Trump’s NBC News Interview, Ryan Routh Sentenced, WaPo Layoffs and more

Summary of Trump’s NBC News Interview, Ryan Routh Sentenced, WaPo Layoffs and more

by CNN Podcasts

6m•February 4, 2026
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Overview of Trump’s NBC News Interview, Ryan Routh Sentenced, WaPo Layoffs and more

Afol Madike from CNN Podcasts presents five news items for Wednesday, February 4th, covering U.S.-Iran tensions and Trump’s remarks, an immigration enforcement update in Minneapolis, a Supreme Court ruling on California’s congressional map, the sentencing of the man who attempted to assassinate former President Trump, major layoffs at The Washington Post, a deadly attack in Nigeria, and an upcoming Chasing Life podcast episode on oral health with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and dentist Dr. Kami Haas.

Top stories — quick bullets

  • President Trump told NBC News Iran’s supreme leader “should be very worried” as the U.S. has built up military resources near Iran and weighs possible action.
  • Iran and the U.S. are set to hold talks in Oman on Iran’s nuclear program, per Iran’s foreign minister.
  • Trump defended an immigration enforcement drawdown in Minneapolis after two fatal shootings by federal agents, saying the Department of Homeland Security should withdraw 700 personnel per his order.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court allowed California’s new congressional map to stand, a map that puts several Republican seats in play; the court gave no explanation.
  • The man identified in the transcript as Ryan Routh (also referenced as “Ruth”)—the attacker who tried to assassinate Trump at his golf course in 2024—was sentenced to life in prison.
  • The Washington Post laid off about one-third of staff, dramatically shrinking several desks and canceling a podcast; owner Jeff Bezos had no immediate comment.
  • Gunmen reportedly killed nearly 200 people in attacks on villages in central/northern Nigeria; local officials provided casualty counts and graphic allegations.
  • Chasing Life podcast preview: Dr. Sanjay Gupta interviews dentist/author Dr. Kami Haas on oral health, cavity prevention, and the fluoride debate.

Details by story

Trump, Iran, and Oman nuclear talks

  • Trump told NBC News the Iranian supreme leader “should be very worried,” reflecting public pressure and a military buildup around Iran.
  • Iran’s foreign minister said talks on Iran’s nuclear program will be held in Oman.
  • The transcript references Marco Rubio commenting that administration officials “may not be able to reach a deal” but are ready to meet. (Note: Marco Rubio is a U.S. senator, not the Secretary of State—this is a factual correction to the transcript.)

Minneapolis enforcement and federal drawdown

  • Following two fatal shootings by federal agents, Trump said he ordered the Department of Homeland Security to withdraw 700 personnel, leaving about 2,000 officers on the ground.
  • Trump suggested a mix of toughness and “a little bit of a softer touch.”
  • Local responses: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the drawdown isn’t a de-escalation; Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called it a step in the right direction.

Supreme Court and California congressional map

  • The Supreme Court allowed California to keep a new congressional map approved by voters that was intended to put several Republican-held seats in play.
  • The court issued no explanation and recorded no noted dissents in the brief action.
  • Republican plaintiffs argued one district was redrawn on racial rather than political lines.

Sentencing of the attacker (transcript: Ryan Routh / Ruth)

  • The man who attempted to assassinate Trump at his golf course in 2024 was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted on five counts.
  • At sentencing he made remarks the judge curtailed; the judge (Aileen Cannon) condemned his actions as deliberate and evil and said he “almost achieved” his plan.
  • Note: The transcript alternates the attacker’s name between “Routh” and “Ruth.” The summary preserves that ambiguity rather than asserting a specific spelling.

Washington Post layoffs

  • The Washington Post reportedly laid off roughly one-third of its staff, with major cuts to the Metro desk, near-total shutdown of the sports section, closure of the books section, and cancellation of the Daily Post Reports podcast.
  • Owner Jeff Bezos offered no immediate comment. Staffers have criticized management’s push to return the paper to profitability and questioned motives.

Nigeria attacks

  • Local officials and a lawmaker reported nearly 200 people killed in separate attacks in central and northern Nigerian villages; one specific claim cites at least 170 killed in Wuru.
  • Reports allege victims were bound and executed and that attackers burned homes and shops; photos were shared with Reuters but not independently verified.

Chasing Life podcast highlight

  • Dr. Sanjay Gupta previews an episode featuring Dr. Kami Haas (dentist/orthodontic specialist and author of If Your Mouth Could Talk).
  • Topics: complexity of oral health beyond sugar/brushing, optimal routines to prevent cavities, and the fluoride debate.
  • Episode available wherever you get podcasts.

Notable quotes

  • Trump (to NBC): “Should the supreme leader in Iran be worried right now? I would say he should be very worried, yeah. He should be.”
  • Trump on enforcement tone: “I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough.”
  • Sentencing judge Aileen Cannon to the attacker: “Your plot to kill is deliberate and evil... you almost achieved your evil plan.”

Key takeaways and implications

  • Tensions with Iran remain elevated: diplomatic talks are planned but the U.S. military posture and rhetoric keep the risk of escalation visible.
  • The Minneapolis enforcement adjustments reflect federal-local friction over immigration and law enforcement tactics after fatal shootings.
  • The Supreme Court’s quiet approval of California’s map preserves a politically consequential redistricting change ahead of future elections.
  • High-profile violent crime and terrorism remain an acute threat globally (example: the Nigerian attacks), with local reporting often ahead of independent verification.
  • Major media layoffs at The Washington Post signal continued financial pressure on legacy news organizations and potential reductions in local and specialty coverage.

Where to listen / next steps

  • Full segment and related coverage available from CNN Podcasts feeds; the Chasing Life episode with Dr. Kami Haas is streaming on podcast platforms.

(Transcript contained a few factual inconsistencies—e.g., Marco Rubio labeled as “Secretary of State,” and mixed spellings of the attacker’s name—this summary corrects the Rubio title and flags name ambiguity for the attacker.)