Comey Indictment, Hegseth Summons Military Leaders, Impending Shutdown

This NPR "Up First" podcast episode covers three main news stories: the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, a sudden meeting of U.S. military officers summoned by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the White House's plan to fire federal workers if a government shutdown occurs. The Comey segment discusses the charges, the political context, and the strength of the case. The military meeting segment explores the unusual nature of the gathering and potential reasons behind it, as well as a new Pentagon media policy. The shutdown segment examines the White House's threat of layoffs, the Democratic response, and the lack of progress in reaching a deal to avoid the shutdown.