NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-21-2025 9PM EST

Episode Date: February 22, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Herbst. President Trump is shaking up the leadership of the Pentagon. Today firing the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General CQ Brown Jr., the second black chair of the Joint Chiefs, as well as Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first black woman to serve as chief of naval operations. On social media, Trump thanked the four-star fighter pilot for his service and nominated Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Cain for the job. It's a highly unusual move. Joint chiefs of staff, chairman, traditionally keep their jobs as administrations

change, regardless of political party. Trump has long insisted that the military's leadership is too focused on diversity issues and has lost sight of its role as a combat force. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously criticized General Brown and said Frank Heddy was selected for her post because of her gender. Meanwhile, a federal judge has blocked a sweeping executive order from President Trump, ending government support for programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, saying it likely violates free speech rights. Judge Adam Abelson granted the injunction as the suit plays out.

Trump signed an executive order on his first day directing federal agencies to terminate all equity-related grants or contracts. And Trump has been in office for a month now, and with a flurry of executive actions and orders, he's working to remake the federal government. Thousands of federal workers have been laid off and funding cuts to numerous agencies. This is federal workers unions and attorneys general from around this country go to court to try to stop the measures. Now in Piers Domenico Montanaro reports, a new poll out this week shows Trump's support may be waning. The bottom line is that it looks like that the honeymoon for Trump appears to be over.

The country has largely always been split on Trump, slight majority disapproving. And that's what we saw in back-to-back polls with CNN and Washington Post Ipsos. People were split on Trump's approach to immigration, but both polls found a majority think that he's exceeding his power as president. CNN's poll also found that 62% think that he hasn't done enough to reduce the price of goods. Danielle Pletka And Piers Domenico Montanaro. In Los Angeles, the country's new district attorney says he opposes a new trial for the Menendez brothers, accused of brutally killing their parents in 1989. Steve Butterman has more.

Steve Butterman In his first comments on the case, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hockman presented a much less sympathetic view of the brothers than his predecessor. The brothers claim there is new evidence to show that they were sexually abused by their father Jose, which they say led to the killings. Hawkman, at a news conference, says even if that's true, it does not justify the murders. Sexual abuse in this situation, while it may have been a motivation, does not constitute self-defense. A hearing is set for next month where a judge will consider whether to reduce the brother's

life in prison without parole. Steve Futterman reporting from Los Angeles. You're listening to NPR News. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessette has held a video call with a senior Chinese official this week. The two countries are once again in a trade standoff after the U.S. imposed a 10 percent tariff on all Chinese imports. And here's Emily Fang has more. Emily Fang China said the call was initiated by the U.S. and China's Vice Premier He Lifeng, who heads U.S.-China trade issues in Beijing, quote, expressed serious concern on the call about what it called, quote, restrictive measures, the 10% tariffs.

China's been trying to negotiate with the US to head off the tariffs. Trump is also threatening additional tariffs on medicines, electric vehicles, and steel and aluminum that would also affect China. But only about 2.9% of China's annual economic activity comes from exports to the U.S. and the 10% tariffs are so far lower than the tariffs of up to 25%. Trump levied on China during his first term. Plus, China spent the last five years trying to prove itself against trade wars and is more prepared in Trump's second term to deal with American tariffs.

Emily Fang and NPR News, Washington. Ford is recalling nearly a quarter million vehicles because of a faulty seatbelt assembly. The audio maker says anchors for the seatbelts were improperly secured, meaning an occupant might not be restrained properly in a crash. The recall involves Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs from model years 2020 and 2021. Ford, though, says it's not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the defects. All Street, Sharply Lower by the closing bell, the Dow down 748 points.

I'm Janine Herbst, NPR News in Washington.