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

Tuesday

Welcome to Springfield signage is displayed along Spring Street on Sept. 16, 2024 in Springfield, Ohio. Springfield, home to a large Haitian community, was thrust into the national spotlight after former President Donald Trump made claims during the presidential debate against Vice President Harris, accusing members of the immigrant community of eating the pets of local residents.

Welcome to Springfield signage is displayed along Spring Street on September 16, 2024 in Springfield, Ohio. Springfield, home to a large Haitian community, was thrust into the national spotlight after former President Donald Trump made claims during the presidential debate against Vice President Harris, accusing members of the immigrant community of eating the pets of local residents. Luke Sharrett/Getty Images hide caption

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Luke Sharrett/Getty Images

National Security

In parroting a lie about migrants in Springfield, Ohio, Trump excites extremists

Former President Donald Trump's false claims about Haitian migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, has energized neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups.

How neo-Nazi groups reacted to Trump’s false claims about Haitians in Springfield

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Tuesday

The scene outside the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach after the arrest of a man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump on Sept. 15, 2024. (Photo by Carlos Escalona/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The scene outside the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach after the arrest of a man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump on Sept. 15, 2024. Carlos Escalona/Anadolu via Getty Images hide caption

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Carlos Escalona/Anadolu via Getty Images

Politics

The U.S. has had a long history of political violence, but experts see a new trend

The apparent second assassination attempt of Donald Trump is stirring concern about growing political violence in the U.S.

Attempts on Trump's life fuel climate of political violence

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Monday

A conversation about political violence in the United States

A secret service agent is stationed outside the funeral of Ivana Trump, Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in New York. Julia Nikhinson/AP hide caption

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Julia Nikhinson/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

A conversation about political violence in the United States

Former president Donald Trump appears to have been the target of a second assassination effort Sunday. A man was arrested after the Secret Service spotted him with a gun on the golf course where Trump was playing.

A conversation about political violence in the United States

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Friday

This photo shows former President Donald Trump from the shoulders up on Sept. 10 in Philadelphia. He's wearing a dark blue suit jacket, white shirt and red tie.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, speaks to reporters after the presidential debate with Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, on Sept. 10 in Philadelphia. Matt Slocum/AP hide caption

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Matt Slocum/AP

Untangling Disinformation

How Trump is relying on a racist conspiracy theory to question election results

Donald Trump has echoed a new iteration of a conspiracy theory that has taken root in the GOP that falsely claims there is a plan to bring nonwhite immigrants to the U.S. to replace white voters.

Why a racist conspiracy theory may play a key role if Trump questions the vote

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Wednesday

National

The arrest of Telegram's founder has spooked the far right in the U.S.

Telegram has become a prime tool used by the far right to communicate. But the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov is prompting paranoia over whether it will remain secure and accessible.

The arrest of Telegram's founder has spooked the far right in the U.S.

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Thursday

Politics

The shadow of Chicago’s 1968 DNC, marred by violence, looms as the convention returns

Democrats are preparing to gather in Chicago next week. the shadow of the chaotic 1968 DNC there looms large. Some hope police will model a different approach to expected protest activity.

The shadow of Chicago’s 1968 DNC, marred by violence, looms as the convention returns

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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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