DOJ Indicts Former FBI Director James Comey on Threat Charges; Supreme Court Considers Temporary Protected Status Cases

By Brittney Melton

*Published: 2026-04-29*

Good morning. This newsletter provides an overview of key news developments. Subscribe here for daily delivery, and listen to the Up First podcast for additional analysis.

Today's Top Stories

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has obtained a two-count indictment against former FBI Director James Comey. According to the indictment, Comey threatened President Trump in an Instagram photo posted and later deleted in 2025. The image depicted seashells arranged on a North Carolina beach to form "8647," where "86" is slang for "get rid of" and "47" refers to Trump as the 47th and former 45th president. Court documents indicate that a grand jury issued an arrest warrant for Comey. This marks the second indictment against Comey by the Trump administration's DOJ.


*Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images*

NPR's Carrie Johnson reported that some lawyers have questioned whether the case will proceed to trial. Supreme Court precedent requires prosecutors to prove that the defendant understood the threatening nature of the statement. Evidence indicates Comey viewed the post as political speech protected under the First Amendment. The DOJ maintains that it is applying the law equally in this matter.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in two cases today involving the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. These cases concern the Trump administration's decisions to terminate TPS designations for nationals of Haiti and Syria. TPS, established by Congress in 1990, allows eligible individuals from designated countries to live and work legally in the U.S. if returning home would pose risks due to conditions such as natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary and temporary circumstances.

The Trump administration argues that the 1990 statute grants the executive branch discretion in TPS decisions, with no judicial review of those determinations. Lawyers representing TPS beneficiaries contend that the administration did not follow required federal procedures in terminating the designations.

Haiti was designated for TPS following a 2010 earthquake that killed over 300,000 people. As of recent reports, Haiti continues to face challenges including cholera outbreaks, gang violence, and political instability. Syria received TPS designation in 2012 under the Obama administration's Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, citing ongoing armed conflict that included a crackdown by the Bashar al-Assad government. Approximately 7,000 Syrians hold TPS under this program. TPS holders are required to renew their status every 18 months.

Presidents from George H.W. Bush, who signed the TPS law, through Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, and Biden have both initiated new TPS designations for certain countries and terminated or declined to extend TPS for others based on assessments of country conditions. For example, previous administrations ended TPS for nations such as El Salvador and Nicaragua when conditions were deemed improved.

The Court is also set to hear arguments today in a separate case regarding drug patents, which could affect prescription drug pricing and the operations of generic drug manufacturers.

Jerome Powell is holding what may be his final policy meeting as Federal Reserve chair today. The central bank anticipates maintaining its benchmark interest rate at the current level. Powell has served more than eight years, with his term ending next month. A Senate committee is scheduled to vote today on President Trump's nominee to succeed him, Kevin Warsh. This vote could lead to a full Senate confirmation in time for Warsh to assume the role.

Warsh has stated that interest rate cuts may be possible without triggering inflation, citing potential productivity boosts from artificial intelligence. He has pledged to uphold the Federal Reserve's independence and resist external directives, including from President Trump, who has advocated for lower rates.


*Photo courtesy of official records*

King Charles III addressed a joint session of Congress yesterday, highlighting the importance of the transatlantic relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. The speech, the first by a British monarch to Congress in nearly 35 years, occurred amid ongoing discussions about U.S.-Europe relations. Charles stated, "We must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the last 80 years. Instead, we must build on it," emphasizing alliance cooperation.

NPR's Elena Moore noted the speech's context, including President Trump's past criticisms of European leaders, NATO contributions, and specifically U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's military support in the Iran conflict. Trump has expressed broader concerns about NATO allies and previously indicated openness to reconsidering U.S. membership in the alliance. Charles praised the enduring U.S.-U.K. partnership.

Life Advice

The "mental load"—the cognitive effort of managing household tasks and schedules—is unevenly distributed, according to sociologist Leah Ruppanner. A study of over 3,000 U.S. parents found women shouldering more than 70% of this load, including tracking appointments and assigning duties.

In a Life Kit discussion, Ruppanner addressed common assumptions:

• Research indicates men who share primary childcare and household responsibilities report better health and balance.
• Studies show men and women rate room messiness similarly when evaluated independently.
• Prioritizing essential tasks helps in declining less critical ones.

For strategies to reduce mental load, listen to NPR's Life Kit episode. Additional resources include a guide on equitable chore division and the Life Kit newsletter on personal finance, relationships, and more.


*Malte Mueller/Getty, Composite by NPR*

Picture Show


*© Ihsaan Haffejee, for GroundUp*

*Caption: Young dancers from the Joburg Ballet School backstage at the Soweto Theatre during their year-end performance. Soweto, South Africa, 7 December 2025.*

The Joburg Ballet School provides subsidized training to children from historically disadvantaged communities in Soweto, Alexandra, and Braamfontein. During apartheid, ballet was largely limited to white South Africans, but the school now enables broader access, which parents describe as a significant opportunity.

Winners of the 2026 World Press Photos contest document global events, blending challenges with resilience. NPR featured Photo of the Year, "Separated by ICE" by Carol Guzy for the Miami Herald, depicting a family separation in a New York court. Ihsaan Haffejee's image of ballet students offers a contrast of joy. Explore more award-winning photos from Global South regions.

3 Things to Know Before You Go


*Rachel Treisman/NPR*

• The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is undergoing resurfacing, shifting its color from gray to blue. Public reactions vary, with some supporting the aesthetic update and others viewing it as an unnecessary expense.
• The Federal Communications Commission has directed Disney's ABC to pursue early renewal of licenses for its eight owned TV stations, following criticism of a Jimmy Kimmel joke about First Lady Melania Trump.
• Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha completed the London Marathon in 1:59:41, breaking the two-hour barrier but placing second. He told NPR he aims to improve by one minute in his next race.

This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.

*(Word count: 1487)*