NPR News: 01-21-2026 3AM EST
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Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. At the Supreme Court today, it's showdown time as President Trump seeks to undo 112 years of law and precedent by firing Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve Board appointed by President Biden. Here's NPR's Nina Totenberg reporting.
President Trump has made no secret of his desire to undo the independence of the nation's central bank.
What is the Supreme Court case involving President Trump and Lisa Cook about?
the Federal Reserve Board, which, among other things, sets interest rates. But his Justice Department has framed the case more narrowly, contending that he's firing Cook because she falsified documents to obtain loans on two different properties, claiming that both were her primary residence. Cook's lawyers categorically deny the charges, noting that Cook listed the second property as a vacation home. But the Trump administration argues that once the president has determined that he has cause to fire a Fed board member, that decision is not reviewable by any court. Nina Schotenberg, NPR News, Washington.
President Trump is on his way to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he is expected to deliver a speech today focusing on making housing more affordable. His effort to acquire Greenland, though, threatens to push affordability to the side. However, at the White House earlier Tuesday, Trump seemed optimistic.
I think that we will work something out when NATO is going to be very happy and where we're going to be very happy. But we need it for security purposes. We need it for national security and even world security.
flight to Davos got off to a rocky start. He was forced to return to the D.C. area to switch planes when Air Force One developed what the White House said was a minor electrical issue about an hour after takeoff. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, among state and local officials who've been served with grand jury subpoenas, the Justice Department is investigating whether they obstructed or impeded the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities area. Minnesota Public Radio reports the others receiving subpoenas include Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul. U.S. military has seized another tanker of Venezuelan crude oil in the Caribbean. Here's NPR's Julia Simon.
In case you're counting, that's seven tankers of Venezuelan oil the U.S. has seized in recent months. The U.S. is working with oil traders to sell the oil. Swiss-based trading firm Vitol has offered the Venezuelan crude to Chinese buyers, according to Bloomberg. The Trump administration says it's made at least $500 million on sales of Venezuelan oil. Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, says the country has received $300 million. It's unclear where the other hundreds of millions will end up. A senior trader at VTOL, John Addison, donated more than $5 million to political action committees supporting Trump's re-election and was involved in the deal-making. VTOL and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.
Julia Simon, NPR News.
This is NPR. A suspect accused of setting fire to Jackson, Mississippi's only synagogue, pleaded not guilty to a felony arson charge in federal court Tuesday, but remains in federal custody, Mississippi Public Broadcasting's Shamir Muhammad reports.
An attorney for Stephen Spencer Pittman argued his client poses no serious danger to potential witnesses and should be deemed eligible for bond with conditions. Attorneys for the government argued the 19-year-old does pose a risk, to witnesses from Beth Israel and his parents. A federal judge denied him bond. Zach Schimper is president of the Beth Israel congregation.
For the judge to detain him until the hearing, I think is the right call. I don't think anybody wants or needs him out. I think he is a risk to those around him. And frankly, I don't know if he has anywhere to go because it doesn't sound like his parents want him at home either.
A trial has been set for February 23rd. For NPR News, I'm Shamira Mohamed in Jackson, Mississippi.
A judge in New Mexico has ordered that actor-director Timothy Busfield be released from jail.
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