NPR News: 03-21-2025 9PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 21, 2025, 9PM EDT Summary

On the March 21, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, host Jeanine Herbst delivers a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news stories. This summary encapsulates the key topics discussed, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

---

1. Justice Department Launches Investigation into Leaked Climate Intelligence

Timestamp: [00:17]

Jeanine Herbst opens the episode by reporting that the Justice Department is initiating a criminal investigation into the alleged leak of classified climate intelligence related to the Venezuelan prison gang, Tren de Aragua. This action follows President Trump's recent invocation of a wartime statute to deport suspected gang members.

Ryan Lucas, NPR reporter, provides further details:

"Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the criminal investigation into what he calls, 'the selective leak of inaccurate but nevertheless classified information from U.S. intelligence agencies about Tren de Aragua.'” [00:40]

Blanche criticized the leak as a politically motivated attempt by the "deep state" to undermine Trump's agenda by disseminating false information to the New York Times, which had reported that Tren de Aragua is not directed by the Venezuelan government—a stance contradicting Trump’s assertions.

---

2. Trump Administration Halts Funding for Attorneys Representing Unaccompanied Minors

Timestamp: [01:19]

Jeanine Herbst transitions to immigration issues, highlighting that the Trump administration has ceased payments to attorneys who represent unaccompanied minors in immigration courts. This marks the second termination within a little over a month, affecting legal support for more than 20,000 children.

Paul Flapp from Texas Public Radio elaborates:

"What happened is just like taking the parachute away from children before you push them off the airplane." [01:47]

Jonathan Ryan, managing attorney for the legal nonprofit Advocato, adds:

"Most attorneys with current child clients will continue their work, but the move cuts them off from future children in immigration detention." [01:53]

This policy change has sparked concern over the diminished legal assistance available to vulnerable minors entering the U.S. immigration system.

---

3. Pentagon's Removal of DEI Content Raises Recruitment Concerns

Timestamp: [02:02]

Jeanine Herbst reports on the Pentagon's recent decision to remove digital content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Military experts express worry that this move may deter young women and minorities from joining the armed forces.

Bill Chappell provides context:

"From 2005 to 2023, the number of active duty women in the military rose by 12%, while the number of men fell by more than 10%. According to Pentagon data, minorities are one third of the active duty enlisted ranks." [02:17]

However, Bobby Jones, president of Veterans for Responsible Leadership, voices concerns:

"The new agenda is sending a message to potential recruits who aren't white and male." [02:40]

Jones further states:

"In the black community, I know for a fact conversations now are about should we let our kids serve in the military, which is a very big problem." [02:40]

The Pentagon has yet to directly address these recruitment concerns, stating only pride in America's heroes and heritage.

---

4. Boeing Selected to Develop the Air Force's Sixth-Generation Fighter Jets

Timestamp: [02:56]

Jeanine Herbst announces that President Trump has chosen Boeing to develop the Air Force's sixth-generation fighter jets, designated as the F47. Trump claims that an experimental version of the aircraft has been secretly operational for approximately five years. The Pentagon asserts that the F47 will feature advanced stealth and penetration capabilities, significantly surpassing the current fleet's performance.

---

5. U.S. Imposes Visa Bans on Argentina's Former President and Official Over Corruption

Timestamp: [03:36]

Jeanine Herbst covers the U.S. State Department's decision to bar Argentina’s former president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, and her former planning minister from entering the country. This action is in response to allegations of abuse of power and corruption.

Carrie Kahn, NPR reporter in Rio de Janeiro, details:

"Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her former planning minister were involved in significant corruption and bribery schemes that netted them millions of dollars. Kirchner is a polarizing and leading figure in Argentina's leftist opposition. She was convicted of corruption and sentenced to six years in prison. She denies any wrongdoing and is not in prison." [03:36]

Additionally, Javier Milei, the current president of the far-right libertarian movement and a close ally of President Trump, faces tough midterm elections. His party, being new, requires more legislative support to advance his proposals aimed at reducing governmental costs.

---

6. Pharmaceutical Companies Increase U.S. Investments Amid Potential Tariff Threats

Timestamp: [04:16]

Amid the Trump administration's threats of imposing tariffs on drug imports, Johnson & Johnson has announced plans to significantly boost its U.S. investments. The company commits to a 25% increase, equating to over $55 billion, through the establishment of four new factories in the United States over the next four years. This expansion is projected to contribute approximately $100 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

Similarly, Eli Lilly revealed plans for new U.S. production facilities, with an investment of $27 billion slated over the coming five years. These moves indicate a strategic shift by major pharmaceutical firms to bolster domestic manufacturing in response to potential trade barriers.

---

This episode of NPR News Now provides listeners with a succinct yet thorough examination of significant national and international developments, ranging from governmental investigations and immigration policies to defense advancements and major corporate investments.

Transcript

[Ad Voiceover]

This message comes from home instead. Home Instead knows that if you leave home to seek aging care, you say goodbye to where you built your life. So why not stay with help from home instead? Learn [e-mail] Home Instead for a better what's next?

[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The Justice Department is opening a criminal investigation into what it says is a leak of climate classified intelligence related to the Venezuelan prison gang. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports. This comes after President Trump invoked a wartime statute last week to similarly deport suspected members of the gang.

[Ryan Lucas]

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the criminal investigation into what he calls, quote, the selective leak of inaccurate but nevertheless classified information from U.S. intelligence agencies about Trende Aragua. He says the department will not tolerate what he calls politically motivated efforts by the deep state to undercut Trump's agenda by leaking false information to the New York Times. The department does not specify what reporting in the Times prompted the investigation, but the newspaper reported this week that a U.S. intelligence assessment had concluded that Trend Aragua is not directed by Venezuela's government, a conclusion that contradicts President Trump's assertions. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The Trump administration has once again stopped payments to attorneys representing unaccompanied minors in immigration courts. Texas Public Radio's Paul Flapp has more.

[Ad Voiceover]

The Health and Human Services Department has ordered attorneys to stop work under the contract, the second time in just over a month. Texas Public Radio has reviewed the contract termination. Email from Acacia center for Justice. The contract affects more than 20,000 children. Jonathan Ryan is the managing attorney for the legal nonprofit Advocato.

[Jeanine Herbst]

What happened is just like taking the.

[Ad Voiceover]

Parachutes away from children before you push.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Them off the airplane.

[Ad Voiceover]

Ryan says most attorneys with current child clients will continue their work, but the move cuts them off from future children in immigration detention. I'm Paul Flav in San Antonio.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The Pentagon's removal of digital content related to diversity, equity and inclusion has military experts worried that young women and minorities might be less likely to join up. And here's Bill Chappell has more.

[Bill Chappell]

From 2005 to 2023, the number of active duty women in the military rose by 12%, while the number of men fell by more than 10%. According to Pentagon data, minorities are one third of the active duty enlisted ranks. But. But Bobby Jones, president of the nonpartisan group Veterans for Responsible Leadership, says the new agenda is sending a message to potential recruits who aren't white and male.

[Ad Voiceover]

In the black community. I know for a fact conversations now are about should we let our kids serve in the military, which is a very big problem.

[Bill Chappell]

The Pentagon didn't respond directly to NPR's questions about recruiting, saying instead that it's proud of America's heroes and heritage. Bill Chappell, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Trump picked Boeing to build the Air Force's sixth generation fighter jets called the F47. He says an experimental version of the plane has been secretly flying for around five years. The Pentagon says the planes will have stealth and penetration capabilities that far exceed the current fleet. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The US Is barring Argentina's former president and another top ex official from entering the country due to what the State Department says was their, quote, abuse of power and corruption. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports. The visa bans were announced by the secretary of State.

[Carrie Kahn]

The USS Argentina's former president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirschner and her former planning minister were involved in significant corruption and bribery schemes that netted them millions of dollars. Kirchner is a polarizing and leading figure in Argentina's leftist opposition. She was convicted of corruption and sentenced to six years in prison. She denies any wrongdoing and is not in prison. The current president of far right libertarian Javier Milei is a close ally of President Trump. Milei is facing tough midter elections. His party is new and needs more lawmaker support to pass his cost slashing agenda through Congress. Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Amid looming tariff threats on drug imports from President Trump, Johnson and Johnson says it will boost U.S. investments by 25% with more than $55 billion in four new factories in the U.S. in the next four years. The pharmaceutical giant says that will add some $100 billion a year to the Eli Lilly also announced plans for new U.S. factories last month, saying it will invest $27 billion in U.S. production facilities over the next five years. I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington. This message comes from Warby Parker. If you wear glasses, you know how hard it is to find the perfect pair. But step into a Warby Parker store and you'll see it doesn't have to be. Find a Warby Parker store near [e-mail] retail.