Trump's Terms
NPR
Host Scott Detrow curates NPR's reporting, analysis and updates on the 47th President, focusing on actions and policies that challenge precedent and upend political norms, raising questions about what a President can do — and whether his efforts will benefit the voters who returned him to power. Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Trump's Terms+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 19, 2026 • 6min
ICE officers are taking DNA samples from protesters they've arrested
Reporting uncovers claims that ICE officers collected or attempted to collect DNA from people arrested at protests. Stories span multiple states and include video of forceful arrests and medical injuries. Legal experts debate whether arrest-based DNA collection stretches a law meant for serious crimes. Concerns are raised about where samples go and the long term risks of genetic data.
Mar 18, 2026 • 9min
Trump wants more detention centers. These towns don't
Kate Dario, NH public radio reporter who covered Merrimack’s bipartisan pushback. Jasmine Garst, NPR immigration reporter tracking proposed migrant detention sites. They discuss plans to convert large facilities, community fears about sanitation and strain on services, local organizing that halted a site, and strategies activists use to block or delay federal detention projects.
Mar 17, 2026 • 5min
Federal judge halts RFK Jr.'s changes to children's vaccine policies
Rob Stein, NPR health correspondent who covers vaccine policy, breaks down a federal judge's halt to sweeping vaccine changes. He explains the specific proposed cuts to childhood and newborn vaccine recommendations. He outlines the court's procedural concerns, the reshaping of advisory committees, and how medical groups and activists reacted.
Mar 16, 2026 • 5min
US eyes Venezuelan oil as ties thaw and pressure over fuel prices rises
Eyder Peralta, NPR correspondent reporting from Venezuela, gives on-the-ground updates from Caracas and Maracaibo. He covers the U.S. flag returning to the embassy and Washington's interest in Venezuelan oil to ease fuel prices. He describes decaying oil infrastructure, corruption, the need for foreign expertise, and local conversations about reconciliation and political uncertainty.
Mar 13, 2026 • 5min
Medicaid can now share data with ICE. Here's what that means
Alex Olgin, an NPR reporter who broke the story on Medicaid data sharing with immigration authorities. He explains a court ruling that allows some Medicaid records to be shared. He tells a family's reliance on Medicaid, the high costs of care without it, and how clinics and patients are reacting. He also covers legal limits that differ by state and federal responses.
Mar 12, 2026 • 5min
Blue cities in red states debate over how to respond to efforts to resist ICE
Moe's Bouchel, a KUT field reporter covering Austin, Texas, brings on-the-ground perspective about local clashes over cooperation with ICE. He recounts tense public forums, legal fights over whether cities can refuse state mandates, and policing policy tweaks aimed at limiting ICE holds. The conversation highlights community resistance and doubts about whether changes will rebuild trust.
Mar 11, 2026 • 3min
The next redistricting battle might be who is counted in state legislative districts
Discussion of proposals to apportion state legislative districts using eligible voters or citizens instead of total population. Coverage of Missouri’s plan to exclude children and noncitizens from district counts. Exploration of possible Supreme Court battles over who is counted and the political shifts such a change could produce.
4 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 5min
Judge rules Kari Lake unlawfully ran Voice of America, mass layoffs void
David Folkenflick, NPR correspondent who covered the Voice of America story, explains a federal judge's ruling that Kari Lake lacked authority over VOA. He walks through the attempted layoffs, funding and contract cuts, and efforts to dismantle sister networks. He also outlines Lake's appeal plans and the hurdles to reversing the damage.
Mar 4, 2026 • 5min
Justice Department says it will defend Trump's order targeting 4 law firms
Carrie Johnson, NPR national correspondent covering the Justice Department and legal affairs, breaks down the DOJ's sudden reversal on defending executive orders aimed at four major law firms. She outlines which firms were targeted and how courts reacted. She also explores the potential chilling effect on lawyers and the broader stakes for access to counsel.
7 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 7min
Trump promised the MAGA base no new wars. Then he went to war with Iran
Stephen Fowler, an NPR reporter on Republican politics, explains GOP reactions to U.S. strikes on Iran. He discusses splits in the MAGA coalition and debates over whether the action fits an America First agenda. He covers conservative critics, defenses from Trump allies, and claims the strike serves Israeli interests. Tensions within the party and possible political consequences are highlighted.
