NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-04-2025 9PM EST

Episode Date: February 5, 2025

NPR News: 02-04-2025 9PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump is back in Washington, pursuing major policy changes on his own terms. We know from the past that means challenging precedent, busting norms, and pushing against the status quo. NPR is covering it all with Trump's Terms, a podcast where we curate stories about the 47th president with a focus on how he is upending the way Washington works. Listen to Trump's Term terms from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Democratic lawmakers are decrying Elon Musk, the

billionaire and close advisor to President Trump, whose government efficiency team DOGE is culling federal agencies, including shutting down USAID. But Republicans hold majorities in the Senate and the House and have not pushed back much on Musk so far. And Barres Elena Moore reports on how Democrats are using their limited power to drive opposition. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says Democrats are sounding the alarm. Whatever Doge is doing, it's not democracy.

We know what democracy is like. It's out in the open. It's not secret. Democratic senators like Chris Murphy are speaking out. I worry that the American public is not going to rise up against this seizure of power if they see Democrats collaborating with Republicans on the floor of the Senate on a regular basis to pass legislation or support nominees. Murphy says if Democrats can raise public sentiment, it could move some Republican lawmakers to oppose Trump-backed nominees or legislation.

But that has yet to happen. Alaina Moore, NPR News. This week, President Trump began exploring dramatic cuts to the Department of Education and agencies repeatedly threatened to shut down NPR's Schenacchietta reports. What is taught in America's classrooms is already up to states. Federal law has said so since 1965, and the restrictions on the federal government to determine what can be taught in schools have only become firmer. The Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA, was enacted near the end of Obama's second term. It clearly forbids the federal government

from playing any role in determining state or local curricula. And Trump isn't the first president to suggest closing the Department of Education. Republicans have been calling for it to be shut down basically since it was established in 1979. Now, if that suggestion comes in the form of an executive action, the decision would lie in Congress's hands. Janaki Mehta, NPR News. Google has dropped a commitment not to use its artificial intelligence systems for surveillance or weapons. As NPR's Bobby Allen explains, the tech giant says its new policies are aimed at protecting people and supporting national security.

Back in 2018, when it was revealed that AI developed by Google was being used by the U.S. military's drone program, the backlash was swift. Both Google employees and outside groups put pressure on the company to end the relationship. And it did, with guidelines stating it would no longer work with the government on drone projects. Now, Google has reversed its decision. In an update to its ethics guidelines, Google removed a ban on using company AI for weapons, surveillance, or any other uses that could cause harm. In a blog post about the move, Google executives wrote that the company will respect international law and human rights, but that there's global demand to use its technology to support national security.

Bobby Allen, NPR News. The stocks close higher on Wall Street today. The Dow is up 134 points. You're listening to NPR. The State Department has begun the process of withdrawing all USAID personnel stationed overseas by this weekend. Plan to recall overseas staff was described to NPR by current and former government officials not authorized to speak publicly who feared retribution.

Seth Green, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, wrote in an email to staff today saying, quote, I understand the feasibility concerns, as well as the emotional toll this will take on those impacted. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The order is the latest move by the Trump administration

to dismantle USAID. Syria's interim president traveled to neighboring Turkey as part of an expanding quest for assistance to rebuild his war-ravaged country. The NPR's Greg Myrie reports a new Syrian leader has been reaching out to countries across the region. A day after visiting Saudi Arabia, Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharah, stopped in Turkey. Syria needs assistance on multiple fronts, and Turkey is well positioned to help. Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country could provide security assistance and economic support though

he didn't give details. Turkish construction companies could play a key role in the massive rebuilding campaign needed for Syrian cities and towns. Some three million Syrian war refugees are still in Turkey which wants them to return home. Shiraz led the rebels that ousted Syria's dictator in December, and Erdogan said, quote, a new page has been opened in the region. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Damascus. Critical futures prices closed lower, oiled down 46 cents a barrel to 72.70 a barrel. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.

It's a new year, and according to Pew, 79% of resolutions are about one thing, health. But there are so many fads around how to keep ourselves healthy. On It's Been a Minute, I'm helping you understand why some of today's biggest wellness trends are, well, trending. Like, why is there protein in everything? Join me as we uncover what's healthy and what's not on the It's Been a Minute podcast from NPR.