Megan Basham

Well, I think that the congressional hearings that were held three weeks ago provided plenty of fodder for why people are saying that. So during questioning of NPR CEO Catherine Maher, we learned that all 87, meaning 100% of NPR's board, are registered Democrats. And then Maher was also asked to defend some of her public statements.

Well, I think that the congressional hearings that were held three weeks ago provided plenty of fodder for why people are saying that. So during questioning of NPR CEO Catherine Maher, we learned that all 87, meaning 100% of NPR's board, are registered Democrats. And then Maher was also asked to defend some of her public statements.

Have a listen to this exchange with Congressman Tim Burchette of Tennessee.

Have a listen to this exchange with Congressman Tim Burchette of Tennessee.

She also acknowledged what she called mistakes in NPR's coverage. Now, as for whether this rescission proposal goes through, that's always a tough sell. And there will be a real uphill battle to get it through both the House and the Senate. So if you're betting, I guess it's not going to make it. But, you know, you never know with Trump.

She also acknowledged what she called mistakes in NPR's coverage. Now, as for whether this rescission proposal goes through, that's always a tough sell. And there will be a real uphill battle to get it through both the House and the Senate. So if you're betting, I guess it's not going to make it. But, you know, you never know with Trump.

Yeah, sure. So the administration froze $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard after the university refused demands to overhaul its policies. And the White House is saying that a total of $9 billion in funding could ultimately be on the table.

Yeah, sure. So the administration froze $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard after the university refused demands to overhaul its policies. And the White House is saying that a total of $9 billion in funding could ultimately be on the table.

The White House also, through its Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, claims Harvard hasn't done enough to address antisemitism tied to radical anti-Israel and pro-Hamas campus protests. They demanded changes like banning face masks, which a lot of the protesters wear, and enforcing merit-based rather than race-based admissions. Harvard's president, Alan Garber, is rejecting this.

The White House also, through its Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, claims Harvard hasn't done enough to address antisemitism tied to radical anti-Israel and pro-Hamas campus protests. They demanded changes like banning face masks, which a lot of the protesters wear, and enforcing merit-based rather than race-based admissions. Harvard's president, Alan Garber, is rejecting this.

He's calling it a violation of First Amendment rights and academic freedom. And he put out a statement saying, no government, regardless of which party is in power, should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue. But... In the meantime, a lawsuit from the American Association of University Professors is pending.

He's calling it a violation of First Amendment rights and academic freedom. And he put out a statement saying, no government, regardless of which party is in power, should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue. But... In the meantime, a lawsuit from the American Association of University Professors is pending.

So, you know, we're going to see if this survives a challenge in court.

So, you know, we're going to see if this survives a challenge in court.

Yep. Anytime.

Yep. Anytime.

Yes. And at this point, SCOTUS has ruled on six of those emergency applications. And I'd have to say that the president is faring mostly pretty well. One of the most significant rulings we've seen so far has been on that Alien Enemies Act. Now, it's a somewhat unique situation where both sides, the administration and the ACLU, are claiming victory.

Yes. And at this point, SCOTUS has ruled on six of those emergency applications. And I'd have to say that the president is faring mostly pretty well. One of the most significant rulings we've seen so far has been on that Alien Enemies Act. Now, it's a somewhat unique situation where both sides, the administration and the ACLU, are claiming victory.

The administration argued that illegal alien gangs like Tren de Aragua pose such a national security threat that under the authority of that 1798 act, they can remove the gang members rapidly without hearings because they're not citizens. And as we've reported here, last week, SCOTUS lifted a lower judge's block on those deportations, but it did add some guardrails.

The administration argued that illegal alien gangs like Tren de Aragua pose such a national security threat that under the authority of that 1798 act, they can remove the gang members rapidly without hearings because they're not citizens. And as we've reported here, last week, SCOTUS lifted a lower judge's block on those deportations, but it did add some guardrails.