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Throughline

We The People: Free Speech

July 25, 2024 • The First Amendment. Book bans, disinformation, the wild world of the internet. Free speech debates are all around us. What were the Founding Fathers thinking when they created the First Amendment, and how have the words they wrote in the 18th century been stretched and shaped to fit a world they never could have imagined? It's a story that travels through world wars and culture wars. Through the highest courts and the Ku Klux Klan. Today on Throughline's We the People: What exactly is free speech, and how has the answer to that question changed in the history of the U.S.? (Originally ran as The Freedom of Speech)

We The People: Free Speech

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Trump's classified documents case has been dismissed by judge

The Alto Lee Adams Sr. United States Courthouse, where hearings took place for former President Donald Trump's bid to dismiss the charges he faces for allegedly mishandling classified documents. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Trump's Trials

Trump's classified documents case has been dismissed by judge

July 15, 2024 • For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered's Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR's Greg Allen and Carrie Johnson.

Trump's classified documents case has been dismissed by judge

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Disabled students are struggling to get what they need at school

Tabitha (l) helps Sam (r) remove his socks and leg braces. Tuesday, June 18th, 2024 in Georgia, United States. Cindy Elizabeth/NPR hide caption

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Consider This from NPR

Disabled students are struggling to get what they need at school

July 5, 2024 • Students with disabilities often face a tough time getting the services they need at school. When they can't get them, many families seek help from the federal government. And, right now, the Department of Education is swamped with a record number of discrimination complaints. The backlog is leaving families across the country waiting months, even years, for help.

Disabled students are struggling to get what they need at school

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How well did the Civil Rights Act live up to its promise?

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. waves to supporters on August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington, where King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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How well did the Civil Rights Act live up to its promise?

July 2, 2024 • The Civil Rights Act was signed into law on July 2, 1964. President Lyndon B. Johnson called it a way for America to honor its promise of liberty. But 60 years on, how well has it lived up to that promise?

How well did the Civil Rights Act live up to its promise?

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Supreme Court rules Trump is immune from prosecution for certain official acts

The US Supreme Court on July 1, 2024, in Washington, DC. DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

Supreme Court rules Trump is immune from prosecution for certain official acts

July 1, 2024 • On Monday the Supreme Court issued its most anticipated decision of the term — expanding the power of the presidency, and calling into question whether former President Trump will ever face a trial in federal court for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election.

Supreme Court rules Trump is immune from prosecution for certain official acts

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Gun violence is getting worse. Can a shift in perspective be the solution?

Participants hold signs during March for Our Lives 2022 on June 11, 2022 in Washington, DC. Paul Morigi/Getty Images for March For Our Lives hide caption

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Paul Morigi/Getty Images for March For Our Lives

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Gun violence is getting worse. Can a shift in perspective be the solution?

June 27, 2024 • The surgeon general's office has declared gun violence a national public health crisis.

Gun violence is getting worse. Can a shift in perspective be the solution?

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Fouling Caitlin Clark; plus, a shoplifting panic!

Caitlin Clark. Deodorant locked up in a drugstore. Elsa/Getty Images; Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images hide caption

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Elsa/Getty Images; Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Fouling Caitlin Clark; plus, a shoplifting panic!

June 21, 2024 • First up, there has been a media frenzy around the fouls made against rising basketball star and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. Commentators and fans have called her fellow WNBA players bullies, jealous, and catty. But Code Switch co-host Gene Demby and Defector's Maitreyi Anantharaman say a lot of the people commenting misunderstand the WNBA. Host Brittany Luse learns what the new fans might be missing and how racism, sexism and homophobia could be fanning the flames of the latest hot takes. Brittany also leads Gene and Maitreyi through a game of "But Did You Know."

Fouling Caitlin Clark; plus, a shoplifting panic!

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Throughline

The Lavender Scare (Throwback)

June 20, 2024 • One day in late April 1958, a young economist named Madeleine Tress was approached by two men in suits at her office at the U.S. Department of Commerce. They took her to a private room, turned on a tape recorder, and demanded she respond to allegations that she was an "admitted homosexual." Two weeks later, she resigned.

The Lavender Scare (Throwback)

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What the reaction to Trump's felony conviction tells us about the word "felon" Jackie Lay hide caption

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Jackie Lay

Code Switch

Should we stop using the word "felon"?

June 12, 2024 • This week, we're turning our sights on the word "felon", and looking into what it tells us (and can't tell us) about the 19 million people in the U.S. — like Donald Trump and Hunter Biden — carrying that designation around.

Should we stop using the word "felon"?

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Republicans really want revenge; plus, can AI take a chill pill?

Artificial Intelligence and Trump on trial. David McNew/AFP; Curtis Means-Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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David McNew/AFP; Curtis Means-Pool/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Republicans really want revenge; plus, can AI take a chill pill?

June 7, 2024 • What is our justice system for? Many Republicans over the past week have suggested it's for revenge, calling for the prosecution of Democrats across the country following Trump's guilty verdict. Brittany looks at how the justice system can be politicized with NPR's national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson and national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

Republicans really want revenge; plus, can AI take a chill pill?

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What will life look like for jurors after the Trump trial?

The 12 jurors who served on former President Trump's hush money trial can choose whether or not to remain anonymous. Getty Images hide caption

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Consider This from NPR

What will life look like for jurors after the Trump trial?

June 4, 2024 • The 12 New Yorkers who served on the jury for former president Donald Trump's trial, and voted to convict him om 34 counts of falsified business records, have not had their identities disclosed publicly to protect their privacy.

What will life look like for jurors after the Trump trial?

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Trump was found guilty on all counts. What comes next?

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives with attorney Todd Blanche. Photo by Mark Peterson-Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Photo by Mark Peterson-Pool/Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

Trump was found guilty on all counts. What comes next?

May 31, 2024 • After a trial that lasted 21 days and a deliberation that took less than ten hours, a Manhattan jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 criminal felony counts of falsifying business records.

Trump was found guilty on all counts. What comes next?

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Throughline

The Rules of War

May 30, 2024 • International courts investigating alleged war crimes have made headlines often in recent months. An arrest warrant has been issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin; arrest warrants have also been requested for senior Hamas and Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The Rules of War

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Closing arguments for Trump's trial have been made. What now?

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 28, 2024 in New York City. Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Closing arguments for Trump's trial have been made. What now?

May 28, 2024 • Nearly two dozen witnesses and 21 days of court later, Donald Trump's New York hush money trial is coming to a close.

Closing arguments for Trump's trial have been made. What now?

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Consider This: Who made the most compelling case to jurors in Trump's trial?

Former US President Donald Trump raises his fist as he leaves the courtroom during a break in his criminal trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, on May 28, 2024. ANDREW KELLY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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ANDREW KELLY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Trump's Trials

Consider This: Who made the most compelling case to jurors in Trump's trial?

May 28, 2024 • For this episode of Trump's Trials, we hand the mic over to Consider This. Host Juana Summers speaks with Fordham law professor Adam Shlahet.

Consider This: Who made the most compelling case to jurors in Trump's trial?

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Here are three possible outcomes in the Trump hush money trial

New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan listens as Emil Bove, a member of former President Donald Trump's legal team, argues for his client during Sandoval's hearing. Jane Rosenberg/AP hide caption

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Jane Rosenberg/AP

Consider This from NPR

Here are three possible outcomes in the Trump hush money trial

May 24, 2024 • We bring you a special episode of Trump's Trials.

Here are three possible outcomes in the Trump hush money trial

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Anti-abortion hardliners want restrictions to go farther. It could cost Republicans

Anti-abortion activists who describe themselves as "abolitionists" protest outside a fertility clinic in North Carolina in April 2024. Sarah McCammon/NPR hide caption

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Sarah McCammon/NPR

Consider This from NPR

Anti-abortion hardliners want restrictions to go farther. It could cost Republicans

May 23, 2024 • Abortion Rights has been a motivating political issue for generations, and this year might be the most intense for those on both sides of the issue.

Anti-abortion hardliners want restrictions to go farther. It could cost Republicans

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Hershey's lawsuit argues the company uses 'deceptive' packaging in Reese's products

Four customers in Florida have filed a federal lawsuit against The Hershey Company alleging that designs displayed on some Reese's Peanut Butter cups were misleading to customers. Plaintiffs v. The Hershey Company hide caption

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Plaintiffs v. The Hershey Company

Hershey's lawsuit argues the company uses 'deceptive' packaging in Reese's products

May 22, 2024 • Four plaintiffs in Florida say Hershey falsely represented several Reese's Peanut Butter products by showing "explicit carved-out artistic designs" on the wrappers being sold.

Lack of staffing led to 'deeply concerning' conditions at federal prison in Oregon

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Office of the Inspector General/Department of Justice

Lack of staffing led to 'deeply concerning' conditions at federal prison in Oregon

May 22, 2024 • The shortage among the biggest obstacles facing the federal prison system and contribute to challenges at FCI Sheridan and other facilities, the Justice Department's inspector general says.

Lack of staffing led to 'deeply concerning' conditions at federal prison in Oregon

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Buy-now, pay-later returns and disputes are about to get federal oversight

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is requiring buy-now, pay-later lenders to provide the same protections to shoppers as credit card companies do. Nora Carol/Getty Images hide caption

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Nora Carol/Getty Images

Your Money

Buy-now, pay-later returns and disputes are about to get federal oversight

May 22, 2024 • The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is requiring buy-now, pay-later lenders to provide the same protections to shoppers as credit card companies do.

Trump won't testify in his New York hush money trial

Former President Donald Trump appears in court with attorneys Emil Bove (left) and Todd Blanche (right) for his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan criminal court on Tuesday in New York City. Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Pool/Getty Images

Trump won't testify in his New York hush money trial

May 21, 2024 • The defense for former President Donald Trump has rested in the case, marking the end of witness testimony and paving the way for jury deliberation. The jury could begin deliberating next Wednesday.

Amid record homelessness, a Texas think tank tries to upend how states tackle it

A Miami police officer talks with a homeless person, prior to a cleaning of the street in 2021. Starting October 1st, a new law will ban Florida's homeless from sleeping in public spaces. Lynne Sladky/AP hide caption

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Lynne Sladky/AP

National

Amid record homelessness, a Texas think tank tries to upend how states tackle it

May 20, 2024 • The conservative Cicero Institute is working with states to ban street camps, and shift money away from housing to addiction treatment. Homelessness advocates says such moves are counterproductive.

Amid record homelessness, a Texas think tank tries to upend how states tackle it

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Prosecutors rest their case against Trump in the hush money case. Now it's his turn

Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before entering the courtroom with his attorney Todd Blanche (right) at Manhattan criminal court in New York City, on Monday. Dave Sanders/Pool/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Dave Sanders/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Prosecutors rest their case against Trump in the hush money case. Now it's his turn

May 20, 2024 • Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen finished testifying in the New York case on Monday. The duration of Trump's own defense is not known, though they have already begun calling witnesses.