Judge Moves to Limit Musk’s Power, and a Social Security Shake-Up

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Headlines – "Judge Moves to Limit Musk’s Power, and a Social Security Shake-Up"

Release Date: March 19, 2025

Host: Tracy Mumford
Produced by: The New York Times
Listen on: New York Times Audio App

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1. Judicial Pushback Against the Trump Administration

Over the past 24 hours, President Donald Trump and his administration have encountered significant resistance from various federal courts, highlighting a growing legal challenge to their policies.

a. Federal Judge Limits Elon Musk’s Authority Over USAID

A landmark ruling emerged as a federal judge determined that Elon Musk's attempt to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) likely infringed upon the Constitution in several aspects. The judge criticized Musk's actions, stating that he was "acting as a government official without being properly appointed" and usurping "Congress's right to manage an agency that it had created" (00:46). This decision marks the first instance of a judge directly constraining Musk’s influence over federal agencies. Consequently, Musk and his team have been ordered to cease all activities related to the USAID shutdown and begin restoring its operations. However, the impact may be minimal as USAID has already downsized significantly, retaining only a skeleton staff with most contracts canceled.

b. Judicial Block on Transgender Military Ban

Another significant judicial intervention occurred when a federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration's policy aimed at removing transgender individuals from military service. The Department of Defense had justified the ban by claiming that transgender service members were "not living honorable, truthful lives." The judge vehemently rejected this rationale, accusing the administration of employing derogatory language to target a vulnerable community and labeling the Defense Department's supporting data as "totally grossly misleading" (01:57). Currently, approximately 0.2% of the armed forces identify as transgender, and this ruling ensures their continued service. However, reports indicate that since Trump assumed office, many transgender service members have already faced challenges, including denied medical care and administrative leave.

c. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Rebukes President Trump

In a rare move, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts publicly criticized President Trump following the latter's disparaging remarks about a federal judge involved in deportation flight cases. Trump referred to the judge as a "radical left lunatic" and suggested impeachment as a remedy (02:39). Chief Justice Roberts responded by clarifying that "impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision" (03:02). Adam Liptak, covering the Supreme Court for the Times, highlighted that Chief Justice Roberts seldom issues public statements, emphasizing the gravity of his rebuke. Roberts underscored that while expressing displeasure with judicial outcomes is acceptable, attempting to impeach a judge is fundamentally wrong. Instead, he advocated for the proper legal channels, such as appeals, to address disagreements with court decisions (03:13).

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2. International Relations: President Trump’s Call with Vladimir Putin

In a pivotal conversation, President Trump engaged in a two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Putin expressed a willingness to pause certain military strikes, specifically targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, such as power plants and oil fields. In return, he demanded that Ukraine cease its own military actions. However, Putin refrained from committing to a comprehensive ceasefire, citing Ukraine's rejection of his broader terms (03:44).

Paul Sony, a Russia correspondent for the Times, analyzed Putin's strategy, suggesting that the Russian leader aims to maintain favorable relations with the Trump administration by presenting conditional agreements. Sony elaborated that Putin's "maximalist demands" include the complete cessation of any military or intelligence assistance from the West to Ukraine. This condition effectively leaves Ukraine vulnerable due to its limited resources compared to Moscow's expansive capabilities. Sony fears that Putin is attempting to "play for time," leveraging ongoing talks to strengthen his military position while weakening Ukraine through sustained conflict (04:20, 04:38, 04:48).

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3. Social Security Administration’s New Policies: Potential Risks and Challenges

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a significant policy change effective at the end of the month: the discontinuation of phone-based services for filing benefits or making updates. Beneficiaries will now be required to utilize online platforms or visit SSA offices in person. This shift aims to combat fraud, especially in light of recent misinformation campaigns by President Trump and Elon Musk, who falsely claimed that deceased individuals were collecting benefits (05:50).

However, this transition poses considerable challenges for older Americans and individuals with disabilities who may find it difficult to navigate online systems or access physical offices. The average callback time for in-person appointments exceeds two hours, with waiting lists extending over a month. SSA officials have warned that the situation might deteriorate further as the Trump administration plans to reduce the agency's workforce by over 10%, exacerbating the existing staffing shortages that are already at a 50-year low. While the policy change does not alter the benefit amounts—which are determined by Congress—it may lead to delays or disruptions in payments, placing additional strain on a system already under pressure (05:47, 06:10).

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4. Astronauts’ Safe Return After Extended Mission

In a triumphant moment for NASA, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore successfully returned to Earth aboard the Dragon capsule after an unexpectedly prolonged mission aboard the International Space Station. The capsule re-entered Earth's atmosphere at over 17,000 miles per hour and made a gentle splashdown off the Gulf Coast of Florida (07:06). During their recovery, the capsule was briefly surrounded by a group of curious dolphins, adding a heartwarming touch to their return (07:33).

The astronauts are currently undergoing medical evaluations at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to readjust to Earth's gravity. NASA has assured the public that Williams and Wilmore will be reunited with their families as soon as possible. Their extended stay was due to technical issues that delayed their return, but their safe landing marks a successful conclusion to their mission (07:24, 07:44, 07:50).

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5. Art Theft Case: Convictions in the Stolen Solid Gold Toilet Incident

A high-profile art theft case has concluded with convictions handed down for the theft of a conceptual art piece—a solid gold toilet created by artist Maurizio Catalan. The toilet, composed of 18-karat gold, was exhibited at a palace near Oxford, England, before it was stolen in 2019. Prosecutors detailed that the thieves forcefully entered the palace early one morning, dislodged the toilet, rolled it to their car, and concealed it in the trunk. Despite weighing over 200 pounds, security footage captured one of the culprits carrying only the toilet’s lid as he made his escape (08:10, 08:22).

Two defendants were found guilty of stealing, dismantling, and attempting to sell parts of the toilet. A third individual had previously pled guilty after authorities discovered his DNA at the crime scene and found hundreds of gold fragments on his sweatpants. Catalan, known for his provocative works like the "banana duct-taped-to-wall" that sold for $6 million, stated that the golden toilet was intended "as an absurd statement on inequality." Prior to its theft, the toilet was fully functional, and one defendant admitted to visiting the palace specifically to view and use the piece, describing the experience as "splendid" (08:31, 09:08, 09:13).

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Conclusion

Today's episode of The Headlines delved into the escalating legal battles facing President Trump and his administration, highlighting significant judicial decisions that limit executive overreach. Internationally, the precarious dialogue between Trump and Putin underscores ongoing tensions in the Ukraine conflict. Domestically, changes within the Social Security Administration may have profound implications for vulnerable populations. Additionally, the safe return of astronauts Williams and Wilmore adds a positive note, while the conviction in the art theft case of the golden toilet wraps up an intriguing narrative that combines art, crime, and social commentary.

For a deeper dive into these stories, listeners are encouraged to access the full episode on the New York Times Audio app.

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Timestamps Reference:

• 00:46
• 01:57
• 02:39
• 03:02
• 03:13
• 03:44
• 04:20
• 04:38
• 04:48
• 05:50
• 05:47
• 06:10
• 07:06
• 07:24
• 07:33
• 07:44
• 07:50
• 08:10
• 08:22
• 08:31
• 08:42
• 08:43
• 08:54
• 09:04
• 09:08
• 09:13

Transcript

[Charles Schwab]

This podcast is supported by Charles Schwab. Decisions made in Washington can affect your portfolio every day, but what policy changes should investors be watching? Washington Wise is an original podcast from Charles Schwab that unpacks the stories making news in Washington right now and how they may affect your finances and portfolio. [e-mail] WashingtonWise.

[Tracy Mumford]

From the New York Times, it's the Headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. Today's Wednesday, March 19th. Here's what we're covering foreign in the.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Past 24 hours, President Trump and his.

[Tracy Mumford]

Administration have faced a flurry of pushback from the courts. There have been three significant developments.

[Unnamed Reporter]

A federal judge ruled that Elon Musk's.

[Tracy Mumford]

Efforts to shut down USAID likely violated the Constitution in multiple ways.

[Unnamed Reporter]

In the ruling, the judge said that Musk was acting as a government official.

[Tracy Mumford]

Without being properly appointed and that he was stepping on Congress's right to manage.

[Unnamed Reporter]

An agency that it had created.

[Tracy Mumford]

The order appears to be the first time a judge has tried to directly.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Rein in Musk himself and challenge the power that he's been exerting over federal agencies. The judge ordered Musk and his team.

[Tracy Mumford]

To stop all work related to the shutdown of USAID and for its operations to be partly restored.

[Unnamed Reporter]

That's likely to have a limited impact since the agency has already been stripped down to a skeleton staff and nearly.

[Tracy Mumford]

All of its contracts have been canceled. Also yesterday, another federal judge temporarily blocked the administration from pushing transgender people out of the military.

[Unnamed Reporter]

The Department of Defense, following President Trump's.

[Tracy Mumford]

Lead, had adopted a policy saying trans people were not fit to serve because.

[Unnamed Reporter]

They were not living honorable, truthful lives.

[Tracy Mumford]

The judge forcefully rejected that argument, saying the administration had used derogatory language to.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Target a vulnerable group. She also said that the data the Defense Department used to try and justify.

[Tracy Mumford]

The ban was cherry picked and, quote, totally grossly misleading. At the moment, about 0.2% of the.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Armed forces identifies as transgender. The ruling means that for now, they.

[Tracy Mumford]

Will be able to continue serving, though.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Some of them have said that since Trump took office, they've already been denied.

[Tracy Mumford]

Medical care, sent home from deployments, or.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Put on administrative leave. And Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

[Tracy Mumford]

Appeared to directly rebuke President Trump yesterday after he lashed out at a lower court judge. Trump had called the federal judge, who's.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Been in a showdown with the administration.

[Tracy Mumford]

Over recent deportation flights, a, quote, radical left lunatic, and said he should be impeached. Hours later, Roberts put out a public statement saying that, quote, impeachment is not.

[Unnamed Reporter]

An appropriate response to disagreement concerning A judicial decision.

[Adam Liptak]

Roberts issues public statements very rarely, and only when he's apparently really upset.

[Tracy Mumford]

Adam Liptak covers the Supreme Court for the Times.

[Adam Liptak]

Chief Justice Roberts wasn't taking sides over an important dispute. What he was saying, though, was that there's a right way and a wrong way to express your displeasure with a judicial decision that you lose. The right way, he says, is to appeal it. The wrong way is to try to impeach the judge whose decision you disagree with.

[Unnamed Speaker]

We had a great call. It lasted almost two hours. Talked about a lot of things and toward getting it to peace. And we talked about other things also.

[Unnamed Reporter]

President Trump had a call with Vladimir Putin yesterday in which the Russian president said he is open to pausing some.

[Tracy Mumford]

Of his military strikes on Ukraine.

[Unnamed Reporter]

He said Russia would stop hitting energy.

[Tracy Mumford]

Infrastructure like power plants or oil fields.

[Unnamed Reporter]

As long as Ukraine does, too.

[Tracy Mumford]

But Putin did not agree to a broader ceasefire.

[Unnamed Reporter]

The US And Ukraine have been pushing, saying he was for it in principle, but didn't agree with all the terms.

[Paul Sony]

The reason he's packaging it that way is because he wants to continue the warm relations with Donald Trump and with this White House. And so the easiest thing for him to do is to say, yes, absolutely, I agree with you, but here are some conditions that you'd have to take into account for me to sign on to this.

[Tracy Mumford]

Paul Sony covers Russia for the Times.

[Unnamed Reporter]

He says the conditions that Putin is demanding are ones that he knows Ukraine will reject.

[Tracy Mumford]

And that may be the point.

[Paul Sony]

I think the broader fear here is that Putin is playing for time, right? That he is trying to keep these talks going while he presses his advantage on the battlefield and while relations sour between the United States and Ukraine, which will make Ukraine weaker over time. One of the things that came out of the summaries of the calls that the Kremlin and the White House released yesterday was that Putin reiterated his maximalist demands. He said the, quote, key condition to solving this conflict is the complete cessation of any military aid or intelligence assistance by the west to Ukraine. And what does that actually mean in practice? You know, Ukraine is a country that has a much smaller population, much fewer resources. If the west is not allowed to give them any assistance, any military assistance or intelligence aid, they're perpetually vulnerable to Moscow, which is what Putin wants.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Foreign.

[Unnamed Reporter]

The Social Security Administration has announced.

[Tracy Mumford]

That people who want to file for benefits or make updates to how they get their payments will no longer be able to do that over the phone.

[Unnamed Reporter]

As of the end of the month. They'll need to go online or visit.

[Tracy Mumford]

A Social Security office in person.

[Unnamed Reporter]

The agency said the change is intended to help protect against fraud. For the past few months, President Trump.

[Tracy Mumford]

And Elon Musk have frequently repeated false claims about dead people collecting benefits. The change will likely make it harder.

[Unnamed Reporter]

For older Americans or those with disabilities to access services. They're often not as mobile or struggle.

[Tracy Mumford]

With technology, and it could add new.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Stress to a system that's already strained.

[Tracy Mumford]

The average callback time to make an in person appointment is more than two hours, and the waiting list for those appointments is over a month long. Social Security staffers tell the Times that.

[Unnamed Reporter]

The situation may only get worse. The Trump administration has plans to cut more than 10% of the agency's workforce.

[Tracy Mumford]

When staffing's already at a 50 year low. The changes won't affect the amount people get in their benefits. That's up to Congress, but they could delay or disrupt those payments.

[Unnamed Speaker]

The Dragon capsule just minutes ago was going over 17,000 miles per hour and now gently coasting to a soft splashdown.

[Tracy Mumford]

After a much longer trip to space than anyone expected, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally made it home.

[Unnamed Speaker]

And Splashdown Crew 9 back on Earth.

[Tracy Mumford]

The pair landed safely last night off the Gulf coast of Florida after technical.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Troubles kept them on the International Space Station for over nine months, some harnessing.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Being placed around the capsule. Wow, we got a cute little pod of dolphins. It wasn't just one or two.

[Tracy Mumford]

Their craft was briefly swarmed by a group of curious dolphins as the recovery team took a boat out to meet them.

[Unnamed Reporter]

The astronauts were lifted onto gurneys. Their bodies are still readjusting to gravity. Then they were flown to the Johnson Space center in Houston for medical evaluation. NASA said they'd be reunited with their families as soon as possible.

[Tracy Mumford]

And finally, convictions have come down in the case of a stolen solid gold toilet. The toilet was a conceptual art piece made of 18 karat gold, and it was on display at a palace near.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Oxford, England, when it was nabbed in 2019. Prosecutors say the thieves smashed into the.

[Tracy Mumford]

Palace one early morning, dislodged the toilet.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Rolled it to their car and placed it in the trunk. It weighed over 200 pounds. Security footage from the scene shows one of the thieves carrying just the solid gold toilet lid as he heads back.

[Tracy Mumford]

To the getaway car.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Yesterday, a jury found two defendants guilty of stealing, dismantling and selling off parts of the toilet. A third man had previously pleaded guilty after police found his DNA at the.

[Tracy Mumford]

Scene, as well as hundreds of gold fragments on a pair of his sweatpants. The artist who originally made the toilet is Maurizio Catalan, the same mind behind.

[Unnamed Reporter]

The banana duct taped to the wall that sold for $6 million.

[Tracy Mumford]

Sparking a lot of headlines recently of the toilet, Catalan said it was intended.

[Unnamed Reporter]

As an absurd statement on inequality.

[Tracy Mumford]

Before it was stolen, the toilet was functional.

[Unnamed Reporter]

One of the men found guilty yesterday admitted that he'd gone to the palace.

[Tracy Mumford]

To see it on display and used.

[Unnamed Reporter]

It as visitors were permitted to.

[Tracy Mumford]

When asked what it was like, he said, quote, splendid. Those are the headlines today on the Daily More on President Trump's showdown with the courts. That's next in the New York Times audio app, where you can listen wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Tracy Mumford. We'll be back tomorrow.