NPR News Now – November 27, 2025, 5 AM EST

Host: Dave Mattingly
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: Fast-paced update on top U.S. and world news, politics, safety, and the holiday season.

Main Theme & Purpose

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise, five-minute update on the most significant events shaping the day in politics, safety, legal issues, global news, and the start of the holiday shopping season.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Security in Washington, D.C.: National Guard Deployment

• [00:17] President Trump announces the deployment of hundreds more National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. after an attack near the White House left two West Virginia Guard members critically wounded.
• The attack, described as "ambush style," occurred near a subway station.
• The Department of Homeland Security identified the suspected gunman as an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 after the Taliban takeover.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump [01:12]:

  "We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden, and we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country."

• Deepa Shivaram [01:30] (paraphrased):

  Trump did not provide details on how the reexamination would take place or the timeline.

2. Legal Update: Dismissal of Indictments against Comey and Letitia James

• [01:38] Justice Department to appeal after a federal judge dismisses indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and NY Attorney General Letitia James.
• White House vows to "take all available legal action" to seek accountability.
• The judge cited a technicality: the U.S. attorney who brought the case, Lindsey Halligan, was not Senate-confirmed—precedent echoed from a Trump documents case involving Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Notable Quotes

• Mara Liasson [01:52]:

  "Ironically, the judge who dismissed the cases pointed to a ruling in favor of President Trump in the case against him that alleged he mishandled classified documents."
  "The judge in the Comey and James cases followed the same reasoning, ruling that the appointment of U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan, who brought the cases, was invalid because she, too, had failed to get Senate confirmation."

• Context:

  • Comey accused of making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation (stemming from 2020 testimony).
  • James accused of mortgage fraud in Virginia.

3. Hong Kong High-Rise Fire: Global Tragedy

• [02:32] Authorities in Hong Kong report at least 55 dead after a fire in a high-rise apartment complex spread to neighboring buildings.
• Hundreds evacuated; origins traced to external scaffolding.
• At least three arrests for suspected manslaughter; many missing persons remain.

4. North Carolina Congressional Map Redrawn

• [03:26] Federal judges allow North Carolina to use a new map, potentially flipping a seat currently held by Don Davis, an African American Democrat.
• The first district, home to Davis, has had Black representation for over 30 years.

5. Thanksgiving & Holiday Shopping: Spending Trends

• [03:50] Tomorrow is Black Friday, marking the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.

Key Insights from Alina Selyuk

• Online shopping:
  • Steepest deals on electronics, clothes, and computers expected on Cyber Monday.
  • Black Friday sees best prices for TVs, toys, appliances.
• Retail forecasts:
  • Sales predicted to top $1 trillion for the first time.
  • Higher-income shoppers are visiting discount stores more often.
  • Trend: Many consumers "trading up," opting for higher-end products on sale.

Notable Quotes

• Alina Selyuk [04:12]:

  "Both Home Depot and Best Buy say that when they do sell big ticket items, a growing share of them are the most expensive option."

6. Thanksgiving Travel & Weather

• [04:35] Thanksgiving travel could be difficult across the northern U.S.
  • National Weather Service advisories, watches, and warnings from Idaho to upstate New York.

7. Other Brief Headlines

• [04:47] No Wall Street trading due to Thanksgiving holiday.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Donald Trump [01:12]:

  "We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden..."

• Mara Liasson [01:52]:

  "Ironically, the judge who dismissed the cases pointed to a ruling in favor of President Trump..."

• Alina Selyuk [04:12]:

  "...when they do sell big ticket items, a growing share of them are the most expensive option."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:17: National Guard deployment after D.C. shooting
• 01:12: President Trump on Afghan refugees
• 01:38: Dismissal of Comey & James indictments
• 02:32: Hong Kong high-rise fire tragedy
• 03:26: North Carolina redistricting approved
• 03:50: Thanksgiving shopping trends
• 04:35: Weather warnings for Thanksgiving travel

Tone and Language

• Matter-of-fact, concise, urgent in updates (consistent with NPR's style)
• Quotes reflect political rhetoric and legal reporting
• Brief, data-heavy, but approachable language

This episode offers a whirlwind recap of major developments in national security, legal affairs, global news, and consumer trends, packaged for listeners needing a thorough, fast overview at the start of Thanksgiving 2025.