NPR News: 03-20-2025 9AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of the March 20, 2025 Episode

NPR News Now, hosted by Korva Coleman, delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments in its March 20, 2025 episode released at 9 AM EDT. This summary encapsulates the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and proper attributions to provide an insightful overview for listeners who missed the broadcast.

---

1. President Trump's Plan to Dismantle the Department of Education

Timestamp: [00:26]

In a significant move, President Donald Trump announced his intention to sign an executive action aimed at dissolving the Department of Education. NPR's Janaki Mehta reported that this decision, anticipated since February, directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to undertake all necessary steps for the department's closure. The administration had previously postponed this action pending McMahon's confirmation. As a result of this impending dissolution, nearly half of the department's workforce has been notified of impending layoffs, with many employees set to depart by Friday and enter administrative leave thereafter.

Mehta highlighted the administration's stance on funding, stating that "many programs will not be funded by the department if they, quote, advance DEI or gender ideology" (00:26). This directive underscores the administration's broader policy shifts regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within federal programs.

---

2. Federal Court Decision on Doge's Takeover of the US Institute of Peace

Timestamps: [01:05] & [01:36]

A contentious legal battle unfolded as a federal judge denied a request to temporarily block "Doge's" takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP). Korva Coleman introduced the issue, noting that previous USIP members had filed lawsuits alleging unlawful removal by the Trump administration. These former members accused Doge agents of employing armed law enforcement to forcibly remove them from the institute.

NPR's Ryan Lucas provided further details, explaining that U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell cited "confusion in the members lawsuit" and expressed being "offended by how the Doge agents behaved" (01:36). Despite these concerns, the judge allowed Doge to maintain control of USIP while the lawsuit progresses. Judge Howell emphasized her apprehensions regarding Doge's methods in securing access to the institute, signaling potential future legal challenges.

---

3. Legal Scrutiny of Deportation Flights to El Salvador

Timestamp: [01:55] & [02:15]

The episode also covered ongoing legal disputes surrounding recent deportation flights orchestrated by the Trump administration. Korva Coleman reported that U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has granted the Trump administration an additional day to respond to his inquiries about the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador.

Joel Rose elaborated on the matter, explaining that the Justice Department is resisting Judge Boasberg's order to disclose details about the flights. Boasberg had previously temporarily blocked the use of wartime powers for these deportations, suspecting potential violations. In response, the Justice Department filed an emergency motion, accusing Boasberg of "continuing to beat a dead horse" (02:15). The judge has now extended the deadline by 24 hours to allow consideration of invoking the state secrets privilege, while the department has decided to appeal the judge's orders.

---

4. Escalation of Conflict Between Hamas and Israel

Timestamp: [02:53]

Tensions in the Middle East persist as Hamas claimed responsibility for rocket attacks on Tel Aviv. Korva Coleman reported that the Israeli military confirmed projectiles were launched from southern Gaza, though they were either intercepted or landed in open areas, minimizing casualties. This incident occurs amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians. The situation underscores the fragile and volatile nature of the region's security dynamics.

---

5. Defense Department's Reversal on Veteran Web Pages

Timestamp: [02:53]

In a notable policy reversal, the Department of Defense is reinstating several of its web pages that honor veterans, including those dedicated to World War II Navajo Code Talkers and African American veterans like baseball legend Jackie Robinson. These pages had been previously removed following an executive order from the Trump administration aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content. The restoration signifies a shift towards recognizing and celebrating the diverse contributions of veterans.

---

6. NASA Astronauts Readjusting to Earth After Space Mission

Timestamps: [03:46] & [04:05]

NASA astronaut recovery after long-duration space missions was another highlight of the episode. Chandelyse Duster reported that astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are undergoing a comprehensive 45-day post-mission rehabilitation program to readjust to Earth's gravity after nine months in space.

Dr. Natasha Cho, NASA's flight surgeon, explained the physiological challenges faced by the astronauts, noting, "In weightlessness, your brain becomes almost entirely dependent on your visual input for your sense of orientation, while your inner ear and your sense of balance, which are gravity dependent systems, have become relatively dormant in space" (04:05). The program includes medical and performance assessments, participation in various studies, and a structured reconditioning regimen. Additionally, the astronauts will engage in two-hour daily training sessions to regain their pre-flight fitness levels, ensuring a smooth transition back to daily life on Earth.

---

7. International Olympic Committee's Search for a New President

Timestamp: [04:29]

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is in the process of selecting its next president, following the tenure of outgoing leader Thomas Bach. Korva Coleman outlined that seven candidates are vying for the position, with the chosen individual expected to steer the Olympic organization for the next eight years. The new president will face critical issues, including regulating transgender athletic competition and enforcing bans on Russian participation in the Olympic Games. The selection outcome will have significant implications for the future direction and policies of the IOC.

---

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a succinct yet comprehensive overview of pressing political, legal, and global issues, alongside human interest stories from the realms of military honors and space exploration. The inclusion of direct quotes and detailed reporting ensures that the key points and nuances of each topic are clearly conveyed.

---

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections from Pemco Mutual Insurance and Comcast were excluded from this summary in accordance with the provided guidelines.

Transcript

[Narrator]

This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more. So they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Later today, President Trump is expected to move ahead with his plan to begin dismantling the Department of Education. NPR's Janaki Mehta has more.

[Janaki Mehta]

President Trump plans to sign an executive action that will tell education secretary Linda McMahon to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education. The move has been expected since early February, when the White House shared its intentions, but held off on issuing the action until McMahon was confirmed in her position. The Education Department has already notified nearly half of its staff that they will be laid off. Many of those employees will have their last day of work Friday before being placed on administrative leave. The order also says many programs will not be funded by the department if they, quote, advance DEI or gender ideology. Janaki Mehta, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

A federal judge has denied a request to temporarily block Doge's takeover of the US Institute of Peace, or usip. Some former members of USIP had sued the Trump administration. They say they were unlawfully removed from their jobs. Doge agents used armed law enforcement officers to eject the members. But U.S. district Judge Beryl Howell said there was, quote, confusion in the members lawsuit. NPR's Ryan Lucas says the judge said she was offended by how the Doge agents behaved.

[Ryan Lucas]

She declined to block Doge's takeover. For now, Doge will be allowed to remain in control of the US Institute of Peace for the time being as the court continues to consider this lawsuit. But still, Howell made very clear at this hearing that she had very serious concerns about Doge and how it had gone about gaining access to USIP.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Ryan Lucas reporting. Another federal judge is giving the Trump administration one more day to answer all his questions about deportation flights last weekend. NPR's Joel Rose reports. The Justice Department is fighting the judge's order to submit details about the flights that deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador.

[Joel Rose]

U.S. district Judge James Boasberg has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from using wartime powers to quickly deport migrants from Venezuela that it accuses of being gang members. Now Boasberg is demanding answers from the Justice Department about whether it deliberately flouted his orders when it allowed two deportation flights to continue. But the Justice Department is pushing back. In an emergency filing, lawyers accused Boasberg of, quote, continuing to beat a dead horse. Boasberg agreed to extend his deadline for 24 hours to allow the Justice Department to consider invoking the state secrets privilege. The Justice Department has also appealed Boasberg's orders. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Hamas is claiming responsibility for rockets fired at Tel Aviv today. The Israeli military says projectiles were fired from southern Gaza. The military says these were intercepted or fell in open areas. This comes as the Israeli military continues to attack Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed. This is npr. The Defense Department is restoring some of its Web pages that featured veterans such as the World War II Navajo code talkers and black veterans such as baseball legend Jackie Robinson. Many webpages had been removed following a Trump administration order to get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion items. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are readjusting to Earth after spending nine months in space. NPR's Chandelyse Duster has more on the recovery process for astronauts.

[Chandelyse Duster]

NASA says the astronauts will go through a progressive 45 day post mission program. During this time, they will have medical and performance testing, will participate in studies and follow a structured reconditioning program. NASA flight surgeon Dr. Natasha Cho says their balance also has to be retrained.

[Dr. Natasha Cho]

In weightlessness, your brain becomes almost entirely dependent on your visual input for your sense of orientation, while your inner ear and your sense of balance, which are gravity dependent systems, have become relatively dormant in space.

[Chandelyse Duster]

Woolmore and Williams will also spend two hours a day with trainers to get back to the fitness levels they had before going to space. Chandelyse Duster, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The International Olympic Committee is selecting its next president. There are seven candidates. One will succeed outgoing IOC leader Thomas Bach. The winner will lead the Olympic organization for the next eight years. The leader will need to address issues from transgender athletic competition to the ban on official Russian participation in the Olympic Games. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[Narrator]

This message comes from Comcast. Every day, thousands of Comcast engineers and technologists create connectivity solutions that change the way people work, live and play. Like Kunle, a Comcast engineer who is focused on revolutionizing the in home WI Fi experience today and for the next generation. Kunle builds powerful Xfinity WI FI devices for a fast, reliable connection with capacity to connect hundreds of high bandwidth devices at once. More at ComcastCorporation. Com wifi.