NPR News: 05-22-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode 05-22-2025 10PM EDT

Release Date: May 23, 2025

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Supreme Court Decision Empowers Presidential Authority

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has granted President Donald Trump the authority to dismiss key federal agency leaders, overturning a nearly century-old precedent.

Nina Totenberg reports that the court's two-page, unsigned order signals a temporary decision with a definitive tone, effectively allowing the president to remove independent agency heads at his discretion. This decision reverses a 90-year-old unanimous Supreme Court precedent that previously restricted presidential power in this area.

“The decision is technically temporary, but its tone is pretty final, allowing President Trump broad leeway to fire key independent agency leaders at will.” — Nina Totenberg [00:31]

The 6th Justice Conservative majority anticipates a future court challenge, likely next year, which could further solidify the ruling's implications.

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Violent Attack Outside Jewish Museum Investigated as Hate Crime

Authorities conducted a raid on the Chicago residence of the suspect responsible for the tragic killing of two individuals outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Ludden details that the assailant was apprehended while chanting "Free Palestine," pointing towards a potential motive rooted in anti-Semitism.

“The two people killed were a young couple about to become engaged.” — Jennifer Ludden [01:06]

Jeron Leshinsky and Sarah Milgram, both employed at the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., were the victims. Ayelet Razin Betor, a friend of Milgram, emphasized that Leshinsky joined the embassy to combat rising anti-Semitism following Hamas's attack on Israel a year and a half ago.

“In diplomacy, with love, with intelligence.” — Nina Totenberg [01:38]

Leshinsky, an Israeli citizen and devout Christian, had planned to propose to Milgram during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem. The suspect now faces federal murder charges, with officials investigating the possibility of a hate crime.

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Medicaid Cuts and Tax Bill Threaten Addiction Recovery Services

Significant reductions to Medicaid, coupled with a recently passed massive tax bill, pose a threat to millions of Americans reliant on health insurance for addiction recovery.

Brian Mann reports that the House Republicans' bill aims to eliminate hundreds of billions in Medicaid spending over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office highlights that millions could lose their health insurance under this plan.

“Vulnerable in that situation where you have a struggling, troubled group of people interacting with a hard to deal with bureaucracy. It is inevitable that some people will fall through the cracks.” — Keith Humphrey, Drug Policy Expert [02:39]

These cuts come amid a 27% decrease in drug-related deaths last year, a decline partially attributed to increased Medicaid funding under the Biden administration. The House bill faces significant hurdles in the Senate before it can become law.

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Stock Markets Close Mixed Amid Economic Uncertainty

Financial markets showed varied performance in today's trading session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a slight decline, falling by one point, while the Nasdaq increased by 53 points. The S&P 500 also saw a minor dip, down by two points.

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Kid Cudi Testifies in Sean Combs' Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial

In a high-profile legal battle, rapper Scott Mescady, known as Kid Cudi, took the stand in the trial against Sean Combs (P. Diddy) on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento reports that Mescady recounted his close relationship with Cassie Ventura, Combs' ex-partner. He revealed that Ventura confided in him about Combs' alleged physical abuse, which led to the couple taking time apart and eventually dating each other.

“After Combs found out someone broke into his house, about a month later my car was set on fire in my driveway. I believe Combs was responsible for both incidents.” — Scott Mescady [03:30]

Mescady filed police reports concerning both the break-in and the arson but acknowledged that no charges have been filed related to the latter. His testimony aims to shed light on Combs' behavior and possible motives behind the charges against him.

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University of Maryland Graduation Features Unconventional Commencement Speaker

In an unconventional twist, Kermit the Frog delivered the commencement speech for the University of Maryland's graduating class of 2025. The puppet's address, heralded as a "word of wisdom," resonated with the graduates despite the unconventional speaker.

The ceremony celebrated the legacy of Jim Henson, a Maryland alumnus and creator of the Muppets franchise. Graduates embraced the lightheartedness of the event, with many sporting Kermit-themed attire and holding stuffed animals during the ceremony.

“Life is better when we leap together.” — Kermit the Frog [04:15]

The unique commencement celebrated both tradition and creativity, marking a memorable milestone for the graduates.

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This summary excludes advertisements, introductory remarks, and outros to focus solely on the core news content presented in the episode.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Supreme Court today gave President Trump the power to fire key federal agency leaders contrary to a 90 year old court precedent. More from NPR's Nina Totenberg.

[Nina Totenberg]

The decision is technically temporary, but its tone is pretty final, allowing President Trump broad leeway to fire key independent agency leaders at will. What's more, it all but outright reverses the supreme court's unanimous decision 90 years ago, holding that a president cannot fire agency leaders just because he disagrees with them. In a two page unsigned order, the 6th Justice Conservative Court majority clearly forecasts the eventual outcome of the case when and if it is argued before the court, likely next year. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

Authorities today raided the Chicago home of the man suspected of killing two people outside a Jewish museum in the nation's capital last night. Police say the man chanted Free Palestine as He was detained. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports. The two people killed were a young couple about to become engaged.

[Jennifer Ludden]

Jeron Leshinsky and Sarah Milgram both worked at the Israeli embassy in D.C. a friend of Milgram's, Ayelet Razin Betor, says she started the job after Hamas attacked Israel a year and a half ago, determined to combat rising anti Semitism, not.

[Jack Spear]

With violence or shoutings or verbal abuse.

[Nina Totenberg]

But in diplomacy, with love, with intelligence.

[Jennifer Ludden]

Lysinski was an Israeli citizen and devout Christian. The Israeli ambassador to the US Says he'd bought a ring and planned to propose to Milgram during a trip to Jerusalem next week. Jennifer Lutton, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

The suspect now faces federal murder charges. Officials say the shooting is also being investigated as a possible hate crime. Addiction experts say deep cuts to Medicaid approved by House Republicans and the massive tax bill passed early this morning would mean a lot of Americans will lose the health insurance that helps them recover from fentanyl and other street drugs. NPR's Brian Mann reports.

[Brian Mann]

The House bill aims to trim hundreds of billions of dollars in Medicaid spending over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office found millions of Americans would lose health insurance under this plan. Keith Humphrey is a drug policy expert at Stanford University. Says additional bureaucracy and work require mean people suffering drug addiction would be most.

[Jack Spear]

Vulnerable in that situation where you have a struggling, troubled group of people interacting with a hard to deal with bureaucracy. It is inevitable that some people will fall through the cracks.

[Brian Mann]

This comes as Drug deaths plummeted 27% last year, driven in part by more spending on Medicaid under the Biden administration. The House spending bill still faces hurdles in the Senate. Brian Mann, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Stocks ended the trading session on a mixed note today. The Dow Jones industrial average fell a point. The Nasdaq close closed up 53 points. The S&P 500 was down two points. You're listening to NPR. The rapper Scott Meskatee, who records as Kid Cudi, testified in the sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean Combs today. Meskidy told the court about his relationship with Combs ex, Cassie Ventura. NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiano reports.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Scott Meskady testified that he grew close to Cassie Ventura in 2011. The singer allegedly confided in him that Combs was physically abusive and they were taking time apart. Mescaty said that's when he and Ventura started dating. The musician said that after Combs found out someone broke into his house. Mescaty told the court that about a month later his car was set on fire in his driveway. Mescaty filed police reports for both incidents. During cross examination, Mescaty acknowledged that no one was ever charged for the arson, but he told the court he believes Combs was responsible for both incidents. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Words of wisdom from a puppet at the University of Maryland tonight, where Kermit the Frog addressed this year's graduating class of 2025. You're all here to listen to a frog in a very tiny cap and gown give a commencement speech on, well, what's actually turned out to be a pretty beautiful evening. Kermit telling the graduates tonight that life is better when we leap together. The late Jim Henson is a Maryland graduate. He created the Muppets franchise. Graduates sported Kermit T shirts. Some held stuffed animals during the ceremony this evening. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, npr, in Washington.

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