Here's the Scoop: Trump to Deploy National Guard to D.C.; North Korea’s Next Leader Released on August 11, 2025 | Hosted by Yasmin Vossoughian, Morgan Chesky, and Brian Cheung

Top Story: President Trump's Deployment of National Guard to Washington, D.C.

In today's flagship episode, Yasmin Vossoughian opens with a significant development in U.S. politics: President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and place the D.C. police under federal control. This move aims to address what the administration perceives as escalating violent crime in the capital.

President Trump's Press Conference At [01:23], President Trump articulated his stance during a press conference:

“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged out maniacs and homeless people. And we're not going to let it happen anymore. We're not going to take it.”

Trump further hinted at the possibility of military intervention if the situation does not improve.

Analysis with Garrett Hake Senior White House correspondent Garrett Hake provides context and analysis at [02:03]:

“The most immediate motivation appears to have been an attack on a former Department of Defense staffer in D.C. more than a week ago. However, this action aligns with Trump's long-standing views on urban crime, dating back to his first term and even before his political career.”

Hake highlights that while Trump cites increased crime, the Metropolitan Police Department reports that violent crime in Washington, D.C., hit a 30-year low last year. He points to a recent local scandal suggesting that D.C. police officials may have been manipulating crime statistics, leading to doubts about the actual crime rates ([03:13]).

Pam Bondi’s Involvement Pam Bondi, standing behind Trump during the press conference, delivered a pivotal statement at [06:03]:

“Let me be crystal clear. Crime in D.C. is ending and ending today.”

Hake interprets this as the Trump administration taking ownership of the crime issue for their remaining term (three and a half years). He cautions that if crime rates rise again, this stance could become a political liability.

Legal Battle Over National Guard Deployment At [07:00], Vossoughian mentions an ongoing legal dispute:

“Lawyers for the president and California Governor Gavin Newsom are set to face off today over the president's deployment of National Guard troops to California.”

This bench trial will determine the legality of Trump’s action to deploy National Guard troops in California to quell protests, paralleling his moves in D.C.

Succession in North Korea: Kim Ju Ae as Potential Successor

Shifting focus to international affairs, the podcast delves into North Korea’s potential succession plan, suggesting that Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, might be groomed to lead the country.

Insights from Raf Sanchez At [09:34], NBC News foreign correspondent Raf Sanchez provides an in-depth analysis:

“Kim Ju Ae, approximately 13 years old, has been increasingly visible at public events alongside her father. Her appearances at significant state functions, such as the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2022, signal her rising prominence.”

Sanchez elaborates on the strategic presentation of Kim Ju Ae, noting her mature appearance and involvement in state affairs, which may indicate a deliberate effort to position her as a future leader ([10:30]).

Possible Reasons for Her Succession Discussing further, Sanchez speculates on why Kim Ju Ae might be chosen over an older sibling:

“One possibility is that at 13, she already exhibits the qualities the North Korean leadership desires in a successor—ruthlessness and steely resolve. Additionally, as a young woman, she is unlikely to form her own power base, making her a controllable and less threatening heir to Kim Jong Un’s authority” ([12:30]).

Vossoughian connects this development to previous instances of female prominence in North Korea, such as Kim Yo Jong’s high-profile role, suggesting a trend towards female leadership within the regime ([13:07]).

Additional Headlines

1. Al Jazeera Journalists Killed in Gaza Airstrike Al Jazeera reports that five of its journalists were killed in what they describe as a "targeted assassination" by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza ([14:10]). The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) contends that one of the victims, Anas Al Sharif, was a Hamas leader masquerading as a journalist. However, both Al Sharif and Al Jazeera have refuted these claims. The Committee to Protect Journalists criticizes Israel's history of labeling journalists as terrorists without substantiated evidence.

2. DOJ’s Attempt to Unseal Ghislaine Maxwell’s Transcripts Denied A federal judge, Paul Engelmeier, has halted the Department of Justice’s efforts to unseal grand jury records in the Ghislaine Maxwell case at [15:30]. The DOJ argued that releasing these transcripts would diminish conspiracy theories surrounding Maxwell's ongoing sex trafficking conviction, which she continues to appeal. The judge ruled that most details were already public, making the unsealing unnecessary.

3. Colorado Wildfire Forces Prison Evacuation A massive wildfire, the sixth largest in Colorado’s history, has engulfed over 167 square miles, leading to the evacuation of 179 inmates and staff from the Rifle Correctional Center ([16:20]). More than a thousand firefighters are combating the blaze, with air quality alerts issued and residents in remote areas advised to prepare for potential evacuations.

4. Sports Highlights: Gymnastics and Baseball Milestones

• Hesley Rivera’s Triumph: Hesley Rivera, the youngest U.S. Olympian from Paris, secured the national all-around crown at the 2025 Xfinity Championships. Her exceptional performance paves the way for her participation in the upcoming World Championships in Jakarta, with aspirations for the LA 2028 Olympics ([16:45]).

• Jen Powell Makes MLB History: Jen Powell became the first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball regular-season game. Debuting at first base and then behind the plate for the Braves and Marlins, Powell earned praise for her professionalism and was celebrated by players and managers alike. She donated her game cap to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in sports ([17:10]).

5. AOL Retires Dial-Up Service Nostalgia meets technology as AOL announces the retirement of its dial-up service on September 30th ([17:30]). Once a lifeline for rural America and a beloved feature of the 90s, the dial-up service will be discontinued as AOL phases out legacy systems like the AOL dialer and Shield browser. While the iconic "You've Got Mail" message will be phased out, AOL’s other services will continue without the outdated modem sounds.

Conclusion

Yasmin Vossoughian wraps up the episode by reiterating the day's major stories and teases future content, including the upcoming meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin regarding the war in Ukraine and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plans for Gaza City.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump ([01:23]): “Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals...”

• Pam Bondi ([06:03]): “Let me be crystal clear. Crime in D.C. is ending and ending today.”

• Raf Sanchez ([09:34]): “Kim Ju Ae...signal her rising prominence.”

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