NPR News Now: 02-23-2026 7AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: February 23, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes
Note: Commercials & sponsor messages omitted

Overview

This concise news briefing covers major national and international developments as of February 23, 2026. The headlines focus on President Trump’s new tariff announcement and its global reactions, changes and confusion in TSA and DHS travel programs amid a continued government shutdown, the paradox of low mortgage rates with ongoing housing unaffordability, blizzard warnings in the Northeast, and controversy over JP Morgan closing Trump’s accounts as well as a major federal emergency declaration for a sewage spill in the Potomac River.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US Announces New Global Tariffs After Supreme Court Ruling

[00:15 - 00:39]

• President Trump declared new tariffs of 15% worldwide after the Supreme Court overturned some earlier tariffs.
• Trump’s reaction described as “furious.”
• Foreign governments—particularly China—are reassessing their positions as a result.

Korva Coleman: “President Trump says he will impose new global tariffs of 15%. He declared this over the weekend after the US Supreme Court overturned some of his initial tariffs last Friday. Trump was furious, but other nations... are taking another look at the situation.”

China Reacts

[00:39 - 00:59]

• China’s Ministry is “making a full assessment” and presses for the US to drop “unilateral tariffs.”
• On-the-ground sentiment among Chinese businesspeople remains "cautiously optimistic."
• Uncertainty persists due to the year’s “roller coaster ride” in trade.

Jennifer Pack (00:39): “Chinese business owners who deal with the US are cautiously optimistic, I'd say, about this development... this past year has just been a roller coaster ride with tariffs.”

• Supreme Court ruling may undermine Trump’s leverage in upcoming China visit.
• Other nations closely watching for impacts on trade deals.

2. Government Shutdown Fallout: TSA, DHS Programs, and FEMA Funding

[01:00 - 02:11]

TSA & DHS Travel Updates

[01:00 - 01:23]

• TSA PreCheck will continue, despite initial confusion after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) halted several travel programs.
• DHS Suspension:
  • Global Entry for air travelers and security escorts for Congress members were suspended.
  • DHS initially said PreCheck would be assisted by TSA but quickly reversed this statement, causing “confusion at airports and online.”

Luke Garrett (01:23): “DHS suspended its global entry program for air travelers and airport security escorts for Congress members early Sunday morning... DHS quickly walked this back, causing confusion at airports and online.”

FEMA Funding & Political Blame

• DHS also suspended “all non-disaster related FEMA funding.”
• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blames Congressional Democrats for lack of funding.
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer counters, blaming Trump’s administration for public harm rather than adopting ICE reforms.

Luke Garrett (01:55): “DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blamed congressional Democrats for the program. But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded, saying the Trump administration is choosing to inflict pain on the public instead of adopting common sense ICE reforms.”

• The partial government shutdown is now in its second week with no funding deal in sight.

3. Mortgage Rates Drop to Three-Year Low—but Housing Remains Unaffordable

[02:11 - 03:10]

• Mortgage rates: Now just over 6% for a 30-year fixed mortgage (lowest in three years).
• Home prices remained high despite prior years of high interest—main effect was less supply, not lower prices.
• Homeowners reluctant to give up low, pandemic-era rates; construction lagged.

Stephen Bisaha (02:27): “Four years of high interest rates did not lower home prices as much as economists expected. Instead, the bigger effect was on supply.”

• Jay Krimmel (Economist, Realtor.com) warns that unless new housing supply is added (via construction or listings), increased demand will push prices higher:

Jay Krimmel (02:51): “If you don't add supply to the market... you're going to see that that demand increase turn into price increases as well.”

• Homebuilders pessimistic due to high building costs and economic uncertainty.

4. Blizzard Warnings and Extreme Weather

[03:10 - 03:24]

• Blizzard Alerts: In effect across Mid Atlantic to New England.
• National Weather Service warns some areas may see up to two feet of snow.

5. JP Morgan Closes Trump’s Accounts; Federal Emergency Over Sewage Spill

[03:24 - 04:51]

JP Morgan Action

[03:24 - 03:40]

• JP Morgan closed several of President Trump’s business and personal accounts after January 6 Capitol attack.
• Reasons for closures not specified in court documents.
• Trump has sued JP Morgan.

Potomac River Sewage Spill and Federal Response

[03:40 - 04:51]

• President Trump approved a federal emergency declaration after a broken pipe spilled 200+ million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River.
  • The emergency allows federal assistance for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
  • D.C. Mayor pushing for full federal reimbursement.
• Dispute on Responsibility:
  • Trump accuses Maryland Governor Wes Moore of mismanagement.
  • Moore (the nation's only Black governor, vice chair of National Governors Association) responds that the problem is on federal land and calls Trump a liar.
  • Political feud between Trump and Moore highlighted by recent White House snub.

Kristen Wright (04:24): “President Trump accused Maryland Governor Wes Moore of mismanagement. Moore said the president was lying to the public and that the broken pipe is on federal land.”

• FEMA will support public health efforts related to the spill.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jennifer Pack (on Chinese perspective):
  "Chinese business owners who deal with the US are cautiously optimistic, I'd say, about this development... this past year has just been a roller coaster ride with tariffs." [00:39]

• Luke Garrett (on FEMA funding suspension):
  "The partial government shutdown has now entered its second week with no sign of a DHS funding deal." [02:01]

• Jay Krimmel (on housing supply):
  "If you don't add supply to the market... you're going to see that that demand increase turn into price increases as well." [02:51]

• Kristen Wright (on Trump–Moore feud):
  "President Trump accused Maryland Governor Wes Moore of mismanagement. Moore said the president was lying to the public and that the broken pipe is on federal land." [04:24]

Important Timestamps

• 00:15 — President Trump announces new tariffs following Supreme Court ruling
• 00:39 — China and Chinese businesses respond
• 01:23 — DHS suspends travel programs; TSA PreCheck confusion
• 01:55 — FEMA funding frozen; partisan blame
• 02:11 — Mortgage rates at three-year low, housing supply troubles explained
• 03:10 — Blizzard warnings issued for Northeast
• 03:24 — JP Morgan closes Trump accounts; Trump sues bank
• 03:40 — Federal emergency declared over Potomac sewage spill; Trump-Moore feud details

Conclusion

This NPR News Now segment delivers a rapid-fire snapshot of the day’s top stories, capturing the escalating consequences of political, economic, and environmental turmoil in the US and beyond. From tariff tensions and a government shutdown to housing woes and epic winter storms, the reporting concisely highlights both direct impacts and the political drama surrounding each developing story.