Where will America go from here?

House Republicans blocked an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, but lawmakers still have other ways to challenge the administration over the Iran war and its push for more defense spending.House Republicans chose Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan to lead them in the minority, signaling a more combative approach as the party prepares to face a Democratic majority next year.Federal prosecutors say three Iran-backed operatives were involved in nearly twenty attacks or attempted attacks across Europe and the United States, while a separate case involving a U.S. soldier accused of spying for Russia is raising new security concerns in Britain.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Tara Neill, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray.Our technical director is Margaret Luthar.And our Supervising Producer is Reena Advani.(0:00) Introduction(01:58) Hegseth Impeachment Blocked(05:59) House Leadership Change(09:48) DOJ Charges Terror SuspectsSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

The House could vote this week on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over allegations that he violated federal law and Congress’ war powers, even as President Trump continues to stand by him.Trump says U.S. allies in the Middle East want him to hold off on more strikes against Iran while talks continue, even as he warns the U.S. remains “locked and loaded” if that changes.Congress is demanding answers from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang as scrutiny grows over his relationship with a woman tied to a company reportedly investigated over whether restricted Nvidia chips were reaching China.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Emily Kopp, Rebekan Metzler, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray.Our technical director is Margaret Luthar.And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.(0:00) Introduction(02:16) Hegseth Impeachment Push(06:04) Trump Holds Off Iran Strikes(09:43) Congress Summons Nvidia's CEOSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump says his immigration crackdown may have gone too far even as he elevates Stephen Miller, one of its chief architects, to run the White House after Republicans lost Congress.Republicans are returning to Washington for a lame-duck session with a shrinking House majority and a short list of priorities, including funding the government, passing military spending and confirming Trump nominees.Nvidia is investigating reports that CEO Jensen Huang had an affair with a woman suspected of ties to Chinese intelligence, raising new questions about one of the most important companies in the U.S.-China technology race.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Kelsey Snell, Emily Kopp, Mohamad ElBardicy and Adam Bearne.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray.Our technical director is Margaret Luthar.(0:00) Introduction(01:58) Trump's Post-Midterm Changes(05:46) Lame-Duck Congress(09:24) Nvidia Huang InvestigationSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

What drove the Democratic blue wave at the polls and what happens now? This week on The Sunday Story, we dive into the lessons from the midterms and talk about where the country goes from here. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

What the big win for Democrats in the midterm elections means for the Supreme Court and lower courts. Big tech companies sue California to block the enforcement of a state law meant to protect children from getting addicted to social media. Life in Cuba gets harder as the United States increases economic pressure on the island country.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

The October jobs report will show whether hiring picked up after a weak September, even as inflation continues to outpace wages and markets reel from a sharp selloff.Democrats are promising relief from high fuel prices, but Congress has limited power to lower them quickly and analysts say prices could stay elevated for months even if the war with Iran ends.A federal judge blocked construction on President Trump’s 250-foot D.C. arch for 14 days, setting up a broader fight over his efforts to reshape the capital and the checks courts and a new Democratic Congress may impose.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rafael Nam, Kara Platoni, Carol Ritchie, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray.Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.(0:00) Introduction(01:58) Post-Election Market & Jobs(05:21) Why Gas Prices Could Stay High(09:19) Trump's Arch BlockedSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Democrats are preparing an ambitious opening agenda for their new congressional majority, including efforts to restore health subsidies, reverse Medicaid cuts, rein in tariffs and challenge the war with Iran.Two Senate races remain undecided as Democrats continue gaining ground in places Republicans once considered safe, underscoring how dramatically the electorate shifted in the midterms.President Trump says the war with Iran hurt Republicans at the polls but insists he would make the same decision again, even as he rejects the idea that the losses were a repudiation of him.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Megan Pratz, Rebekah Metzler, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray.Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.(0:00) Introduction(01:51) Democrats' First 100 Hours(05:33) Outstanding Midterm Races(09:19) Trump Doubles Down On PoliciesSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Democrats swept control of Congress with historic Senate victories in Texas, South Carolina and Kansas, giving the party new momentum even as its broader brand remains unpopular.President Trump’s hand-picked candidates suffered major losses, leaving Republicans to wrestle with how closely to stay tied to him as he prepares for two years of divided government.Democratic control of the House and Senate will give the party new power to block Trump nominees and launch investigations, with Hakeem Jeffries poised to become the first Black Speaker of the House.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Miguel Macias, Padma Rama, Rebekah Metzler, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Adam Bearne.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray.Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.(0:00) Introduction(01:55) Democrats' Midterm Blowout(05:20) Trump Blames Candidates For Losses(09:12) Democratic AgendaSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Election Day is here, with control of Congress hinging on unexpectedly competitive races in states including Iowa, Arkansas and Mississippi.President Trump sounded unusually subdued in his final campaign appearance, acknowledging the historical odds against the president’s party in midterm elections.Iran has spent months using the Strait of Hormuz and high gas prices to pressure President Trump back toward negotiations, but Election Day could instead mark the start of another round of war.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Rebekah Metzler, Tina Kraja, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis.Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.(0:00) Introduction(01:52) Election Day(05:32) Trump's Closing Message(09:24) Iran War And The MidtermsSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Michigan Democrats are in open conflict on the eve of the election after Haley Stevens revoked her endorsement of Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and backed his Republican opponent.Republicans are defending unexpectedly competitive races across traditionally red territory, from Alaska to Kansas and South Carolina, as the political map continues shifting toward Democrats.Qatar is pushing a new diplomatic plan to stop Iranian attacks on ships and reopen talks with the U.S. as Gulf states try to prevent another round of war.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Jason Breslow, Brett Neely, Tina Kraja, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy and Taylor Haney.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis.Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. (0:00) Introduction(02:11) Michigan Democrats Feud(06:07) Midterm Map Shifts(09:54) US-Iran Diplomacy EffortsSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy