Trump State of the Union Strategy, Mexico Cartel Violence, Epstein Files Naming Trump
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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What is President Trump's strategy for his State of the Union address?
That's changing for some, so you need to be active and make sure to follow up first in your podcast app to continue getting this service. That way you'll never miss the news, which comes right now.
President Trump says a lot in public, but has not persuaded most of the public to support his policies.
How has recent cartel violence affected Mexico?
He has an opportunity to clarify in a State of the Union speech. What can he say about issues from tariffs to Tehran?
I'm Leila Fadil, that's Steve Inskeep, and this is Up First from NPR News. In Guadalajara, Mexico, burned out cars are still in the medians of empty streets.
What are the implications of El Mencho's death for Mexico's security?
These are signs of the violence after Mexico's government killed a drug cartel leader.
What new revelations have emerged from the Epstein files?
What is the government's strategy?
Also, a new NPR investigation finds the Justice Department withheld or removed dozens of Epstein file pages that include allegations mentioning President Trump. What's missing?
How does the Justice Department handle allegations against President Trump?
And why does it matter? Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.
What transparency issues exist regarding the Epstein investigation?
President Trump speaks to Congress and the country tonight. It's going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about.
How is the U.S. government pressuring Mexico regarding the cartels?
The State of the Union address is any president's annual opportunity to set the national agenda or reset the agenda when it's not going well. Many Americans don't feel good about the State of the Union. An NPR survey out this week finds that 60% of those responding, 6 out of 10, say the country is worse off than a year ago. For the president, it's a chance to say why.
Why he's pursuing policies that are unpopular so far. NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordonez has an assessment. Franco, good morning.
Good morning, Steve. What do you know about the president's approach? Well, I expect his team is finishing a speech that tries to do that, push the reset button. a speech that not only touts his accomplishments, but sets the stage for the upcoming midterms, focusing on how the administration plans to really tackle costs for everyday Americans. But I spoke with Ashley Koenig, a pollster from Rutgers University, who told me that the administration faces an uphill battle.
There is so much on the table right now with the president going into the speech between whether we're talking about the partial shutdown, the economy, immigration or Iran, and then clearly him seeing his worst poll numbers right now during his second term.
You know, and the thing is, Steve, you really don't know what Trump is going to say. And the reality here is the president says a lot of things in public. But he hasn't really explained some of the policies, in a way at least, that many Americans would approve. So he has this opportunity to clarify those plans tonight.
Well, as you're saying that, I'm thinking he's talking to the nation right after the Supreme Court found his tariffs were illegal.
Yeah, I mean, a huge blow to his agenda and a great example to what we're talking about. Trump's promising new tariffs under a different law, which really has some Republicans concerned because of the associated higher costs. John McHenry, a veteran Republican strategist. told me that Trump could take this moment to give his reasons for a policy many Americans don't agree with.
He has an opportunity to say, this is why I think these tariffs are important, and we are going to handle it in this manner because I'm trying to preserve manufacturing jobs, because I'm trying to preserve farming jobs, rather than just saying, I can't believe these people are against me, what losers and rhinos they are.
I got a note when the court first ruled, the president took the latter course, Franco. He called the justices, quote, unpatriotic and disloyal, even though he appointed some of them.
Yeah. And just think about this, Steve, those justices are going to be in the room with Trump. And as always the case with this president, the optics are going to be a big part of the evening. So when Trump sees those justices, you know, walking in and their black robes, you know, is he going to be able to resist attacking them personally as he did so aggressively last week?
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:10
2
What is President Trump's strategy for his State of the Union address?
0:10–0:30
3
How has recent cartel violence affected Mexico?
0:30–0:48
4
What are the implications of El Mencho's death for Mexico's security?
0:48–0:53
5
What new revelations have emerged from the Epstein files?
0:53–1:06
6
How does the Justice Department handle allegations against President Trump?
1:06–1:16
7
What transparency issues exist regarding the Epstein investigation?
1:16–1:23
8
How is the U.S. government pressuring Mexico regarding the cartels?
1:23–13:22
Speakers
7 identifiedMore from Up First from NPR
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