NPR News: 05-29-2026 2PM EDT

Windsor Johnston· Host0:01

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. A federal judge is temporarily blocking the Trump administration's nearly one point eight billion dollar fund for people who claim they were targets of politicized prosecutions. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports the decision is in response to a lawsuit filed by a legal advocacy group.

Ryan Lucas0:24

In a two-page order, US District Judge Leonie Brinkema bars the Justice Department from taking any further action to create the so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund, including transferring money to the fund, considering any claims, or making any payments out of it. "This temporary pause is necessary," the judge says, "in order to give the court time for a full briefing from both sides on the legal arguments before any funds are irreversibly paid out." The fund was created as part of a settlement agreement between the Justice Department and President Trump, who in return dropped his lawsuit against the IRS over his late tax returns. The fund has faced intense backlash from Democrats as well as many Republicans. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

Windsor Johnston· Host1:06

Israel says it's planning to expand its control over Gaza. NPR's Aya Batrawy reports the plan would increase the territory under Israeli control from roughly two-thirds of Gaza to about seventy percent.

Aya Batrawy1:20

There's still no international peacekeeping force in Gaza and no disarmament agreement with Hamas. Instead, Israeli assassinations of Hamas commanders has ramped up,