Politics & Government

Six candidates have qualified for next Tuesday's Democratic debate: former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and business

Politics & Government

Democratic Debate Grows To 6 Candidates As Steyer Hits January Threshold

9:21pm January 09, 2020

by Jessica Taylor

Tom Steyer is likely the final Democrat to qualify ahead of Friday's deadline. He'll join Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren onstage in Iowa.

National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, is defending the Trump administration's decision to order a drone strike against Iran's top military commander.

National Security Adviser Defends Briefing On Iran Criticized By Lawmakers

8:47pm January 09, 2020

by Brakkton Booker

Lawmakers say Trump administration officials have evaded questions about the president's ability to attack Iran. In an interview with NPR, Robert O'Brien said officials can't discuss "hypotheticals."

The border wall set back from the geographical border in El Paso, Texas. The White House said Thursday that an appeals court ruling has cleared the way for border wall construction to resume.

Appeals Court Allows Trump To Divert $3.6 Billion In Military Funds For Border Wall

7:35pm January 09, 2020

by Bobby Allyn

The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reverses a lower court order that blocked the president from using the U.S. Defense Department money to build the long-promised wall.

At the White House on Wednesday, National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien hears President Trump address the nation on the ballistic missile strike that Iran launched against Iraqi air bases housing U.S. troops.

Transcript: NPR's Full Interview With NSC Adviser Robert O'Brien

6:21pm January 09, 2020

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien about tensions with Iran and the future of the U.S. presence in the Middle East.

Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah (right) and Rand Paul of Kentucky talk following a Jan. 9 classified briefing on last week's targeted killing of Iran's senior military commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

GOP Senator Calls White House 'Cavalier' About The Constitution, Backs Curbs On Trump

4:58pm January 09, 2020

by Heidi Glenn

Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah calls a briefing on Iran with White House officials "an unmitigated disaster" and is seeking to reassert Congress' role in authorizing the use of military force.

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Politics & Government

House Set To Vote On War Powers Resolution

4:36pm January 09, 2020

by Susan Davis

The House of Representatives is expected to pass a resolution Thursday limiting the president's power to take military action against Iran without congressional approval.

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Politics & Government

A Look At How The Supreme Court Chief Justice May Preside Over Senate Impeachment

4:36pm January 09, 2020

by Nina Totenberg

Chief Justice John Roberts will preside over President Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate. But his role in the process is limited — as seen during the last presidential impeachment trial.

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The Trump administration wants to overhaul a major environmental law — the National Environmental Policy Act — to help speed approval of infrastructure projects, including oil and gas pipelines.

Trump Administration Proposes Major Changes To Bedrock Environmental Law

4:36pm January 09, 2020

by Jeff Brady

The move would ease approval for major infrastructure projects. It could mean federal agencies won't need to consider climate impacts of things like pipelines and highways.

Facebook says it will continue to allow political ads to be targeted to only small groups of its users. Here, Facebook Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seen visiting Congress for a hearing last October.

FEC Commissioner Rips Facebook Over Political Ad Policy: 'This Will Not Do'

3:15pm January 09, 2020

by Bill Chappell

Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub says Facebook's "weak plan suggests the company has no idea how seriously it is hurting democracy."

President Trump Addresses The Nation After Iranian Attacks In Iraq Target Bases Where U.S. Troops Stationed

Politics & Government

Trump Says Iran Appears To Be 'Standing Down.' What Does That Mean?

1:23pm January 09, 2020

After a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases that housed American soldiers, could the conflict escalate?