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Today’s top stories
An official from the U.S. has confirmed to NPR that the search for a successor to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is in progress. Hegseth is embroiled in controversy once again for sharing military operational details in a private Signal group chat on his personal phone with his wife, brother, and personal lawyer. This sharing of information occurred in March during airstrikes on Houthi targets, similar to details shared in another Signal chat with top officials and a journalist who was mistakenly added.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 21, the day after The New York Times reported that he shared information last month to a second private Signal group chat about upcoming strikes in Yemen.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
- 🎧 The White House initially dismissed the reports of Hegseth’s replacement as fake news. President Trump publicly supported him yesterday, as reported by NPR’s Quil Lawrence on Up First. Military and veteran sources are outraged by the second Signal chat as they believe it endangered lives. John Ullyot, a former Defense Department spokesperson, resigned last week and wrote an opinion piece describing the Pentagon’s recent turmoil as damaging to Trump. Three other Pentagon advisors were dismissed for leaking information to the press.
Pope Francis passed away from a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse, according to Dr. Andrea Arcangeli from The Vatican. Tributes from around the world have poured in for the first pope from Latin America, known for his advocacy for the poor.
- 🎧 NPR’s Ruth Sherlock, reporting from Rome, notes the genuine emotions and sense of loss. Francis was a supporter of migrants, the environment, and LGBTQ+ communities. However, he faced criticism for not implementing sufficient changes within the church. The pope’s body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday. Politicians, including Trump, are expected to attend.
- ➡️ Reflect on key moments in Pope Francis’ papacy through a photo gallery.
- ➡️ The Vatican’s process for a papal transition is intricate and rarely seen by the public. Here’s what to anticipate in the coming days and weeks.
The U.S. Supreme Court is addressing two fundamental values in public schools today. The case revolves around the Montgomery County, Md., school system, known for its religious diversity. The school board approved the use of five storybooks featuring LGBTQ+ characters in elementary schools, prompting objections from some parents who wanted the option to opt their children out of such materials based on religious beliefs.
- 🎧 The school board initially allowed opt-outs, but logistical challenges arose in removing children from classrooms whenever a storybook with same-sex parents or LGBTQ+ characters was introduced. According to NPR’s Nina Totenberg, the justices may side with the objectors seeking opt-out provisions.
