NPR News Now: May 30, 2025
Hosted by Korva Coleman
1. Federal Appeals Court Restores Trump's Tariff Powers
Korva Coleman reports from Washington, D.C., that a federal appeals court has temporarily reinstated former President Donald Trump's authority to impose global tariffs. This decision comes after a lower court previously halted Trump's tariff initiatives, ruling that he had exceeded his presidential authority. The higher court's intervention ensures that the tariffs remain in place as the legal proceedings continue.
Peter Navarro, Trump's White House trade advisor, commented on the ruling:
“The tariffs remain in place. The court told us they didn’t all but tell us. They told us go do it another way. So you can assume that even if we lose, we will do it another way.” (00:44)
Navarro emphasized that the administration remains committed to advancing Trump's economic agenda despite the ongoing legal challenges.
2. Escalating Trade Tensions with China
In a separate development, Trump took to social media to announce that he had reached a “fast deal” with China, although he accused the Chinese government of violating this agreement. This assertion comes amidst conflicting statements from the administration and Chinese counterparts.
Treasury Secretary Scott Besant acknowledged on Fox News that trade talks with China "have, quote, stalled a bit.” The Trump administration is responding by threatening to “aggressively revoke visas for some Chinese students,” a move seen by Trump supporters as a critical national security measure.
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, outlined the criteria for the visa revocations:
“The focus will be on students tied to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. Right now, more than 270,000 Chinese students are enrolled in U.S. colleges.” (01:30)
Simon Hankinson, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a longtime foreign service officer, expressed support for increased scrutiny of visas:
“In my career over 23 years, I saw us go from one sheet of paper front and back to multiple forms online. And I think the more information we have about people that we let into the country, the better.” (01:52)
However, Rubio also noted the opposition from international education advocates who argue that these restrictions are counterproductive:
“International education advocates here in Massachusetts, though, call these restrictions self-defeating.” (02:03)
The administration’s stance highlights the ongoing tension between national security concerns and the benefits of international education.
3. Virginia Enacts New Screen Time Restrictions for Minors
Korva Coleman turns to education and child welfare, highlighting Virginia’s latest legislation aimed at reducing screen time for children. This move is part of a broader trend as states seek to limit digital platform usage among young people to address mental health concerns.
Sassi Naga, CEO of Parent Genie, an app designed to help parents monitor their children's screen time, explains the specifics of the new law:
“Virginia's new law takes effect next year. It aims to limit social media use for minors under 16 to 1 hour per day unless parents provide verifiable consent to adjust that limit.” (02:27)
The legislation is supported by evidence linking excessive screen time to various issues, including increased anxiety, disrupted sleep, reduced physical activity, and lower academic engagement.
Other states, such as Illinois, have implemented similar measures. For example, Illinois has enacted social media curfews that restrict minors from accessing sites between 10 PM and 6 AM. Despite these efforts, some education advocates argue that such restrictions may be counterproductive, potentially limiting beneficial educational interactions and technological proficiency.
4. Idaho’s Initiative to Prepare Students for Emerging Jobs
In Idaho, Lauren Patterson reports on a significant investment aimed at equipping students with skills for future job markets, particularly in industries facing labor shortages due to an aging workforce.
The state has allocated $65 million to the Idaho Career Ready Students Grant program. This funding supports field trips, shop upgrades, and classes focused on natural resources, including fisheries, wildlife, and forestry.
At a local high school, student Aiden Olive shares his experience:
“I wasn't really certain about going into forestry at first, but after getting this mill and running it and seeing how it works, I really actually think that could be some possibility of going into forestry.” (04:12)
The program includes practical training, such as the operation of a brand-new sawmill, providing students like Aiden with hands-on experience. The state plans to monitor the career paths of participants to assess the program’s impact on workforce readiness.
5. Passing of Former NYC Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik
Korva Coleman reports the passing of Bernard Kerik, former New York City Police Commissioner, at the age of 69. The FBI confirmed his death, citing an unspecified illness. Kerik was a prominent figure in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, playing a key role in leading New York City through the crisis. However, his career later faced controversy when he was convicted and subsequently pardoned by President Trump for federal tax crimes.
Kerik's legacy is marked by both his contributions to law enforcement during a critical time and his later legal troubles, reflecting a complex public persona.
6. Additional Updates
- Wall Street: Dow futures are trading lower in premarket activity.
- Elon Musk: Today marks Musk’s last day as a special federal employee overseeing the Doge cost-cutting entity.
- White House: President Trump is scheduled to meet with a few reporters alongside Elon Musk.
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