NPR’s Up First - April 18, 2025

Hosts: Layla Fadel, Amy Martinez, Scott Horsley

1. U.S. Senator Visits Illegally Deported Individual in El Salvador

Overview: U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen made a noteworthy trip to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who was deported to the country by the Trump administration. Garcia, who resided in Maryland for approximately 15 years, is currently held in a notorious mega prison in El Salvador. The meeting comes amidst legal battles and political tensions surrounding Garcia's deportation and potential return to the United States.

Detailed Discussion:

• Initial Deportation and Detention:

  • [00:02] Layla Fadel: Introduces the story of Senator Van Hollen’s visit to Garcia.

• Senator Van Hollen’s Mission:

  • [00:08] Scott Horsley: Van Hollen states, “My mission today was simply to see how his health is, what his condition is.”
  • [00:13] Amy Martinez: Queries about Garcia’s potential return.

• Meeting Challenges and Outcome:

  • [02:27] Amy Martinez: Introduces NPR’s Ryland Barton for updates.
  • [02:32] Ryland Barton: Details that soldiers initially blocked Van Hollen’s access to Garcia.
  • [02:51] Scott Horsley: Van Hollen describes being stopped by soldiers, emphasizing his humanitarian intent.
  • [03:06] Ryland Barton: Reports that President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador acknowledged the meeting and confirmed Garcia’s health, allowing him to remain in custody. Senator Van Hollen shared a compassionate message to Garcia’s wife.

• White House Response:

  • [03:50] Amy Martinez: Mentions the White House's stance.
  • [03:59] Ryland Barton: White House spokesman Kush Desai criticizes Democrats for prioritizing Garcia’s welfare, labeling him an “illegal alien ms.13 terrorist.” However, Garcia’s lawyers rebut, noting his lack of a U.S. criminal record.

• Judicial Rulings:

  • [04:06] Ryland Barton: The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals criticized the administration for unjustly deporting U.S. residents to foreign prisons without due process. Judge J. Harvey Wilkinson highlighted the Justice Department’s own admission of the mistake.
  • [04:25] Ryland Barton: Highlights that the administration's arguments against Garcia’s return have been weakened, with potential for further appeals.
  • [04:48] Amy Martinez: Inquires about the court’s opinion on the administration’s non-compliance.
  • [04:53] Ryland Barton: Judge Wilkinson warns of a “slippery slope” where executive actions could undermine the rule of law, advocating for executive branch adherence to legal norms.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Chris Van Hollen: “My mission today was simply to see how his health is, what his condition is.” [00:08]
• Judge J. Harvey Wilkinson: “We are in a moment where the executive and judicial branches are close to grinding irrevocably against one another in a conflict that promises to diminish both.” [04:27]

2. Active Shooter at Florida State University

Overview: A tragic shooting occurred at Florida State University (FSU), resulting in two fatalities and six injuries. The shooter, Phoenix Eichner, a 20-year-old student and son of a local sheriff's deputy, was apprehended after a standoff with law enforcement. This incident reignites debates on campus security and gun control legislation in Florida.

Detailed Discussion:

• Incident Description:

  • [00:28] Amy Martinez: Announces the FSU shooting, with students taking refuge in basements and bathrooms.
  • [00:33] Layla Fadel: Reveals the shooter is the son of a local sheriff's deputy.

• Eyewitness Account:

  • [06:46] Craig Jacobson (FSU Freshman): “We have no idea what's going on. And they said we can go back, but how do I know that campus is safe?” [06:21]

• Law Enforcement Response:

  • [06:15] Greg Allen: Provides a timeline of events, noting the swift police response and campus lockdown.
  • [07:14] Sheriff Walter McNeil: Confirms the shooter’s access to his mother’s weapon and mentions ongoing investigations into additional weapons. [07:28]

• Shooter’s Background:

  • [07:44] Greg Allen: Details that Phoenix Eichner was involved with the Sheriff's Department Youth Advisory Board and had extensive training.
  • [07:56] Sheriff McNeil: Emphasizes the tragedy and commitment to prosecuting the matter. [07:56]

• Motivation and Investigation:

  • [08:10] Greg Allen: Notes that no clear motive has been established, as the shooter refused to communicate post-arrest.

• Reactions from Officials:

  • [08:19] Greg Allen: Shares responses from President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
  • [08:19] Scott Horsley: Quotes DeSantis saying, “We are a strong and united community.”

• Historical Context and Policy Debate:

  • [08:46] Greg Allen: References a 2014 FSU shooting and annual legislative attempts to permit concealed weapons on campuses in Florida.
  • [09:18] Amy Martinez: Highlights the connection to students from the Parkland shooting, adding depth to the ongoing gun control debate.

Notable Quotes:

• Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil: “This event is tragic in more ways than you people in the audience could ever fancy from a law enforcement perspective.” [07:56]
• Governor Ron DeSantis: “We are all Seminoles today.” [08:10]
• President Trump: Describes the shootings as “horrible” but reiterates his support for the Second Amendment. [08:19]

3. President Trump Pressures the Federal Reserve on Interest Rates

Overview: President Trump has publicly criticized the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not reducing interest rates, despite Trump's own tariff policies exacerbating economic challenges. This tension underscores the ongoing debate over the Fed’s independence and its role in managing the U.S. economy.

Detailed Discussion:

• Trump’s Criticism:

  • [09:27] Layla Fadel: Announces Trump’s dissatisfaction with the Federal Reserve.
  • [09:35] Amy Martinez: Reports Trump’s claim of public demand for lower rates and his goal to fire Powell. [09:35]
  • [09:44] Scott Horsley: Describes Trump's social media post seeking Powell’s termination. [09:44]

• Economists’ Perspectives:

  • [10:11] Amy Martinez: Introduces economist Austan Goolsbee for insights.
  • [10:27] Austan Goolsbee: Explains Trump's frustration stems from the Fed maintaining high rates while Europe cuts them, and Trump's tariffs increasing inflation. [10:11]
  • [10:34] Goolsbee: Highlights Powell’s stance on serving until the end of his term and the legal protections against his dismissal. [10:34]

• Defense of Federal Reserve Independence:

  • [11:12] Goolsbee: Argues against Powell being political, emphasizing the Fed’s insulation from political pressures.
  • [11:31] Scott Horsley: Quotes Goolsbee on the necessity of central bank independence, citing global examples where lack thereof led to poor economic outcomes. [11:31]

• Historical Context:

  • [11:47] Goolsbee: References the Nixon era when the Fed succumbed to political pressure, resulting in prolonged high inflation.
  • [12:00] Goolsbee: Mentions Paul Volcker’s decisive actions to control inflation, despite initial public resistance. [12:00]

• Current Economic Challenges:

  • [12:27] Horsley: Emphasizes the real-world impact of Fed decisions on everyday lives.
  • [12:46] Goolsbee: Discusses how Trump’s tariffs complicate the Fed’s efforts to manage inflation, noting rising mortgage rates as an example. [12:46]

Notable Quotes:

• Austan Goolsbee: “Powell and his colleagues are doing their best to respond to what's happening in the economy, not buckling to political pressure.” [11:12]
• Austan Goolsbee: “We saw that in this country during the Richard Nixon era, when the Fed did bow to White House pressure to lower interest rates. And the result was stubbornly high inflation that lasted the better part of a decade.” [11:47]
• Scott Horsley: “This is not just a game. This is not just the markets. What the central bank does, what the Fed does affects real people.” [12:00]

4. Upcoming Feature: Grady Hendrix’s New Novel

Overview: The podcast briefly mentions award-winning horror writer Grady Hendrix’s latest novel, "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls," which delves into the historical period between 1943 and 1973 when unmarried women and young girls were compelled to give birth and place their babies for adoption in maternity homes.

Detailed Discussion:

• Historical Context and Novel Setting:

  • [13:23] Amy Martinez: Highlights Hendrix’s exploration of this harrowing period.
  • [13:42] Ryland Barton: Quotes Hendrix on the emotional trauma faced by young mothers. [13:42]

• Promotion of Upcoming Content:

  • [13:59] Amy Martinez: Announces the feature on "The Sunday Story" where Hendrix discusses his book. [13:59]

Notable Quotes:

• Grady Hendrix (via Ryland Barton): “The fact that millions of kids were born in these homes and that these were kids, you know, these were girls and they were 14 and 15 and 13 years old. And we were telling them, give up your baby, never think about it again. I mean, that's impossible for a mother to do.” [13:42]

Conclusion

NPR’s Up First delivered a comprehensive update on critical issues affecting the United States, including the controversial deportation and detention of an American resident in El Salvador, a tragic active shooter incident at Florida State University, and the escalating tension between President Trump and the Federal Reserve over monetary policy. Additionally, the podcast teased an upcoming literary feature exploring a dark chapter in reproductive history. The episode underscored themes of justice, public safety, economic policy, and historical reflection, providing listeners with in-depth analysis and diverse perspectives on pressing national matters.

Notable Contributors:

• Layla Fadel
• Amy Martinez
• Scott Horsley
• Ryland Barton
• Greg Allen
• Austan Goolsbee
• Walter McNeil

Produced by: Ziad Bunch, Nia Dumas, and Christopher Thomas

Editing: Villa Marks, Susanna Capilouto, Rafael Naom, Mohammed Zadbadisi, and Janae Williams

Engineering Support: Damien Herring

Executive Producer: Jay Shaylor

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