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Trump's Terms
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.
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Episodes
Trump's TermsTrump's economic approval hits a new low at 36%, poll finds
Towards the end of his first year in office this term, just 36% of Americans approve of President Trump's handling of the economy, according to the latest…
Trump's TermsTrump, aides back Chief of Staff Susie Wiles after candid Vanity Fair interviews
President Trump and his aides are rallying around Chief of Staff Susie Wiles after her frank assessments of the administration in a new Vanity Fair profile…
Trump's TermsTrump designates street fentanyl as WMD, escalating militarization of drug war
President Trump on Monday signed an executive order designating the street drug fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. NPR's Brian Mann reports. Support NPR…
Trump's TermsMilitary members fear legal risk tied to boat strikes
U.S. service members — including staff officers and at least one drone pilot — are seeking advice from outside groups, fearing they could face legal…
Trump's TermsTrump administration says the U.S. seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast
The Trump administration says it seized an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, as Congress presses for answers about U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats and…
Trump's TermsAffordability 'hoax'? Public isn't buying Trump's message
President Trump weaved through topics at a rally in Pennsylvania Tuesday night, calling affordability a Democratic "hoax" and sharing his grievances about…
Trump's TermsSupreme Court justices appear likely to side with president in FTC firing case
After hearing arguments Monday, the conservative justices on the Supreme Court seem poised to give the president the power to fire people at independent…
Trump's TermsSenate Democrats pitch plan to extend ACA subsidies, but it may not have enough votes
The Senate is expected to vote Thursday on a Democratic proposal to extend existing Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years. But the plan is not…
Trump's TermsPresident Trump announces plan to roll back fuel economy standards
The Trump administration continues to pivot away from electric vehicles and cleaner gas cars, with President Trump announcing Wednesday a plan to roll back the…
Trump's TermsCostco sues the Trump administration over tariffs
Costco has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's tariffs. The retailer joins other companies hoping to get a refund for the import taxes it's…
Trump's TermsDisqualification of New Jersey's top federal prosecutor could upend dozens of cases
Alina Habba, President Trump's ex-lawyer who was tapped to be New Jersey's top federal prosecutor, was disqualified by a federal appeals court Monday…
Trump's TermsLawmakers vow to increase oversight on Trump's military strikes on boats
As tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela continue to intensify, some U.S. lawmakers are concerned at least one of President Trump's boat strikes in the…
Trump's TermsLeaked call transcripts reveal U.S. envoy coaching Putin aide on pitching peace plan
Leaked call transcripts between special envoy Steve Witkoff and a Putin advisor could derail President Trump's progress, as they show Witkoff coaching Moscow…
Trump's TermsU.S. ready to cut support to Scouts, accusing them of attacking 'boy-friendly spaces'
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning for the military to sever all ties with Scouting America, saying the group once known as the Boy Scouts is no…
Trump's TermsHow Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation is changing the Republican party
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation is forcing the Republican party to reckon publicly with what the political landscape will look like when…
Trump's TermsU.S. presents plan to end the war in Ukraine
The White House presented a plan for peace to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week, but the proposal requires major concessions from Ukraine…
Trump's TermsTrump lashes out at reporter, highlighting a pattern of attacking press he dislikes
During a recent exchange, President Trump insulted a reporter after being asked a question he didn't like, underscoring a long-running habit of belittling…
Trump's TermsTexas appeals ruling that blocked the use of a Trump-backed voting map
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appealed a ruling that blocked the state from using a voting map designed to give Republicans an advantage in next year's midterm…
Trump's TermsUN Security Council approves international peacekeeping force for Gaza
The United Nations Security Council has endorsed a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza, authorizing a temporary international force to help stabilize the enclave…
Trump's TermsBorder Patrol arrests dozens as operation begins in Charlotte, North Carolina
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents made dozens of arrests in Charlotte, North Carolina, over the weekend. It's the latest city targeted by the Trump…
Trump's TermsMilitary members worry new grooming policy will lead to discrimination
New military standards for grooming and appearance have some worried about religious and racial discrimination, particularly the guidance that men must be…
Trump's TermsWhite House scrambles to address voters' affordability concerns as Trump dismisses it
When Democrats swept last week's elections, affordability emerged as a key issue for voters. President Trump dismissed those concerns, but his administration…
Trump's TermsNew Epstein emails appear to reveal more Trump ties
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released three new emails from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that mention President…
Trump's TermsTrump floats tariff 'dividends' even while plan shows major flaws
President Trump has bragged many times about the revenue tariffs are bringing in – money paid by American businesses, who pass some of the costs on to…
Trump's TermsTrump issues pardons to allies linked to January 6
President Trump has issued pardons for 77 people, including his former attorney Rudy Giuliani and former chief of staff Mark Meadows, who backed his effort to…
Trump's TermsTariffs aren't a presidential power, says California Attorney General
NPR's Juana Summers talks with California AG Rob Bonta about tariffs arguments at the Supreme Court, presidential power and the legal fights California is…
Trump's TermsPresident Trump facing a number of domestic challenges this week
After a week aboard, President Trump will confront a swirl of domestic challenges this week: pivotal elections in several states, Supreme Court tariff…
Trump's TermsAs benefits expire, one expert says Trump not funding SNAP is 'extraordinary'
NPR's Steve Inskeep asks Cindy Long, a former administrator of the USDA's SNAP program, what recent court rulings mean for the millions of Americans waiting…
Trump's TermsTrump's new rare earth deals unlikely to slow China's dominance
President Trump recently signed several rare earth agreements with Asian countries to reduce America's reliance on China. Thin on details, the deals are…
Trump's TermsIs Trump just trolling with talk of a third term?
President Trump mentioned again this week the possibility of running for a third term. Doing so would be unconstitutional, so why does the president keep…
Trump's TermsHow Trump admin immigration agents are disguising their vehicles
Some federal immigration agents have been using masks to cover their faces when arresting migrants. But an NPR investigation found agents are also disguising…
Trump's TermsU.S. cattle farmers have beef with Trump over Argentina import plans
Cattle ranchers are upset at President Trump over his comments that he plans to buy beef from Argentina. Ranchers say it will hurt struggling farmers. Then…
Trump's TermsPentagon press corps gets a right-wing makeover
The Pentagon has announced the new members of its press corps after major news organizations refused to sign a new policy. The replacements are decidedly more…
Trump's TermsHow Trump uses "common sense" to make a political point
The idea of "common sense" has been central to American politics since the founding of the United States. Politicians still use the phrase all the time —…
Trump's TermsMany rural schools rely on international teachers. Trump's visa changes threaten that
Last month, President Trump unveiled a plan that requires employers pay a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas. The impact on schools and educators will be…
Trump's TermsHe was detained by ICE. Here's what happened when he lawyered up
ICE tried to send one immigrant to a country he never lived; then he lawyered up. Detainees like him who can afford to pay for more due process show the…
Trump's TermsCould Trump really use the U.S. military against Americans?
National security scholar Tom Nichols argues that Trump has taken control of the nation's intelligence and justice systems and is now testing the military's…
Trump's TermsFor private flood insurance companies, the government shutdown is good for business
The government-backed National Flood Insurance Program stopped writing new policies on Oct. 1 and can't resume until it's reauthorized by Congress. That may…
Trump's TermsHow the Pentagon's new press policy could affect military coverage
Dozens of journalists will turn in their Pentagon press passes Wednesday after major news outlets said they would not sign a new Defense Department policy that…
Trump's TermsHere's why Trump's promised logging boom faces headwinds
President Trump is trying to reverse the Clinton era rule that puts 59 million acres of National Forest lands off limits to timber harvest and other…
Trump's Terms'Truly unprecedented:' Ex-DOJ prosecutor on 'weaponized' Justice Dept.
A federal grand jury indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James Thursday. The charges, which include bank fraud, come after pressure from President Trump…
Trump's TermsPoll: 59% of Americans disapprove of RFK Jr.'s moves as health secretary
What people believe about health increasingly depends on how they feel about politics, according to a new poll. NPR's Yuki Noguchi reports. Then, NPR's A…
Trump's TermsA GOP push to restrict voting by overseas U.S. citizens continues before the midterms
With the 2026 midterm election approaching, U.S. expatriates and their advocates say voting faces more uncertainty than usual, as Republican officials continue…
Trump's TermsTrump's power to deploy National Guard, explained
President Trump is bucking tradition and legal precedent in pushing to deploy the National Guard to Democratic-led cities such as Portland, Ore., and Chicago…
Trump's TermsIllinois governor calls National Guard deployment an 'invasion' of his state
Several clashes happened over the weekend between protesters and federal agents in Chicago. It comes as the Trump administration and Illinois Gov. J.B…
Trump's TermsGov't shutdown continues; White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt talks to NPR
As the government shutdown enters its third day, the GOP-led Senate will vote for the fourth time on partisan stopgap bills. Meanwhile, the White House is…
Trump's TermsRetired general talks about president's use of the military in U.S. cities
NPR speaks with retired Gen. Randy Manner, who was once a top official in the National Guard, about the president's use of the military in American cities…
Trump's TermsTrump says U.S. military should be used to fight the 'enemy within'
President Trump told top U.S. commanders Tuesday that he plans to use American cities as a training ground for the U.S. military to fight what he called the…
Trump's TermsWhat's changed since the last government shutdown during Trump's first term?
The last government shutdown was in 2018 during President Trump's first term. Republicans controlled Congress and needed Democrats to pass a spending bill —…
Trump's TermsDACA has bipartisan support in Congress, but Republicans are following Trump's lead
Congressional Republicans are waiting on President Trump to signal he is ready to negotiate a permanent solution for recipients of the Deferred Action for…
Trump's TermsExperts say Trump's guidance on hepatitis B vaccine and babies is dangerous
In a press conference this week, President Trump said there's no reason to give babies the hepatitis B vaccine. But pediatricians and infectious disease…
Trump's TermsUnease at DOJ as Trump threats get even more blunt
President Trump is openly directing the Justice Department to go after his political adversaries, adding to a sense of unease inside the department about job…
Trump's TermsPresident Trump pressures attorney general to investigate his political rivals
In a social media post Saturday, President Trump pressured Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate his political rivals, fueling concerns about the…
Trump's TermsTrump says he plans to designate antifa as a 'terrorist organization'
President Trump says he plans to designate antifa as a "major terrorist organization." It's unclear how he'll go about that, but even the suggestion could have…
Trump's TermsNational Guard troops in D.C. share their thoughts on the deployment
For the past month, National Guard troops deployed in Washington D.C. have been patrolling low-crime areas and picking up garbage. NPR spoke to some of them to…
Trump's TermsLaw professor says stifling free speech is no way to commemorate Kirk's legacy
NPR speaks with Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, about the conversation emerging around free speech in the wake of Charlie…
Trump's TermsHigh-profile conservative figures lead calls for critics of Charlie Kirk to be fired
Vice President Vance and other high-profile political figures have called for people who speak negatively online about the assassination of Charlie Kirk to…
Trump's TermsWhat's next in the investigation into Charlie Kirk's assassination
NPR's Michel Martin asks former FBI counterterrorism analyst Javed Ali about the next steps in the investigation into Charlie Kirk's assassination. Support NPR…
Trump's TermsFired by Trump's DOJ, lawyers find new purpose
Four prosecutors who worked on Capitol riot cases have found a way to continue public service after leaving the Justice Department. They're all colleagues…
- Trump's Terms
A look at recent acts of political violence in the U.S.
The killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday at a university in Utah is the latest in a string of acts of political violence in recent years…