Up First from NPR — September 26, 2025
Episode Summary: Comey Indictment, Hegseth Summons Military Leaders, Impending Shutdown

Overview

This episode of NPR’s Up First covers three major breaking news stories:

1. The indictment of former FBI Director James Comey.
2. An unprecedented closed-door summons of U.S. military leaders by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
3. A looming government shutdown, with a controversial White House memo threatening mass federal worker firings.

Hosted by Steve Inskeep and Martinez, the show provides reporting and analysis from NPR correspondents Kerry Johnson (DOJ), Tom Bowman (Pentagon), and Barbara Sprunt (Congress).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. James Comey Indicted at Trump’s Direction

(Begins at 00:02)

• The DOJ, following President Trump’s directive, has indicted former FBI Director James Comey for obstruction of justice and making a false statement to Congress.
• The indictment centers on Comey’s 2020 Senate Judiciary testimony about the FBI’s Russia probe and whether he authorized a media leak.
• The DOJ rushed the indictment before the statute of limitations expired.
• Notable tension: President Trump replaced the U.S. Attorney overseeing the case with Lindsey Halligan, an insurance lawyer without prosecutorial experience.
• Many career prosecutors in Virginia are reportedly considering resignation over the handling of this case.

Analysis:

• The case’s strength is questionable. Prosecutors must prove Comey knowingly lied about a material fact—a high bar.
• Comey could argue the prosecution is “vindictive or selective,” especially given Trump’s history of targeting political adversaries via the DOJ.
• Comey’s daughter, herself a former top federal prosecutor, was fired this year and alleges political retribution.

Notable Quotes:

• James Comey, on Instagram:

  “My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I'm innocent, so let's have a trial."
  (02:53)

• President Trump (as recounted by Kerry Johnson):

  "Comey's at the beginning of being held responsible for his crimes."
  (03:13)

• Kerry Johnson, NPR Legal Correspondent:

  “This Comey case is a major escalation. This is someone the president has targeted for years. And the feeling among DOJ veterans is: Where does this end?”
  (04:58)

2. Military Commanders Summoned for Unprecedented Meeting

(Begins at 05:56)

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered hundreds of U.S. generals and admirals to gather at Marine Base Quantico, Virginia, next week.
• The Pentagon has not provided clear reasons or agenda details.
• Hegseth and President Trump have preferred the term “Secretary of War” over “Defense Secretary.”
• The scale of this gathering is highly unusual—never seen in recent decades.
• Speculation: Hegseth has previously discussed reducing the military’s top commanders (“less generals, more GIs”) and reallocating resources to frontline troops.

Media Environment:

• A new Pentagon policy restricts reporters’ ability to cover even unclassified material unless approved by the Pentagon. Violators risk being barred from military facilities worldwide.

Notable Quotes:

• Pete Hegseth, in a video statement replayed on air:

  “We're back with more DoD reforms. This one is general and flag officer reductions. That’s the official title. My title is less generals, more GIs. It's a historic one and it's in keeping with President Trump's commitment to achieving peace through strength.”
  (07:18)

• Tom Bowman, NPR Pentagon Correspondent:

  “As you know, Steve, our job is not to be stenographers. ... Our job is to be watchdogs for government.”
  (08:33)

3. Partial Government Shutdown Threat and White House Mass Firing Memo

(Begins at 09:24)

• Four days remain before a government funding deadline; a White House memo threatens permanent layoffs of some federal workers if Democrats don’t support a stopgap funding measure.
• This approach goes beyond the usual practice of temporary furloughs—workers “not consistent with the president’s priorities” may be fired.
• Specifics about which jobs or how many people are at risk were not disclosed.

Reactions:

• Democrats see the move as coercive and unprecedented.

• Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD):

  "This is nothing less than Mafia style blackmail. Essentially, the president is threatening to fire dedicated federal employees who have nothing to do with the ongoing political and policy dispute." (10:56)

• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expects the firings would eventually be challenged in court, though actual reinstatement is difficult.

Negotiations:

• Top Democrats were set to meet with President Trump, who canceled the meeting, calling it “pointless.”

• Key Democratic demands: roll back certain Medicaid changes and extend Affordable Care Act tax credits.

• Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Leader:

  "We're able to sit down anytime, any place, with anyone—I'm here in the Capitol, willing to go to the White House at any time in order to have that conversation."
  (12:06)

Analysis:

• Beyond the practical threat to federal workers, the memo is seen as emblematic of a broader struggle over executive authority and the legislative branch's control over government spending.

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The tone is urgent, analytical, and often incredulous at the escalation of confrontational moves from the White House.
• The issue of the DOJ’s independence under direct presidential pressure is repeatedly underlined.
• Pentagon secrecy and its clash with press freedom is highlighted with personal anecdotes from Tom Bowman about diminished access compared to earlier eras.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Comey Indictment:
  00:02 — 05:56

• Military Commanders Meeting:
  05:56 — 09:24

• Government Shutdown & Federal Worker Firings:
  09:24 — 12:53

Selected Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• James Comey on indictment:
  “My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I'm innocent, so let's have a trial.” (02:53)

• Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD):
  “This is nothing less than mafia style blackmail.” (10:56)

• Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman:
  “Our job is to be watchdogs for government.” (08:33)

• House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries:
  “We're able to sit down anytime, any place, with anyone—not hard to find.” (12:06)

Conclusion

This Up First episode vividly illustrates the high-stakes and confrontational tone dominating U.S. governance at the end of September 2025. The Justice Department’s indictment of a former FBI Director at the president’s express direction, the extraordinary summoning of top military brass, and a White House move to fire federal workers amid shutdown threats underscore a government in deep tension. The reporting highlights not just the events, but also the institutional reckonings underway: the independence of law enforcement, the boundaries of executive power, and the role of the free press.