MAGA leaders want President Trump to ignore judges who have stopped him from sending National Guard troops to U.S. cities. A federal judge in Oregon blocked Trump's order to deploy the National Guard in Portland, citing a lack of factual basis. Despite calls from some of Trump’s supporters to defy court orders, the White House has indicated it will respect the legal process for now.
Key Facts
MAGA leaders are pressing for President Trump to disregard court rulings against his deployment of National Guard troops.
A federal judge in Oregon, Karin Immergut, blocked Trump's attempt to use the Oregon National Guard to protect immigration officers in Portland.
The judge, a Trump appointee, stated the deployment rationale lacked factual basis.
MAGA supporters argue that judges are undermining Trump's authority as president.
The White House has not defied court orders yet, but officials have criticized judicial decisions.
Stephen Miller, a White House official, described certain judicial rulings as unlawful.
Illinois has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent the National Guard from deploying to Chicago.
Senator Chuck Grassley accused the FBI and former special counsel Jack Smith of violating the rights of Republican lawmakers by reviewing their phone records during a probe. The investigation was part of efforts to examine President Donald Trump's actions after losing the 2020 election. Grassley revealed that the phone records of multiple Republican members of Congress were analyzed, but plans no separate congressional investigation.
Key Facts
Senator Chuck Grassley claimed the FBI wrongly looked at the phone records of several Republican lawmakers.
The investigation was linked to President Trump's attempt to overturn the 2020 election.
The phone records reviewed were from the week of January 6, 2021, when there was unrest at the U.S. Capitol.
In August 2023, President Trump was charged with conspiring to change the election outcome, but the charges were dropped in 2024.
The FBI used a grand jury subpoena to get the phone records.
Grassley said the FBI's actions were an "egregious overreach," yet he will not push for a congressional investigation.
Current FBI Director Kash Patel promised to end any political misuse of power within the FBI.
President Trump plans to send National Guard troops to various U.S. cities. This has led to legal challenges questioning his authority. Illinois has filed a lawsuit to prevent troops from being sent there, and a judge stopped a similar move in Oregon.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to deploy National Guard troops to certain U.S. cities.
Legal issues have arisen over the extent of his authority to do this.
Illinois is suing the Trump administration to stop 400 troops from Texas being sent there.
A federal judge has blocked President Trump from sending California’s National Guard to Oregon.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek criticized these actions and believes they pose a threat to democracy.
These events have sparked legal battles in federal courts.
Congress has not made progress toward reopening the government during the ongoing shutdown, which is nearly a week long. Additionally, the Supreme Court turned down Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal. In other global news, the French Prime Minister resigned shortly after a cabinet announcement, and Israel deported activists trying to bring aid to Gaza.
Key Facts
The government shutdown has lasted almost one week.
U.S. Congress has not moved closer to reopening the government.
The Supreme Court rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned after a recent cabinet announcement.
Israeli authorities deported over 170 activists involved in a flotilla heading for Gaza.
Utah legislators voted to advance a new congressional map that could change the boundaries of its districts before the 2026 midterm elections. The new map aims to make two of Utah's districts more competitive for Democrats. The map was advanced with Republican support, despite opposition from Democratic legislators.
Key Facts
Utah legislators voted to advance a new congressional map.
The map could change district boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats hope the new map could make some districts more competitive for them.
Republicans supported the map; Democrats did not.
The new map was created to comply with court orders, as the previous map was struck down for partisan gerrymandering.
The map would make two districts more competitive, with Republicans still having an advantage.
Salt Lake City, a Democratic stronghold, would not be split as much in the new map.
The map will be submitted to the court for approval.
The Supreme Court is set to hear a case about banning conversion therapy for young people. In the past, the Court did not take up such cases, but this one is happening during strong debates over LGBTQ rights.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court will hear arguments on a ban related to conversion therapy for youth.
This type of therapy aims to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
In earlier times, the Supreme Court chose not to hear similar cases.
The case is taking place amidst growing cultural and political discussions about LGBTQ issues.
The story includes sensitive topics, such as discussions about suicide.
NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter discussed the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has reached its sixth day with no resolution in sight. They also talked about President Trump's plan to deploy troops in U.S. cities and changes in California's voting districts.
Key Facts
The federal government has been shut down for six days.
There is currently no agreement to end the shutdown.
President Trump plans to send troops into certain U.S. cities.
California is undergoing changes in its voting district boundaries, known as redistricting.
Tamara Keith is from NPR and Amy Walter is from the Cook Political Report.
Attorney General Pam Bondi will testify before Congress for the first time since her confirmation. The Senate Judiciary Committee may ask her about controversial decisions made by her department, such as indicting former FBI Director James Comey.
Key Facts
Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before Congress.
This is her first appearance since her confirmation hearing in January.
The hearing starts at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.
Bondi has been head of the Justice Department for nine months.
Lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee may question her about controversial actions.
One topic might include the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey.
President Donald Trump urged Bondi to take legal action against Comey and others.
President Donald Trump stated that he might use the Insurrection Act if needed but currently sees no reason to do so. The Act lets a president deploy military forces within the U.S. to handle insurrections or enforce federal laws, even without state consent.
Key Facts
President Trump discussed the potential use of the Insurrection Act.
He believes the current situation in U.S. cities does not require invoking the Act.
The Insurrection Act was established in 1807.
It allows the president to send military forces within the country if there's an insurrection.
The Act can be used without a state's consent if violence disrupts federal authority.
President Trump emphasized the importance of ensuring city safety.
A new poll shows Nancy Mace in second place in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary, but many voters are still undecided. Mace is competing against Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and other candidates in this crowded race. The poll indicates that voter opinion is divided, which could lead to more intense campaigning.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace is currently in second place in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary with 15.8% of the vote.
Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette is leading with 19.9%, and Attorney General Alan Wilson is in third place with 12.4%.
The poll found that 41.3% of voters remain undecided.
Nancy Mace has a 40% favorability rating, while her unfavorable rating is 48.1%.
The poll was conducted between September 30 and October 2, surveying 1,094 likely Republican voters.
The poll's margin of error is 2.9%.
Mace is known for her support of President Donald Trump and her positions on various policies.
South Carolina has not elected a Democratic governor in over 20 years.
President Donald Trump mentioned that he would consider talking to the Department of Justice (DOJ) about a possible pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in connection with Jeffrey Epstein. Trump commented that he would need more information before making any decisions.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump talked about the possibility of pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell.
Maxwell is a British socialite convicted of sex trafficking related to Jeffrey Epstein.
When asked by a journalist, Trump said he hadn't heard Maxwell's name in a long time.
Trump mentioned he would speak with the Department of Justice about the matter.
He compared the situation to other pardons people had requested from him.
The Supreme Court recently rejected Maxwell's appeal to overturn her conviction.
NPR obtained a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about plans to send the Illinois National Guard to Chicago. The memo outlines details of this proposed deployment.
Key Facts
NPR got a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The memo discusses sending the Illinois National Guard to Chicago.
This proposed deployment involves planning and details from the Pentagon.
The memo outlines the purpose and logistics of deploying the Guard.
NPR shared this information through its "All Things Considered" program.
Two Republicans in Georgia are running against Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff for the 2026 election. Both candidates reported raising about $2 million soon after joining the race.
Key Facts
Two Republican candidates from Georgia are running for U.S. Senate.
The election will take place in 2026.
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff is the current seat holder they aim to unseat.
U.S. Representative Mike Collins is one of the candidates.
Former football coach Derek Dooley is the other candidate.
Mike Collins reported raising $1.9 million by the end of September.
Derek Dooley reported raising $1.85 million in the same timeframe.
Illinois has filed a lawsuit to stop President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops to Chicago. This legal action follows other similar challenges in Oregon, where a judge temporarily blocked the deployment of troops. The lawsuit claims that using the military in this way is unconstitutional.
Key Facts
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Chicago officials filed the lawsuit against troop deployment.
A judge in Oregon temporarily stopped Trump's plan to send National Guard troops to Portland.
President Trump wants to use the military to help with law enforcement and control protests.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called Trump's plan to deploy troops "unlawful and unconstitutional".
Trump has already sent National Guard troops to places like Los Angeles and Washington, DC.
US law allows the National Guard to support federal law enforcement in some cases, but regular military use is limited.
Trump referred to protests as "civil disturbances" and suggested using cities as training grounds for the military.
In Chicago, there has been tension and protests near immigration facilities, leading to clashes with federal agents.
The Supreme Court has started a new term focused on cases involving President Donald Trump's use of executive power. Other important cases include those about voting rights and LGBTQ rights. The Court will soon discuss state bans on certain types of therapy related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court's new term will focus on President Trump’s use of executive power.
The agenda includes critical cases on voting rights.
LGBTQ rights are also an important part of this term's agenda.
The Court will hear arguments about state bans on therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.
Nearly half of U.S. states have passed bans on these types of therapies.
President Trump is considering using war powers to fight drug cartels. Legal experts question whether these powers, typically used for military conflicts, can be applied to crime such as drug trafficking.
Key Facts
President Trump is looking to use war powers to combat drug cartels.
War powers are usually for military conflicts, not criminal activities.
John Yoo, a legal expert, helped create the legal rules for wars after 9/11.
Yoo suggests that using war powers against cartels is too extreme.
The discussion involves whether these powers are appropriate for fighting drug trafficking.
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal to overturn her sex trafficking conviction. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in recruiting teenage girls for Jeffrey Epstein. This decision leaves a pardon from President Donald Trump as her only option for early release.
Key Facts
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Maxwell's appeal on her sex trafficking conviction.
Maxwell was involved in recruiting teenage girls for Jeffrey Epstein.
She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
Maxwell's lawyers claimed that a 2007 plea deal with Epstein should protect her.
The Supreme Court did not provide reasons for rejecting the appeal.
President Trump's clemency is now Maxwell's only potential path to release.
Maxwell has been moved to a less-restrictive prison facility in Texas.
There is ongoing public interest regarding Epstein and Maxwell's past relationships and activities.
President Donald Trump announced that his administration is in talks with Democrats about healthcare subsidies. This discussion is happening during a government shutdown, which is the first one in the U.S. in nearly seven years.
Key Facts
President Trump said his administration is negotiating with Democrats about healthcare.
The talks aim to improve healthcare for people in the U.S.
Trump mentioned the importance of keeping funds within the country rather than giving them to people who enter the U.S.
The discussion comes amid a government shutdown.
The shutdown is the first in almost seven years.
Trump expressed optimism that the negotiations could lead to positive outcomes for healthcare.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has appointed Frank Bisignano, the head of the Social Security Administration, to also lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as its first CEO. This appointment comes as both agencies face staffing problems and challenges following funding cuts. Bisignano's new role does not require Senate confirmation.
Key Facts
Frank Bisignano, who leads the Social Security Administration, is now also the CEO of the IRS.
This is the first time the IRS has a CEO position.
The IRS and Social Security Administration are dealing with staffing issues due to government cuts.
Bisignano's appointment bypasses the usual Senate confirmation process.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remains the acting commissioner of the IRS.
The IRS has had seven commissioners this year; the previous appointee was ousted after a short term.
The IRS is implementing new changes due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which may face delays.
IRS functions have seen significant staff reductions, affecting key areas like fraud detection and IT services.
A federal judge has stopped President Trump from sending National Guard troops to Oregon. Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek discussed the situation with NPR.
Key Facts
A federal judge issued a block on deploying National Guard troops to Oregon.
President Trump wanted to send these troops.
The block happened on a Sunday.
Oregon's Governor is Tina Kotek.
Governor Kotek discussed the issue with NPR's Juana Summers.
