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Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst and former Justice Department official, dives into the recent FBI search of John Bolton’s home and office. Bolton, once a national security advisor, has become a fierce critic of Trump. The conversation uncovers the motives behind investigating Bolton's handling of classified documents and the legal complexities involved. Williams discusses the potential politicization of the Justice Department and what this means for former officials navigating scrutiny in the current political climate.

Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst and former U.S. Department of Justice official, discusses President Trump's unsubstantiated claims about mail-in voting. He highlights that this voting method, used by nearly a third of Americans, is under attack despite no evidence of fraud. Williams explains how Trump's campaign strategy extends to altering U.S. electoral processes, raising critical questions about democratic integrity. Their conversation dives into the implications for fair elections and the broader ramifications for democracy.

Joining the discussion are Steve Clemens, Editor-at-large at The National Interest, Alexis Simendinger from The Hill, and national security experts Alex Ward and Jack Detch. They dive into Trump's attempts to influence the Federal Reserve and the implications of his confrontations with the Smithsonian. The panel also unpacks the evolving COVID-19 vaccination guidelines for children and the critical state of affairs in Gaza and Ukraine. With insights on looming geopolitical tensions and domestic political maneuvers, the conversation is both timely and eye-opening.

ChatGPT has at least 500 million weekly users. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says that number is growing extraordinarily fast.When the chatbot went through an update a couple weeks ago, it brought to light how many users were relying on AI for their emotional wellbeing and even as a companion.People using AI for intimate, personal reasons is a phenomenon that we are only beginning to understand. There are reports of AI inducing delusional thinking and even psychosis. One survey by Sentio University found that 63 percent of people involved said AI improved their mental health.With such a powerful tool being privy to our deepest secrets, what guardrails exist to protect users’ wellbeing and privacy? Why are so many people leaning on artificial intelligence for connection in the first place?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post, joins Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, a national higher education reporter, and Catherine Lucas-McKay, an expert on consumer debt at the Aspen Institute. They discuss the significant shifts in the federal student loan system, including the end of the SAVE plan and what it means for millions of borrowers. The conversation highlights emerging repayment options, ongoing legal challenges, and the financial strategies students should be aware of to navigate this new landscape effectively.

President Donald Trump gave Vladimir Putin what the Russian leader wanted during their meeting in Alaska last week. Now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is back in the U.S. for more talks. His last visit to the White House was disastrous, to say the least. This time, he’s bringing key European leaders with him to meet with Trump.What does the future of the conflict in his country look like? And what’s changed for Trump since his meeting with Putin? Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump and his administration want control over exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution.In a letter sent Aug. 12, three White House officials told the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Lonnie G. Bunch III, that the administration would conduct a review at certain Smithsonian museums. The goal? To “celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”In this installment of our politics series, “If You Can Keep It,” we talk about how the administration is injecting itself into the affairs  – and the exhibits – of the Smithsonian Institution and what that means for our understanding of our shared history.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Donald Trump put the police force in Washington D.C. under federal control. He also called in the National Guard and ICE to patrol the streets. The Justice Department says last year violent crime in the District of Columbia hit a 30-year low.Cuts to the social safety net are set to leave some 2.4 million Americans without access to the food stamps they were entitled to before the passage of the spending bill earlier this year.And, in global news, Israel killed four journalists working for Al Jazeera in a targeted strike on the tent in which they were staying in Gaza. Also this week, Israeli soldiers shot 25 people seeking aid in Gaza as Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu claims he’ll “allow” Palestinians to leave during an upcoming offensive in the Strip.A sit down takes place this week between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that he will not exchange land for peace.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Cleve R. Woodson, Jr. is a White House reporter for The Washington Post, Jeff Asher is a data analyst and former CIA officer, and Richard Brafotte is a law professor specializing in local governance. They discuss Trump's controversial takeover of D.C.'s police amid low crime rates and the implications for cities nationwide. The conversation highlights the friction between federal control and local autonomy, contrasting political rhetoric about crime with actual data, while exploring the complexities of federal authority in the nation's capital.

Mita Anand, Senior Program Director of Census and Data Equity at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and Terri-Ann Lowenthal, Former Staff Director of the House Census Oversight Committee, delve into the contentious proposal to exclude noncitizens from the 2030 Census. They discuss the constitutional significance of the census and its role in equitable resource distribution. The implications of such changes could distort representation and impact communities, challenging the very foundations of democracy and inclusion in the U.S.