Congress Just Gave Away Its Power to Trump
The Daily
07/18/25
•25m
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Last night, President Trump achieved a major victory: persuading both chambers of Congress to cancel billions of dollars in spending that they had already approved.
In the process, the Republican-led Congress is giving President Trump the power that it, and it alone, is supposed to have.
Guest: Catie Edmondson, a congressional correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Congress approved a White House request to claw back $9 billion for foreign aid and public broadcasting, sending the measure to the president.
- Here’s where the cuts threaten access to PBS and NPR.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Previous Episode
The Most Toxic Relationship in Washington
July 17, 2025
•30m
During an Oval Office meeting with congressional Republicans a few days ago, President Trump showed off the draft of a letter that would fire Jerome H. Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve.
It’s the latest chapter in a dysfunctional relationship that has major implications for the global economy.
Guest: Colby Smith, who covers the Federal Reserve and the U.S. economy for The Times.
Background reading:
- President Trump waved a copy of a draft letter firing Jerome H. Powell at a meeting in the Oval Office with House Republicans.
- Can Trump fire Powell? It’s likely that he lacks a case, legal experts say.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Tom Brenner/The New York Times
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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