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Episode Date: April 4, 2025

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This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less and all plans include high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and nationwide coverage. See for yourself at mintmobile.com slash switch. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. The Pentagon's acting inspector general is launching an investigation into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of an encrypted messaging app Signal, this to discuss military operations last month. The Atlantic magazine reported its editor-in-chief had accidentally been added to the group chat.

Hegseth and other high-ranking security officials shared information about a U.S. strike against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. NPR's Elena Moore reports. The Pentagon probe follows an inquiry request sent by the top Republican and Democratic senators on the Armed Services Committee. In a letter to the IG, Senators Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Jack Reed of Rhode Island say the incident raises questions about, quote, the use of unclassified networks to discuss

sensitive and classified information. say the incident raises questions about, quote, the use of unclassified networks to discuss sensitive and classified information. The Senate committee has also said it plans to hold a hearing on the matter. Hegseth has denied that classified war plans were discussed in the Signal Chat. Elena Moore, NPR News, Washington. One group celebrating the new tariffs

from the Trump administration is Gulf Coast shippers. Stephen Basaha of the Gulf States Newsroom reports. About 80% of all seafood consumed in the United States is imported. And a big portion of that is foreign shrimp. Shrimp that U.S. fishers say is subsidized, driving down prices and driving them out of business. Bosaarj Boats in Pascagoula, Mississippi has been in Leanne Bossard's family for generations. She believes that tariffs will give southern shrimpers

an even playing field. It makes us feel like we finally have somebody looking out for the little guy, and we may be able to continue the heritage that we're very proud of and feed our country. India is the largest exporter of shrimp to the United States and now faces a 27 percent tariff. For NPR News, I'm Stephen Besahan, Birmingham, Alabama.

Trump administration officials could be held in contempt of court over two flights carrying migrants to El Salvador. In a hearing Thursday, a federal judge, James Boesberg, said a decision could be made next week. NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran has more on the story. At the core of the case is whether the Trump administration ignored Judge Bosberg's orders to turn back the flights carrying more than 100 men, allegedly members of a Venezuelan gang, who were removed under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The Justice Department continues to stonewall over the details, invoking the state secret's privilege to not provide specifics about the flights. But an attorney for the DOJ says the administration did not violate the court's orders. Judge Boesberg did not buy it. He said, quote, there is a fair likelihood that that is not correct.

In fact, the government acted in bad faith throughout that day. He's expected to decide whether to hold Trump officials in contempt next week. Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News. and Indiana after violent weather roared through the southeast and parts of the Midwest. Dozens of tornadoes and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued Wednesday and Thursday from Texas to West Virginia and several states in between. Forecasters with the National Weather Service say it's the opening salvo of spring that could bring life-threatening flash floods across the southeast Midwest and East Coast. Dr. Mit Mehmet Oz, once a television star of the Dr. Oz show, was narrowly confirmed Thursday by the Senate

to run the Medicare and Medicaid Department. NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports the vote was 53 to 45 along party lines. During Dr. Mehmet Oz's hearing last month, he was poised and bantered easily with senators of both parties. But that friendliness did not translate into votes from Democratic senators, who objected

to the fact that Oz wouldn't commit to opposing cuts to Medicaid. Steep Medicaid cuts are likely, as Republicans in Congress look for ways to offset President Trump's tax cuts. That's one challenge Oz will face as he takes the helm at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. This week, HHS began a dramatic overhaul as part of the Doge effort to downsize the federal government. The health agencies are reeling from thousands of fired employees, shuttered labs, and offices

across the country. Selena Simmons-Duffin and offices across the country. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News, Washington. Bruce Springsteen announced on Thursday he will release seven new studio albums in June. This is NPR News from Washington. Support for NPRG. Following the news out of Washington, D.C. can be overwhelming. I'm Scott Detrow and NPR has a podcast that can help. It's called Trump's Terms, stories about big changes the 47th president is pursuing

on his own terms. Each episode is short, usually around five minutes or so. We keep it calm and factual. We help you follow what matters and we leave out what doesn't. Listen to Trump's Terms from NPR.