Political Update: United States Avoids New Conflict, Reshuffling Among Trump's Appointees
HOST:
Let's bring on NPR's senior political editor and correspondent, Domenico Montanaro. Domenico, thanks for joining us!
MONTANARO: Hey,host! Glad to be here!
HOST: Now, traditionally, the U.S. might've tried to steer clear of the worst in conflicts. What's the administration saying this time?
MONTANARO: Well, you'd expect a full-scale diplomatic approach, but Trump claimed in a social media post that the ceasefire was accomplished after long talks mediated by the U.S. He congratulated both countries for using common sense and intelligence. Whether it lasts, we don't know. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in touch with officials in both countries, urging de-escalation and communication to avoid miscalculations. However, Vice President JD Vance told Fox News earlier in the week that the conflict wasn't our business and that we can't control what these countries decide to do.
HOST: Domestically, a federal judge ordered the release of a graduate student detained by U.S. immigration authorities. He said there was no evidence against her.
MONTANARO: That's the case of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University international student. She was taken off the streets in Massachusetts by plainclothes government officers and sent to a detention center in Louisiana for the past six weeks. The government accused her of supporting Hamas, but the judge found no actual evidence. The decision to release her holds until he makes a final ruling on her detention's constitutionality.
HOST: This week, there were shake-ups in Trump's political appointees. Who's in, who's out?
MONTANARO: Jeanine Pirro, famously known as Judge Jeanine on Fox News, has been appointed as the interim U.S. attorney for D.C. She replaces Ed Martin, who didn't have enough support due to his involvement in the Stop the Steal efforts and defending those who stormed the Capitol on January 6. Pirro isn't a practicing lawyer, but she's close to Trump. Casey Means is the new pick for surgeon general. She's an ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, replacing a Fox News personality whose credentials were questioned. Means' medical license isn't active, and she hasn't finished her residency, stating she's lost faith in modern American medicine.
HOST: And now with a new pope—not exactly political in the American sense, but let's not beat around the bush here. Popes always have a hand in politics.
MONTANARO: Definitely. It's interesting to see an American pope at a time like this, especially with Trump in the White House. Some scholars have suggested that it might not be a coincidence. This pope has expressed support for immigrant rights, climate action, and Ukraine, much like Pope Francis. This morning, he even mentioned that he chose the name Leo XIV because he wants to be a pope in the vein of Leo XIII, who spoke out during the Industrial Revolution about workers' rights and now sees a new industrial revolution with artificial intelligence. We'll see if he serves as a moral check on Trump, but when the pope speaks, people listen, so it matters.
HOST: And, of course, let's not forget the confusion over the pope's sports allegiance. I thought he was going to be a Cubs fan!
MONTANARO: (laughs) Unfortunately, no—he's a White Sox fan. But hey, give my Mets a break! They lost to your Cubs last night.
HOST: They're still getting warmed up, you know that!
MONTANARO: We'll see about that!
HOST: NPR's Domenico Montanaro, everyone. Domenico, thanks again!
MONTANARO: Thanks for having me, host!
- Domenico Montanaro, NPR's senior political editor, discusses the current political situation regarding a conflict, stating that while Trump claimed a diplomatic victory, Vice President JD Vance insists it's not America's responsibility.
- Montanaro also shares a domestic news story about a graduate student, Rumeysa Ozturk, who was detained by U.S. immigration authorities without evidence against her and has since been ordered released.
- In addition, Montanaro discusses recent shake-ups in Trump's political appointees, with Jeanine Pirro appointed as the interim U.S. attorney for D.C. and Casey Means chosen as the new surgeon general.
- The conversation between host and Montanaro also touches on the new pope's potential influence on politics, given his support for issues such as immigrant rights, climate action, and Ukraine, and his interest in artificial intelligence.
- Montanaro also acknowledges the pope's interest in sports, pointing out that he is a White Sox fan, not a Cubs fan.
- Finally, Montanaro and the host banter about baseball, with Montanaro expressing disappointment over the Mets' loss to the Cubs the previous night.
