NPR News: 03-19-2025 12PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – March 19, 2025

Released: March 19, 2025 | Host: Lakshmi Singh

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1. President Trump's Diplomatic Engagements

Timestamp: [00:13]

NPR’s Lakshmi Singh reports that President Trump announced on social media a substantial one-hour conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The discussion aimed to align Ukraine and Russia's positions concerning a potential ceasefire. Trump stated, “much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Vladimir Putin of Russia in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs when it comes to a ceasefire between the countries.” He further mentioned that details would follow from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.

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2. Legal Battle Over the US Institute of Peace

Timestamp: [01:04]

Michelle Kellerman details the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and the US Institute of Peace (USIP). The administration recently assumed control of USIP’s headquarters, appointing a new acting president after dismissing most board members. In response, USIP is seeking a temporary restraining order from a Washington judge, arguing that board members can only be removed for cause. Among the plaintiffs is John Sullivan, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia under Trump’s first term. Kellerman emphasizes, “The US Institute of Peace is a think tank funded by Congress, not a government agency,” highlighting the significance of congressional funding and the involvement of retired diplomats.

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3. Controversial Deportation Flights and Legal Scrutiny

Timestamp: [01:42]

Lakshmi Singh reports on the Trump administration's use of an 18th-century wartime law to execute deportation flights targeting alleged Venezuelan gang members. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has mandated a deadline for the administration to provide more information about these actions, despite previously ordering the return of the planes. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz addressed the situation on Fox News, stating, “I think if you had some of those, you know, tattooed, shaved head men labeled ISIS, then we wouldn't even be having this debate. So this is about a wholesale shift on what a terrorist is and how they should be treated in the United States.” In response to the legal challenges, President Trump called for the impeachment of Judge Boasberg, a move that received widespread criticism, including from Chief Justice John Roberts, who asserted that judicial disagreements should be resolved through appellate courts, not impeachment.

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4. Stock Market Performance Amid Federal Reserve Anticipation

Timestamp: [Various Moments]

Amidst the political turmoil, U.S. stocks have shown positive movements. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 273 points (approximately 0.5%) to 41,854, the S&P 500 increased by 42 points, and the Nasdaq surged over 1%. Investors are closely monitoring the outcomes of the Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting, anticipating signals on future monetary policies.

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5. Introduction of the White House’s Self-Deportation App

Timestamp: [03:25 – 03:47]

NPR’s Windsor Johnston covers the White House’s launch of a new self-deportation app targeting individuals residing in the U.S. illegally. President Trump, in a social media video, encouraged undocumented immigrants to use the app to depart voluntarily and retain the possibility of lawful re-entry. However, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz issued a stern warning: “Be found, they will be deported, and they will never be admitted again to the United States ever, ever again. You're never coming in.” Immigration advocates have expressed significant concerns regarding the app’s collection and potential misuse of personal and biometric data, advising affected individuals to seek legal counsel to avoid unintended repercussions.

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6. Continuation of Telemedicine Abortions Despite Legal Threats

Timestamp: [04:08]

Despite Janurary’s indictment of a New York physician for prescribing abortion pills, NPR’s Lakshmi Singh reports that some medical professionals remain committed to mailing abortion medications across state lines. Dr. Kohar der Simonian, head of Maine Family Planning, announced plans to continue assisting out-of-state patients despite potential criminal prosecution, supported by the #WeCount movement. Notably, Louisiana leads in telemedicine abortions among states with stringent bans, with nearly 60% engagement in this practice.

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This episode of NPR News Now offers a comprehensive overview of significant political maneuvers, legal battles, immigration policies, market trends, and ongoing debates surrounding reproductive rights, providing listeners with timely and in-depth insights into current events.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump says on social media that he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for about an hour today. He said, quote, much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Vladimir Putin of Russia in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs when it comes to a ceasefire between the countries. Trump also said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House national security Adviser Mike Waltz would provide more details in a statement. The US Institute of Peace is asking a judge in Washington to stop what has effectively been a hostile takeover by the Trump administration's Government efficiency Group. The institute was created and funded by Congress. NPR's Michelle Kellerman has the latest.

[Michelle Kellerman]

The Trump administration took over the headquarters on Monday, installing a new acting president after firing most of the board members last week. The US Institute of Peace is asking a judge to issue a temporary restraining order saying the president can only fire board members for cause. The plaintiffs in the case are the board members who the Trump administration claimed to have sacked. That includes John Sullivan, who was Trump's ambassador to Russia during Trump's first presidential term. The US Institute of Peace, not a government agency. It's a think tank funded by Congress. Many retired diplomats work there. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A court ordered deadline is now up for the Trump administration to answer questions about last weekend's deportation flights carried out under an 18th century wartime law. U.S. district Judge James Boasberg is seeking more details about the administration's actions, even though he had ordered the planes carrying alleged Venezuelan gang members out of the US to be turned around. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz tells Fox News the gangs are the new isis.

[Mike Waltz]

I think if you had some of those, you know, tattooed, shaved head men labeled isis, then we wouldn't even be having this debate. So this is about a wholesale shift on what a terrorist is and how they should be treated in the United States.

[Lakshmi Singh]

President Trump called for the judge's impeachment. That remark drew swift condemnations from various groups and from the US Chief Justice John Roberts, who argued yesterday that disagreements with judges should be handled through the appellate process in the US not through impeachments. US Stocks are trading higher this hour as the markets investors await the latest information from the Federal Reserve's two day policy meeting. The Dow is up 273 points, roughly 0.5% at 41,854s. And P is up 42 points. Nasdaq is up more than 1%. It's NPR. The White House is launching a new self deportation app that's aimed at people living in the U.S. illegally. NPR's Windsor Johnston reports. The move is part of a broader effort to crack down on illegal immigration.

[Windsor Johnston]

In a video posted on social media, President Trump says people without legal status can use the app to leave the country voluntarily and keep the option of coming back legally. But if they don't, then they will.

[Mike Waltz]

Be found, they will be deported, and they will never be admitted again to the United States ever, ever again. You're never coming in.

[Windsor Johnston]

Immigration advocates are raising concerns regarding the collection and potential use of personal and biometric data. They're advising people to seek legal advice before using the app, warning that utilizing it without proper guidance could lead to unintended legal consequences. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Some doctors say they will keep mailing abortion pills over state lines, despite January's historic indictment of a New York physician. That doctor is wanted in Louisiana for prescribing the abortion pills a Louisiana woman allegedly gave her underage daughter. Despite the threat of criminal prosecution, the head of maine family planning, Dr. Kohar der Simonian, says she and other staff plan to keep assisting out of state patients, according to hashtag WeCount. At nearly 60%, Louisiana has the highest rate of telemedicine abortions among states with strict bans. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News, in Washington.

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