Frank Langfitt
@franklangfitt.bsky.social
NPR Roving National Correspondent, traveling the country in search of uniquely American stories. Previously: London, Shanghai, Nairobi, Beijing. Send story tips to flangfitt@npr.org, or via Signal, at franklangfittnpr.82
Reposted by Frank Langfitt
Larry Summers: "This is way beyond anything Nixon ever did ... this is the stuff of democracies giving way to authoritarianism. Firing statisticians goes with threatening the heads of newspapers, launching assaults on universities, launching assaults on law firms. This is really scary stuff."
August 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Larry Summers: "This is way beyond anything Nixon ever did ... this is the stuff of democracies giving way to authoritarianism. Firing statisticians goes with threatening the heads of newspapers, launching assaults on universities, launching assaults on law firms. This is really scary stuff."
Very interesting analysis by @gbrumfiel on why bombing of fordo may have failed. And why journalistic experience and expertise matters.
www.npr.org/2025/06/25/n...
www.npr.org/2025/06/25/n...
Why America's giant bunker-busting bombs may have failed to reach their target
Reaching Iran's most fortified nuclear enrichment site is a challenge, even for the world's biggest conventional weapons.
www.npr.org
June 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Very interesting analysis by @gbrumfiel on why bombing of fordo may have failed. And why journalistic experience and expertise matters.
www.npr.org/2025/06/25/n...
www.npr.org/2025/06/25/n...
@newyorker.com staffer @eosnos.bsky.social has a timely new collection of essays out about the super rich called "The Haves and Have-Yachts." He covers billionaire doomsday preppers & the owners of giga yachts. My conversation w/ him is here: www.npr.org/2025/06/19/1... & www.npr.org/2025/06/22/n...
Evan Osnos' 'The Haves and Have-Yachts' is a book of essays about the new Gilded Age : NPR's Book of the Day
Following Donald Trump's election in 2016, New Yorker reporter Evan Osnos wanted to understand what the president's wealth and status represented in the minds of his supporters – and in American cultu...
www.npr.org
June 23, 2025 at 1:01 PM
@newyorker.com staffer @eosnos.bsky.social has a timely new collection of essays out about the super rich called "The Haves and Have-Yachts." He covers billionaire doomsday preppers & the owners of giga yachts. My conversation w/ him is here: www.npr.org/2025/06/19/1... & www.npr.org/2025/06/22/n...
I spent Saturday at a No Kings rally in Annapolis & the army parade in DC. I learned a lot by spending time with people at both events. The parade was a Rorschach test that divided the country, but the conversations I had at both venues were thoughtful, civil and nuanced. www.npr.org/2025/06/16/n...
Military parade and No Kings protests: A split screen of a divided America
A 33-mile trip from one protest in Annapolis, Md., to the parade grandstand in front of the White House was like a journey between two different countries.
www.npr.org
June 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I spent Saturday at a No Kings rally in Annapolis & the army parade in DC. I learned a lot by spending time with people at both events. The parade was a Rorschach test that divided the country, but the conversations I had at both venues were thoughtful, civil and nuanced. www.npr.org/2025/06/16/n...
President Trump pardoned a former Virginia sheriff -- and outspoken Trump supporter -- last week who was headed to prison for a decade on bribery charges. The sheriff's constituents -- including Trump supporters -- say the pardon is "a terrific mistake." My latest.
www.npr.org/2025/06/01/n...
www.npr.org/2025/06/01/n...
Trump pardons former Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery
President Trump pardoned a corrupt, former Virginia sheriff last week, saying he was a victim of the Biden administration. But as NPR's Frank Langfitt reports, many of the sheriff's constituents oppos...
www.npr.org
June 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
President Trump pardoned a former Virginia sheriff -- and outspoken Trump supporter -- last week who was headed to prison for a decade on bribery charges. The sheriff's constituents -- including Trump supporters -- say the pardon is "a terrific mistake." My latest.
www.npr.org/2025/06/01/n...
www.npr.org/2025/06/01/n...
A tiny Maryland town voted overwhelmingly for Trump. They liked his pledge to cut waste. Then FEMA cancelled classes at the National Fire Academy, which trains firefighters across the country & is part of the town's identity. This is what people there now say: www.npr.org/2025/05/05/n...
A Maryland town backed Trump's cost-cutting pledge. Now it's a target
Emmitsburg is home to the National Fire Academy, effectively the war college for U.S. firefighters. The Trump administration's decision to halt classes has some townspeople pondering their votes.
www.npr.org
May 5, 2025 at 10:43 PM
A tiny Maryland town voted overwhelmingly for Trump. They liked his pledge to cut waste. Then FEMA cancelled classes at the National Fire Academy, which trains firefighters across the country & is part of the town's identity. This is what people there now say: www.npr.org/2025/05/05/n...
I spoke with a dozen people who've come to the US from authoritarian countries. The vast majority said some of the administration's tactics -- threatening law firms, attacking critical news media and instilling fear in university professors -- were very familiar. www.npr.org/2025/05/01/n...
People who fled authoritarian regimes say Trump's tactics remind them of home
Politicians, lawyers and journalists who left behind autocratic systems in Europe, Asia and Latin America see the Trump administration employing similar methods.
www.npr.org
May 1, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I spoke with a dozen people who've come to the US from authoritarian countries. The vast majority said some of the administration's tactics -- threatening law firms, attacking critical news media and instilling fear in university professors -- were very familiar. www.npr.org/2025/05/01/n...
The United States economy is one quarter away from a recession. Economy shrank 0.3% in the first three months of 2025 from a year ago, reversing sharply from an annual 2.4% growth registered in the last three months of 2024 under then President Biden. www.npr.org/2025/04/30/n...
The U.S. economy shrinks as Trump's tariffs spark recession fears
Trump promised a new "golden age" for the U.S. But his first 100 days in office have left the economy looking tarnished, with data showing the economy contracted in the first three months of the year.
www.npr.org
April 30, 2025 at 1:27 PM
The United States economy is one quarter away from a recession. Economy shrank 0.3% in the first three months of 2025 from a year ago, reversing sharply from an annual 2.4% growth registered in the last three months of 2024 under then President Biden. www.npr.org/2025/04/30/n...
A survey of more than 500 political scientists finds that the vast majority think the United States is moving swiftly from liberal democracy toward some form of authoritarianism.
"We've slid into some form of authoritarianism," -- Steven Levitsky, Harvard.
www.npr.org/2025/04/22/n...
"We've slid into some form of authoritarianism," -- Steven Levitsky, Harvard.
www.npr.org/2025/04/22/n...
Hundreds of scholars say U.S. is swiftly heading toward authoritarianism
Most — but not all — political scientists are deeply troubled by the president's attempts to expand executive power, according to a national survey.
www.npr.org
April 22, 2025 at 6:20 PM
A survey of more than 500 political scientists finds that the vast majority think the United States is moving swiftly from liberal democracy toward some form of authoritarianism.
"We've slid into some form of authoritarianism," -- Steven Levitsky, Harvard.
www.npr.org/2025/04/22/n...
"We've slid into some form of authoritarianism," -- Steven Levitsky, Harvard.
www.npr.org/2025/04/22/n...
Reposted by Frank Langfitt
"A survey of more than 500 political scientists finds that the vast majority think the United States is moving swiftly from liberal democracy toward some form of authoritarianism." www.npr.org/2025/04/22/n...
Hundreds of scholars say U.S. is swiftly heading toward authoritarianism
Most — but not all — political scientists are deeply troubled by the president's attempts to expand executive power, according to a national survey.
www.npr.org
April 22, 2025 at 5:38 PM
"A survey of more than 500 political scientists finds that the vast majority think the United States is moving swiftly from liberal democracy toward some form of authoritarianism." www.npr.org/2025/04/22/n...
NPR exclusive from yesterday: White House looking to replace Secretary of Defense from Tom Bowman and @quillawrence.bsky.social
BREAKING NEWS: The White House has begun the process of looking for a new secretary of defense, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly.
The White House has begun process of looking for new secretary of defense
The White House has begun the process of looking for a new secretary of defense, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly.
www.npr.org
April 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
NPR exclusive from yesterday: White House looking to replace Secretary of Defense from Tom Bowman and @quillawrence.bsky.social
Politico: Elon Musk will be stepping back from his WH role. "Musk’s looming retreat comes as some Trump administration insiders and many outside allies have become frustrated with his unpredictability and increasingly view the billionaire as a political liability." www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Trump Tells Inner Circle That Musk Will Leave Soon
The president is pleased with Musk but the decision comes as the tech mogul increasingly looks like a political liability.
www.politico.com
April 2, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Politico: Elon Musk will be stepping back from his WH role. "Musk’s looming retreat comes as some Trump administration insiders and many outside allies have become frustrated with his unpredictability and increasingly view the billionaire as a political liability." www.politico.com/news/magazin...
National Endowment for Democracy sues Trump administration for blocking access to nearly $240 million in
congressionally-approved funds. Earlier USAID recipients sued govt for failure to pay about $2 billion. Groups say impoundment of funds threatens their existence.
www.npr.org/2025/03/06/n...
congressionally-approved funds. Earlier USAID recipients sued govt for failure to pay about $2 billion. Groups say impoundment of funds threatens their existence.
www.npr.org/2025/03/06/n...
Democracy-promoting organization sues the Trump administration over withheld funds
President Ronald Reagan laid the rhetorical foundations for the National Endowment for Democracy in a 1982 speech to the British Parliament. Support for its creation in Congress was bipartisan.
www.npr.org
March 6, 2025 at 8:17 PM
National Endowment for Democracy sues Trump administration for blocking access to nearly $240 million in
congressionally-approved funds. Earlier USAID recipients sued govt for failure to pay about $2 billion. Groups say impoundment of funds threatens their existence.
www.npr.org/2025/03/06/n...
congressionally-approved funds. Earlier USAID recipients sued govt for failure to pay about $2 billion. Groups say impoundment of funds threatens their existence.
www.npr.org/2025/03/06/n...
@tomdreisbach.bsky.social and Nick McMillan @npr.org reviewed more than a 1,000 videos posted by "The Dan Bongino Show." They included Bongino saying the FBI should be "disbanded immediately" and calling agents "thugs." Bongino is now No 2 at FBI.
www.npr.org/2025/03/03/n...
www.npr.org/2025/03/03/n...
New deputy FBI director Dan Bongino previously called for imprisoning Democrats
Before becoming the second-in-command at the FBI, Dan Bongino used his popular podcast to spread conspiracy theories about the Jan. 6 attack. Here's what else he said.
www.npr.org
March 4, 2025 at 3:15 AM
@tomdreisbach.bsky.social and Nick McMillan @npr.org reviewed more than a 1,000 videos posted by "The Dan Bongino Show." They included Bongino saying the FBI should be "disbanded immediately" and calling agents "thugs." Bongino is now No 2 at FBI.
www.npr.org/2025/03/03/n...
www.npr.org/2025/03/03/n...
Reposted by Frank Langfitt
The news comes just days after a disastrous meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
President Trump pauses Ukraine military aid
The news comes just days after a disastrous meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
www.npr.org
March 4, 2025 at 2:23 AM
The news comes just days after a disastrous meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Reposted by Frank Langfitt
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has deleted hundreds more claims from its mistake-plagued “wall of receipts,” erasing $4 billion in additional savings that the group said it had made for U.S. taxpayers.
Struggling With Errors, DOGE Deletes Billions More From List of Savings
For the second time in a week, Elon Musk’s government overhaul effort updated its “wall of receipts” to remove mistakes that inflated its success.
www.nytimes.com
March 4, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has deleted hundreds more claims from its mistake-plagued “wall of receipts,” erasing $4 billion in additional savings that the group said it had made for U.S. taxpayers.
I covered 2022 meeting where London Tower Hamlets council rejected plans for giant Chinese embassy by Tower of London. Now new labor government- facing bad economy - is poised to approve it. Important sty by my colleagues mark lander and MaraHvistendahl
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/w...
In Giant Chinese Embassy in London, Opponents See Long Arm of Beijing
Britain appears ready to approve what would be the largest diplomatic outpost in Europe, but neighbors and activists fear tapped phone lines and suppressed protests.
www.nytimes.com
February 23, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I covered 2022 meeting where London Tower Hamlets council rejected plans for giant Chinese embassy by Tower of London. Now new labor government- facing bad economy - is poised to approve it. Important sty by my colleagues mark lander and MaraHvistendahl
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/w...
Federal judge ordered Trump officials to restart funding USAID projects (including democracy & human rights) but officials haven't done it and argue they don't have to. My latest from DC federal court: www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Trump officials will not restart most foreign aid despite court order
A judge last week ruled that the freeze on foreign aid must be reversed. But Trump's USAID team responded that many contracts give them the right to halt funding.
www.npr.org
February 19, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Federal judge ordered Trump officials to restart funding USAID projects (including democracy & human rights) but officials haven't done it and argue they don't have to. My latest from DC federal court: www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The Trump administration has stopped funding practically all U.S. government work supporting democracy, human rights and press freedom around the globe. This is unprecedented. It reverses decades of American foreign policy to battle authoritarianism across the world. www.npr.org/2025/02/16/n...
Trump funding freeze halts decades of U.S. democracy work around the world
Congress created several organizations in 1980s to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide. Human rights activists say the freeze is a gift to authoritarians like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
www.npr.org
February 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The Trump administration has stopped funding practically all U.S. government work supporting democracy, human rights and press freedom around the globe. This is unprecedented. It reverses decades of American foreign policy to battle authoritarianism across the world. www.npr.org/2025/02/16/n...
Tailgating: Why strangers create living rooms in parking lots or what I learned at the NFC championship game between the Birds and the Commanders. Come for the cheesesteaks, stay for the analysis.
www.npr.org/2025/02/08/g...
www.npr.org/2025/02/08/g...
The American tailgate: Why strangers recreate their living rooms in a parking lot
There's nothing quite like a tailgate, where fans serve food to strangers who share the same passion. We went to a Philadelphia Eagles tailgate to learn what drives this uniquely American tradition.
www.npr.org
February 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Tailgating: Why strangers create living rooms in parking lots or what I learned at the NFC championship game between the Birds and the Commanders. Come for the cheesesteaks, stay for the analysis.
www.npr.org/2025/02/08/g...
www.npr.org/2025/02/08/g...
Following a White House anti-DEI order, the National Cryptologic Museum covered up exhibits of women & people of color in its Hall of Honor. NSA reversed course after former employees protested on-line. Monday, dozens went to the museum to find out what happened. www.npr.org/2025/02/05/n...
February 6, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Following a White House anti-DEI order, the National Cryptologic Museum covered up exhibits of women & people of color in its Hall of Honor. NSA reversed course after former employees protested on-line. Monday, dozens went to the museum to find out what happened. www.npr.org/2025/02/05/n...
On a lighter note, Tiny Desk helps me learn who my kids are sometimes listening to. Sabrina Carpenter won two Grammys this week. Saw her at tiny desk recently. She’s a clever song writer, but what struck me is her act has - of all things - a vaudeville-feel. she’s hilarious. youtu.be/BEoGvTlJMyY?...
February 5, 2025 at 10:27 AM
On a lighter note, Tiny Desk helps me learn who my kids are sometimes listening to. Sabrina Carpenter won two Grammys this week. Saw her at tiny desk recently. She’s a clever song writer, but what struck me is her act has - of all things - a vaudeville-feel. she’s hilarious. youtu.be/BEoGvTlJMyY?...
As a general rule, we reporters should focus more on what people are actually doing and less on what they say they plan to do.
February 5, 2025 at 9:48 AM
As a general rule, we reporters should focus more on what people are actually doing and less on what they say they plan to do.
Reposted by Frank Langfitt
Fellow NSA - National Security Agency veterans. Look at what’s happened at the National Cryptologic Museum. They covered up with brown paper the photos of Women in American Cryptology. All in response to President Trump’s anti-diversity executive order.
February 2, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Fellow NSA - National Security Agency veterans. Look at what’s happened at the National Cryptologic Museum. They covered up with brown paper the photos of Women in American Cryptology. All in response to President Trump’s anti-diversity executive order.
Black Hawk was flying too high -- at an altitude of 325 feet at the time of the crash, according to NTSB -- 125 feet above the limit on that route. The jet was flying about 300 feet. www.npr.org/2025/02/01/n...
D.C. crash investigators focus on altitude and vision quality of helicopter crew
Investigators are still working to piece together key details to determine the cause of the crash that killed 67 people.
www.npr.org
February 2, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Black Hawk was flying too high -- at an altitude of 325 feet at the time of the crash, according to NTSB -- 125 feet above the limit on that route. The jet was flying about 300 feet. www.npr.org/2025/02/01/n...