NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of March 20, 2025, Episode
Host: Shea Stevens
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Duration: 5 Minutes
1. President Trump's Executive Order to Shut Down the Department of Education
President Donald Trump is anticipated to sign an executive order aimed at dissolving the Department of Education. The directive, according to a draft, instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to revert educational authorities back to state control. Additionally, the order seeks the elimination of departmental funding for programs related to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and gender ideology.
Key Points:
- State Control: The executive order emphasizes devolving education authorities to individual states.
- Funding Cuts: It targets the withdrawal of funding for DEI and gender-related programs within the Department of Education.
No direct quotes were provided for this section.
2. Justice Department's Compliance with Judge Boasberg on Venezuelan Deportations
The Justice Department (DOJ) faces a deadline today to comply with U.S. District Judge James Boasberg's request for detailed information regarding recent weekend flights that deported Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador. Judge Boasberg has stipulated that the DOJ must either provide the requested information or present a compelling argument that doing so would jeopardize state secrets.
Key Points:
- Compliance Deadline: The DOJ must respond to the judge's demands by today.
- Potential Legal Battle: Non-compliance could lead to legal challenges based on national security concerns.
3. White House's Stance on Deportation Flights
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt addressed questions regarding the continuation of deportation flights. Levitt stated:
"We don't have any flights planned specifically, but we will continue with the mass deportations. And I would just like to point out that the judge in this case is essentially trying to say that the president doesn't have the executive authority to deport foreign terrorists from our American soil. That is an egregious abuse of the bench. This judge cannot, does not have that authority. It is the opinion of this White House and of this administration and that's why we're fighting this in court."
— Caroline Levitt [01:11]
Levitt affirmed the administration's readiness to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary, underscoring the administration's commitment to its deportation policies.
4. Federal Judge's Decision on US Institute of Peace Takeover
A federal judge has declined to block the takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a taxpayer-funded think tank, amidst ongoing litigation. The takeover involved members of Elon Musk's Doge team, who, accompanied by armed police, forcibly entered the institute on Monday, compelling staff to vacate.
Judge Beryl Howell remarked on the incident:
"The Doge takeover was offensive, but there are concerns about the way the plaintiffs crafted their lawsuit."
— Judge Beryl Howell [01:39]
While condemning the manner of the takeover, Judge Howell indicated potential issues with the plaintiffs' legal approach, allowing the lawsuit to proceed without an injunction.
5. President Trump's Diplomatic Efforts in Ukraine and Russia
President Trump's recent diplomatic engagements include a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which he proposed that the U.S. take control of Ukraine's power plants to safeguard their security. This discussion follows Trump's extensive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a partial ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
Asma Khalid reports:
"Trump says he's trying to align Ukraine and Russia's requests and needs. After Trump spoke with Russia's Vladimir Putin, Moscow agreed to stop strikes on energy infrastructure. But Zelensky says that even after that agreement, Russian drones hit energy targets and two hospitals."
— Asma Khalid [02:35]
Despite these high-level talks, the conflict persists, with continued attacks on critical infrastructure and civilian institutions, highlighting the fragile nature of the ceasefire.
6. Conviction in Child Nutrition Fraud Case
In Minnesota, a federal jury has found two individuals guilty of embezzling $250 million from taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors detailed that the defendant, founder of the nonprofit "Feed Our Future," and a co-defendant established fraudulent meal distribution sites, submitting thousands of false reimbursement claims.
Key Points:
- Fraudulent Activities: Creation of fake distribution sites and bogus claims.
- Legal Consequences: Among dozens charged, 37 have pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery.
7. Rise in ADHD Prescription and Misuse
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry reveals a significant increase in ADHD prescriptions among Americans, paralleling a rise in misuse of these medications. NPR's Katia Riddle reports on the findings:
"During the pandemic, many adults started taking stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The researchers who conducted this study looked at how people are using these drugs in light of this new demand. They underscored that most people do use stimulants safely and effectively and emphasized that it's important to keep them widely available. However, they did also find that more than 25% of adults with a prescription reported misuse. That means taking too much of a drug or too often or any other ways their doctor did not prescribe. This kind of behavior is correlated with substance use disorder of other kinds that can be quite dangerous. The researchers called for careful monitoring of people using these drugs."
— Katia Riddle [04:01]
The study highlights the necessity for vigilant oversight to prevent potential substance abuse arising from the increased availability of ADHD medications.
8. Financial Markets Update
U.S. futures closed higher in after-hours trading, following gains observed on Wednesday. Conversely, Asia-Pacific markets largely faced declines, with Hong Kong's market dropping by 2%.
Key Points:
- U.S. Markets: Positive momentum continued in after-hours trading.
- Asia-Pacific Markets: Predominant downturn, notably in Hong Kong.
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