NPR News Now – 11-25-2025 4PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: November 25, 2025

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise roundup of top national stories, including the aftermath of a government shutdown and its effects on air travel, a high-profile Pentagon investigation into Senator Mark Kelly, updates on the federal deficit, retail and housing news, and a lighthearted account of the presidential Thanksgiving turkey pardon.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Post-Shutdown Air Travel & FAA Investigations

[00:22–01:40]

• Record Holiday Travel:
  The U.S. is amid its busiest Thanksgiving travel period in 15 years, with projections surpassing 52,000 flights on the peak day.
  “The people tasked with keeping the skies safe for flying are in the thick of what may very well be the busiest Thanksgiving holiday travel period the US has experienced in 15 years.” (Lakshmi Singh, 00:25)

• FAA Oversight:
  The FAA is investigating airlines for not fully complying with mandated flight reductions during the government shutdown.

• Agency Action:
  “The FAA says it's sending letters of investigation to airlines that may not have complied with the agency's order to reduce capacity during the shutdown.” (Joel Rose, 00:59)

• Quote Highlight:
  “When we have a directive from the FAA, we need our airlines to comply with it. There should be accountability...”
  — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, (01:11)

• Context:
  The flight caps were implemented to maintain safety amid critical staffing shortages as air traffic controllers worked without pay. The FAA initially aimed for a 10% reduction but adjusted this goal before eventually lifting the caps.

2. Pentagon Investigation Into Senator Mark Kelly

[01:40–02:26]

• Background:
  Arizona Senator Mark Kelly faces a Pentagon probe for allegedly violating military law. He and other Democrats with military/intelligence backgrounds appeared in a video urging service members to respect lawful orders and resist illegal ones.

• Political Tension:
  President Trump accuses the group of treason, though legal experts argue the video aligns with existing military law.

• Legal Perspective:
  “There is a strong presumption in military law that all orders are lawful, and it is only the exception when an order is patently or manifestly unlawful. Does a military member have the obligation to disobey it?”
  — Ret. Air Force Major General Steven Lepper, (02:10)

3. Federal Deficit Update

[02:26–03:18]

• Deficit Data:
  The federal government reported a $284 billion deficit in October at the start of the new fiscal year.

• Revenue & Spending Trends:
  Tax collections rose (partly due to delayed payments from Los Angeles wildfire-impacted taxpayers), but increased government spending—particularly interest on the federal debt ($100 billion)—outpaced revenue.

• Trade & Corporate Taxes:
  Tariff collections have more than quadrupled to $33 billion since last year. However, lower corporate taxes (amid Republican tax cuts and a spending bill) contributed to persistent deficits.

• Quote Highlight:
  “Interest on the federal debt... topped $100 billion in October, more than the government spent on the military.”
  — Scott Horsley, (02:45)

4. Retail and Housing Market News

[03:18–04:07]

• Retail Sales:
  Sales increased 0.2% in September—the Commerce Department report was delayed due to the shutdown.

• Housing Loans Expansion:
  Starting next year, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can guarantee home loans up to $832,750, a substantial increase that may impact housing affordability nationwide.

5. Presidential Turkey Pardon

[04:07–04:42]

• Event:
  President Trump performed the annual turkey pardon at the White House Rose Garden, sparing “Waddle” and “Gobble.”

• Ceremony Details:
  The turkeys, weighing about 50 pounds each, were animated participants:
  “His remarks were interrupted a few times by a gobble from Gobble.” (Deepa Shivaram, 04:10)

• Quote Highlight:
  “Today we continue a time honored American tradition. Well, that's a well trained turkey. See how happy he is. In a few moments, I will grant a full, absolute and unconditional presidential pardon to two handsome Thanksgiving turkeys.”
  — President Trump, (04:22)

• Outcome:
  The birds will live at NC State University. President Trump will spend Thanksgiving in Florida.

6. Market Closing Update

[04:53–05:01]

• Stock Market:
  The Dow Jones closed up 664 points (+1.4%), signaling positive financial market movement for the day.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “When we have a directive from the FAA, we need our airlines to comply with it. There should be accountability, and that'll be an ongoing discussion and investigation.”
  — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (01:11)

• “There is a strong presumption in military law that all orders are lawful, and it is only the exception when an order is patently or manifestly unlawful.”
  — Ret. Air Force Major General Steven Lepper (02:10)

• “Interest on the federal debt... topped $100 billion in October, more than the government spent on the military.”
  — Scott Horsley (02:45)

• “Today we continue a time honored American tradition... In a few moments, I will grant a full, absolute and unconditional presidential pardon to two handsome Thanksgiving turkeys.”
  — President Trump (04:22)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Post-Shutdown Air Travel Crisis: 00:22–01:40
• Senator Mark Kelly Pentagon Probe: 01:40–02:26
• Federal Deficit and Economic Update: 02:26–03:18
• Retail Sales & Housing Loans News: 03:18–04:07
• Presidential Turkey Pardon: 04:07–04:42
• Stock Market Close: 04:53–05:01

This episode offers a brisk yet comprehensive scan of the day's U.S. political, economic, and cultural headlines, with a blend of hard news and seasonal levity that NPR News Now listeners expect.