NPR News: 05-23-2025 1PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of May 23, 2025 Episode

Release Date: May 23, 2025 | Host: NPR

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1. Harvard University Takes Legal Action Against the Department of Homeland Security

Timestamp [00:17]
Host Lakshmi Singh initiates the news segment with a significant legal development involving Harvard University and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A federal judge has intervened to block DHS from prohibiting international student enrollment at Harvard.

Reporter Alyssa Nadworne elaborates on the situation:
Timestamp [00:36]
Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the government's actions on constitutional grounds. In a statement, Harvard declared the DHS's move "unlawful" and "retaliatory," emphasizing that it "threatened serious harm to the Harvard community and our country." This legal battle is part of a broader conflict where Harvard is also contesting research funding cuts initiated by the Trump administration, which were purportedly due to accusations of anti-Semitism on campus. The related trial is scheduled to commence in July.

Further details reveal that the Trump administration has demanded Harvard to provide all records concerning its foreign student population. The university argues that this demand has caused significant disruption for thousands of students, especially as graduation approaches.

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2. Congressional Democrats Propose Reorganization of the U.S. Marshals Service

Timestamp [00:53]
As graduation tensions mount at Harvard, another substantial legislative move is unfolding. Congressional Democrats are introducing a bill aimed at restructuring the U.S. Marshals Service's oversight.

Reporter Kerry Johnson provides insight:
Timestamp [01:25]
Congressman Eric Swal of California expresses concerns that the Trump administration might instruct the Marshals Service to disregard court orders or withdraw security from judges who rule against the White House. To mitigate this potential conflict, Democrats propose transferring control of the Marshals Service from the Justice Department to the federal courts, specifically under Chief Justice John Roberts and the federal courts' policymaking body. This initiative arises amid increasing threats against judges, including violence and calls for impeachment, particularly those who have opposed President Trump. The judiciary has been advocating for enhanced security funding to address these escalating threats.

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3. Stock Market Dips Amidst President Trump's Tariff Threats

Timestamp [02:09]
The financial markets are experiencing a downturn following President Trump's latest tariff threats on European imports and Apple’s iPhones.

Reporter Scott Horsley reports:
Timestamp [02:21]
President Trump utilized social media to announce potential tariffs, igniting a sell-off in the stock market. He stated that trade negotiations with the European Union are stalled, leading him to threaten a 50% tax on European imports starting next month. Additionally, Trump is considering a 25% tariff on iPhones unless Apple commits to manufacturing devices domestically. Historically, electronics like smartphones have been exempt from these trade tensions, making these threats unprecedented.

The stock market was already under strain due to rising government debt affecting the bond market. Higher bond yields are contributing to increased borrowing costs, with mortgage rates inching up to 6.86% this week.

Market Impact Summary:
Timestamp [03:02]

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Down 246 points (~0.5%) at 41,615
• S&P 500: Down 38 points
• Nasdaq: Down 169 points

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4. Record-Breaking Travel Anticipated for Memorial Day Weekend

Timestamp [03:02]
As Memorial Day approaches, unprecedented travel numbers are expected across the United States, signaling the unofficial start of summer.

Reporter Amy Held provides the latest updates:
Timestamp [03:37]
The American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasts that over 45 million individuals will embark on journeys exceeding 50 miles during the Memorial Day weekend, with 40 million opting to drive. A contributing factor to this surge is the significant drop in gas prices, which have plummeted by approximately 40 cents per gallon compared to the previous year, now averaging around $3.20. This marks a substantial decrease from three years ago when prices surpassed $5 per gallon.

Traveler Sentiments:
Timestamp [03:53]
Jonathan Peoples from Lincoln, Nebraska shares his perspective:
"We are thankful that the gas prices are dropping because it gives us more opportunity to go out and explore, you know, and just see things more."

Despite anticipated air traffic control issues, AAA predicts that over 3.6 million people will opt for air travel.

On the Ground:
Timestamp [04:08]
Barbara Slavens at Chicago's O'Hare Airport remarks:
"This is crazy. Oh my gosh, when I walked in. Hope we can make our flight holiday."

Air travel is expected to increase by nearly 2% compared to the previous year, indicating robust activity despite some operational challenges.

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5. North Korea Issues Threat Following Failed Naval Destroyer Launch

Timestamp [04:19]
In international news, North Korea has responded with threats following a failed naval destroyer launch.

Reporter Lakshmi Singh details the incident:
Kim Jong Un, the leader of the reclusive North Korean government, is reportedly enraged by the botched launch of a second naval destroyer. Pyongyang has issued a statement promising to "arrest those responsible" for the mishap. Contrary to official statements from North Korea claiming minimal damage, the Associated Press has analyzed satellite imagery indicating that the warship is lying on its side, covered in blue tarps with parts of it submerged. This discrepancy raises questions about the true extent of the damage and the potential implications for North Korea's naval capabilities.

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Note: Advertisements from Leesa and Grammarly were present in the transcript but have been excluded from this summary to maintain focus on the news content.

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For those seeking the latest updates, NPR News Now continues to provide hourly news briefs ensuring you stay informed with comprehensive and timely information.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. A federal judge is blocking the Department of Homeland Security from prohibiting international student enrollment at Harvard University. NPR's Alyssa Nadwarni says the Ivy League school sued the government today on constitutional grounds.

[Alyssa Nadwarni]

In a statement, Harvard said the action was unlawful. They called it retaliatory and said it threatened serious harm to the Harvard community and our country. Harvard is already suing the Trump administration over research funding cuts related to accusations of anti Semitism on campus. And that trial is set to start in July.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's Alyssa Nadworne reporting. The Trump administration has been demanding that Harvard turn over all of its records on its foreign student body. Harvard says the Trump administration's latest action has caused university wide turmoil for thousands of students. Just days before graduation, Congressional Democrats are introducing a bill that would shift control of the U.S. marshals Service from the Justice Department to the federal courts. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports on concern that the marshals may be caught in a power struggle.

[Kerry Johnson]

Congressman Eric Swal of California worries the Trump administration could order the Marshals Service not to enforce a court order or remove remove security protection from judges who ruled against the White House. That's why he and other Democrats in Congress are trying to move the Marshals Service out of the chain of command at the Justice Department and under the wing of Chief Justice John Roberts and the policy making body of the federal courts. This year, judges have faced violent threats and calls for impeachment because they've ruled against President Trump and the Doge team remaking the government. The courts have asked for an increase in security funding to help confront those threats. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks are trading lower this hour after President Trump threatened new tariffs on European imports and iPhones. The Dow's down 250 points. NPR Scott Horsley has the latest in.

[Scott Horsley]

What'S become a familiar pattern. President Trump took to social media this morning with new tariff threats, sparking a sell off in the stock market. Trump says trade talks with the European Union are going nowhere, so he's threatening to impose a 50% tax on imports from Europe starting next month. The the president's also threatening to slap a 25% tax on iPhones unless Apple agrees to build the devices. In the United States, smartphones and other electronics have so far gotten a pass in Trump's trade war. Stocks were already under pressure this week as the bond market recoiled from rising government debt. Higher bond yields lead to higher borrowing costs. Mortgage rates inched up this week to 6.86%. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Dow Jones industrial average down 246 points, roughly half a percent at 41615s and P is down 38. The Nasdaq is down 169. This is NPR News. Summertime while the unofficial start of it anyway is kicking off for many people across the US a record number expected to travel at least 50 miles or more for this long Memorial Day weekend. Many people will be driving this period. NPR's Amy Held reports. Gas prices are at a four year low.

[Amy Held]

AAA projects more than 45 million people getting away around Memorial Day, 40 million driving. Regular gas is down about 40 cents a gallon from last year, now averaging about $3.20. Three years ago it was over five. Jonathan Peoples is in Lincoln, Nebraska.

[Jonathan Peoples]

We are thankful that the gas prices are dropping because it gives us more opportunity to go out and explore, you know, and just see things more.

[Amy Held]

And despite air traffic control problems, AAA projects more than 3.6 million people are flying. Barbara Slavens is at Chicago's O' Hare.

[Barbara Slavens]

This is crazy. Oh my gosh, when I walked in. Hope we can make our flight holiday.

[Amy Held]

Air travel forecast to rise almost 2% over last year. Amy Held, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

North Korea's responded to a botched launch with a threat. The reclusive government's leader, Kim Jong Un, is reportedly furious that a second naval destroyer failed to launch. Pyongyang said in a statement it will arrest those responsible for it. It denies the vessel was severely damaged. However, the Associated Press reports that satellite imagery on the site shows the warship lying on its side, draped in blue covers with parts of it submerged. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News, in Washington.

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