Podcast Summary: Apple News Today

Episode: How the fight over Trump’s use of federal troops just escalated
Host: Shemitah Basu
Date: October 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the Trump administration’s escalating use of federal troops and federal authority in cities led by Democrats, focusing on major standoffs in Portland and Chicago. The show also previews a consequential Supreme Court term that could define presidential powers, highlights the impact of the government shutdown on seniors’ healthcare, and covers breakthroughs in both global politics and science.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalation of Federal Force in Democratic Cities

• Trump’s Efforts to Deploy Troops

  • President Trump attempted to send National Guard troops from outside states into Portland after a federal judge blocked deployment of Oregon’s National Guard (00:41).
  • Trump then tried to deploy California’s National Guard, which was subsequently blocked by the courts for lack of evidence justifying such action (00:59).
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom and Oregon officials voiced strong opposition.

• Outrage in Chicago

  • Trump authorized the National Guard in Chicago, citing “violent riots and lawlessness.” Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker condemned the move as “outrageous and un-American” (01:40).
  • The federal government intensified immigration crackdowns, resulting in increased ICE operations, over 1,000 immigrant arrests, and use of unmarked vehicles, helicopters, and chemical agents (01:54–02:05).

• Escalating Confrontations and Alleged Abuses

  • Protests intensified around ICE facilities, with claims of unprovoked violence toward demonstrators and journalists.
    • Reporter Violet Miller explained:

      “We’ve seen increased use of chemical irritants, tear gas, pepper spray… even rubber bullets against both protesters and journalists. ... ICE agents continuously fire on protesters, often without provocation. I’ve personally witnessed agents firing pepper balls at protesters who were dancing on public sidewalks.”
      — Violet Miller (02:35)

  • A South Shore neighborhood ICE raid used helicopters and flashbang grenades, with claims residents—including children—were zip-tied, with no chance to get dressed, and US citizens were detained (03:15–03:39).

    “...agents going door to door, bringing everybody out, zip tying everybody, including children who were not clothed. They were not given time to change. Many … were not only US Citizens, but were awoken by flashbang grenades going off.”
    — Violet Miller (03:39)

  • Pritzker announced state investigations into claims of children’s mistreatment and US citizen detainment (04:00).
    • Governor Pritzker stated:

      "They're raiding neighborhoods where instead of going after the bad guys, they're just picking up people who are brown and black and then checking their credentials… They need to get out of Chicago."
      — Governor J.B. Pritzker (04:28)

  • 300 National Guard troops authorized for Chicago; focus is “where violent demonstrations are likely to occur” (04:49).

2. Supreme Court’s New Term: The Limits of Presidential Power

• Supreme Court Outlook and Trump’s Emergency Requests

  • Despite a busy summer break, the Supreme Court begins a high-stakes term with Trump’s authority on trial (05:07–05:31).
  • Recent emergency requests have generally gone Trump’s way, allowing controversial policies to proceed pending further litigation.

• Major Cases to Watch

  • Presidential Power Over Tariffs:

    • The first significant case addresses if Trump overstepped his authority by imposing sweeping global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (05:52–06:12).
    • Previous courts have been skeptical of presidential claims of sweeping powers, referencing past rulings against Biden's student loan forgiveness (06:27–06:40).
    • Maureen Gropi notes:

      "A lot of people think that's going to be a stumbling block for the court. But on the other hand, the Court gives presidents more leeway when it comes to foreign policy issues."
      — Maureen Gropi (06:40)

  • Presidential Power to Fire Agency Heads:

    • Another case asks if Trump can fire FTC leadership at will, challenging the 90-year-old “Humphrey’s Executor” precedent (07:01–07:14).
    • This could redefine the President’s power over federal regulatory agencies.
    • "Grappi [Maureen Gropi] described it as an unpredictable term ahead," noting a possible “showdown” between the administration and the Court (07:42–08:03).

  • Immigration and Birthright Citizenship:

    • The Court may also rule on issues such as Trump’s use of wartime law for mass deportations and the future of birthright citizenship (08:05–08:09).

3. Impact of the Government Shutdown: Seniors & Telehealth

• Programs in Jeopardy

  • While Medicare/Medicaid basics remain funded, Congress let key Covid-era, bipartisan Medicare programs lapse—affecting telehealth and “hospital at home” care (08:32–08:42).

• The Return of Pre-Pandemic Limits

  • Without funding, traditional telehealth access for Medicare now is restricted to rural areas and specific facilities (09:00–09:25).
  • Kyle Zebley (American Telemedicine Association) explained:

    “It means that for patients receiving cancer care, mental health, ... they no longer have access to this care that's clinically appropriate ... It drags us backwards ... in effect to 1997.”
    — Kyle Zebley (09:42)

• Consequences for Providers and Patients

  • Providers must suspend services, or operate risking no reimbursement (10:07).

  • Lauren Weber (Washington Post) describes the real-life impact:

    “These are patients with advanced conditions… they choose to see her [the therapist] via telehealth because they don't want to do long drives… She's really worried that this could mean the difference between them getting treatment or not.”
    — Lauren Weber (10:29)

  • In-home hospital care is also affected—leaving 31,000+ seniors at risk of being sent back to regular hospital settings (10:58–11:10).

    “One of the seniors I spoke to put it this way. ‘Would you rather be in the hospital where there are loud beeping noises … or would you rather recover in the comfort of your home?’”
    — Lauren Weber (11:23)

4. News Briefs

a. Middle East: Peace Talks in Egypt (11:53–12:25)

• Mediators gather to discuss Trump’s Israel-Gaza peace plan.
• Hamas signals partial agreement (hostage release, local governance changes), but key issues like disarmament remain unresolved while violence continues.

b. Japan: First Female Prime Minister (12:25–12:51)

• Sanae Takaichi set to become premier, making history in a male-dominated system.
• Known for hardline conservative stances and nationalist actions.

  “In her short victory speech, she promised work, work and work, and said she was, quote, determined to confront various issues rather than feel happy.”
  — Shemitah Basu (12:46)

c. Leonardo da Vinci: Mysteries Uncovered (12:57–13:27)

• Long-rumored tunnels in Milan confirmed using ground-penetrating radar and da Vinci’s sketches, potentially to be digitally reconstructed for public exploration.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Federal Overreach:

  “We need leadership in this country that understands the power of bringing people together… But the president right now is persistent on acting like a door to door salesman and doesn't understand that when the court says no, the court means no.”
  — Kyle Zebley (01:17)

• On ICE Raids:

  "They're raiding neighborhoods where instead of going after the bad guys, they're just picking up people who are brown and black..."
  — Gov. J.B. Pritzker (04:28)

• Supreme Court Atmosphere:

  "I guess the vibe is busy."
  — Maureen Gropi (05:17)

• On Telehealth Cutbacks:

  "It drags us backwards... in effect to 1997."
  — Kyle Zebley (09:42)

• Personal Toll of Shutdown on Seniors:

  "Would you rather be in the hospital... or would you rather recover in the comfort of your home."
  — Lauren Weber, quoting a patient (11:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Federal Force Escalation & ICE Operations in Portland/Chicago: 00:34–05:07
• Supreme Court Term & Key Presidential Power Cases: 05:07–08:27
• Government Shutdown & Impact on Seniors’ Healthcare: 08:27–11:34
• International Headlines: 11:50–13:27
• Science Feature on da Vinci’s Tunnels: 12:57–13:27

This episode offers a tightly packed briefing on urgent national developments, mixing field reporting, expert analysis, and first-person accounts while foreshadowing a potentially historic Supreme Court term and its far-reaching consequences.