NPR News Now: July 12, 2025, 12 PM EDT

Nora Ram reports on the latest national and international news in this comprehensive summary of the July 12, 2025, episode of NPR's "News Now." Covering devastating natural disasters, significant legal rulings, aviation safety concerns, notable political figures, and major trade policy announcements, this summary provides all the essential details and insights discussed during the broadcast.

1. Devastating Floods in Central Texas

More than a week has passed since catastrophic flooding struck Central Texas, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 120 lives and leaving over 170 individuals missing. The affected area, particularly the city of Kerrville, remains in dire conditions as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

President Trump's Visit: President Donald Trump visited Kerrville to assess the damage and meet with those impacted by the disaster. During a roundtable with local officials, Trump expressed his condolences and admiration for the resilience of the community.

• Donald Trump at [00:42]:
  "We pray for the families that are left behind. It's amazing, the incredible spirit from those families. I don't know. I don't even know how they do it."

Despite Trump's assurances of his administration's swift response, there are ongoing concerns regarding the preparedness and adequacy of the federal support provided. Additionally, the future role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remains uncertain. Prior to the flooding, Trump had indicated plans to dismantle FEMA, aiming to shift disaster response responsibilities back to the states. As of this report, it is unclear whether these plans have been altered in light of the recent catastrophe.

2. Federal Judge Halts Immigration Sweeps in Los Angeles

A significant legal development has emerged in Los Angeles, where a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to cease its immigration sweeps. These sweeps involved federal agents conducting mass arrests and deportations in Southern California, actions that have been widely criticized for their indiscriminate nature.

Legal Background: The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) along with other advocacy groups, alleged that federal agents were targeting individuals based on racial profiling—arresting people due to their skin color, accents, or occupations commonly associated with immigrants.

• Mark Rosenbaum, Public Counsel Lawyer at [02:05]:
  "It is a complete repudiation of the racial profiling tactics, and I think it means that the rule of law is back."

Judgment: US District Court Judge Maame Ewesu Mensah Frimpong ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, citing substantial evidence of illegal arrests and discriminatory practices by federal agents.

Administration's Response: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the ruling, arguing that it undermines the will of the American people to secure the nation's borders.

• DHS Spokeswoman [02:13]:
  "She's undermining the will of the American people."

This ruling represents a significant challenge to the administration's immigration policies and raises questions about the future of federal immigration enforcement practices.

3. Preliminary Report on Air India Plane Crash Released

The investigative team has released the initial findings of the Air India plane crash that occurred last month, shedding light on the possible causes of the tragic incident.

Key Findings: The report indicates that the fuel control switches were turned off shortly after takeoff, which would have cut off the fuel supply to both engines, leading to engine failure and loss of thrust necessary for maintaining flight.

• Arkhana Shukla, BBC Reporter at [02:42]:
  "Report does indicate that it was the fuel control switches that were moved from the run to the cutoff position, cutting off the fuel supply to both the engines. That could have led to both the engines failing and losing thrust and eventually sinking."

Cockpit Confusion: The cockpit voice recorder revealed confusion among the pilots regarding the status of the fuel switches. One pilot questioned whether the fuel switch had been cut off, to which the other responded negatively, suggesting a miscommunication or possible malfunction.

Aviation Experts' Insights: While India's aviation authorities have cautioned against jumping to conclusions, aviation experts point out that it is unlikely for the fuel switches to be turned off accidentally, hinting at possible human error or sabotage as potential factors.

4. Tribute to David Gergen, Esteemed Political Adviser

The news segment paid homage to David Gergen, a respected presidential speechwriter, counselor, and communications director who passed away in Massachusetts after a prolonged illness. At 83, Gergen's career spanned multiple administrations, where he played pivotal roles in shaping the communications strategies of four U.S. presidents: Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton.

Gergen's Legacy: Born in North Carolina, Gergen's multifaceted career included service as a Navy veteran, educator, lawyer, and journalist. Known for his centrist views, he believed in bipartisan cooperation, often assisting presidents from both major political parties.

• David Gergen to Fresh Air in 2000 [03:50]:
  "There is a long and I think honorable tradition in this country of people from the other party helping presidents when they're in trouble."

Reflections on Political Spin: Despite his contributions, Gergen expressed regret over his involvement in what he termed the "spin patrol"—the strategic manipulation of information to present a favorable image of the administration.

• David Gergen [03:59]:
  "And it's been one of my greatest regrets in public life is the degree to which, while I thought what we did in the early 80s was appropriate, I think it did help to open the door to what has become very, very excessive, so that now spin has become almost an art form of manipulation."

Gergen emphasized that the American public desires straightforward and honest communication from their leaders, a principle he upheld throughout his career.

• David Gergen [04:15]:
  "What Americans want ... is straight talk."

David Gergen's passing marks the loss of a significant figure in American political communication, whose insights and experiences left a lasting impact on the nation's political landscape.

5. President Trump Announces New Tariffs on European Union and Mexico

In a major economic development, President Donald Trump declared the imposition of a 30% tariff on goods imported from the European Union (EU) and Mexico, set to take effect on August 1st. This move comes as part of Trump's ongoing efforts to address trade imbalances and secure U.S. interests abroad.

Tariffs on Mexico: In a letter addressed to the President of Mexico, Trump acknowledged Mexico's assistance in reducing the influx of migrants and fentanyl into the United States. However, he criticized Mexico for not doing enough to prevent North America from becoming a "narco trafficking playground."

Tariffs on the European Union: The President cited the substantial trade deficit between the U.S. and the EU as a primary reason for the new tariffs. By imposing these tariffs, Trump aims to pressure the EU to negotiate more favorable trade terms and address perceived unfair trade practices.

Implications: These tariffs are expected to have significant repercussions for international trade relations, potentially leading to retaliatory measures from the affected parties. The move has sparked discussions about its impact on global markets, consumers, and the broader U.S. economy.

Nora Ram concludes the summary of this episode with updates from Washington, highlighting the administration's stance and the potential consequences of these new trade policies.

End of Summary

This detailed overview encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the July 12, 2025, episode of NPR's "News Now," providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a comprehensive understanding of the day's most pressing issues.