NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-26-2025 5PM EDT

Episode Date: March 26, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Donald Trump is announcing tariffs on auto imports coming into the US, a move the White House believes will lead to more domestic production and many auto analysts say will squeeze companies that rely on global supply chains. That would include many US automakers. That's because about 4 million vehicles sold annually in the US are assembled in either Canada or Mexico, where it's believed the tariffs would be a bit narrower than initially envisioned, covering finished vehicles coming into the country, but not automotive parts. The White House continues to downplay reports a journalist

was included in a group chat of top officials discussing U.S. military plans. MPR's Franco Ordonez reports criticism is increasing after the full exchange of tax was discussing U.S. military plans. NPR's Franco Ordonia reports criticism is increasing after the full exchange of tactics was released today. The Atlantic magazine published more messages from the group chat of senior Trump officials detailing precise launch times and the specific fighter jets that would carry out strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. The White House insists such details were not classified.

Alina Haber, counselor to the president this morning, continued to minimize the significance and attack the media for its coverage. Look, it is what it is. At the end of the day, this is, in my opinion, something that they're making a big to-do about nothing. But top officials continue to be questioned about the leak at the White House and on Capitol Hill. Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.

Gun control groups are celebrating a Supreme Court ruling today upholding by narrow restrictions on guns made from kits. As NPR's Martin Costey explains, there's a chance the Trump administration might try to lift those restrictions. The high court upheld a 2022 rule requiring so-called ghost guns to be sold with serial numbers and background checks, like other firearms. But despite the court's decision, the Trump administration is currently reviewing this and other Biden-era gun regulations for possible repeal. Douglas Letter of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence says he hopes that doesn't happen.

The rule prevents criminals and others who are barred from purchasing weapons from doing so. So it's unclear why anybody would want to withdraw this rule. In a post on X, the NRA called on the administration to rescind what it calls this misguided rule that inhibits law abiding Americans from exercising their constitutional rights. Martin Costi, NPR News. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says President Trump's trade war is hurting not only other countries but also the U.S. Carney noting U.S. consumer confidence has reached a multi-year

low. He also noted the strain on U.S.-Canada relations, which he says have hit a low point. Carney made his comments near the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest U.S.-Canadian border crossing, which handles roughly a quarter of all trade between the two countries. Decline's in some tech-heavy weights and helped pull U.S. stock market indexes lower, along with concern about the Trump tariffs. The Dow is down 132 points. This is NPR. After hearing arguments this morning that's looking like the Supreme Court may be inclined to preserve the roughly $8 billion the government spends annually to subsidize internet and phone service in schools, libraries and rural areas.

Justices heard nearly three hours of arguments today as they reviewed a ruling that struck down as unconstitutional the Universal Service Fund. That tax has been tacked on to consumer phone bills for nearly 30 years. Both liberal and conservative justices expressed concerns about eliminating the funding. Maryland state officials gathered in Baltimore today to remember the six lives lost in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge a year ago.

That was after a massive container ship hit it. One boy, Kamau'o, from member station WYPR attended the commemoration. We came to call Alejandro's name, Carlos's name, Jose's name. At the water's edge, a somber crowd gathered. Among them were the families of the six construction workers who were on the bridge at the time of its collapse.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore was one of the many officials in attendance. The six victims of the Key Bridge collapse, they should be here right now. The collapse not only cost lives, but also created traffic choke points and disrupted the region's economy. During the ceremony, Maryland's transportation secretary said that pre-construction activities have begun. The bridge is expected to reopen in the fall of 2028. For NPR News, I'm Wambui Kamau in Baltimore. Critical futures prices move higher today amid new government numbers showing inventories

fell last week. Oil rose 65 cents a barrel, settled at 69.65 a barrel in New York. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.