NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of June 10, 2025, Episode

Release Date: June 10, 2025
Host: Korva Coleman
Description: The latest news in five minutes, updated hourly.

1. Immigration Protests and Federal Response in Los Angeles

Overview: Protests in Los Angeles against federal immigration raids have largely diminished overnight. While demonstrations on Monday were predominantly peaceful, some incidents of clashes with law enforcement were reported.

Key Developments:

• Conflict Between President Trump and Governor Gavin Newsom:

  • President Trump's Stance: President Trump has publicly expressed his support for a federal initiative to arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom. He maintains that federal intervention is necessary to address the immigration situation.
  • Governor Newsom's Response: Governor Newsom retorted via social media, stating, “[I] told the president, just get it over with, arrest me, move on. If you need someone to scalp, do it with me. But stop messing with these kids” (00:40).

• Legal Actions Against the Trump Administration:

  • Newsom, along with California's Attorney General, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit alleges that President Trump failed to consult with California officials before deploying federal troops, a step typically taken to coordinate efforts.

• Federal Troop Deployment:

  • Despite the lawsuit, President Trump proceeded to send an additional 2,000 California National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles. California officials argue that this increased presence exacerbates tensions rather than alleviates the situation.

• Impact on the Immigrant Community:

  • Economic and Social Effects: Immigrants in Los Angeles are struggling amidst ongoing immigration raids. Benjamin Gottlieb, an NPR reporter in Los Angeles, highlights how the fear of detention affects daily life.
  • Business Implications: Jonathan Reyes, a juice bar owner in LA’s San Fernando Valley, shared his plight: “I'm not lying to you, but I had to throw away $600 worth of product because it all went bad” (01:24). Reyes emphasized that his business relies heavily on immigrant customers, many of whom are now hesitant to visit local establishments.
  • Workforce Concerns: The fear extends to the workforce as well; even immigrants with legal status are avoiding workplaces to steer clear of potential raids, impacting local businesses and the broader economy. With immigrants comprising about a third of LA County's population, the ripple effects are significant.

2. President Trump's Visit to Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Overview: President Trump is set to visit Fort Bragg in North Carolina to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday. The visit underscores his administration’s support for the military and aligns with his campaign promises.

Key Highlights:

• Engagement with Military Personnel:

  • President Trump will address troops and their families at Fort Bragg, the largest U.S. army base by population. This visit precedes a grand military parade scheduled in Washington, D.C., for the upcoming weekend (02:07).

• Renaming Fort Bragg:

  • Campaign Promise Fulfilled: The Biden administration had renamed Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty as part of a movement to adopt more politically correct names for military installations. President Trump reversed this change, reinstating the original name as part of honoring military heritage.
  • Governor Newsom’s Critique: Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the renaming efforts, stating, “We win World wars from Fort Robert E. Lee, from Fort Bragg, from all the different forts. And what do we do? We change the name of the forts because we want to be politically correct. So a lot of them were changing back. You probably noticed Fort Bragg, others. But I think it's a time to celebrate our military” (02:37).

• Upcoming Military Parade:

  • The planned parade in Washington, D.C., will feature tanks and flyovers, symbolizing military strength and unity. Notably, the parade coincides with President Trump’s birthday, although he asserts that the event is not self-aggrandizing (02:56).

3. Wall Street and Economic Indicators

Market Update: In pre-market trading, Dow futures are down by approximately 40 points, reflecting a cautious start for Wall Street. This downturn may be influenced by the ongoing political tensions and economic uncertainties discussed in the episode (03:08).

4. Health Policy Changes and Scientific Community Response

Key Developments:

• Vaccine Policy Overhaul:

  • Leadership Changes: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed the entire committee responsible for advising his agency on vaccine policy. Kennedy stated that removing the 17 committee members was “necessary to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science” (03:08).
  • Professional Backlash: The American Medical Association has criticized this move, declaring that it disrupts the transparency processes that have been instrumental in saving countless lives. Similarly, the American Pharmacists Association has announced it will not endorse the latest vaccine schedule issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• CDC’s Revised Recommendations:

  • The CDC has retracted its recommendation for pregnant women to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a decision that has raised concerns among public health professionals and the scientific community.

• Bethesda Declaration and NIH Criticism:

  • Scientific Pushback: Over 300 scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have issued the Bethesda Declaration, a document urging NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya to safeguard the agency's integrity. The declaration draws parallels to the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated against lockdowns during the pandemic.
  • Funding and Staffing Cuts: The declaration criticizes the Trump administration for reducing NIH staff and slashing billions in funding, which scientists argue undermines critical research and public health initiatives (04:07).

Reporter Insight: Rob Stein of NPR provides an in-depth look at the Bethesda Declaration, highlighting the scientists' concerns about the future of the NIH and the broader implications for public health policy (04:07).

5. Notable Passing: Spy Novelist Frederick Forsyth

Tribute: Frederick Forsyth, renowned spy novelist and author of bestsellers like Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File, has passed away at the age of 86. His work has left a lasting impact on the thriller genre, blending meticulous research with gripping storytelling (04:42).

Closing: Korva Coleman delivered this obituary segment, acknowledging Forsyth’s contributions to literature and his legacy in the spy fiction domain (04:42).

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of pressing national issues, including the escalating tensions over federal immigration raids in Los Angeles, President Trump's engagement with the military, shifts in health policy amidst scientific dissent, and the passing of a literary giant. Through detailed reporting and direct quotes from key figures, the episode offers listeners a nuanced understanding of the current socio-political landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Gavin Newsom:
  “[I] told the president, just get it over with, arrest me, move on. If you need someone to scalp, do it with me. But stop messing with these kids.” (00:40)

• Jonathan Reyes:
  “I'm not lying to you, but I had to throw away $600 worth of product because it all went bad.” (01:24)

• Governor Gavin Newsom on Fort Renaming:
  “We win World wars from Fort Robert E. Lee, from Fort Bragg, from all the different forts. And what do we do? We change the name of the forts because we want to be politically correct. So a lot of them were changing back. You probably noticed Fort Bragg, others. But I think it's a time to celebrate our military.” (02:37)

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:
  “It was necessary to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science.” (03:08)

Timestamps Reference:

• 00:40 – Gavin Newsom’s response to President Trump
• 01:24 – Impact on Jonathan Reyes’ juice bar
• 02:07 – President Trump’s visit to Fort Bragg
• 02:37 – Gavin Newsom on military fort renaming
• 02:56 – Details on military parade
• 03:08 – Health Secretary Kennedy’s actions and market update
• 04:07 – Bethesda Declaration overview
• 04:42 – Frederick Forsyth’s passing

This summary is intended for informational purposes and reflects the content discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on June 10, 2025.