NPR News: 02-09-2025 10AM EST

Summary

Federal Spending Cuts: Jim Jordan Defends Elon Musk

In the political arena, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has come to the defense of Elon Musk's ambitious efforts to significantly reduce federal spending. Speaking on [00:25], Jordan criticized opponents of Musk's initiatives, stating, "No one wants to defend the waste, fraud and abuse, so they attacked the guy who's exposing all the waste, fraud and ridiculous things spending money on" ([00:25]). He further underscored the constitutional basis for Musk's actions by referencing Article Two, Section One of the Constitution: "The Constitution is clear. Article two, Section one very first sentence says the executive power shall be vested in a president of the United States of America" ([00:25]).

Musk's cost-cutting measures are being implemented across multiple federal agencies with minimal congressional oversight. However, these efforts are encountering legal challenges. A coalition of 19 attorneys general has filed a lawsuit, leading a federal judge to temporarily block Musk's team from accessing sensitive records at the Treasury Department. Additionally, another federal judge has halted attempts to dismantle USAID, providing temporary relief to approximately 2,200 staff members who might have faced administrative leave ([00:42]).

Alaska Plane Crash: All 10 Bodies Retrieved

A tragic aviation accident occurred in Alaska when Bering Air Flight 445 crashed on Thursday, resulting in the loss of all 10 lives aboard. Ben Townsend of KNOM reported on [01:26], "All 10 bodies aboard Bering Air Flight 445 were retrieved Saturday. Next of kin have been notified, and the bodies will be transported to Anchorage for autopsies." National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy, who traveled to Alaska to oversee the investigation, emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the wreckage: "What we want to do is get that wreckage so that we can examine it ourselves" ([01:45]).

Despite adverse weather conditions, responders worked diligently throughout the afternoon to retrieve sections of the aircraft using helicopters. The NTSB will conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash ([01:50]).

Middle East Ceasefire Talks and North Korean Tensions

In the wake of a recent hostage-for-prisoners exchange, focus has shifted to the potential second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to send a delegation to Qatar for ongoing talks in Doha. However, President Trump's remarks concerning the future of Gaza have escalated tensions surrounding these negotiations ([02:03]).

Simultaneously, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the United States of exacerbating global conflicts, including those on the Korean Peninsula. During a speech marking the anniversary of the Korean People's Army, Kim stated, "The U.S. deployment of nuclear capable weapons to the Korean peninsula, exercises simulating nuclear war and US Military cooperation with South Korea and Japan are threatening the north and creating military imbalance in the region" ([02:30]). He further accused the U.S. of fueling conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and Gaza, warning that these actions heighten the risk of a new world war.

In response, President Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba have committed to working towards North Korea's complete denuclearization, with Trump expressing intentions to reach out to Kim. However, as of now, Kim Jong Un has not publicly responded to these overtures ([02:30]).

International Elections: Ecuador and Kosovo

Today marks significant electoral events in Ecuador and Kosovo. Voters in Ecuador are participating in a presidential election featuring sixteen candidates. The race is anticipated to be a rematch of last year's contest between incumbent President Daniel Noboa and the leftist challenger Luisa Gonzalez, shaping a highly competitive political landscape ([03:12]).

In Kosovo, parliamentary elections are underway, with voters casting ballots amidst ongoing efforts to establish stable governance and address regional challenges.

Additionally, China is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating landslide in the southwestern Sichuan province. Over two dozen individuals remain missing as emergency officials deploy hundreds of rescuers to the affected area. State media has confirmed the recovery of one body and the rescue of two individuals so far, with search operations continuing in challenging weather conditions ([03:12]).

Super Bowl Preview: Chiefs vs. Eagles

The excitement builds as the Super Bowl is set to kick off later today at the Superdome in New Orleans, featuring a showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City's quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his team are aiming to become the first in NFL history to secure three consecutive Super Bowl victories. The Chiefs have demonstrated exceptional performance in close games, winning all twelve matches where the margin of victory was within one score ([04:02]).

On the other side, the Philadelphia Eagles pose a formidable challenge. Their recent acquisition of star running back Saquon Barkley has significantly boosted their offensive capabilities. Additionally, quarterback Jalen Hurts, when healthy, has been instrumental in their undefeated streak since September. Becky Sullivan of NPR highlighted the Chiefs' dominance and the Eagles' resilience, noting, "This year's Chiefs have thrived in close games... The Eagles, though, are no pushover... They haven't lost a game since September" ([04:02]).

Security measures in New Orleans have been significantly heightened ahead of the event, with thousands of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers deployed in response to a previous deadly attack on Bourbon Street. The presence of high-profile figures, including President Trump and halftime performer Kendrick Lamar, adds to the event's prominence ([04:36]).

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Transcript

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This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more. So they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

In Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan is defending Elon Musk's effort to make huge cuts in federal spending.

[Jim Jordan]

It's interesting. You know, no one wants to defend the waste, fraud and abuse, so they attacked the guy who's exposing all the waste, fraud and ridiculous things spending money on. And remember, the Constitution is clear. Article two, Section one very first sentence says the executive power shall be vested in a president of the United States of America.

[Giles Snyder]

Jordan speaking on CNN today as Musk's cost cutting team goes about its work seemingly without congressional oversight, gaining access to multiple federal agencies. But the Trump administration is facing legal battles over the effort. One federal judge has temporarily blocked Musk's team from accessing sensitive records at the Treasury Department after a group of 19 attorneys general filed a lawsu. Another federal judge has temporarily blocked efforts to dismantle USAID, handing a reprieve to some 2200 staffers who face being put on administrative leave this weekend. Authorities in Alaska have been working this weekend to recover the wreckage of a small commuter plane that crashed on Thursday. All 10 people on board were killed. Ben Townsend of member station KNOM has the latest from Nome.

[Ben Townsend]

All 10 bodies aboard Bering Air Flight 445 were retrieved Saturday. Next of kin have been notified, and the bodies will be transported to Anchorage for autopsies. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy traveled to Alaska to oversee the investigation. She says it's too early to speculate on the cause of the accident.

[Giles Snyder]

What we want to do is get that wreckage so that we can examine it ourselves.

[Ben Townsend]

Responders work through the afternoon as bad weather approached to retrieve the wreckage. Sections of the aircraft were hoisted by helicopter to Nome, where the NTSB will conduct their investigation. For NPR News, I'm Ben Townsend in Nome.

[Giles Snyder]

Following yesterday's hostages for prisoners swap, attention is turning to talks on a second phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is sending delegation to Qatar. The talks are being held in Doha, with President Trump's remarks about the future of Gaza raising tensions. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is accusing the US of fueling conflicts around the globe, including on the Korean Peninsula. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports.

[Anthony Kuhn]

In a speech Saturday on the anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army. Kim was quoted by state media as saying that the U.S. s deployment of nuclear capable weapons to the Korean peninsula, exercises simulating nuclear war and US Military cooperation with South Korea and Japan are threatening the north and creating military imbalance in the region. He also accused the US of fueling conflicts in Ukraine, Syria and Gaza and heightening the risk of a new world war. On Friday, President Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, vowed to work for North Korea's complete denuclearization. Trump has said he would reach out to Kim, but Kim has not publicly responded. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

[Giles Snyder]

This is npr. Voters in Ecuador are going to the polls today in a presidential election. Sixteen candidates are on the ballot, but the contest is shaping up to be a rematch of 2023 between President Daniel Noboa and leftist challenger Luisa Gonzalez. In Kosovo, VOT are casting ballots in a parliamentary election today. Rescuers in China are searching for more than two dozen people who remain missing following a landslide in the southwestern Sichuan province. Emergency officials have deployed hundreds of rescuers. State media say one body has been recovered and two people have been rescued so far. The super bowl kicks off later today between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City and their quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are hoping to become the first team to ever win three Super Bowls in a row. Here's NPR's Becky Sullivan with a pre.

[Becky Sullivan]

Mahomes and the Chiefs have become the NFL's newest dynasty. They've been to five of the last six Super Bowls, including today, and won three of them. Today would be their fourth in all and their third consecutive. This year's Chiefs have thrived in close games. They've won all 12 where the margin of victory was within one score. The Eagles, though, are no pushover. Their acquisition of the star running back Saquon Barkley has turbocharged their offense, and when their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, is healthy. They haven't lost a game since September. President Trump is expected to be in attendance today at the Superdome in New Orleans, and Kendrick Lamar will perform in the halftime show. Becky Sullivan, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Authorities in New Orleans have ramped up security ahead of tonight's Super Bowl. Thousands of federal, state and local law enforcement are being deployed following the deadly New Year's Day attack on Bourbon Street. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.

[Pemco Mutual Insurance Company]

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