NPR News Now – September 26, 2025, 2AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme: Brief overview of the latest pressing national and international news stories, focusing on new legal actions, major policy developments, and significant business updates.

1. Federal Indictment of Former FBI Director James Comey

[00:19–01:08]

• Summary:
  Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by a federal grand jury days after President Trump called to expedite investigations into his political adversaries.

  • The indictment claims Comey lied under oath in a 2020 Senate hearing.
  • The allegations relate specifically to leaks to the news media during the Senate testimony on Russian interference and FBI conduct.
  • Timing was urgent as the statute of limitations was about to expire.

• Quote:

  • "It's important to note the statute of limitations on these charges had been set to expire just in a matter of days. So the Justice Department was racing against the clock..." – Kerry Johnson [00:41]

2. President Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs

[01:08–01:56]

• Summary:
  President Trump imposed a new slate of tariffs (25–100%) on several imported goods:

  • 25% tariff: imported large trucks (aimed to protect domestic manufacturers like Kenworth and Mac)
  • 50% tariff: imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities
  • 30% tariff: upholstered furniture
  • 100% tariff: imported branded or patented pharmaceutical products not made in the USA
  • Tariffs justified on grounds of national security; take effect October 1st.

• Quote:

  • "Trump says the new import taxes must be applied for national security and other reasons and will take effect October 1st." – Ayanna Archie [01:44]

3. Executive Order on TikTok US Ownership

[01:56–02:08]

• Summary:
  President Trump signed an executive order supporting a plan to transfer TikTok’s US operations to American ownership.
  • A group of investors is set to buy TikTok from its Chinese owner, ByteDance.
  • Details of the proposed deal have not yet been released.

4. Dallas ICE Facility Attack – Details Released

[02:08–03:14]

• Summary:
  The FBI revealed additional information about the gunman, 29-year-old Joshua Yan, who attacked a Dallas ICE facility:

  • Authorities found “definitively anti-ICE” handwritten notes at Yan’s home, planning the attack months in advance.
  • Motive: To terrorize ICE employees and disrupt operations, which he labeled as “human trafficking.”
  • Yan used a bolt-action rifle; three detainees were shot (one fatality), no agents were harmed.
  • Yan did not expect to survive the attack.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “He hoped his actions would terrorize ICE employees and interfere with their work, which he called human trafficking. What he did is the very definition of terrorism.” – Nancy Larson, U.S. Attorney [02:39]
  • "Yan's notes indicate that he, quote, did not expect to survive this event." – Penelope Rivera [02:54]

5. Amazon FTC Settlement

[03:14–03:33]

• Summary:
  Amazon agrees to pay $2.5 billion to settle Federal Trade Commission claims:
  • FTC accused Amazon of misleading customers into signing up for Prime memberships and complicating cancellations.

6. Senator Ted Cruz Targets Climate Change Litigation

[03:33–04:26]

• Summary:
  Senator Ted Cruz is opposing lawsuits that seek to make fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages.

  • At a Senate hearing, Cruz alleged (without provided evidence) that China is financially supporting these lawsuits to weaken the US energy sector.
  • Environmental advocates call Cruz's claims unsubstantiated and politically motivated to shield oil and gas firms.
  • Industry groups dismiss the lawsuits as baseless.

• Notable Quote:

  • "And the biggest winner in all of this, China. Who's paying the bills?" – Ted Cruz [04:04]

7. Trump Hints at Lifting Fighter Jet Embargo on Turkey

[04:26–04:57]

• Summary:
  President Trump suggested possible removal of an embargo on advanced US fighter jets to Turkey.
  • Embargo began in his first term.
  • Trump met Turkish President Erdogan, citing Turkey's key role in mediating conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and its influence in Syria (notably aiding in Assad’s ouster).

8. Market Update

[04:57]

• Summary:
  US stock futures remained flat in after-hours trading.

Noteworthy Moments

• The urgency around the Comey indictment underscores heightened political tensions and a “race against the clock” [00:41].
• President Trump’s tariff orders are historically broad, impacting several major sectors from auto manufacturing to pharmaceuticals [01:20–01:56].
• The Dallas ICE attack is officially categorized as terrorism, illustrating rising domestic threats linked to US immigration policy [02:39].

For further details on any segment, refer to the corresponding timestamps.