NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-22-2025 5AM EDT

Episode Date: March 22, 2025

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Hey, it's A Martinez a lot of short daily news podcasts focus on one story, but sometimes you need Tomas for up first on NPR We bring you the three top world headlines every single day in under 15 minutes because no one story can capture all that's happening It's the mundo tangrande on any given morning. So listen to the up first podcast from NPR Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. A federal judge is voicing skepticism about the White House's push to deport alleged gang members under an 18th century wartime law.

NPR's Joel Rose reports on court arguments in front of federal judge, James Boesberg. Judge Boesberg has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to quickly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. At a hearing in Washington, a lawyer for the Justice Department argued that the law gives the Trump administration broad powers to deport people without normal due process. The White House argues that members of the Tren de Aragua gang are invading the U.S. at the direction of the Venezuelan government. Immigrant advocates dispute that and say the Trump administration is denying these men a chance to prove they're not gang members.

Judge Boesberg also seemed concerned about due process, saying the president's use of the law has, quote, frightening implications. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington. The Trump administration is revoking legal status for hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans in the United States, setting up more than half a million Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans for potential deportation. They were given two-year permits to live and work in the U.S. under former President Biden. The Pentagon's removal of digital content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion has military experts worried that young women and minorities might be less

likely to join up, NPR's Bill Chappell reports. From 2005 to 2023, the number of active-duty women in the military rose by 12 percent, while the number of men fell by more than 10 percent, according to Pentagon data. Minorities are one-third of the active duty enlisted ranks. But Bobby Jones, president of the nonpartisan group Veterans for Responsible Leadership, says the new agenda is sending a message to potential recruits who aren't white and male. In the black community, I know for a fact, conversations now are about, should we let our kids serve in the military, Which is a very big problem. The Pentagon didn't respond directly to NPR's questions about recruiting, saying instead

that it's proud of America's heroes and heritage. Bill Chappell, NPR News. Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders on the road touring the country in what he's calling the Fighting Oligarchy Tour and urging audiences to push back against the Trump administration. None of this stuff is radical. The American people support this. They don't want tax breaks for billionaires. They want programs that help ordinary Americans. Sanders speaking in Colorado alongside Democratic members of Congress and taking aim against

President Trump's economic agenda and cuts to the federal workforce, he's made a point of stopping in areas where Republican members of Congress have declined to hold in-person town halls. Legendary heavyweight boxer George Foreman has died. He was 76 as family announced his death on social media last night.

This is NPR News. Police in Las Cruces, New Mexico are investigating a mass shooting. The shooting happened late last night. Details remain sketchy, but local media say there are multiple victims. Police are asking the public for help in identifying potential suspects. Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate are back in Romania. The brothers arrived there on a private flight today and are required to check in with police on Monday. They face human trafficking and other charges in Romania. They flew to Florida

last month after prosecutors lifted a two-year travel ban. US stock markets had another volatile week full of tariff-whiplash but they inched into positive territory by Friday's end of trading. travel ban. U.S. stock markets had another volatile week full of tariff-whipped lash, but they inched into positive territory by Friday's end of trading. NPR's Maria Aspin reports a Dow closed up 1.2 percent for the week. Consumers, businesses, and investors are all facing mounting economic uncertainty. They're especially worried about the potential impact of President Trump's steep new tariffs against the country's largest trading partners.

The on-again, off-again tariffs could raise prices on a wide range of goods. This week, the Federal Reserve cut its forecast for economic growth and raised its expectations for inflation. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that tariffs are playing a role in that inflation. Clearly, some of it, a good part of it, is coming from tariffs. But the Fed also said that it's still on track to cut interest rates two times later this year. Meanwhile, Trump on Friday offered investors and consumers a glimmer of hope when he said there would be flexibility on his tariffs.

Maria Aspin, NPR News, New York. And I'm Childs Snyder. This is NPR News.