NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-24-2025 12AM EST

Episode Date: December 24, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Rowan. A new set of files related to convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, reveals more connections between Jeffrey Epstein and President Trump, the Department of Justice Tuesday, released an estimated 30,000 pages of documents, flight logs, and letters. NPR political correspondent Sarah McCamond and several colleagues are reviewing the files. They show a closer relationship between Trump and Epstein than first reported. Well, President Trump, of course, has been trying to distance himself from the Epstein case. Here's Trump talking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday. This was hours before

this latest batch of files was released. A lot of people are very angry that pictures are being released of other people that really had nothing to do with Epstein, but they're in a picture with him because he was at a party, and you ruin a reputation of somebody. So a lot of people are very angry that this continues. Jay posted a lengthy statement on X, saying the documents, quote, contain untrue and sensationalist claims about the president. Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. The director of the National Institutes of Health says the second Trump administration is making

overdue changes to the funding of scientific research. NPR's Rob Stein reports on the Research Chief's case for those moves. Critics say decisions about medical research have been politicized since President Trump. returned to office and installed Robert of Kennedy Jr. as his health secretary. But in an interview with NPR, NIH director, Dr. J. Batacharya, denies any political interference at the NIH. Secretary Kennedy has not asked me to put my thumb on the scales of any scientific project to say, you must have the scientific project come out this way or that way. I think that would be a red line. Botichoria defends decisions to terminate grants that mention diversity, equity,

and inclusion, DEI, as necessary to be consistent with administration priorities. Rob Stein and Peer News. The Trump administration has sanctioned a former top European Union official over regulations on Silicon Valley. NPR's Bobby Allen has more. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says five Europeans he describes as radical activists are in violation of new visa rules against those who try to suppress speech. Those targeted include former EU Commissioner Tieri Bertone, a longtime antagonist of the tech industry's power. He helped shape an internet law that was used to fine Elon Musk's X $140 million over its deceptive verification system and blocking outside researchers.

The other Europeans targeted include officials at non-profit groups such as the Center for Countering Digital Hate and the Global Disinformation Index. Former EU official Bertone wrote in response, quote, is McCarthy's witch hunt back to our American friends? censorship isn't where you think it is. Bobby Allen, NPR News. And you're listening to NPR News. Former Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska says he has had advanced pancreatic cancers. Sass was among the few Republican senators to openly criticize President Trump during his first term in the White House. NPR's Sam Gringlass has more. SAS says he learned the diagnosis last week and that it's terminal, elected to the Senate

as a first-time political candidate in 2014, he won a second term in 2020. After the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, SAS was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump of incitement of insurrection. Sass resigned halfway through his term to assume the presidency of the University of Florida. He left that job in 2024 after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy. This week, SAS wrote on social media that he has a lot less time than he'd prefer. And that, quote, This is hard for someone wired to work and build, but harder still as a husband and a dad. Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington. In what some are calling a major loss for the Trump administration, the U.S. Supreme Court on a 6-3 vote is blocking the White House from deploying National Guard troops in Chicago.

The court's unsigned order read in part the government has failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois. Three of the court's conservative justices, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch voted in the minority. The White House in a statement said the ruling will not stop the Trump administration efforts to enforce immigration laws. Officials in Illinois say it's a significant victory. I'm Dan Roran, NPR News. 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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