NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-19-2025 10AM EDT

Episode Date: March 19, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korova Coleman. The Justice Department has a deadline in two hours to respond to a federal judge. He's demanding more information about deportation flights last weekend. The judge had ordered the Trump administration not to use a rarely used wartime power to deport the migrants. NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran reports. Federal Judge James Bolzberg has questioned whether the Trump administration violated his orders from Saturday to turn around the flights carrying alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a US-designated

foreign terror group in Venezuela. The Trump administration has now partially replied. The DOJ provided a sworn declaration that no one was deported under the Alien Enemies Act after Judge Bolzberg's written order. But Judge Bolzberg wants more details about the first two flights. He ordered a response by noon Wednesday. He wants to know when the flights left US airspace and when they landed in El Salvador. He also wants to know how many people aboard were subject to the Alien Enemies Act. Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News.

Another federal judge has moved a high-profile deportation case to New Jersey. Former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil led pro-Palestinian protests. He has been held in Louisiana. Federal immigration officials are seeking to deport the legal permanent resident. He has not been accused of any crime. The media organization Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, is suing the United States Agency for Global Media, or USAGM.

The organization counters state media run by repressive governments such as Russia. But the Trump administration through USAGM has pulled the funding. Steve Capus is the CEO of Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty. He says USAGM is violating the will of Congress. Steve Capus, CEO, Radio Free Europe, USAGM Simply put, this was an unlawful act. USAGM does not have the ability to go around Congress. Congress has appropriated our funds. It's very clearly laid out in the budget, and we expect our funding. USAGM is simply in the position to administer a grant of congressionally appropriated funds. He spoke to NPR's Morning Edition. Stocks opened higher today as investors await the

latest economic forecast from the Federal Reserve. NPR's Scott Horsley has more. Fed policymakers are widely expected to hold interest rates steady this afternoon when they wrap up a two-day policy meeting. Investors will be watching to see what members the rate-setting committee have to say about where they think inflation, unemployment, and economic growth are heading in the months to come. General Mills' new forecast is not exactly the breakfast of champions. The maker of Wheaties and other pantry staples offered a downbeat look ahead for 2025, saying shoppers are feeling uncertain. President Trump has attempted to fire the two Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission in what could become a key test of the president's power over independent

agencies. The ousted commissioners have promised a legal challenge saying they can only be fired for cause. Scott Horsley in Per News, Washington. You're listening to NPR. Renowned folk musician Aurelia Martinez of Honduras has died in a plane crash. He was 55. Martinez was a respected proponent of a tradition from the Caribbean coast of Central America. It dates back to the 17th century.

And Pérez Félix Contreras has this remembrance. The Garifuna culture of Central America is a mix of West African indigenous and other cultures. And Aurelio Martinez was considered the most recognized cultural ambassador for that tradition. He grew up in a remote area of northern Honduras, moved to the provincial capital of La Ceba to study music, then launched his career alongside musician Andy Palacios of Belize performing and promoting Garifuno culture. In 2005 he took a break from music to become the first Afro-Honduran elected to the country's National Congress.

His return to music included international tours, songwriting workshops for Garifuno youth, and even an appearance on NPR's Tiny Desk concert series in 2015. Felix Contreras, NPR News. There is a big change coming at the Social Security Administration. Officials say starting March 31st, people who want to sign up for benefits or change their bank information can no longer do this over the phone. They have to do it online or they have to go into a Social Security office. Critics say this will immediately affect people with disabilities and older recipients. The Trump administration says it's cracking down on fraud. This is coming

as Social Security is planning to close many offices and lay off thousands of workers. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News in Washington.