NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, February 20, 2025

Episode Date: February 21, 2025

Hamas returns four hostages killed in captivity, including Bibas brothers; Zelenskyy meets with Trump envoy in Ukraine as questions swirl about US support; Mexico ramps up troop levels at US-Mexico border; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, President Trump's whirlwind first month back in office. The dramatic cut to the federal government. Billionaire Elon Musk center stage at CPAC with a golden chainsaw. More than 70 executive orders signed. IRS employees, the latest target of the administration's mass layoffs. The potential impact in the heart of tax season. Plus the deep cuts at national parks. It could mean life or death for someone who's

having an emergency. The warning at Yosemite and other iconic parks ahead of the busy spring travel season. The controversial confirmation of Kash Patel narrowly approved as director of the FBI. The unnerving scene as Hamas returned four bodies, the youngest victims of the October 7th attack among them. All of it happening as multiple bus explosions rock Tel Aviv. An exclusive look inside a trafficking tunnel as illegal crossings plummet. But can more troops on the Mexico side stem the flow of drugs? Our report from the border.

The state of New York suing major vape companies, accusing them of targeting kids and fueling an epidemic. Walmart's warning on the economy as the Dow falls, soaring egg prices, causing bakeries to pay a lot more dough. And there's good news tonight, the reunion for a baby seal who crossed the road. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. It has been just one month since President Trump was sworn into office, almost immediately turning Washington on its head, launching his massive deportation operation,

settling scores with those he viewed as disloyal, launching a crackdown on DEI initiatives inside and outside government. And taking a budget axe, there are a series of government agencies, the latest the IRS, where many workers are bracing for possible termination during the agency's busiest season. President Trump wearing the blizzard of executive orders as badges of honor. Promises made, promises kept, claiming to have found massive government fraud without direct evidence. But more questions tonight about unintended consequences of his mass layoffs and spending freezes. Peter Alexander starts us off tonight from the White

House. Tonight at a conservative group conference, Elon Musk showing off a chainsaw to celebrate his Department of Government Efficiencies efforts to help President Trump slash the federal government. Musk touting plans to return some of the money saved to taxpayers, though that would require the approval of Congress. It's money that's taken away from things that are destructive to the country and from organizations that hate you to you. That's awesome. It comes as White House officials say the Trump administration is now preparing to fire many IRS workers, some likely from cities outside the nation's capital. The Treasury Secretary is studying the matter

and feels like 3,500 is a small number and probably can get bigger. Democrats are urging the White House not to implement those mass layoffs, warning they could have a catastrophic impact on the filing season. IRS workers like Daniel Sharpenberg in Kansas City say taxpayers will suffer the consequences. The work's going to get backed up, and so private citizens are going to be like the IRS is not doing their job. And it's because we're getting hollowed out. Even one of President Trump's fiercest allies, Fox News host Jesse Waters, just urged the president to rethink the firings after learning a friend, a military veteran, was set to be cut at the Defense Department.

We just need to be a little bit less callous with the way, Harold, we talk about doging people. Roughly 30 percent of all federal employees are veterans, including Marine veteran Andrew Lennox, who was just fired without warning from his job at a VA hospital in Michigan. We're not some deep state that has ulterior motives. I want to go to work. I want to help veterans. Still, the president is showing no interest in slowing down his remaking of the federal government. In his first month month signing more than 73 executive orders with Musk's Doge cost cutters now operating at at least 18 separate departments and agencies. We found billions, tens of billions of dollars of fraud and waste and abuse,

and that's just the beginning. But while Republicans have praised the president for slashing what they view as wasteful spending, the White House has provided no evidence of fraud, which is a crime. Also tonight confirmed by the Senate, the president's FBI director pick Kash Patel, despite stiff opposition from Democrats and two Republicans who've repeatedly questioned his qualifications and his commitment to the Bureau's independence. When everyone else in the first Trump administration said, no, I won't do that, that crosses moral, ethical and legal lines. Kash Patel said, sign me up. And Peter, tonight, another legal victory for the Trump administration as it ramps up those mass firings. Lester,

a federal judge just ruled that President Trump can for now continue those sweeping layoffs of federal employees rejecting a suit brought by several labor unions looking to temporarily halt the firings. Lester. All right, Peter Alexander, thank you. Overseas, a solemn day in Israel as the country received the remains of four bodies, including the two youngest hostages. But according to the Israeli military, their mother was not among them. Hala Ghorani reports the Bibas brothers have become emblematic of the hostage crisis and the devastating war. Tonight, their faces became the symbols of Israel's hostage crisis. Ariel and Kfir Bibas, abducted on October 7th, 2023, alive. The boys, four years old and just shy of nine months at the time, today returning home

in coffins to their father, Yarden Bibas, released earlier this month in a hostage exchange. At Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, it was not a day for celebration. Gil Dickman's cousin, Carmel Gott, was also taken hostage and killed in Gaza last August. For the families, it's a devastating moment and it's a reminder for them that we have to fight for the others. The atmosphere is certainly more solemn than on Saturdays since the signing of the latest deal when live hostages are returned. This time, the country is witnessing the return of deceased captives. The day started inside the devastated enclave, where masked Hamas fighters handed four black-clad coffins over to the Red Cross.

84-year-old activist Oded Lifshitz was among those sent back. He volunteered with a group that would drive Palestinians in need of care to Israeli hospitals. The Israeli military transported the coffins to a forensic facility. The remains of Lifshitz formally identified there. Tests are ongoing for the others. Back at Hostage Square, many tell us death and devastation in Gaza need to end for everyone. We don't want to live in a constant war. It's not good for anyone. We want this war to end. And, Hala, we're hearing tonight that there were explosions on some buses near Tel Aviv. What are officials saying?

Yes, Lester, the police are saying that they are investigating these explosions as a potential terrorist attack. Three devices went off in an empty parking lot. Two were diffused elsewhere. And authorities are scanning other areas for potential objects. Lester. Thank you. In Ukraine, despite diplomatic talks, the situation remains volatile. And after sharp words from President Trump this

week, President Zelensky appears to be changing his tone. Richard Engel has the latest. President Zelensky today welcomed President Trump's envoy, retired General Keith Kellogg. Ukraine hopes the visit will change President Trump's opinions on the war with Russia, who started it and how to end it. But no press conference. It was canceled at the request of the American side, according to a Ukrainian official, apparently to avoid uncomfortable questions about relations between Zelensky and Trump. A dictator without elections. President Trump this week falsely called Zelensky a dictator and said he started the war with Russia, even though Russia invaded Ukraine. Zelensky, in turn, accused Trump of repeating Russian propaganda.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz today called Zelensky ungrateful. It's unacceptable. They need to tone it down. Then Zelensky did tone it down, posting, I am grateful to the United States for all the assistance, adding what's important is that American strength is felt. But at a school 40 feet below ground to protect children from Russian attacks in the eastern city of Kharkiv, Ukrainians told us they worry about losing their biggest ally. Ukrainian civilians are feeling increasingly abandoned by the United States and cut off more each day.

This underground school was built with support from USAID. President Trump put a stop to that. It is all making Ukrainians ask themselves why the United States seems to be turning on them. Olena Svitlichna is one of the administrators. What do you make of what President Trump has been saying about Ukraine? To be honest, we are worried, she said, adding, our houses, our cities are ruined. And they say it's our fault. We are being killed and it's our fault.

Richard Engel, NBC News, Kharkiv, Ukraine. The Trump administration has officially designated several drug cartels, foreign terrorist organizations. It comes as Mexico ramps up troop levels at its border with the U.S. Our Gabe Gutierrez has an exclusive look at the deployment. In Juarez, Mexico tonight, a show of force. This is the Mexican National Guard and Army, part of the 10,000 extra troops deployed by the country's new president, Claudia Scheinbaum, after President Trump threatened a 25 percent tariff on all Mexican goods coming to the U.S. Major Alexander Vasquez Hernandez tells

us he now has a lot of reinforcements, Troops patrolling the border fence and searching for drug and human trafficking tunnels. This one discovered recently, four by six feet, sophisticated with lighting and ventilation. Most of the fentanyl is snuck into the U.S. not through rural areas, but through legal ports of entry. That's why there's an increased military presence here. NBC News granted exclusive access weeks before a 30-day pause in Trump's terror threat is set to expire. Critics say the troops will do little to help crack down on illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl, and instead amount to a wasteful political stunt. Is this all a show for President Trump? We don't have that answer, he says. We're just under orders to maintain a presence. Illegal border crossings dropped dramatically after the U.S. tightened asylum restrictions

during the last part of the Biden administration. Since Trump was re-elected, they've fallen even more, 35 percent from December to January. Trump's borders are now, says they're down to 229 a day, down from a peak of 11,000 a day during President Biden's term. Marcos is a coyote, a human smuggler in southern Mexico who's concealing his face and last name. The troops won't make a difference, he says. It's foolishness. But he does concede Trump's stricter border policies have caused his business to plummet about 80% since Inauguration Day. Do you consider yourself a criminal? No. No, he says. I've never abandoned or robbed anyone. Instead, he considers himself a travel agency that might have to raise prices. And Gabe is just back from Mexico with some new

reporting on the migrants being detained at Guantanamo Bay. What do you know? Yes, Lester, multiple sources tell NBC News they've all been cleared out. 177 deported to Honduras, one more sent back to the U.S. A senior homeland security official says the administration does plan to keep sending migrants to Guantanamo Bay as a staging area. Lester? Okay, Gabe, thank you. We'll be back in 60 seconds. We'll take you to Yosemite, where we are starting to see the impacts of federal cuts on our nation's bustling national parks. What you need to know before booking your trip. That's next. Plus, kids and vaping. The new lawsuit aimed at keeping kids safe.

As the Trump administration pushes to overhaul federal agencies, roughly 1,000 workers have been fired at our national parks. Our Morgan Chesky has more on the impact ahead of the summer rush. Tonight, from Half Dome to Old Faithful and as far as Gettysburg, growing concerns at national parks after roughly 1,000 federal park employees were laid off. In Yosemite, that means less staff to handle crowds who came to see the iconic firefall during a busy holiday week. I really felt like my world was taken out from underneath me. Ola Chamorro blindsided by his termination later Friday. I spent a lot of time squeegeeing the toilets, the bathroom floors out. So after one day of me not being there,

it's already pretty visually disgusting. The abrupt dismissal of probationary park employees sending shockwaves coast to coast. Stacey Ramsey lost her dream job as a ranger at Arkansas' Buffalo National River. It was so sudden and swift. Didn't have time to prepare myself at all for it. So that made it even more difficult. Here in Yosemite, with uncertainty mounting over staffing levels, officials have already put summer reservations on pause for several popular

campgrounds, putting the park's peak summer travel season in potential jeopardy. NBC News spoke with more than a dozen current and former Park Service employees who warn visitors should expect significant impacts due to reduced staffing from upkeep of trails, campgrounds, and restrooms, to longer lines and wait times, and even safety concerns. I'm the only person available to rescue someone, to do CPR, to carry them out from a trail if they got injured. Near Yosemite, Alex Wild was the only certified EMT ranger at Devil's Postpile National Monument.

If you're no longer at the park and an emergency happens, then what? Maybe a local county fire department or search and rescue team could respond and it would take hours. I mean, it could mean life or death for someone who's having an emergency. And tonight, with appeals and a potential class action lawsuit in the works by terminated park employees, the Trump administration defending their actions, saying in part that the president will continue to protect America's abundant natural resources while streamlining federal agencies to better serve the American people. Lester. Quite a view there, Morgan. Thank you. Now to a new lawsuit against 13 major vape manufacturers, distributors and retailers alleging they've been intentionally and illegally marketing

their products to kids. Erin McLaughlin joins us now. Erin, what is the suit claim? Lester, the New York attorney general is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, accusing these companies of knowingly violating federal and state laws, essentially creating a youth vaping epidemic. The AG alleges that companies are targeting minors using bright packaging and candy flavors and stocking them in stores near schools. The lawsuit also claims these companies have long been aware that their products pose serious health risks, especially to young users. Meanwhile, tonight, the American Vapor Manufacturers claims this lawsuit is an attempt to, quote,

deprive adult consumers of the most popular and effective method to quit smoking. OK, Erin, thanks very much. We're back in a moment with a new twist in our nation's egg shortage now costing you more dough on your favorite baked goods. Today, a major announcement from Senator Mitch McConnell. The 83-year-old celebrated his birthday and announced he is retiring after 40 years. McConnell, one of the nation's most powerful Republicans, has suffered a series of falls and other health scares in recent years, but remains, he says, in office until his term is up in 2027. Now to the price you pay as the bird flu crisis grows, small businesses are among the hardest hit. Christine Romans now on how America's bakeries are feeling the sting with every cookie

they bake. Empty shelves, record high prices, and at this bakery in Pittsburgh, a scramble to afford a critical ingredient. We use eggs in almost everything we make here. Darren McMillan runs Grandview Bakery and uses buckets of eggs every day, 90 pounds a week. In January of 2024, the price was $38. This week, the price is $169 for the same amount of eggs. A cost, he says, he can't pass on to his customers, at least for now. Bird flu has wiped out more than 49 million birds across the country in the past five months, sending egg prices at the grocery store from an average $2.52 a dozen last year to $4.95 now.

And the Agriculture Department forecast prices could rise another 20 percent this year. Because the problem only getting worse. We are in the fight of our lives. Emily Metz is the president of the American Egg Board. Our supply is so tight right now. Normally we have over one bird for every American. That's more than 330 million birds. Our flock size has dropped to below 280 million birds. That is a significant drop. The virus is infecting hens that lay eggs and the young chicks that are the next generation. We have to be honest with the American public that there's no quick fix.

We're going to be in this for a while. In the meantime, the top food safety official at FDA resigned this week. USDA fired, accidentally it says, several employees working on the outbreak, now working to hire them back. But for Darren at the bakery, he's just trying to figure out how to absorb sky-high egg prices. When something goes up this drastically, this quickly, there's not a whole lot we can do except eat the cost. And Christine is here, down day in the markets today. Yeah, in the Dow.

This is all about Walmart, the biggest retailer, the biggest employer in the U.S. with its finger on the pulse of the American economy. Walmart said it would not be immune to tariffs. And although the American consumer is resilient, Walmart said there's still plenty of uncertainty. All right, Christine Romans, thank you. When we come back, there's good news tonight for a baby seal safe after a big city detour far from the sea. Finally, there's good news tonight for one baby seal who is sliding into the hearts of America.

Emily Akata was on hand today for an unforgettable reunion. Seals are no strangers to New England, but this was a sighting that Connecticut won't soon forget. Police responding to a stranded gray seal pup in the heart of New Haven. Flopping more than 1300 feet through the city streets earlier this week and popping up several times away from the water in the days before. So he's right in here. Oh my God. He's adorable.

For the first time since the rescue, Officer Justin Giulianelli reuniting today with his newfound friend, now in the care of Mystic Aquarium. Now you hear a lot of different radio transmissions coming across the radio as a cop, but hearing a seal walking down the street is definitely one that takes the cake. And while many joke the seal was chasing New Haven's famous clam pizza, researchers explain. I think that he was trying to go inland to find the nice quiet area and then found himself in the middle of the city. Now Mystic Aquarium is helping the youngster pack and then found himself in the middle of the city. Now, Mystic

Aquarium is helping the youngster pack on the pounds with a delicious diet of fluids. We've got fish smoothie and, of course, herring to help him prepare for the wild. Our camera's capturing a special milestone. Oh my gosh. His first time eating fish on his own. Now that he's getting the carry needs and seeing him get back on his feet, it's a beautiful thing. While the pup will eventually be returned to the ocean, his place in America's heart is sealed. Good luck, buddy. Emily Ikeda, NBC News, Mystic, Connecticut. Oh, my goodness, his little cry really got me. That's nightly news for this Thursday.

Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.