Up First (NPR)

Episode: Trump and Chicago, Trump Assassination Attempt Trial, Russia Ukraine Drone Attacks
Date: September 8, 2025
Hosts: Leila Fadel, A Martinez

Episode Overview

This episode covers the three most pressing stories of the day:

• President Trump’s threatening remarks—and subsequent walk-back—towards Chicago, alongside his plans related to immigration and crime.
• The start of the trial for Ryan Ruth, accused of attempting to assassinate Trump during his campaign, and the defendant’s unusual decision to represent himself.
• Russia’s largest drone airstrikes on Ukraine to date, the implications for the war effort, and the international response.

Story 1: Trump Threatens, Then Backs Off, “War” with Chicago

[02:31-06:00]

Key Discussion Points

• Trump's Online Post:

  • President Trump posted an AI-generated meme depicting himself as a character from "Apocalypse Now" above a burning Chicago, captioned, “Chicago: About to find out why it's called the Department of War.”
  • This referenced Trump’s recent rebranding of the Department of Defense to the "Department of War".

• Official and Public Response:

  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker responded sharply:

    “The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal.” ([03:18])

  • Trump later clarified:

    “We're not going to war." ([03:36])
    “We're going to clean up our cities. We're going to clean them up so they don't kill five people every weekend. That's not war, that's common sense.” ([03:37-03:45])

  • Kat Lonsdorf (NPR reporter in Chicago) noted that violent crime data actually shows a decline, contradicting Trump’s rationale.

• Community Tension and Fear:

  • Chicago residents are tense; protests have filled downtown, with particular concern from immigrant communities.
  • Andrea Soria, a 27-year-old Chicagoan, described the fear in her family:

    “For them to not be able to go out. And all this week they've been relying on myself, you know, go get groceries, go check on this.” ([04:41])

• Legal and Political Context:

  • Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles was ruled illegal last week, though the administration is appealing.
  • In DC, the President retains authority due to the federal structure, but using federal troops in the states raises legal and constitutional questions.

Timestamps and Quotes

• Gov. J.B. Pritzker on the President’s post: “This is not a joke. This is not normal.” ([03:18])
• Trump: “We’re not going to war. We’re going to clean up our cities.” ([03:36])
• Community member Andrea Soria: “For them to not be able to go out... it’s been really stressful.” ([04:41-04:52])
• Kat Lonsdorf on legal challenges: “What we're seeing here with it being potentially forced on states is uncharted territory.” ([05:17])

Story 2: Trump Assassination Attempt Trial Begins

[06:09-09:39]

Key Discussion Points

• The Case:

  • Ryan Ruth, accused of attempting to assassinate Trump in 2024 while he was golfing, is representing himself in court after expressing dissatisfaction with public defenders.
  • He wrote to the judge:

    “[We were] a million miles apart.” (Letter, via Greg Allen, [06:57])

• Trial Details:

  • Ruth faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for attempted assassination, plus four federal weapons charges. He pleads not guilty.
  • Evidence includes a direct admission in a letter:

    “Dear world, this is an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I failed you.” (Prosecutor’s evidence, [08:13])

  • Controversy over whether jury will see the full 12-page letter, which Ruth claims expresses “gentleness, peacefulness, and nonviolent caring for humanity.”

• Profile and Legal Nuance:

  • Ruth, with a history of criminal activity, has held a variety of political stances.
  • Judge Eileen Cannon, who previously dismissed Trump’s classified documents case, is overseeing this trial as well.

Timestamps and Quotes

• Greg Allen on Ruth's legal stance: “He said they were a million miles apart and were refusing to answer his questions.” ([06:57])
• On the evidence: “Dear world, this is an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I failed you.” ([08:13])
• Judge Cannon’s background: “She was randomly assigned to hear this case.” ([09:18])

Story 3: Russia Launches Largest Drone Attack on Ukraine

[09:45-13:25]

Key Discussion Points

• The Attack:

  • Over 800 drones targeted Ukrainian cities, with at least five killed and dozens injured. For the first time, a government building in Kyiv’s protected sector was heavily damaged.
  • NPR’s Joanna Kakissis reported directly from Kyiv:

    “I woke up in the middle of the night after I heard a very loud and familiar buzzing sound. That's a shahed drone flying over our neighborhood. And then the booms of air defense trying to shoot down the drones as well as missiles.” ([10:15])

• Ukrainian and International Response:

  • Prime Minister Yulia Svitadenko stood among the damaged government buildings on social media, declaring:

    “You can see the consequences of this attack...looks like Russia is not seeking peace and is not ready for negotiations.” ([11:15 paraphrase])

  • EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned Russia and vowed sanctions; internal EU politics present complications.

• US and Trump Administration Actions:

  • President Trump is considering new sanctions, but existing tariffs have had limited effect.
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said:

    “Open to partnering with the European Union to impose even more sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil...to collapse the Russian economy, but that would take quite a while.” ([12:12 paraphrased])

• Prospects for Continued Conflict:

  • Ukraine presses on with domestic weapons production.
  • President Zelensky:

    “Ukraine now produces more than 60% of its own weapons.”

  • Air defense remains a priority as drone attacks are expected to continue.

Timestamps and Quotes

• Joanna Kakissis on the strikes: “That's a shahed drone flying over our neighborhood. And then the booms of air defense trying to shoot down the drones.” ([10:15])
• Ursula von der Leyen: “The Kremlin is mocking diplomacy...killing indiscriminately because among those killed in Ukraine was a mother and her infant son in Kyiv.” ([11:35 paraphrased])
• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant on sanctions: “Open to partnering...to collapse the Russian economy, but that would take quite a while.” ([12:12 paraphrased])
• Zelensky on self-reliance: “Ukraine is fighting what he called air raid anxiety by making air defense a top priority.” ([13:05])

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• President Trump on Chicago:
  “We're not going to war. We're going to clean up our cities. We're going to clean them up so they don't kill five people every weekend. That's not war, that's common sense.” ([03:36-03:45])

• Andrea Soria on Immigrant Fear:
  “For them to not be able to go out... they’ve been relying on myself, you know, go get groceries, go check on this.” ([04:41])

• Joanna Kakissis, NPR (Kyiv):
  “I woke up in the middle of the night after I heard a very loud and familiar buzzing sound. That's a shahed drone flying over our neighborhood.” ([10:15])

Conclusion

This fast-paced episode captures major national and international tensions: Trump’s escalatory rhetoric toes the line between political posturing and real policy threats, creating local tensions in Chicago; the high-profile Trump assassination attempt trial raises complex questions about legal representation and evidence; and Russia’s intensification of drone attacks on Ukraine signals a deepening and potentially prolonged conflict, with world leaders struggling to find effective responses.

For the full episode or continued updates, visit the Up First feed via NPR.