NPR News Now: 11-24-2025 11PM EST

Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Giles Snyder (NPR News Anchor)

Episode Overview

This concise, five-minute update delivers the latest national headlines, featuring political tensions involving the Pentagon and Senator Mark Kelly, major dismissal of high-profile criminal cases, ongoing controversy over anti-crime initiatives in Memphis, the release of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson from the hospital, the passing of a Tulsa Race Massacre survivor, and a snapshot of Asian financial markets.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. Pentagon May Prosecute Senator Mark Kelly

[00:11–01:18]

• Background: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled potential prosecution against Senator Mark Kelly after Kelly and five other Democrats addressed U.S. troops, affirming their right to refuse illegal orders.
• Details:
  • Mark Kelly, a former combat pilot and astronaut, joined other lawmakers with military/intelligence backgrounds in a message to the troops.
  • The lawmakers said, “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. That's a basic tenet of military education.” (Ryan Lucas, [00:42])
  • President Trump condemned the act, calling it "treason" and suggesting the six be hanged.
  • Kelly, as a retired officer, could uniquely face a court martial; such an action would be rare.
  • Kelly responded, “he won’t be intimidated.”
• Notable Quote:
  • "Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. That's a basic tenet of military education." (Ryan Lucas, [00:42])

2. Federal Judge Dismisses High-Profile Criminal Cases

[01:18–02:13]

• Overview:
  • Criminal cases against ex-FBI Director James Comey and NY Attorney General Letitia James have been dismissed.
• Reason:
  • U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan found prosecutor Lindsey Halligan—appointed at President Trump's urging—was "illegally appointed" by the Justice Department.
  • Judge Curry ruled Halligan’s appointment violated statutes on interim U.S. attorneys and the Constitution’s appointments clause.
  • All actions taken after Halligan’s appointment, including both indictments, were deemed unlawful.
  • The dismissal was “without prejudice,” theoretically allowing charges to be refiled, though the statute of limitations has expired for Comey.
• Notable Insight:
  • “What Judge Curry found is that Halligan's appointment violates a statute... And because of that... everything that came after Halligan was appointed... was unlawful.” (Ryan Lucas, [01:37])

3. Controversy Over Memphis Task Force’s Crime Fight

[02:13–03:14]

• Incident:
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi visited Memphis, praising a Trump-ordered task force for over 3,000 arrests.
  • “If you're committing violent crimes, if you're committing any crime, we will find you. We will bring you to justice and we will protect the law abiding citizens in this country.” (Pam Bondi, [02:36])
• Concerns:
  • ProPublica and MLK50 revealed Memphis residents’ worries about unnecessary arrests, racial profiling, and harassment.
  • The justice system faces strains: more judges are needed and county jail overcrowding is occurring.

4. Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson Leaves Hospital

[03:14–03:57]

• Update:
  • Jackson, 84, is in stable condition after nearly two weeks in a Chicago hospital.
  • Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013, his diagnosis changed this year to progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder.

5. Passing of a Tulsa Race Massacre Survivor

[03:57–04:43]

• Announcement:
  • Viola Ford Fletcher (“Mother Fletcher”), among the last 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre survivors, has died at 111.
  • Mayor Monroe Nichols mourned her passing.
  • “I will never forget the violence of the white mob when we left our home. I still smell smoke and seafar. I still see black businesses being burned.” (Viola Ford Fletcher, [04:13])
• Legacy:
  • Despite receiving private donations, Fletcher’s restitution claims against the government failed.
  • Lessie Benningfield Randall remains the only known living survivor.

6. Financial Markets Update

[04:43–04:53]

• Brief Note:
  • Tech stocks are up in Asia; regional financial markets are “edging higher” following Monday's Wall Street rally.

Memorable Quotes

• On Refusing Illegal Orders:

  • “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. That's a basic tenet of military education.”
    — Ryan Lucas, [00:42]

• President Trump’s Response:

  • "[He] called it treason and suggested the six Democrats be hanged."
    — Quill Lawrence, [00:43]

• On Task Force Crime Fighting:

  • “If you're committing violent crimes, if you're committing any crime, we will find you. We will bring you to justice and we will protect the law abiding citizens in this country.”
    — Pam Bondi, [02:36]

• On Surviving the Tulsa Massacre:

  • “I will never forget the violence of the white mob when we left our home. I still smell smoke and seafar. I still see black businesses being burned.”
    — Viola Ford Fletcher, [04:13]

Noteworthy Segments & Timestamps

• [00:11] | Pentagon considers prosecuting Senator Mark Kelly
• [01:18] | Cases against Comey and Letitia James dismissed
• [02:13] | Bondi defends Memphis crime task force amid controversy
• [03:14] | Jesse Jackson released from hospital
• [03:57] | Mother Fletcher, Tulsa Massacre survivor, passes away
• [04:43] | Asian financial markets update

This episode captures a tense moment in American politics and society, marked by legal confrontations, historical reflections, and current policy controversies, all in NPR's factual, composed style.