NPR News Now: August 22, 2025, 9AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: ~5 minutes
Published: August 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers the most recent headlines from the U.S. and around the world in a concise newscast. Central topics include a major FBI action involving John Bolton, famine confirmation in Gaza, U.S. visa revocations, a controversial Justice Department hire, Supreme Court and White House updates, and developments regarding public access to the White House.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. FBI Executes Warrant at John Bolton’s Home

[00:18]

• The FBI has executed a search warrant at the residence of John Bolton, former national security adviser to President Trump and now an outspoken critic of Trump.
• Korva Coleman (Host):

  "The FBI says it has executed a search warrant at Ambassador John Bolton's home outside Washington, D.C."

• The investigation specifics remain unclear, but the incident is underscored as a top national story.

2. Gaza Famine Confirmed; Israel Disputes UN Findings

[00:18] – [01:29]

• The world’s top hunger authority has confirmed famine in northern Gaza.
• Israel disputes the claim, arguing the findings exclude critical data.
• Ruth Sherlock (Reporter):

  "The part of the Israeli military that oversees aid, known as Kogat, claims the report by UN-backed experts is, quote, unprofessional. It says it ignores Israeli data on deliveries of aid into Gaza and overlooks recent increase in food supplies by a U.S. and Israeli backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation." (00:46)

• A coalition of over 100 aid organizations argues Israeli regulations are stranding millions of dollars’ worth of much-needed aid in warehouses, worsening conditions for Palestinians.

3. Surge in U.S. Visa Revocations

[01:29] – [02:13]

• The State Department claims it continuously monitors all U.S. visa holders.
• Michelle Kellerman (Reporter):

  "The Trump administration has revoked two times the number of visas as compared to last year, four times the number of student visas." (01:41)
  "So far this year, the State Department has revoked more than 6,000 student visas for a range of reasons from traffic violations and visa overstays to alleged support for terrorism." (01:51)

• Revocations far outpace previous years, particularly among student visas.

4. Controversy Around DOJ Attorney Linked to Jan. 6 Defendants

[02:13] – [03:13]

• The Justice Department has hired Jonathan Gross, who previously represented January 6 Capitol rioters.
• NPR’s review cites Gross comparing prosecutions to Holocaust atrocities and promoting conspiracy theories.
• Jonathan Gross (audio):

  "These prosecutors are evil people. They will put you on a cattle car to Auschwitz without an eye." (02:53)

• Gross now works on investigations into alleged law enforcement bias.

5. Supreme Court Decision on Federal Research Grants

[03:13] – [04:01]

• The Supreme Court ruled the NIH does not have to disburse hundreds of millions in previously halted research grants.
• Earlier in the year, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered suspension/review of grants related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity.
• The ACLU condemned the move as an “ideological purge.”

6. White House Suspends Public Tours Amid Construction Plans

[04:01] – [04:40]

• All public tours of the White House have been suspended indefinitely as major renovations begin.
• Windsor Johnston (Reporter):

  "The administration says renovations include a $200 million, 90,000 square foot ballroom that President Trump wants to start building within six weeks." (04:01)

• The new ballroom, to be funded by President Trump and private donors, is the headline project among other cosmetic changes such as new gold accents and landscaping overhaul.
• Usually, about 500,000 people tour the White House annually.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On humanitarian aid in Gaza:

  "Increasingly restrictive Israeli regulation on their operations in Gaza is leaving millions of dollars’ worth of food, medicine, water and shelter items stranded in warehouses."
  — Ruth Sherlock, [01:12]

• On comparison of prosecutions to the Holocaust:

  "These prosecutors are evil people. They will put you on a cattle car to Auschwitz without an eye."
  — Jonathan Gross, DOJ attorney (audio clip), [02:53]

• On White House construction:

  "The administration says renovations include a $200 million, 90,000 square foot ballroom that President Trump wants to start building within six weeks."
  — Windsor Johnston, [04:01]

Additional Coverage & Context

• NIH funding cuts and the resulting ACLU criticism reflect ongoing national debates around government funding priorities and growing political polarization in scientific and academic spheres.
• Suspension of White House tours signals both the disruption of public traditions and the administration's focus on legacy-defining construction.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• FBI search at John Bolton’s home: 00:18
• Gaza famine report and Israeli response: 00:46–01:29
• U.S. visa revocations: 01:41–02:13
• Justice Department hires controversial attorney: 02:13–03:13
• Supreme Court/NIH research grants: 03:13–04:01
• White House tours suspended/renovation: 04:01–04:40

This five-minute NPR News Now episode efficiently summarizes the key news of the hour, providing listeners with crucial national and international updates alongside timely political developments.