The politics of a Trump ‘arrest’

Plus: Biden's reelection quip and the NY DA fires back at the GOP

View this email online March 25, 2023 The Big Picture: Trump 'arrest' drama Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images Imaginations ran wild when it came to former President Donald Trump this week. He was supposed to be taken into handcuffs Tuesday, arrested and frog-marched through the streets of New York City into criminal court. At least, according to Trump, that’s what was supposed to happen anyway. It never did, of course. Trump could still face an indictment, but it’s yet another example of Trump being able to command the political spotlight and media attention at will, even based on spurious, dubiously based or simply made-up information. There are four criminal investigations Trump is facing that are very much on the front burner. the New York hush money case involving a payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels to cover an alleged affair the he denies: one in Georgia looking at his role in pressuring elections officials after the 2020 presidential election he lost; and  two federal cases – one related to potential obstruction of justice stemming from the classified documents found at his Florida home and the other, of course, about Jan. 6. There’s an appetite within the Republican Party for someone other than Trump, someone less chaotic and more disciplined, but with each of these cases, Trump has continued to have a hold on the hearts of a significant portion of the base.  That power was something he made clear again this week and likely will continue to try and prove over the coming months, as the pressure ratchets up from these investigations – and potential charges. — Domenico Montanaro, NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent Read More Newsletter continues after sponsor message ICYMI: Top Stories Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Biden’s reelection quip: President Biden hinted during an arts and humanities award ceremony Tuesday that he will seek reelection in 2024, though he has yet to formally announce his run. SCOTUS sides disabled student: The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in support of a deaf student who wants to file suit against his public school in Sturgis, Mich., for failing to tailor his education to his needs. An Arctic arms race: Climate change and the melting of the Artic has the Pentagon worried about control of the north, especially with China and Russia eyeing resources and potential trade routes. Congress fights TikTok: Lawmakers holding a congressional hearing about TikTok's safety and security grilled the app's CEO for five hours. Many lawmakers used words like "spying" and "surveillance" - characterizations the CEO Chew disagreed with. NY DA fires back at GOP: The office of New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. -- who is investigating former President Donald Trump -- fired back at Republicans who requested materials from the probe. The office said the GOP is trying to “punish” his office for the investigation and, “is therefore indefensible.”  House clears Parents Bill of Rights: Although the bill is unlikely to advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate,the GOP messaging effort highlights Republican priorities as lawmakers eye the 2024 elections. -- Dustin Jones, NPR Washington Desk reporter It all comes down to you Your financial support is the NPR Network's greatest strength. You keep the facts flowing. You bring more stories to more ears. You make a real difference when you contribute to independent, trustworthy media. Please donate today.    Going Deeper: Politics Podcast  Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images It's been roughly two weeks since panicked depositors rapidly withdrew their money from Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, causing both to fail. On top of revisiting recently relaxed banking regulations, policymakers are pondering how to handle the risk of bank runs in the age of smartphone banking. Catch up with this NPR's Politics Podcast episode that makes clear that moving cash can happen faster than ever -- and that makes bank runs hard to stop. — Heidi Glenn, NPR digital editor The Shot: Iraq War anniversary Guardian Gulf/Getty Images Twenty years have passed since the United States began its campaign to unseat Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Operation Iraqi Freedom. It began with airstrikes in the middle of the night, followed by a ground force blitz for the capital of Baghdad. It took three weeks to overpower the Iraqi Army and seize control of the country. However, dismantling the government led to an insurgency that spanned nearly eight years. The end of the war was officially declared on Dec. 15, 2011, however, Congress is working to pass a resolution formally ending the authorized use of military force that began the war in 2003. -- Dustin Jones, NPR Washington Desk reporter Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from St. Louis Public Radio (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprpolitics@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Politics emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy