NPR News: 03-28-2025 9PM EDT

Summary

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Efforts to Dismantle CFPB

In a pivotal legal decision, a federal judge has thwarted the Trump administration's attempt to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Jeanine Herbst reports that Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued a preliminary injunction at [00:31], mandating the reinstatement of probationary workers who were terminated by the administration last month and preserving the agency's operations. Laurel Wamsley elaborates, stating, "The injunction is necessary to prevent the administration from eliminating the agency before the court could rule on whether that's allowed." This ruling represents a significant setback for the Trump administration's efforts to weaken the CFPB, an agency some critics argue imposes excessively stringent regulations on financial institutions.

Trump Administration Engages in Legal Conflict with Law Firms

Further intensifying the legal battles, the Trump administration faces pushback from prominent law firms. Jeanine Herbst details a recent ruling where Judge John Bates temporarily blocked a White House initiative aimed at penalizing the Jenner & Block law firm at [01:13]. The judge described President Trump's executive order as "disturbing and troubling." The executive order sought to restrict Jenner & Block's access to federal buildings, revoke security clearances of its personnel, and prevent government employees from meeting with the firm or its members. In a related development, another federal judge issued a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit filed by WilmerHale against the administration. To mitigate these actions, law firms such as Scadden, Apps, Slate, Meagher & Flom have agreed to provide $200 million in pro bono services for causes supported by President Trump, aiming to avoid targeted executive orders.

Devastating Wildfires Ravage South Carolina Mountains

South Carolina is grappling with severe wildfires that have consumed over 10,000 acres in the state's mountainous regions. Scott Morgan from South Carolina Public Radio reports that nearly three-quarters of a million gallons of water have been deployed by air crews in an ongoing effort to contain the flames, which continue to spread unabated as of [02:25]. Governor Henry McMaster expressed the gravity of the situation, stating at [02:42], "We've never had quite a fire quite like this. We've had some big ones. You've seen the movie the Perfect Storm. Well, this might be the perfect fire." The fires are fueled by a combination of dry, windy, and sunny conditions, along with forest debris. Additionally, trees toppled by Hurricane Helene are obstructing access routes for firefighting teams, complicating containment efforts.

Market Downturn and Deadly Earthquake in Myanmar

The financial markets experienced turbulence as the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged by 715 points at [03:07], influenced by ongoing concerns over inflation and tariffs. Concurrently, a devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck central Myanmar, resulting in at least 140 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. The quake was felt in neighboring countries, including China and Thailand, where a building under construction collapsed, exacerbating the region's distress. Jan Khamsan Brumbi reports that Myanmar's military junta has appealed for international humanitarian aid. President Trump responded by affirming, "We're going to be helping," while State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that USAID disaster experts are evaluating the situation to determine the appropriate response. Challenges such as disrupted internet and phone services are hindering swift assessment and aid delivery in the war-torn nation.

Early Peak of Washington D.C.'s Cherry Blossoms

In a welcome change of pace, Washington D.C.'s famed cherry blossoms have reached peak bloom earlier than expected. Jeanine Herbst notes that this year marks the sixth consecutive year of an early bloom, attributed to ample sunshine and weeks of unseasonably mild weather. The National Park Service observes that while the peak comes sooner each year, the blossoms remain fleeting, typically lasting only a few days. This early peak has delighted visitors, offering a brief but stunning display of the iconic pink flowers.

Crude Oil Prices Decline

On the energy front, crude oil prices saw a downward shift, decreasing by 1.2% to close at $69.04 per barrel as of [04:16]. This decline reflects the volatile nature of the global oil markets, influenced by various factors including economic indicators, geopolitical tensions, and changes in supply and demand dynamics. Investors and analysts are closely monitoring these fluctuations, assessing their potential impact on both domestic and international economies.

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on March 29, 2025. It captures the essential information, notable quotes, and the overall flow of the broadcast, making it accessible to those who have not listened to the episode.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from dismantling the Consumer financial protection bureau. NPR's Laurel Wamsley reports. The ruling is a setback to the Trump administration's efforts to hobble the agency.

[Laurel Wamsley]

Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued a preliminary injunction that orders the government to reinstate the probationary workers who were fired last month and otherwise preserve the agency's operations. The D.C. federal court judge said the injunction is necessary to prevent the administration from eliminating the agency before the court could rule on whether that's allowed. In February, the Trump administration shuttered CFPB headquarters, canceled contracts and told employees to stop nearly all work. The agency has slowly been allowed to come back to life, though the judge said that was likely a charade for the court's benefit. The Trump administration has made clear it intends to eliminate the agency, which some argue is too heavy handed in its regulation. Laurel Wamsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A federal judge in Washington has temporarily blocked a White House effort to punish the Jenner and Block law firm, calling an executive order by President Trump, quote, disturbing and troubling. The ruling by Judge John Bates came hours after Jenner sued the administration, citing First Amendment free speech violations and an unconstitutional interference in the rights of its clients to SEC lawyers of its choosing. Trump signed an executive order this week trying to restrict Jenner's access to federal buildings, pull any active security clearances held by its personnel and direct government employees not to meet with the firm or its members. And in a separate ruling today, a second federal judge issued a temporary restraining order in a related lawsuit brought by the firm Wilmer Hale against the administration. Meanwhile, another law firm agreed to a deal. Trump says Scadden, Apps, Slate, Meager and Flom agreed to provide $200 million in pro bono work for causes that Trump supports to avoid an executive order targeting its business. A pair of wildfires have burned more than 10,000 acres in the South Carolina mountains amid conditions that make wildfires almost inevitable. South Carolina Public Radio's Scott Morgan has more.

[Scott Morgan]

It's been a week since a fire at Table Rock Mountain ignited, and almost a week since a second fire sparked at Persimmon Ridge. Air crews have dropped nearly three quarters of a million gallons of water, but there has not been any containment. Governor Henry McMaster said conditions have been ideal for a conflagration.

[Governor Henry McMaster]

We've never had quite a fire quite like this. We've had some big ones. You've seen the movie the Perfect Storm. Well, this might be the perfect fire.

[Scott Morgan]

A combination of dry, windy, sunny days and forest debris is feeding both fires. Trees felled by Hurricane Helene are also impeding access for crews trying to reach parts of the blazes. For NPR News, I'm Scott Morgan in Rock Hill, S.C. stocks sharply lower on.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Wall street by the bell. On inflation and tariff worries. The Dow down 715 points. You're listening to NPR News. At least 140 people are dead, hundreds more injured after an earthquake struck central Myanmar. The magnitude 7.7 quake was also felt in China and Thailand, where a building under construction collapsed and has had a devastating impact on the region. Jan Khamsan Brumbi has more from Bangkok.

[Jan Khamsan Brumbi]

Myanmar's military junta is calling for international humanitarian aid, and several countries, including the United States, have already responded. When asked by reporters, President Trump said, quote, we're going to be helping. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said USAID disaster experts are assessing the requests and reports from the region to shape their response, adding the US Was ready to provide aid, including food and water. Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in the world and engaged in an ongoing civil war. And with Internet and phone signals cut in many areas, it may take some time to assess the true extent of the damage. For NPR News, I'm Jan Hamza Mby in Bangkok.

[Jeanine Herbst]

They're early, but they are welcome. The famous cherry blossoms in the nation's capital, a gift from Japan in 1912, burst into Peak bloom today thanks to lots of sunshine and weeks of abnormally mild weather. The National Park Service says it's the sixth year in a row that the pink blossoms peaked earlier than normal, but the blooms only last for a few days. Crude oil prices were lower by the close today, down 1.2%, ending at $69.04 a barrel. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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