NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-04-2025 4PM EDT

Episode Date: May 4, 2025

NPR News: 05-04-2025 4PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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, I'm Noor Rahm. President Trump had a wide ranging interview

with NBC News Meet the Press that was aired in full today. He was asked by Kristen Welker if he will abide by the courts on the rights of migrants. Your secretary of state says everyone who's here, citizens and non-citizens, deserve due process. Do you agree, Mr. President? I don't know. I'm not a lawyer. I don't know. Well, the Fifth Amendment sets a charge. I don't know. It seems it might say that. Last month, the Supreme Court temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting some suspected gang members from Venezuela. His lawyers are asking the court to lift or narrow that order. A seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court still hasn't been called almost six months

after the November election. The Republican candidate is trying to have thousands of ballots thrown out in hopes of erasing the lead held by the Democratic incumbent. Steve Harrison of Member Station WFAE reports. North Carolina's Republican-controlled State Supreme Court last month opened the door for Jefferson Griffin to win the race against Allison Riggs by requiring thousands of overseas and military voters in a handful of Democratic-leaning counties to provide photo ID or have their ballots thrown out. A federal court has stopped that ID requirement for now, and the election dispute is now in the

hands of a U.S. District Court judge. Meanwhile, Republicans this week took control of the state board of elections after a court okayed a law that shifted appointment power away from the state's Democratic governor. It's possible the new GOP-controlled elections board could give Griffin favorable rulings. For NPR News, I'm Steve Harrison in Charlotte. The Trump administration has started canceling National Endowment for the Arts grants. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports President Trump had proposed eliminating the agency entirely from the federal budget. Hundreds of arts groups received emails either withdrawing or terminating their grants. Among

those affected are the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Chicago Arts Education nonprofit Open Studio Project. The email says the agency is updating its priorities to focus on projects that quote reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity is prioritized by the president. Julie Baker is the CEO of the arts advocacy group California for the Arts. It just means that we've got to continue to mobilize and activate and try and convince the leadership to reverse these types of cuts. The NEA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chloe Valtman, NPR News. Police in London say they've arrested eight men suspected of plotting terrorist attacks. They say seven suspects are Iranians.

The nationality of the eighth has not been released. Officials have not disclosed their targets. This is NPR News. Police in Brazil say they foiled a bomb attack that had been planned for an open-air Lady Gaga concert last night. Julia Carneo reports from Rio de Janeiro. According to Rio's police and the Ministry of Justice, the plan was being orchestrated on social media. A group was recruiting participants to carry out attacks at the concert with improvised explosives aimed especially at LGBTQ fans. They set quote a collective challenge to gain notoriety

online. Police say they managed to neutralize the plot, avoiding any panic or impact. They arrested two people and carried out 15 search warrants. Rio's free open air concert on Copacabana Beach was bigger than Madonna's last year and historic for Lady Gaga. On social media she said seeing the crowd of more than two million people, her biggest ever, took her breath away. For NPR News, I'm Júlia Carneiro in Rio. Happy Star Wars Day to those who celebrate it. It was created by fans of the movie every May the 4th in honor of the famous phrase May the force be with you. Ann Newman is head of Rancho Obi-Wan, a California museum that collects Star Wars memorabilia. She says it's a chance for fans to connect.

I would say it's about community and the things that bind you to friends, to family, to other people you don't know, strangers you meet in line watching Star Wars. I think that's the force. Last year, former President Joe Biden celebrated a day early by welcoming Star Wars actor Mark Hamill to the White House. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.