NPR News: 07-06-2026 7PM EDT

Ryland Barton· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Democratic Party leaders in Maine are calling for Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner to drop out after new sexual assault allegations reported by Politico. NPR has not independently verified these allegations. Platner is facing incumbent Republican Susan Collins. Democrats believe the race is key to their chances of winning control of the Senate. [crowd cheering] Crowds are gathering in Seattle ahead of tonight's World Cup match between the US and Belgium. President Trump is taking credit for getting FIFA to review a red card issued against US star striker la- last week, but says he did not demand an outcome. Trump says he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asked for another look at the punishment against Folarin Balogun. NPR's Becky Sullivan reports the change allows Balogun to play tonight, dividing soccer fans.

Becky Sullivan0:49

These comments, um, are an obvious problem for FIFA. Their regulations are quite clear that member associations and football confederations are supposed to avoid any form of political interference. And so after Trump made these comments today, Infantino put out his own statement. He acknowledged that the phone call with Trump had taken place, but he said that he had explained to the president on the call that FIFA's independent legal process was doing its own thing, essentially, that, that this, any review of Balogun's call would be decided in due course, and he underscored that FIFA's judicial bodies are independent and operate autonomously.

Ryland Barton· Host1:22

NPR's Becky Sullivan reporting. A new federal lawsuit argues the Department of Homeland Security violated the First Amendment rights of a