Transcript
A (0:00)
On the Throughline podcast from npr, Immigration enforcement might be more visible now, but this moment didn't begin with President Trump's second inauguration or even his first, a series from Throughline about how immigration became political and a cash cow. Listen to Throughline in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
B (0:25)
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held. Federal workers are now in their seventh day of a government shutdown. They're not getting paid, but they are protected by a federal law signed by President Trump in his first term guaranteeing back pay once the shutdown ends. But today, Trump cast doubt, saying whether furloughed workers get paid depends, suggesting some workers may not deserve to be taken care of. The top Democrat in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, responded, every single furloughed.
C (0:55)
Federal employee is entitled to back pay. Period. Full stop. The law is clear, and we will make sure that that law is followed.
B (1:07)
But House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican, said there might be something to Trump's threats.
D (1:11)
It is true that in previous shutdowns, many or most of them have been paid for the time that they were furloughed. But there is new legal analysis. I don't know the details. I just saw a headline this morning. I'm not read in on it, and I haven't spoken to the White House about it. But there are some legal analysts who are saying that that may not be appropriate or necessary in terms of the law requiring that back pay be provided.
B (1:36)
Trump made the threat as he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada at the Oval Office. The meeting, centering on trade relations as one of the world's most durable and amicable alliances, has been fractured by Trump's tariffs, trade war and annexation threats. After weeks of threats, the first National Guard troops sent to Chicago by Trump arrived today at an arming training center outside the city. The Associated Press reports military personnel in uniform with the Texas National Guard patch were seen at the U.S. army Reserve center in Elwood, Chicago, and state leaders are suing to stop the deployment. A federal judge has set a Thursday hearing before deciding. Today marks two years since a deadly attack by Hamas militants on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza that goes on until today. NPR's Anas Baba reports from Gaza City. That lives in Gaza have been shattered.
E (2:36)
For many here in Gaza, time hasn't moved forward. It stands still under the weight of rubble, famine and the endless wait for a ceasefire. Hamis al Helu is among hundreds of thousands of Palestinians forcibly displaced to southern Gaza by Israel. His daughter, brother and sister are among the more than 67,000 Palestinians that Gaza's health ministry has recorded killed by Israel in the war. Al Heli also lost his home. It was reduced to rubble by Israel's military in the war. He says he hopes there is a chance for permanent ceasefire under President Trump's plan so those still alive in Gaza have a chance at life again. Ene's Bubble NPR News, Gaza City.