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Dave Mattingly
Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Dave Mattingley. A federal judge is declining to temporarily halt the work of President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency involving billionaire advisor Elon Musk. More than a dozen Democratic state attorneys general had sued to try to block Musk's team from accessing government systems and laying off Federal Employees. As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, the judge did raise concerns about the legality of Musk's work in the White House.
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Bobby Allen
Fourteen states sued to prevent Doge from accessing government data and participating in laying off thousands of government workers. The states argued that only an official who was nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate can have that much power. Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington notes that Musk's action appear to be precisely the executive abuses the Constitution intended to prevent. But she would not issue a temporary restraining order, saying the state's request lacked evidence. While Musk is the public face of Doge, the White House now says in court papers that Elon Musk is not its leader. Trump officials have not publicly stated who is running Doge. Bobby Allen, NPR News.
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Dave Mattingly
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston is scheduled to reopen today. The library shut its doors yesterday after recent hires were laid off by the president's Doge team. NPR's Tovia Smith reports.
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Tovia Smith
The National Archives, which oversees the library, ordered the cuts, according to a source familiar with the situation who's not authorized to speak publicly. It was an emotional scene as five of the six people who run the ticketing system were immediately let go and the library was forced to close messages. Governor Maura Healey, a staunch Trump critic, blamed, quote, donald Trump and Elon Musk's thoughtless crusade. A Kennedy relative, Jack Schlossberg, called it stealing history from the people. No immediate comment from the National Archives when the library reopens, still without ticketing staff, according to the source, admission to the museum may be free. Tovia Smith, NPR News, Boston.
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Dave Mattingly
The Senate is expected to hold a confirmation vote on Kash Patel before the end of the week. Yesterday, senators advanced Patel's nomination to lead the FBI on a party line vote. President Trump's nominee to serve as commerce secretary has been confirmed. The Senate approved Howard Lutnick, also on a party line vote. The Vatican says Pope Francis has developed double pneumonia as he continues treatment at a hospital in Rome. The 88 year old pontiff was admitted last week after developing bronchitis and later a respiratory infection. The Vatican spokesman describes the pope's medical treatment as complex. Airbnb is suing the city of New Orleans over its new regulations covering short term rentals. They require the rentals to be in compliance with city laws. The changes are set to take effect in June. This is NPR News. A federal judge wants to know why the Justice Department is recommending corruption charges be dropped against New York Mayor Eric Adams. As Bruce Konviser reports, the judge has scheduled a hearing this afternoon.
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Bruce Kahn Visor
The Justice Department's recent decision to drop a five count indictment against Mayor Eric Adams has sparked protests from advocates for the rule of law. It also prompted at least seven federal prosecutors to resign rather than ask a judge to drop the charges. Critics accused the Justice Department and Mayor Adams of a quid pro quo arrangement whereby the criminal case against Adams goes away if he cooperates with the Trump administration's crackdown on immigrants. They say the charges against the mayor, which include bribery and fraud, are strong and should go to trial. If the Justice Department refuses to prosecute the case, Judge Dale Ho could appoint a special prosecutor to try the case. For NPR News, I'm Bruce Kahn Visor in New York.
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Dave Mattingly
The mayor has rejected calls to resign. A jury in Southern California has found hip hop performer ASAP Rocky not guilty on two counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon. Jurors in Los Angeles deliberated for three hours before reaching that verdict. The trial lasted three weeks. Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Meyers, faced a potential prison sentence of more than two decades if found guilty. Marine biologists in Australia say they've given up hope of rescuing more than 150 false killer whales stranded on a remote beach in Tasmania. They were discovered there yesterday during unfavorable weather conditions.
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Dave.
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I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News, in Washington.
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