Good morning. Welcome to the latest Up First newsletter. Don’t forget to subscribe to have it sent directly to your inbox, and make sure to listen to the Up First podcast for all the essential news to kickstart your day.
Today’s top stories
President Trump’s ongoing suggestions about the U.S.’s involvement in Venezuela post the removal of President Nicolás Maduro hint at a prolonged and active role. Trump has outlined various plans for Venezuela’s future governance and economy, with U.S. companies expected to have a significant part to play.
- 🎧 NPR’s Franco Ordoñez discusses Trump and his team’s ambiguous stance on Venezuela on Up First. With Trump hinting at U.S. control over the country, all eyes are on Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy. Miller, known for his strict immigration policies, is overseeing Venezuela, with recent remarks suggesting a more forceful approach to regional dominance.
- ➡️ In recent social media posts, Trump claims Venezuela will transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the U.S. While seizing current oil reserves is one thing, revamping Venezuela’s oil industry poses a more significant challenge. The complexities behind this move are discussed.
During a meeting with House Republicans, Trump outlined a strategy for success in this year’s midterm elections. Acknowledging the potential loss of the majority in the House, Trump highlighted the historical trend of the president’s party facing setbacks during the midterms.
- 🎧 NPR’s Domenico Montanaro notes the challenges faced by the president’s party during midterm elections, particularly when the president’s approval rating dips below 50%. Trump, amid his lowest second-term approval ratings, is grappling with economic concerns. While the president touched on the economy in his recent speech, emphasizing stock market highs and tariff policies, public sentiment indicates a belief that his economic strategies have had adverse effects.
The Pentagon is initiating a six-month review to assess the military efficacy of women in ground combat roles. Undersecretary Anthony Tata has requested data from the Army and Marine Corps regarding the readiness, performance, and impact of gender integration on ground combat units over the past decade.
Special series
Trump’s attempts to obscure the events of Jan. 6, 2021, have been chronicled by NPR in a visual archive of the Capitol attack. “Chapter 3: Assault on the Capitol” presents a detailed timeline of the day’s crucial moments as the riot unfolded.
For further insights, explore NPR’s comprehensive database of federal criminal cases from Jan. 6 and delve into NPR’s extended coverage on the subject.
Picture show
3 things to know before you go
- Scientists are establishing micro-forests in big cities to boost biodiversity and rejuvenate compromised land. Short Wave producer Rachel Carlson visited California’s largest micro-forest. Tune in to hear her account of the experience.
- The Hungarian arthouse director Béla Tarr has died at 70. He’s best known for his bleak, existential, and challenging films, including Sátántangó.
- Exploring the historical significance of serendipity, NPR’s Word of the Week discusses the concept beyond mere coincidence and offers guidance on fostering it.
This newsletter was curated by Suzanne Nuyen.
