Is the US sliding into authoritarianism?

What does Canada's election mean for relations between the two countries?It's been 100 days in office for President Donald Trump. Plus, he gets some rough polling news.USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes talks about civil liberties concerns as plainclothed ICE agents make detentions.President Trump signs an executive order highlighting sanctuary cities fighting immigration enforcement.Russian President Vladimir Putin declares a 3-day ceasefire with Ukraine in May. Trump says that's not good enough.USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe says the high court appears likely to side with a student in a disability discrimination case.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We asked: Do you support President Trump's actions so far? What concerns you about what he and his administration have executed on? Readers across the country shared their opinions with us. Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team, dedicated to showcasing views from across the political spectrum on issues that Americans are starkly divided on. If you'd like to weigh in on a different topic, you can find more questions at usatoday.com/forum. And if your submission is selected for print, we might invite you to add your voice to a future special bonus episode like this one. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress will take up the fiscal 2026 budget proposal when lawmakers return to session Monday.Secretary of State Marco Rubio was pressed Sunday by NBC News over child U.S. citizens removed from the country.USA TODAY Reporter Andrea Riquier explains how home renovation costs will climb amid new tariffs.President Donald Trump said his meeting in Rome with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "went well."USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise talks about a brood of cicadas first recorded by the pilgrims.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A quick Google search reveals many articles, commentaries, social media posts, and scholarly debates on whether or not America is sliding into an authoritarian state. But is that really what’s going on here? Or is calling the current political climate “authoritarian” simply a case of liberals being melodramatic? Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and expert on fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda, and democracy protection at New York University, joins The Excerpt to share her expertise.Episode Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson discusses some of President Donald Trump's recent comments to Time Magazine.A Milwaukee judge has been charged with federal felonies in an ICE case.Former Rep. George Santos has been sentenced to more than seven years after pleading guilty in 2024 to felony wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.Pope Francis will be laid to rest Saturday.USA TODAY Wellness Reporter Charles Trepany breaks down why some people live separately from their spouses.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's been another shake-up at the Pentagon.President Donald Trump approaches 100 days in office. Here are 100 things that have changed.USA TODAY Education Reporter Zachary Schermele takes a look at a busy week for the Trump administration on education.A judge partly blocks a Trump order seeking to overhaul U.S. elections.USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise tells us about carnivorous 'bone collector' caterpillars.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most of us can say that we’re fans of something – music, sports, art, books. But what does it mean to be part of a fandom? You’ve probably seen devoted super fans participating in cos play at Comic-Con, painted in their team’s color at a football game or dressed up as their favorite characters at a midnight screening of a film series. But is there something deeper than just fun at play here? Something that aligns more with religion or even sacredness? That’s the argument of sociologist Michael Elliott, a professor at Towson University who has studied the culture of Comic-Con for 7 years. Elliott joins The Excerpt to share the results of his deep research into fandoms.Episode Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Russia slammed Ukraine's capital overnight in the biggest attack on the city this year.USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page discusses some concerning polling news for President Donald Trump on the economy.President Trump signs an executive order boosting AI in K-12 schools. Plus, Trump signs other orders ranging from accreditation to school discipline.USA TODAY Health Reporter Karen Weintraub explains how budget cuts are impacting important Alzheimer's research. Plus, you can listen to our special episode about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s impact on Health and Human Services here.It's NFL Draft Night.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the most talked about and controversial cabinet appointments made by President Donald Trump has been that of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic who has embraced several debunked health conspiracies. As secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, he now controls the Centers for Disease Control, which led the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Food & Drug Administration which looks after food safety, and many other consequential health subdepartments which safeguard the public's health. What changes has RFK Jr. enacted so far and what does the future of American health under his leadership look like? Dr. Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC, joins The Excerpt to share his concerns.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected] Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Marco della Cava talks about his experience covering conclaves and what to expect from the process to select a new pope.The Trump administration proposes a major shake-up of the State Department.Health Secretary RFK Jr. says eight artificial dyes will be phased out of the U.S. food supply.USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Nick Penzenstadler discusses the latest on a pair of men deported to El Salvador.Tesla profits plummet.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected] Transcript available hereAlso available at art19.com/shows/5-ThingsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.