Coast Guard Pursues Tanker, Epstein Files Release, Immigration Court No-Shows

Summary

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Up First from NPR – Episode Summary

Episode: Coast Guard Pursues Tanker, Epstein Files Release, Immigration Court No-Shows
Date: December 22, 2025
Hosts: Steve Inskeep, Layla Fadel
Correspondents: Carrie Kahn, Luke Garrett, Ximena Bustillo
Length: ~16 minutes

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Overview

This episode dives into three significant news stories shaping the headlines for December 22, 2025:

• The U.S. Coast Guard’s ongoing actions against Venezuelan oil tankers in the Caribbean,
• The partial and contentious release of Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein,
• An NPR analysis on a rise in deportations due to immigrants not showing up at immigration court.

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1. U.S. Coast Guard Pursues Venezuelan Oil Tankers

Segment: 03:40–07:48
Reporters: Steve Inskeep, Layla Fadel, Carrie Kahn

Key Points & Insights

• Active Pursuit: The Coast Guard is currently chasing a "dark fleet" oil tanker near Venezuela. The U.S. claims it's attempting to evade sanctions, using deceptive practices like flying false flags and disabling transponders ([04:11]).
• Multiple Incidents: Over the weekend, the Coast Guard seized a second ship—though confusion exists over whether that ship was actually sanctioned. The vessel reportedly flew a Panamanian flag ([05:41]).
• Policy Context:
  • Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem asserted the crackdown is part of an anti–"narco-terrorism" campaign, linking Venezuela’s oil sales to such funding ([05:53]).
  • The Trump administration recently announced a “total and complete blockade” against Venezuelan oil, citing claims the oil is "stolen" from the U.S., although the historical and legal justification is unclear.
• Venezuelan Response:
  • President Nicolás Maduro condemned the ship seizures, labeling them "piracy and theft," and called for U.N. intervention ([07:02]).
  • Maduro has been rallying public support with slogans like, “We just want peace, not war,” even sporting the phrase on a MAGA-style hat ([07:44]).

Notable Quotes

• “The officials said that ship, the tanker was, quote, a dark fleet vessel attempting to illegally evade sanctions.” – Carrie Kahn ([04:11])
• “Until they return to the United States of America all of the oil, land and other assets that Venezuela stole from us.” – President Trump, via Carrie Kahn ([06:09])
• “Maduro put out a video accusing the U.S. of piracy and theft. He’s called for the U.N. to intervene.” – Carrie Kahn ([07:04])

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2. Epstein Files Release Stirs Criticism and Political Fallout

Segment: 07:57–11:37
Reporters: Steve Inskeep, Layla Fadel, Luke Garrett
Congressional Voices: Rep. Ro Khanna (CA), Rep. Thomas Massie (KY)

Key Points & Insights

• DOJ’s Partial File Release:
  • The Department of Justice released additional Epstein-related files over the weekend, including some newly unredacted material.
  • Despite this, “no major revelations” emerged: “the names remain largely redacted,” and most significant details remain hidden ([08:32]).
  • The files confirm that some government authorities received reports about Epstein’s crimes decades before any federal investigation.
• Problems and Delays:
  • Technical issues plagued the DOJ’s “Epstein Library,” including missing search results and deleted, then restored, documents.
  • The agency admitted to mistakes due to a “huge time crunch” and is allowing public feedback for further redaction reviews ([09:40]).
• Congressional Response:
  • Lawmakers are frustrated the DOJ missed a legal deadline. Rep. Ro Khanna said, “Pam Bondi is breaking the law, and this is the corrupt system, the Epstein class, that people are sick of” ([10:15]).
  • Some, like Rep. Massie, are pushing for “inherent contempt,” which would allow Congress to fine or jail the attorney general directly, a power unused since 1935 ([10:36]).
  • Political repercussions have started: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a strong Trump ally, has distanced herself due to the controversy ([11:35]).

Notable Quotes

• “The DOJ did release two more data sets...the 119-page document did not have any major revelations such as new co-conspirators or crimes.” – Luke Garrett ([08:32])
• “Pam Bondi is breaking the law, and this is the corrupt system, the Epstein class, that people are sick of.” – Rep. Ro Khanna ([10:15])
• “I think most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi.” – Rep. Thomas Massie ([10:36])

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3. Rise in Deportation Orders from Immigration Court No-Shows

Segment: 11:46–15:10
Reporters: Steve Inskeep, Layla Fadel, Ximena Bustillo

Key Points & Insights

• Sharp Increase in No-Shows and Deportation Orders:
  • NPR data analysis finds over 50,000 people received “in absentia” removal orders from January to November 2025—a nearly threefold increase from last year ([12:53]).
  • Traditionally, most immigrants did attend their hearings, but a shift began in June 2025.
• Why the Change?
  • Heightened fears arose after ICE began making arrests at some courts in June. Even though these arrests were rare, word-of-mouth spread anxiety throughout immigrant communities ([13:25]).
  • Attorney Ruby Powers: “At least the word had spread, the fear had spread. And so then individuals were really hesitant to going to court.” ([13:34])
• Due Process Concerns:
  • Some experts argue that skipping court forfeits due process rights, while others emphasize that fear—rather than disregard for the law—is driving absences.
  • Less than a 1% actual arrest rate in courts, but perception of risk much higher due to media coverage ([14:57]).

Notable Quotes

• “People lose their cases in absentia without coming to court to argue their cases.” – Layla Fadel ([11:51])
• “We found that in nearly every immigration court in the country, more people are getting these orders saying they basically didn’t show...More than 50,000 people in that time. Wow. Nearly three times the number from the last fiscal year.” – Ximena Bustillo ([12:53])
• “Due process and immigration can already be fairly limited. This administration has thrown into question whether these courts are even needed and if immigrants want to participate.” – Ximena Bustillo ([13:51])
• “By failing to appear, they were given their due process. They simply opted not to take the government up on the offer and are now amenable to removal.” – Andrew Arthur, Center for Immigration Studies ([14:07])

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Memorable Moments & Closing

• Strong congressional rhetoric around government secrecy and the Epstein files (“Pam Bondi is breaking the law...the corrupt system...people are sick of.” – Ro Khanna, [10:15])
• Vivid detail from Carrie Kahn of Maduro’s political messaging: “He’s also giving long speeches on state TV where he insists he just wants peace, not war...He’s even printed it on a MAGA style red hat you see him wearing a lot, too.” ([07:44])
• Revelatory data on how fear—much more than actual risk—shapes immigrants’ decisions (“That broader uncertainty...looms over immigrants and their lawyers, who are thinking about these next steps.” – Ximena Bustillo, [14:57])

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Timestamps Guide

• Coast Guard Tanker Pursuit – 03:40–07:48
• Epstein Files Release – 07:57–11:37
• Immigration Court No-Shows – 11:46–15:10

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For further insight, listen to the full episode or NPR's “Consider This” for a deep dive on single stories.

Transcript

[Steve Inskeep]

Layla.

[Layla Faldel]

Hi, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

You sound a little impatient with me already. It's early.

[Luke Garrett]

No, no.

[Steve Inskeep]

Whoops.

[Layla Faldel]

It's just really early. I'm tired.

[Steve Inskeep]

Well, it's good to hear your voice. It's good to hear your voice.

[Layla Faldel]

Me, too.

[Steve Inskeep]

And before we get started, we're supposed to and I'm happy to make a note here that Public Media has not only brought you the news this year, we've been part of the news this year.

[Layla Faldel]

Yeah, we don't like to be part of the news, but we're happy to still be here. Happy to still bring you up first and all the podcasts you from NPR Public Media, it's made for you. We're not thinking about shareholders or advertisers. We're thinking about what you need to know and what we need to ask to help you understand the world we're living in.

[Steve Inskeep]

Federal support was canceled for Public Media this year, and yet stations across this country and I visited a bunch of them, by the way, are in good shape for now, are all right for now because so many Americans have stepped up to support what we do.

[Luke Garrett]

Yeah.

[Layla Faldel]

It has touched us so much, and we hope that you continue to support us. So many listeners are stepping up, people like Greg in Arizona who say I listen to up first to start my day while walking my dog. It is spiritual.

[Steve Inskeep]

Spiritual. I hope the dog likes it, too.

[Layla Faldel]

Thanks, Greg, and thank you if you already go the extra mile as an NPR supporter.

[Steve Inskeep]

If not, you can join the PLUS community and get a bunch of perks like bonus episodes and more from across NPR's free podcasts. And you also this is the big thing. You support Public Media by signing up for NPR. And you can do it today at plus.npr.org.

[Layla Faldel]

The United States says the Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in the Caribbean. The US Seize a different tanker over the weekend.

[Steve Inskeep]

What justification does the administration offer for its actions off the coast of Venezuela?

[Layla Faldel]

I'm Leila Faldel. That's Stephen Skipp. And this is up first from NPR News. Lawmakers are far from satisfied with the limited number of Epstein files released in time for a legal deadline.

[Pam Bondi]

Pam Bondi is breaking the law, and this is the corrupt system, the Epstein class, that people are sick of.

[Layla Faldel]

What consequences would the attorney general face?

[Steve Inskeep]

Also, an analysis by NPR finds thousands of immigrants without legal status are not showing up to immigration court, and that is leading to a rise in deportation orders. Stay with us. We've got the news. You need to start your day. This message comes from Schwab. Everyone has moments when they could have done better.

[Pam Bondi]

Same goes for where you invest.

[Steve Inskeep]

Level up and invest smarter with Schwab.

[Pam Bondi]

Get market insights, education and human help.

[Steve Inskeep]

When you need it.

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[Steve Inskeep]

The Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker linked with Venezuela.

[Layla Faldel]

That's one of several developments over the weekend in the US Campaign against the government of President Nicolas Maduro. The US Is trying to enforce a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, there's a lot to catch up on here. So NPR's Carrie Khan is tracking it all from Rio de Janeiro. Kerry, welcome. Hi, terms to define here. What does the United States mean when they say they are pursuing a tanker?

[Carrie Kahn]

Right. We have limited official information on the situation right now in the Caribbean. The Pentagon and the Coast Guard is referring all inquiries to the White House, which is not commenting. But late yesterday, one US Official who was not authorized to speak publicly did tell NPR the Coast Guard was in quote, active pursuit of a ship. The officials said that ship, the tanker was, quote, a dark fleet vessel attempting to illegally evade sanctions. The official also stated that the tanker was flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.

[Steve Inskeep]

What's a dark flag fleet vessel?

[Carrie Kahn]

Usually these are oil tankers that use a lot of deceptive practices to evade international sanctions, like they fly fake national flags, they can disable their transponders, send out fake signals, all to hide where they've been and where they're going. But this is not the only ship the US Targeted over the weekend in the pre dawn hour Saturday. And this is according to a social media Post by U.S. department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She said the Coast Guard, with the help from the military that's out in the Caribbean, apprehended a different oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela. According to data from the monitoring group tankertrackers.com the ship was not under US sanctions, though a White House spokeswoman later then posted on social media that the tanker was flying under a false flag. And again, tankertrackers.com says it was a Panamanian flag.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so we've got two ships, one seized, one being pursued in some fashion. There was also this third ship earlier this month that the US Seized. What does this add up to? What is the United States really doing?

[Carrie Kahn]

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem said in that posting on social media that the US Is combating narco terrorism, which the US Says Venezuela funds through its oil sales. That's what they've been saying. But then when that White House spokeswoman also posted Anna Kelly in her social media post, she gave another argument that we've been hearing a lot from President Trump, that the oil in these tankers is stolen from the US and if you're remember last week when President Trump announced that he was going to put this total and complete blockade against Venezuelan oil and the sanctioned tankers, he said more military pressure would come. And I'm going to quote until they return to the United States of America all of the oil, land and other assets that Venezuela stole from us. It's not entirely clear what President Trump is referring to. Venezuela did nationalize US oil assets in the 1970s and some more in the 2000s. Venezuela of denies they've stolen anything and says Trump's true intentions are out in the open now. He just wants Venezuela's natural resources and its vast oil reserves among the largest in the world.

[Steve Inskeep]

How's Venezuela responding publicly, Steve?

[Carrie Kahn]

The government put out a statement condemning Saturday's seizure. Maduro put out a video accusing the US of piracy and theft. He's called for the UN to intervene. Remember, the US Is also striking small boats in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific that it claims are transporting drugs, killing at least 104 people in at least 28 strikes so far. Maduro mentions all of this in rallies that he's holding a lot these days. And he's also giving long speeches on state TV where he insists he just wants peace, not war. He really likes saying that in English and lately he's even printed it on a MAGA style red hat you see him wearing a lot, too.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Cary Kahn is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Kerry, thanks so much.

[Carrie Kahn]

You're welcome, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

Over the weekend, the Justice Department continued its partial release of files from the life and criminal cases of Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender.

[Layla Faldel]

The DOJ changed some of its redactions. That means people were able to read files that were originally blacked out. Lawmakers criticized the department for missing its deadline to release all the files. Some are threatening to hold. Attorney General Pam Bondi in NPR's Luke.

[Steve Inskeep]

Garrett has been reading over the weekend and is here with us. Luke, good to see you.

[Luke Garrett]

Good morning, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

Glad you got the scarf on to deal with the cold here in Washington, D.C. what did you learn over the weekend?

[Luke Garrett]

In short, not a lot. The DOJ did release two more data sets and the department posted on X that a previously blacked out grand jury document was released with quote, minimal redactions. But after a really close reading, the 119 page document did not have any major revelations such as new co conspirators or crimes. While Epstein's crimes and conspiracy were described in brutal detail, the names remain largely redacted. But taken together, Steve, these files do show that people reported Epstein's criminal behavior to the government decades before it was federally investigated.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay. The Justice Department is calling all of this online material the Epstein Library. I did notice the problems over the weekend. If you searched the search engine for Epstein, you found no results. They also deleted some files that had previously been released and then brought them back. What's going on?

[Luke Garrett]

That's right. The department deleted more than a dozen files from their original release this weekend. On Sunday morning, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch acknowledged this on NBC News.

[Pam Bondi]

There were a number of photographs that were pulled down after being released on Friday. That's because a judge in New York has ordered us to listen to any victim or victim rights group if they have any concerns about the material that we're putting up.

[Luke Garrett]

Now, NPR found that at least one of these removed files included a photo of President Trump. By Sunday afternoon, the DOJ republished that Trump file saying no victims depicted in that photo. In short, the DOJ says they were under a huge time crunch to put these files out. So they're asking the public to help them identify anything that should or shouldn't be there. And this review process is causing this back and forth. But some members of Congress aren't buying it.

[Steve Inskeep]

There was a legal deadline passed by Congress almost unanimously. Can they enforce the law in any way?

[Luke Garrett]

The lawmaker who authored the law says he's going to try. Take a listen to California Representative Ro Khanna on CBS News.

[Pam Bondi]

Pam Bondi is breaking the law. And this is the corrupt system, the Epstein class that people are sick of. So I believe we're going to get bipartisan support in holding her accountable.

[Luke Garrett]

And Steve Khanna's not alone. His co sponsor, Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky, wants to hold Bondi in congressional contempt, which would mean she'd face consequences for not releasing these files. Here's Massie.

[Pam Bondi]

And I think most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi.

[Luke Garrett]

Khanna and Massie say they're drafting this text now. And it's worth noting here, Steve, that inherent contempt has not been successfully used since 1935. But if passed, the House could jail someone inside the Capitol building or fine them without going through the courts.

[Steve Inskeep]

Why not just go to the courts, though?

[Luke Garrett]

Well, individual members can't sue on behalf of the entire Congress. House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin told cnn, you know, he'd like to sue, but he just can't.

[Steve Inskeep]

It's not clear that we've got standing to do that. Speaker Johnson would clearly have standing to do that on behalf of the whole House of Representatives.

[Luke Garrett]

Now, Speaker Johnson has given no indication he will sue the doj. But, Steve, setting aside the legality of all this, the politics also looms large for the White House. And this Epstein file issue has already contributed to Trump losing support from one of his fiercest allies in Congress, namely Marjorie Taylor Greene. So I'll be watching if there's any more political fallout for the president over these files.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Luke Garrett, thanks so much.

[Luke Garrett]

Thank you.

[Steve Inskeep]

Thousands of immigrants without legal status have been no shows in immigration court this.

[Layla Faldel]

Year, and NPR has found those absences are leading to a rise in deportation cases. People lose their cases in absentia without coming to court to argue their cases. Immigration courts are under pressure, fire judges, immigration agents milling about in hallways to make arrests, and some people deported to countries they've never lived in.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo and data reporter Rahul Mokriji calculated just how many times people are not showing up for these appointments. And Jimena is the one who gets to come here early in the morning to talk about this face to face. Jimene, good morning.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Good morning.

[Steve Inskeep]

What is going on here?

[Ximena Bustillo]

Well, let's say you're in the country illegally. You may get a notice to appear in an immigration court with a specific place and a specific time. So basically, that's your chance to make your case as to why you should stay. That notice is not a deportation order. But if you don't show up, the government may have the right to order your deportation, and that's called an in absentia removal.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay. And when you looked at these in absentia removals, what did you find?

[Ximena Bustillo]

We found that in nearly every immigration court in the country, more people are getting these orders saying they basically didn't show. That's early analysis unique to NPR that relied on data from January through November. It's more than 50,000 people in that time. Wow. Nearly three times the number from the last fiscal year. And it's a big jump from trends of prior years. The spike is really noticeable starting in summer around June. And that lines up with anecdotal observations I've been hearing.

[Steve Inskeep]

This is really interesting because in the past, people generally have showed up for these hearings. So what happened in June?

[Ximena Bustillo]

That's around the time when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers began making arrests in immigration courts. Here's Ruby Powers, an immigration attorney in Texas, talking about these arrests.

[Carrie Kahn]

They weren't consistent around the country. They were in some places, but at least the word had spread, the fear had spread. And so then individuals were really hesitant.

[Ximena Bustillo]

To going to court.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay. What does that tell you about the whole idea of due process of law for people who may claim they have some right to be here?

[Ximena Bustillo]

Due process and immigration can already be fairly limited. This administration has thrown into question whether these courts are even needed and if immigrants want to participate. Here's Andrew Arthur from the center for Immigration Studies, a nonprofit that advocates for lower levels of migration.

[Pam Bondi]

In essence, by failing to appear, they were given their due process. They simply opted not to take the government up on the offer and are now amenable to removal.

[Ximena Bustillo]

He said the more removals in absentia ordered by judges, the more are available to be arrested by immigration officers. And this all helps the administration's goal to curb illegal and legal migration. Powers and the Texas immigration attorney said immigrants do want to participate in the process, and most people do show up. You know, it is pretty unlikely that you're going to be arrested if you come. One nonprofit, Mobile Pathways, puts the odds at less than 1%. But still, that broader uncertainty of if officers might be making arrests or where officers might be making arrests looms over immigrants and their lawyers, you know, who are thinking about these next steps.

[Steve Inskeep]

Yeah. When you say less than a 1% chance of being arrested when you go to court, that's not the impression people get from media reports. You hear about these dramatic arrests and.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Confrontations in courtrooms, and it brings into question that risk.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Amanda Bastillo, thanks so much.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Thank you.

[Steve Inskeep]

And that's up first for this Monday, December 22nd. I'm Steve Inskeep and I'm Layla Fauld.

[Layla Faldel]

And for your next listen, why not try Consider this from npr. We hear it up first, give you the three big stories of the day. Or consider this colleagues take a different approach. They dive into a single news story and what it means to you in less than 15 minutes. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steve Inskeep]

Today's up first was edited by Tara Neal, Anna Yukhananoff, Lisa Thompson and Adriana Gallardo. It was produced by Ziad Bachniya Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Nisha Hyness, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us tomorrow.

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