NPR News: 05-26-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of May 26, 2025, Episode

Release Date: May 26, 2025 | Host: Nora Ramm | Source: NPR News Now

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Presidential Wreath-Laying Ceremony and Trump's Political Remarks

Timestamp: [00:16 - 01:09]

President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Trump delivered a speech honoring the fallen veterans and their families.

In his address, Trump lauded the military personnel who sacrificed their lives, stating:

"The valor gave us the freest, greatest and most noble republic ever to exist on the face of the earth, a republic that I am fixing after a long and hard four years." ([00:55])

Despite the solemn occasion, Trump seized the opportunity to critique the current administration. Earlier that day on social media, he condemned former President Biden's immigration policies and criticized judges who obstructed his administration's initiatives.

The Passing of Former Congressman Charlie Rangel

Timestamp: [01:24 - 02:01]

Former Congressman Charlie Rangel passed away at the age of 94. Representing Harlem as a Democrat, Rangel served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1970 until 2017. Notably, he was the first African American to lead the influential Ways and Means Committee. His tenure ended following an Ethics investigation in 2010, after which he declared to NPR:

"I don't know where you really start over when you're 80 years old, you don't start over. You continue. And like every setback that I think that most people have, you analyze what went wrong, try to correct it and move forward." ([01:46])

Rangel's legacy includes his significant contributions to economic and social policies over nearly five decades in Congress.

Texas Advances Bill to Display Ten Commandments in Classrooms

Timestamp: [02:01 - 03:00]

Republican lawmakers in Texas have moved forward with legislation mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms. Sponsored by State Representative Candy Noble, the bill has passed the House and awaits Governor Greg Abbott's signature.

During support for the bill, Noble stated:

"The displaying of the Ten Commandments in our Texas classrooms will bring back this historic tradition of recognizing America's foundational heritage in both our educational and judicial systems and remind students of the importance of this cornerstone of American and Texas law." ([02:23])

However, the proposal has faced opposition. Democratic lawmakers argued that approximately one-third of Texans do not identify as Christian or Jewish and do not view the Ten Commandments as central to their belief systems. Despite objections, the bill is expected to proceed, sparking potential First Amendment challenges.

Escalation of Russian Drone Attacks on Ukraine

Timestamp: [03:00 - 03:31]

Russia intensified its aerial assaults on Ukraine with another significant drone attack, marking the third consecutive night of such offensives. Ukrainian officials reported that a total of 355 drones have been deployed since the conflict began over three years ago, deeming it the largest continuous aerial attack to date.

Federal Funding Resumes for Colorado River Drought Mitigation

Timestamp: [03:31 - 03:59]

After a hiatus since President Trump's administration took office, federal funding aimed at addressing the severe drought affecting the Colorado River is being reinstated. Sarah Porter from the Kyle Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University commented on the development:

"Too much, but it does indicate, I think, that the bureau and maybe the Interior Department understand that the Colorado river is in pretty precarious shape and that, you know, something needs to be done." ([03:42])

The federal government will allocate $128 million to organizations in Arizona and California. These groups are required to leave a portion of their water in Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, to aid in replenishment efforts.

French Farmers Protest Against Environmental Regulations

Timestamp: [04:13 - 04:40]

In France, farmers staged disruptive protests by driving tractors onto the streets of Paris. The demonstration calls for the relaxation of environmental regulations, which farmers argue have led to increased operational costs. This movement mirrors actions in several European Union countries where similar measures are being taken to alleviate the financial burdens on the agricultural sector.

Norwegian Navigator Charged After Cargo Ship Grounding

Timestamp: [04:40 - 04:55]

In Norway, prosecutors have filed charges against the navigator responsible for a recent cargo ship grounding incident. The vessel came perilously close to a residential home, coming to rest just meters from it. Investigations revealed that the navigator had fallen asleep while on duty. Coincidentally, the homeowner was also asleep and only became aware of the danger when a neighbor rang the doorbell. This incident has raised concerns about maritime safety and operational protocols.

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This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events, highlighting political developments, legislative actions, ongoing conflicts, environmental challenges, and noteworthy incidents. Through detailed reporting and inclusion of direct quotes, the episode offered listeners a nuanced understanding of the day's most pressing issues.

Transcript

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[Nora Ramm]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. President Trump, Vice President J.D. vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth all took part in the wreath laying ceremony this morning at Arlington's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The president paid tribute to veterans who died in America's Wars. But as NPR's Jacqueline Diaz reports, he couldn't resist wading into politics.

[Jacqueline Diaz]

In a speech following the ceremony, Trump praised the men and women of the military who gave their lives and the gold star families that were left behind. After speaking about the first soldiers who died during the American Revolution, Trump took shots at former President Biden's administration.

[Donald Trump]

The valor gave us the freest, greatest and most noble republic ever to exist on the face of the earth, a republic that I am fixing after a long and hard four years. That was a hard four years we.

[Jacqueline Diaz]

Went through earlier in the day. In a Memorial Day post on social media, Trump also lashed out at the former administration for its immigration policies and at judges who have blocked the Trump administration's agenda. Jacqueline Diaz, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

Former Congressman Charlie Rangel died this morning. The Harlem Democrat was first elected to the house in 1970 and stayed until 2017. He was the first African American to head the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Rangel lost the chairmanship after an Ethics investigation in 2010. At that time, Rangel told NPR he wasn't going to leave Congress.

[Donald Trump]

I don't know where you really start over when you're 80 years old, you don't start over. You continue. And like every setback that I think that most people have, you analyze what went wrong, try to correct it and move forward.

[Nora Ramm]

Charlie Rangel died at 94. Republican lawmakers in Texas have advanced legislation that would require the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public school classrooms. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider reports the bill is expected to provoke a First Amendment court challenge.

[Candy Noble]

Republican State Representative Candy Noble sponsored the measure in the House.

[Sarah Porter]

The displaying of the Ten Commandments in our Texas classrooms will bring back this historic tradition of recognizing America's foundational heritage in both our educational and judicial systems and remind students of the importance of this cornerstone of American and Texas law.

[Candy Noble]

During debate, several Democrats said roughly a third of Texans are neither Christian nor Jewish and do not consider the Ten Commandments foundational to their belief systems. Following a final concurrence by the state Senate. The bill will go to Governor Greg Abbott, who expected to sign it. For NPR News, I'm Andrew Schneider in Houston.

[Nora Ramm]

Russia launched another major drone attack on Ukraine last night, the third night in a row. Ukrainian officials say it was the largest aerial attack, 355 drones since the war began more than three years ago. This is NPR News. Federal funding for the drought stricken Colorado river has largely been on pause since Donald Trump returned to the White House, but now some of that money is coming back. From member station kunc, Alex Hager reports.

[Alex Hager]

It's the kind of funding that was common under the Biden administration but stands out now. Sarah Porter directs the Kyle center for Water Policy at Arizona State University. She says we shouldn't read into it.

[Sarah Porter]

Too much, but it does indicate, I think, that the bureau and maybe the Interior Department understand that the Colorado river is in pretty precarious shape and that, you know, something needs to be done.

[Alex Hager]

In total, the Feds will pay $128 million to groups in Arizona and California. In exchange, those groups will leave some of their water in Lake Mead, the nation's largest reservoir. For NPR News, I'm Alex Hager in Fort Collins, Colorado.

[Nora Ramm]

In France, farmers drove their tractors on Paris roads today to urge parliament to loosen environmental regulations. Several European Union states are relaxing some rules as farmers struggle with rising costs. Prosecutors in Norway have filed charges against the navigator on duty when a cargo ship ran aground last week. Pictures showed the enormous vessel just meters from a house. Officials say the navigator had fallen asleep on the job. The owner of the home was also asleep at the time. He told Norwegian broadcaster NRK he only woke up when a neighbor rang his doorbell. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

[Alex Hager]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR News Now. [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.