NPR News: 05-16-2025 12AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 16, 2025

Released May 16, 2025

NPR News Now's latest episode delivers a comprehensive update on critical national and international issues, ranging from pivotal Supreme Court deliberations to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Hosted by Shea Stevens, the broadcast encapsulates key developments with insightful reporting and notable quotations from prominent figures.

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Supreme Court Reviews Executive Orders on Birthright Citizenship

Timestamp: [00:18 - 01:14]

The episode begins with NPR’s Kerry Constant reporting on a significant Supreme Court case addressing the authority of lower courts to block President Trump's executive orders. Central to the discussion is the reinterpretation of a clause related to birthright citizenship, a principle anchored in the 14th Amendment and upheld for over 125 years.

Kerry Constant highlights the tension within the Court, noting, “Many of the justices have been on record in speeches and writings saying they do not like this idea that one judge who can be very wrong in one part of the country can make a decision that binds everybody else for a long period of time” ([00:42]). Justice Elena Kagan acknowledges the uniqueness of the case by emphasizing the settled nature of birthright citizenship, underscoring the weight of Supreme Court precedent in this matter.

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Wisconsin Judge Indicted in Immigration Evasion Case

Timestamp: [01:14 - 02:07]

NPR's Gary Johnson reports on the indictment of Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan, who faces federal charges of concealing an individual to prevent arrest and obstruction. The charges stem from an incident where Dugan allegedly directed a defendant without legal status out of her courtroom amid an ICE arrest attempt.

Ayan Silver provides additional context, showing the controversy surrounding the case. Supporters of Judge Dugan protested outside the Milwaukee courthouse, with one supporter declaring, “Are we going to allow dedicated public servants to be smeared and are we going to allow them to smear the reputation of the Honorable Hannah Dugan?” ([01:30]). In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio succinctly stated, “No” ([01:40]). Judge Dugan has pleaded not guilty and is advocating for a speedy trial.

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DHS Requests Additional Troops for Immigration Enforcement

Timestamp: [02:07 - 03:11]

Shea Stevens transitions to national security, reporting that the Department of Homeland Security is seeking 20,000 National Guard troops to bolster the government's immigration crackdown. This request supplements the over 10,000 active-duty troops already stationed along the southern border under the Trump administration.

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U.S. Diplomatic Efforts on Ukraine-Russia Conflict Face Challenges

Timestamp: [02:30 - 03:00]

Michelle Kellerman outlines U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's pessimism regarding diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine. Rubio criticizes the Kremlin's reluctance to engage in high-level talks, suggesting that meaningful progress is unlikely without direct interaction between President Trump and President Vladimir Putin.

Rubio is quoted saying, “I think he's ready to have that engagement and determine once and for all if there's a path forward and what that path is. And it's my assessment that I don't think we're going to have a breakthrough here until the president and President Putin interact directly on this topic” ([02:45]). Rubio expressed disappointment over the Kremlin sending a low-level team to the talks in Istanbul, diminishing expectations for substantial outcomes ([03:00]).

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Maryland Autopsy Audit Reveals Potential Homicides in Police Custody

Timestamp: [03:11 - 03:53]

In domestic news, an audit of Maryland autopsies has uncovered numerous deaths in police custody that should have been classified as homicides. This investigation was sparked by testimony from a former state medical examiner during the trial concerning George Floyd's death in 2021. Former Maryland Chief Medical Examiner Dr. David Fowler contested the assertion that Lloyd's death was due to heart disease, challenging the initial conclusions and prompting a thorough review of past cases.

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Escalating Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Cause Significant Casualties

Timestamp: [03:53 - 04:31]

Carrie Khan reports on the intensifying conflict in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes over the past two days have resulted in nearly 200 deaths, including strikes on medical facilities. NPR’s Anas Baba provides a vivid account from Gaza City, describing the chaos and desperation among civilians:

“Patience. I do not know where to go as the hospitals are threatened. Already out of service overnight, I can hear and even through the day I can hear the air strikes north from me in Jabalya City.” ([04:05])

Israeli military officials maintain that their operations are targeted at Hamas militants and claim to implement measures to minimize civilian casualties ([04:21]).

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Transit Workers Threaten Strike Amid Contract Disputes

Timestamp: [04:31 - 04:56]

Shea Stevens reports on labor tensions within one of the nation’s largest transit systems. Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Engineers and Trainmen and the New Jersey Transit Authority are engaged in contract negotiations, with wage increases being the primary point of contention. A potential work stoppage threatens to disrupt the daily commute of approximately 350,000 passengers traveling between New Jersey and New York, highlighting the significant impact on regional transportation.

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This episode of NPR News Now provides listeners with timely updates and in-depth analysis of pressing issues shaping the national and international landscape. From judicial controversies and immigration enforcement to international diplomacy and conflict zones, the program ensures that audiences are well-informed on matters of importance.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. The U.S. supreme Court is weighing arguments over the authority of lower courts to restrict President Trump's executive orders. The justices are deciding whether judges can block Trump's attempt to reinterpret a clause in the U.S. constitution. NPR's Kerry Constant reports that that clause deals with birthright citizenship.

[Kerry Constant]

Many of the justices have been on record in speeches and writings saying they do not like this idea that one judge who can be very wrong in one part of the country can make a decision that binds everybody else for a long period of time. Those justices include Elena Kagan. But today she said in her questioning that this case is different because it involves this issue of birthright citizenship, which has basically been settled law for over 125 years. It involves Supreme Court precedent, the 14th Amendment.

[Shea Stevens]

NPR's Gary Johnson reporting. A judge in Wisconsin accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities has pleaded not guilty to federal charges. Mayan Silver from member station WUWM has more.

[Ayan Silver]

Supporters of Judge Hannah Dugan protested outside the courthouse in Milwaukee.

[Supporter of Hannah Dugan]

Are we going to allow dedicated public servants to be smeared and are we going to allow them to smear the reputation of the Honorable Hannah Dugan?

[Marco Rubio]

No.

[Ayan Silver]

Dugan pleaded not guilty to concealing an individual to prevent arrest and obstruction. The judge is accused of directing a defendant without legal status out of her courtroom as U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement agents tried to arrest him. A federal grand jury indicted Dugan Tuesday. She and her attorneys left the hearing without speaking to reporters. They're asking for a speedy trial. For NPR News, I'm Ayan Silver in Milwaukee.

[Shea Stevens]

The Department of Homeland Security is asking the Pentagon to provide 20,000 National Guard troops for the government immigration crackdown. The Trump administration already has more than 10,000 active duty troops along the southern border. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is sounding pessimistic about talks in Turkey on ending Russia's war in Ukraine. NPR's Michelle Kellerman has the story.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Secretary Rubio says President Trump is impatient and wants the war to end, but the Kremlin balked at the idea of high level talks with Ukraine. So now Rubio is talking about a one on one between Presidents Trump and Vladimir Putin.

[Marco Rubio]

I think he's ready to have that engagement and determine once and for all if there's a path forward and what that path is. And it's my assessment that I don't think we're going to have a breakthrough here until the president and President Putin interact directly on this topic.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Rubio sounded disappointed that the Russians sent a low level team to Turkey, so he doesn't expect much to come out of the talks in Istanbul. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. futures are flat in after hours trading. This is NPR. An audit of Maryland autopsies has uncovered dozens of deaths in police custody that should have been labeled homicides. The review was sparked by a former state medical examiner's testimony in the death of George Floyd, the man killed by a Minneapolis police officer in 2021. Former Maryland Chief Medical examiner Dr. David Fowler rejected the theory that heart disease caused Lloyd's death. According to Gaza health officials, Israeli airstrikes have killed almost 200 people in the past two days. Several medical facilities have been struck. As NPR's Carrie Khan reports, Israeli airstrikes.

[Anas Baba]

Pounded Gaza south and struck several homes in a complex that included a mosque in the north around the city of Jabalia. Panicked patients and wounded trying to find help wherever they can, says NPR's producer Anas Baba.

[Unnamed Patient]

Patience. I do not know where to go as the hospitals are threatened. Already out of service overnight, I can hear and even through the day I can hear the air strikes north from me in Jabalya City.

[Anas Baba]

Israeli military officials say they are targeting Hamas and that numerous steps are taken to mitigate civilian harm, with Anas Baba in Gaza City. Kerry Khan, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Shea Stevens]

Engineers working for one of the nation's largest transit systems are threatening to stop working on Friday. Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Engineers and Trainmen and the New Jersey Transit Authority remain in contract talks, with wages being the main sticking point. A work stoppage would affect roughly 350,000 commuters traveling between New Jersey and New York each day. This is NPR News.

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