NPR News Now: July 10, 2025 | 2PM EDT

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1. Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship

[00:16]

Nora Ram reports that a federal judge in New Hampshire has halted the enforcement of President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship—the automatic granting of U.S. citizenship to individuals born on American soil. This decision marks the latest challenge to Trump's efforts to modify the citizenship policy.

Juliana Kim elaborates that the ruling emerged from a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other advocacy groups just hours after the Supreme Court limited nationwide injunctions. Despite the Supreme Court's stance, these class action lawsuits can effectively pause presidential policies affecting large regions.

Juliana Kim stated, “The judge granted both” the class action certification and the preliminary injunction, while also “staying his order for seven days to give the federal government a chance to appeal” [00:34].

2. Election Officials Express Concerns Over Federal Security Cuts

[01:14]

Nora Ram highlights growing unease among election officials nationwide regarding the Trump administration's reductions in funding for federal election security services. A recent survey by the Brennan Center for Justice reveals significant apprehensions among local election administrators.

Ashley Lopez reports that over 60% of respondents are particularly worried about cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Additionally, nearly 90% believe that state and local governments will need to “step in and provide additional resources” to compensate for the diminished federal support in securing elections.

The survey also indicates widespread concern about potential political interference in elections and the proliferation of misinformation on social media platforms.

Ashley Lopez concluded, “An overwhelming majority of local officials also said they're worried about political leaders interfering with their jobs as well as false information about elections spreading on social media” [01:28].

3. International Efforts Focus on Ukraine’s Post-War Recovery

[02:05]

Nora Ram reports that Ukraine's allies are convening in Rome for a conference dedicated to the country's post-war reconstruction. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is advocating for a recovery strategy modeled after the Marshall Plan—the U.S. economic aid initiative that facilitated Europe's rebuilding after World War II.

Joanna Kakisis shares that in his opening remarks, Zelenskyy emphasized the interconnectedness of Ukraine’s recovery with global economic health. He stated, “It's also about your countries, your companies, your technology, your jobs. The way we rebuild our country can also modernize your infrastructure and industries” [02:29].

The conference discussed utilizing frozen Russian assets, estimated at around $300 billion, to fund Ukraine's reconstruction. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU has secured agreements to invest $12 billion in Ukraine’s Recovery and Economic Convergence (REC) program. Meanwhile, Russia continues its ongoing assault on Ukraine, with sustained airstrikes targeting Ukrainian cities.

Joanna Kakisis reported from Kyiv, “Frozen Russian assets, roughly $300 billion, can be used to finance Ukraine's recovery. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU has signed agreements to invest $12 billion in Ukraine's REC” [02:42].

4. Strong Job Market and Elon Musk's New Political Venture

[03:09]

Nora Ram provides an update on the U.S. job market, noting that the Labor Department has reported a decrease in jobless claims. The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to a seasonally adjusted 227,000 last week, surpassing economists' forecasts.

In the political arena, entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced the formation of a new political party, the “America Party,” positioning it as a centrist alternative aimed at voters seeking a middle ground. NPR's Elena Moore discusses the potential implications of this move, especially in the context of the upcoming midterm elections.

Elena Moore explains, “Third parties often take away votes from major parties in close races. That could be a problem in the midterms.” She further highlights the significance of young men as a target demographic, noting their critical stance towards both major political parties.

Conservative analyst Dan Cox adds, “We still don't have a great idea of where young men are going to go. Like where are Gen Z men going to be in 20 years when it comes to their politics?” [04:03]

Elena Moore concludes, “Though he's unsure if Musk's party can attract these voters, he says there's a huge opportunity to engage with them” [04:12].

5. Federal Appeals Court Upholds New York’s Gun Liability Law

[04:24]

Nora Ram reports that a federal appeals court has affirmed the legality of a New York state law that permits the suing of gun manufacturers for damages resulting from gun violence. This decision counters previous attempts by companies like Glock and Smith & Wesson to claim immunity under federal law, which they argued should shield them from civil liabilities when their products are used in crimes.

The appeals court's ruling supports the state's public nuisance approach, allowing victims and their families to hold gun manufacturers accountable for their role in gun-related incidents.

Nora Ram summarized, “The appeals court today found the New York law is legal” [04:24].

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