The News Agents - USA

It's a week since Renee Nicole Good was shot by an ICE agent whilst in her car in Minnesota. Since then, protests have erupted around the country, schools in Minneapolis have closed, and last night saw a second shooting by an ICE agent.

Is the immigration law enforcement now just a political weapon? And, as Trump threatens martial law, is ICE deliberately trying to provoke conflict in Minnesota? We're joined by Semifore's Ben Smith...

The plan to taken down Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro, was months in the making. And yet, when it did finally happen, it not only took Caracas by surprise but even Washington was stunned by the speed of the incursion.

What does the operation in Venezuela tell us about how Trump might be planning to take over other territories? Why has he got his eyes on oil tanks, and is he prepared to go battle with Putin? We speak to The Crisi...

Trump's inner circle may be wondering this week why they gave Vanity Fair exclusive access and close up photos for the magazine. The portrait is unflattering to say the least. And highly revelatory. Will it change how Trump sees those around him? And why is the MAGA aesthetic so central to the brand?

Also - Trump speaks to the nation about the economy. Why’s he had to make up all his figures?

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Affordability is the word that Zohran Mamdani made the centre of his New York mayoral campaign after watching the Democrats lose so badly in 2024. But now it’s the Republicans and President Trump that have to convince voters the economy is going in the right direction. And 70 percent of them no longer trust Trump to get it right. What does this mean for the midterms?

Later, why the Supreme Court could be about to hand Trump the pow...

The story of the affair between journalist Olivia Nuzzi and Health Secretary RFK Junior has been called the least important and most important story of our times. What does it tell us about MAGA culture, journalistic ethics and the power of click bait versus deep dive investigation? Why is America so obsessed with her story?

Later, has a leaked recording of Pete Hegseth, Secretary of WAR, opened him up to accusations of war crimes?...

The former FBI director James Comey has walked free after his indictment was thrown out by a judge who decided the presiding attorney was actually invalid. It’s a tricky moment for Donald Trump, who had pursued his enemies in the hope of putting behind bars people who he called “bad” - and led to accusations of “vindictive prosecution“ by the President.

But already, the administration's ire has turned to its next victims - former a...

Last night both houses of Congress overwhelmingly voted to force the justice department to release the Epstein files. We could see the contents made public within days. But the vote itself, long resisted by Trump, has left the President looking weaker and more friendless amongst the MAGA base than he’s ever been. Is he starting to look like a lame duck President? And are Republicans imagining a MAGA world that comes after Trump? Or...

Donald Trump has told Fox News he has an "obligation" to sue the BBC - claiming the broadcaster "defrauded the public" in the way a Panorama episode misleadingly edited a clip of his January 6th speech.

The dispute has made it on to Joe Rogan's podcast, and the BBC is being hauled into the 'fake news' category by MAGA commentators.

How serious is President Trump in his threats? And could he bankrupt the BBC?

Jon and Emily speak to And...

After a year in the wilderness for the Democrats, last nights electoral victories have given many a taste of winning again. Races in Democratic strongholds like New York, California, New Jersey and Virginia may not have been a shock - but the scale of the victories and the size of the turnouts has put a spring back into the step of those who’d given up hope.

Today we discuss what Zohran Mamdani, Gavin Newsom, Abigail Spanberger and ...

Former Republican congressman George Santos was jailed for wire fraud and identity theft and began his 7 year sentence in the summer. On Friday, after a mere 87 days, it was commuted - by the president - and Santos walked free.

Today he gives us the first UK interview since his commutation to explain his crimes, his appeal for clemency, and what it tells us about Trump's America in 2025.

Later, what on earth is going on in the east ...

Saturday could see the largest mass demonstration in modern American history. The "No Kings" rallies across the country will see millions turn out to voice their discontent with Donald Trump and his administration's increasingly authoritarian actions. Robert De Niro is among those urging people to take to the streets, But senior MAGA figures are trying to discredit the whole thing before it's even started. They are describing it as...

James Comey, former director of the FBI and Trump’s enemy number 1, has appeared in court this week to plead not guilty of lying to Congress. Trump has desperately sought his prosecution and said so out loud on numerous occasions. The President has struggled to find prosecutors who were even prepared to seek Comey's arrest. We talk to the FBIs former General Council, Andrew Weissmann, about the case for “vindictive prosecution“ an...

On today’s episode, the jaw-dropping personal account from a former government employee whose life has been turned upside down by the US President.

Miles Taylor finds himself the subject of an unprecedented executive order and faces accusations of "treason" from Donald Trump. His crime? Speaking out about the dangers he saw coming in the first administration. How did dissent become criminalised in America in 2025? And what is the m...

Late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel was taken off air “indefinitely" last week by his ABC bosses at a Disney. But last night he came back. And he had plenty to say. We analyse the show, the reaction from the audience - and Trump - and ask if comedians are showing us how to resist the silencing.

Later, we talk to Congressman Hank Johnson about whether the fight back has begun in earnest.

Visit our new website for more analysis and inter...

As more details emerge about the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk and more questions about his motivation, one thing is pretty clear - he is not obviously part of any "domestic terror network" of the kind Trump and his administration is now pursuing. Meanwhile, Tucker Carlson is going after the Attorney General for her threats to free (hate) speech. How did the administration get themselves into this mess?

The News Agents USA is brou...

Donald Trump has told reporters (several times) that he is “ not thrilled “ by Benjamin Netanyahu's bombing of Hamas targets in Qatar. He’s told Netanyahu it’s “an unfortunate incident “. Just like he’s asked Putin nicely “not to bomb Ukraine“. When is Trump going to realise his words have little effect on either man? He’s failed to stop either war despite coming into office promising to stop them - is he proving once again he’s t...

Why has America's health secretary RFK Jr fired the head of America's public health body? He says she was taking the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the wrong direction. She and her colleagues - who have resigned in protest - say they were uncomfortable following an anti-vax, anti-science direction of travel. Where will the MAHA project leave Americans? Will vaccines dry up? And does it even have Trump's support? We s...

It's not the first time Donald Trump has overreached, but his latest assertion is that he has the right to do whatever he wants. Trump wants total control - of universities, the police and anyone he perceives to be a threat. He's 'fired' Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. The FBI have raided John Bolton's home. Are there any signs anywhere of any checks on Trump? Or is America sli...