NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-10-2025 10PM EDT

Episode Date: March 11, 2025

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Hey, I'm Scott Schaefer. And I'm Marisa Lagos. We host Political Breakdown. With the 2024 election over and President Trump in the White House, there's going to be a lot to keep up with this year. Political Breakdown has got you covered. We'll bring smart analysis, a wide range of voices, and even some laughs. Join us for Political Breakdown every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from KQED, part of the

NPR Network. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Department of Health and Human Services is offering employees a $25,000 lump sum to leave their jobs. More from NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin. On Friday, federal health agency workers received an unsigned email with a buyout offer. The email was obtained by NPR. The subject line read, please read immediately.

It said a deadline of Friday, March 14th to decide whether to take the buyout. It mentioned the same deadline for workers to choose early retirement. Workers can receive up to $25,000 in a lump sum, although if they work for the federal government again within five years, they have to pay the full amount back.

The Social Security Administration announced a similar offer to employees on its website, and the Department of Education has reportedly sent similar emails. The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to NPR's request for details about the program. Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR News, Washington. Officials with the National Endowment for Democracy said they can now access some of their promised funding. It was frozen as part of the Trump administration's drastic federal cuts, NPR's Emily Fangasmore. The NED lawsuit last week said the Trump administration unlawfully denied them access to about $167

million in funds that were legally mandated to be spent before a certain time, and another 72 million dollars in funding Congress had already allocated to the Democracy Foundation. NED says it can now access the latter. NED was founded during the end of the Cold War as a way to spread democratic values globally by funding civil society in the U.S. and abroad. President Trump and his allies like Elon Musk allege the foundation promotes leftist values and regime change. Emily Fang and Peer News.

The organization had sued or following the Democracy Foundation sued the Trump administration. Canadian province of Ontario is adding a 25% tariff on the energy exports to New York, Minnesota and Michigan. Rebecca Redelmeyer of member station WSKG reports in response, some local officials demanding an end to the escalating trade war. Ontario premier Doug Ford said he is retaliating against President Donald Trump's planned tariffs on some Canadian exports.

Until these tariffs are off the table, until the threat of tariffs is gone for good, Ontario will not relent. Ford said the energy surcharge will add an average of $70 per month to the energy bills of 1.5 million American homes and businesses. In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement urging Trump to immediately rescind his tariff threats. Both Democrats voice concern the tariffs will drive up Americans' utility bills. For NPR News, I'm Rebecca Rettelmeier in Ithaca, New York.

The major sell-off on Wall Street continued today. The Dow was down nearly 900 points. You're listening to NPR. The Trump administration has been warning the arrest and possible deportation of a Palestinian activist who helped lead protests at Columbia University will be the first of many to come. Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, or ICE, over the weekend and is currently being held in Louisiana. Mahmoud's legal team, including attorney Amy Greer, filed motions seeking to require he be

returned to New York with a court hearing set for Wednesday. Greer tonight sang the remarks by government officials, including the president on social media, only confirmed the purpose and illegality of Mahmoud's detention. A county in Washington state is being sued for allegedly violating a state law that limits local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Gustavo Segarro of Member Station KUOW reports. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown says his office has spent years trying to get Adams County to follow state law, which leaves federal authorities in charge of enforcing immigration laws.

Which are important and the federal government has an obligation to enforce properly, but it is not a state function. It has never been a state function. State law does allow local governments to work with federal immigration officials in certain cases, like taking down trafficking rings. Adams County has appointed an outside attorney with ties to America First Legal,

founded by Trump aide Stephen Miller. The Adams County Sheriff said in a statement that the lawsuit is a quote, "'disappointing attempt to hinder our ability to uphold public safety. For NPR News, I'm Gustavo Sagrero in Seattle. Crude oil futures prices followed the general market lower today. Oil was down over a dollar a barrel to settle at $66.03 a barrel in New York. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.

Hey, it's Amartinez. I work on a news show. And yeah, the news can feel like a lot on any given day. NPR News in Washington.