NPR News: 04-11-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 11, 2025, 10 PM EDT

Released April 12, 2025

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Immigration Battle: Mahmoud Khalil’s Deportation Order

[00:18] In a contentious immigration case, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student known for his Pro-Palestinian activism, faces deportation following a recent ruling by an immigration judge in Louisiana. Jack Spear reports that Judge Jamie Coman determined she lacked the authority to challenge Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to revoke Khalil's green card. The government justified the deportation by presenting a two-page memo from Rubio, alleging that Khalil participated in anti-Semitic protests that purportedly undermined efforts to combat anti-Semitism globally.

Adrian Florido, reporting from Gina, Louisiana, explains, "Judge Koman said Rubio's memo was all the government needed to justify deporting Khalil under a rarely used federal statute" (00:36). However, Khalil’s legal team vehemently denies any anti-Semitic activities, labeling the accusations as "absurd" and criticizing the hearing as a "kangaroo court." They have pledged to appeal the decision, with Khalil remaining in detention as his legal proceedings continue in both immigration and federal courts.

DOJ Cuts Funding for Vera Institute of Justice

[01:19] The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced significant cuts to federal grants allocated to the Vera Institute of Justice, a longstanding nonprofit dedicated to criminal justice reform. Jack Spear covers how these reductions are perceived by Vera Institute leaders as retaliatory measures against their stance opposing the current administration's immigration policies.

Meg Anderson elaborates, "The grants helped train prison guards, bolstered police alternatives for mental health crises, and trained police to communicate with deaf people" (01:35). The DOJ communicated that these initiatives no longer align with its priorities. Amy Fettig, head of fair and just prosecution at Vera Institute, expressed alarm, stating, "The federal government and this administration are signaling that if you don't agree with us, we are gonna come after you" (01:58).

Additionally, Meg Anderson reports that the DOJ recently cut federal grants for the Maine Department of Corrections, citing the state's incarceration of a transgender woman as the reason. Attorney General Pam Bondi justified the cut to Fox and Friends by emphasizing the state's compliance with DOJ policies regarding transgender inmates (02:05).

President Trump’s Annual Physical Examination

[02:20] President Donald Trump has completed his annual physical examination, a routine event that often attracts public and media scrutiny regarding the health of the nation's leader. Jack Spear discusses the anticipation surrounding the potential release of the president's health report.

Danielle Kurtzleben reports, "The White House has not yet released results of the president's physical" (02:32). However, Trump conveyed confidence in his health during a press interaction on Air Force One, boasting about his cognitive abilities: "I took a cognitive test and I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right" (02:41). Historically, administrations have selectively disclosed medical information, and it remains uncertain how transparent this report will be. Trump indicated that a comprehensive report would be available in the coming days as he resides at his Mar-a-Lago estate (02:49).

Wall Street and International Alliances: A Tumultuous Week

[03:08] The financial markets experienced volatility this week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging by 619 points, reflecting a dynamic economic environment. Additionally, significant developments in international support for Ukraine were highlighted.

Eleanor Beardsley reports on the Ramstein Group, an alliance of 57 countries dedicated to providing military support to Ukraine. A substantial pledge of 23 billion euros has been made to Kyiv, indicating continued Western backing amid ongoing tensions. Notably, the leadership of the Ramstein Group is shifting; for the first time since the inception of NATO’s involvement following Russia’s full-scale invasion, the group will be chaired by Germany and the UK, with the U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth participating virtually rather than leading the meetings (03:28). This transition signals potential changes in the U.S. role within NATO, as Western allies prepare for the possible redeployment of thousands of troops from Europe.

Concurrently, Ukraine’s Defense Minister has voiced concerns over Russia’s increased military production capabilities, suggesting an escalation in regional security threats (03:28).

Economic Impacts of Trump’s Global Tariffs and Trade Policies

[04:15] President Trump’s aggressive tariff policies continue to reshape global economic landscapes, with mixed implications for both environmental and economic sectors. The imposition of global tariffs is anticipated to yield temporary environmental benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air, due to a slowdown in global manufacturing activities. However, climate experts caution that these benefits are likely to be short-lived.

The administration has temporarily paused tariffs on multiple countries for a 90-day period, yet tensions with China indicate the onset of a full-scale trade war. This heightened economic friction has influenced energy markets, with crude oil futures rising by $1.43 per barrel, settling at $61.50. This increase is partly attributed to the U.S. signaling potential cessation of Iranian oil exports, which would further tighten global oil supplies and drive prices higher (04:20).

Jack Spear concludes the economic segment by highlighting the interconnectedness of trade policies and energy markets, emphasizing the broad-reaching consequences of the administration's approach to international trade and economic strategy.

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This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, including immigration disputes, federal funding shifts in criminal justice reform, presidential health transparency, international military alliances supporting Ukraine, and the economic ramifications of trade policies. Through detailed reporting and direct quotes from key figures, the episode offered insightful analysis and a clear understanding of the current political and economic climate.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. An immigration judge in Louisiana has ruled Mahmoud Khalil can be deported. He is the Columbia University student who ICE agents detained last month over his Pro Palestinian activism. NPR's Adrian Florido says his lawyers have vowed to fight the ruling.

[Adrian Florido]

Judge Jamie Coman said she had no authority to question Secretary of State Marco Rubio's decision to revoke Khalil's green card and order him deported. Government lawyers presented a two page memo from Rubio saying Khalil had engaged in anti Semitic protests that undermined the government's goal to fight antisemitism around the world. Judge Komen said Rubio's memo was all the government needed to justify deporting Khalil under a rarely used federal statute. Khalil's lawyers have called the accusations of anti Semitism absurd. They called today's hearing a kangaroo court and said they will appeal the ruling. Khalil will remain detained for now as his legal battle plays out in immigration court and in federal court. Adrian Florido, NPR News. Gina, Louisiana.

[Jack Spear]

The Justice Department is cutting millions in federal grants for the Vera Institute of Justice, one of the nation's oldest criminal justice reform nonprofits. NPR's Meg Anderson reports. Institute leaders believe the DOJ targeted them because because they opposed the administration's immigration tactics.

[Meg Anderson]

The grants helped train prison guards, bolstered police alternatives for mental health crises, and trained police to communicate with deaf people. The Justice Department told the institute those initiatives, quote, no longer effectuate its priorities. Amy Fettig, who leads fair and just prosecution, said the cuts should raise alarms for anyone getting federal money.

[Amy Fettig]

The federal government and this administration are signaling that if you don't agree with us, we are gonna come after you.

[Meg Anderson]

Last week, the DOJ cut federal grants for the Maine Department of Corrections. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox and Friends it was because the state holds a transgender woman in its women's prison. Meg Anderson, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

President Trump has undergone his annual physical examination. The report could tell Americans what kind of health the 78 year old president is in. But as NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports, the White House will likely choose one information to release.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

The White House has not yet released results of the president's phys. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One. Trump said it went well and went on to brag about his brain health.

[Donald Trump]

I took a cognitive test and I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

It's not clear how thorough the information released by the White House will be. Some past presidential administrations reported medical information selectively at times concealing health problems. Trump said to expect a report on his physical in the coming days. He is spending the night at his Mar a Lago club in Florida. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

An up and to a tumultuous week on Wall Street. The Dow rose 619 points. This is NPR. A group of allies that meets regularly to help Ukraine has pledged 23 billion euros to Kyiv today. NPR's owner Beardsley reports the Ramstein Group will no longer be chaired by the.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

U.S. the Ukraine defense Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Group, is an alliance of 57 countries provid military equipment to Ukraine. Since the full scale invasion held in NATO headquarters, it was once exclusively led by the U.S. this time, U.S. defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended virtually and for the first time, the meeting was chaired by Germany and the UK the move comes amid a series of other signals by the Trump administration that the U.S. role in NATO is diminishing. Western allies are bracing themselves for the possible withdrawal of thousands of troops from Europe. Meanwhile, Ukraine's defense minister warned Friday that Russia is ramping up military production. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Jack Spear]

If you're looking for a possible bright side to President Trump sweeping global tariffs, it could come in the form of cleaner air and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. That's because the tariffs are expected to slow global manufacturing, though most climate experts expect any climate benefit to be short lived. While the Trump administration has put taxes on dozens of countries on hold for 90 days, a full on trade war appears to be underway with China. Crude oil futures prices moved higher today after the US indicated it could end Iranian oil exports. Oil up $1.43 a barrel to settle at $61.50 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Speier, NPR News, in Washington.

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