NPR News: 04-12-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – April 12, 2025

Host: Dale Willman
Release Date: April 12, 2025
Duration: 5 Minutes

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Justice Department Faces Scrutiny Over Deportation Case

The episode begins with a tense legal battle involving the Justice Department and the deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly sent to a prison in El Salvador. NPR’s Jasmine Garst reports that federal Judge Paula Zini reprimanded Justice Department lawyers during a recent hearing. This follows a Supreme Court decision that upheld Judge Zini's original order to facilitate Garcia's return to the United States. The Department has sought additional time, asserting the need for "a meaningful opportunity to review the Supreme Court's decision" ([00:35]). Judge Zini emphasized that the government was "prohibited from sending Abrego Garcia to El Salvador in the first place" and has mandated daily updates on efforts to rectify the situation ([00:35]).

Trade War Negatively Impacts American Consumer Sentiment

In an analysis of economic trends, NPR’s Scott Horsley discusses the deteriorating consumer sentiment linked to President Trump’s ongoing trade war with China. Referencing a University of Michigan survey, Horsley highlights that consumer confidence has plummeted by 30% since the end of the previous year. Individuals across the political spectrum are expressing increased pessimism regarding business conditions, personal finances, and inflation. Notably, concerns about the job market have more than doubled since November, reaching levels not seen since 2009 when the U.S. economy faced significant job losses ([01:33]). The survey coincided with Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs on global imports, although it does not reflect his partial policy reversals later that week ([01:33]).

Trump Administration Proposes Significant Cuts to NOAA's Budget

Alejandra Barunda reports on the Trump administration's draft budget, which includes substantial reductions to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The proposed cuts align closely with the Heritage Foundation’s "The Conservative Project 2025," advocating for the dismantling of NOAA’s research wing, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and the elimination of all climate-focused research ([02:27]). Additionally, the budget aims to slash the National Marine Fisheries Service’s budget by approximately 30%. Critics from the energy sector and former NOAA leaders argue that these measures would "gut the agency and hurt its ability to keep Americans safe" ([02:27]). NPR has reached out to the Commerce Department for a response but has not yet received a comment ([02:27]).

Escalation in US-China Trade War with New Tariffs

The episode continues with developments in the trade war between the United States and China. China has announced an increase in tariffs on U.S. goods, raising them from 84% to 125%. This move is a direct response to President Trump's earlier decision to impose tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports ([03:11]). China has condemned the U.S. actions as "economic bullying," escalating tensions between the world's two largest economies. The newly announced tariffs are scheduled to take effect later that day, further intensifying the trade conflict ([03:11]).

Oscars to Honor Stunt Work Starting in 2027

In cultural news, Mandalit Del Barco reports that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will introduce a new competitive award category for stunt design beginning in 2027. This decision comes after years of advocacy by stunt performers seeking recognition for their contributions to cinema. Actor Ryan Gosling, who portrayed a stuntman in the 2024 film The Fall Guy, honored stunt performers at last year's Academy Awards with the statement: "From the depths of space to the battlefields of earth and beyond, stunt performers and the action they design continue to create some of the most memorable moments in the history of cinema" ([04:06]). The new category aims to formally acknowledge the artistry and risk involved in stunt coordination ([04:20]).

Masters Golf Tournament: Justin Rose Leads

Shifting to sports, Dale Willman provides an update on the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta. Justin Rose is currently leading the competition after shooting a 71 on Friday, holding a one-stroke advantage over Bryson DeChambeau. Rory McIlroy is in second place, trailing Rose by two shots ([04:37]). As the tournament progresses, observers are keenly watching Rose's performance in hopes of securing his position as the champion ([04:37]).

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This episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive overview of significant national and international issues, spanning legal battles, economic concerns, governmental budget proposals, international trade tensions, cultural recognitions, and major sports events. Each segment is presented with insightful reporting and authoritative quotes, ensuring listeners are well-informed on the latest developments.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dale Willman. Lawyers for the Justice Department have been ordered to provide daily updates to a federal judge as to how they intend to secure the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was last month met mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador. NPR's Jasmine Garst reports.

[Jasmine Garst]

The mood was tense on Friday as federal Judge Paula Zini's chastised Justice Department lawyers. The hearing comes following Thursday's Supreme Court decision, which largely upheld Zini's original order to bring Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. the Trump administration has asked for more time, arguing that the government needs, quote, a meaningful opportunity to review the Supreme Court's decision. In this latest hearing, Judge Ziniz reminded lawyers for the Justice Department that the government was prohibited from sending Abrego Garcia to El Salvador in the first place and demanding that they give her daily updates on efforts to secure his return. Jasmine Garsd, NPR News, New York.

[Dale Willman]

President Trump's trade war is taking a toll on consumer sentiment, as NPR's Scott Horsley reports. A new survey from the University of Michigan finds Americans increasingly gloomy about the economic outlook.

[Scott Horsley]

Consumer sentiment. The Fed fell in April for the fourth month in a row and has now dropped by 30% since the end of last year. People across the political spectrum are less optimistic about business conditions, personal finances and inflation. More than twice as many people are worried about the job market now as were back in November. Concerns about rising unemployment are the highest they've been since 2009, when the economy was shedding hundreds of thousands of jobs every month. The survey was conducted around the time President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imports from around the world. It does not account for his partial backtracking earlier this week. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

The Trump administration is considering making a significant cut to the budget of the national oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That's according to a draft document that's been viewed by NPR. NPR's Alejandra Barunda reports.

[Alejandra Barunda]

The draft budget closely follows the plans laid out in The Conservative Project 2025 document created by the Heritage foundation, which proposed breaking up NOAA and slashing its climate work. And that's exactly what this budget proposes. It would dismantle NOAA's research wing known as the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and it would cut all climate focused research. The draft budget also aims to slash the budget for the National Marine Fisheries service by about 30%. Employees who remained would be tasked with managing fish, but also tasked to, begin to, quote, unleash. American energy experts and former NOAA leaders say the plans would gut the agency and hurt its ability to keep Americans safe. NPR reached out to the Commerce Department for comment, but has not yet received a response. Alejandra Varunda, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News from New York City. China is raising tariffs on U.S. goods from 84% to 125%. It's the latest move in a trade war between the world's two largest economies. Earlier this week, President Trump had raised tariffs on Chinese products to 145%. China has denounced the action, calling it economic bullying. China's latest tariffs take place later today. Movie stunt work will be honored at the oscars starting in 2027, as NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the creation of a competitive award for stunt design.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

For years, stunt performers lobbied to get their own category at the Oscars. To the stunt performers saluting them on stage at last year's Academy Awards was actor Ryan Gosling, who portrayed a stuntman in the 2024 movie the Fall Guy.

[Ryan Gosling]

From the depths of space to the battlefields of earth and beyond, stunt performers and the action they design continue to create some of the most memorable moments in the history of cinema.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

Gosling reminded audiences that silent movie stars Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd did their own dramatic falls and near misses. Now the academy says it will honor modern day stunt coordinators for their on screen work. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Justin Rose remains in the lead at the Masters golf Tournament in Augusta this weekend. He shot a 71 on Friday and he's now one stroke ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, while Rory McIlroy is in second, just two shots behind the leader. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News, in New York City.

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