NPR News: 02-21-2025 7PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – February 21, 2025

Released on February 22, 2025

---

Supreme Court Declines to Uphold Trump’s Firing of Independent Ethics Watchdog

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Stephen Fowler

The Supreme Court has chosen not to consider the Trump administration's appeal to sustain the removal of an independent ethics watchdog. This decision is procedural and does not delve into the substantive arguments presented by President Trump regarding executive authority.

Key Points:

• Court's Procedural Decision: The Supreme Court declined to block a February 12 court order that reinstated the head of the Office of Special Counsel for two weeks pending a larger case. (Stephen Fowler, [00:20])
• Administration’s Legal Strategy: Despite the short duration of the court order, Trump’s legal team pursued the appeal after the D.C. Court of Appeals also refused to intervene. (Stephen Fowler, [00:20])
• Broader Legal Argument: The administration asserts that the president holds absolute authority over executive agencies, including those designated as independent. However, this latest court decision does not address this more extensive claim. (Stephen Fowler, [00:20])

---

President Trump’s First Month: Executive Actions and Waning Support

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Domenico Montanaro

President Trump, now a month into his term, has been actively reshaping the federal government through numerous executive actions and orders. These efforts have led to significant layoffs and funding cuts across various federal agencies, sparking opposition from federal worker unions and state attorneys general who are challenging these measures in court.

Key Points:

• Government Restructuring: Trump's executive actions aim to remodel the federal landscape, resulting in thousands of layoffs and reduced funding for multiple agencies. (Jeanine Herbst, [00:54])
• Legal Challenges: Federal worker unions and state attorneys general are litigating against the administration’s policies to halt these government changes. (Jeanine Herbst, [00:54])
• Polling Insights: Recent polls indicate that Trump’s initial approval may be diminishing. A majority of respondents from CNN and Ipsos polls believe he is overstepping presidential powers, particularly regarding immigration policies and economic measures. (Domenico Montanaro, [01:21])
  • Notable Quote: “It looks like that the honeymoon for Trump appears to be over.” (Domenico Montanaro, [01:21])
  • Additional Findings: 62% of CNN poll participants feel Trump hasn’t done enough to lower the cost of goods. (Domenico Montanaro, [01:21])

---

Legal Battle Over Trump Administration’s NIH Funding Cuts

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporters: Priyanka Thyal McCluskey and Heather Pierce

A federal judge in Boston has maintained a temporary halt on President Trump’s policy to reduce billions in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This decision preserves the status quo while the judge reviews the case further.

Key Points:

• Court’s Interim Ruling: Judge Angel Kelly has continued the pause on the NIH funding cuts, pending a decision on a potential injunction. (Priyanka Thyal McCluskey, [02:06])
• Legal Opposition: Twenty-two states, along with colleges, universities, and other institutions, have filed lawsuits against the federal policy change, which targets indirect costs such as research facilities and staff expenses. (Priyanka Thyal McCluskey, [02:06])
• Impact of Funding Cuts: Heather Pierce from the Association of American Medical Colleges highlighted the immediate negative effects on researchers, patients, and families awaiting medical advancements. (Heather Pierce, [02:25])
  • Notable Quote: “The impact to cutting federal funding for research is felt immediately by not just researchers, but by patients, by families, by anyone who is waiting for medical progress. And that's all of us.” (Heather Pierce, [02:25])
• Judicial Proceedings: Judge Kelly has committed to issuing a ruling swiftly on whether to grant the injunction, keeping the funding cuts on hold in the meantime. (Priyanka Thyal McCluskey, [02:38])

---

Market Downturn, Arrest of Former Proud Boys Leader, and Passing of Jerry Butler

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Noah Jennings

The financial markets closed sharply lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 748 points, Nasdaq down 438 points, and the S&P 500 falling by 104 points. In other news, Enrique Theriault, the ex-leader of the far-right Proud Boys group who was pardoned by President Trump, was arrested for simple assault after a confrontation near the U.S. Capitol. Additionally, R&B legend Jerry Butler passed away at the age of 85.

Key Points:

• Stock Market Decline: The Dow fell by 748 points, Nasdaq by 438 points, and the S&P 500 by 104 points by the end of trading. (Jeanine Herbst, [02:50])
• Arrest of Enrique Theriault: Theriault was apprehended following an altercation during a Proud Boys press conference on cryptocurrency and potential legal action against the Justice Department. He had previously been pardoned for his role in the January 6th insurrection. (Jeanine Herbst, [02:50])
• Passing of Jerry Butler: The iconic R&B singer, known for his work with Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, died at 85. Butler’s career, deeply influenced by his faith, achieved significant success with 38 Billboard Hot 100 hits and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1991. (Jeanine Herbst, [02:50]; Noah Jennings, [03:51])
  • Notable Quote from Butler: “The first place mother usually takes a young son is to church. And no matter how off key or out of key that young person sings, somebody's going to say amen. And so you get this encouragement out of the church.” (Jerry Butler, [03:58])
  • Legacy Highlight: Butler credited the church for inspiring his musical journey, leading to a prolific solo career and enduring influence in the music industry. (Noah Jennings, [04:12]; [04:29])

---

Crude Oil Prices Decrease

Host: Jeanine Herbst

Crude oil prices saw a significant decline, closing down by 3% at $70.25 per barrel. This drop impacts various sectors, including energy markets and consumer prices.

(Jeanine Herbst, [04:29])

---

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of critical developments ranging from high-stakes legal battles and shifting political landscapes to significant market movements and notable passings in the music industry. The discussions provided listeners with timely insights into the interplay between government actions, public opinion, and economic indicators shaping the nation's trajectory.

Transcript

[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The Supreme Court has declined to take up the Trump administration's request to uphold his firing of an independent ethics watchdog. As NPR's Stephen Fowler reports, the procedural decision doesn't address the merits of President Trump's argument.

[Stephen Fowler]

Trump asked the Supreme Court to block a court order issued February 12 that reinstated the head of the Office of Special Counsel for two weeks while the judge considered the larger case. The short shelf life of that ruling means it usually can't be appealed, but Trump's lawyers try it anyways. After the D.C. court of Appeals declined to make an exception, Trump went to the Supreme Court, who also did not step in. This was a procedural question that does not address the administration's larger legal argument that the president has complete power to determine who runs executive agencies, even independent ones. Stephen Fowler, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Trump has been in office for a month now, and with a flurry of executive actions and orders, he's working to remake the federal government. Thousands of federal workers have been laid off and finding cuts to numerous agencies, funding cuts. Rather, this is federal workers unions and attorneys general from states around the country go to court to strive to stop the measures. Now. NPR's Domenico Montanaro reports. New polls out this week show Trump's support may be waning.

[Domenico Montanaro]

The bottom line is that it looks like that the honeymoon for Trump appears to be over. The country has largely always been split on Trump, slight majority disapproving, and that's what we saw in back to back polls with CNN and washing ipsos. People were split on Trump's approach to immigration, but both polls found a majority think that he's exceeding his power as president. CNN's poll also found that 62% think that he hasn't done enough to reduce the price of goods.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Domenico Montanaro reporting. A U.S. district Court judge in Boston today said she's continuing the temporary pause on a Trump administration policy to slash billions of dollars in research funding from the National Institute of Health for member station WBUR Priyanka Thale McCluskey, 22 states.

[Priyanka Thyal McCluskey]

Along with groups of colleges and universities have filed lawsuits to stop a federal policy change that would cap the indirect costs covered by nih. These include the costs of research facilities and some staff. Heather Pierce with the association of American Medical Colleges spoke with reporters after the court hearing.

[Heather Pierce]

The impact to cutting federal funding for research is felt immediately by not just researchers, but by patients, by families, by anyone who is waiting for medical progress. And that's all of us.

[Priyanka Thyal McCluskey]

The cuts are on hold until federal Judge Angel Kelly rules on whether to grant an injunction. Kelly promised to rule quickly. For NPR News, I'm Priyanka Thyal McCluskey.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Wall street sharply lower by the closing bell. The Dow down 748 points, Nasdaq down 438s and P 500 down 104. This is NPR. The former leader of the far right Proud Boys group Enrique Theriault was arrested Today near the U.S. capitol after an altercation with a counter protester. Theriault was at the Capitol today with other proud boys hosting a press conference on cryptocurrency and announcing a possible lawsuit against the Justice Department. Police say he was arrested today on a charge of simple assault. He was one of 1500 people sentenced over the deadly insurrection at the U.S. capitol who President Trump pardoned. He was serving a 22 year prison sentence. R and B legend Jerry Butler has died at his home at the age of 85. A baritone known as Iceman, he rose to fame in the 1950s with fellow Chicagoan Curtis Mayfield in the Doo Wopa band the Impressions. Noah Jennings of member station WBEZ reports Butler's singing was rooted in his faith.

[Noah Jennings]

In a 2004 interview with WBEZ, Butler said it was the church that inspired his musical career.

[Jerry Butler]

The first place mother usually takes a young son is to church. And no matter how off key or out of key that young person sings, somebody's going to say amen. And so you get this encouragement out of the church.

[Noah Jennings]

That encouragement led to a long solo career that saw 38 of his songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and an induction into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame as a member of the impressions in 1991. For NPR News, I'm Noah Jennings in Chicago.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Crude oil prices were lower by the close, down 3% at $70.25 a barrel. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.