempt to fight back against gangs that control the majority of the capital city of Port-au-Prince.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

ChatGPT has at least 500 million weekly users. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says that number is growing extraordinarily fast.When the chatbot went through an update a couple weeks ago, it brought to light how many users were relying on AI for their emotional wellbeing and even as a companion.People using AI for intimate, personal reasons is a phenomenon that we are only beginning to understand. There are reports of AI inducing delusional thinking and even psychosis. One survey by Sentio University found that 63 percent of people involved said AI improved their mental health.With such a powerful tool being privy to our deepest secrets, what guardrails exist to protect users' wellbeing and privacy? Why are so many people leaning on artificial intelligence for connection in the first place?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Nearly 43 million Americans have federal student loan debt. Their borrowing totals more than $1.8 trillion. That's according to the Education Data Initiative.Now, the federal student loan system is facing significant changes under the Trump administration.One of the biggest differences is the end of the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE plan, started by President Joe Biden. The income-driven program offers low monthly payments and an expedited path to loan forgiveness. Republicans challenged the plan in court where it's still tied up, leaving the 7.7 million enrollees in limbo.How is the Trump administration overhauling the federal student loan system? And what does this mean for the tens of millions of current and future borrowers?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump gave Vladimir Putin what the Russian leader wanted during their meeting in Alaska last week. Now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is back in the U.S. for more talks. His last visit to the White House was disastrous, to say the least. This time, he's bringing key European leaders with him to meet with Trump.What does the future of the conflict in his country look like? And what's changed for Trump since his meeting with Putin? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump and his administration want control over exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution.In a letter sent Aug. 12, three White House officials told the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Lonnie G. Bunch III, that the administration would conduct a review at certain Smithsonian museums. The goal? To “celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”In this installment of our politics series, “If You Can Keep It,” we talk about how the administration is injecting itself into the affairs  – and the exhibits – of the Smithsonian Institution and what that means for our understanding of our shared history.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump put the police force in Washington D.C. under federal control. He also called in the National Guard and ICE to patrol the streets. The Justice Department says last year violent crime in the District of Columbia hit a 30-year low.Cuts to the social safety net are set to leave some 2.4 million Americans without access to the food stamps they were entitled to before the passage of the spending bill earlier this year.And, in global news, Israel killed four journalists working for Al Jazeera in a targeted strike on the tent in which they were staying in Gaza. Also this week, Israeli soldiers shot 25 people seeking aid in Gaza as Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu claims he'll “allow” Palestinians to leave during an upcoming offensive in the Strip.A sit down takes place this week between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that he will not exchange land for peace.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump has taken over Washington D.C.'s police force and deployed the National Guard in the capital.The president took over the city's police department for 30 days, and says he wants Congress to grant him “long-term” control of the force.All this in the name of public safety, despite the fact that D.C.'s violent crime rate is at a 30-year low.He says he might do the same in places like Los Angeles, Chicago and Baltimore.We get into what it all means for our nation's capital and beyond.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy