NPR News Now: November 20, 2024, 7 PM EST

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments. This summary encapsulates the key stories, discussions, and insights from the episode released on November 21, 2024.

1. President-Elect Donald Trump's Legal Challenges

Timestamp [00:19]
NPR's Jack Speier reported significant developments in the legal battles facing President-Elect Donald Trump. Trump's legal team is pushing for the immediate dismissal of his New York criminal case, where he was found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to an adult film star. Despite the conviction, Trump has not yet been sentenced.

Timestamp [00:38]
NPR’s Amanda Bastillo detailed the arguments presented by Trump’s lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emile Bovey, who contend that the ongoing case poses a "uniquely destabilizing" threat to the government. They argue that the evidence presented violates a recent Supreme Court ruling that prevents the prosecution of presidents for official acts performed while in office.

In response, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated, "The jury's verdict, which came before the Supreme Court's ruling and election, should have been acknowledged earlier." Bragg also indicated the possibility of pausing the case until Trump completes his next presidential term, though his team is prepared to contest any dismissal attempts.

2. House Ethics Committee and Attorney General Nominee Matt Gates

Timestamp [01:25]
Jack Speier provided updates on the House Ethics Committee's recent activities concerning Matt Gates, the former congressman and current attorney general nominee. The committee investigated allegations that Gates engaged in inappropriate conduct, including having sex with an underage girl and using illicit drugs.

Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest informed reporters, "At this point, there's been no agreement to release the report." Meanwhile, Ranking Democrat Susan Wilde of Pennsylvania disclosed that committee members were deadlocked along party lines regarding the report's release. The Justice Department, which Gates would lead if confirmed, conducted a three-year investigation and filed no charges. Gates has maintained his innocence throughout the process.

3. Anti-Abortion Groups Outline Objectives for the Next Administration

Timestamp [02:09]
NPR's Carol Tobias reported on the strategic plans of anti-abortion organizations in anticipation of the Trump administration. The National Right to Life Committee, led by Carol Tobias, identified its primary objective as "cutting federal funds to groups like Planned Parenthood."

Timestamp [02:20]
Sarah McCammon of Students for Life of America expressed a more focused approach, stating, "I think to be realistic, what we are going to see and I think most likely accomplish is just getting government out of the abortion business." The group’s plan, titled Make America Pro Life Again, includes advocating for new federal restrictions on abortion pills and pushing for tighter state-level limitations.

4. Conviction in Georgia Murder Case and Border Policy Implications

Timestamp [02:49]
A significant legal verdict was announced as a Venezuelan man, Jose Barrow, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of nursing student Lacan Riley in Georgia. Barrow had waived his right to a jury trial, resulting in a bench trial. The case has intensified the national debate on border enforcement, as authorities claim Barrow entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and remained pending his immigration case.

5. President-Elect Trump's Stance on Artificial Intelligence Policies

Timestamp [02:49]
President-Elect Trump declared his intentions to repeal President Joe Biden's artificial intelligence (AI) policies upon assuming office. This announcement coincides with an international meeting of government AI experts in San Francisco, focusing on establishing safety guardrails for AI technology. The implications of Trump's proposed changes on the future regulation and development of AI remain uncertain.

6. Passing of Reverend Tony Campolo

Timestamp [03:56]
Feedback came regarding the passing of Tony Campolo, a prominent Baptist preacher and sociologist, at the age of 89. Jason DeRose highlighted Campolo's influential role as a spiritual advisor to former President Bill Clinton and co-founder of Red Letter Christians, a group advocating for social justice issues among evangelicals.

Campolo was known for his progressive stance on many issues, though he initially opposed abortion rights and same-sex relationships. In 2015, after extensive personal reflection and interactions with gay Christian couples, he publicly stated a change in his views, emphasizing the similarity between their relationships and his own.

7. Stock Market Update

Timestamp [04:40]
Jack Speier provided a brief overview of the stock market's performance, noting that:

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 139 points.
• The NASDAQ Composite declined by 21 points.
• Significant downturns were observed in big-box retailer Target, which failed to meet its earnings expectations.

Conclusion

The episode of NPR News Now encapsulated a range of critical issues from legal battles surrounding a president-elect, ethics investigations, social policy debates, significant criminal convictions, and shifts in technological governance. Additionally, it marked the passing of a notable religious and social figure, Tony Campolo, and provided a snapshot of the day's financial markets.

This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to deliver an informative overview of the episode's content for those who have not listened.