NPR News Now: April 11, 2025, 10 PM EDT
Released April 12, 2025
Immigration Battle: Mahmoud Khalil’s Deportation Order
[00:18] In a contentious immigration case, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student known for his Pro-Palestinian activism, faces deportation following a recent ruling by an immigration judge in Louisiana. Jack Spear reports that Judge Jamie Coman determined she lacked the authority to challenge Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to revoke Khalil's green card. The government justified the deportation by presenting a two-page memo from Rubio, alleging that Khalil participated in anti-Semitic protests that purportedly undermined efforts to combat anti-Semitism globally.
Adrian Florido, reporting from Gina, Louisiana, explains, "Judge Koman said Rubio's memo was all the government needed to justify deporting Khalil under a rarely used federal statute" (00:36). However, Khalil’s legal team vehemently denies any anti-Semitic activities, labeling the accusations as "absurd" and criticizing the hearing as a "kangaroo court." They have pledged to appeal the decision, with Khalil remaining in detention as his legal proceedings continue in both immigration and federal courts.
DOJ Cuts Funding for Vera Institute of Justice
[01:19] The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced significant cuts to federal grants allocated to the Vera Institute of Justice, a longstanding nonprofit dedicated to criminal justice reform. Jack Spear covers how these reductions are perceived by Vera Institute leaders as retaliatory measures against their stance opposing the current administration's immigration policies.
Meg Anderson elaborates, "The grants helped train prison guards, bolstered police alternatives for mental health crises, and trained police to communicate with deaf people" (01:35). The DOJ communicated that these initiatives no longer align with its priorities. Amy Fettig, head of fair and just prosecution at Vera Institute, expressed alarm, stating, "The federal government and this administration are signaling that if you don't agree with us, we are gonna come after you" (01:58).
Additionally, Meg Anderson reports that the DOJ recently cut federal grants for the Maine Department of Corrections, citing the state's incarceration of a transgender woman as the reason. Attorney General Pam Bondi justified the cut to Fox and Friends by emphasizing the state's compliance with DOJ policies regarding transgender inmates (02:05).
President Trump’s Annual Physical Examination
[02:20] President Donald Trump has completed his annual physical examination, a routine event that often attracts public and media scrutiny regarding the health of the nation's leader. Jack Spear discusses the anticipation surrounding the potential release of the president's health report.
Danielle Kurtzleben reports, "The White House has not yet released results of the president's physical" (02:32). However, Trump conveyed confidence in his health during a press interaction on Air Force One, boasting about his cognitive abilities: "I took a cognitive test and I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right" (02:41). Historically, administrations have selectively disclosed medical information, and it remains uncertain how transparent this report will be. Trump indicated that a comprehensive report would be available in the coming days as he resides at his Mar-a-Lago estate (02:49).
Wall Street and International Alliances: A Tumultuous Week
[03:08] The financial markets experienced volatility this week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging by 619 points, reflecting a dynamic economic environment. Additionally, significant developments in international support for Ukraine were highlighted.
Eleanor Beardsley reports on the Ramstein Group, an alliance of 57 countries dedicated to providing military support to Ukraine. A substantial pledge of 23 billion euros has been made to Kyiv, indicating continued Western backing amid ongoing tensions. Notably, the leadership of the Ramstein Group is shifting; for the first time since the inception of NATO’s involvement following Russia’s full-scale invasion, the group will be chaired by Germany and the UK, with the U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth participating virtually rather than leading the meetings (03:28). This transition signals potential changes in the U.S. role within NATO, as Western allies prepare for the possible redeployment of thousands of troops from Europe.
Concurrently, Ukraine’s Defense Minister has voiced concerns over Russia’s increased military production capabilities, suggesting an escalation in regional security threats (03:28).
Economic Impacts of Trump’s Global Tariffs and Trade Policies
[04:15] President Trump’s aggressive tariff policies continue to reshape global economic landscapes, with mixed implications for both environmental and economic sectors. The imposition of global tariffs is anticipated to yield temporary environmental benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air, due to a slowdown in global manufacturing activities. However, climate experts caution that these benefits are likely to be short-lived.
The administration has temporarily paused tariffs on multiple countries for a 90-day period, yet tensions with China indicate the onset of a full-scale trade war. This heightened economic friction has influenced energy markets, with crude oil futures rising by $1.43 per barrel, settling at $61.50. This increase is partly attributed to the U.S. signaling potential cessation of Iranian oil exports, which would further tighten global oil supplies and drive prices higher (04:20).
Jack Spear concludes the economic segment by highlighting the interconnectedness of trade policies and energy markets, emphasizing the broad-reaching consequences of the administration's approach to international trade and economic strategy.
This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, including immigration disputes, federal funding shifts in criminal justice reform, presidential health transparency, international military alliances supporting Ukraine, and the economic ramifications of trade policies. Through detailed reporting and direct quotes from key figures, the episode offered insightful analysis and a clear understanding of the current political and economic climate.