Up First from NPR — December 23, 2025

Episode Title: Trump Announces 'Golden Fleet', Judge Rules Deportations Illegal, Heritage Exodus
Hosts: Steve Inskeep, Leila Fadel
Reporters: Quill Lawrence (National Security), Ximena Bustillo (Immigration), Sarah McCammon (Politics)

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR’s Up First covers three major stories shaping U.S. politics and policy:

1. President Trump’s announcement of a taxpayer-funded new class of warships—the “Golden Fleet”—named after himself, and escalating rhetoric toward Venezuela.
2. A federal judge’s ruling that the Trump administration illegally deported more than 100 Venezuelans, stripping them of due process rights.
3. A significant exodus of senior staffers from the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank behind Project 2025, reflecting broader divisions within the Republican party.

Key Story 1: Trump’s Golden Fleet & Venezuela Threats

Segment begins: [04:03]

Main Points

• Trump’s Announcement:
  President Trump revealed plans for a “new class” of Navy battleships, to be named after himself. He claims these ships (“Golden Fleet”) will feature advanced weaponry—guns, missiles, and high-powered lasers (“artist renderings... shooting lasers”), including sea-launched nuclear missile capability, and be “100 times more powerful” than their predecessors. Initial production: 2 ships, expanding to possibly 25. Robots and American workers would build them.

  • Quill Lawrence (NPR): “[Trump] talked quite lyrically about this new class of battleship... 100 times more powerful than previous ships... built with robots, but also with American workers.” [04:36]

• Venezuela Pressure:
  Trump shifted to threats against Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president, in response to questions about U.S. sanctions, military presence, and possible regime change.

  • Trump (quoted): “If he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough.” [06:07]
  • The President did not specify any endgame should Maduro fall. There was a clear historical parallel to the uncertainty before the Iraq war.

• Escalating Military Actions:
  U.S. forces have increased “lethal strikes” on small boats allegedly carrying drugs—a total of over two dozen strikes, killing more than 100 people. Additionally, U.S. Coast Guard has begun seizing massive oil tankers: some sanctioned, some not, raising legal questions. The status of a third, ongoing chase at sea is unclear.

• Policy Uncertainty:
  Trump did not address legal frameworks for boarding/seizing vessels, nor rules of engagement if ship crews resist.

  • Quill Lawrence: “We’re really in uncharted territory. But the president wasn’t really focused on those details...” [06:48]

• Rhetorical Flourish and Diversion:
  During the hour-long press event, Trump also alluded to Obamacare, health care subsidies, “the Epstein files,” and a revived claim that the U.S. should take over Greenland.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Trump’s threat to Maduro:
  “If he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough.” — Donald Trump [06:07]
• On the scale of U.S. force deployed:
  “We have a massive armada formed, the biggest we’ve ever had... in South America.” — Donald Trump [05:54]

Key Story 2: Judge Rules Deportations of Venezuelans Illegal

Segment begins: [07:50]

Main Points

• Federal Court Decision:
  Judge James Boasberg ruled more than 100 Venezuelan men were illegally deported by the Trump administration without due process, after Trump invoked the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act.

  • Ximena Bustillo (NPR): “He has ordered the administration to return the men to the United States or provide some sort of due process hearings for them, even if that’s abroad.” [08:46]
  • The lawsuit, brought by six men, was certified as a class action, representing all 137 men sent to El Salvador.

• Human Rights Concerns:
  Deported men were held for four months in a Salvadoran anti-terrorism prison as part of a prisoner exchange, enduring alleged poor nutrition, unsanitary conditions, and sexual abuse.

  • One detainee recounted: “Secot as ‘hell on earth.’” [10:58]

• Legal Justifications and Repercussions:
  Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act to justify the removals, labeling the men as purported gang members—without court evidence.

  • Judge Boasberg: The U.S. government “can’t be, quote, secretly spiriting individuals to another country without any oversight.” [09:29]
  • Judge previously threatened the government with contempt for ignoring orders to halt the deportations.

• Next Steps:
  The government is expected to appeal; Trump’s allies frame such judicial pushback as “activism” and accuse judges of partisanship.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Judge Boasberg’s order:
  “Any government can’t be, quote, secretly spiriting individuals to another country without any oversight.” — Judge Boasberg, via Ximena Bustillo [09:29]
• On the conditions faced:
  “One man spoke to my colleague... and described Secot as, quote, hell on earth.” — Ximena Bustillo [10:58]

Key Story 3: Heritage Foundation Exodus Reflects GOP Split

Segment begins: [11:39]

Main Points

• A Significant Departure:
  At least 13 senior officials, including three team heads (legal, economic, data) have left the Heritage Foundation, moving to Advancing American Freedom—a think tank founded by former Vice President Mike Pence.

• Why Now?
  The departures are tied to mounting internal conflicts over the future of the conservative movement, especially the role of MAGA-aligned influencers.

  • Incidents sparking controversy include Heritage president Kevin Roberts’ video defending an interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes, leading to internal turmoil and an apology.

• What’s Next for the Movers:
  Advancing American Freedom, led by Tim Chapman, is attempting to grow beyond its small roots and position itself at the center of conservatism’s future.

  • Tim Chapman (President):
    “A movement that has oriented around political personalities and specific political leaders is starting to realize those leaders are not going to be here forever.” [13:48]

• Heritage’s Response:
  The foundation remains influential due to its role in Project 2025, which shapes much of Trump’s policy agenda.

  • Andy Olivastro (Heritage):
    “It’s crystal clear to me that Mike Pence is still waiting for a train back to relevance... Heritage is already down the tracks.” [14:40]

• Larger Implications:
  Such fissures underscore an emerging divide within the GOP about post-Trump leadership and principle direction, particularly after Pence’s dramatic break with Trump during the Jan 6 certification.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the movement’s future:
  “There is an end date on their leadership. Whether it’s President Trump or other leaders.” — Tim Chapman (13:48)
• On Heritage’s relevance:
  “Heritage is already down the tracks, and we’re leading and we’re building something that will last.” — Andy Olivastro (14:47)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [04:03] — Trump’s Golden Fleet Navy announcement, Venezuela threats
• [07:50] — Judge rules Trump-era Venezuelan deportations illegal
• [11:39] — Heritage Foundation exodus and GOP’s divided future

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Presidential bravado:
  “100 times more powerful than previous ships... built with robots but also American workers.” — Quill Lawrence, quoting Trump [04:36]
• On U.S. military escalation:
  “We're really in uncharted territory. But the president wasn't really focused on those details...” — Quill Lawrence [06:48]
• Human rights condemnation:
  “Described Secot as, quote, hell on earth.” — Ximena Bustillo [10:58]
• Internal conservative division:
  “A movement... is starting to realize those leaders are not going to be here forever.” — Tim Chapman [13:48]

Tone & Style

The tone is brisk, analytical, and at times incredulous—particularly regarding the scale and pageantry of Trump’s announcements and the gravity of deportation consequences. Throughout, the hosts and correspondents maintain NPR’s signature balance of clarity, direct sourcing, and understated skepticism.

For listeners:
This episode offers a snapshot of America’s current crossroads: a presidency driven by grand gestures and hardline rhetoric; judicial brakes on overreach; and the simmering struggle within American conservatism to define its future.