NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-22-2025 8PM EDT

Episode Date: April 23, 2025

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You want to follow what's happening in Washington, D.C., but you don't want to be scrolling your phone all day. 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. They're short, they're focused episodes that tell you calmly, factually, what is happening and what isn't. Listen to Trump's Term terms from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear.

President Trump says he does not plan to fire Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve, but as NPR's Franco Ordonez reports, the president continues to call for lower interest rates. President Trump has repeatedly criticized Powell for not taking more action to lower interest rates. Trump has even said Powell for not taking more action to lower interest rates. Trump has even said his, quote, termination cannot come fast enough. But now Trump seems to want to quell concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve. I have no intention of firing him.

I would like to see him be a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates. This is a perfect time to lower interest rates. Trump has cited easing inflation and argues that lowering interest rates would stoke the economy. But the Fed has been hesitant to lower rates because of the uncertainty around Trump's tariffs and the expectation that they will increase prices. Franco, Ordonez, NPR News.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has convened a task force to eradicate purported anti-Christian bias. Several cabinet members attended the meeting held at the Justice Department. Here's NPR's Ryan Lucas. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FBI Director Cash Patel were among the Trump administration officials who joined Bondi for the first meeting. This comes in response to an executive order President Trump signed in February directing

the Attorney General to set up the task force to eliminate what the White House says is anti-Christian bias. Protecting Christians from bias is not favoritism. It's upholding the rule of law and fulfilling the constitutional promise. Bondy noted that the Justice Department, for example, already has dropped three cases against anti-abortion activists and moved to limit such future prosecutions. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington. Catholics are mourning the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who died Monday.

NPR's Sarah Ventry reports that for many, Francis' legacy means remembering those who are the most marginalized. Sarah Ventry Francis famously called for the church to be a field hospital, acknowledging the work of the church should take place both in and out of the pews. He wanted to center people who are most in need, including migrants, unhoused people and those with disabilities. Ruth Rowland is with the Bennett Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs. She says Pope Francis understood the concept of intersectionality. He understood that climate change, poverty, migration, forced migration,

racism, that's all connected. Many Catholics across the country will remember Francis as a pope of the people, of all people, especially those affected by injustice. Sarah Ventry, NPR News. Hopes were possible. Trump tariff trade deals shot Wall Street higher today. The Dow rose more than a thousand points. The S&P was up 129 points. You're listening to NPR.

On Thursday, May the 1st, the Tony Awards nominations will be announced by Tony-winning actress Sarah Paulson and Tony nominee Wendell Pierce. Nominations captain active season on Broadway, Jeff London reports. The deadline for Tony-eligible productions is this Sunday, April 27th, with two new musicals opening that day. Real Women Have Curves and Dead Outlaw. Four days later, at 8.30 in the morning, Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce will read the announcements of what plays, musicals, actors and production personnel are nominated.

There are only five slots in the major category of Best New Musical, which give shows an opportunity to strut their stuff for a national television audience. The Tonys will be broadcast on CBS on Sunday, June 8th with Cynthia Erivo as host. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York. Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Roche says it plans to invest 50 billion billion in the US over the next five years. The move is expected to create 12,000 jobs.

The company, whose products include cancer medicines and a multiple sclerosis drug, says the investment will go toward high-tech research and development and is also looking at manufacturing facilities in places like California, Indiana, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The Trump administration is imposing sweeping tariffs against other countries and is said by moving manufacturing to the U.S. those firms can avoid paying tax on imported goods. Critical futures prices were up sharply. Oil rose $1.23 a barrel today.

I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.