NPR News: 04-13-2025 8PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 13, 2025, 8 PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Luke Garrett, Joanna Kakisis, David Folkenflick
Release Date: April 14, 2025

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U.S. Tariffs on Imported Electronics and Semiconductors

[00:18] Jeanine Herbst opens the episode by addressing recent developments in U.S. trade policy under the Trump administration. Initially, the administration announced that imported electronics, including computers and smartphones, would not face additional tariffs. However, a shift in strategy has emerged as top economic leaders signal impending changes.

[00:36] Reporter Luke Garrett elaborates on the situation, highlighting that major tech companies like Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft currently benefit from exemption from steep reciprocal tariff rates. Despite this, Kevin Hassett, Trump's Director of the National Economic Council, disclosed to CNN that new tariffs targeting semiconductors—a critical component in electronics—are imminent. Hassett emphasizes the national security implications, stating:

“Semiconductors are the key important part of a lot of defense equipment.”
[00:52]

[01:02] Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary, informed ABC News that these semiconductor tariffs are expected to be implemented within the next couple of months. Lutnick clarified:

“So what he's doing is he's saying they're exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but they're included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two.”
[01:02]

[01:13] In a subsequent social media post on Sunday, President Trump clarified that all Chinese technology remains subject to a 20% fentanyl tariff, reinforcing the administration's tough stance on trade with China.

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Arson Attack on Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion

[01:22] Jeanine Herbst reports a concerning incident in Pennsylvania involving Cody Ballmer, a 38-year-old man apprehended in connection with an arson attack on the governor's mansion early that morning.

[01:33] Howard Lutnick provides additional details, outlining the severe charges Ballmer faces:

“The charges will include attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. These are all very serious charges.”
[01:33]

[01:45] Ballmer reportedly bypassed security by jumping a fence and evaded state troopers before forcibly entering the residence. He set the mansion ablaze using homemade incendiary devices and fled the scene. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though the mansion sustained significant damage. Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were inside, asleep during the attack. The FBI is conducting a security review, and investigators are still probing Ballmer's motive.

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Russian Missile Strikes in Ukraine

[02:30] Joanna Kakisis covers the escalating conflict in Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned recent Russian ballistic missile attacks on a populous northeastern city. The strikes resulted in at least 34 fatalities and over 100 injuries.

[02:45] Zelensky, in his nightly video address, called for accountability, stating:

“Wars end when war crimes are not forgotten, and when enough pressure is put on the aggressor. That's not the case now.”
[02:45]

He urged the international community to hold Russia accountable, highlighting that continued aggression only prolongs the war. The attacks followed a fragile ceasefire brokered by the U.S. a month prior, which Russia has since violated. Visual footage from the aftermath depicted widespread destruction, including burning vehicles, collapsed buildings, and numerous casualties. World leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have condemned the assault.

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Rory McIlroy's Historic Victory at the Masters

[03:07] In sports news, Rory McIlroy made history by winning his first green jacket at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. This victory cements his status among golf's all-time greats, making him only the sixth golfer to achieve a Grand Slam, having won the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open, and the PGA Championship.

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Sarah Palin's Defamation Suit Against The New York Times

[03:07] Jeanine Herbst transitions to a legal battle involving former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Palin is set to resume jury selection in her defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, with proceedings beginning the following day.

[03:50] Reporter David Folkenflick details the lawsuit's background:

“Palin filed the suit more than seven years ago after the Times published an editorial against heated rhetoric. It linked her political action committee's online ad to a mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona, that gravely wounded then Representative Gabby Giffords.”
[03:50]

Despite extensive deliberations, no concrete evidence emerged linking the online advertisement to the shooter's motivations. During jury deliberations, the presiding judge remarked:

“He would rule against Palin regardless, saying she hadn't proved she had a credible case.”
[03:50]

The jury previously found The New York Times not liable, although procedural irregularities arose when jurors received push alerts about the judge's stance before reaching a verdict. An appellate court has now sent the case back, prompting another round of legal proceedings. The New York Times has committed to vigorously defending itself in the renewed trial, amidst a backdrop of recent settlements by major media outlets in similar cases.

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Pope Francis Makes Public Appearance

[04:36] In religious news, Pope Francis made a heartfelt appearance in St. Peter's Square today, greeting the faithful from his wheelchair at the conclusion of the Palm Sunday service. This marks his second public appearance following his discharge from the hospital three weeks prior, where he was treated for a respiratory tract infection. The 88-year-old pontiff's resilience continues to inspire millions around the globe.

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Market Update and Additional Headlines

[03:07] U.S. futures showed positive movement, with Dow futures up approximately 0.4%, reflecting investor optimism amid the day's news.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been omitted for clarity and relevance.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The Trump administration said Friday imported electronics from computers to smartphones won't face additional tariffs. But today, Trump's top economic leaders say these electronics will face a new sort of tariff and soon. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Luke Garrett]

Companies like Apple, Nvidia and Microsoft can now import their technology and skip steep reciprocal tariff rates. But Trump's director of the National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett tells CNN new tariffs on semiconductors, a key electronic component, are in the works. For Hassett, it's a national security issue.

[Howard Lutnick]

Semiconductors are the key important part of.

[Luke Garrett]

A lot of defense equipment. And Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick tells ABC News these tech tariffs are a couple months away.

[Howard Lutnick]

So what he's doing is he's saying they're exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, but they're included in the semiconductor tariffs, which are coming in probably a month or two.

[Luke Garrett]

And Trump clarified in a social media post Sunday that all Chinese tech is still under a 20% fentanyl tariff. LUKE Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Police in Pennsylvania have a 38 year old man, Cody Ballmer, in custody in connection with an arson attack on the governor's mansion early this morning. District attorn friend Chadro.

[Howard Lutnick]

The charges will include attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. These are all very serious charges.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Police say Ballmer jumped a fence, managed to avoid state troopers and forcibly entered the residence and set it on fire with homemade incendiary devices before fleeing. A security review of the mansion is underway. The FBI is involved, but it's not clear if Ballmer, who was apprehended in the Harrisburg area, will face federal charges. No one was injured, but the mansion sustained significant damage. Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were asleep when the fire happened. Police are still looking for a motive. Ukraine's President Zelensky says Russia has to be held accountable for striking a busy northeastern city with ballistic missiles today, killing at least 34 people and wounding more than 100. Imperialist Joanna Kakis reports. World leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the attack.

[Joanna Kakisis]

Speaking in his nightly video address, Zelensky thanked those offering condolences. And he warned that Russia's escalating attacks are only extending the war. Wars end when war crimes are not forgotten, he said, and when enough pressure is put on the aggressor. That's not the case now. Video footage of the aftermath of Sunday's strike showed cars and buses on fire, buildings collapsed and bodies lying on the street. Russia has stepped up its attack since the Ukrainian government agreed to a U S brokered ceasefire a month ago. Joanna Kakisis, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

U.S. futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. Dow futures are up about 0.4%. You're listening to NPR News. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy won his first green jacket at the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, today with a historic victory at the sport's most iconic event. McElroy solidified his spot among golf's all time greats as he becomes only the sixth golfer ever to win the Grand Slam, the Masters, the US Open, the British Open and the pga. Sarah Palin gets a second bite at the Big Apple. Jury selection in her defamation suit against the New York times starts tomorrow. NPR's David Folkenflick has more.

[Howard Lutnick]

Palin filed the suit more than seven years ago after the Times published an editorial against heated rhetoric. It linked her political action committee's online ad to a mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona, that gravely wounded then Representative Gabby Giffords. No proof was ever found that the shooter was motivated by or even knew about the admission. While jurors were deliberating, the presiding judge said in open court that he would rule against Palin regardless, saying she hadn't proved she had a credible case. The jury found the Times not to be liable, but several jurors admitted receiving push alerts notifying them of the judge's decision before their verdict. The appellate court sent the case back. Abc, CNN and MSNBC have made payments to settle cases in recent months. The Times says it will vigorously defend itself against Palin once more. David Folkenflick, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Pope Francis made a brief appearance in St. Peter's Square today, greeting crowds from his wheelchair at the end of the Palm Sunday service. It's the second public appearance for the 88 year old after being discharged from the hospital three weeks ago where he was treated for a respiratory tract infection. You're listening to NPR News.

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