NPR News: 02-07-2025 2AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 7, 2025 – In-Depth Summary

Hosted by Shea Stevens

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Executive Actions by President Trump and Elon Musk: Shaping Federal Programs

In the early hours of February 7, 2025, President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk continued to wield executive power to modify and dismantle federal programs previously sanctioned by Congress. NPR’s Deirdre Walsh reported on how this maneuvering is creating subtle fractures within the traditionally unified Republican Party. According to Walsh, “Federal agencies are going to run out of money on March 14th” (00:42), prompting Republicans to seek modifications in spending bills to safeguard constituency-specific programs like transportation and water projects. Deirdre Walsh highlighted the influence Musk wields in the legislative process, noting his ability to significantly impact outcomes when he becomes involved.

Legal Challenges Against Elon Musk’s Dojo Office and OMB Leadership Confirmation

The political landscape is further complicated as 13 Democratic attorneys general have initiated legal actions to block Elon Musk’s Dojo office from accessing federal payment systems. Concurrently, the U.S. Senate has confirmed Vilt Tingelstad Vogt to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a decision surrounded by controversy. As NPR’s Asma Khalid detailed, Vogt is a prominent figure behind the conservative agenda known as Project 2025, aimed at enhancing presidential authority. Khalid explained, “Vogt tried to reshape the civil service by creating a new class of federal workers who would be loyal to the president rather than the agency they work for” (01:33). Despite strong opposition from Democrats, Vogt’s confirmation proceeded, underscoring the current administration’s commitment to expanding executive power.

Rearrest of a Pardoned January 6th Rioter in Texas

In a noteworthy development, Andrew Taka, a January 6th rioter who was recently pardoned by President Trump, has been rearrested in Texas on charges unrelated to the Capitol events. NPR’s Tom Dreisbach reported that Taka pleaded guilty to “online solicitation of a minor” (02:21). Previously, Taka had been convicted for assaulting police officers with bear spray during the January 6th incident and was serving a six-year sentence until his pardon. Prosecutors in Texas uncovered that Taka had sent sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 15-year-old, but the recipient was an undercover law enforcement officer. His case is among several from January 6th participants who have existing or ongoing criminal issues.

U.S.-Iran Relations: Treasury Sanctions and Crude Oil Export Halt

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated as Iran condemns the Treasury Department’s latest sanctions targeting individuals and tankers involved in crude oil shipments from Iran to China. President Trump has vowed to "halt Tehran crude oil exports" as part of a strategy to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities. These measures aim to pressure Tehran economically while addressing security concerns related to its nuclear program.

Search for Missing Cessna in Rural Alaska

A missing Cessna plane carrying ten passengers has prompted search efforts in rural Alaska. According to local authorities, the Bering Air flight disappeared on Thursday afternoon while en route from Nunalikimit to Nome. An FAA weather camera captured near whiteout conditions near Rome, complicating retrieval operations. The search crew is diligently combing the rugged Alaskan terrain in hopes of locating the aircraft and its occupants.

Mac Barnett Appointed as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

The Library of Congress has appointed acclaimed children’s book author Mac Barnett as its new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. NPR’s Andrew Limbong reported that Barnett, who has authored over 60 books including chapter books and graphic novels, will focus primarily on promoting picture books during his two-year tenure. Barnett emphasized the importance of creating engaging literature for children, stating, “It’s our job to make books that kids want to read” (04:25). He believes that fostering a love for reading among young audiences requires offering vibrant and innovative books that resonate with their interests.

Market Update: Wall Street After-Hours Trading Remains Flat

In financial news, U.S. futures are trading flat in after-hours markets following a mixed close in Asia-Pacific regions. Wall Street shares remain modestly fluctuating, with Tokyo’s markets also showing slight declines. These movements reflect investor uncertainty amid ongoing political and economic developments discussed earlier in the day.

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NPR News Now provides the latest news in five minutes, updated hourly. This summary captures the key stories and insightful discussions from the February 7, 2025, episode.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump and billionaire aide Elon Musk continue to use executive actions to dismantle federal programs that have been approved by Congress. Although the Constitution gives Congress spending authority, NPR's Didger Walsh reports that most Republicans in the House and Senate seem okay with the administration's moves. For now, there are some places where.

[Deirdre Walsh]

You could see some cracks in what's really been a really unified Republican Party in Washington deferring to Trump. Federal agencies are going to run out of money on March 14th. Republicans want to put their own stamp on a spending bill so they can protect programs they've helped get for their constituents, things like transportation money or water projects. What Trump or Musk are going to demand in that spending bill. But Musk has already shown when he inserts himself, he can really influence the process.

[Shea Stevens]

NPR's Deirdre Walsh. Meanwhile, 13 Democratic attorneys general are threatening legal action to prevent Elon Musk's Doge office from accessing federal payment systems. The US Senate has confirmed. Roof's vote to lead. The Office of Management and Budget vote was one of President Trump's more controversial nominees. As NPR's Asma Khalid reports, Vogt was.

[Asma Khalid]

A chief architect of the conservative agenda known as Project 2025, which outlined ways to expand presidential power. During Trump's first term, Vogt tried to reshape the civil service by creating a new class of federal workers who would be loyal to the president rather than the agency they work for. He's also a supporter of what's known as impoundment. That's when a president essentially holds back money that Congress has already approved for a specific purpose. Democrats were powerless to stop his confirmation, but they took to the Sen. Floor, delivering speech after speech to voice their opposition. Asma Khalid, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

A recently pardoned January 6th rioter has been rearrested in Texas. As NPR's Tom Dreisbach reports, he's accused of online solicitation of a minor.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Andrew Taka pleaded guilty to repeatedly assaulting police officers with bear spray on January 6th, and he was serving a six year prison sentence when Trump's pardon freed him. Now authorities in Texas have re arrested Taka to face charges from 2016, according to prosecutors legal filings, Tacka sent sexually explicit messages online to someone he thought was a 15 year old but was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. Tacka is among the dozens of January 6th defendants NPR has identified who have prior criminal records or ongoing criminal cases. Tom Dreisbach, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

Iran is condemning the Treasury Department's new sanctions on individuals and tankers aiding crude oil shipments from Iran to China. President Trump has vowed to halt Tehran crude oil exports as part of an effort to curb that nation's nuclear capabilities. This is npr. A search crew is combing parts of rural Alaska for a missing Cessna plane that's carrying 10 people. Authorities say a Bering Air caravan went missing Thursday afternoon while traveling from the western community of Nunalikimit to Nome, according to Alaska's news source. An FAA weather camera appeared to show near whiteout conditions from several hours near Rome. The Library of Congress has named kids book author Mac Barnett its new national ambassador for young people's literature. The job is to promote books and reading among kids across the nation. As NPR's Andrew Limbong reports, Barnett plans to focus on picture books during his two years in the post.

[Andrew Limbong]

While he said he'd promote all types of literature for kids, it really is the picture books that Mac Barnett favors.

[Mac Barnett]

It's just such vibrant, exciting, forward looking, experimental art form. And I think it's really undervalued, too.

[Andrew Limbong]

Barnett is the writer of more than 60 books, including chapter books, graphic novels and, of course, picture books. And his philosophy on getting kids to read is to not think of them as future adults.

[Mac Barnett]

We're never going to win the argument that you should read a book because it's good for you. This isn't why kids read. It's our job to make books that kids want to read.

[Andrew Limbong]

And he says it's our job as grown ups to let them read whatever they want to read. Andrew limbong, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall street following Thursday's mixed close on Asia Pacific markets. Shares are also mixed down a fraction in Tokyo. This is NPR News.

[Intuit Representative]

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