NPR News Now: 09-25-2025 11PM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Date: September 26, 2025
Length: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise roundup of the day’s top U.S. news in five minutes. Major highlights include the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, growing tensions surrounding a possible federal government shutdown, an extraordinary gathering of U.S. military leaders, sweeping new import tariffs, a major Amazon legal settlement, and music chart news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Indictment of Former FBI Director James Comey

[00:18–01:20]

• News: Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Virginia on charges of obstruction and making false statements.
• Details:
  • The charges stem from Comey’s Senate testimony in 2020 about the FBI’s Russia investigation and alleged media leaks.
  • The indictment came after significant pressure from President Trump to prosecute Comey before a statute of limitations expiration.
  • Notably, the White House recently replaced a longtime prosecutor who doubted the case’s strength. Lindsey Halligan, an insurance lawyer with no prosecutorial experience but Trump ties, was appointed as U.S. attorney in Virginia.
• White House Reaction:
  • President Trump posted, “justice in America,” after the indictment.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The charges against Jim Comey come after days of pressure from President Trump, who urged the Justice Department to hurry up and build a criminal case against him.” — Carrie Johnson, NPR [00:34]

2. Looming Federal Government Shutdown and Mass Firing Threat

[01:20–02:19]

• News: With days before a government funding deadline, the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) threatens mass layoffs rather than furloughs in the event of a shutdown.
• Political Response:
  • House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accuses OMB of conducting “mass firings” throughout the year and vows legal challenges.
• Shutdown Politics:
  • President Trump blames Democrats for demanding health care cost measures in the funding legislation.
  • No talks are scheduled and a government shutdown could begin October 1st.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “We will not be intimidated by these threats coming from the most extreme parts of the Trump administration.” — Hakeem Jeffries [01:55]
  • “There are no talks and no clear path to avoid a shutdown that could start October 1st.” — Deidre Walsh, NPR [02:10]

3. Rare Summoning of U.S. Military Leadership

[02:19–03:12]

• News: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called hundreds of generals and admirals to an urgent meeting in Quantico, Virginia next week.
• Details:
  • No information on the meeting’s agenda has been disclosed.
  • Such a large, short-notice gathering is highly unusual and raises questions about further military leadership changes, especially following recent high-level dismissals.
• Notable Quote:
  • “It’s extremely rare to call in hundreds of military leaders from around the globe to one central location on short notice.” — Greg Myhre, NPR [02:37]

4. Economic & Business Updates

[03:12–04:03]

• Stock Market:
  • U.S. futures are flat in after-hours trading. [03:12]
• Tariffs:
  • President Trump imposes 100% tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals, plus significant tariffs on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, heavy trucks, and upholstered furniture.
  • The administration cites “national security and other reasons.”
• Amazon Settlement:
  • Amazon agrees to pay $2.5 billion to settle an FTC charge for misleading customers into signing up for Prime and making cancellation difficult.

5. Cultural Highlight: Twenty One Pilots Back on Top

[04:03–04:54]

• Music News:
  • Twenty One Pilots’ new album “Breach” debuts at #1 on Billboard.
  • Their song “City Walls” enters the Hot 100.
  • Chart success attributed to 72,000 vinyl sales, though no major mainstream hit has emerged from the album yet.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Brief audio snippet of their hit “Stressed Out” (2015-16), recalling their earlier success. [04:03–04:15]
• Notable Quote:
  • “Its chart success is due primarily to a huge flood of record sales, including 72,000 copies sold on vinyl.” — Stephen Thompson, NPR [04:45]

Notable Quotes

• “We will not be intimidated by these threats coming from the most extreme parts of the Trump administration.” — Hakeem Jeffries [01:55]
• “It’s extremely rare to call in hundreds of military leaders from around the globe to one central location on short notice.” — Greg Myhre [02:37]
• “Its chart success is due primarily to a huge flood of record sales, including 72,000 copies sold on vinyl.” — Stephen Thompson [04:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Indictment of James Comey: 00:18–01:20
• Shutdown & Mass Layoff Threats: 01:20–02:19
• Military Leadership Meeting: 02:19–03:12
• Trump Tariffs & Amazon Settlement: 03:12–04:03
• Twenty One Pilots Chart Debut: 04:03–04:54

This summary captures the primary news and insights of the episode, providing an accessible guide to the day’s major national headlines.