The NPR Politics Podcast Sources & Methods: Trump's DC takeover, Ukraine, fired spy chief
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Aug 30, 2025 
Join Charles Maynes, NPR's Moscow Bureau Chief, and Greg Myre, National Security Correspondent reporting from Ukraine, as they dive deep into the gripping complexities of the Ukraine conflict and the current state of U.S. national security. They discuss the contrasting realities of life in Ukraine versus the political maneuverings in D.C. amid Trump’s surveillance tactics. The pair also dissect recent intelligence community shake-ups and the frustrating stalemate in diplomatic efforts between Ukraine and Russia, revealing an intricate web of global tensions.
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Militarized Policing Changes The Atmosphere
- Visible militarized policing in Washington resembles tactics used in authoritarian capitals and changes public atmosphere quickly.
- Charles Maynes notes the optics look like Minsk or Moscow, even as daily life continues.
Guard Presence Blurs Security And Politics
- The D.C. National Guard presence highlights tensions between visible security and normal civic life.
- Charles Maynes compares Raskvardia's role in Russia to U.S. Guard patrols showing how loyalty-focused forces alter governance.
Armed Guards At Union Station
- Mary Louise Kelly describes seeing armed National Guard members at Union Station during a recent trip.
- She uses that personal image to illustrate how daily life in D.C. now includes visible armed troops.