Justice Department Firings, Humanitarian Parole Ends, China And AI

Summary

Up First from NPR – January 28, 2025

Hosts: Leila Fadel, Amy Martinez
Guests: Carrie Johnson (NPR Justice Correspondent), Sergio Martinez Beltran (NPR Immigration Reporter), John Ruich (NPR Correspondent in China)
Duration: 10 minutes

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1. Justice Department Firings Under the Trump Administration

Overview: In the latest moves by President Donald Trump, the Justice Department (DOJ) has seen the dismissal of over a dozen senior officials. These firings are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to overhaul federal departments through executive actions and department changes.

Key Points:

• Mass Dismissals: More than twelve DOJ officials who worked closely with Special Counsel Jack Smith received dismissal notices. According to Carrie Johnson, “At least a dozen people who work with Special Counsel Jack Smith got dismissal notices” (03:00).
• Reason for Firings: Acting Attorney General James McHenry justified the removals by stating, “I did not believe these officials could be trusted to faithfully implement the president's agenda because of their significant role in prosecuting the president” (03:00).
• Impact on Investigations: These officials were integral to prosecuting Trump in cases related to the January 6th Capitol riot and the handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Johnson highlighted the unprecedented nature of this purge, noting, “I couldn't think of a time in modern DOJ history where a whole slew of prosecutors who worked on a particular case were dismissed” (03:47).
• Potential Repercussions: Many of the dismissed officials are career civil servants with job protections, leading to possible lawsuits and prolonged legal battles for reinstatement and back pay. This scenario mirrors the firing of Andy McCabe, the former deputy FBI director, during Trump's first term (04:29).
• Broader Departmental Changes: Alongside the DOJ, senior civil servants in the U.S. Agency for International Development were also placed on leave. Reassignments have affected various units, including the Public Integrity Unit, environment lawyers, and national security personnel. Mary McCord, a long-serving DOJ employee, expressed concerns that these moves are driven by fears of disloyalty to Trump (05:24).

Notable Quote: Carrie Johnson emphasized the strategic nature of the firings: “They have all of the necessary connections with law enforcement, the intelligence community, other federal agencies” (05:37).

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2. Termination of Humanitarian Parole Programs Affecting 1.5 Million Immigrants

Overview: President Trump has decisively ended several Biden-era programs that provided temporary legal status to nearly 1.5 million immigrants in the United States. These programs were initially designed to offer protection to individuals fleeing violence and disasters in their home countries.

Key Points:

• Humanitarian Parole Program: Known as CHNV Parole, this program allowed individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. with sponsorship and background checks. Sergio Martinez Beltran shared a personal story: “Daniel's sister is sponsoring them. She tells me the parole was a saving grace sent by God for her family” (06:42).
• CBP1 App: This application facilitated asylum seekers to schedule entry appointments at U.S. ports along the Mexico border. Since 2023, over 936,000 individuals utilized this app to gain lawful entry into the country. However, the Trump administration has criticized these programs as exploitative, arguing they became “backdoor immigration programs” designed to provide temporary protection (07:05).
• Policy Changes and Deportations: Trump has empowered immigration officials to expedite the deportation process for those who entered through parole programs. This includes expanding the scope of expedited removal, traditionally reserved for recent border crossers, to a broader population. Despite these orders, actual deportations remain uncertain due to logistical and legal complexities (08:18).
• Increased Immigration Enforcement: The administration has ramped up immigration roundups nationwide, resulting in over 1,100 arrests in a single day. While the stated focus is on individuals with criminal records, reports indicate that some arrests include citizens and legal residents, fueling concerns about the indiscriminate nature of these raids (08:56).
• Legal Challenges: Actions such as the attempted repeal of birthright citizenship have faced judicial blocks, and multiple lawsuits continue to challenge Trump’s immigration policies (09:35).

Notable Quote: Carrie Johnson critiqued the original intent of the parole programs: “These things were originally designed to allow people to have protection, temporary protection, to work maybe for positive political change back home until it was safe to go back” (07:32).

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3. China's Deepseek AI Surpasses ChatGPT, Shaking Tech Markets

Overview: A Chinese company, Deepseek, has launched an AI chatbot that rival’s ChatGPT’s popularity, attracting significant attention from both the tech industry and Wall Street. This development has led to notable fluctuations in global tech stocks.

Key Points:

• Deepseek’s AI Innovation: Established in 2023 and based in Hangzhou, Deepseek developed new algorithms that allow their AI to operate efficiently with less computational power. John Ruich explained, “They develop new algorithms, basically more efficient ways of training and running artificial intelligence with less computational power” (10:25).
• Market Impact: The release of Deepseek’s AI has caused tech stocks to plummet globally, reflecting concerns over competitive pressures in the AI sector. The company’s ability to produce a competitive product at a fraction of the cost has rattled investors (09:47).
• Cost and Development Caveats: While Deepseek claims to have developed its AI for under $6 million, experts argue that this figure likely excludes significant development expenses. Additionally, the reliance on downgraded AI microprocessors that bypass recent U.S. export bans raises questions about the sustainability of Deepseek’s advancements (11:10).
• Export Restrictions and Future Constraints: The Biden administration’s ban on advanced AI chips from being sold to China has posed challenges for Deepseek. Although initial AI chips were obtained through downgraded versions, experts like Gregory Allen from the Wadhwani AI Center warn that China will eventually face severe computational constraints as access to cutting-edge chips remains restricted (12:35).
• Expert Analysis: John Ruich highlighted the potential limitations Deepseek might encounter: “China faces a potential worsening computation constraint on the horizon” (12:47).

Notable Quote: Carrie Johnson underscored the competitive urgency: “A Chinese company should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win” (10:04).

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Conclusion

Today's episode of Up First delivered critical insights into the Trump administration's aggressive restructuring of the Justice Department and immigration policies, alongside a significant development in the global AI landscape exemplified by China's Deepseek. These stories reflect the ongoing tensions between political retribution, immigration reform, and technological competition, impacting millions of lives and shaping international market dynamics.

Notable Closing Quote: Leila Fadel signaled the importance of staying informed: “We'll give you the news you need to start your day” (00:42).

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Transcript Reference: For detailed excerpts and timestamps, refer to the full transcript provided.

Transcript

[Amy Martinez]

Among Trump's latest moves, the Justice Department says it's fired over a dozen officials.

[Layla Fadel]

I have never seen this sort of.

[Carrie Johnson]

Effort to just sweep out experienced people.

[Layla Fadel]

All of them were involved in prosecuting President Trump.

[Amy Martinez]

I'm Amy Martinez. That's Lay La Fadel. And this is up first from NPR News. Also, the Trump administration is ending programs that granted legal status to nearly 1 1/2 million immigrants in the U.S. these.

[Carrie Johnson]

Things were originally designed to allow people to have protection, temporary protection, and instead they just become backdoor immigration programs.

[Amy Martinez]

They were granted asylum after fleeing violence and disasters in their home countries. So what happens to them now?

[Layla Fadel]

And a Chinese AI chatbot is free and getting more popular than ChatGPT. It's got the attention of the tech world and Wall Street. Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.

[Sarah Levy]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Betterment, the automated investing and savings app. CEO Sarah Levy shares how Betterment utilizes tech tools powered by human advice.

[Layla Fadel]

Betterment is here to help customers build wealth their way. And we provide powerful technology and complete human support where technology can deliver ease of use and affordability. And the people behind that technology can provide advice and guidance.

[Sarah Levy]

Learn [e-mail] investing involves risk, performance not guaranteed.

[Jon Stewart]

This message comes from Comedy Central's the Daily Show. Jon Stewart and the Daily show news team are kicking off 2025 with brand new episodes covering a brand new administration and a not quite brand new president. While it may feel like history is repeating itself, it's never been covered like this, with Jon Stewart behind the desk kicking off every week. Comedy Central's the Daily show new weeknights at 11 on Comedy Central and streaming next day on Paramount. This message comes from HubSpot, where you can create content fast, get better leads and crush reporting all in one place. Visit HubSpot.com marketers to see how companies like yours are generating 110% more leads in just 12 months.

[Layla Fadel]

President Trump and his administration continue to flood the zone with executive actions and department changes. Just yesterday, dozens of senior Officials in the U.S. aid and development Agency were put on leave.

[Amy Martinez]

The White House Budget Office paused grants, loans and other federal assistance. Trump also signed four executive orders that include a move that would push openly transgender folks out of the military and another ordering the Pentagon to build a missile defense system.

[Layla Fadel]

Right. And there's one more. The acting attorney general purged Department of Justice officials involved in investigating Trump. We're going to hone in on that purge and what it means with NPR justice correspondent Carrie Johnson. Good morning, Kerry.

[Carrie Johnson]

Good morning, Layla.

[Layla Fadel]

So what do we know about these firings?

[Carrie Johnson]

At least a dozen people who work with Special Counsel Jack Smith got dismissal notices. That's according to two DOJ officials. Acting Attorney General James McHenry wrote the letters. He said he did not believe these officials could be trusted to faithfully implement the president's agenda because of their significant role in prosecuting the president. Remember, Jack Smith brought two criminal cases against Donald Trump over January 6th and over classified documents at Mar A Lago. Prosecutors moved to dismiss both cases after Trump won the election. And this purge is a big deal. One longtime lawyer told me he couldn't think of a time in modern DOJ history where a whole slew of prosecutors who worked on a particular case were dismissed. Of course, Donald Trump had promised to fire Jack Smith, too, but Smith resigned before the inauguration.

[Layla Fadel]

Okay. On the campaign trail, Trump did talk about retribution and getting back at the people who investigated him. Is this Trump fulfilling that promise?

[Carrie Johnson]

You know, federal judges approved search warrants and other actions DOJ took in its two cases against Trump. Grand juries signed off on them. So prosecutors say it's not as if these lawyers were acting without checks and balances. But clearly, President Trump does not see it that way. He signed an executive order last week designed to root out what he calls weaponization of the government. And the Supreme Court last year made clear that presidents have a lot of control over federal law enforcement. Now Donald Trump is using it.

[Layla Fadel]

So what happens now to these prosecutors who worked with Jack Smith?

[Carrie Johnson]

Many of them are career civil servants who have job protection so they could protest and eventually sue to challenge their firings, get back pay, get their jobs back. But that could take a long time and could be very expensive for taxpayers who would wind up footing the bill if these fired officials win in court. That's exactly what happened with Andy McCabe, the deputy FBI director Trump's administration fired in his first term in office.

[Layla Fadel]

And you've got some more news about changes inside the Justice Department. What else is happening?

[Carrie Johnson]

I'm hearing some of the most senior civil servants have been reassigned in recent days to work on a sanctuary city task force. The thinking is that's designed to get those people to quit. Yesterday, one of them did. The man who ran the Public Integrity Unit. Lawyers who handle the environment, civil rights, national security, they've all been reassigned, too. Mary McCord worked in the Justice Department for nearly 25 years. She teaches at Georgetown University now.

[Layla Fadel]

I have never seen this sort of.

[Carrie Johnson]

Effort to just sweep out all of the experienced People, the people who have.

[Layla Fadel]

The institutional memory, they have expertise built up over decades.

[Carrie Johnson]

They have all of the necessary connections.

[Layla Fadel]

With law enforcement, the intelligence community, other federal agencies.

[Carrie Johnson]

McCord says it seems like these people are being fired or reassigned because of fear they will not be loyal to Trump. She says that makes it easier for a president to misuse the Justice Department for his own retribution.

[Layla Fadel]

NPR's Carrie Johnson. Thank you for this reporting, Kerry.

[Carrie Johnson]

My pleasure.

[Layla Fadel]

The future is unclear for more than 1.4 million immigrants in the US legally under several Biden era programs.

[Amy Martinez]

Yeah. Many had to flee their homes due to violence and conflict. And because it was too dangerous for migrants to go back, they were granted temporary legal status in the U.S. president Trump has now ended the programs and empowered immigration officials to quickly deport these asylum seekers.

[Layla Fadel]

For more, NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran joins me. Good morning.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Good morning, Leila.

[Layla Fadel]

So one of the programs is called humanitarian parole. Tell us how it worked and who is in this country because of it.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Yeah. So this one program is known as the CHNV Parole, and it was specifically for people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. People from those countries were allowed to come into the US as long as they had a sponsor and passed a background check. And now most, if not all of these people are fleeing violence, like Reginald Daniel and his son Tristan. They left Haiti about a year ago after gang violence became unbearable.

[John Ruich]

Back then, I got shot. You know, I got shot in my.

[Layla Fadel]

Forehead and they tried to kidnap my sons before.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Daniel's sister is sponsoring them. She tells me the parole was a saving grace sent by God for her family and says she's praying for the program to continue. But President Trump has canceled all parole programs.

[Layla Fadel]

Right. Like the CBP1 app, which we've heard about before on this program, way people could claim asylum and enter the country legally. Tell us about that.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Yeah. The CBP1 app allowed asylum seekers to schedule an appointment at a port of entry along the U. S. Mexico border. The Department of Homeland Security says more than 936,000 people were legally allowed in the country this way since 2023. Now, some in the Trump administration say that these Biden era parole programs were being abused. I talked to Dan Stein. He's the president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform and supports Trump's change.

[Carrie Johnson]

These things were originally designed to allow people to have protection, temporary protection, to work maybe for positive political change back home until it was safe to go back. And instead they'd just become backdoor immigration programs.

[Layla Fadel]

I mean, what happens, though, to these people now? Will they all get deported.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

You know, Leila, there's a lot of uncertainty and fear. Trump has empowered immigration officers to quickly remove those who came via the parole programs. He's expanded what is known as expedited removal, which was originally only applied to migrants who had recently recently crossed the border. But the Trump administration has already moved to expand it dramatically, allowing immigration authorities to bypass parts of regular immigration law and speed up deportations. But, you know, it's one thing to issue an order. It's a lot more complicated to actually deport people, and it's unclear how that will happen.

[Layla Fadel]

Sarhel, Trump has issued several other immigration actions that aren't related to asylum. What are they?

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

I mean, you've probably seen on social media, TV or, you know, have heard here on NPR that Trump has increased the number of immigration roundups across the country. According to Homeland Security, yesterday there were more than 1100 arrests. The federal government has said they're going after migrants who are in the country illegally and have a criminal record. But there have been reports of arrests of immigrants who have not committed a crime. We've also heard of people who are either citizens or legal residents and have been caught up in these raids. They were released, but that has caused concerns. Trump. Leila has also moved to end birthright citizenship, but a court has blocked it from going into effect. And this is just one of multiple lawsuits challenging Trump's immigration actions.

[Layla Fadel]

That's NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran. Thank you, Sario.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

You're welcome.

[Layla Fadel]

Tech stocks have plummeted around the world over the past day as Investors Digest reports that a Chinese company developed a competitive AI model on the cheap.

[Amy Martinez]

The company is called Deepseek, and it even caught President Trump's eye.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

The release of Deep Seek AI from.

[Carrie Johnson]

A Chinese company should be a wake up call for our industries that we need to be laser focused on competing to win.

[Layla Fadel]

NPR's John Ruich is on the line now from China to help make sense of how big a deal this actually is. Hey, John.

[John Ruich]

Hi there.

[Layla Fadel]

So, first of all, tell us about this company that many people, including me, just heard of now.

[John Ruich]

Yeah, Deep Seq is a spinoff from a Chinese hedge fund. It was established just two years ago in 2023. And it's based in the eastern city of Hangzhou, which is sort of a tech hub here in China. And in a nutshell, what they did was hire a bunch of top notch engineers and develop new algorithms, basically more efficient ways of training and running artificial intelligence with less computational power.

[Layla Fadel]

And what's the significance of that?

[John Ruich]

Well, the product is said to rival tools from competitors like OpenAI and Google in terms of what it can do, things like analyzing data, solving complex problems. It's impressed a lot of people. It rattled markets. And what rattled the markets is the narrative, which comes with some caveats that Deep Seq basically did it all cheaper, quicker, and with less powerful microprocessors than its big competitors.

[Layla Fadel]

Okay, so tell us more about those caveats. Sure.

[John Ruich]

The first one is around cost. Deepseek says that it spent under $6 million to make this thing. That's tiny relative to the hundreds of millions of dollars that others are investing you, probably in billions. But analysts say that that low figure is easy to misinterpret because it doesn't include, for instance, the cost of developing various versions from which this latest version was distilled. Okay, so we really don't, we don't know what the total development cost was, how inexpensive it was. The second caveat has to do with the hardware, has to do with the chips that are critical to developing AI.

[Layla Fadel]

Okay, tell us more about that. The Biden administration banned the best AI microprocessors from being sold to China. Were they able to get around it?

[John Ruich]

It's tricky. You know, the chips that really matter for AI are made by Nvidia, which, by the way, took a massive tumble on the stock market after the deep seq news back in 2022. Nvidia were told they couldn't sell their best product to China. Of course, some of those were already. Those chips were already there. Some may have leaked in, but they made a slightly downgraded version at the time that they could sell to China legally. That's what Deepseek says it used to train its latest model. The Biden administration subsequently decided that those chips were actually too powerful. They banned those ones from being sold to China, too. That was in 2023. A year had passed. The horse was sort of out of the barn. Here's Gregory Allen, the director of the Wadhwani AI center at the center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

[Jon Stewart]

We are currently living through the era.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Of the lagging impact of the Biden.

[Jon Stewart]

Administration'S misfire in that first batch of AI export controls.

[John Ruich]

So Alan says that era will end. Chinese companies like Deep Seq will run out of those near cutting edge chips pretty soon or sooner or later. They can't buy new ones because of the export ban. China doesn't have the capability to make anything like them. So, yes, they did something pathbreaking here. But China faces a potential worsening computation constraint on the horizon.

[Layla Fadel]

That's NPR's John Ruich in China. Thank you, John.

[John Ruich]

You bet.

[Layla Fadel]

And that's up first for Tuesday, January 28th. I'm Layla Falden.

[Amy Martinez]

And I'm Amy Martinez. Remember, you can listen to this podcast sponsor free while supporting public media with Upverse Plus. Learn more at plus.NPR.org that's P L U S.NPR.org Today's episode of Up first.

[Layla Fadel]

Was edited by Eric Westervelt, Anna Yukonanov, Kevin Drew, Janaya Williams and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ziad Buch, Nia Dumas and Claire Marashima. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent, and our technical director is Zach Coleman. See you tomorrow. They're not going to see me. Listen to us tomorrow. Wow.

[Amy Martinez]

That's some like a Martinez level cynicism right there.

[Sarah Levy]

Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to up first sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get UPverse [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org this message comes from Mint Mobile. From the gas pump to the grocery store, inflation is everywhere. So Mint Mobile is offering premium wireless starting at just $15 a month. To get your new phone plan for just $15, go to mintmobile.com switch it this message comes from Bombas. Socks, underwear and T shirts are the top three requested clothing items by people experiencing homelessness. Bombas makes all three and donates one item for every item purchased. Go to bombas. Com NPR and use code NPR for 20% off.