NPR News: 02-19-2025 4AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now Summary
Episode: NPR News: 02-19-2025 4AM EST
Release Date: February 19, 2025

Presented by NPR

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1. Administration Reshuffle and DOJ Controversies

Host: Shea Stevens
Timestamp: [00:18]

President Donald Trump has directed the Justice Department to dismiss all federal prosecutors appointed during the Biden administration. This directive has already led to the resignation of several prosecutors in response to changes affecting other Department of Justice (DOJ) employees and operations. Shea Stevens reports:

"President Trump says he's instructed the Justice Department to fire all federal prosecutors who were appointed during the Biden administration. Several of them have already resigned over administration orders affecting other GOJ employees and operations."
(00:18)

Carrie Johnson adds depth to the story, highlighting concerns within the DOJ:

"BONDI seems to be focused on people who help bring cases against Donald Trump. Harvard Law professor Jack Goldsmith wrote this week, this all seems to be doublespeak, part of a playbook to weaponize DOJ law enforcement like never before against Trump's perceived enemies. And the fear of many of my sources is that the DOJ will, on one hand, move to help Trump's friends get out of trouble and on the other, use its vast powers of investigation and prosecution against people who have criticized the president."
(00:48)

2. Federal Health Agency Workforce Cuts and Protests

Host: Shea Stevens
Timestamp: [01:18]

Demonstrators convened outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta to protest the recent dismissal of over a thousand workers across federal health agencies. Sophie Gradus from Georgia Public Broadcasting provides the following insights:

"The CDC has lost about 10% of its workforce, more than 1,000 people, since termination letters went out across the Department of Health and Human Services last week."
(01:33)

Barbara Stankey, a retired state public health official, expresses concern over the impact of these cuts:

"The CDC is sponsoring that. You know, they're the ones who coordinate that. It takes a lot. It takes a lot to get from federal to state to local to the people and communities."
(01:49)

She emphasizes the necessity of robust public health guidance:

"And those communities need good information, she says, to fight infectious and chronic diseases."
(02:00)

3. Confirmation of Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary & Potential Removal of NYC Mayor Eric Adams

Host: Shea Stevens
Timestamp: [02:09]

In significant political developments, the U.S. Senate has confirmed Howard Lutnick as the new Commerce Secretary. Lutnick, formerly the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a prominent New York-based financial services firm, steps into a pivotal role within the administration.

Concurrently, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is contemplating the potential removal of Mayor Eric Adams amidst a corruption scandal linked to the Trump administration. Brian Mann provides an in-depth report:

"Mayor Adams was charged last year with federal bribery and corruption charges. Last week, the Trump administration's DOJ agreed to suspend that criminal case. It was a move so controversial, seven DOJ attorneys resigned rather than go along with it."
(02:36)

Critics argue that Adams may have exploited his ties with Trump's team to benefit from the DOJ's actions:

"Critics say Adams leveraged the favor from Trump's team after agreeing to collaborate with the White House's crackdown on illegal immigration."
(02:36)

With four of Adams' top aides resigning, Governor Hochul has initiated discussions with key political and civic leaders in Manhattan about utilizing her authority to remove Adams from office. However, Mann notes uncertainty regarding the timing of her decision:

"It's unclear when she'll decide."
(02:36)

4. Economic Indicators and Severe Winter Weather

Host: Shea Stevens
Timestamp: [03:11]

Economic Update:
U.S. futures are trading flat in after-hours sessions on Wall Street, indicating a period of market stabilization.

Weather Alert:
A severe winter storm is impacting the United States, bringing record-low temperatures from the Northern Plains to regions near the Gulf. Heavy snow and ice are expected to blanket areas from Missouri and Arkansas eastward to the Mid-Atlantic, exacerbating challenges for communities still recovering from recent weekend floods.

5. Pope Francis' Health Concerns

Host: Shea Stevens
Timestamp: [03:31]

Pope Francis, aged 88, is battling pneumonia in both lungs, raising concerns about his ability to recover. Sarah Ventri reports on the Vatican's statements:

"The Vatican says laboratory tests, chest X ray and the Holy Father's clinical condition continue to present a complex picture. A CT scan showing pneumonia has caused them to adjust his treatment, which now includes antibiotic and drug therapy."
(03:45)

Pope Francis has a history of lung issues, having undergone surgery to remove part of a lung after a pulmonary infection in his youth and being susceptible to bronchitis, especially during winter months. Despite his condition, he remains active:

"Now he's reported to be in fair condition and is said to be eating breakfast every day, reading the newspapers and even doing some work from the hospital."
(03:45)

However, his illness has led to cancellations of Vatican events:

"Given his condition, some Vatican events have been canceled. There will be no weekly general audience on Wednesday, and it's not clear if Francis will miss his Sunday noon blessing for a second week in a row."
(03:45)

6. International Affairs: British Couple Charged with Espionage in Iran

Host: Shea Stevens
Timestamp: [04:31]

In international news, a British couple, identified as Craig and Lindsey Foreman, detained in Iran, have been formally charged with espionage. According to state media, the couple was arrested in Kerman, a southern city in Iran, last month during their Asia Pacific bike tour with intentions to circumnavigate the globe.

The Britain’s Foreign Office has condemned the charges, labeling them as unfounded and politically motivated, amidst ongoing tensions between the UK and Iran over human rights and diplomatic relations.

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For more updates and detailed coverage, visit NPR News Now.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump says he's instructed the Justice Department to fire all federal prosecutors who were appointed during the Biden administration. Several of them have already resigned over administration orders affecting other GOJ employees and operations. Some agency veterans say Attorney General Pam Bondi seems to be protecting dog workers who seem loyal to Trump while targeting those he doesn't like. More from NPR's Carrie Johnson.

[Carrie Johnson]

BONDI seems to be focused on people who help bring cases against Donald Trump. Harvard Law professor Jack Goldsmith wrote this week, this all seems to be doublespeak, part of a playbook to weaponize DOJ law enforcement like never before against Trump's perceived enemies. And the fear of many of my sources is that the DOJ will, on one hand, move to help Trump's friends get out of trouble and on the other, use its vast powers of investigation and prosecution against people who have criticized the president.

[Shea Stevens]

NPR's Gary Johnson reporting. Demonstrators gathered at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta Tuesday as Georgia Public Broadcasting Sophie Gradus reports. They were protesting the dismissal of thousands of workers across federal health agencies.

[Sophie Gradus]

The CDC has lost about 10% of its workforce, more than 1,000 people, since termination letters went out across the Department of Health and Human Services last week. Barbara Stankey, retired from state public Health, says that the cuts will leave frontline workers without critical guidance.

[Barbara Stankey]

The CDC is sponsoring that. You know, they're the ones who coordinate that. It takes a lot. It takes a lot to get from federal to state to local to the people and communities.

[Sophie Gradus]

And those communities need good information, she says, to fight infectious and chronic diseases. For NPR News, I'm Sophie Gradas in Atlanta.

[Shea Stevens]

The U.S. senate has confirmed businessman Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary. Lutnick is a former CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a New York based financial services firm. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering whether to force Eric Adams out of office over a corruption scandal involving the Trump administration. Hochul discussed the matter with top political and civic leaders in Manhattan Tuesday, and NPR's Brian Mann reports she could make a decision as soon as today.

[Brian Mann]

Mayor Adams was charged last year with federal bribery and corruption charges. Last week, the Trump administration's DOJ agreed to suspend that criminal case. It was a move so controversial, seven DOJ attorneys resigned rather than go along with it. Critics say Adams leveraged the favor from Trump's team after agreeing to collaborate with the White House's crackdown on illegal immigration. After four of Adams own top aides resigned this week, Governor Hochul began talks with officials about whether to use her authority to remove Adams from office. It's unclear when she'll decide. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York.

[Shea Stevens]

US Futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is npr. A winter storm has pushed temperatures to record lows from the Northern Plains to areas near the Gulf. Meanwhile, heavy snow and ice could blanket areas from Missouri and Arkansas east to the Mid Atlantic today, threatening to cause more misery in areas cleaning up from weekend flood. The Vatican says Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs. NPR's Sarah Ventri reports on concerns about the 88 year old pontiff's ability to fight off infection.

[Sarah Ventri]

The Vatican says laboratory tests, chest X ray and the Holy Father's clinical condition continue to present a complex picture. A CT scan showing pneumonia has caused them to adjust his treatment, which now includes antibiotic and drug therapy. Francis had part of one lung removed after a pulmonary infection as a young man and is prone to bouts of bronchitis in the winter. Now he's reported to be in fair condition and is said to be eating breakfast every day, reading the newspapers and even doing some work from the hospital. Given his condition, some Vatican events have been canceled. There will be no weekly general audience on Wednesday, and it's not clear if Francis will miss his Sunday noon blessing for a second week in a row. Sarah Ventri, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

According to state media, a British couple being detained in Iran have now been charged with espionage. Britain's Foreign Office says the couple, identified as Craig and Lindsey Foreman, were arrested in the southern city of Kerman last month. The Foremans reportedly had been on a bike tour around the world on Asia Pacific. Market shares are mostly lower, up a fraction in Shanghai. This is NPR News.

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