Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theschmidt.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The Department of Justice is launching a criminal investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frye.
The Trump administration alleges that the Democratic leaders are impeding federal law enforcement's ability to do their jobs. Walz and Fry have publicly criticized Trump's immigration crackdown. In a statement, Fry called the investigation a, quote, obvious attempt to intimidate him for standing up for Minneapolis.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the Twin Cities as hundreds more federal agents have arrived. NPR's Kat Lonsdorff reports President Trump has walked back his threat to invoke the Insurrection Act. But he's not taking it off the table.
The Insurrection Act is a 200-year-old law that, if invoked, would allow Trump to deploy the military to Minneapolis for law enforcement purposes. He now says he doesn't think the situation as it stands warrants it, but... If I needed it, I'd use it. I don't think there's any reason right now to use it. But if I needed it, I'd use it.
Trump has threatened invoking it many times in recent months for various situations. It would be a highly controversial move. According to the Department of Homeland Security, there are now at least 2,500 federal agents in Minneapolis. That's about four times the number of local police officers.
Meanwhile, plans for a far-right anti-immigration rally in the city this weekend have many on high alert.
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Chapter 2: What criminal investigation is the Department of Justice launching?
Kat Lonsdorff, NPR News, Minneapolis.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe quietly traveled to Venezuela and met the country's interim leader in an effort to bolster a still tentative relationship between the two governments. As NPR's Greg Myrie reports, the U.S. spy chief is the first senior U.S. official to visit Venezuela since the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro.
CIA Director Ratcliffe spent two hours with Venezuela's interim president, Delce Rodriguez, in the capital Caracas on Thursday. This comes from a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Ratcliffe told her the U.S. will work with Venezuela to revive its moribund economy, but stressed the country could no longer be a safe haven for drug traffickers.
The Caracas talks came the same day President Trump hosted Venezuela's most prominent opposition figure, Maria Corina Machado. For now, Trump says the U.S. will work with the interim president, Rodriguez, despite her close ties to Maduro, who was seized by U.S. forces on January 3rd. Greg Myhre, NPR News, Washington.
Iran is returning to an uneasy calm after anti-government protests led to a violent crackdown in A senior cleric is calling for the death penalty for demonstrators. Meanwhile, President Trump is thanking Iran's leaders for not executing more protesters, signaling he may be backing away from his threats of military action. The protests began over economic issues.
The U.S.-based human rights activist news agency reports a death toll of more than 3,000 people. Stocks edged a bit lower on Wall Street today. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both slipped a fraction. This is NPR News from Washington. The Supreme Court will hear an appeal from Bayer to block state lawsuits alleging it failed to warn people that its Roundup weed killer could cause cancer.
The justices will consider whether the EPA's approval of the weed killer without a cancer warning should rule out state court claims. The EPA says Roundup's key ingredient is unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans when used as directed. The Washington National Opera has picked new venues for the rest of its season after leaving the Kennedy Center.
NPR's Olivia Hampton reports the move comes after President Trump took over the site and added his name to the building.
Productions of The Crucible and a new adaptation of Scott Joplin's Trimonisha will take place in March at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium. It's a smaller venue that hosted the company's debut in 1957.
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Chapter 3: How is President Trump responding to the situation in Minnesota?
A May production of West Side Story is still looking for a home. The WNO had primarily been performing at the Kennedy Center since it opened in 1971. The company said it received donations from more than 500 people in the 72 hours after announcing its departure from the Kennedy Center. Sagging sales and artist cancellations have followed President Trump's takeover in February.
Olivia Hampton, NPR News, Washington.
Future generations of sharks could have weaker teeth because of changing ocean chemistry. A group of German scientists found that sharks' teeth could become more likely to break as oceans become increasingly acidic because of human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels. I'm Ryland Barton. This is NPR News from Washington.
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