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Up First from NPR

Trump's Epstein Reversal, US Military Pressure On Venezuela, Charlotte Border Patrol

Up First from NPR

NPR

Daily News, News

4.552.8K Ratings

🗓️ 17 November 2025

⏱️ 13 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

President Trump suddenly reverses course on the Epstein files, urging Republicans to support a House vote on Tuesday that he was previously trying to block. In the Caribbean, a major U.S. military buildup raises new questions about the administration’s strategy toward Venezuela as Trump claims President Maduro “would like to talk.” And in Charlotte, North Carolina, a new Border Patrol operation sparks fear and confusion after immigration enforcement agents fan out across the city with little warning.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Tara Neill, Kevin Drew, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Martha Ann Overland.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Lindsay Totty.

We get engineering support from Damian Herring. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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Transcript

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0:00.0

President Trump was on the verge of losing a vote over the Epstein files,

0:05.8

then he flipped to say he favors the vote to release information about the convicted sex offender.

0:10.4

He didn't say the Justice Department will release the files, so why the flip-flop?

0:13.9

I'm Stevenskeep with A. Martinez, and this is up first from NPR News.

0:20.8

The U.S. military presence in the Caribbean got much larger over the weekend.

0:25.3

We may be having some discussions with Maduro.

0:29.8

The president says Venezuela's president would like to talk, even as the U.S. sends its largest warships toward its coast.

0:36.7

And border agents spread across Charlotte, North Carolina this weekend.

0:40.1

Residents say they were picking people at random.

0:42.5

You really need to go outside for an emergency.

0:45.1

If you try to stay, just stay home. Be safe.

0:47.5

The raids caught local officials off guard.

0:49.2

We'll hear how the community is responding.

0:51.4

Stay with us. We've got all the news you need to start your day.

1:04.7

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1:10.6

of customers and visit

1:11.9

wise.com. T's and C's apply. This message comes from TED Talks Daily, a podcast from TED, bringing

1:19.0

you new ideas every day through TED Talks and conversations. Learn about the ideas shaping humanity,

1:25.2

from connecting with your inner monologue to finding out of aliens exist.

1:29.3

Listen to TED Talks Daily.

1:31.3

President Trump abruptly reversed his opinion about a vote on the Epstein files.

1:35.8

Trump now says he is in favor of a vote to release information about the convicted sex offender,

...

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