Steve Inskeep

The judges say the mass firings were conducted in a way that appears to be illegal. All of the employees were on probationary status, meaning they were in their first year or two on the job for the most part. One ruling covers the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Agriculture, Energy, Interior, and Treasury, a lot of federal departments.

The other case was brought by Democratic State Attorneys General and covered even more agencies, but is just temporary.

The other case was brought by Democratic State Attorneys General and covered even more agencies, but is just temporary.

The other case was brought by Democratic State Attorneys General and covered even more agencies, but is just temporary.

I've looked at data from about 10,000 terminated employees, and what's very clear is that you have everyone from the director or deputy director to the student intern. So you have a huge loss of institutional knowledge. It's just decimated the government.

I've looked at data from about 10,000 terminated employees, and what's very clear is that you have everyone from the director or deputy director to the student intern. So you have a huge loss of institutional knowledge. It's just decimated the government.

I've looked at data from about 10,000 terminated employees, and what's very clear is that you have everyone from the director or deputy director to the student intern. So you have a huge loss of institutional knowledge. It's just decimated the government.

I'm Leila Falded. And I'm Steve Inskeep. Up first comes your way on Saturdays. Ayesha Roscoe and Scott Simon have the news, which you will find wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm Leila Falded. And I'm Steve Inskeep. Up first comes your way on Saturdays. Ayesha Roscoe and Scott Simon have the news, which you will find wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm Leila Falded. And I'm Steve Inskeep. Up first comes your way on Saturdays. Ayesha Roscoe and Scott Simon have the news, which you will find wherever you get your podcasts.

Which paused its aid. So what does the U.S. want from Ukraine? What are the Ukrainians able to offer?

Which paused its aid. So what does the U.S. want from Ukraine? What are the Ukrainians able to offer?

Which paused its aid. So what does the U.S. want from Ukraine? What are the Ukrainians able to offer?

Also, the Department of Education, not yet abolished, is telling 60 universities they may face penalties. The department describes last year's protests over Gaza as, quote, relentless anti-Semitic eruptions. Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

Also, the Department of Education, not yet abolished, is telling 60 universities they may face penalties. The department describes last year's protests over Gaza as, quote, relentless anti-Semitic eruptions. Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

Also, the Department of Education, not yet abolished, is telling 60 universities they may face penalties. The department describes last year's protests over Gaza as, quote, relentless anti-Semitic eruptions. Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

Ukraine struck Russia today. It was the biggest ever drone attack on Moscow. According to Russian officials, the drone strikes hit a warehouse, killed and injured people, and briefly shut down the airports. It was a sign that Ukraine still has some striking power, even though it has lost some vital American support. Today, U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators meet to discuss that and much more.

Ukraine struck Russia today. It was the biggest ever drone attack on Moscow. According to Russian officials, the drone strikes hit a warehouse, killed and injured people, and briefly shut down the airports. It was a sign that Ukraine still has some striking power, even though it has lost some vital American support. Today, U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators meet to discuss that and much more.

Ukraine struck Russia today. It was the biggest ever drone attack on Moscow. According to Russian officials, the drone strikes hit a warehouse, killed and injured people, and briefly shut down the airports. It was a sign that Ukraine still has some striking power, even though it has lost some vital American support. Today, U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators meet to discuss that and much more.

NPR Ukraine correspondent Joanna Kakisis is covering all this from Kiev. Hi there, Joanna. Good morning. Let's just remember the backdrop here. Ukrainians and Americans met at the White House. Last time they met, it was Volodymyr Zelensky who argued with Trump and Vance, President Trump and Vice President Vance, and they then berated him. So what does Ukraine hope for this time?