Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Alaska U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski continues to break

ranks with fellow Republicans by speaking out against President Trump's downsizing of federal agencies.

Speaking in Anchorage this week, Alaska public media's Liz Ruskin reports that Murkowski admitted

fearing political retribution. Murkowski told a forum of non-profit leaders that they should

continue to object to funding cuts that erode the social safety net. An organizer asked her what

she'd say to those too afraid to raise their voice. We are all afraid. Murkowski has said most of her Republican colleagues

aren't talking because they fear Trump or his supporters will take them down in the next election or

make them targets of mockery. Because retaliation is real. A few hours later, she welcomed

anti-Trump protesters into her office and told them to keep at it.

For NPR News, I'm Liz Ruskin in Anchorage.

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has met with the Maryland man, who's being held in an El Salvador prison after being deported by mistake.

Ben Holland's visit came as U.S. and Salvadoran officials say they have no plans to return Kilmore-Abraco-Garcia to the U.S.

President Trump is again pressuring the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. Trump is also suggesting that he plans to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

More from NPR's Daniel Kurtzleben. In a social media post, Trump criticized Powell

for not having lowered interest rates recently, a move central banks used to boost the economy. He then

wrote, quote, Powell's termination cannot come fast enough. Trump appointed Powell to the

chairmanship in 2018, and President Joe Biden reappointed him in 2022.

Powell's current term is up in May 26. In a Wednesday speech, Powell said that there might be

both higher inflation and slower growth amid Trump's tariffs. Those two goals are intention.

Fixing one could mean making the other worse. Powell said it's unclear which the Fed would focus on.

While Fed policymaking is independent of the president, Trump has many times criticized the Fed's choices under Powell.

Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News. A gunman opened fire at Florida State University yesterday,

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