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

Tuesday

Politics

It's still unclear how politics factor into the Trump assassination attempt

There's still no clear motive in the attempted assassination of president Donald Trump. But experts say it will be a defining moment as America grapples with rising political violence.

It's still unclear how politics factor into the Trump assassination attempt

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Sunday

Law enforcement agents stand near the stage of a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump after a failed assassination attempt on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Penn. Conspiracy theories and violent rhetoric have surged since the shooting.

Law enforcement agents stand near the stage of a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump after a failed assassination attempt on Saturday in Butler, Pa. Conspiracy theories and violent rhetoric have surged since the shooting. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption

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Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Untangling Disinformation

Conspiracy theories surge following the assassination attempt on Trump

The assassination attempt has supercharged conspiracy theories and threats of political violence that have characterized this presidential campaign from the outset.

Examining how narratives about the Trump assassination attempt are resonating

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Thursday

National

Unpacking the truth of antisemitism on college campuses

Colleges have become a flashpoint in discussions about rising antisemitism. But some on those campuses say the alarm from politicians and groups distorts reality and their motives should be examined.

Unpacking the truth of antisemitism on college campuses

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Tuesday

National

More and more, young kids are being exposed to hate ideologies

Three middle school students in southern Maryland have been charged with hate crimes for allegedly harassing a Jewish classmate. Experts say young kids are increasingly exposed to hate ideologies.

More and more, young kids are being exposed to hate ideologies

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3 Maryland juveniles are charged with hate crimes. How did it get to that point?

Last month the Calvert County, Md., state's attorney's office filed misdemeanor hate crimes charges against three 13-year-olds, alleging they targeted a fellow Plum Point Middle School (shown here) classmate, who is Jewish. Google Maps/Screenshot by NPR hide caption

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Google Maps/Screenshot by NPR

Politics

3 Maryland juveniles are charged with hate crimes. How did it get to that point?

The arrests of the three middle schoolers came last month. Experts say young kids are increasingly exposed to hate ideologies, leaving communities to figure out how to respond.

Friday

National

Jurors for Trump's hush money trial have been selected. Now they have to be kept safe

As Trump's high-profile hush money case moves forward, the court is also grappling with an issue that has become a regular and concerning feature of Trump's many trials — how to keep jurors safe.

Jurors for Trump's hush money trial have been selected. Now they have to be kept safe

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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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