Trump's Terms

Ryan Lucas, NPR justice correspondent who covers national security, explains rising domestic security concerns after strikes on Iran. He outlines FBI alert levels and law enforcement precautions. He discusses possible links to the Austin shooting and Iran-linked proxy threats. Short, clear reporting on how agencies are responding and what authorities are watching.

Adam Smith, Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee and Washington representative, weighs in on legal and congressional fallout from recent U.S. strikes. He questions the intelligence presented, argues the administration bypassed Congress, and lays out what lawmakers could do next. Short, direct discussion of oversight, legality, and the limits of presidential war powers.

A community and family in Buffalo, New York, are searching for answers after a refugee who had gone missing after being released from federal custody found dead last week. Alex Simone reports.Support NPR and hear every episode of Trump's Terms sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Odette Youssef, NPR domestic extremism correspondent who tracks online radicalization. She explains how released Epstein records have amplified far-right and anti-Semitic conspiracy narratives. She discusses who these narratives resonate with and how online communities reacted to the Mar-a-Lago fatality. The conversation maps how sensational leaks feed extremist storytelling.

Matt Sepic, an MPR reporter who investigates Medicaid fraud in Minnesota. He explains the federal hold on some Medicaid reimbursements. He outlines which services are targeted, details alleged fraud schemes, and covers state reactions, resignations at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and federal demands for an anti-fraud plan.

Barbara Sprunt, an NPR political correspondent, outlines Abigail Spanberger's rebuttal and its political context. She breaks down Spanberger's three-question framing and focus on affordability in housing, health care, energy and child care. Sprunt also covers immigration enforcement impacts and why Spanberger is seen as a rising centrist in Democratic strategy.

Jude Joffe-Block, NPR reporter who covers immigration and legal battles, walks through a Maine lawsuit accusing DHS of surveilling and intimidating people who film immigration operations. She breaks down the legal claims and on-the-ground incidents. Listeners hear about recordings of agents, allegations of being labeled domestic terrorists, and questions about how images and data are collected and used.

Investigative reporting on DOJ withholding and removing Jeffrey Epstein files that mention allegations tied to Donald Trump. A reporter explains how a specific FBI tip and DOJ slides revealed references to an alleged 1983 incident. Discussion covers missing interview pages, Bates stamping issues, and official responses from the Justice Department and the White House.

Alina Selyukh, investigative reporter for NPR, breaks down the Supreme Court ruling that struck down roughly half of the tariffs. She covers businesses racing to secure refunds and small firms worried about legal hurdles. She explains complications for indirect importers and whether the ACEP portal could simplify claims. The piece focuses on the court's decision and the uncertain path to getting money back.

Tamara Keith, NPR senior White House correspondent who covers the presidency, breaks down the controversial $300M White House ballroom plan. She discusses design changes like the removed pediment. She covers the flood of public opposition and commissioners’ reactions. She outlines next steps, reviews, and the looming legal challenge.