NPR News Now: July 25, 2025, 7 AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Source: NPR
Release Date: July 25, 2025

1. President Trump's Tense Visit to the Federal Reserve

Washington, D.C. – In an unprecedented move, President Donald Trump visited the Federal Reserve yesterday, sparking a rare confrontation with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The visit was ostensibly to inspect a renovation project at the central bank—a project Trump has openly criticized.

NPR's Rafael Nam reports that such presidential visits to the Fed are highly unusual, given the institution's commitment to maintaining its independence. During the visit, President Trump expressed frustration over the projected $2.5 billion cost of the renovations.

At [00:55], Powell responded to Trump's concerns:

Jerome Powell: "We're taking a look and it looks like it's about 3.1 billion. Went up a little bit or a lot?"

Nashe disagreed with Powell's figure, leading to a moment of tension. Powell clarified:

Jerome Powell: "I haven't heard that from anybody at the Fed."

Powell pointed out that Trump's cited figure erroneously included costs from a building constructed five years prior. Following this exchange, the two walked away without further confrontation, signaling a temporary thaw in the dialogue.

2. Legal Proceedings Surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell

Florida – Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanch is set to return for a second day of questioning Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of the late Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell, currently imprisoned in Florida for her role in Epstein's sexual exploitation of minors, met with Blanch under tight security.

Maxwell's legal representation included attorney David Marcus, who commented on the interrogation:

David Marcus: "We're not going to comment on the substance, but there were a lot of questions and we went all day and she answered every one of them. She never just said, 'I'm not going to answer,' never declined."

The Trump administration appears to be attempting to placate concerned Trump supporters demanding more transparency regarding the Epstein files. Additionally, a House Republican leader has subpoenaed Maxwell to testify before Congress, intensifying the political ramifications of the case.

3. Declining Homicide and Violent Crime Rates in the U.S.

Nationwide – The United States is witnessing a decline in homicide and other violent crime rates, according to a mid-year report by the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank. NPR's Meg Anderson highlights that the analysis mirrors findings from other research entities.

The Council examined 13 different crimes across over three dozen U.S. cities, including violent offenses like homicide and sexual assault, as well as property crimes such as shoplifting and motor vehicle theft. Findings revealed that:

• Nearly all examined crimes saw lower levels in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
• Drug-related offenses remained steady.
• Domestic violence rates experienced a slight uptick.

[02:26] Meg Anderson explains:

"Violent crime, in particular, is especially down. Those types of crimes are lower now than they were before the pandemic. Some crime analysts say a reinvestment in communities after the pandemic from local governments is a key reason why crime is falling."

This trend suggests that community-focused initiatives and governmental support post-pandemic are effectively curbing violent activities across the nation.

4. U.S. Negotiations on the Gaza Conflict Pause Amidst Rising Tensions

International – The United States is retracting its negotiating team from consultations concerning the ongoing war in Gaza. The Trump administration's envoy cited Hamas's apparent unwillingness to agree to a ceasefire as the primary reason for halting talks.

The administration indicated that alternative options for addressing the situation in Gaza would be considered, though no specific details were provided. In contrast, Hamas has disputed these claims, stating:

"We're surprised and that it has shown responsibility and flexibility in negotiations."

This suspension of negotiations coincides with alarming reports from aid organizations warning of impending mass starvation in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis underscores the urgency of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

In related news, President Trump is departing for Scotland, where he plans to spend four days visiting his golf courses and meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

5. Groundbreaking Research Offers Hope in the Fight Against Malaria

Global Health – Malaria continues to pose a significant threat, with mosquitoes infecting over 250 million people annually with the parasite responsible for the disease. However, new research published in the journal Nature offers a promising avenue for prevention.

NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports that scientists have discovered a method to disrupt the malaria parasite's transmission by making minor adjustments to the mosquito genome. Specifically, the parasite must travel from the mosquito's gut to its salivary glands to infect humans. Researchers have successfully blocked this journey by altering just a few letters in the mosquito's DNA.

At [04:33], biologist Fred Gould from NC State, who was not involved in the study, commented:

Fred Gould: "The idea that you could just change one amino acid and not have it transmitted is a pretty big deal."

While the results are promising, the path to practical application requires further development. Researchers are exploring ways to propagate this genetic modification throughout mosquito populations efficiently. Nevertheless, they caution that it will likely take several years before the technology undergoes field testing and potential real-world deployment.

6. Market Update and Other News Briefs

• Wall Street: Dow futures are trending higher in pre-market trading, reflecting investor optimism.

• Malaria Research: As detailed above, new genetic techniques offer potential breakthroughs in malaria prevention.

This comprehensive update encapsulates the key events and discussions aired during the NPR News Now episode on July 25, 2025, providing insights into political dynamics, legal proceedings, public safety trends, international relations, and scientific advancements.