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NPR News Now

NPR News: 05-20-2026 11PM EDT

21 May 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

0.841 - 20.29 Giles Snyder

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. The Trump administration is ratcheting up pressure on Cuba. The Justice Department has announced criminal charges against Cuban President Raul Castro. The charges stem from the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue.

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Chapter 2: What charges were announced against Raul Castro?

20.45 - 21.852 Giles Snyder

NPR's Ryan Lucas reports.

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22.112 - 33.26 Ryan Lucas

The indictment charges Raul Castro, the brother of Fidel Castro, with murder, conspiracy to murder, and destruction of aircraft. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch announced the charges in Miami.

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33.741 - 46.508 Unknown

Today's indictment, while it does not bring back the murdered victims, it makes a statement. The United States government has not forgotten these innocent men who were shot out of the sky.

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46.707 - 65.982 Ryan Lucas

The indictment alleges that Castro authorized the shoot-down of the two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft by Cuban military jets. Three U.S. citizens and a U.S. national were killed. The 94-year-old Castro is not in U.S. custody. The case against him is seen as part of the Trump administration's pressure campaign against the Cuban government.

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65.962 - 79.858 Giles Snyder

Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington. Two police officers who defended the Capitol during the January 6th riot are suing to stop the Trump administration from paying rioters from a new anti-weaponization fund. NPR's Tom Dreisbach reports.

80.058 - 101.071 Officer Daniel Hodges

Washington, D.C. police officer Daniel Hodges was repeatedly assaulted by rioters on January 6th. President Trump pardoned the men who attacked him. And now the administration says those rioters and others... can apply for payment from a new $1.8 billion fund set up by the Justice Department for people who believe they were victims of weaponized law enforcement.

101.572 - 106.903 Officer Daniel Hodges

Hodges is suing to stop payouts that he believes are both illegal and dangerous.

107.137 - 116.553 Unknown

If they get this payout, then they'll have significant financial resources and they have no ethical qualms about it. So what would stop them from carrying out any more violence?

117.034 - 123.685 Officer Daniel Hodges

Trump administration officials say they will evaluate claims on a case-by-case basis. Tom Dreisbach, NPR News.

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