NPR News Now – August 26, 2025, 1PM EDT
Brief Overview
This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Lakshmi Singh, provides a snapshot of top US and global stories, including notable developments in immigration law, National Guard deployments, federal transportation policy, economic news, the Israel-Gaza conflict, and a viral fitness trend.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's Lawsuit on Deportation Order
-
Summary:
- President Trump's lawsuit against Maryland's 15 federal judges was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen.
- The suit challenged an order that blocked the immediate deportation of migrants appealing their removals.
- The judges cited constitutional traditions; Cullen, a Trump appointee, agreed.
- The issue of migrant due process has been contentious, notably following the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who now faces further deportation threats after being charged with human smuggling.
-
Notable Quote:
- (Lakshmi Singh, 00:18)
"The debate over due process for migrants, whatever their status, intensified earlier this year when Kilmar Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported from Maryland to his home country of El Salvador."
- (Lakshmi Singh, 00:18)
2. National Guard Deployments and Illinois' Opposition
-
Summary:
- Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker warns President Trump that sending National Guard troops to Illinois would be unnecessary and illegal.
- President Trump defends the move to deploy troops, critiquing Illinois' governance and crime rates.
- Hundreds of National Guard members are deployed in Washington, D.C. to address an alleged surge in crime — although local statistics indicate a decline.
-
Notable Quotes:
- (President Trump, 01:13)
“So the line is that I’m a dictator, but I stop crime. So a lot of people say, you know, if that’s the case, I’d rather have a dictator, but I’m not a dictator. I just know how to stop crime.” - (Lakshmi Singh, 01:39)
"But like other major cities, D.C. says the statistics show overall violent crime in its city has actually fallen significantly."
- (President Trump, 01:13)
3. Threat to Withhold Transportation Funding over English Proficiency
-
Summary:
- The Trump administration threatens to cut federal transportation funding to California, Washington, and New Mexico.
- The Department of Transportation (DOT) accuses these states of failing to enforce English language proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers.
- This push follows a deadly highway crash in Florida involving a non-English proficient driver who was in the US illegally.
- States have 30 days to comply with the federal requirements.
-
Notable Quotes:
- (Joel Rose, 02:13)
“DOT accuses those states of failing to disqualify drivers if they can't demonstrate English proficiency. The move comes after a deadly crash in Florida earlier this month involving a driver who made an illegal U-turn on a highway.”
- (Joel Rose, 02:13)
4. Presidential Attempt to Fire Federal Reserve Governor
-
Summary:
- President Trump announces the firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a move prompted by allegations of mortgage fraud.
- It is unclear whether the president has the legal authority to dismiss a Fed governor.
- Lisa Cook disputes the president’s authority and intends to challenge the dismissal.
- Brief updates on stock market indices are provided.
-
Notable Quote:
- (Lakshmi Singh, 02:52)
"She maintains he does not, and she has vowed to fight her dismissal."
- (Lakshmi Singh, 02:52)
5. International Response to Israeli Strikes on Gaza
-
Summary:
- The UK condemns Israeli airstrikes on Gaza's Nasser Hospital—a strike that killed at least 22 people, including medics and journalists.
- UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy calls for an immediate ceasefire and announces plans to evacuate injured children and accept Gazan students.
- Other European countries take similar actions; France suspends its student program after an antisemitism controversy.
-
Notable Quote:
- (Lauren Frayer, 03:30)
"UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says he's horrified by Israel's attack on Nasser Hospital. He says civilians, healthcare workers and journalists must be protected, and he called for an immediate ceasefire."
- (Lauren Frayer, 03:30)
6. Trend Watch: Exercising with Weighted Vests
-
Summary:
- The popularity of exercising with weighted vests is rising on social media, but scientific support for claims about health benefits is limited.
- Lauren Calenso Semple (McMaster University) says benefits like bone density, muscle growth, and fat loss are overhyped.
- Targeted resistance training is more effective for strength gains than using a weighted vest.
-
Notable Quotes:
- (Lauren Calenso Semple, 04:39)
"We're not going to see some of these benefits that are promised, like the bone density, muscle growth and fat loss." - (Katie Riddle, 04:48)
"For people wanting to get stronger. She says targeted resistance training with weights is far more effective."
- (Lauren Calenso Semple, 04:39)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Time | Segment | |---------|----------------------------------------------------| | 00:18 | Federal Judge Dismisses Trump Lawsuit on Deportations| | 01:13 | President Trump on National Guard Deployments | | 01:39 | D.C. Crime Rates and National Guard | | 02:13 | DOT Threat to Withhold Funding over English Proficiency| | 02:52 | Fed Governor Lisa Cook Fired; Market Update | | 03:30 | UK Response to Gaza Hospital Strike | | 04:20 | Science on Weighted Vests Examined |
Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
President Trump’s Rebuttal on Dictatorship Allegations
(01:13)
“So the line is that I’m a dictator, but I stop crime. So a lot of people say, you know, if that’s the case, I’d rather have a dictator, but I’m not a dictator. I just know how to stop crime.” -
UK Condemnation of Gaza Hospital Strike
(Lauren Frayer quoting David Lammy, 03:30)
"He says civilians, healthcare workers and journalists must be protected, and he called for an immediate ceasefire." -
Exercise Science Debunking Social Media Hype
(Lauren Calenso Semple, 04:39)
"We're not going to see some of these benefits that are promised, like the bone density, muscle growth and fat loss."
This NPR News Now episode offers concise, high-impact updates on significant political, legal, global, and lifestyle issues for August 26, 2025.
