Trump's Terms - podcast cover

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.

Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Trump's Terms+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Episodes

Federal judge halts deportation of pro-Palestinian activist arrested by ICE

Hear an update on Mahmoud Khalil, the former Columbia University student and protest leader arrested by ICE over the weekend. A federal judge has halted his deportation. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Mar 11, 20255 min

The Trump administration claims credit for a quiet border. The data say otherwise

The U.S.-Mexico border is quieter than it's been in years. Vice President Vance says the Trump administration deserves the credit, but migrant apprehensions have been falling for months. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Mar 10, 20254 min

What cuts to global air monitoring could mean for the U.S. — and other countries

The U.S. State Department said it would stop publishing global air pollution data as part of attempts to shrink federal spending. The program set a worldwide standard for measuring air quality. NPR's Emily Feng reports. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Mar 07, 20253 min

Trump gives automakers a tariff break

President Trump says U.S. automakers will get a one-month break on steep tariffs for Canadian and Mexican goods. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Mar 06, 20255 min

A recap of President Trump's Tuesday night address to Congress

In his address to a joint session of Congress, President Trump talked about his work to secure the border, slash the size of the government, and his new tariffs. He also repeated his plans to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal, and suggested that an end to the war in Ukraine might be close. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Mar 05, 202511 min

Poll: Majorities say state of the union is not strong, & Trump is rushing change

Majorities say the state of the union is not strong, that the country is headed in the wrong direction and President Trump is rushing to make changes without considering their impact, a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds . Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Mar 03, 20255 min

Farmers will be hit hard by the dismantling of USAID

A pause on the release of $2 billion in foreign aid could affect the government's longest-running permanent program for international food assistance — Food for Peace. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 28, 20256 min

Can the president override Congress on spending? It depends on 'impoundment'

Can the president spend less money than congress directed be spent? It comes down to a legal question around what's known as impoundment. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Feb 27, 20255 min

How the White House's war on DEI is changing the Defense Department

White House's efforts to target the so-called "woke" military is impacting long-standing relationships and practices at the Defense Department, including recruiting of women and people of color. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 26, 20255 min

Republicans' love/hate relationship with the Education Department

The fight over the U.S. Department of Education has begun, but the battle lines are a little blurry. President Trump says he wants to close the department, and the Senate is expected to vote soon on the confirmation of Linda McMahon, his nominee to be education secretary. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 25, 20255 min

'You can't interpret silence to be a resignation:' email stokes confusion

Federal employees were told they have until the end of Monday to detail what they accomplished last week or face firing. Some bosses said to hold on before replying to the email, stoking confusion. NPR's Emma Bowman reports. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 24, 20253 min

Elon Musk's role in government raises conflict-of-interest issues

Elon Musk is working to slash federal spending while also promoting his business ventures. Experts in government ethics are worried he's acting in his own best interest and not in the country's, as NPR's Tamara Keith reports. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 21, 20256 min

Trump claims expanded power over independent agencies

President Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order to give the president greater power over independent regulatory agencies — government entities Congress set up to be shielded from White House control. Well-known independent regulatory agencies include the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which issues recalls and safety warnings; the Securities and Exchange Commission, which oversees markets; and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which insures bank deposits. Support NPR and hear e...

Feb 20, 20255 min

'Nightmare Scenario:' Trump Admin Cuts Europe Out Of Ukraine Talks

European leaders have called an emergency meeting in Paris Monday after the Trump administration has cut Europe out of negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. "Their worst nightmare has come true," Elie Tennenbaum, a security expert at the French Institute for International Relations, tells NPR's Eleanor Beardsley. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 17, 20255 min

DOJ official targeting Jan. 6 investigators worked on those cases himself

The No. 2 acting official at the DOJ, Emil Bove, has been shaking up the agency and its past work on the 2021 Capitol riot. But he also has his own history with Jan. 6 cases. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 14, 20255 min

Trump's aggressive foreign policy decisions have shaken the globe

Many of President Trump's foreign policy moves, including suspending foreign aid and saying the U.S. should take over Gaza, have shaken the globe. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 13, 20255 min

Republicans split on best path to advance Trump's agenda in Congress

House and Senate Republicans are charting competing courses to implement President Trump's top agenda items, including boosting funds for security along the U.S. southern border and extending tax cuts. The Senate budget committee is expected to begin marking up a budget resolution Wednesday that begins the process of reconciliation to provide $175 billion to secure the southern border and $150 billion in new military spending. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at...

Feb 12, 20255 min

President Trump's second administration and Project 2025

Back in April 2023, a conservative political operative named Paul Dans laid out what was basically a political battle plan. It was called Project 2025, a 900-plus-page blueprint for a future conservative president. After the plan became a Democratic talking point, Trump repeatedly disavowed Project 2025. Politico has been looking into where Project 2025's ideas are showing up in Trump's early executive orders. And this past week, they published a breakdown of 37 different examples. Learn more ab...

Feb 11, 20259 min

Some states ramp up pressure on local law enforcement to aid immigration efforts

The DOJ's lawsuit against Chicago's sanctuary laws is the most visible effort to force local police to help with immigration enforcement. But the more serious pressure is coming from states. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 10, 20255 min

Trump carries out his 'flood the zone' strategy, creating a week of whiplash

This has been a wild week, with way more news coming out of the new administration than anyone can follow. And that's likely by design. Through this analysis, we will attempt to wade through the flood, identify and explain some of the biggest things that happened each week, and draw attention to some that have been overlooked. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Pol...

Feb 07, 20256 min

Georgia sheriffs slow to implement new federal immigration law due to lack of funding

After the murder of Laken Riley last year by a Venezuelan migrant, Georgia enacted a law meant to crack down on illegal immigration. But a lack of funding is dampening its effect. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 06, 20255 min

Trump floats idea to make Gaza Strip 'the Riviera of the Middle East'

President Trump suggested at a Tuesday press conference that Gaza's nearly 2 million residents should leave the Palestinian enclave and proposed the U.S. take it over and redevelop it. NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks to Yousef Munayyer, a senior fellow at the Arab Center in Washington DC. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 05, 20257 min

President Trump is trying to dramatically reshape the federal government

President Trump is trying to dramatically reshape the federal government, including remaking the federal workforce itself. While his directives are sweeping, they are facing legal challenges. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 29, 20255 min

Hegseth has signaled he may halt efforts to fight extremism in the military

For years, Republicans in Congress have been trying to cut Pentagon initiatives to fight extremism in the military. Now, the Trump administration may be poised to end those anti-extremism efforts. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 28, 20256 min

Colombia agrees to take deported migrants after Trump threatens tariffs

A war of words and threats of tariffs brought Colombia and the U.S. to the brink of a trade war, after the Latin American ally initially said it would not take U.S. planes carrying deported migrants. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 27, 20254 min

What designating cartels as terrorist organizations means in practice

President Trump has signed an executive order about designating cartels as terrorist organizations. The U.S. already has tools to go after cartels, but a designation could broaden those options. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 24, 20255 min

Trump's crackdown on DEIA programs within the federal government is underway

Federal agencies had a Wednesday deadline to place employees of DEIA offices on paid leave — and to take down any of mention of DEIA programs and initiatives from agency websites and social media. Then, The Trump administration says it will no longer consider churches and schools off limits to agents tracking down and arresting migrants without legal status. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoic...

Jan 23, 20259 min

Trump says he wants tariffs to start February first

President Trump says he's looking at Feb.1 as the day when he'll slap tariffs on Canada and Mexico — two countries his first administration negotiated a trade deal with. Then, an executive order to rename an Alaskan mountain with the highest peak in North America wouldn't be the first name change for Denali. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 22, 20258 min

President Trump signed a slew of executive actions on day one

President Trump issued pardons and commutations to every defendant charged and convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, which injured more than 140 police officers. Then, President Trump kicked off a slew of executive actions related to immigration in a signing ceremony at the Oval Office on Monday evening. Hear the latest on on those policies. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message ch...

Jan 21, 20259 min

What to expect today as Trump takes the oath of office for a second time

President-elect Trump will get sworn in today for his second term in the White House. We preview what we know about the day. Support NPR and hear every episode sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jan 20, 20255 min