NPR News: 09-25-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now — September 25, 2025, 10PM EDT

Hosted by: Ryland Barton
Producer: NPR News
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode covers major headlines in domestic and international politics, business, and culture. Key stories include the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, significant Amazon settlement with the FTC, a prison sentence for former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, major restructuring at Starbucks, and new words added by Merriam-Webster.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Indictment of Former FBI Director James Comey

• Trump’s Reaction

  • President Trump lauds the Justice Department's indictment of Comey, describing him as "corrupt" and "one of the worst human beings" in the country ([00:34]).
  • Trump has been actively pushing for prosecutions against political opponents:
    • "It represents the latest escalation in a years long war of words between Trump and Comey, who famously likened the president to a mob boss." — Franco Ordonez ([00:34]–[01:21])

• Context

  • Charges follow recent public pressure from Trump for action against Comey and other critics.
  • Trump blames Comey for initiating the Russia probe into his 2016 campaign ([00:34]).

• Comey’s Response

  • Comey posts a video on Instagram:
    • "My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I'm innocent, so let's have a trial." — James Comey ([01:30])

• Fallout

  • Comey's son-in-law, Troy Edwards, resigns as U.S. attorney, citing his oath to the Constitution ([01:39]).

2. New Trump Tariffs

• Announcement of import taxes:
  • 100% on pharmaceuticals
  • 50% on kitchen cabinets
  • 25% on heavy trucks
• Begins October 1.
• Trump claims it is necessary due to "foreign manufacturers…flooding the US," emphasizing national security needs ([01:39]).

3. Amazon and FTC Settlement

• Settlement Details

  • Amazon agrees to a $2.5 billion settlement, one of the largest in FTC history ([02:29]).
  • Prime members will receive up to $1.5 billion in payments, with individual credits up to $51 ([02:29]).
  • $1 billion marked as civil penalties.

• FTC Accusations

  • Amazon used manipulative web design to trick users into Prime and made unsubscribing difficult.
  • A senior FTC official remarked Amazon’s "backs were against the wall" after testimony ([02:29]).

• Amazon’s Response

  • Admits no wrongdoing; statement calls the settlement a chance to move forward ([02:29]).

4. International: Sarkozy Sentenced

• Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to 5 years in prison for criminal conspiracy ([03:11]).
  • Guilty of attempting campaign finance violations using Libyan funds in 2000.
  • The sentence will be served even if he appeals.
  • Sarkozy denounces the ruling as a "scandalous injustice" ([03:11]).

5. Starbucks Corporate Restructuring

• Starbucks will cut 900 more corporate jobs, following 1,100 layoffs earlier this year ([03:56]).
• Store upgrades prioritized; stores unsuited for upgrades will close (potential minimum: 200 locations).
• CEO Brian Nichol: Cost reductions meant to channel funds back into stores and spur customer loyalty ([03:56]).
  • Strategy: Add baristas during peak times, trim menu, revamp ambiance ([03:56]).

6. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary Update

• Over 5,000 new terms added. Notable definitions featured:
  • "Beast mode": An extremely aggressive or energetic style or manner adopted temporarily to overpower an opponent ([04:37]).
  • "Riz": Romantic appeal or charm ([04:37]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump’s reaction on social media:
  "[Trump] declared justice in America. He went on to call Comey corrupt and one of the worst human beings this country has ever been exposed to." — Franco Ordonez ([00:34])

• James Comey addresses indictment:
  "I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I'm innocent, so let's have a trial." — James Comey ([01:30])

• Troy Edwards’s resignation letter:
  "...to uphold my oath to this Constitution and the country." — Troy Edwards ([01:39])

• Amazon’s FTC settlement statement:
  "A senior FTC official said after the testimony Amazon's 'backs were against the wall.'" — Monica Nickelsberg ([02:29])

• Sarkozy’s response:
  "He denounced today's ruling as a scandalous injustice." — Ryland Barton ([03:11])

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:14: NPR News begins, Trump praises Comey indictment
• 00:34: Franco Ordonez reports on Trump’s response
• 01:21: Comey’s Instagram video reaction
• 01:39: Troy Edwards resigns; Trump tariffs announced
• 02:29: Amazon FTC settlement coverage
• 03:11: Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to prison
• 03:56: Starbucks layoffs and store closures
• 04:37: Merriam-Webster dictionary additions

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This summary encapsulates the fast-paced, factual reporting style of NPR News Now, providing a concise digest of top stories and their developments for listeners who missed the episode.

Transcript

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[Ryland Barton]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump is praising the announcement that former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports Trump has been increasing pressure on the Justice Department to take action against his political enemies.

[Franco Ordonez]

Minutes after the Justice Department announced the indictment, President Trump took to social media and declared justice in America. He went on to call Comey corrupt and one of the worst human beings this country has ever been exposed to. The charges against Comey come just days after Trump publicly pressed for the Justice Department to take action now on prosecutions against Comey and other political critics. It represents the latest escalation in a years long war of words between Trump and Comey, who famously likened the president to a mob boss. Trump long blamed Comey for appointing a special prosecutor who investigated contacts between Russia and Trump's 2016 campaign. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

Comey responded to news of his indictment on Instagram, posting a video saying he and his family knew there was a cost to standing up to President Trump.

[James Comey]

My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system and I'm innocent, so let's have a trial.

[Ryland Barton]

Shortly after the charges were announced, Comey's son in law, Troy Edwards, resigned from his job as a U.S. attorney. In a one sentence resignation letter, he said he quit, quote, to uphold my oath to this Constitution and the country. President Trump is putting Import taxes of 100% on pharmaceutical drugs, 50% on kitchen cabinets, and 25% on heavy trucks. Starting on October 1, Trump posted on social media that foreign manufacturers of furniture and cabinetry were flooding the US with their products and that tariffs must be applied for national security and other reasons. Amazon and the federal government have reached a settlement over the company's prime membership program. From member station KUOW, Monica Nickelsberg reports. The $2.5 billion settlement is one of the largest in Federal Trade Commission history.

[Monica Nickelsberg]

Amazon prime members will get $1.5 billion in payments under the settlement. That'll look like a maximum payment of $51 automatically credited to customers who used prime benefits during the period in which the government says Amazon broke the law. The other billion is in civil penalties. The Federal Trade Commission says Amazon used manipulative web design to trick millions of people into signing up for prime and also claims Amazon made them jump through hoops to unsubscribe. A senior FTC official said after the testimony Amazon's quote, backs were against the wall. Amazon admits no wrongdoing under the settlement and in a statement says the settlement allows the company to move forward. For NPR News, I'm Monica Nickelsberg in Seattle.

[Ryland Barton]

From Washington, this is NPR News. A Paris court has sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy. He was found guilty of attempting to finance his 2000 campaign with funds from Libya. Sarkozy is 70 years old and will go to prison even if he appeals. He denounced today's ruling as a scandalous injustice. Starbucks plans to cut hundreds of corporate jobs and close many stores as the coffee chain approaches the one year mark of its turnaround plan. The chain has reported declining sales for six straight quarters, with shoppers either searching for a cheaper coffee option or upgrading to Fancier coffee shops. NPR's Alina Selyuk reports.

[Alina Selyuk]

Starbucks plans to cut 900 corporate jobs, jobs which is the second wave of layoffs for the company following 1100 job cuts earlier this year. CEO Brian Nichol has said the cost cuts are needed to redirect more money towards stores, which the company is trying to upgrade to keep people coming in more often and staying longer. The chain has been adding more baristas for busy hours, cutting back the menu options and revamping the ambiance. Nicole says the latest review found many stores where such upgrades are not feasible and those stores will close. Starbucks didn't say exactly how many, but cited one of its North American fleet, which could be at least 200 locations. Alina Selu, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

Merriam Webster has added more than 5,000 terms to its Collegiate Dictionary. New words and definitions include beast mode, an extremely aggressive or energetic style or manner that someone adopts temporarily to overpower an opponent, and riz romantic appeal or charm? From Washington, this is NPR News.

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