NPR News Now: 11-25-2025 12AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Date: November 25, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This NPR News Now episode summarizes the top news stories as of midnight on November 25, 2025. Covering domestic and international politics, medical research developments, legal decisions, and a poignant congressional hearing in Los Angeles, the broadcast distills essential headlines into concise updates.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Senator Mark Kelly Pushes Back Against Pentagon Investigation

[00:11 – 01:08]

• Context: Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly responds to a Pentagon investigation into his role in a video urging U.S. troops not to follow illegal orders, an act President Trump has condemned as "sedition."
• Key Details:
  • Kelly and other Democrats with military/intelligence backgrounds participated in the video.
  • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth initiated the investigation, prompting Kelly to issue a strong statement.
  • Kelly publicly shared an image of himself in his military dress uniform, seen as a pointed response to Secretary Hegseth, who lacks similar combat decorations.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Mark Kelly, as reported by Quill Lawrence:

    “Secretary Hegseth’s tweet is the first I heard of this. I also saw the president’s post saying I should be arrested, hanged and put to death. If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work.” [00:36]

• Insight: The tension underscores broader partisan divides in Washington, especially around military norms and the limits of executive power.

2. U.S.–China Relations: Trump Plans Beijing Visit

[01:08 – 02:10]

• Context: President Trump speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, discusses trade, Taiwan, and Ukraine, and announces a planned April state visit to Beijing.
• Key Details:
  • Last in-person meeting was in South Korea, resulting in a new trade agreement.
  • President Xi Jinping emphasizes Taiwan’s “return to China” as part of the international order.
  • The conversation follows concerns from Japan about the threat of a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
  • China’s statement calls for “equality, respect and mutual benefit” in resolving issues with the U.S.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Xi Jinping, as reported by Franco Ordonez:

    “Taiwan's return to China is… an important part of the post war international order.” [01:27]

• Insight: High-level diplomacy is underway amid acute tensions over Taiwan and global security dynamics.

3. Health Study: Risks of Stopping Wegovy, GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Before Pregnancy

[02:10 – 03:12]

• Context: New findings from a JAMA journal study reveal risks for women who stop GLP-1 weight loss medications before or early in pregnancy.
• Key Details:
  • Researchers reviewed nearly 1,800 pregnancies, mainly among women with obesity.
  • Stopping GLP-1 drugs prior to pregnancy increased risks: preterm birth, excessive weight gain, gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders.
  • Call for further research on risks and benefits.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Maria Godoy (Reporter):

    “Women who stopped GLP-1 medications right before or early in pregnancy or also had a higher risk of gaining excess weight, developing gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders compared to women who did not take these drugs.” [02:26]

• Insight: The popularity of GLP-1 drugs among reproductive age women highlights critical gaps in medical understanding.

4. Legal News: Dismissal of Cases Against James Comey and Letitia James

[03:12 – 03:43]

• Context: A federal judge has dismissed criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York AG Letitia James.
• Key Details:
  • Judge Cameron McGowan ruled that the prosecutor, appointed at President Trump’s urging, was not legally appointed by the Justice Department.
• Insight: The decision raises questions about prosecutorial independence under political pressure.

5. Congressional Hearing on Immigration Arrests in Los Angeles

[03:43 – 04:28]

• Context: Democratic lawmakers, led by Congressman Robert Garcia (CA), host a field hearing on immigration enforcement’s personal and social impacts.
• Key Details:
  • Testimony from LA Mayor Karen Bass and others alleges racially motivated, illegal raids.
  • Andrea Villas, a US citizen, describes being detained despite her legal status:

    “I don’t feel safe at all.” [03:57]

  • Lawmakers are creating a database for victims to report their stories.
• Memorable Quote:
  • LA Mayor Karen Bass:

    “The raids don’t dominate the nightly news, but just about every day immigrant enforcement actions continue.” [03:57]

• Insight: The hearing highlights ongoing immigrant anxieties and seeks to document personal experiences with enforcement.

6. First Lady Melania Trump Receives the White House Christmas Tree

[04:28 – 04:54]

• Context: Melania Trump receives this year’s 18.5-foot white fir Christmas tree at the White House.
• Key Details:
  • Tree delivered by carriage; sourced from Michigan.
• Tone: Light, seasonal note at the end of the broadcast.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mark Kelly:

  “If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work.” [00:36]

• Xi Jinping (via China’s readout):

  “Taiwan’s return to China is…an important part of the post war international order.” [01:27]

• Maria Godoy:

  “They found that Women who stopped GLP1 medications right before or early in pregnancy or also had a higher risk of gaining excess weight, developing gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders…” [02:26]

• Andrea Villas:

  “I don't feel safe at all.” [03:57]

• Mayor Karen Bass:

  “The raids don’t dominate the nightly news, but just about every day immigrant enforcement actions continue.” [03:57]

Key Timestamps for Segments

• Mark Kelly & Pentagon Investigation: 00:11 – 01:08
• Trump–Xi Jinping Call & China Relations: 01:08 – 02:10
• GLP-1 Pregnancy Study: 02:10 – 03:12
• Legal Dismissals (Comey, James): 03:12 – 03:43
• LA Immigration Hearing: 03:43 – 04:28
• White House Christmas Tree: 04:28 – 04:54