NPR News: 04-28-2025 12PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 28, 2025, 12PM EDT – Detailed Summary

On April 28, 2025, NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments. This summary encapsulates the key topics covered in the episode, providing insights and notable statements from various sources.

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Trump Administration’s First 100 Days: Immigration Policies Under Scrutiny

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh

As the Trump administration approaches its first 100 days in office, significant tension has arisen between the executive branch and the judiciary concerning immigration enforcement. The administration faces criticism for allegedly bypassing due process in its efforts to curb illegal immigration.

Border Czar's Stance: Tom Homan, the White House’s border czar, defended the administration’s stringent measures during the recent arrest of a Wisconsin judge accused of aiding a Mexican national in evading immigration authorities. Homan firmly stated:

“[00:53] Tom Homan: What I said from day one, you can sit aside and watch. You can, you can argue against us all you want and protest all you want, but when you cross that line, I've said this a thousand times, when you cross that line to impediment or annoyingly harboring, concealing an illegal alien, you will be prosecuted.”

Legal Challenges: The White House is currently embroiled in lawsuits alleging the deportation of individuals, including families with mixed legal status, without proper due process. Despite these challenges, the administration announced continued large-scale operations, including recent arrests in Colorado Springs and Miami.

Public Opinion on Immigration: NPR’s Joel Rose highlighted contrasting poll results regarding public support for Trump’s immigration policies:

• CBS YouGov Poll: 56% of Americans approve of President Trump’s program to deport immigrants in the country illegally.
• Washington Post ABC Ipsos Poll: Only 46% approve of Trump's handling of immigration, while 53% disapprove.

These differing statistics indicate a divided public opinion on the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.

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Canadian Federal Election Influenced by Trump’s Policies

Reporter: Jackie Northam

Canada's federal election is underway, with voters primarily choosing between incumbent Prime Minister Mark Carney of the Liberal Party and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. However, a significant third influence in the race is former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Impact of Trump’s Rhetoric: Canadaans express considerable frustration over Trump’s tariffs and his provocative remarks about potentially making Canada the "51st state." This sentiment has adversely affected Conservative leader Poilievre, often labeled as "Trump Lite" due to his similar rhetoric. Consequently, this association has bolstered support for Carney and the Liberal Party, providing them with a substantial advantage in the polls.

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Papal Conclave: Selecting Pope Francis’ Successor

Reporter: Jason DeRose

Following the passing of Pope Francis, the Vatican is preparing to convene a conclave to elect his successor. The conclave is scheduled to begin on May 7, adhering to the requirement that it starts within 15 to 20 days of the pope’s death.

Diverse Electorate: There are 135 cardinals eligible to vote, the majority of whom were appointed by Pope Francis. This group is the most geographically diverse in history, featuring unprecedented representation from the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Election Process: The cardinals will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel and a nearby guest house, conducting multiple votes each day until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority to become the new pope.

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Bishop T.D. Jakes Steps Down as Senior Pastor

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh

Bishop T.D. Jakes, the esteemed spiritual advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump and founder of The Potter’s House, a Dallas-based megachurch, announced his decision to step down as senior pastor. During his Sunday sermon, Jakes shared his plan to pass leadership to his daughter and son-in-law, though he will continue to oversee his global ministry enterprise.

Personal Challenges: Last November, Jakes experienced a heart attack on stage, an event that coincided with him filing a defamation lawsuit against two brothers who accused him of attempted sexual assault decades earlier. These personal and legal challenges have likely influenced his decision to transition leadership within his church.

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Sale of Appalachian Caverns Sparks Preservation Concerns

Reporter: Chad Barrett

After 21 years of stewardship, the owners of Appalachian Caverns in Blountville, Tennessee, have decided to sell the 9-acre property for $2.2 million. The caverns, opened to the public in 1991, feature a three-mile cave system and are home to endangered species such as the gray bat and the Indiana bat.

Owner’s Perspective: Roger Hartley, the current owner, explained his decision:

“[04:34] Roger Hartley: I'm three and a half years away from retirement. Got time to sell. And if it doesn't sell right now, I'm still okay.”

Environmental Concerns: With over 10,000 annual visitors, the caverns also support ecological preservation efforts. Hartley emphasized the importance of finding a buyer who shares his commitment to preserving the unique environment and its inhabitants.

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U.S. Stock Market Experiences Decline

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh

U.S. stock markets are experiencing a downturn, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping by more than 100 points. This decline reflects broader economic uncertainties impacting investor confidence.

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Conclusion

The April 28, 2025 episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a concise yet thorough overview of pressing issues ranging from U.S. immigration policies and international elections to significant religious transitions and environmental conservation efforts. Through expert reporting and direct quotes from key figures, the episode offered valuable insights into the current state of affairs both domestically and globally.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content segments were excluded from this summary to focus solely on the informative aspects of the podcast.

Transcript

[NPR Politics Host]

First impressions are always important. That's not just for dates or for your in laws. At the NPR Politics podcast, we know that first impressions are important for any presidential term, too. So all this month, we're reviewing the first 100 days of Donald Trump's second stint, what's been done, what's to come and what might change. Politics may not always make sense, but we'll sort it out for you over on the NPR Politics podcast.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The Trump administration is approaching its first 100 days and it's in a standoff with judges who've sounded the alarm about the circumvention of due process to crack down on illegal immigration. In defense of the president's orders today, border czar Tom Homan addressed the recent arrest of a Wisconsin judge who's accused of illegally helping a Mexican national in her court evade immigration enforcement officers.

[Tom Homan]

What I said from day one, you can sit aside and watch. You can, you can argue against us all you want and protest all you want, but when you cross that line, I've said this a thousand times, when you cross that line to impedement or annoyingly harboring, concealing an illegal alien mice, you will be prosecuted.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The White House is facing lawsuits alleging the government deported people, including most recently a family with mixed legal status, without allowing them due process. Today it said it intended to continue with large scale operations. The the White House announced the recent arrest of hundreds of people in Colorado springs and Miami. NPR's Joel Rose looks at polls indicating how the public feels about Trump's immigration policies.

[NPR Poll Analyst]

There's a CBS YouGov poll that shows 56% of Americans approve of President Trump's program to deport immigrants in the country illegally. Another Washington Post ABC Ipsos poll, though, found that only 46% now approve of Trump's handling of immigration 53% disapprove.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Joel Rose reporting. Canadian voters heading to the poll selecting a prime minister. NPR's Jackie Northam reports. Much of the race has been centered on which candidate can best handle President Trump and his policies.

[Jackie Northam]

The two main contenders in Canada's federal election are current prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party, Mark Carney, and the head of the Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre. But a third figure, President Trump, has had an oversized impact on the election. Many Canadians are outraged about Trump's tariffs and threats to make the country the 51st state. That's hurt Conservative leader Poliev, who's seen by many as Trump Lite because of his rhetoric and messaging that in turn has helped energize the elections and helped give Carney and the liberals a substantial boost in the polls. Jackie Northam, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Now that Pope Francis has been laid to rest, cardinals are preparing to select his successor. From Rome, NPR's Jason DeRose reports. A conclave begins May 7.

[Jason DeRose]

A papal conclave must begin between 15 and 20 days after the death of the pope. There are currently 135 cardinals eligible to vote. The vast majority were appointed by Pope Francis. It's the most geographically diverse group in history with more representatives from the Americas, Africa and Asia than ever before. When the Cardinals convene on May 7, the electors will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel and a nearby guest house. They'll take multiple votes each day until one candidate emerges with a two thirds majority. Jason DeRose, NPR News, Rome.

[Lakshmi Singh]

This is NPR. Bishop T.D. jakes, spiritual advisor to former U.S. president, says he is stepping down as senior pastor of the Potter's House, the Dallas based megachurch he founded nearly 30 years ago.

[Tom Homan]

You ready to have some fun today? We're going to get fed, but we're going to have fun today.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Jake's at the start of his sermon Sunday morning that culminated in the news he was passing the torch to his daughter and son in law. Jake says he'll continue to chair his global ministry enterprise. Last November, the celebrity pastor suffered what he described as a heart attack on stage. It happened the same month that he later told NBC's Today show he had filed a defamation suit against one of two brothers who accused him of attempted sexual assault decades earlier. After 21 years as guardians of the widely popular Appalachian Caverns, the owners say they are ready to sell 9 acres of Tennessee property on the market for $2.2 million. Chad Barrett of member station Wets says the land includes a three mile cave system and some very special inhabitants.

[Chad Barrett]

Appalachian Caverns in Blountville, Tennessee, opened to the public in 1991. Here's Roger Hartley, the owner since 2004, on why he's decided to sell.

[Roger Hartley]

I'm three and a half years away from retirement. Got time to sell. And if it doesn't sell right now, I'm still okay.

[Chad Barrett]

A little over 10,000 people visit the Appalachian Caverns per year, but a couple endangered species also call the caverns home.

[Roger Hartley]

You do have the endangered gray bat, the most populous bat we have here. We have about 15,000 grays and then we have the endangered Indiana bat.

[Chad Barrett]

Hartley hopes that whoever buys the property shares his passion for preservation of the Caverns For NPR News, I'm Chad Barrett in Johnson City.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks trading low or the Dow's down more than 100 points. It's NPR.

[Eduardo]

This message comes from Capella University. At Capella, you can earn your degree with support from people who care about your success. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at Capella. Eduardo.