NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-25-2025 2PM EDT

Episode Date: August 25, 2025

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Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The Trump administration says it plans to deport a Salvadoran Maryland resident to Uganda. Kilmar Abrago Garcia was detained this morning after he checked in at an immigration facility in Baltimore, Maryland. U.S. Representative Glenn Ivy, who represents Maryland's fourth congressional district, condemns the administration's actions. It's outrageous that the Trump administration is transforming the Department of Justice. to a Department of Retribution, and this is yet another example of them abusing the power of the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Abrago Garcia's detention was expected.

Last week, he was released from a Tennessee jail to await trial on criminal charges to which he has pleaded not guilty. His battle with the Trump administration began in March when he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and imprisoned, despite a judge's order. Abrago Garcia was returned to the U.S. in June. The administration accuses Abrago Garcia of having gang ties. President Trump says the military is ready to go anywhere on short notice to crack down on crime. But as NPR's Frank Ordonez reports, Trump says he'd prefer if local officials asked him for help.

President Trump signed an executive order at the White House to create specialized National Guard units that can be deployed across the country for, quote, public order issues. He says he's prepared to order National Guard troops to. U.S. cities, even if the governor does not request them. But when pressed about sending National Guard troops to Chicago, Trump hedged, saying he may or may not send in federal troops. I didn't get a request from the governor of Illinois is affected maybe more than anybody else, right? And I think until I get that request from that guy, I'm not going to do anything about it. Last week, Trump suggested his administration would target Chicago next for a federal crackdown on crime. Franco, Ordonez. NPR News, the White House.

The largest fire in the state of Oregon continues to burn about two miles outside of the central town of sisters. Oregon Public Broadcasting's Catherine Steyer-Martinez reports, the flat fire has grown in nearly 22,000 acres in four days. The flat fire was first reported just as a heat wave began in the region. The fire grew rapidly, running south through juniper trees and canyons. And then trying to make stops in those canyons canyons can be difficult. Canons can be miles long. Brett Deaton is one of the public information officers for the flatfire.

Temperatures are cooler now, and some rain is moving through, but it's not enough to put out the fire. Deaton says more active weather is shifting into the Pacific Northwest. That means unstable winds and potential thunder and lightning. Lightning sparked a few fires in Southern Oregon on Sunday, but the cause of the flatfire remains under investigation. For NPR News, I'm Catherine Serra Martinez in Bend, Oregon. At last check on Wall Street, the Dow is down more than 200 points. It's NPR News.

SpaceX will try again this evening to launch its massive Starship rocket on its 10th test flight from the Kappa A Starbase in Texas. NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce says last night's launch attempt was scrubbed. Starship is a two-stage space vehicle that stands nearly 400 feet tall. It's a key part of NASA's effort. to return astronauts to the surface of the moon, as well as Elon Musk's effort to colonize Mars. But so far this year, Starship rockets have suffered a string of failures in flights. One even blew up on the launch pad during a test. All of that is why this 10th flight has been highly anticipated,

and SpaceX did start loading propellant into the rocket at its Texas launch facility. But soon after, on social media, SpaceX said it was standing down to allow time. to troubleshoot what it called an issue with ground systems. Nell Greenfield-Boice, NPR News. Tennis legend, Venus Williams is no stranger to notching historic moments in competition at Wimbledon in the Olympics. And tonight, she'll do so again at the U.S. Open because of her age. At 45, she becomes the oldest player in 44 years to compete in singles after she was given a wild card for Flushing Meadows. She's returning for the first time since 2023, and she lost in the first round. Tonight, Williams faces Czech player, Carolina, Muhova. The Dow is down 272 points.

More than half a percent. SMPs off nine, and the NASDAQ has gained 34 points. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.