Stalemate In The Strait Of Hormuz, DHS Shutdown Ends, Trump's Surgeon General Nominee

Summary

Up First (NPR) – Episode Summary

Date: May 1, 2026
Hosts: Michelle Martin, Steve Inskeep
Main Topics Covered:

1. Stalemate in the Strait of Hormuz and US-Iran tensions
2. End of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown
3. President Trump’s Surgeon General nominee, Dr. Nicole Safire

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Overview

This episode of NPR’s Up First breaks down the three major news developments to start the day: escalating tensions and a diplomatic deadlock in the Strait of Hormuz, analysis of the longest agency shutdown in US history (Department of Homeland Security), and an introduction to President Trump’s third pick for Surgeon General, Dr. Nicole Safire. Through expert commentary and in-depth analysis, the episode explores the political, military, economic, and public health implications of these stories.

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1. Stalemate in the Strait of Hormuz: U.S. & Iran Deadlock

[02:49–06:34]

Key Discussion Points:

• Current Status: The US and Iran remain at a diplomatic standstill as both sides engage in dueling blockades but avoid direct military escalation.
• Iran’s Proposal: Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, postponing nuclear negotiations; Trump insists a nuclear deal be included in any agreement.
• Leadership Uncertainty: President Trump comments on the challenge of identifying Iran’s true leadership post-military strikes.
• Blockades & Leverage: The US Navy blockade is costing Iran over $400 million daily; Trump’s approach bets on cumulative economic and military pressure.
• European Tensions: German Chancellor’s remarks that Trump is “humiliated by Iran,” provoke threats from Trump to withdraw US troops from Europe, raising questions about transatlantic security.
• Political Costs: Rising gas prices and declining economic approval ratings highlight the war’s domestic impact on Trump, even as the White House insists the president can “walk and chew gum.”

Notable Quotes:

• Trump administration official (on Iranian leadership):
  “We have a problem because nobody knows for sure who the leaders are. It's a little bit of a problem. You know, the leaders have been wiped out along with their military.” — [03:55]
• Alexander Gray (former NSC Chief of Staff):
  “This is a game of leverage. … I think the Iranians are going to blink because they're losing 400 plus million dollars a day to the US Navy’s blockade.” — [04:34]
• Constance Stetzemohler (Brookings Institution):
  “Both sides depend on each other, are increasingly irritated… The greatest risk...is a sort of toxic interdependence, kind of like a marriage where one side can’t leave the other.” — [05:33]
• Franco Ordonez (NPR White House Correspondent):
  “According to a new Reuters Ipsos poll, just 27% approve of how the president is handling the U.S. economy.” — [06:24]

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2. End of the DHS Shutdown

[06:43–10:25]

Key Discussion Points:

• Resolution: After 70 days, President Trump signs a funding bill to end the DHS shutdown, except for certain immigration enforcement divisions.
• Congressional Dysfunction: Claudia Grisales (NPR) outlines how divided Congress and partisan disputes, especially in an election year, delayed funding.
• Tight Margins, Democratic Leverage: Because of a narrowly divided House, Democrats maintained leverage and used it to push for reforms after controversial incidents involving DHS officers.
• Immigration Enforcement: Key divisions (like ICE) are well-funded due to last year’s “one big beautiful bill.” Additional funding may be approved by June via reconciliation.
• House Actions: Besides funding DHS, the House extends Section 702 (FISA) for 45 days, overcoming conservative privacy concerns due in part to lawmakers’ eagerness to start recess.

Notable Quotes:

• House Speaker Mike Johnson:
  “The House Republicans are leaving in a great mood and I don't think you could find a single person who is upset with the results. We got the job done. Sometimes it's slow, but we got it done.” — [07:01]
• Claudia Grisales (on congressional dynamics):
  “You're seeing a politically contentious high-stakes proposal meet head-on with a Congress that's struggling to legislate, especially during an election year.” — [07:18]
• Claudia Grisales (on partisan shutdown):
  “Because Republicans have such tight margins in both chambers, they still need votes from Democrats.” — [08:56]

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3. Trump’s New Surgeon General Nominee: Dr. Nicole Safire

[10:29–13:47]

Key Discussion Points:

• Background: Dr. Nicole Safire is a prominent breast cancer doctor, Fox News contributor, wellness influencer, and podcast host (“Wellness Unmasked”).
• Communication Emphasis: Trump highlights Safire’s communication skills as key to leading public health messaging, which Safire herself stressed as essential in a February podcast.
• Nominee Pipeline Trouble: Safire is Trump’s third pick after the first withdrew over credential issues; the second, Dr. Casey Means, faced bipartisan skepticism over her (non-)medical license and vaccine positions and was blocked by the Senate.
• Vaccine Stance: Safire’s views are “murky”—she supports some vaccines, disavows anti-vax claims, but emphasizes “medical freedom,” suggesting she may not aggressively promote childhood vaccination.
• Political Appeal: Safire is seen as a strong pick on Republican core issues and is expected to draw support from the party base, especially suburban moms.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Nicole Safire (on role of the Surgeon General):
  “They need the respect of not only the people...but they also need the respect of the administration for which they are working together with to get that research and put out the messaging.” — [11:44]
• David Mansdorfer (former Trump health official):
  “I think she's extremely strong on some of the core base issues, the pro-life issue. She's great on chronic disease and prevention. She speaks a lot to the MAHA influence, especially to the suburban moms.” — [13:14]
• Ping Huang (NPR):
  “Safire’s views on vaccines are a little murky. She’s not against all vaccines, doesn’t think they cause autism, but...supports what she calls medical freedom and individuals choosing if and when to get vaccines.” — [13:27]

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Important Timestamps

• [02:49] — Opening of main content: Iran/US Strait of Hormuz stalemate
• [03:22] — Franco Ordonez joins with White House updates
• [04:34] — Expert commentary on U.S. blockade strategy
• [05:33] — European perspective on U.S.-Iran tensions
• [06:43] — Transition to DHS shutdown coverage
• [07:01] — House Speaker Mike Johnson’s quote
• [08:56] — Claudia Grisales on Democratic leverage
• [10:29] — Trump nominates Dr. Nicole Safire as Surgeon General
• [11:44] — Safire’s views on the Surgeon General’s role
• [13:14] — Mansdorfer on political strategy

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Memorable Moments

• The sharp analysis of leverage in the U.S.–Iran standoff and its staggering daily costs to Iran ([04:34]).
• The candid assessment from a European security expert likening U.S.–Europe cooperation on Iran to a “toxic interdependence” ([05:33]).
• House Speaker Mike Johnson’s celebratory, almost relieved tone upon ending the record-long DHS shutdown ([07:01]).
• The insight into Trump’s nomination struggle for Surgeon General, and Safire’s blend of medical, media, and wellness influencer backgrounds ([10:57]–[13:45]).

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Closing

The episode delivers a concise yet in-depth look at the day’s biggest stories, balancing hard geopolitical analysis, Washington insider perspectives, and a revealing look at the politicization of public health leadership in the current administration.

For listeners seeking orientation in today’s headlines—on escalating U.S. foreign and domestic tensions, and questions of trust in public health—this is a sharp and timely summary of the latest developments.

Transcript

[Michelle Martin]

Good morning, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

Well, good morning, Michelle.

[Michelle Martin]

So before we start Public media giving days. Ah, it's a national celebration. Did you know?

[Steve Inskeep]

I kind of didn't. I've heard of them.

[Michelle Martin]

May 1st and 2nd.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay. As a quick reminder, NPR is public media. Up first is Public media dedicated to informing everybody, including you. And we're supported by the public.

[Michelle Martin]

Yes, listeners like Dan in D.C. who says up first has become part of my daily routine and my day would not be complete without it wouldn't be

[Steve Inskeep]

my day wouldn't be complete either. Up first is here for you, Dan. So thanks for being here for us. You can be like Dan and support Public Media by making a gift [e-mail]

[Michelle Martin]

and thank you so much for standing with us.

[Steve Inskeep]

Germany's chancellor says Iran is humiliating the United States. The two sides are deadlocked over the Strait of Hormuz.

[Michelle Martin]

Gas prices have hit their highest since the start of the war. How is President Trump responding to the pressure?

[Steve Inskeep]

I'm Steve Inskeep with Michelle Martin. And this is up first from NPR News. The longest government agency shutdown in US History has ended. After weeks of negotiations over immigration enforcement, the House finally passed a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

[Mike Johnson]

We got the job done. Sometimes it's slow, but we got it done.

[Steve Inskeep]

What did it take to get the job done?

[Michelle Martin]

And President Trump's last two choices for surgeon general both failed to get confirmed. His new choice is Nicole Safire, a FOX News contributor and breast cancer doctor. Does she have a better chance of getting confirmed? Stay with us. We'll give you news you need to know. Start your day.

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[Michelle Martin]

President Trump's administration is continuing with its expansive definition of the legal boundaries of the war in Iran.

[Steve Inskeep]

The administration faces a deadline to to obtain congressional approval for military action that it told lawmakers about 60 days ago. It is not seeking that approval. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted the deadline set by law does not apply because a ceasefire stops the clock. Iran and the US Are still facing off through dueling blockades in the Strait of Hormuz. And that leads us to our next story. How is the United States trying to bring the conflict to an end?

[Michelle Martin]

NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordonez is following all this, and he's with us now. Good morning, Franco.

[Franco Ordonez]

Good morning, Michelle.

[Michelle Martin]

So the Iranians have offered a proposal that would involve reopening the Strait of Hormuz and deal with negotiations over nuclear restrictions later. So what's the latest on that?

[Franco Ordonez]

Yeah, President Trump reviewed the proposal with his national security team, but, you know, he's been really adamant that a nuclear deal must be part of all this. And he was asked yesterday about the apparent standstill, but insisted that the Iranians want to make a deal, while also acknowledging difficulty determining who's actually in charge.

[Unnamed Expert/Analyst]

They want to make a deal badly. We have a problem because nobody knows for sure who the leaders are. It's a little bit of a problem. You know, the leaders have been wiped out along with their military.

[Michelle Martin]

You know, Franco, it seems like neither side wants the bombing to resume, but both continue to make these demands that the other side will not accept.

[Franco Ordonez]

Yeah, it's really testing the US Strategy. And as Steve mentioned, instead of resuming a bombing campaign, the US has launched its own blockade of Iranian ports. Alexander Gray served as chief of staff at the National Security Council in the first Trump administration. He says the blockade gives the US Maximum leverage.

[Unnamed Expert/Analyst]

This is a game of leverage. This is a game of who has the ability to call the other side to account and who's going to blink first. And I think the Iranians are going to blink because they're losing 400 plus million dollars a day to the US Navy's blockade.

[Franco Ordonez]

You know, one thing, though, is Trump administration has been at this for a while, you know, expecting if they just put enough military pressure, economic pressure, that Iran will capitul. But so far it just hasn't.

[Michelle Martin]

And the president is also now in a war of words with the German chancellor, who in leaked comments said that Trump was being, quote, unquote, humiliated by Iran how is Trump responding to this?

[Franco Ordonez]

Yeah, I mean, Trump's threatening to pull US Troops stationed in Germany, and it's not just Germany. He's also threatened to pull troops from other European countries. Constance Stetzemohler, who studies transatlantic security at the Brookings Institution, told me that much of Europe feels Trump kind of mishandled these negotiations and now worry that they're going to have the burden of fixing the problems. But she also says they need to be careful.

[Constance Stetzemohler]

Both sides depend on each other, are increasingly irritated with each other because they understand that dependence and because it's not possible to cut loose for either side. And the greatest risk of that, besides the erosion of trust, is a sort of toxic interdependence, kind of like a marriage where one side can't leave the other.

[Franco Ordonez]

Now, the U.S. of course, needs Europe where it has military bases, and Europe needs the US for help defending Ukraine against Russia.

[Michelle Martin]

So this war seems to be taking up a lot of the president's time. What does it mean for Trump's other agenda? Priorities?

[Franco Ordonez]

Yeah. The White House says Trump can walk and chew gum at the same time and is quick to point out the administration is continuing its affordability agenda. Trump signed an executive order yesterday on retirement savings. But at the same time, gas prices hit a new high since the start of the war and Americans say they aren't seeing much relief. According to a new Reuters Ipsos poll, just 27% approve of how the president is handling the U.S. economy.

[Michelle Martin]

That is White House correspondent Franco Ordonez. Franco, thank you.

[Franco Ordonez]

Thank you, Michelle.

[Steve Inskeep]

Some other news now. The longest agency shutdown in US History is over.

[Michelle Martin]

President Trump signed legislation Thursday to fund almost all of the Department of Homeland Security except for some immigration enforcement. The House passed it yesterday. That was weeks after the Senate did. House Speaker Mike Johnson celebrated an end to the stalemate.

[Mike Johnson]

The House Republicans are leaving in a great mood and I don't think you could find a single person who is upset with the results. We got the job done. Sometimes it's slow, but we got it done.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales joins us now. Claudia, good morning.

[Claudia Grisales]

Good morning, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

What about this took 70 days?

[Claudia Grisales]

Well, you're seeing a politically contentious high stakes proposal meet head on with the Congress that's struggling to legislate, especially during an election year. We first saw a breakdown in bipartisan funding talks for DHS in mid February and then another breakdown for Republicans who could not agree on a way out of of a shutdown. The Senate passed a plan five weeks ago to fund the agency except for Some immigration enforcement divisions, as we mentioned, but that could not get through the House. So the White House redirected government funds to pay DHS workers, despite questions over the legality of that decision. And now the agency was about to run out of that new money. So the House had to act.

[Steve Inskeep]

Oh, well, they had to act. Okay. So they were forced to on some level. But really, how did the speaker manage to get a majority here?

[Claudia Grisales]

Well, Johnson finally reached that deal with the more conservative members of his conference who were holding out to fund all of dhs. Republicans had been working on a special partisan legislative vehicle known as reconciliation. That bill would include money for immigration enforcement for the rest of President Trump's term. And Johnson sided with those conservative members, initially calling the Senate passed DHS bill a joke. But he reversed course as reconciliation dragons. Now he says that that process is moving. Republicans could also approve that additional funding.

[Steve Inskeep]

Claudia, it's really interesting. When the House is so narrowly divided, the minority party, which sometimes is powerless, can have some leverage, can have some power. What role do Democrats play?

[Claudia Grisales]

Yeah, exactly. Because Republicans have such tight margins in both chambers, they still need votes from Democrats. And as you may recall, DHS was on track to be part of this massive bipartisan spending bill at the start of the year. But the January deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of officers for DHS changed all of that. So Democrats pulled their support. They began pushing for a new deal to revamp the way these agents do their jobs, like banning face masks. But Republicans refused, and that triggered this shutdown that began February 14th.

[Steve Inskeep]

What does this mean for the immigration enforcement that was not part of this agreement?

[Claudia Grisales]

Well, those divisions are in a great position thanks to a massive tax and spending plan known as the one big beautiful bill that passed last year directed $75 billion towards ICE. And this ongoing reconciliation process could get approved by June.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, what else is the House managing to pass?

[Claudia Grisales]

Right. They approved a 45 day extension of a key US intelligence tool known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. It would have expired at the end of the day yesterday. And that was also controvers among House conservatives and others who are worried about privacy protections. But Johnson was able to persuade his holdouts just before this recess began. A reminder. The desire to get out of town is often what can push these deals over the finish line for Congress.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Claudia Grisales always meets her deadlines. Claudia, thanks so much.

[Michelle Martin]

Thank you. President Trump has nominated a new Surgeon General. That's the official responsible for public health advisories in the US Dr. Nicole Safire

[Steve Inskeep]

works at one of the nation's top cancer centers. And she is expected to be more acceptable to Republican lawmakers who had stalled the confirmation process for Trump's previous pick.

[Michelle Martin]

NPR's Ping Huang is here to tell us more about her. Good morning, Ping.

[Ping Huang]

Good morning, Michelle.

[Michelle Martin]

So tell us about her. Who is Dr. Nicole Safire?

[Ping Huang]

Yeah, so she is a medical doctor, a radiologist who focuses on breast cancer. She's director of breast imaging at a branch of Memorial Memorial Sloan Kettering in New Jersey. She's also a wellness influencer. She sells herbal supplements to promote focus and calm on Amazon. And she's a frequent FOX News medical contributor with a podcast called Wellness Unmasked. In his nomination post on Truth Social, Trump described her as a star physician and an incredible communicator, which, I mean,

[Michelle Martin]

being a communicator is pretty key for this role, right?

[Ping Huang]

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, the surgeon general is tasked with promoting health based, science based measures that keep people healthy. Safire talked about the job back in February on her podcast. And she said that the surgeon general's main role is public health messaging.

[Unnamed Health Official]

They need the respect of not only the people, the American people that they are communicating to, but they also need the respect of the administration for which they are working together with to get that research and put out the messaging.

[Ping Huang]

Safire also said that they need the respect of the medical establishment. And at the time, in her opinion, that's where the previous nominee, Dr. Casey Means, was falling short.

[Michelle Martin]

We'll say more about that. Why did doctor Means nomination get pulled ultimately?

[Ping Huang]

Yeah. So the surgeon general position has been a whole saga for Trump. Sapphire is Trump's third pick and he withdrew his first nominee after scrutiny over how she represented her medical credentials. Next, he chose Dr. Casey Means, who doesn't have an active medical license. And at a confirmation hearing in February, she faced pushback from senators, including some Republicans about her views on vaccines. She said that she believes vaccines save lives, but stopped short of encouraging parents to vaccinate their kids against measles and flu. Now, yesterday, Trump called out Republican Senator Bill Cassidy from Louis, Louisiana, saying that Cassidy stood in the way of Means getting confirmed. And in response, the Senate Help Education, labor and Pension Committee, which Cassidy chairs, said on X that it was clear Means didn't have the votes.

[Michelle Martin]

Cassidy's a doctor, so, you know, he had thoughts. So where is Dr. Safire on these issues?

[Ping Huang]

Well, she's kind of an originator of the Make America Healthy Again movement before Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Took it on it was actually the title of a book she published back in 2020. And David Mansdorfer, who served as a health official in Trump's first term, says Sapphire appeals to Republicans.

[Unnamed Expert/Analyst]

I think she's extremely strong on some of the core base issues, the pro life issue. She's great on chronic disease and prevention. She speaks a lot to the Maha influence, especially to the suburban moms.

[Ping Huang]

Now, Sapphire's views on vaccines are a little murky. She's not against all vaccines, doesn't think they cause autism, but she's also said that she supports what she calls medical freedom and individuals choosing if and when to get vaccines. One thing that is clear is that she'll get lots of questions on that and on other topics in a confirmation hearing.

[Michelle Martin]

That's NPR's Ping Huang. Ping, thank you.

[Ping Huang]

You're welcome.

[Michelle Martin]

And that's up first for Friday, May 1st. I'm Michele Martin and I'm the person

[Steve Inskeep]

who closed the file.

[Michelle Martin]

It's the best month.

[Steve Inskeep]

Exactly.

[Michelle Martin]

Yes.

[Steve Inskeep]

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Today's episode of up first was edited by Rebecca Mentzler, Kelsey Scott Snell, Chris Houston, Mohamed El Bardisi and Ali Schweitzer. It was produced by Ziad Bach and Nia Dumas. And our director is Christopher Thomas, who's standing there with arms folded waiting for me to finish. We get engineering support from Misha Hyness. And our technical director is Zach Coleman. Good morning, Zach. Our executive producer is Jay Shaylor. Join us tomorrow.

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