NPR News: 05-09-2026 6AM EDT

Trump's second term has begun with actions on federal prosecutions and census operations, alongside state-level redistricting debates in Louisiana, immigration policy shifts, and a surge in demand for dietary protein. This NPR News Now roundup covers these developments without a single dominant theme.

Pardons for Corrupt Officials and Public Integrity Section Cuts

President Trump has issued pardons to a growing number of public officials convicted of corruption, fulfilling campaign promises to address what he called a weaponized justice system. The administration is also quietly dismantling the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section, which provided resources and expertise for prosecuting corrupt state and local officials, particularly in smaller states and rural areas. NPR's Ryan Lucas notes this section handled cases like the conviction of a former police officer in a small Pennsylvania town for bribery and other offenses. These moves reduce federal oversight of local corruption, potentially limiting accountability in places lacking their own capacity.