Trump’s State of the Union; ROTOR Act; Pete Hegseth : NPR

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NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent Domenico Montanaro is here to provide insights on the State of the Union address.

President Trump has been dealing with challenging poll numbers, particularly related to the economy, such as rising prices and living costs. However, during his State of the Union address, Trump chose not to address these economic issues.

Instead, he declared that “our nation is thriving” and has experienced a “remarkable comeback.” The speech, which broke records for its length, focused on familiar Trump themes such as immigration and cultural issues, delivered with his signature flair.

Here are five key points from the address:

1. Trump chose to overlook the economic challenges facing the population. Despite voters consistently naming it as their top concern, Trump did not offer a moment of empathy. He also reiterated support for his controversial tariffs, even criticizing Supreme Court justices present for ruling against his tariff policies.
2. The midterm messaging remains consistent with Trump’s usual themes. Emphasizing stories of immigrant crime and cultural conflicts, a tactic that has been effective in the past but now faces scrutiny as Trump’s track record on the economy and immigration comes under scrutiny.
3. There was a notable absence of a legislative agenda. Trump did not present a list of priorities for Congress this year, reflecting his focus on consolidating power over the past year.
4. The Democratic response varied widely. From outbursts and boycotts to a focused response from Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger centered on the economy, Democrats are at a crossroads in determining the party’s direction amidst the looming midterm elections dominated by Trump’s influence.
5. The political impact of the speech is likely limited as public perception of Trump remains largely unchanged. Trump’s speech, filled with grand gestures and displays, is unlikely to significantly alter public opinion. As Trump continues his presidency, the spectacle is set to continue for the next few years.

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The House of Representatives narrowly rejected a bipartisan aviation safety bill yesterday. The proposed ROTOR Act, developed after a tragic midair collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and a passenger jet near Washington, D.C., resulting in 67 fatalities, failed to pass despite support from safety investigators and victims’ families. However, the Pentagon withdrew its backing just prior to the vote.

• 🎧 The act aimed to mandate wider usage of ADS-B in and ADS-B out, a safety system that transmits an aircraft’s location to other planes. According to NPR’s Joel Rose on Up First, the National Transportation Safety Board believes this technology could have prevented the deadly collision near Washington by providing pilots with advanced warning. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell cited concerns about “unresolved budgetary burdens and operational security risks,” although specifics were not provided. Rose noted that these concerns are new, as the Pentagon previously supported the bill when it unanimously passed the Senate last December. The bill’s sponsors are planning to push for another House vote.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is threatening to blacklist Anthropic after the artificial intelligence company refused to relax its safety standards for military applications. During a meeting with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Hegseth indicated that the Trump administration could take punitive action against the company for defying its demands, including potentially canceling their $200 million contract. A Pentagon official mentioned that consequences could involve seizing Anthropic’s AI tools for unauthorized military use.

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