NPR News Now

Episode: NPR News: 09-25-2025 8PM EDT
Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)

Overview

This fast-paced news briefing covers major political and legal developments in Washington, urgent national security moves at the Pentagon, a historic civil rights settlement in Chicago, a breakthrough at the United Nations regarding dementia, and a milestone in space observation. The tone is direct and urgent, focusing on extraordinary government actions and global policy shifts with significant societal impact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. James Comey Indicted; Trump Takes Aggressive Stance

[00:17-01:10]

• Former FBI Director James Comey has been charged with making a false statement and obstruction in a criminal case.
  • The indictment follows President Trump’s vocal push for prosecution of Comey and other rivals.
  • Context: Comey infuriated Trump by investigating Russian ties to the 2016 Trump campaign, an investigation labeled by Trump supporters as a “hoax,” despite several government confirmations of Russian interference.
• President Trump signed an executive action establishing a broad response to domestic terrorism and political violence.
  • The action calls for investigation of the funders behind organizations deemed threats to government stability.

“Trump and his supporters have long derided that investigation as a hoax and a witch hunt, despite multiple government reviews showing Moscow interfered on behalf of Trump’s campaign.”
— Ryland Barton, [00:43]

2. Executive Actions Against Domestic Terrorism & Political Violence

[01:10-01:55]

• Coordination across Justice Department, DHS, Treasury – FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force.
  • Trump accuses 'wealthy radical left' of funding protesters.
• Emphasis on recent violence: Referencing anti-ICE protests in Oregon and fatal incidents in Dallas and involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

“These are anarchists and agitators, professional anarchists and agitators, and they get hired by wealthy people.”
— Vice President J.D. Vance, [01:27]

3. Unprecedented Military Leadership Gathering

[01:55-02:44]

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summons hundreds of generals and admirals to Virginia, reason undisclosed.
  • Media speculates; VP Vance calls it 'spuriously' overblown.
  • Insight from NPR’s Tom Bowman: gatherings of this size are highly unusual, beyond typical command meetings.
  • Possible connection to Hegseth’s previously stated goal of reducing the Pentagon's top brass by 20%.

“I've never heard of anything on this scale... this is far different in the numbers now.”
— Tom Bowman, [02:13]

4. TikTok Allowed to Continue Operating in US

[02:44-03:12]

• Trump signs executive order allowing TikTok to remain in the US.
  • Order asserts a sale to US owners meets national security concerns.
  • Trump claims agreement was greenlit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, but many details remain unclear.

5. Chicago Civil Rights Settlement

[03:12-03:58]

• Chicago City Council approves $90 million settlement for nearly 200 rights violations linked to former police sergeant Ronald Watts.
  • 176 lawsuits resolved, representing 180 wrongfully convicted individuals with nearly 200 years combined incarceration.
  • Watts resigned in 2012, sentenced in 2021.

6. UN Makes Landmark Move: Dementia on the Global Agenda

[03:58-04:42]

• For the first time, dementia is included in the UN's international plan to combat non-communicable diseases.
  • Paola Barberino, Alzheimer’s Disease International, calls it a “historical... watershed moment.”

    "It's historical for us. It's a real watershed moment."
    — Paola Barberino, [04:17]

  • Especially pivotal for low-income countries facing a rising dementia crisis.

    “And yet a lot of low income countries are still in denial about the fact that dementia is a big problem.”
    — Paola Barberino, [04:29]

  • Dementia is estimated to become the third leading cause of death globally by 2040.

7. NASA's New Mapping Satellite Reveals US Landscapes

[04:42-04:57]

• First images from a joint US-India satellite mission show the coast of Maine and North Dakota farmland in “incredible detail.”
  • Marks technological advances in earth observation and international cooperation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Trump and his supporters have long derided that investigation as a hoax and a witch hunt, despite multiple government reviews showing Moscow interfered on behalf of Trump’s campaign.”
  — Ryland Barton, [00:43]

• “These are anarchists and agitators, professional anarchists and agitators, and they get hired by wealthy people.”
  — VP J.D. Vance, [01:27]

• “I've never heard of anything on this scale... this is far different in the numbers now.”
  — Tom Bowman, [02:13]

• "It's historical for us. It's a real watershed moment."
  — Paola Barberino on dementia at the UN, [04:17]

• “And yet a lot of low income countries are still in denial about the fact that dementia is a big problem.”
  — Paola Barberino, [04:29]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Justice Department indicts Comey: [00:17]
• Executive action against domestic terrorism: [01:10]
• VP J.D. Vance on protest funders: [01:27]
• Massive military meeting called by Sec. Hegseth: [01:55]
• Tom Bowman on the unusual nature of the meeting: [02:13]
• Trump's order on TikTok: [02:44]
• Chicago police civil rights settlement: [03:12]
• UN includes dementia in global health strategy: [03:58]
• Barberino's reaction on dementia at the UN: [04:17]
• First images from US-India satellite: [04:42]

This episode offers a rapid, authoritative roundup of urgent US government actions, international policy changes, and scientific milestones, with clear concern for civil rights and global health alongside unprecedented political moves.