How the fight over Trump’s use of federal troops just escalated

Summary

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

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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.

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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).

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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).

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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

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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.

Transcript

[Apple News Host]

Good morning.

[Shemitah Basu]

It's Monday, October 6th. I'm Shemitah Basu.

[Apple News Host]

This is Apple News today.

[Shemitah Basu]

On today's show, a new tense Supreme Court term begins, why doctors are canceling.

[Apple News Host]

Telehealth appointments for seniors, and the modern mysteries being solved by Leonardo da Vinci's sketches.

[Shemitah Basu]

But first, to the Trump administration's escalation.

[Apple News Host]

Of federal force as it seeks to send national troops into Democratic led cities.

[Shemitah Basu]

Over the weekend, President Trump made two.

[Apple News Host]

Major announcements aimed at Portland and Chicago. After a federal judge blocked an earlier attempt to send Oregon's National Guard into Portland. Trump attempted to deploy the California National Guard there instead, sparking outrage from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

[Shemitah Basu]

But late last night, a court temporarily.

[Apple News Host]

Blocked that move, too, citing a lack of evidence that recent protests in Portland justified a heightened federal response. Oregon's Attorney General Dan Rayfield had spoken out against the president's attempts at a press conference earlier on Sunday.

[Kyle Zebley]

We need leadership in this country that understands the power of bringing people together to solve our greatest challenges. 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.

[Shemitah Basu]

And Trump finally carried out on his threat to authorize the National Guard to.

[Apple News Host]

Chicago again citing ongoing violent riots and lawlessness. Illinois's Governor J.B. pritzker described Trump's move as outrageous and un American.

[Shemitah Basu]

This move comes as the administration continues.

[Apple News Host]

To ramp up its immigration crackdown in Chicago. More than 1,000 immigrants have been arrested in the area since increased enforcement began last month.

[Shemitah Basu]

And news reports from the last week.

[Apple News Host]

Have included the use of unmarked trucks, helicopters and chemical agents.

[Shemitah Basu]

As arrests have risen, so have demonstrations.

[Apple News Host]

One ICE facility in the western suburb of Broadview has become an epicenter of protest as people chant at officials and attempt to prevent vehicles getting in and out, while demonstrators have accused officers of unprovoked violence. Violet Miller is a reporter for the Chicago Sun Times.

[Shemitah Basu]

She told us that federal agents have.

[Apple News Host]

Become much more aggressive.

[Violet Miller]

We've seen increased use of chemical irritants, tear gas, pepper spray, pepper balls, even rubber bullets against both protesters and journalists. Those tensions have been kind of flaring up, so that's been kind of a mainstay. 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.

[Shemitah Basu]

On Saturday morning, federal prosecutors charged two.

[Apple News Host]

Chicago residents with deliberately ramming into a vehicle being driven by ICE officials. One was shot and wounded by federal agents.

[Shemitah Basu]

This caps off a week of what.

[Apple News Host]

Residents have described as increasingly aggressive Immigration enforcement actions. Last week, a Black Hawk helicopter was seen hovering near an apartment building in the South Shore neighborhood as ICE agents conducted a raid on a building where DHS claims members of the Venezuelan gang Trenda Aragua frequented. Miller told us how people who lived there described the raid.

[Violet Miller]

What residents inside said it was agents going door too, bringing everybody out, zip tying everybody, including children who were not clothed. They were not given time to change. Many of the residents inside were not only US Citizens, but were awoken by flashbang grenades going off. Some folks said that they kind of popped their heads into the hallway and saw it coming down.

[Shemitah Basu]

Images of the aftermath show hallways strewn.

[Apple News Host]

With tenants possessions, broken windows and doors knocked off of hinges. 37 people were arrested in that raid, and Governor Pritzker directed state agencies to investigate claims that children were zip tied and detained separately from their parents. Pritzker told CNN on Sunday, there are reports that some people being detained are US Citizens and that federal agents are antagonizing communities.

[Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker]

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. If they're not going to focus on the worst of the worst, which is what the president said they were going to do, they need to get the heck out.

[Shemitah Basu]

The president's authorization would send 300 National.

[Apple News Host]

Guardsmen to Chicago to protect federal officers and assets. A memo reviewed by NPR says the troops will be sent to where, quote, violent demonstrations are likely to occur.

[Shemitah Basu]

Now.

[Apple News Host]

To the Supreme Court, which begins a new term today.

[Shemitah Basu]

Justices are set to decide on a number of cases with massive implications for.

[Apple News Host]

President Trump's authority over government.

[Maureen Gropi]

I guess the vibe is busy.

[Shemitah Basu]

Maureen Gropi is a Supreme Court correspondent for USA Today.

[Maureen Gropi]

We're coming off their summer break, but it hasn't been that much of a break because there have been so many. The Trump administration emergency request.

[Shemitah Basu]

In those emergency requests, the president has.

[Apple News Host]

Enjoyed a streak of wins at the.

[Shemitah Basu]

Highest court, as the justices have allowed.

[Apple News Host]

Some of his controversial policies to move ahead while those cases are being litigated in lower courts.

[Maureen Gropi]

Now we're going to start seeing the court deciding whether those policies can stand or fall altogether.

[Shemitah Basu]

Groppe told us the first case where.

[Apple News Host]

Justices will decide on the limits of presidential powers involves Trump's tariffs.

[Maureen Gropi]

These are the sweeping worldwide tariffs that he imposed. There have been multiple challenges and we've gotten some rulings from lower courts, and they have said that the president overstepped, he didn't have the authority to impose tariffs this way.

[Shemitah Basu]

Trump imposed those tariffs under powers given.

[Apple News Host]

To the President by a law called the International Emergency Economic Powers act, which Gropi reports has historically been used to impose sanctions and other penalties on foreign enemies during a declared national emergency.

[Shemitah Basu]

Grappi says the Court has in the.

[Apple News Host]

Past been skeptical when presidents claim some form of sweeping authority.

[Shemitah Basu]

The justices, for example, ruled against President.

[Apple News Host]

Biden's student loan forgiveness program, which he implemented under emergency powers.

[Maureen Gropi]

So 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. So the tariffs, they are definitely an economic issue, but the President has used these tariffs as a foreign policy tool, and that's probably going to have some sway with the justices.

[Shemitah Basu]

Another case the justices will hear is.

[Apple News Host]

About whether Trump can fire members of independent agencies.

[Shemitah Basu]

This one involves the FTC and a 90 year old Supreme Court precedent that.

[Apple News Host]

Established presidents cannot fire heads of agencies without cause.

[Shemitah Basu]

The decision, known as Humphrey's Executor, laid a key piece of the foundation for.

[Apple News Host]

How the executive branch should interact with powerful federal agencies that regulate labor discrimination, the airwaves and many other important issues.

[Shemitah Basu]

Trump and conservative legal theorists argue the agencies that are part of the executive.

[Apple News Host]

Branch should answer to him.

[Shemitah Basu]

Grappi told us that justices have been.

[Apple News Host]

Chipping away at the Humphreys decision for years.

[Shemitah Basu]

That's all to say, Grappi described it.

[Apple News Host]

As an unpredictable term ahead.

[Maureen Gropi]

We're going to be getting this showdown between the administration and the Supreme Court where the President has been pretty pleased with the rulings that he's gotten from the Court so far and we have to see whether he's going to continue to be pleased. And if he's not, if he gets a decision that he doesn't like, how is he going to react to that?

[Shemitah Basu]

Along with tariffs and the future of.

[Apple News Host]

The Fed, immigration will also take center stage.

[Shemitah Basu]

The Justices might be asked to make.

[Apple News Host]

A call on the future of birthright citizenship and Trump's use of a wartime law to swiftly deport a group of Venezuelans earlier this year.

[Shemitah Basu]

Let's turn now to one of the byproducts of the government shutdown impacting millions.

[Apple News Host]

Of seniors across the country.

[Shemitah Basu]

Broadly speaking, Medicare and Medicaid will keep.

[Apple News Host]

Functioning as usual during the shutdown.

[Shemitah Basu]

But last week Congress let funding expire.

[Apple News Host]

For two Covid era Medicare programs that had bipartisan support.

[Lauren Weber]

As Congress has staggered into the shutdown, popular telehealth and hospital at home programs for seniors got kind of Caught in the Crossfire.

[Apple News Host]

Lauren Weber is a reporter with the Washington Post.

[Shemitah Basu]

VIDEO Health care visits gained popularity with.

[Apple News Host]

Seniors during the pandemic more than 6.7 million seniors got care via telehealth last year, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That's close to a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries.

[Shemitah Basu]

For elderly people with limited mobility or.

[Apple News Host]

Transportation issues, telehealth has become a lifeline.

[Shemitah Basu]

In the absence of this funding, Medicare.

[Apple News Host]

Enrollees can only access telehealth services in rural areas and they must be in a designated hospital or clinic.

[Shemitah Basu]

Kyle Zebley, the senior vice president of.

[Apple News Host]

Public policy at the American Telemedicine association, told PBS NewsHour how this will affect patients.

[Kyle Zebley]

It means that for patients receiving cancer care, mental health, areas of treatment, primary care treatments and visits, they no longer have access to this care that's clinically appropriate care that meets them where they are, that is far more flexible than of course, going into in person settings. It drags us backwards not only to the beginning of the decade, really again in effect to 1997, when these provisions were previously put into place in law.

[Shemitah Basu]

At the moment, it's left many providers.

[Apple News Host]

With the challenging decision to either suspend their services or in some cases continue with their patients and hope to get reimbursed later.

[Shemitah Basu]

Weber told us she spoke to the.

[Apple News Host]

Owner of a specialized language and swallowing therapy clinic in rural Texas who said she's worried that the lack of funding will have severe consequences for her elderly patients.

[Lauren Weber]

These are patients that have advanced conditions, including Parkinson's, dementia, multiple sclerosis, and they choose to see her via telehealth because they don't want to do long drives. They maybe can't handle it because of their health or afford the gas, or are dependent on family members or caregivers to transport them. So this for her, she's really worried that this could mean the difference between them getting treatment or not.

[Shemitah Basu]

The other impacted program is one that.

[Apple News Host]

Provides in home hospital care for Medicare beneficiaries.

[Shemitah Basu]

It allows them to be monitored virtually.

[Apple News Host]

And receive daily in person care from a provider. Around 31,000 seniors utilized the program as of October of 2024.

[Shemitah Basu]

With that funding gone, seniors that were.

[Apple News Host]

Benefiting from it need to either be discharged or sent back into a hospital setting.

[Shemitah Basu]

Weber explained how some people really value.

[Apple News Host]

Getting care in a comfortable, familiar home environment.

[Lauren Weber]

One of the seniors I spoke to put it this way. You know, would you rather be in the hospital where there are loud beeping noises all the time, or would you rather recover in the comfort of your home.

[Shemitah Basu]

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

[Apple News Host]

And the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to the Post's request for comment.

[Shemitah Basu]

Before we let you go, a few.

[Apple News Host]

Other stories we're following.

[Shemitah Basu]

Middle east mediators are gathering in Egypt today to discuss President Trump's proposed peace.

[Apple News Host]

Agreement between Israel and Gaza.

[Shemitah Basu]

It comes after Hamas agreed in principle.

[Apple News Host]

To some parts of the deal, namely releasing the hostages and handing Gazan governance to Palestinian technocrats.

[Shemitah Basu]

But it was silent on the key.

[Apple News Host]

Demands for disarmament and is seeking negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel continued to strike at Gaza over the weekend, killing dozens of people, despite Trump's call for the bombing to end quote, immediately.

[Shemitah Basu]

In a country dominated by male politicians.

[Apple News Host]

Japan is set to have its first female leader.

[Shemitah Basu]

Sanae Takaichi was selected to lead the.

[Apple News Host]

Country'S governing party, paving the way for her succession. Takaichi is a hardline conservative and a staunch nationalist known for controversial visits to World War II era memorials.

[Shemitah Basu]

In her short victory speech, she promised work, work and work, and said she.

[Apple News Host]

Was, quote, determined to confront various issues rather than feel happy.

[Shemitah Basu]

And the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci may date back.

[Apple News Host]

To the 15th century, but they can still make Popular Mechanics reports on new research revealing a long rumored underground tunnel network in Milan recently uncovered. Thanks to some of da Vinci's sketches, experts used ground penetrating radar and laser scanning under a castle to discover that the tunnels that he drew really had existed, most likely for military purposes.

[Shemitah Basu]

They're not fully accessible, but professors are.

[Apple News Host]

Hoping to create a digital augmented model that anyone can explore.

[Shemitah Basu]

You can find all these stories and.

[Apple News Host]

More in the Apple News app.

[Shemitah Basu]

And if you're already listening in the.

[Apple News Host]

News app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next. New York magazine has the story of how a Montana rancher with no formal education successfully cloned a sheep from smuggled genetic material and how these types of animals might change ecosystems for generations, generations to come.

[Shemitah Basu]

If you're listening in the podcast app.

[Apple News Host]

Follow Apple News plus Narrated to find that story. And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.