This episode explores President Trump's approach to Syria and birthright citizenship, alongside challenges in uniting the House around a domestic policy bill. Against the backdrop of Trump's friendly stance towards Syria's new leader and the lifting of sanctions, NPR's Hadil Al-Shelchi reports from Tel Aviv on Israel's stunned reaction and continued airstrikes in Gaza, where a dire humanitarian crisis unfolds due to blocked aid. More significantly, the Supreme Court hears arguments on birthright citizenship, with NPR's Nina Totenberg explaining how the administration's appeal focuses on limiting federal judges' power to issue universal injunctions against presidential policies. As the discussion pivoted to domestic policy, House Speaker Mike Johnson faces internal divisions over the "big, beautiful bill," particularly regarding Medicaid cuts and state and local tax deductions, as reported by NPR's Barbara Sprunt. Despite Johnson's confidence in finding a compromise, the bill faces further hurdles in the Senate, highlighting tensions between the two Republican-led chambers. The emerging industry patterns reflected in this news cycle reveal deep divisions within the US government on foreign and domestic policies.
