Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This week on Up First, from Minneapolis to Venezuela to the Federal Reserve, one of the biggest stories of the year so far is how the Trump administration is using presidential power. We're following every angle, so you start each day knowing what's happening, what's true, and what isn't on Up First. Listen on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump says he has canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until attacks against Iranian protesters come to a stop.
Chapter 2: What actions has President Trump taken regarding Iran?
Trump had previously said he was looking at a request from Iran for a meeting. That was after Trump threatened to attack Iran. Writing online this morning, Trump told Iranians to keep protesting and, quote, help is on the way. He didn't elaborate. Javid Ali is a former National Security Council senior director. He says the Trump administration needs to answer a legal question.
What legal authority can President Trump rely on to conduct attacks against Iran for Iran's crackdown against its own citizens?
Chapter 3: What legal questions arise from Trump's decisions on Iran?
That is not a direct threat to the United States, at least on my read of President Trump's constitutional authority.
Last night, Trump also announced he'll impose tariffs on any country that does business with Iran. He did not offer details. The chair of the House Oversight Committee, Kentucky Republican James Comer, says that former President Bill Clinton failed to show up on Capitol Hill today for a deposition. Comer is leading a congressional investigation into late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Comer says there will be a consequence.
I think it's very disappointing. As a result of Bill Clinton not showing up for his lawful subpoena, which again was voted on unanimously by the committee in a bipartisan manner, we will move next week in the House Oversight Committee markup to hold former President Clinton in contempt of Congress.
Chapter 4: What is the significance of Bill Clinton's absence from Congress?
Comer says Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent him a letter telling him they would not testify. The New York Times reports they said they have already provided statements similar to others to the committee about the Epstein investigation. The Clintons say that Congressman Comer is attempting to bring Congress to a halt. simply to have them imprisoned.
President Trump travels to Detroit today to address a meeting of the city's business leaders. The president's visit comes as the city opens its annual showcase of the automotive industry. From member station WDET, Quinn Kleinfelter has more.
Trump is set to speak at an invitation-only meeting of the Detroit Economic Club and is expected to tour a Ford Motor Company factory. Trump has frequently appeared in the swing state of Michigan, arguing his use of tariffs would aid Detroit's signature auto industry and help return manufacturing back to the U.S. Tariffs have increased costs for automakers, even with carve-outs for the industry.
Chapter 5: How are tariffs affecting the automotive industry in Detroit?
Trump also eased Biden-era emission standards and erased tax credits designed to promote electric vehicles. His handling of the economy is seen as a key issue in the state's congressional and gubernatorial races this year. For NPR News, I'm Quinn Kleinfelter in Detroit.
Stocks are lower on Wall Street at this hour. The Dow Jones Industrial averages down more than 310 points at 49,276. You're listening to NPR. The Labor Department says inflation was steady in December. The agency says consumer prices rose 2.7 percent last month over what they were a year ago. That matches the inflation report from November and falls in line with what economists had expected.
In California, seven new safety laws on artificial intelligence are now in effect.
Chapter 6: What new laws on artificial intelligence have been implemented in California?
From member station KALW, Anna Casalme explains.
California is home to some of the world's largest AI companies and has passed more laws regulating AI than any other state. Seven of those laws went into effect this month. They fall under two main categories, accountability and transparency. One law prevents AI chatbots from misrepresenting themselves as doctors, nurses, and other licensed professionals.
Another protects minors from abuse by AI chatbots. And a third law requires law enforcement agencies to disclose when AI is used to draft police reports. Last month, President Trump signed an executive order to discourage and challenge state governments on their attempts to regulate AI. For NPR News, I'm Anna Casalme in San Francisco.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has agreed to fund the parent company of the U.S.
Chapter 7: How is Congress funding The Voice of America against Trump's wishes?
international broadcaster, The Voice of America. Lawmakers would provide more than $650 million for it. The move rebuffs President Trump's efforts to close down VOA. It's part of a broader spending deal that lawmakers negotiated. The larger bill still needs approval from both houses before it can go to President Trump. I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News.