NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-06-2025 4PM EDT

Episode Date: September 6, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump is openly threatening Chicago. In a post on social media, he said the city is about to find out why it's called the Department of War. Trump was referring to his recent proposal to rename the Department of Defense. NPR's Kat-Lonsdorf reports, state and local officials are blasting the administration's plan to deploy National Guard troops to the city. Trump has said the deployment is imminent. won't say when, putting many in the city on edge. A U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed to NPR that the federal

government requested additional assistance from immigration and customs enforcement, or ICE, in the Chicago area. Ice and the National Guard are very different, but in D.C., for example, Trump's deployment of the Guard came with a larger presence from ICE, too. Trump has said he would send troops to crack down on crime, but the Guard can't make arrests or be used for policing. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Chicago. The governor of Illinois has responded to Trump's latest comments about Chicago. In his own post on social media, Governor J.B. Pritzker accused the president of threatening to go to war with an American city, calling it not a joke and not normal. The Israeli military continues to attack Gaza City. NPR's Jane Arraf reports Palestinians are being told to move south where the Army says it will deliver aid.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians who have already been displaced multiple times are still in Gaza's biggest city, where Israel has been increasing attacks ahead of seizing it. The UN says so far only about 40,000 people have moved south, with many unable to afford transport, or too sick or injured to move. Israel said it would work with the UN to provide aid in South Gaza, but the UN's humanitarian office says the Israeli military is rejecting many of its requests. for aid movements. Jane Arraf, NPR News, Amman. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stance on vaccines is stirring nationwide backlash after a heated appearance on Capitol Hill this week. NPR's Rob Stein has more.

Everyone expected Democrats on the committee to go after Kennedy at the hearing, but they were joined by some Republicans, including Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming. I'm a doctor. Vaccines work. Secretary Kennedy, in your confirmation hearings, you promised to uphold the highest standards for vaccines. Since then, I've grown deeply concerned. Kennedy was defiant throughout the hearing. Kennedy got the director of the CDC fired because she wouldn't go along with some of his vaccine policies, and many people around the country are already having a harder time getting one of the new COVID-19 vaccines

because of new federal restrictions. Rob Stein, in peer news. This is NPR News in Washington. President Trump held his first event in the newly renovated White House Rose Garden last night. NPR's Tamry Keith reports the grass in the iconic garden has been replaced with paving stones. Trump hosted Republican members of Congress whose votes he says he knows he can count on. You know, you're the first ones on this great place. We call it the Rose Garden Club.

The new limestone patio has tables. with yellow and white umbrellas that bear a striking resemblance to the area of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort known as the Beach Club. We never touched a rose. The roses are in full bloom, and they will be in full bloom during certain seasons, but we never touched. I'd tell you what we did. The grass was not usable. No grass, but Trump has a speaker system set up so he can play his favorite tunes using an iPad. Tamara Keith, NPR News. Major League Baseball manager, Davy Johnson, has died. Johnson led the New York Mets to the World Series title in 1986. After playing in the majors between 1965 and 1978, he became the first manager in the league's history to win 90 or more games in each of his first five seasons.

Davy Johnson was 82 years old. Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden has died. The Montreal Canadiens announced his death from cancer today. he was 78. Driden won six of his eight NHL championships with Montreal and became a successful author, broadcaster, and politician. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News.