NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-01-2025 10AM EDT

Episode Date: May 1, 2025

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Does the idea of listening to political news freak you out? Well, don't sweat it. The NPR Politics Podcast makes politics a breeze. Every episode will break down the day's headlines into totally normal language and make sure that you walk away understanding what the day's news might mean for you. Take a deep breath and give politics another chance with the NPR Politics Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington on Korova Coleman, a top lawmaker is introducing legislation to increase accountability for federal judges who face allegations of misconduct.

NPR's Carrie Johnson reports the bill follows a year-long NPR investigation into abuse and bullying by judges. Among the judges featured in NPR's reporting, two retired with full benefits while under investigation for mistreating law clerks. But a new bill from Congressman Hank Johnson, a Georgia Democrat, would change that. Johnson says his trust act would close a loophole that allows judges to end internal investigations if they retire or resign first. The 30,000 workers in the federal courts

are exempt from a key civil rights law, leaving them with few options to seek justice when judges themselves are the wrongdoers. The federal courts have made significant changes to their internal system since the Me Too movement, but many employees say they're leery of reporting problems when judges judge each other. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

This week, Trump administration officials have been highlighting the president's work on his first 100 days in office. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has been speaking from the White House this morning about Trump's efforts to restore, quote, common sense. Miller has touched on some issues that are considered part of the culture wars. He singled out colleges and universities for work on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Universities across this country are in plain and direct violation of the Supreme Court's

ruling that affirmative action, as in racial quotas and set-asides, are illegal. Students must be admitted to universities on a colorblind basis. Earlier this week, President Trump's border czar and Treasury secretary also spoke from the White House about the Trump administration's accomplishments. Stocks opened higher this morning after Microsoft and Facebook's parent company reported better than expected profits for the most recent quarter. NPR's Scott Horsley reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose about 210 points in early trading. Stock in Microsoft and Facebook's parent Metta both got a boost from the tech giant's strong financial results, but things are not so shiny at the golden arches.

McDonald's says sales at its existing restaurants in the U.S. fell more than 3.5 percent. That could be a sign the fast food chain's budget-conscious customers are feeling particularly squeezed. General Motors is lowering its profit forecast for the year as a result of President Trump's auto tariffs. The automaker expects those import taxes will cost between $4 and $5 billion. New applications for unemployment benefits jumped last week. 241,000 people applied for jobless aid. We'll get a more complete look at the April job market tomorrow. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. On Wall Street, the

Dow Jones industrials are now up 220 points. The Nasdaq is up one and a half percent. This is NPR. The Trump administration is tapping more federal agencies to help carry out its immigration enforcement policies. According to the Washington Post, that includes using law enforcement officers with the US Postal Service. The Postal Service has not replied to NPR's request for comment.

A senior official with the Department of Homeland Security says the Trump administration will use PR's request for comment. A senior official with the Department of Homeland Security says the Trump administration will use all available resources to secure the border. Los Angeles County has approved what lawyers say is the largest legal settlement for sexual assault claims in U.S. history. From LAist News, Jordan Running reports this comes after the state of California temporarily waived its statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims. The four billion dollar settlement stems from a lawsuit filed in 2021 with claims from two women who say they were abused as children in county foster care. The

lawsuit grew to include 7,000 people who say they were sexually assaulted as children while at Los Angeles county facilities. Mary Alice Ashbrook is one of the survivors involved in the settlement. Well, I'm grateful that we were finally heard. This happened to me when I was eight and nine. I was the kid that just sat under the tree and stayed quiet because I knew the ramifications if I didn't. Ashbrook, now 65, says she hopes the settlement will lead to reforms to protect children and the county's care.

For NPR News, I'm Jordan Running in Pasadena, California. Former Vice President Kamala Harris has given her first major speech since losing the presidential election last year. Speaking in San Francisco, Harris said President Trump is using fear tactics to implement what she calls a far-right agenda. You're listening to NPR. On the next Thru Line from NPR. For the presidency, I'm indebted to Almighty God. I'm in charge of the country, and I need to serve all the American people

and not just the political machine. The origins of the modern civil service. Listen to Thru Line wherever you get your podcasts.