Syria's Relationship With Israel, Birthright Citizenship, Trump's Big Bill

Summary

Up First from NPR – May 15, 2025

Hosts: Amy Martinez and Steve Inskeep

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1. Syria’s Shift Toward Normalization with Israel

Overview: President Donald Trump’s recent Middle East tour has sparked significant developments in Syria’s international relations, particularly concerning Israel. Trump's approach towards Syria's new leader and the consequent geopolitical implications have left allies like Israel in a state of uncertainty.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Diplomatic Moves: During his trip, President Trump received a standing ovation in Saudi Arabia for his commitment to lift US sanctions against Syria. He praised Syria's new leader, Ahmad Al-Shaar, describing him as “a great, I think. Very good. Young, attractive guy, tough guy” (02:59). This gesture has been met with celebration in Damascus but raises questions for Israel, a long-standing adversary of Syria.

• Syria’s Overtures for Peace: Syrian President Al-Shaar has expressed intentions to normalize relations with Israel, stating a desire for Syria to be “a land of peace” (03:44). Diplomatic efforts from Damascus indicate a potential shift in regional dynamics, seeking US facilitation for peaceful ties.

• Israeli Reaction: Israel remains cautious and somewhat skeptical. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly urged Trump against lifting sanctions, emphasizing the perception of Syria as a terrorist threat and the necessity of maintaining a buffer (04:39). Despite these tensions, Israel continues its military actions in Gaza, prioritizing that conflict over the evolving situation with Syria.

• Ongoing Conflict in Gaza: Concurrently, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in significant casualties, with over 150 Palestinians, including children, killed in recent attacks (05:15). The blockade preventing aid from entering Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leading to fears of impending famine among nearly half a million Palestinians.

Notable Quote:

“We want peace, and we cannot be an opponent to Israel or an opponent to anyone else.” – Damascus Governor Meher Marwan (03:31)

2. Supreme Court Reviews Birthright Citizenship

Overview: A pivotal case regarding the interpretation of the 14th Amendment has resurfaced in the Supreme Court, challenging the long-established principle of birthright citizenship in the United States. This case examines whether children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents are automatically granted citizenship.

Key Points:

• Constitutional Foundations: The 14th Amendment explicitly states that “all persons born in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens of the United States” (06:27). This has been reaffirmed by the Supreme Court and codified by Congress nearly a century ago.

• Trump Administration’s Challenge: President Trump issued an executive order attempting to redefine birthright citizenship, limiting it to children of parents who are legally present or hold permanent residency. This move has been met with widespread legal challenges, with lower courts labeling the order as “blatantly unconstitutional” (07:29).

• Supreme Court’s Role: Acknowledging the likelihood of overturning the administration’s interpretation, the Department of Justice has instead focused the Supreme Court’s attention on the procedural aspects of federal district judges issuing universal injunctions. These injunctions have prevented the enforcement of Trump’s executive order nationwide while ongoing appeals are adjudicated (08:32).

• Legal Debate: The case has ignited debate among legal scholars about the appropriateness of nationwide injunctions and their impact on the judicial process. Notre Dame Law Professor Samuel Bray suggests the timing of the case coincides with the justices' summer schedule, potentially influencing their deliberations (09:46).

Notable Quote:

“The Constitution's 14th Amendment... guarantees automatic citizenship to anyone born in the United States.” – Amy Martinez (06:27)

3. House Leadership Navigates Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

Overview: President Trump’s ambitious legislative agenda, dubbed the “big, beautiful bill,” is advancing through the House of Representatives amid internal party divisions and looming deadlines. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces the challenge of uniting his conference to pass the bill by Memorial Day.

Key Points:

• Legislative Progress: The bill encompasses significant components such as extending the 2017 tax cuts, eliminating taxes on tips, modifying Medicaid, and reducing funding for the SNAP food assistance program. Three committees have recently voted to finalize their sections, paving the way for the Budget Committee to integrate these elements into a comprehensive package (10:51).

• Internal Party Tensions: Speaker Johnson is contending with two main factions within the Republican conference:

  • Freedom Caucus Opposition: This group demands greater deficit reductions and the implementation of work requirements for Medicaid, threatening coverage for millions (12:09).
  • SALT Group Concerns: Members representing high property tax districts, such as those in California and New York, are pushing to lift the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions, conflicting with the bill’s spending cuts (12:12).

• Speaker Johnson’s Mediation Efforts: Acknowledging the diverse priorities of his members, Johnson is striving to act as a neutral mediator, aiming to build consensus despite the disparate interests. He expressed optimism about reaching a compromise but remains mindful of potential challenges as the bill moves to the Senate (12:35).

• Senate Outlook: Even if the House successfully passes the bill, Republican Senators have expressed reservations, with some labeling the current proposal as insufficiently robust. This creates uncertainty about the bill’s future in the Senate, potentially derailing the legislative process (13:12).

Notable Quote:

“There’s red states and blue state folks, right? We got more red state folks in our conference and they have concerns about it. But we have blue state people who have realities they’ve got to deal with at home, and they need some relief for their constituents.” – House Speaker Mike Johnson (12:35)

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Conclusion

This episode of Up First delves into significant global and domestic issues shaping the current political landscape. From President Trump's diplomatic maneuvers in the Middle East and their implications for regional stability, to a landmark Supreme Court case on birthright citizenship, and the contentious passage of major legislation in the House, the discussions provide comprehensive insights into the challenges and dynamics at play.

Listeners gain a nuanced understanding of how these events interconnect, influencing both international relations and the foundational policies of the United States.

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For more detailed reporting and analysis, subscribe to Up First and support NPR at donate.npr.org.

Transcript

[Steve Inskeep]

On his trip through the Middle East, President Trump takes a friendly approach to the new ruler of Syria.

[Amy Martinez]

What does that mean for Syria's neighbor Israel? The US Allies still bombing targets around Syria's capital.

[Steve Inskeep]

I'm Steve Inskeep with a Martinez, and this is up first from NPR News. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution guarantees citizenship to people born in the United States. Both the Supreme Court and Congress have affirmed that. So why is the issue back at the high court?

[Amy Martinez]

And House Speaker Mike Johnson is struggling to unite his conference around President Trump's quote, big, beautiful bill.

[Mike Johnson]

There's red states and blue state folks, right? We got more red state folks in our conference and they have concerns about it. But we have blue state people who have realities they've got to deal with at home.

[Amy Martinez]

Can they find a compromise before Memorial Day? Stay with us. We've got all the news you need to start your day.

[Nina Totenberg]

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[Hadil Al Shalchi]

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[Amy Martinez]

President Trump is in the Gulf state of Qatar on the third day of his trip to the Middle East.

[Steve Inskeep]

He received a standing ovation from a crowd in Saudi Arabia when he vowed to lift US Sanctions against Syria. And he had compliments for that country's new leader, which he shared with reporters on Air Force One. How did you find the Syrian president? Great, I think. Very good. Young, attractive guy, tough guy. Syrians celebrated the lifting of sanctions on the streets of Damascus, although all of this is causing some confusion in Syria's neighbor, Israel, which was Syria's enemy for decades. What does all this mean for a close U.S. ally?

[Amy Martinez]

Let's ask NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi. She joins us now from Tel Aviv. So, Hadil, President Trump says sanctions on Syria will be lifted. He also said that Syria's new leader is ready to normalize ties with Israel. Is that what he really wants?

[Barbara Sprunt]

I mean, it really appears so. Syrian President Ahmad Al Shar has been saying he wants no trouble with Israel for months now. And yesterday he said in a speech that Syria will be a land of peace. You know, the Syrian government has been making these overtures ever since they took power in December, you know, two weeks after the fall of the Assad regime. I spoke to the Damascus governor, Meher Marwan, who said on behalf of his leader, Syria wanted cordial relations with Israel. This is what he told me. Marwan said, we want peace, and we cannot be an opponent to Israel or an opponent to anyone else. He also told me that he wanted the United States to facilitate those relations. And then yesterday, on the heels of Trump's comments, Shara spokesperson Ali Rifai spoke to Israeli media and he backed this up. He said, we want peace in the region, and that includes Israel.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

All right.

[Amy Martinez]

Is that what we're hearing from Israel?

[Barbara Sprunt]

So there's no official comment yet, but we do know that Israel was kind of stunned at the news that Trump wants to lift sanctions. You know, Israeli media had reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Trump not to lift them. Israel's line all along has been that Shra and his people are terrorists, that Israel must defend itself from them. And they say that's why they need to expand. And they've been expanding past a long recognized buffer zone into Syria. Israel's also been continuing its bombing campaign in targets in and around Damascus. But, you know, at the end of the day here in Israel, Syria, of course, is a consideration, but front of mind is the war in Gaza.

[Amy Martinez]

Yeah, Israel has been continuing with airstrikes there in the past three days while President Trump is in the region. What's going on there?

[Barbara Sprunt]

Well, just in the past 24 hours, Gaza health officials said at least 150 Palestinians were killed, including dozens of children, in Israeli airstrikes in the north and the south of Gaza. You know, Israel has also blocked aid into Gaza for more than 10 weeks now. No food, medical supplies, shelter supplies have entered Gaza in that time. Israel says it wants to pressure Hamas to release more hostages that way. But aid groups say that Gaza is on the brink of famine, that nearly half a million Palestinians are in, quote, catastrophic levels of hunger. During this trip that Trump is on in the Gulf, there haven't been any public talks about a ceasefire. But this morning, he did tell reporters that he has concepts for Gaza that he'd be happy to let the US get involved and he'd make Gaza, quote, freedom zone.

[Amy Martinez]

All right. That's NPR's Hadil Al Salchi from Tel Aviv. Hadil, thanks.

[Barbara Sprunt]

You're welcome.

[Amy Martinez]

Today, the Supreme Court hears arguments over birthright citizenship.

[Steve Inskeep]

The Constitution's 14th Amendment says, in part, all persons born in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction are citizens of the United States. The Trump administration sought to overturn that language and lost. In lower courts, the justices chose to hear the administration's appeal.

[Amy Martinez]

Joining us now is NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg. So, Nina, what exactly is the issue in this case?

[Samuel Bray]

Well, a, that's the million dollar question. At one level, it's about birthright citizenship, namely the constitutional provision that, as you say, guarantees automatic citizenship to anyone born in the United States. The Justice Department, knowing that it almost certainly will lose its claim that the 14th Amendment doesn't really mean what it says. The department has instead asked the court to focus on a separate question, a technical legal question that could make the legal process for challenging any Trump policy far more difficult and lengthy.

[Amy Martinez]

Okay, so this might be an odd one. Can you lay it out for us, please?

[Samuel Bray]

Not only does the text of the 14th Amendment guarantee automatic citizenship, the Supreme Court 127 years ago unanimously declared that is clearly the meaning of amendment, and that precedent has never been disturbed. And to put icing on the cake, Congress passed a statute codifying birthright citizenship almost a century ago. President Trump, however, has never accepted any of that. So on day one of his second presidential term, he issued an executive order barring citizenship for any child born in the US Whose parents were either not here legally or who were here legally but on a temporary basis, like a work visa Immigrant rights groups and 22 states promptly challenged the Trump order in court. Since then, three federal judges, both conservative and liberal, have ruled that the Trump order is, as one put it, blatantly unconstitutional. And three separate appeals courts have refused to unblock those orders while appeals are ongoing.

[Amy Martinez]

All right, so given that, then why did the administration go to the Supreme Court on an emergency basis asking it for help?

[Samuel Bray]

Well, as I said, the department certainly knows it's going to lose on birthright. So instead of asking the court to rule on the legality of Trump's executive order, the administration is asking the court to do something else to curb the power of federal district court judges to do what they did here, not only rule against the administration, but bar enforcement of Trump's executive order nationwide. The odd result is that today the context is birthright citizenship. But most of the debate is likely to focus on the tool these judges used called universal injunctions, like the ones in this case, that have barred the administration from enforcing its policy anywhere in the country while the case proceeds through the appellate courts in numerous jurisdictions. Legal scholars, of course, differ dramatically on this question of nationwide injunctions and whether they're sometimes needed to prevent legal harms from continuing. But ultimately, Notre Dame law professor Samuel Bray thinks this case was filed at just the right time. Psychologically, when the justices are slogging through lots of other emergency appeals, you just.

[Nina Totenberg]

Have to imagine the justices are looking.

[Ron Johnson]

At the potential for the emergency docket consuming the entire summer when they're supposed to be away.

[Samuel Bray]

The summer break, he says, is good for the justices. They get time to recharge, let tempers cool, and come back from vacation refreshed for a new term in the fall. But in layman's terms, this could really.

[Amy Martinez]

Screw up their summer, and everyone understands that. NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg. Nina, thank you.

[Samuel Bray]

My pleasure.

[Amy Martinez]

President Trump has talked for months about what he calls one big, beautiful bill to accomplish much of its domestic policy agenda, including immigration and tax policy.

[Steve Inskeep]

That bill is advancing through the House this week, and it turns out its beauty is in the eye of the beholder. House Speaker Mike Johnson wants the bill passed by Memorial Day, but is still contending with tensions within his own party.

[Amy Martinez]

Joining us now to talk through this is NPR's Barbara Sprunt. So, Barbara, a big bill, two weeks to go to finish it. Where are they in that process?

[Ron Johnson]

Yeah, so three committees voted yesterday to finalize their portions of this big bill. That includes things like extending the 2017 tax cuts, no taxes on tips and overtime cuts to Medicaid. And cuts to the food assistance program called snap. Now, the Budget Committee is meeting tomorrow to take all the individual bills approved by these various committees and put them into one big package. And that is what House leadership wants to vote on next week.

[Amy Martinez]

Okay, so that's what they want. Wondering, though, if they can get it, because we've talked before about the speaker struggling with a narrow majority. So what divisions is he dealing with now?

[Ron Johnson]

Yeah, that's right. Well, there's two main groups here. One, members of the Freedom Caucus have pushed back on the current state of bills, saying they just won't result in significant enough deficit reduction, which they see as their mandate here, and that proposals to add work requirements to Medicaid, the joint federal state health care program for those with disabilities and the elderly and low income, wouldn't kick in soon enough. It's worth noting that the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the changes in this House bill mean at least 8.6 million people enrolled in Medicaid could lose coverage. And some moderate members worry that those cuts could become a major issue in the midterms next year.

[Amy Martinez]

All right, so who else is upset or worried?

[Ron Johnson]

Well, then you've got the SALT group members in districts with high property taxes, like California and New York, who want to see the cap on deduction for state and local taxes be lifted significantly. That's expensive to do. So it's fundamentally at odds with members who want to slash spending overall. So there's a lot of tension there, and Speaker Johnson is acutely aware of that. Here he is. Yesterday.

[Mike Johnson]

There's red states and blue state folks, right? We got more red state folks in our conference, and they have concerns about it. But we have blue state people who have realities they've got to deal with at home, and they need some relief for their constituents. So I am trying to be the sort of the neutral umpire in the negotiation and build consensus.

[Ron Johnson]

He said he's confident they'll be able to work out a compromise that everyone can live with, even if everyone isn't fully happy. And he's planning on meeting with members concerned about SALT this morning.

[Amy Martinez]

Okay, let's just say, Barbara, for a second that they overcome all of this and the House of Representatives passes that big bill next week. What happens then? What happens after that?

[Ron Johnson]

Then comes the Senate, where some Republicans are already throwing cold water on the House's efforts here. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson told our colleague Deirdre Walsh yesterday that the House bill is, quote, a sad joke. Several senators on the GOP side have said they they can't support it in its current form. And this makes some House members concerned. You know, there's the dynamic of they don't want to take a vote on a tough, you know, package that's going to have some controversial elements like cuts to Medicaid only to then be rolled by the Senate. So up here, it's not just tension within these groups and these factions in the House. It's also tension between these two Republican run chambers.

[Amy Martinez]

That's D.C. right?

[Ron Johnson]

That's D.C. that's how D.C. works.

[Amy Martinez]

That's FDR's Barbara Sprout. BARBARA thanks.

[Ron Johnson]

Thanks. A.

[Amy Martinez]

And that's up first for Thursday, May 15th. I'm Amy Martinez.

[Steve Inskeep]

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Make YOUR next listen. Consider this from npr. Up first covers three big stories of the day. Consider this drills down on one. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Martinez]

Today's episode of upburst was edited by Krishna Dev Calimore, Kerry Kahn, Kelsey Snell, Ali Schweitzer and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ana Perez, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Nisha Hyness, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us again tomorrow.

[Nina Totenberg]

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[Hadil Al Shalchi]

This message comes from Jackson. Seek clarity in retirement [e-mail] Jackson is short for Jackson Financial, Inc. Jackson National Life Insurance Company, Lansing, Michigan, and Jackson National Life Insurance Company Of New York Purchase, New York.