NPR News: 03-26-2025 7AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 26, 2025

Hosted by Korva Coleman

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National Security Advisor’s Use of Signal Messaging App Under Fire

In today's early segment, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz addressed controversy surrounding his use of the commercial messaging app Signal for official communications. Waltz admitted responsibility for creating a group chat on Signal that unintentionally included a journalist. This incident has raised concerns about the security protocols within the Trump administration.

Notable Quote:

"I created the Signal group, not a subordinate." — Mike Waltz at [00:16]

Despite previous Pentagon advisories against using Signal for any classified information, President Trump has directed Waltz to assess the app's suitability for secure communications. Tom Bowman elaborated on the administration's stance:

"President Trump said he wants National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to look into Signal, whether it can be used." — Tom Bowman at [00:43]

This directive comes amid ongoing discussions about the balance between user-friendly communication tools and national security requirements.

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Supreme Court to Hear Challenge Against FCC’s Universal Service Fund

The Supreme Court is set to review a significant case involving the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today. The case questions whether Congress overstepped its constitutional authority by empowering the FCC to establish the Universal Service Fund, which aims to provide affordable Internet services to rural and underserved areas.

NPR’s Nina Totenberg provided historical context:

"In 1934, Congress created the Federal Communications Commission to ensure the availability of affordable and reliable phone services throughout the country... In 1996, with the Internet exploding, Congress overhauled the act, telling the FCC to set up a universal service fund." — Nina Totenberg at [01:35]

A conservative group is challenging the legality of this fund, arguing that it effectively imposes a tax on telecommunications companies, which then pass the costs to consumers. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for internet accessibility and the regulatory scope of federal agencies.

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NPR and PBS CEOs Testify Amid Allegations of Media Bias

Today, the CEOs of NPR and PBS are scheduled to testify before a House subcommittee chaired by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene has alleged that these media organizations produce biased coverage while being subsidized by taxpayer dollars, questioning the justification for such funding.

Korva Coleman reported on the CEOs' stance:

"The CEOs reject the allegations of bias. They also point out that any cuts in federal funding will harm local member stations." — Korva Coleman at [02:23]

The leaders emphasized that federal funding constitutes a mere 8-10% of revenue for member stations, with some rural stations relying more heavily on these funds. NPR specifically receives about 1% of its funding from direct federal sources. They argued that reducing federal support could undermine the operational capacity of local media outlets, which play a crucial role in community journalism.

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Visits El Salvador Prison Amid Legal Tensions

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is scheduled to visit a prison in El Salvador housing over 200 Venezuelan deportees. This visit is at the center of a legal confrontation between the Trump administration and federal courts concerning the use of wartime powers under the Alien Enemies Act to deport individuals deemed as violent gang members.

Giles Snyder reported:

"The administration is seeking to overturn a federal judge's order, putting a hold on Trump's use of the law." — Giles Snyder at [03:26]

The administration argues that these deportations are necessary for national security, while opponents contend that the actions violate legal protections and due process. Secretary Noem’s visit underscores the administration’s commitment to its immigration policies despite ongoing judicial challenges.

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Record-Breaking Spending in Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Raises Concerns

The Wisconsin state Supreme Court election has set a new record for campaign spending, reflecting intense partisan interest in the judiciary's future composition. President Trump has endorsed Brad Shimmel, a conservative candidate, while business magnate Elon Musk has contributed approximately $18 million to support his bid to shift the court's balance. Conversely, Democrats and former President Barack Obama have backed Susan Crawford, aiming to maintain judicial independence.

Chuck Kuernbach from member station WUWM detailed the financial landscape:

"New totals showing that $73 million has been spent on the contest so far." — Chuck Kuernbach at [04:05]

Marquette University law professor Janine Geske voiced significant concerns regarding the implications of such substantial funding:

"It is really an attack on independence of our judiciary, and I'm very concerned." — Janine Geske at [04:39]

The April 1st election is poised to not only determine judicial leadership but also to spark broader debates about the influence of money in judicial processes and the preservation of impartiality within the legal system.

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For more detailed updates, visit NPR News Now

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz says he takes responsibility for creating a group chat on the commercial messaging app Signal. Top Trump administration members used Signal recently to talk about secret war plans, but that chat inadvertently included a journalist. Waltz says that he created the Signal group, not a subordinate. NPR's Tom Bowman reports. President Trump wants Waltz to examine the messaging app.

[Tom Bowman]

President Trump said he wants National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to look into Signal, whether it can be used. But just last week, the Pentagon said Signal should not be used for classified information. And going back to October 2023, Pentagon officials said at that time it should not be used for any kind of classified information.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Tom Bowman reporting. A note. The CEO of NPR, Katherine Maher, also chairs the board of the nonprofit Signal Foundation. The U.S. supreme Court will hear a case today involving the Federal Communications Commission. The justices will weigh whether Congress violated the Constitution when it allowed the FCC to set up a certain program. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports. This program provides accessible and subsidized Internet services to rural, remote and underserved areas.

[Nina Totenberg]

In 1934, Congress created the Federal Communications Commission to ensure the availability of affordable and reliable phone services throughout the country. Initially, Congress established an indirect subsidy to fund the program. But in 1996, with the Internet exploding, Congress overhauled the act, telling the FCC to set up a universal service fund to ensure that rural areas and hospitals, as well as schools and libraries, have Internet access. In the decades since then, the money for the fund has been paid by the telecommunications companies who pass the charges on to consumers. A conservative group is challenging the law, contending that Congress exceeded its authority authority in enacting what amounts to a tax. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

The chief executives of NPR and PBS will testify today before a House subcommittee. Subcommittee Chair Marjorie Taylor Greene alleges the media organizations produce biased coverage subsidized by taxpayers. She wants to know why taxpayer dollars should support them. The CEOs reject the allegations of bias. They also point out that any cuts in federal funding will harm local member stations. Member stations receive between 8 and 10% of their revenue directly from federal sources. On average, though the number is much higher for some rural stations. NPR receives about 1% of its funding from direct federal sources. On Wall street in premarket trading, Dow futures are down by about 10 points. This is NPR. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is set to visit a prison in el Salvador today. NPR's Giles Snyder reports. It's at the heart of a confrontation between the Trump administration and federal courts.

[Giles Snyder]

The prison that Secretary Noem is visiting is where more than 200 Venezuelans are jailed after they were deported from the U.S. the Trump administration alleges that many are violent gang members, justifying the president's use of wartime powers under the Alien Enemies act to deport them. The administration is seeking to overturn a federal judge's order, putting a hold on Trump's use of the law.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Giles Snyder reporting. Campaign finance reports that have been released in a Wisconsin state Supreme Court election are showing a new record for spending on a judicial race. From member station wuwm, Chuck Kuernbach reports.

[Chuck Kuernbach]

President Trump has endorsed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Shimmel. Business executive Elon Musk has spent about $18 million backing the suburban Milwaukee Circuit judge who's trying to flip control of the state court to conservatives. Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, have endorsed Schimmel's opponent, Madison Area Circuit Judge Susan Crawford. New totals showing that $73 million has been spent on the contest so far. Trouble, Marquette University law professor Janine Guske.

[Janine Geske]

You know, it is really an attack on independence of our judiciary, and I'm very concerned.

[Chuck Kuernbach]

Geske is a retired state Supreme Court justice. The Wisconsin election is April 1st. For NPR News, I'm Chuck Kwernbach in Milwaukee.

[Korva Coleman]

This is npr.

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