NPR News: 04-01-2026 8PM EDT

The NPR News Now broadcast from April 1, 2026, covers a range of developments, with notable focus on U.S. political tensions around immigration policy and the ongoing Iran conflict, alongside a major space milestone and scattered updates in health, sports, and culture.

Supreme Court Skepticism on Birthright Citizenship

The Supreme Court heard arguments on President Trump's executive order restricting birthright citizenship, which declares that children born in the U.S. to parents who are undocumented or on temporary visas do not qualify as citizens. This reverses over a century of legal precedent rooted in the 14th Amendment. A majority of justices, including some conservatives, expressed deep skepticism toward the Trump administration's position. NPR's Domenico Montanaro noted Solicitor General John Sauer facing tough questions on key interpretations, such as "bloodline" citizenship versus "born on the country's soil." Observers like Aaron Powell highlighted the need to watch specific justices' views on these distinctions, as their stances could shape the outcome and challenge the order's viability.