Dramatic rescue of U.S. airman in Iran as Trump proposes expanded war budget

This episode of Consider This from NPR covers a high-stakes U.S. military rescue operation in Iran following the downing of an F-15 fighter jet, with both crew members successfully retrieved despite intense challenges in mountainous terrain. President Trump's aggressive rhetoric, including profanity-laden threats on Easter Sunday to bomb Iranian infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, is sharply criticized by Representative Madeline Dean, who calls the president 'unhinged' and warns of the dangers of his impulsive foreign policy. The episode also dives into the White House's record-breaking $1.5 trillion defense budget request for 2027—a 42% increase—alongside proposed cuts to healthcare, Medicaid, Medicare, and social services, which Dean says reflects a dangerous misalignment with American values. She shares harrowing firsthand accounts from migrant detention facilities, highlighting systemic neglect and staged 'educational' units, underscoring the human cost of budget priorities. The episode concludes with concern over the war's uncertain trajectory and the long-term consequences of militarization over domestic investment.