Accessibility links
Odette Yousef Odette Yousef is a National Security correspondent focusing on extremism.
Odette Yousef headshot
Stories By

Odette Yousef

Thursday

National Security

When Israeli-Palestinian conflicts erupt, threats against U.S. Jews and Muslims surge

Surges in religious hate crimes in the U.S. historically follow conflicts between Israel and Palestinians. Extremism experts say the latest outbreak of U.S. violence may have more profound effects.

When Israeli-Palestinian conflicts erupt, threats against U.S. Jews and Muslims surge

Listen · 3:37
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1208676966/1208676967" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

National Security

New survey shows that local officials are experiencing increased hostility

Municipal and county officials are consistently experiencing high levels of harassment and even threats, according to new data. Many worry this may tip into violence as the 2024 election nears.

New survey shows that local officials are experiencing increased hostility

Listen · 3:42
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1201849605/1201849606" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

National

RICO case against cop city protesters in Atlanta stirs concerns about free speech

The case against 61 people who oppose a planned police and fire training facility in Atlanta is charting new – and to some, concerning – territory.

RICO case against cop city protesters in Atlanta stirs concerns about free speech

Listen · 5:06
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1200898062/1200898063" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

Law

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio sentenced to 22 years for Jan. 6 riot role

The former national chairman of the far-right Proud Boys was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Tarrio had been convicted for seditious conspiracy for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio sentenced to 22 years for Jan. 6 riot role

Listen · 2:46
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197824591/1197824592" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

National

Enrique Tarrio, ex-Proud Boys leader, is sentenced to 22 years for his role in Jan. 6

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in attempting to overthrow the 2020 election. Prosecutors had been asking for a 33-year sentence.

Enrique Tarrio, ex-Proud Boys leader, is sentenced to 22 years for his role in Jan. 6

Listen · 3:10
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197765950/1197777000" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

National

In light of the Jacksonville shooting, here's how hate groups have grown in Florida

During the last year, some organizations have staged increasingly brazen displays of hate in Jacksonville and across Florida.

In light of the Jacksonville shooting, here's how hate groups have grown in Florida

Listen · 4:26
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1196637109/1196642013" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

The rise of Oliver Anthony and 'Rich Men North of Richmond'

Oliver Anthony performs at the Eagle Creek Golf Club on Aug. 19, 2023, in Moyock, N.C. Mike Caudill/Billboard via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Mike Caudill/Billboard via Getty Images

Culture

The rise of Oliver Anthony and 'Rich Men North of Richmond'

Audiences may have only just learned about a fast-rising country singer during the Republican debate Wednesday night. But "Rich Men North of Richmond" also has ties to extremist narratives.

The rise of Oliver Anthony and 'Rich Men North of Richmond'

Listen · 5:31
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1195655023/1195858308" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The viral song 'Rich Men North of Richmond' made its way to the RNC debate stage

Oliver Anthony performs in Moyock, North Carolina, on Saturday. Virginian Pilot/TNS / Tribune News Service/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Virginian Pilot/TNS / Tribune News Service/Getty Images

Politics

The viral song 'Rich Men North of Richmond' made its way to the RNC debate stage

The breakout song by an artist who goes by Oliver Anthony laid the groundwork to open the first Republican presidential debate for the 2024 election. But the song has notes of conspiracy theories.

Friday

Threats, slurs and menace: Far-right websites target Fulton County grand jurors

A sheriff's deputy stands guard near the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on Monday. Authorities in Georgia said Thursday they're investigating threats targeting members of the grand jury that indicted former President Donald Trump and 18 of his allies. Alex Slitz/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Slitz/AP

Politics

Threats, slurs and menace: Far-right websites target Fulton County grand jurors

Some far-right websites are circulating addresses supposedly of grand jurors involved in the Fulton County indictment of former President Donald Trump. Their calls for violence are causing alarm.

Threats, slurs and menace: Far-right websites target Fulton County grand jurors

Listen · 5:56
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1194471162/1194782170" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

New charges against Trump focus on lies. Scholars see an authoritarian playbook

Donald Trump, left, is handed an umbrella from Walt Nauta, his personal aide and co-defendant in a felony case in Florida, on Thursday, the day the former president pleaded not guilty to four felony charges in Washington, D.C. Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Politics

New charges against Trump focus on lies. Scholars see an authoritarian playbook

Prosecutors allege the former president and co-conspirators used lies to advance criminal conspiracies to overturn the election. Scholars say distant and recent history show how potent lies can be.

New charges against Trump focus on lies. Scholars see an authoritarian playbook

Listen · 4:22
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1191813216/1192290363" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Friday

As Abortion Vote Looms, Ohio GOP Hopes To Rein In Ballot Measures

A poll worker pulls a provisional ballot for a voter at a polling location on November 8, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. Andrew Spear/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Andrew Spear/Getty Images

The NPR Politics Podcast

As Abortion Vote Looms, Ohio GOP Hopes To Rein In Ballot Measures

Trump's latest charges may further fracture House Republicans — with some in the party motivated to undermine President Biden with investigations and others worried about holding on to split-ticket seats that Biden carried in 2020.

As Abortion Vote Looms, Ohio GOP Hopes To Rein In Ballot Measures

Listen · 23:55
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1191348995/1198975791" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Politics

Latest charges against Trump evoke pattern used by authoritarian leaders, experts say

The latest indictment alleges that Trump knew he was lying when he said the election was stolen – and worked to harness the power of the government to overturn the will of the voters.

Latest charges against Trump evoke pattern used by authoritarian leaders, experts say

Listen · 4:22
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1191972835/1191972836" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

Republicans Face Charges In Michigan Over Trump Election Scheme

Electoral College elector Marseille Allen signs her ballot for President of the United States at the state Capitol, December 14, 2020 in Lansing, Michigan. CARLOS OSORIO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
CARLOS OSORIO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The NPR Politics Podcast

Republicans Face Charges In Michigan Over Trump Election Scheme

Michigan's attorney general has announced charges against 16 people for serving as so-called fake electors following the 2020 presidential election. The electors signed documents falsely attesting that Donald Trump won the state in the election.

Republicans Face Charges In Michigan Over Trump Election Scheme

Listen · 13:16
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1188723101/1198975930" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
'Active club' hate groups are growing in the U.S. — and making themselves seen

In this Aug. 12, 2017 file photo, white nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va. Steve Helber/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Steve Helber/AP

National Security

'Active club' hate groups are growing in the U.S. — and making themselves seen

Cells of white males have formed in at least 30 states, united around racism and an interest in mixed martial arts. Extremism researchers say they're neo-Nazis looking to mainstream their ideas.

'Active club' hate groups are growing in the U.S. — and making themselves seen

Listen · 5:42
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1188111769/1188726575" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">