NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-03-2025 3AM EST

Episode Date: December 3, 2025

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Wildcard is where big name interviews feel like conversations with a friend. I mean, I can't believe how lucky I've been. You didn't say goodbye the right way, McConaughey. She told me, I don't think you're Princeton material. I'm nothing if not open, I guess. I'm Rachel Martin. Watch or listen to Wildcard on the NPR app, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News, I'm Jail Snyder.

the big questions about the legality of U.S. military strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says lawmakers will be looking into the situation. With regard to the latest question that you all been raising, that the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is going to look into and get the facts on some of the events that have happened down the Caribbean, that we will get those answers in due time. But I have every confidence that the policies that this administration is employing, when it comes to keeping people in this country safe in ensuring that our policy is one of peace

through strength that those policies are being adhered to and followed. Thune, speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, following a Washington Post report that Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth gave a verbal order to kill everybody during an operation in September. During Tuesday's cabinet meeting at the White House, Hegss said he did not see any survivors of that military strike, but was not in the room when a Navy Admiral ordered a follow-up,

but he said the admiral made the right call. President Trump's special envoy, Steve Whitkoff, and son-in-law Jared Kushner, are in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. NPR's Charles Mainz reports of White House envoys are expected to try to bridge differences with the criminal leader over a revised peace plan in Ukraine. Putin has said he sees the American plan as a possible framework for a peace settlement. Yet ahead of his meeting, the Kremlin leader touted recent Russian battlefield advances and accused, Ukraine's leadership of being weak and out of touch with reality on the ground. Putin also said he preferred negotiating with the U.S. to Europe, accusing Europeans of providing obviously unacceptable conditions aimed at prolonging the war. Putin's comments appeared part of an effort

to convince the White House. It should pressure Ukraine to accept maximalist Russian demands. Those include seating territory claimed but not controlled by Russian forces despite more than three years of heavy fighting. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow. Senate Democrats, blasting the Trump administration for cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. They say the cuts put the agency way behind in wildfire prevention work. Here's NPR's Kirk Sigler reporting. The Democrats are citing a recent analysis by retired firefighters that shows the U.S. Forest Service is 38% behind its own targets for prescribed fires, thinning, and other projects aimed at making Western public forests less vulnerable to wildfires. This follows President Trump's hiring freeze and doge cuts. In a letter to

the Forest Service chief Democrats, including Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Mark Heinrich of New Mexico, demand a response by next week on questions like how many wildland firefighters are actually on the job and where specific staffing gaps are causing the delay in prevention work. The Trump administration has maintained its cuts are making the Forest Service more efficient and the agency has what it needs to fight fires. Kirk Sigler, NPR News, Boise. This is NPR News. The man accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House last week has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and assault charges.

Robinula Lackenwald made his initial court appearance by video from his hospital bed. He was shot during the confrontation. His attorney entered his plea on his behalf. An NPR investigation has found that for-profit companies are charging military vans. veterans up to $20,000 for help claiming their disability benefits. That's even though the VA has said this work may be illegal. NPR's Kaylee Fox Shannon reports. In the last decade, scores of companies have sprung up to help veterans navigate notoriously complex disability claims. NPR looked at one such company in Florida called Trajecture Medical. The VA has sent trajectory two letters

warning it may be violating a federal law that requires accreditation to help vets this way. But Trajector and dozens of other companies like it continue to operate. A former employee said the company uses aggressive debt collection practices to make millions off of vets each year. She didn't want to use her name for fear of retaliation. I didn't know that I was going to be like a debt collector like banging on people's doors. Like, get me your money. Trajector has denied wrongdoing and says its mission continues to be.

to help vets receive benefits. Kaylee Foxx-Shannon, NPR News. The Asian financial markets are mixed in Wednesday trading. Japan's benchmark NICA has jumped 1.1% advancing on gains in the tech sector. The regional markets weighed down, though, by declines in Hong Kong and Shanghai. This is NPR. This message comes from Wise, the app for using money around the globe. When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees.

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