Was there an imminent threat from Iran? Senator calls for Trump to explain war goals

Senator Mark Warner tells NPR that the families of sailors in the conflict area that he has met with “have no idea why their sons and daughters are being put in harm’s way.” Warner says that the president should appear before Congress and ask for a declaration of war.

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This episode was produced by Henry Larson. It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon and Sarah Robbins. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Iranian supreme leader killed in airstrike, Trump says

Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khemenei is dead, according President Donald Trump. This comes after US and Israeli forces bombarded targets across Iran. Iran has retaliated, launching attacks throughout the Middle East.

Given these historic events, we’re dropping our National Security Podcast “Sources & Methods” into the feed today.

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This episode was produced by Erika Ryan, Karen Zamora, and Kai McNamee, with audio engineering by Neil Tevault. It was edited by Courtney Dorning and Andrew Sussman. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Why is MAHA mad at Trump?

President Trump issued an executive order to increase domestic production of glyphosate, commonly used as a weedkiller. It’s the active ingredient in the weedkiller, Roundup.

That order immediately ignited an uproar in the Make America Healthy Again movement. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his supporters have long believed glyphosate is a health risk. But now, Kennedy says he supports Trump’s order.

Helena Bottemiller Evich, founder and editor-in-chief of the Food Fix newsletter, calls MAHA’s response a “marital spat” with the Trump administration, and explains how it could affect Trump’s base going forward.

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This episode was produced by Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Sarah Handel. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Why Tim Kaine is pursuing a war powers resolution – again

With the U.S. military amassing in the Middle East ahead of possible strikes in Iran, a Democratic lawmaker explains his effort to limit the president.

The United States Constitution empowers Congress, not the president, to declare war.

That hasn’t stopped plenty of presidents from commanding military combat.

It didn’t stop President Trump from ordering airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites last year – and building up the U.S. military in the Middle East while he mulls further action this year.

So far in this Trump administration, efforts to reclaim that Congressional authority have failed.

Sen. Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, explains why he is still pursuing a war powers resolution.

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This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Janse and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane.

It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon and Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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How prison staffing shortages are driving away mental health staff

Correctional officers are leaving their jobs at federal prisons. 

And when these prisons are understaffed – psychologists and other staff are asked to act as guards. 

Recent reporting from The Marshall Project says it’s pushing mental health professionals out of prisons. 

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This episode was produced by Jason Fuller and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane.

It was edited by Jeanette Woods and Courtney Dorning.

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Gavin Newsom says the Democratic party “must fight fire with fire”

Gavin Newsom is in his final year as governor of California. He’s also widely considered a potential presidential candidate for 2028—a possibility he has not ruled out—and he sees himself as a leader of Democratic opposition to President Donald Trump, often mocking his brash style on social media. 

The governor sat down with NPR for an interview ahead of the release of his new memoir, Young Man in a Hurry. He talks about his early life as a kid in the San Francisco Bay Area, his strategy of simultaneously engaging with right-wing voices and ridiculing the president, and he explains why he refuses “to be a bystander to this moment.”

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This episode was produced by Connor Donevan and Jonaki Mehta. It was edited by Christopher Intagliata. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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How long until AI takes your job?

AI CEOs talk a lot about the enormous potential of AI to cure diseases, generate enormous wealth and solve some of humanity’s most vexing problems.

But they are surprisingly direct in talking about the potential downsides.

A big one that we’re suddenly hearing a lot more about is what it could mean for our jobs. We’ll unpack whether and how much you should be worried.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Connor Donevan. It was edited by Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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With the fight to preserve voting rights, Jesse Jackson’s message still resonates

As congress debates voter ID laws, and the Supreme Court reconsiders provisions of the Voting Rights Act, Senator Raphael Warnock talks about where the movement Reverend Jesse Jackson helped build goes from here.

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This episode was produced by Kai McNamee. It was edited by John Ketchum and Jeanette Woods. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Why did NPR build an archive of January 6th documents?

NPR investigative reporter Tom Dreisbach talks about how and why he led an ambitious team effort to preserve a comprehensive record of the events of January 6th, 2021.


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This episode was produced by Linah Mohammad and Daniel Ofman. It was edited by Sarah Robbins. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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What the Supreme Court’s tariff decision means for small businesses

Nearly a year ago, Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs, slapping high import taxes on goods from countries around the world. The sweeping tariffs hurt the New York-based wine importer VOS Selections, one of several plaintiffs that challenged the Trump administration in court, arguing the president lacked the ability to impose the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Today, the Supreme Court agreed, ruling that many of President Trump’s tariffs are unconstitutional. NPR’s Scott Detrow talks with NPR Chief Economics Correspondent Scott Horsley and NPR Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg about the court’s decision and what it means for businesses and consumers.


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This episode was produced by Tyler Bartlam, with audio engineering from Ted Mebane. It was edited by Christopher Intagliata, Courtney Dorning, Scott Horsley and Krishnadev Calamur. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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