NPR News: 04-20-2025 1PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 20, 2025, 1 PM EDT

1. Senator Chris Van Hollen Faces Backlash Over El Salvador Trip

Host: Nora Ramm
Reporters: Luke Garrett

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has come under scrutiny for his recent visit to El Salvador, where he met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man deported illegally by the Trump administration. Van Hollen defends his actions, asserting that Garcia deserves to be returned to the United States.

In response to the Trump administration's claims, Luke Garrett reports that last week, the administration shared court filings and police reports on social media labeling Garcia as a violent criminal. Van Hollen challenges the legitimacy of these postings, emphasizing their lack of legal standing.

Former President Donald Trump intensified his criticism, stating at [00:41]:
"Donald Trump and his administration need to put up or shut up in court. They keep putting stuff out on social media."

Despite a federal judge's decision declaring no concrete evidence linking Garcia to the MS-13 gang or terrorist activities, the Supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Garcia's return. Luke Garrett highlights that the White House has yet to comply with this directive. Van Hollen has called for the Supreme Court to hold President Trump in contempt, after Trump disparagingly labeled him a "fool" for visiting Garcia at [00:48].

2. President Trump Criticizes Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell

Host: Nora Ramm
Reporter: Dominica Montanaro

President Donald Trump has increased his criticism of Jerome Powell, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, over Powell's decision not to lower interest rates. This marks a significant departure from the Federal Reserve’s longstanding tradition of political independence.

Dominica Montanaro explains that Trump has frequently pressured officials through public criticism, aiming to force resignations. She notes, [01:29]:
"Trump has done a lot of other things to try and get people out. He puts a lot of pressure on people, publicly browbeat them, hoping they'll just quit."

Examples include former FBI Director Christopher Wray and James Comey. While Wray chose to step down amidst the pressure, Comey was fired after only four years into his ten-year term. Despite Trump's ongoing efforts, Powell has remained steadfast, stating he "is not only not going to resign, he needs to be fired for cause." Montanaro suggests that Trump's actions may undermine the Federal Reserve's independence and stability.

3. Online Retailers Jian and Temu Brace for Price Increases Due to Trade Policy Changes

Host: Nora Ramm
Reporter: Alina Selyuk

Two prominent online retailers, Jian and Temu, are warning U.S. consumers about impending price hikes as a result of new trade policies. These companies previously exploited a tax loophole that allowed them to ship goods directly from China to American customers without incurring import taxes, provided the packages remained small and duty-free.

Alina Selyuk reports that President Trump initiated the closure of this loophole, reversing the earlier decision by President Biden. This change imposes tariffs of up to 145% on shipments exceeding the previous threshold. Consequently, Jian and Temu announced that starting from April 25, they will adjust their pricing to reflect these higher costs. This move comes amid bipartisan calls to eliminate such exemptions, aiming to level the playing field for other retailers who ship in bulk and comply with import tax regulations.

4. DHL Express Implements New Delivery Restrictions in the U.S.

Host: Nora Ramm

Shipping giant DHL Express has announced that, effective immediately, it will no longer deliver individual packages to U.S. customers if their value exceeds $800. The company attributes this decision to new U.S. customs requirements that mandate formal clearance for higher-value items, substantially increasing their operational workload. This policy shift is expected to impact consumers who rely on direct shipments from international retailers, potentially limiting access to a broader range of products and affecting their shopping experience.

5. Easter Celebrations Amid Tight Security in Jerusalem

Host: Nora Ramm
Reporter: Carrie Kahn

In a year marked by heightened tensions and security concerns, Christians in Jerusalem are celebrating Easter under stringent restrictions. Carrie Kahn reports that, despite the challenging environment due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the faithful gathered at sacred sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

This Greek Orthodox ceremony, which has been a tradition for centuries, was observed with limited numbers of pilgrims and worshippers. The Israeli government has imposed rigorous permit requirements, allowing only a fraction of the over 50,000 Christians residing in West Bank cities to enter Jerusalem's Old City. Only 6,000 permits were issued, underscoring the government's emphasis on security amidst regional instability. Meanwhile, Pope Francis, recovering from pneumonia, emerged from convalescence to deliver Easter blessings but abstained from celebrating Mass. These measures highlight the delicate balance between religious observance and security imperatives in a conflict-ridden landscape.

6. Sherpa Kami Rita Sets Sights on Mount Everest's 31st Summit

Host: Nora Ramm

Renowned Sherpa mountain guide Kami Rita is preparing to achieve a remarkable milestone by attempting to summit Mount Everest for the 31st time. Before departing from Kathmandu, Rita expressed his confidence in being "mentally, emotionally and physically prepared" for the climb. His dedication and extensive experience since his first ascent in 1994 have made him a legendary figure in the mountaineering community. Leading a group of climbers during the spring season, Rita aims to set a new record and further cement his legacy as one of Everest's most accomplished guides. His endeavor underscores the enduring human spirit and the pursuit of excellence in the face of extreme challenges.

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Transcript

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[Nora Ramm]

In Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, is defending his trip to El Salvador where he visited a man illegally deported by the Trump administration. He says he must be returned.

[Luke Garrett]

Last week, the Trump administration posted court filings and police reports on social media claiming Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a violent criminal. But Senator Van Hollen says these posts have no legal bearing.

[Donald Trump]

Donald Trump and his administration need to put up or shut up in court. They keep putting stuff out on social media.

[Luke Garrett]

A federal judge says there's been no court evidence tying abrego Garcia to MS.13 or terrorist activities. The Supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to, quote, facilitate, end quote, the man's return to the U.S. but the White House has so far refused. Van Hollen says the Supreme Court should hold President Trump in contempt. Trump called Van Hollen a, quote, fool, end quote, for visiting Abrego Garcia. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ramm]

In recent days, President Trump has stepped up his criticism of Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, because he has not lowered interest rates. NPR's Dominican Montanaro reports. Trump may disregard the central bank's tradition of political independence.

[Dominica Montanaro]

Trump has done a lot of other things to try and get people out. He puts a lot of pressure on people, publicly browbeat them, hoping they'll just quit. We've certainly seen that happen. I mean, think about someone like Christopher Wray, former FBI director. He was not at the end of his term but decided to step down rather than go to toe to toe with Trump. On the other hand, people like James Comey, previous FBI director, was only four years into a 10 year term. Trump fired him. Powell, for his part, says he's not only not going to resign, he needs to be fired for cause.

[Nora Ramm]

NPR's Dominica Montanaro. Two online retailers known for their bargains shipped to the U.S. directly from China are warning about rising prices. They say they're being forced to adapt the way they do business because of U.S. changes in trade policies. NPR's Alina Selyuk reports.

[Alina Selyuk]

Jian and Temu built their U.S. businesses around a tax loophole which allowed them to send clothes and home goods to American shoppers totally duty free. That's unlike most retailers who tend to ship in bulk from overseas to a US Warehouse and pay import taxes. She and Timu ship straight from China to your door, and they get an exemption meant for small packages, no import tax. Many groups and companies and bipartisan politicians have long called for this loophole to close. President Biden began that. President Trump is ending it, and that means Sheehan and Temu will soon have to pay tariffs up to 145%. And the companies say their prices will start going up after April 25. Alina Seluk, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

The shipping company DHL Express says starting tomorrow it won't deliver packages to individuals in the US worth more than $800. It says the US now requires formal customs clearance for higher value packages and that increases the workload. This is NPR News in Washington. Pope Francis emerged from his convalescence today to deliver Easter blessings to a crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square. He did not celebrate Mass as he recovers from pneum. At some of the holiest sites in Jerusalem, Christians are celebrating Easter under another year of tight restrictions. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports.

[Carrie Kahn]

Bells rang out in many Christian sites in Israel, including the annual holy fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City. The Greek Orthodox ceremony has been held for hundreds of years at the church where tradition holds Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This year. Like last Easter, the second since the war between Israel and Hamas began, the number of pilgrims and worshippers was limited. Palestinian Christians living in the occupied west bank must possess permits to travel into Jerusalem's Old City. Israel says the restrictions are critical for security. More than 50,000 Christians live in west bank cities. The government says it issued 6,000 permits. Carrie Khan, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Nora Ramm]

Renowned mountain guide Kami Rita plans to break his own record and scale Mount Everest for the 31st time. Before leaving Kathmandu today, the Sherpa told the Associated Press he is mentally, emotionally and physically prepared to climb the world's highest peak. Kami Rita is to lead a group of climbers during the spring climbing season. He first climbed Everest in 1994 and has been making the trip nearly every year since then. I'm Nora Ramon, NPR News, in Washington.

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