NPR News: 07-18-2026 2AM EDT

Dan Ronan· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen is warning state and local election officials they could face prison time if they do not comply with President Trump's demands to change election policies. Mullen's escalation of attempts by the Trump administration to federalize elections comes a day after the president delivered a primetime address accusing China of interfering in the 2020 election. NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez reports some Republicans were concerned about the tone of the president's address.

Franco Ordoñez0:36

There were a lot of concerns actually ahead of the speech that this could hurt Republicans and make them look out of touch. I mean, many Republicans have been clamoring for a while now that Trump should focus on the economy, especially those Republicans who are running for re-election in swing districts. But Trump has not really heeded those requests, even announcing he would not sign a very popular bill to lower housing costs out of protest, actually, for the party not doing more on this issue.

Dan Ronan· Host1:04

President Trump's nominee for attorney general, Todd Blanche, met with victims of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein hours after a key Republican senator demanded Blanche do so as a condition to support his nomination. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports.

Ryan Lucas1:21

The ultimatum that Blanche meet with Epstein survivors came from North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis, whose vote is critical for Blanche's nomination to advance.