Up First from NPR – May 23, 2025

NPR's "Up First" for May 23, 2025, delivers the three most significant news stories to start your day. This episode covers the charging of a suspect in the deadly Washington, D.C. embassy attacks, the Trump administration's contentious action against Harvard University regarding international student enrollment, and a pivotal Supreme Court ruling on presidential authority over independent agencies.

1. Suspected D.C. Shooter Charged in Embassy Attack

Timeline: [00:02] – [06:08]

The Washington, D.C. community is reeling after a tragic attack targeting two Israeli Embassy employees. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, has been formally charged with murder.

• Initial Reporting:

  • Amy Martinez reports at [00:02], "The man suspected of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy employees in D.C. has been charged with murder."
  • Michelle Martin adds at [00:08], "He could still face additional charges. Police are investigating the killings as a possible hate crime."

• Details from NPR’s Jennifer Ludden:

  • At [02:47], Jennifer Ludden elaborates, "The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, flew from his home in Chicago to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. He declared a firearm in his checked luggage and attended a young diplomats' mixer at the Jewish museum three hours before the attack."
  • She continues, "From witness interviews and surveillance video, we have some pretty gruesome details. Rodriguez shot at the two victims from the back and kept firing repeatedly, even as one tried to crawl away. He then discarded his 9 mm handgun and told a police officer, 'I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza.'"

• Legal Proceedings and Investigations:

  • Michelle Martin questions the classification of the crime, stating at [03:37], "President Trump and others have called this an act of anti-Semitism. But so far, he has not been charged with a hate crime."
  • Jennifer Ludden responds, "Interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro mentioned that murder charges are just the beginning. Federal agents discovered Rodriguez admired a martyr who attacked the Israeli Embassy last year, and they are investigating further motivations."

• Impact on the Community:

  • The victims, Jeron Leszinski and Sarah Milgram, are mourned. Leszinski was planning to propose to Milgram next week [04:49], and Milgram had taken her embassy job to combat rising antisemitism through diplomacy [05:23].
  • The attack has heightened fears, leading DC's police chief to increase security around faith-based groups and community centers [05:48].

Notable Quote:

“Violence against anyone based on their religion is an act of cowardice.” – Andrea Hsu ([04:25])

2. Trump Administration Revokes Harvard's Ability to Sponsor International Students

Timeline: [06:08] – [09:32]

In a significant strike against higher education, the Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to sponsor international students, sparking confusion and concern within the academic community.

• Administration’s Action:

  • Michelle Martin introduces the story at [06:08], "The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students for those already enrolled, creating significant uncertainty."
  • Alyssa Nadworny explains at [06:38], "Kristi Noem, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, sent a letter terminating Harvard's student exchange certification, preventing the university from sponsoring new visas and impacting current international students."

• Harvard's Response:

  • Harvard deems the action unlawful and retaliatory, threatening serious harm to both the university and the U.S. overall [07:11]. The institution is also suing over previous research funding cuts related to accusations of antisemitism [07:11].

• Impact on Students:

  • With nearly 7,000 international students at Harvard, the decision has left many anxious. A senior student from Canada expressed fears about graduating next week [07:55], while another third-year undergrad from Europe lamented the uncertainty of re-enrollment [08:42].
  • Amy Martinez shares a student's perspective at [07:55], "I'm very close to graduation. If I can't graduate, I really don't know what I would do if I'm unable to re-enroll in September here at Harvard."

• Broader Implications:

  • Shawn Carver of International House at UC Berkeley warns that Harvard could be "the canary in the coal mine," signaling potential threats to other institutions [08:26].
  • The U.S. hosts over a million international students who contribute more than $43 billion to the economy, making this a critical issue [08:42].

Notable Quote:

“I think Harvard is the canary in the coal mine as administration kind of uses them to test what they can and cannot do to influence public and private institutions.” – Shawn Carver ([08:26])

3. Supreme Court Ruling on President Trump’s Authority to Fire Independent Agency Members

Timeline: [09:32] – [13:15]

In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump has the authority to fire members of independent agencies, specifically addressing the cases of Gwen Wilcox and Kathy Harris.

• Case Background:

  • Michelle Martin outlines the issue at [09:32], "In a 6 to 3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court said President Trump can fire two members of independent agencies. For now, yeah."
  • Andrea Hsu details at [09:54], "Gwen Wilcox of the National Labor Relations Board and Kathy Harris of the Merit Systems Protection Board sued, claiming Trump lacked authority to fire them. Congress had stipulated that members can only be removed for cause."

• Lower Courts and Supreme Court Decision:

  • Initially, lower courts sided with Wilcox and Harris, citing the 1938 Humphrey's Executor decision that limits presidential authority over independent agencies [10:27].
  • However, Chief Justice John Roberts intervened, allowing their removal again [11:01].
  • The Supreme Court majority ruled that the Constitution grants the president the power to fire agency officials at will, with narrow exceptions, effectively overturning Humphrey's Executor [11:03].

• Dissent and Future Implications:

  • Justice Elena Kagan, in her dissent, criticized the use of the emergency docket to bypass established precedents, emphasizing the importance of agency independence [12:25].
  • She stated, "Our emergency docket, while fit for some things, should not be used to overrule or revise existing law."
  • The ruling is not final and may undergo further appeals, but it signals a shift in how independent agencies are overseen and their protection from presidential interference [13:11].

Notable Quote:

“This is not just someone's job. It's this very idea that Congress embraced when it created independent agencies… they will make sound judgments that benefit the public good.” – Justice Elena Kagan ([12:25])

4. President Trump’s Cryptocurrency Venture Raises Conflict of Interest Concerns

Timeline: [13:24] – [14:16]

Adding to the day's headlines, President Trump hosted a private dinner for over 200 investors in his personal cryptocurrency venture, the Trump Meme coin, at his Virginia golf resort. The event has sparked questions about potential conflicts between his business interests and his role as president.

• Event Details:

  • Michelle Martin reports at [13:24], "President Trump dined with more than 200 investors in the Trump Meme coin, raising questions about commingling his business interests with his public office."
  • The White House responded, asserting that the president attended during personal time and clarified that no media were granted access [14:09].

• Public Reaction:

  • The use of the presidential seal at the event's lectern and the exclusive nature of the dinner without media presence have fueled scrutiny over ethical boundaries [13:24].

Notable Quote:

“Everything that's been going on has kind of changed my life plans.” – Sarah Milgram's friend, Israeli attorney Ayelet Rezin Bedor ([14:12])

Conclusion

Today's episode of NPR's "Up First" provided in-depth coverage of critical issues affecting national security, higher education, presidential powers, and ethical standards in politics. From the tragic embassy attack and its implications for community safety, to the administration's aggressive stance on international education, and a Supreme Court decision reshaping executive authority, listeners are equipped with the essential information to understand today's complex landscape.

Stay informed with NPR's "Up First" for the news you need to start your day.