Ukraine-Russia Peace, Noncitizens And Due Process, Khartoum Destroyed

Summary

Up First from NPR: April 25, 2025

NPR's "Up First" delivers the three biggest stories of the day with in-depth reporting and analysis. In this episode released on April 25, 2025, hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin, and A Martinez delve into critical global and domestic issues: the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict and peace negotiations, the Trump administration's immigration policies affecting noncitizens, and the devastating civil war in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.

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1. Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations

Overview: The episode opens with an update on the fraught peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The Trump administration is pressing Ukraine to accept a peace deal favorable to the Kremlin, insisting that concessions are necessary for a swift resolution. Ukraine, however, maintains that a ceasefire must be established before any peace agreement can be considered.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Stance on Peace: President Trump has publicly urged for a quick peace deal, emphasizing that Russia is already making significant concessions by not fully occupying Ukrainian territories. “Russia is making a pretty big concession by not occupying all of Ukraine,” Trump stated (02:22).

• Ukrainian Resistance: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains steadfast, refusing to cede territories occupied by Russian forces despite Trump’s demands. “Ukrainians live here,” insisted a Ukrainian citizen, emphasizing the illegitimacy of Russian occupation (03:24).

• Impact of Recent Attacks: A recent missile strike by Russia on Kyiv resulted in the deaths of at least twelve people, heightening tensions and skepticism among Ukrainians about the efficacy of U.S. support. Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on social media for the attack but reiterated his push for Ukraine to accept concessions (02:22).

• Local Perspectives: In Kyiv, residents like Maria Rumyantsova expressed frustration, linking the escalation of Russian attacks to the Trump administration's approach to peace talks. “Russian attacks on Ukraine seem to have escalated after Trump started accommodating Russia in peace talks,” she shared (02:51).

• Zelenskyy’s Position: Despite external pressures, Zelenskyy seeks peace but insists on security guarantees from the U.S. to prevent future invasions. He has agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire brokered by the U.S., which Russia has yet to accept (03:46).

Insights: The segment underscores the delicate balance between achieving peace and ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty. Trump's approach, perceived as accommodative towards Russia, has sparked concern among Ukrainians who fear their hard-won territories might be compromised for a quick resolution.

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2. Trump Administration’s Immigration Policies: Noncitizens and Due Process

Overview: The second story examines the Trump administration’s aggressive campaign for mass deportations, highlighting the administration's stance on due process for noncitizens. The administration argues that due process rights, traditionally afforded to U.S. citizens, should not extend to noncitizens facing deportation.

Key Points:

• Mass Deportation Efforts: The Trump administration is actively pursuing the deportation of noncitizens, moving swiftly to arrest, detain, and remove individuals from the country. “Officials are moving quickly to arrest, detain and remove people from the country,” Michelle Martin reports (05:32).

• Administration's Position: High-ranking officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, have declared that due process protections are exclusive to U.S. citizens. Miller referred to the judicial process as a “fake legal process” when discussed by Vice President J.D. Vance (06:02).

• Constitutional Concerns: Critics argue that the Fifth Amendment guarantees due process for all persons, regardless of citizenship status. Muzaffar Chishti from the Migration Policy Institute warns that undermining due process for noncitizens sets a dangerous precedent (06:50).

• Risk of Errors: Ashley Tabadour, a former immigration judge, highlighted the risks of wrongful deportations, emphasizing that “errors that can cost someone's life” are too significant to ignore (08:12).

• Notable Cases: The deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly sent to El Salvador despite an immigration judge’s decision against his deportation, exemplifies the potential for grave errors under the administration’s policies (08:15).

• Policy Changes: The administration has increased the number of individuals removable without a court hearing and terminated contracts providing legal services to minors without legal status. Additionally, over 100 court staff, including judges, have been dismissed or resigned, further eroding due process protections (08:35).

Insights: This segment highlights a contentious shift in U.S. immigration policy, raising profound legal and ethical questions about the right to due process. The administration's efforts to expedite deportations contrast sharply with constitutional mandates, potentially undermining foundational legal protections.

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3. Civil War in Sudan: Destruction of Khartoum

Overview: The final story focuses on the ongoing civil war in Sudan, specifically the systematic destruction of the capital city, Khartoum. NPR correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu provides a harrowing account of the devastation and humanitarian crisis resulting from two years of intense conflict.

Key Points:

• State of Khartoum: Once a vibrant city with over six million inhabitants, Khartoum has been decimated by two years of war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Emmanuel Akinwotu describes the city as “utterly devastating and surreal” (10:12).

• Destruction and Looting: The RSF’s occupation left Khartoum almost entirely empty, with significant destruction to infrastructure including the presidential palace, hospitals, schools, museums, and even the airport. The RSF were also involved in widespread looting, removing thousands of ancient artifacts and stripping buildings for materials like copper (10:12).

• Humanitarian Crisis: The conflict has precipitated the worst famine in decades, according to the United Nations. Hospitals like Al Buluk Hospital are overwhelmed, seeing patient numbers skyrocket from 4,000 to 30,000-36,000 per month. Dr. Ahmed Hologi reported the strain on medical facilities, highlighting the dire state of healthcare (12:28).

• Impact on Civilians: Residents like bakery owner Yusuf Aldi recount the RSF’s looting and appropriation of their businesses, leaving properties destroyed and communities in disarray (11:56).

• Shift in Fighting: While major combat in Khartoum has ceased, fighting has intensified in the outskirts and the western region of Darfur, a historically volatile area with ethnic tensions and past genocidal actions by the RSF (12:45).

• Humanitarian Efforts: Efforts to rebuild and clear debris are ongoing, but the city remains largely uninhabitable with shortages of power, water, and essential services. Teams are still finding unexploded ordnance and human remains, making recovery efforts perilous (11:21).

Insights: The civil war in Sudan has not only obliterated the infrastructure of Khartoum but has also plunged the nation into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The conflict’s legacy of destruction and displacement underscores the urgent need for international intervention and support to stabilize the region and rebuild affected communities.

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Conclusion

This episode of Up First provides a comprehensive overview of critical issues impacting both global and domestic spheres. From the fragile peace negotiations in Ukraine and the contentious U.S. immigration policies to the catastrophic war in Sudan, NPR delivers in-depth analysis and firsthand accounts that inform and engage listeners. Through notable quotes and detailed reporting, the episode paints a vivid picture of the current state of these pressing matters, offering valuable insights for those seeking to understand the complexities of today's news landscape.

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Notable Quotes:

• “Russia is making a pretty big concession by not occupying all of Ukraine.” – President Trump (02:22)

• “Russian attacks on Ukraine seem to have escalated after Trump started accommodating Russia in peace talks.” – Maria Rumyantsova (02:51)

• “Ukrainians live here.” – Ukrainian Citizen (03:24)

• “Errors that can cost someone's life.” – Michelle Martin (08:12)

• “He really, like, had the best interest of the people as a whole, Catholic and everyone and the planet.” – Kelly Gaffigan (13:36)

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Up First continues to be a vital source of news, providing listeners with concise yet thorough coverage of the day's most important stories. Subscribe and listen daily to stay informed.

Transcript

[Michelle Martin]

The Trump administration is demanding that Ukraine accept a peace deal favoring the Kremlin. Ukraine says a ceasefire must be in place first.

[Martinez]

With so little progress on the ceasefire, is there still a chance for peace?

[Michelle Martin]

I'm Michelle Martin. That's a Martinez. And this is up first from NPR News. President Trump says it's not possible for all of the people he wants to deport to get a trial. Top officials in his administration have said that due process is only for US Citizens. What rights do noncitizens have in this process?

[Martinez]

And the civil war in Sudan started in the capital city of Khartoum. After two years of brutal fighting, the once vibrant city is in ruins. NPR is one of the few Western news outlets to gain access to the city to see the destruction. We'll have a report from our correspondent. Stay with us. We've got all the news you need to start today.

[Joanna Kakisis]

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[Michelle Martin]

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[Martinez]

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[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

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[Martinez]

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[Martinez]

Ukraine is marking a day of mourning today.

[Michelle Martin]

At least 12 people died in Russian drone and missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. President Trump scolded Russian President Vladimir Putin on social media for the attacks. Trump says he wants peace quickly. He says Ukraine must accept concessions and that Russia is making a pretty big concession by not occupying all of Ukraine.

[Martinez]

NPR's Ukraine correspondent Joanna Kakis joins us now from Kyiv. Joanna, tell us more about this latest Russian attack on Capitol.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Well a, there is a lot of anger and grief here is to be expected. We spoke with 40 year old Maria Rumyantsova, who scrambled to evacuate her elderly mother before a Russian missile destroyed their home. She said Russian attacks on Ukraine seem to have escalated after Trump started accommodating Russia in peace talks. And she had this question for President Trump.

[Martinez]

How do I get my mother, a.

[Stephen Miller]

Disabled person in a wheelchair, down from the second floor to the first floor.

[Martinez]

To the bomb shelter alone in eight minutes?

[Ximena Bustillo]

We also spoke to Olena Kurkovska, who ran out of her home in her bathrobe just before the walls caved in. She believes Trump is sacrificing Ukraine for a quick deal.

[Michelle Martin]

Trump is simply selling Ukraine and giving it away. And Ukraine cannot give up its territories even though these are occupied.

[Ximena Bustillo]

This is our territory.

[Michelle Martin]

Ukrainians live here.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Now. Most Ukrainians refuse to recognize Ukrainian land occupied by Russia as part of Russia. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to accept demands by the Trump administration to do so.

[Martinez]

Therefore, this attack, Trump blamed Zelensky for prolonging the war, and he was largely seen as accommodating Russian demands. Has this attack changed that at all?

[Ximena Bustillo]

Well, no. I mean, Trump did chide Putin on social media for the attack, but he also said that Russia is already making a big concession by not occupying all of Ukraine. And statements like this obviously make Ukrainians very nervous, especially coming from the leader of the US which was once Ukraine's strongest single ally. Now, Zelenskyy says his country wants peace. He has agreed to an unconditional 30 day ceasefire brokered by the US last month, something Russia did not agree to. And Zelensky's team is finalizing a mineral minerals deal that could make the US a lot of money. So in Ukraine wants the US to provide security guarantees so Russia does not invade their country again. But the Trump administration so far is only offering vague promises.

[Martinez]

And I remember being in Kyiv with you, Joanna, three years ago, and everyone I spoke to just told me how much they love America. I mean, adoration for America. I'm wondering now if Ukrainians still have that optimism about the US Coming to their aid at this point.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Well, I'm still hearing some hope. In the northeastern city of Sumy recently, I spoke to Commander Oleg Shirayev. He is with the 225th separate assault brigade. And here's what he had to say. He's saying, I do not believe in friendship between the United States and Russia. It is impossible. He said such a friendship defies history and the interests of the West. But when I pressed him about the US Cutting off military aid to Ukraine last month, he admitted that this could happen again. And then he said, Ukraine will try to defend itself on its own as long as it can.

[Martinez]

That's NPR's Joanna Kakisis. In Kyiv. Joanna, thanks.

[Ximena Bustillo]

You're welcome.

[Martinez]

President Trump is working hard to implement a campaign promise for mass deportations.

[Michelle Martin]

Officials are moving quickly to arrest, detain and remove people from the country. But critics say such fast action skirts due process that all people in the U.S. should receive.

[Martinez]

NPR's immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo joins us now to unpack all of this. So, Ximena, has the administration addressed what due process means for their mass deportation goals?

[Stephen Miller]

Yes. Earlier this week, Trump said that it wasn't possible for all the people he wants to remove to get a trial.

[Martinez]

And I hope we get cooperation from.

[Ximena Bustillo]

The courts because, you know, we have.

[Stephen Miller]

Thousands of people that are ready to.

[Michelle Martin]

Go out and you can't have a.

[Martinez]

Trial for all of these people.

[Stephen Miller]

Vice President J.D. vance went as far as to call it a, quote, fake legal process on social media. And in another post, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has said the judicial process is for Americans. Immediate deportation is for illegal aliens. But critics broadly point to the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution that states that no person can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. The administration seems to be banking on Americans believing that noncitizens don't get the same due process as citizens. That's according to Muzaffar Chishti from the Migration Policy Institute.

[Joanna Kakisis]

That may be politically a good slogan.

[Martinez]

Unfortunately, Constitution does not make any distinction between citizens and non citizens for the.

[Stephen Miller]

Application of the protections of due process and judicial review. The ultimate concern, he says, is that if you strip due process for one group, that's a slippery slope for others.

[Martinez]

All right, so let's get into that, because let's assume that some people are good with the argument that due process rights are not owed to everyone. What's the argument then about why that's not just incorrect, that it is a slippery slope for absolutely everyone?

[Stephen Miller]

You know, put simply, because mistakes are made, it's central to the Constitution that if the government makes any accusation, people accused have a chance to respond. Immigration courts were designed specifically as a neutral space where both the government and immigrants could both make their cases. Not every person gets the same rights, though. It's a spectrum of rights. You know, law experts tell me it depends on how long you've been in the country and other factors. I spoke with Ashley Tabadour. She's a former immigration judge, and she said the government can't just act on the basis of allegations.

[Michelle Martin]

Government is not immune from making errors and errors that can cost someone's life. So what is at stake is oftentimes a life and death situation.

[Martinez]

Are there any examples of such errors already?

[Stephen Miller]

You know, the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia brought the question of due process to the forefront. In 2019, an immigration judge had decided that he could not be deported to El Salvador. But last month, officials arrested him within days and by mistake, he was sent to a prison in El Salvador. Other lawyers fighting Trump's policies have alleged their clients didn't have deportation orders yet and were due in court, and suddenly they ended up in other countries. And lawyers have told me that they've defended citizens or others with legal status who got arrested or detained when they shouldn't have. But Trump administration is making other changes, too. They increased the number of people who can be removed without a court hearing, and they've terminated contracts that provide legal services to over 20,000 minors without legal status. And they fired and accepted resignations from over 100 court staff, including dozens of judges. Critics warn that erodes those due process protections America was founded on.

[Martinez]

That's NPR's immigration policy reporter, Ximena Bustillo. Thanks a lot.

[Stephen Miller]

Thank you.

[Michelle Martin]

Our final story this morning doesn't often make it into the headlines in the US Although a lot of people have argued it should.

[Martinez]

Sudan's capital city of Khartoum has been systematically destroyed. The once vibrant city at the junction of the White and Blue Nile has been hollowed out after two years of civil war.

[Michelle Martin]

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are already started in Khartoum. Then over a month ago, in a major shift, the city was liberated by the Sudanese army. Now, for the first time, the outside world is getting a glimpse of what has been left behind. NPR is one of the few Western news outlets that's made it into Khartoum.

[Martinez]

With us now is NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu, who has just returned from there and joins us now from the de facto capital of Port Sudan. So tell us, Emmanuel, what you saw as you traveled through Khartoum.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

Good morning. It's utterly devastating and surreal. Before Khartoum became the center of the war, this was a really vibrant, proud, historic city, over 6 million people. But then two years of war between these two former allies and then occupation by the Rapid Support forces until just the last month really has left the city emptied, almost eerie. Swathes of it are torched, damaged, destroyed by artillery and gunfire. And this is from everyday areas to the presidential palace to hospitals, schools, museums, even the airport has been burnt to a crisp. Before the RSF were forced out of Khartoum, they stripped the city almost like locusts, looting it to a degree that's honestly just really hard to grasp. And that's from the National Museum, where they took tens of thousands of ancient artifacts and even down to electric wires ripped from the walls in almost every building that they occupied, and they strip them for copper. The city is without power. There's a shortage of water, virtually no state services, although they're gradually returning.

[Martinez]

So if the city is missing power, shortage of water, I mean, basic services, I mean, can people return?

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

Well, there are tractors at the moment clearing debris, teams of sweepers cleaning the streets, and they're still finding unexploded bombs and human remains. But you're right, it's mostly uninhabitable. There's a trickle of people returning, but mainly to find out or confront what's happened to their property and their belongings. We went to a bakery and spoke to the owner, Yusuf Aldi. He said the RSF looted his home above the shop and they lived there. And for a period, they even kept the bakery open and ran it like it was their own business.

[Martinez]

Emmanuel, also wondering about what you may have witnessed around the humanitarian crisis. I mean, the United nations says Sudan is experiencing the worst famine anywhere in the world in decades.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

Yes, it's unprecedented. We visited the Al Buluk Hospital, which is the main and largest pediatric health facility in the Khartoum state region. The wards were packed with malnourished children. The hospitals expanded again and again through the war, but it's still overwhelmed. I spoke to the lead, Dr. Ahmed Hologi, at the beginning of January 1.

[Michelle Martin]

2024, we serve like 4,000 patients per month. Now it's 30 to 36,000 per month.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

So the fighting has stopped in Khartoum, but the toll of the war is really just coming to the surface. And, of course, the fighting continues.

[Martinez]

Tell us about where the fighting has shifted.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

Well, it's shifted to the outskirts of the capital region and has become really intense towards the western region of Darfur, which is overwhelmingly controlled by the RSF. It's where there was a genocide 20 years ago by Arab militias that evolved into the RSF against African ethnic groups. And it's happening again now, according to the UN, US and others.

[Martinez]

That's NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu in Sudan. Thank you very much.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

Thank you.

[Martinez]

Mourners from around the world are lining up to see Pope Francis lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica.

[Michelle Martin]

The Vatican said more than 90,000 people had paid their respects by yesterday evening, waiting in long lines for hours. Among them was Kelly Gaffigan from Virginia. Here's how she said she'll remember Francis.

[Joanna Kakisis]

He really, like, had the best interest of the people as a whole, Catholic and everyone and the planet. And even though that rubbed people the wrong way, I think he was always doing what was best for us in our world.

[Martinez]

When the viewing ends tonight, the coffin will be sealed for the funeral mass Saturday morning. That will be a traditional Catholic requiem mass for the dead, with prayers mostly in Latin, but also in Chinese, Polish, Portuguese and Arabic.

[Michelle Martin]

Then nine days of official mourning begins, leading up to the papal conclave. Once the conclave gets underway, voting cardinals are sequestered in a Sistine Chapel and a nearby house until a new pope is selected.

[Martinez]

This Sunday on Up First, a whistleblower inside the federal government shares evidence that Doge employees may have taken sensitive data from government computers and cover their tracks.

[Joanna Kakisis]

Unfortunately, because of the way that the.

[Michelle Martin]

Database was manipulated, there's really no way to tell where that data is.

[Martinez]

Now, what the whistleblower found this weekend on the Sunday Story right here in the Upverse podcast. And that's up first for Friday, April 25th. I'm Imi Martinez.

[Michelle Martin]

And I'm Michelle Martin. And a reminder, up first airs on weekends, too. Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon will have the news. Look for it wherever you get your podcasts.

[Martinez]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Tara Neal, Anna Yukoninoff, Rylan Barton, Jan Johnson and Janaya Williams. It was produced by Ziad Buch, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Our executive producer is Jay Shaylor. Have a great weekend, everyone.

[Joanna Kakisis]

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