Political developments: Israel-Iran clash escalates, California protests continue
Host:
Hi there, let's chat with NPR's Senior Political Editor and Correspondent, Domenico Montanaro. Morning, man!
Montanaro:
Hey, good mornin', host! You got a real juicy question for me today.
Host:
Yeah, so, what's the skinny on the Trump administration these days? Rumor has it they might've had a hand in those Israeli attacks without actually being in the thick of it, you know?
Montanaro:
Yeah, that's the rumor, alright. The White House said the U.S. didn't play a direct role in the Israeli strikes, but they did get a heads-up. It's a bit of a he-said she-said situation right now, and there's bound to be a lot of spin once the dust settles. So far, Trump's called the strikes "excellent" and said they were a response to Iran not taking a chance he offered. He also said he always knew the date of the strikes.
Now, it's hard to tell if the Trump administration is trying to play good cop, bad cop with Iran and keep some leverage for a nuclear deal, or if they wanted Israel to hold off. But with Iran saying talks with the U.S. are now meaningless, it's doubtful that any progress will be made on a nuclear agreement. Trump's been stirring things up online too, saying there's still time to prevent further attacks from Iran – sounds like he's using the strikes as leverage.
Host:
I hear you. So, what about the politics? I've heard some chatter that Trump's MAGA base doesn't want any sort of military engagement with Iran. Is there a split on the right?
Montanaro:
Yep, you could say there's been a divide on the right when it comes to foreign policy since Trump came along. The Republican Party's been held together by culture war issues like immigration and trans rights, but international affairs haven't been high on the agenda. Still, there's been a split in how to approach Iran, with some in the MAGA base wanting no involvement whatsoever, while others are more open to Trump's strategy.
Trump's made plenty of deals in the Middle East, focusing more on the money than spreading American ideals. Time will tell if this moves his base, but historically, they stick by their man through thick and thin.
Host:
Another hot topic: the ongoing conflict over immigration raids and the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. What's the latest in California's lawsuit over that?
Montanaro:
Well, California's got a court hearing coming up on the 3rd to decide whether the National Guard will return to Governor Gavin Newsom's control. A lower court ruling had originally given that control back to California, but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals put a stay on it. So, we'll see how all that shakes out and whether the National Guard stays or goes.
Immigration's been a huge sticking point in the Trump administration, with his hardline policies sparking protests and lawsuits. However, some of the harsher policies aimed at day laborers, cooks, and farmworkers have proven to be a bridge too far, even for some within Trump's own party. The polling's kinda all over the place, but the recent rhetoric suggests that Trump might be rethinking his stance on immigration.
Host:
Today's a big day – President Trump's 79th birthday and the day of his military parade in D.C., complete with protests across the country. Why's this celebration so controversial?
Montanaro:
Well, it's not exactly like anything we've seen in the U.S., host. Trump's military parade in the nation's capital is going to feature tanks and weapons down main avenues, creating quite the spectacle. The left seems to see Trump's autocratic tendencies as akin to those in countries like North Korea or Russia. The protests – some referred to as "no more kings" protests – are still happening as of today, with the left finding its voice again, much like it did during Trump's first term.
- In the political sphere, there's a lot of discussion about Trump's handling of the Israeli attacks, with questions arising about the U.S.'s alleged indirect involvement and the potential impact on nuclear negotiations with Iran.
- General news and crime-and-justice sections are buzzing with updates on California's lawsuit over the deployment of the National Guard, a move that has sparked ongoing conflict over immigration policies.
- The war-and-conflicts section has been busy covering the controversy surrounding President Trump's 79th birthday and the military parade in D.C., with protests occurring across the country, reflecting concerns about potential authoritarian tendencies.
- Amidst these political events, the car-accidents section has continued to report on daily incidents, serving as a stark contrast to the turbulent world of politics and international affairs.
