NPR News: 02-13-2026 5AM EST
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly.
What are the latest updates on the Department of Homeland Security funding?
Congress has until late tonight to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security. A short-term DHS funding bill is hours away from expiring. The bill to fund the department through September failed in the Senate yesterday, falling eight votes shy of the 60 needed for passage. Democratic lawmakers are demanding changes to how federal officers enforce immigration laws before they'll approve a long-term spending bill for DHS. The House and Senate are scheduled to be off next week, and currently no direct talks or negotiations are on the table. A federal judge has approved a request from Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona to block the Pentagon from demoting him. The former NASA astronaut and U.S.
Navy captain filed the lawsuit, accusing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of punishing him for political speech. Here's NPR's Elena Moore.
Senator Kelly, an outspoken Trump critic, was one of several Democrats who participated in a video posted online last fall urging American service members to refuse illegal orders. It sparked intense backlash from President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who later announced a review of Kelly's retirement grade, which could lead to a demotion and decrease in the senator's retirement pay. But that's now on hold. In granting Kelly's request, Judge Richard Leon argued that Hegseth had, quote, trampled on the senator's First Amendment freedoms and threatened the constitutional rights of millions of military retirees. Elena Moore, NPR News.
President Trump had accused Kelly and the five others who appeared in that video of seditious behavior. The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal are among media outlets reporting President Trump has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to move from the Caribbean to the Middle East. The president has been building up American naval assets in the region to pressure Iran into giving up its nuclear program. A federal judge says President Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC can move forward. NPR's Lauren Frayer has more from London.
President Trump sued the British public broadcaster over the way it edited a speech he gave on January 6, 2021, splicing together quotes of Trump urging supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol and, quote, fight like hell, and omitting the part where he said they should demonstrate peacefully. The BBC apologized but denies trying to defame the president or sway voters. This was part of a BBC documentary that aired just before the 2024 election. Trump has sued the BBC for $5 billion for alleged defamation and another $5 billion for unfair trade practices. The BBC sought to delay a trial, but a Florida judge has now set a date for February 2027. Lauren Fryer, NPR News, London.
This is NPR News from Washington. It's unclear if any arrests have been made following a deadly shooting at South Carolina State University. School officials in Orangeburg say two people were killed by gunfire and another was wounded. They say the shooting occurred last night at a residential complex. The campus was put on lockdown. Classes have been canceled for today. At the Winter Olympic Games in Italy, the U.S. men's hockey team won its first game, defeating Latvia 5-1. Steve Futterman reports the U.S. is one of the favorites to win the gold medal.
The U.S. squad was led by Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche. He scored twice.
What legal challenges is Senator Mark Kelly facing regarding his military status?
Team captain Austin Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs also had a goal. The score could have been even more one-sided, but the U.S. had two goals disallowed following a pair of challenges by Latvia, one for offsides, the other for goaltender interference. This is the first time since 2014 that NHL players have been allowed to compete at the Winter Games. The U.S. and Canada are the two favorites. Many expect them to meet in the gold medal match. The Canadian men won their first game here, 5-0 over Czechia. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.
The White House isn't commenting on President Trump's decision to pardon five former NFL players for crimes ranging from drug trafficking to perjury.
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