NPR News Now: April 18, 2025

Hosted by Shea Stevens

1. Federal Appeals Panel Upholds Court Order on Mistaken Deportation

[00:18] Shea Stevens: A significant development unfolded as a federal appeals panel declined to block a court order mandating sworn testimony regarding the Trump administration's efforts to repatriate Kilmore Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador last month.

[00:41] Jimena Bustillo: Judge Paula Zinis had previously instructed the government to accelerate Abrego Garcia's release, a directive upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The judge criticized the Justice Department for providing insufficient information about the efforts to bring him back, leading to an ordered expedited discovery process. Despite the administration's appeal, the appellate judges emphasized the government's implicit acknowledgment of the deportation error, stating, "if the government has conceded that Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported, why then should it not make what was wrong a right?" They noted the possibility of a Supreme Court appeal.

[01:20] Shea Stevens: In a show of support, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen visited Abrego Garcia in prison and shared a joint photograph online, though he did not disclose the inmate's status.

2. President Trump Criticizes Federal Reserve Amid Trade War Pressures

[01:44] Scott Horsley: President Trump has openly criticized Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell for not reducing interest rates, even as the European Central Bank lowers borrowing costs. The administration faces pressure from Trump's ongoing trade war, which is exacerbating inflationary pressures.

[02:00] Leon Kearney: Sheriff Walter McNeil commented on the situation, stating, "I would say the Fed really owes it to the American people to get interest rates down. That's the only thing he's good for."

[02:06] Scott Horsley: In response, Powell addressed the Economic Club of Chicago, explaining that Trump's tariffs are likely to cause higher inflation, at least temporarily—a key factor in the Fed's cautious approach to cutting rates.

3. Tragic Shooting at Florida State University

[02:19] Shea Stevens: A tragic incident occurred at Florida State University (FSU) as a gunman opened fire, resulting in two fatalities and five injuries. The suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Eichner, was apprehended after being injured by police.

[02:38] Leon Kearney: Sheriff Walter McNeil revealed that Eichner is the son of a county law enforcement official, stating, "Our deputy, Deputy Eichner has been with the Leon County Sheriff's office for over 18 years. She has a tremendous job that she's done. Her service to this community has been exceptional. Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons, and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene."

[03:03] Shea Stevens: In response to the shooting, FSU has canceled all events on campus through Sunday to address the incident and ensure community safety.

4. Supreme Court Delays Ruling on Birthright Citizenship

[03:03] Shea Stevens: The U.S. Supreme Court has postponed its decision on President Trump's assertion that the Constitution does not automatically grant citizenship to everyone born in the United States. This delay affects Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for individuals with parents in the U.S. illegally. Lower courts had previously blocked the order, and the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on May 15.

5. Diplomatic Efforts to End Russia's War in Ukraine

[03:03] Shea Stevens: In international diplomacy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged with European officials in Paris to discuss strategies for ending Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Rubio also held a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

[03:53] Tammy Bruce: According to the State Department, Rubio conveyed to Lavrov the consistent message he has been sharing with the Ukrainian delegation: President Trump desires an end to the war.

[04:08] Scott Horsley: The global community is now observing whether Russia is earnest in its commitment to peace efforts.

[04:13] Tammy Bruce: Rubio's visit to Paris included meetings with Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, who had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly before a deadly Russian missile strike on Ukraine during Palm Sunday. This incident has intensified the urgency of the Trump administration's peace initiatives.

6. Attempted Plane Hijacking in Belize Ends in Fatality

[04:32] Shea Stevens: In Belize, authorities reported the death of a U.S. citizen who attempted to hijack a small plane carrying 16 passengers. The suspect allegedly used a knife to stab three individuals before being fatally shot by a passenger. Details regarding the suspect's hometown in the U.S. and the motive behind the attack remain undisclosed.

Note: This summary captures the critical news segments from the NPR News Now episode released on April 18, 2025. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to access the full podcast episode.