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A grand jury in Virginia has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on serious charges, including obstructing justice and making a false statement to Congress. This indictment follows a long-standing campaign by President Trump, who has consistently criticized Comey and has pushed for a swift legal case against him. The indictment is viewed as a response to Trump's allegations that Comey is responsible for the appointment of a special prosecutor that investigated links between Russia and Trump's 2016 campaign throughout much of his presidency.
NPR's Carrie Johnson has described the indictment as a "bare bones indictment," consisting of only two pages. In response, Trump claimed that Comey is now beginning to face accountability for his alleged crimes. Interestingly, last week, the White House dismissed a career prosecutor who expressed concerns regarding the strength of the evidence against Comey, subsequently appointing Lindsey Halligan, an insurance lawyer without prior prosecutorial experience, to the role. For the charges to hold, the Justice Department must prove that Comey knowingly lied about a significant issue. Johnson notes that Comey may argue that his prosecution is fueled by vindictiveness, especially in light of the president's comments.
In a surprising move, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called an unusual meeting with top Pentagon commanders from around the globe, set to take place in Virginia next week. The Pentagon has not disclosed the reasons behind this gathering, which has raised questions among military observers. NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman indicates that such a large-scale meeting is unprecedented, noting that while the Pentagon occasionally convenes combatant commanders for annual meetings, this particular assembly is distinct in its size and purpose.
Hegseth previously discussed plans to reduce the number of admirals and generals during his confirmation process, which could potentially relate to the upcoming meeting, although the specifics remain unclear.
In a significant development, the U.S. government intends to impose a multibillion-dollar fee on American investors set to take over TikTok's U.S. operations. The Trump administration recently approached investors, including tech giant Larry Ellison and the Murdochs, proposing a payment to the federal government in the low billions. According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the investors responded with an enthusiastic agreement. Some experts have labeled this fee and similar arrangements as extortion.
Renowned photographer Sally Mann has faced controversy as police seized four of her most iconic photographs, which include sensitive images featuring children. These works, part of her Immediate Family series that has captivated audiences for over 30 years, have been accused by the conservative Christian advocacy group, the Danbury Institute, of displaying child pornography. This accusation was further supported by local elected officials in a public letter. Mann anticipates that such attacks on art will continue from individuals who misinterpret the meaning and significance of her work.
As the weekend approaches, NPR has curated a list of recommendations to enjoy:
Movies: "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey," a romantic fantasy film featuring Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie, tells the story of two strangers guided by a magical GPS that leads them to pivotal moments from the past.TV: The HBO series "Task," starring Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey, offers a gripping narrative about an FBI agent reluctantly drawn back into action to solve a series of drug-related crimes.Books: "Will There Ever Be Another You" explores the tumultuous life of a protagonist grappling with an illness akin to long COVID, capturing her descent into chaos and psychosis.Music: Twenty One Pilots continues to showcase the vitality of rock with their latest album, "Breach," which has secured the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart.Theater: "The American Five," a new play by Chess Jakobs, delves into the organization of the March on Washington by Martin Luther King Jr. and his closest allies.Games: Exciting news for fans of the franchise: "Silent Hill f" is hailed as one of the most daring and effective entries in the series, according to NPR's Vincent Acovino.Additionally, engage with this week's quiz to test your knowledge and see if you can outperform the editor's score of four incorrect answers!
As you prepare for the weekend, here are three important updates:
Starbucks plans to cut 900 corporate jobs and close several locations across the U.S. and Canada as part of its ongoing turnaround strategy.Amazon has reached a $2.5 billion settlement in a landmark case concerning its Prime membership program, which allegedly made subscription cancellations challenging for millions of customers.Despite their adorable appearance, squirrels can pose a danger; recent reports from Marin County, California, revealed that at least three residents were hospitalized following attacks by a single squirrel.