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Odette Yousef Odette Yousef is a National Security correspondent focusing on extremism.
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Odette Yousef

Tuesday

Politics

As he campaigns, Trump has been leaning into his narrative of Jan. 6

Donald Trump launched his election campaign a year ago in Waco, Texas — a place linked with extremists. Experts say it marked an embrace of far-right narratives central to his White House bid.

As he campaigns, Trump has been leaning into his narrative of Jan. 6

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Trump has embraced Jan. 6. The extremist message may alienate — or resonate

Police clash with supporters of President Donald Trump who breached security and entered the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images hide caption

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Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Politics

Trump has embraced Jan. 6. The extremist message may alienate — or resonate

He praises defendants who are charged with rioting that day. His campaign's launch site has connections to extremist violence. Experts worry he's tapping into anger that motivated domestic terrorism.

Trump has embraced Jan. 6. The extremist message may alienate — or resonate

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Thursday

How 'fetal personhood' in Alabama's IVF ruling evolved from fringe to mainstream

Alabama's state capitol in Montgomery, Ala. earlier this year. Andi Rice/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Andi Rice/Bloomberg via Getty Images

National

How 'fetal personhood' in Alabama's IVF ruling evolved from fringe to mainstream

To those who have watched how certain elements of the anti-abortion campaign have gone from fringe to mainstream, the Alabama IVF decision is both validation and a warning of more shifts to come.

How 'fetal personhood' in Alabama's IVF ruling evolved from fringe to mainstream

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Wednesday

Law

Ala. court ruling that frozen embryos are children shocked some. Others saw it coming

The state's Supreme Court ruling equating frozen embryos to children came as no surprise to those who've tracked how once-extreme ideas around fetal personhood have gained acceptance in some circles.

Ala. court ruling that frozen embryos are children shocked some. Others saw it coming

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Tuesday

Alabama justice's ties with far-right Christian movement raise concern

Alabama Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker speaks on the steps of the state judicial building on April 5, 2006, in Montgomery, Ala. Jamie Martin/AP hide caption

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Jamie Martin/AP

National

Alabama justice's ties with far-right Christian movement raise concern

In the days after Alabama's Supreme Court deemed frozen embryos to be "extrauterine children," the chief justice's ties to a movement that experts call "Christian extremist" have come to light.

Alabama justice's ties with far-right Christian movement raise concern

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Monday

Religion

A look at the Christian Nationalist beliefs of Alabama's Supreme Court chief justice

More has become known about the Alabama chief justice's ties to a far-right Christian Nationalist movement that played a major role in the Jan. 6 riot. The movement aims to assert Christian supremacy.

A look at the Christian Nationalist beliefs of Alabama's Supreme Court chief justice

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Friday

ICYMI: Politics News From The Week

The U.S Capitol in Washington is illuminated on Feb. 9, 2024. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

ICYMI: Politics News From The Week

This week, former President Donald Trump got a court date for his first criminal trial, lawmakers take another swing at Ukraine aid and we look at swatting, the growing hoax trend that's hitting America's politicians.

ICYMI: Politics News From The Week

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Friday

The border crisis is helping to mainstream a dangerous conspiracy theory

Participants in the "Take Our Border Back" convoy arrive at a ranch near Quemado, Texas on Feb. 2. Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

The border crisis is helping to mainstream a dangerous conspiracy theory

The recent truck convoy that directed national attention to a surge of migrants at the Southern border featured dangerous, dehumanizing rhetoric that once was limited to extremists.

The border crisis is helping to mainstream a dangerous conspiracy theory

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Thursday

National

Border rhetoric could inspire acts of violence, extremist experts say

Republican officials and far-right influencers have ratcheted up rhetoric describing immigrants. Extremism experts warn it represents a dangerous mainstreaming of white nationalist talking points.

Border rhetoric could inspire acts of violence, extremist experts say

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Friday

National Security

Growing list of public and private people are being targeted by swatting attempts

Recent hoaxes raise concerns that swatting is becoming a growing trend in political violence in the U.S. There are still many questions about who and what motivations lie behind these calls.

Growing list of public and private people are being targeted by swatting attempts

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Friday

Violent online rhetoric heats up after Colorado ballot ruling on Trump

The Colorado Supreme Court in Denver hears arguments on Dec. 6 regarding former President Donald Trump's eligibility for the state's primary ballot. David Zalubowski/AP hide caption

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David Zalubowski/AP

Politics

Violent online rhetoric heats up after Colorado ballot ruling on Trump

Far-right users online have reacted to a Colorado court ruling that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to appear on that state's primary ballot. They're calling for "civil war."

Violent online rhetoric heats up after Colorado ballot ruling on Trump

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Thursday

Trump Embraces Autocratic Language

Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits at the defense table while waiting for proceedings to begin in his civil business fraud trial in New York State Supreme Court on Dec. 7, 2023 in New York City. Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Pool/Getty Images

The NPR Politics Podcast

Trump Embraces Autocratic Language

The former president continues to recite his greatest hits on the campaign trail, along with adding some new autocratic language. His words are drawing criticism from many, but on his social media platform, Truth Social, he has the base to support it.

Trump Embraces Autocratic Language

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Tuesday

Politics

Trump's rhetoric draws alarming comparisons to autocratic leaders and dictators

Former President Trump has been using increasingly autocratic language over the campaign season. Many Americans have found this rhetoric to be shocking; but for a portion of his base, it is welcomed.

Trump's rhetoric draws alarming comparisons to autocratic leaders and dictators

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Monday

National

Two states are filing lawsuits to curtail the activities of a neo-Nazi organization

Attorneys general in Massachusetts and New Hampshire are fighting to curtail the increasingly public activities of the neo-Nazi organization NSC-131.

Two states are filing lawsuits to curtail the activities of a neo-Nazi organization

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Tuesday

Religion

Speaker Mike Johnson draws scrutiny for ties to far right Christian movements

House Speaker Mike Johnson is set to keynote an event for lawmakers who promote conservative Christian dominance — the latest connection illustrating his close relationship with Christian extremists.

Speaker Mike Johnson draws scrutiny for ties to far right Christian movements

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