Up First from NPR

Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed says Americans “temporarily” put their trust and hope in Democrats.

But he adds that if his party doesn’t act boldly when it takes control of Congress, it may lose that trust.

El-Sayed is the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Senate. The 42-year-old progressive from Michigan is now calling for new Senate leadership and urging President Trump to meet and discuss how they can “figure out what we can work on and get done.”

El-Sayed, a former Detroit public health official, even floated the idea of naming major healthcare legislation after Trump. 

“Put his name on it,” El-Sayed said. “He'll probably pass it. I'm not above doing that. I don't care what it's called.”

In this episode from NPR’s Newsmakers, El-Sayed sat down with NPR host Leila Fadel to talk about a divisive campaign season, the future of the Democratic Party and how Congress should legislate during the final two years of Trump’s term in the White House. Find more episodes of Newsmakers on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts.

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Democrat Scott Colom won Mississippi’s Senate race by fewer than 5,000 votes, becoming the state’s first Black senator since Reconstruction and ending a more than 40-year stretch without a Democrat in the seat.
The White House is warning Democrats that their planned investigations could cross into “blatant criminality,” previewing a legal and political fight over congressional oversight when Democrats take control next year.
Russia and Ukraine agreed to a major prisoner exchange after two days of U.S.-mediated talks, as American envoys meet Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy to explore whether a broader European security agreement could help end the war.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Rebekah Metzler, 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 deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:57) Colom Wins Mississippi
(05:30) Trump Warns Incoming Democrats
(09:20) Russia-Ukraine Talks

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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 Suspects

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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 CEO

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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 Investigation

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NPR Privacy Policy