NPR News: 03-07-2025 1AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: March 7, 2025 - Detailed Summary

Host: Doualisa Kowtel
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

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1. President Trump Targets Perkins Cuie with New Executive Orders

At the onset of the episode, Doualisa Kowtel reports significant political developments in New York City. President Donald Trump signed multiple executive orders aimed at penalizing the law firm Perkins Cuie, citing its involvement in Democratic Party politics, particularly in relation to Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.

Trump announced, “[00:18] Doualisa Kowtel: President Trump ... said what they've done is just terrible. It's weaponization, you could say weaponization of a political opponent in the Oval Office.”

These orders include the suspension of active security clearances for attorneys and representatives of Perkins Cuie, signaling a strong stance against perceived political adversaries.

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2. U.S.-Ukraine Relations and Tariff Adjustments

The discussion shifts to U.S.-Ukraine relations. When questioned about Ukraine, Trump remarked:

“[00:56] Donald Trump: I think what's going to happen is Ukraine wants to make because I don't think they have a choice. I also think that Russia wants to make a deal because in a certain different way, a different way that only I know, only I know they have no choice either.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism regarding upcoming talks with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia, hoping for “a meaningful meeting” ([01:11] Doualisa Kowtel).

In economic news, Trump has suspended 25% tariffs on most imported goods from Canada and Mexico, a temporary measure effective until April 2. Franco Ordonez elaborates:

“[01:34] Franco Ordonez: Trump agreed to suspend tariffs on goods ... until April 2, which is also the date that Trump says he'll impose reciprocal tariffs on goods from a wider range of countries.”

A senior administration official indicated that Canada and Mexico could avoid these tariffs by enhancing efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking, linking economic policy directly to public health concerns.

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3. Federal Building Sell-offs and Workforce Reductions

The Trump administration is implementing substantial cost-cutting measures within the General Services Administration (GSA). Chris Arnold reports:

“[02:11] Chris Arnold: The Trump administration ... listed hundreds of buildings ... including courthouses, historic buildings, and even the headquarters of the Departments of Justice, Agriculture, and the GSA itself.”

This move includes the sale of hundreds of federal buildings and the termination of over 1,000 GSA employees. Michelle Berkovich, an employment attorney, criticized the administration’s approach:

“[02:44] Michelle Berkovich: Doing an end run around Congress, who has already dictated this agency's budget.”

The GSA stated that these actions are intended “to reduce the deficit and increase efficiency” ([02:50] Chris Arnold), though the abrupt nature of the layoffs has raised concerns about the administration's disregard for established budgetary processes.

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4. SpaceX Starship Malfunction and Pope Francis’ Health Update

Space Exploration: The latest SpaceX Starship—lauded as the most powerful rocket ever constructed—experienced a malfunction during its eighth test flight from a South Texas site. Shortly after liftoff at 6:30 PM Eastern, the rocket broke apart in the sky within ten minutes, signaling potential setbacks for SpaceX's ambitious space endeavors ([02:57] Doualisa Kowtel).

Pope Francis’ Health: In a poignant update, Pope Francis recorded a heartfelt message from his hospital room. Ruth Sherlock reports:

“[03:38] Michelle Berkovich: I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health, pope Francis says in his native Spanish.”

The 88-year-old Pope, battling double pneumonia, conveyed gratitude for public support, though his weakened voice reflects the toll of his prolonged hospitalization. The Vatican confirmed that his condition remains stable, though recovery may be lengthy.

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5. U.S.-South Korea Military Exercises and North Korea’s Response

Military tensions escalate as joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States are set to commence next week. These exercises, named Freedom Shield, span 11 days and are designed to enhance combined readiness capabilities against potential North Korean nuclear threats ([04:12] Doualisa Kowtel).

However, North Korea has issued a stern warning, indicating that these drills will "bring a storm of aggravation to the security situation on the Korean Peninsula." This declaration follows a recent incident where South Korea accidentally dropped bombs on a civilian area near North Korea, resulting in nearly 30 injuries. The heightened militaristic posture underscores the fragile security dynamics in the region.

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Conclusion:
This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a spectrum of pivotal events, from domestic political maneuvers and international relations to aerospace challenges and global security concerns. Through detailed reporting and firsthand quotes, listeners are kept informed of the intricate developments shaping the current news landscape.

Transcript

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[Doualisa Kowtel]

News in New York City, I'm Doualisa Kowtel. President Trump on Thursday signed a number of new executive orders, including one that punishes a law firm, Perkins Cuie, for its legal work in Democratic Party politics and particularly Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. The order suspends active security clearances held by attorneys or other representatives of the firm. At the White House. He told reporters that it was an absolute honor to sign the order, saying what they've done is just terrible. It's weaponization, you could say weaponization of a political opponent in the Oval Office. Trump was also asked about Ukraine.

[Donald Trump]

I think what's going to happen is Ukraine wants to make because I don't think they have a choice. I also think that Russia wants to make a deal because in a certain different way, a different way that only I know, only I know they have no choice either.

[Doualisa Kowtel]

Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hopes talks with the US Scheduled for Saudi Arabia next week will be, quote, a meaningful meeting. President Trump has for now suspended 25% tariffs on most imported goods coming from Canada and Mexico. NPR's Franco Ordonez has more. More on the latest twist in the tariff saga.

[Franco Ordonez]

Trump agreed to suspend tariffs on goods that fall under a North American Trade act until April 2, which is also the date that Trump says he'll impose reciprocal tariffs on goods from a wider range of countries. A senior administration official added that Canada and Mexico can avert those tariffs if they make more progress on curbing fentanyl trafficking. Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.

[Doualisa Kowtel]

The Trump administration is looking to sell hundreds of federal buildings and is firing the people who run them. Zen Pierre's Chris Arnold reports. The cutbacks are to the federal General Services Administration, or gsa.

[Chris Arnold]

The Trump administration now has its cost cutting sites on the gsa, which is basically the largest landlord in the US this week it listed hundreds of buildings that it's looking to sell, courthouses, historic buildings, and even the headquarters of the Departments of Justice, Agriculture and the GSA itself. It then pulled some of those buildings off its list. Sources tell NPR that the agency has also abruptly fired more than 1,000 workers.

[Michelle Berkovich]

That's just mind boggling.

[Chris Arnold]

Michelle Berkovich is an employment attorney who represents federal workers and seems to be.

[Michelle Berkovich]

Doing an end run around Congress, who has already dictated this agency's budget.

[Chris Arnold]

The gsa, in a statement, says it is taking action to reduce the deficit and increase efficiency. Chris Arnold, NPR news.

[Doualisa Kowtel]

The latest SpaceX starship, described by many as the most powerful rocket ever built, launched from a South Texas site on its eighth test flight just after 6:30pm Eastern, but malfunctioned less than 10 minutes later, breaking in the sky. This is NPR News. Pope Francis recorded a message from his hospital room thanking people for their prayers for his recovery. It's the first time the 88 year old has been heard since he was hospitalized almost three weeks ago. NPR's Ruth Sherlock says you can hear the toll in his illness has taken his voice.

[Michelle Berkovich]

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health, pope Francis says in his native Spanish. I accompany you. From here, the message sounds heartfelt. It's also labored after so many weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia. Even for this audio Note that's barely 22nd. Francis seems to struggle for breath as he speaks. The Vatican says the pope's condition is stable, but his road to recovery may yet be a long one. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Rome.

[Doualisa Kowtel]

Joint military exercises between South Korea and the US Begin next week, but the latest state run news out of North Korea is a warning from Pyongyang suggesting the annual drills will soon bring a storm of aggravating the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. Seoul's Joint Chiefs, Chiefs of staff and US forces Korea announced Thursday that their 11 day exercises called Freedom Shield, are focused on combined readiness capabilities to deter the North's nuclear threats. This comes less than a day after South Korea accidentally dropped bombs on a civilian area near North Korea, injuring nearly 30 people. I'm Doahali Sai Kowtel, NPR News.

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