NPR News: 02-15-2026 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – February 16, 2026, 9PM EST

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise five-minute briefing on major national and international developments. Key stories include the Department of Homeland Security's partial shutdown amid Congressional gridlock, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s diplomatic tour in Eastern Europe, Barack Obama's response to a racist video from former President Trump, Team USA’s Olympic hockey performance, and the anniversary of Larry the Cat at 10 Downing Street.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Partial DHS Shutdown Over Immigration Oversight

• [00:00] The Department of Homeland Security enters its second day of a partial shutdown due to Congressional inaction.
  • Democrats are demanding reforms on the conduct of immigration agents before approving funding. Requested changes include visible IDs and bans on mask-wearing during operations.
  • Tensions are high after two U.S. citizens were killed by ICE in Minnesota.
  • Congress adjourned for a week without reaching an agreement.

Tom Holman (White House Border Czar):

• [00:46] “I think some of the asks are just…unreasonable because there is no racial profiling… the masks right now are for officer safety reasons.”
• Holman notes that over 1,000 immigration agents have left Minnesota and more departures are expected.

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2. Secretary of State Rubio’s Eastern Europe Diplomatic Trip

• [01:10] Rubio visits Slovakia and Hungary amid mounting concern over relations with Russia.
  • Rubio faces questions about not co-signing a European inquiry into Alexei Navalny’s alleged poisoning by Russia.

Rubio (via Michelle Kellermann reporting):

• [01:33] “The five allies came to their own conclusions based on their own intelligence reports... We’re not disputing or getting into a fight with these countries over it. But it was their report, and they put that out there.”
• Rubio admits the findings were “troubling.”
• Russia continues to deny any involvement in Navalny’s 2024 death.

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3. Obama Addresses Trump’s Racist Video

• [02:13] Obama speaks out about a racist video shared by former President Trump.
  • In conversation with progressive YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama laments the eroding standards in American political discourse.

Barack Obama:

• [02:23] “There’s, quote, this sort of clown show that’s happening in social media and on television.”
• [02:36] “There doesn’t seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office.”
• Obama adds hope: Americans are responding to divisive rhetoric by reaffirming national values.

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4. U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Dominates Group Stage

• [03:11] Team USA wins its first three hockey matches in Milan, including a 5–1 victory over Germany.
• It’s the first Olympics in 12 years with NHL players participating.
  • Auston Matthews: 2 goals against Germany, 3 in total
  • Brady Tkachuk: 2 goals, multiple big hits
  • Connor Hellebuyck: Only 2 goals allowed over 2 games
• [03:31] Team USA advances directly to the quarterfinals; next opponent depends on Sweden vs. Latvia, with Sweden favored.

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5. Larry the Cat Celebrates 15 Years at 10 Downing Street

• [04:16] Larry, the famed "mouser in chief," marks 15 years at the UK Prime Minister’s residence.
  • Adopted by then-PM David Cameron.
  • Has outlasted six Prime Ministers.
  • Official duties include “catching rodents, greeting house guests, and testing antique furniture for napping.”
  • Still welcomed at the iconic black door after ventures outside.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Tom Holman [00:46]: “Some of the asks are just … unreasonable … the masks right now are for officer safety reasons.”
• Secretary Rubio [01:55]: “We’re not disputing or getting into a fight with these countries over it. But it was their report, and they put that out there.”
• Barack Obama [02:23]: “There’s, quote, this sort of clown show that’s happening in social media and on television.”
• Barack Obama [02:36]: “There doesn’t seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office.”
• Jeanine Hurst on Larry the Cat [04:16]: “His duties include rodent catching, greeting house guests and testing out antique furniture for its napping qualities.”

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Timestamps for Main Segments

• [00:00] – DHS Shutdown and Congressional Dispute
• [00:46] – Tom Holman’s Response/Agent Safety
• [01:10] – Rubio in Eastern Europe/Navalny Investigation
• [02:13] – Obama on Trump Video & American Values
• [03:11] – Team USA Olympic Hockey Overview
• [04:16] – Larry the Cat’s 15th Anniversary

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This five-minute news briefing efficiently distills urgent national issues, international relations, sports triumphs, and even a touch of British whimsy for listeners on the go.

Transcript

[Jeanine Hurst]

This message comes from Mint mobile starting at $15 a month. Make the [e-mail] Switch $45 upfront payment for 3 months 5 gigabyte plan equivalent to $15 a month. Taxes and fees extra first 3 months only. See Terms Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. It's the second day of a partial shutdown for the Department of Homeland Security after Democrats demanded changes to rein in immigration agents RA requiring them to wear IDs and stop wearing masks, among other things in order to extend funding. But Congress left without a deal and now is on a one week recess. This after ICE shot and killed two US Citizens in Minnesota. White House border czar Tom Holman.

[Tom Holman]

I'll let the White House and members of Congress, you know, fight that out. But I think some of the asks are just I think they're unreasonable because there is no racial profiling. There is identifying marks, but masks, you know, why don't they talk about maybe passing legislation to make it illegal to dox agents or something like that. But the masks right now are for officer safety reasons.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Speaking there on CBS Face THE Nation, he says more than 1,000 agents have left Minnesota and that more will leave soon. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is on a two day trip to Eastern Europe and is now in Hungary, where he's expected to meet with President viktor Orban tomorrow. NPR's Michelle Kellermann reports. He was asked about a report saying Russia poisoned the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

[Michelle Kellermann]

Secretary Rubio is visiting Slovakia and Hungary, two European Union countries that lean toward Russia and rely on Russian energy. And it was in Slovakia where he was asked why he didn't sign on to an investigation into the Navalny poisoning by other European partners. He says the five allies came to their own conclusions based on their own intelligence reports.

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We don't have any reason to question it or we're not disputing or getting into a fight with these countries over it. But it was their report and they put that out there.

[Michelle Kellermann]

Rubio says their findings were troubling. Russia has denied responsibility for Navalny's death two years ago in a Siberian prison. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Budapest.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Former President Barack Obama this weekend addressed the racist video President Trump posted on social media earlier this month. NPR Chandelyse Duster has more.

[Chandelyse Duster]

Former President Obama told progressive YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen there's, quote, this sort of clown show that's happening in social media and on television. He also said many Americans find this behavior deeply troubling.

[Tom Holman]

What is true is that there doesn't seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office.

[Michelle Kellermann]

Right.

[Tom Holman]

So that's been lost on the immigration.

[Chandelyse Duster]

Crackdown and protests in Minnesota and elsewhere. Obama said there's a good number of American people saying in response, response, quote, we're going to live up to those values that we say we believe in. Chandeliese Duster, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Wall streets close tomorrow in observance of President's Day. You're listening to NPR News. The U.S. men's Olympic Hockey team has won the first three games, including a win today over Germany five to one. And now the Americans head to the quarterfinals. NPR's Becky Sullivan has more from Milan.

[Becky Sullivan]

Team USA came into the Olympics with eyes on a gold medal. It would be just the third ever for the Americans and the first since the Miracle on Ice team back in 1980. In the group stage, they made quick work of opponents Latvia, Denmark and Germany outscoring them 16, 5 overall. This is the first Olympics in 12 years that players from the NHL have been able to participate. Team USA captain Auston Matthews had two goals against Germany and three in the Olympics overall so far. Brady Tkachuk has a pair of goals and plenty of big hits, and goaltender Connor Hellebock, who was last year's NHL MVP, has given up just two goals in two games. The U.S. now gets to skip straight to the quarterfinals. On Wednesday, they'll face the winner of Sweden versus Latvia. Sweden is the favorite in that game. Becky Sullivan, NPR News, Milan.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Larry the cat, the most important feline at 10 Downing street in London is celebrating an anniversary today. The mouser in chief arrived at the official residence of the British Prime Minister 15 years ago. Serving under six prime ministers, he's thought to be 18 or 19 now. Former Prime Minister Dav Cameron adopted him from a rescue league. And according to his government profile, his duties include rodent catching, greeting house guests and testing out antique furniture for its napping qualities. When he's done wandering around outside, Larry heads to the famous black door, where staff lets him in. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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