NPR News: 04-05-2025 4AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 5, 2025

Release Date: April 5, 2025
Host: Dale Willman
Duration: 4 minutes and 54 seconds

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Stock Market Plunges Amid Tariff Fears

[00:16] Dale Willman opened the episode by reporting a significant downturn in the stock market, citing fears surrounding President Trump's newly announced tariffs. The market experienced its second consecutive day of declines across all major indices. The tariffs, intended to bolster domestic manufacturing, have sparked concerns about their broader impact on the global economy.

[00:32] Scott Horsley provided an in-depth analysis, explaining the administration's objectives and the economic repercussions:

“Part of the president's stated goal here is to encourage more domestic manufacturing, and certainly tariffs, along with low taxes and limited regulation can help to foster that. But another thing factory owners look for is a stable, predictable business environment. And as economist Ernie Tedeschi of the Yale Budget Lab says, nothing about the last few weeks would suggest that's what they'll find in the United States right now.”
— Scott Horsley [00:32]

Horsley emphasized the uncertainty and instability these tariffs introduce, potentially deterring factory owners seeking a reliable business climate.

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Judicial Ruling on Wrongful Deportation

Transitioning to immigration issues, [00:53] Dale Willman highlighted a pivotal court decision involving the Trump administration. A federal judge has mandated the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador.

[01:15] Sergio Martinez Beltran detailed the case:

“U.S. district Judge Paul Azinis called the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia an illegal act. The man had been living in the US legally and had a work permit when he was arrested and deported last month, despite having been granted deportation protection by an immigration judge in 2019.”
— Sergio Martinez Beltran [01:15]

Beltran continued to explain the legal tussle between the Justice Department and the judiciary:

“The Justice Department admits that Abrego Garcia was deported because of an administrative error. But DOJ lawyers argued that he is a member of the criminal gang MS-13 and that the judge lacks the authority to order his return since Abrego Garcia is now in El Salvador. But Judge Zinis did not agree. She ordered the government to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. by 11:59 pm on Monday, April 7.”
— Sergio Martinez Beltran [01:57]

This ruling is expected to escalate tensions between the White House and the judiciary over immigration enforcement.

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National Endowment for the Humanities on Administrative Leave

[01:57] Dale Willman reported significant changes within the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The agency has placed nearly 80% of its 185 staff members on administrative leave, following the Trump administration's recent termination of millions in federal grants for cultural organizations.

[02:11] Elizabeth Blair provided further insights:

“A source tells NPR that nearly 80% of the National Endowment for the Humanities staff of 185 people have been placed on administrative leave, effective immediately. The agency funds museums, history, education, and preservation projects through a competitive application process. The source says a team from the Department of Government Efficiency, or doge, has been visiting the NEH offices.”
— Elizabeth Blair [02:11]

Blair noted that key positions, including communications directors and program officers, are among those affected. The NEH has yet to respond to NPR’s request for comment.

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GOP Senate Passes Tax and Spending Reforms

In economic policy news, [02:48] Dale Willman covered the Republican-led Senate's approval of a multi-trillion-dollar tax break and spending cuts framework. The motion passed with a narrow vote of 51 to 48 along partisan lines, positioning Republicans to push the bill through both chambers of Congress.

Democrats have voiced strong opposition, arguing that the measure will exacerbate the national deficit and undermine essential safety net programs.

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Women's College Basketball Championship Highlights

Shifting to sports, [02:48] Dale Willman announced the upcoming women's college basketball championship game between Connecticut (UConn) and South Carolina. [03:26] Steve Futterman provided a recap of the semifinal matches:

“In the first of the semifinals, defending champion South Carolina fell behind Texas early by as many as eight points, but slowly took over, eventually winning by 20. In the second semifinal, it was UConn domination. The Huskies led wire to wire, beating UCLA by 34 points, the most one-sided game in women's final four history. UConn star Paige Beckers had 16 points.”
— Steve Futterman [03:26]

Looking ahead to the championship game, [03:57] Paige Beckers shared her perspective:

“You don't want to get caught up in the moment of being so anxious and trying to win the national championship in one possession that you're just psyching yourself out.”
— Paige Beckers [03:57]

Futterman concluded by noting South Carolina's aspirations to secure back-to-back titles, a feat last achieved by UConn in 2016.

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Nationwide Protests Against Administration Policies

[04:16] Dale Willman reported on over a dozen planned protests across the United States targeting President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. The demonstrations, branded as "Hands Off," involve more than 150 groups, including labor unions, LGBTQ advocates, and veterans organizations.

Additionally, Willman highlighted a policy change where the Trump administration has excluded expensive obesity treatments from Medicare coverage. This decision affects health expenses primarily for individuals aged 65 and older. Former President Joe Biden had previously proposed extending such coverage in a November rule, which has now been overturned.

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Closing Remarks

The episode concluded with a brief advertisement for Mint Mobile, which was omitted from this summary as per instructions.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments presented in the April 5, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a clear and detailed overview of the day's most pressing news topics.

Transcript

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

This message comes from the Nature Conservancy, working together to create a future with a livable climate, healthy communities and thriving nature. Explore ways to act during Earth Month and every [e-mail] NPR Live from NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

I'm Dale Willman. The stock market closed sharply lower on Friday across all major indices. It's the second straight day of major drops caused by fears about the impact of President Trump's newly announced tariffs on the world economy. NPR Scott Horsley says the issue is complicated.

[Scott Horsley]

Part of the president's stated goal here is to encourage more domestic manufacturing, and certainly tariffs, along with low taxes and limited regulation can help to foster that. But another thing factory owners look for is a stable, predictable business environment. And as economist Ernie Tedeschi of the Yale Budget Lab says, nothing about the last few weeks would suggest that's what they'll find in the United States right now.

[Dale Willman]

As the markets fell, Trump was playing golf at his resort in Florida. Writing on social media before his game, he said, this is a great time to get rich. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to return a Maryland man who is deported to El Salvador by mistake. The decision is guaranteed to set up another high stakes clash between the White House and the courts. NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran reports.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

U.S. district Judge Paul Azinis called the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia an illegal act. The man had been living in the US Legally and had a work permit when he was arrested and deported last month, despite having been granted deportation protection by an immigration judge in 2019. The Justice Department admits that Abrego Garcia was deported because of an administrative error. But DOJ lawyers argued that he is a member of the criminal gang MS.13 and that the judge lacks the authority to order his return since Abrego Garcia is now in El Salvador. But Judge Zinis did not agree. She ordered the government to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. by 11:59pm on Monday, April 7. Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News staff with.

[Dale Willman]

The National Endowment for the Humanities have been placed on administrative leave. As NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports, this comes just two days after the Trump administration terminated millions of dollars in federal grants for cultural groups across the country.

[Elizabeth Blair]

A source tells NPR that nearly 80% of the National Endowment for the Humanities staff of 185 people have been placed on administrative leave, effective immediately. The agency funds museums, history, education and preservation projects through a competitive application process. The source says a team from the Department of Government Efficiency, or doge, has been visiting the NEH offices. Among the NEH staff affected are people in communications directors and program officers. The NEH did not respond to NPR's request for comment. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

After a long overnight session, the GOP led Senate has passed an effort to approve their multi trillion dollar tax breaks and spending cuts frame. The vote was 51 to 48. Along partisan lines, passage of the plan paves the way for Republicans to push a tax bill through both chambers of Congress. Democrats say the measure will increase the deficit and cut key safety net programs. This is NPR News. Sunday's championship game for women's college basketball is now set. It'll be Connecticut and South Carolina after both schools won semifinal games on Friday night. Steve Futterman has more from Tampa, Florida.

[Steve Futterman]

In the first of the semifinals, defending champion South Carolina fell behind Texas early by as many as eight points, but slowly took over, eventually winning by 20. In the second semifinal, it was UConn domination. The Huskies led wire to wire, beating UCLA by 34 points, the most one sided game in women's final four history. UConn star Paige Beckers had 16 points. Now on Sunday, in her final college game, she will have one last chance to win the championship, which has eluded her.

[Paige Beckers]

You don't want to get caught up in the moment of being so anxious and trying to win the national championship in one possession that you're just psyching yourself out.

[Steve Futterman]

Meanwhile, South Carolina will try to become the first to win back to back women's titles since UConn in 2016. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Tampa.

[Dale Willman]

More than 12 protests are planned across the country today where people will demonstrate against President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. The rallies are being called hands off and they include more than 150 groups, including labor unions, LGBTQ advocates and veterans groups. The Trump administration has decided not to cover expensive obesity treatments under the Medicare program. Medicare covers health expenses, mostly for people 65 years or older. Former President Joe Biden had proposed a rule last November that would have extended coverage to such drugs. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less and all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch.