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Members of Congress participate in a joint session to ratify the 2024 Presidential election at the U.S. Capitol. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America

An NPR investigation finds federal judges have enormous influence with few checks on their power. Law clerks and other judicial employees are vulnerable to mistreatment and have few job protections. Isabel Seliger for NPR hide caption

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Isabel Seliger for NPR

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

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President Donald Trump signs the Laken Riley Act in January. It directs law enforcement authorities to detain and deport immigrants who are accused but not yet convicted of specific crimes, if they are in the country illegally. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Thieves have targeted trains known to be carrying valuables like electronics and high-end footwear. Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America

President Donald Trump signs an executive order at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

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Matt Rourke/AP

Trump took down police misconduct database, but states can still share info

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(From L) Political commentator Rogan O'Handley, aka DC Draino, TikToker Chaya Raichik, conservative activist Scott Presler, commentator Liz Wheeler and conservative political commentator Chad Prather carry binders containing Jeffrey Epstein files out of the White House on Thursday. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Bri McNulty pictured when she was in Atlanta for training in the CDC's Public Health Associate Program. She and all other members of the competitive program in her cohort, deployed around the country, were fired by the Trump administration earlier this month. Bri McNulty hide caption

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Bri McNulty

A health worker moved states for her dream job, only to abruptly lose it in CDC cuts

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Jordan Chiles, Joy Reid, Duo the owl. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images; Valerie Terranova/Getty Images for Prime Video; Isa Foltin/Hoermanseder via Getty Images hide caption

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Emma McIntyre/Getty Images; Valerie Terranova/Getty Images for Prime Video; Isa Foltin/Hoermanseder via Getty Images

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells NPR: 'Everything feels increasingly like a scam'

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A hurricane specialist looks at a satellite image of Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 season. The National Hurricane Center provides forecasts of major storms, many of which make landfall in the U.S.. The Center is part of NOAA, the country's oceans- and atmosphere-focused agency. Experts say ongoing staff cuts at the agency could endanger some of its core missions, like forecasting weather. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Jonathan McKernan, nominee for Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, testifies before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday in Washington, D.C. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images/Getty Images North America

Leader of the Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk wears a shirt that says "Tech Support" as he speaks during the first cabinet meeting of US President Donald Trump's second term. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Former DOGE employee: work could 'cross extreme ethical and legal lines'

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A protester with a sign saying "Federal Employees Don't Work for Kings" demonstrates in support of federal workers and against recent actions by President Trump and Elon Musk on Presidents Day in Washington, D.C. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

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Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Court considers halting Trump’s mass firings of federal employees

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Caleb Vitello, the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, during operations in New York City last month. ICE via/Getty Images hide caption

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ICE via/Getty Images

Martin Marty, noted scholar of American religion. Photo courtesy University of Chicago. hide caption

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Photo courtesy University of Chicago.

Marty, Martin

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Andrew Tate (foreground) and his brother Tristan arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Thursday, after Romanian authorities lifted travel restrictions against them. Marta Lavandier/AP hide caption

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Marta Lavandier/AP

President Trump looks on as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images