Apple News Today
Episode Summary: "How Biden is Testing the Limit of Presidential Powers in His Final Days"
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Host: Gideon Resnick (in place of Shamita Basu)

1. Canadian Political Turmoil: Trudeau's Resignation

The episode opens with a significant political upheaval in Canada as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his resignation. After nearly a decade in power, Trudeau steps down amidst declining popularity and mounting pressures.

Justin Trudeau (00:45): "My friends, as you all know, I'm a fighter. Every bone in my body has always told me to fight because I care deeply about Canadians. I care deeply about this country. And I will always be motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians."

Trudeau's approval rating has plummeted from an initial 63% upon entering office to approximately half that figure. The pressure to pass leadership to a new figure has intensified, especially with the upcoming general election where the Liberal Party faces a formidable challenge from Canada's Conservative Party.

Vox reporter Ellen Ionis provides context on the global trend of incumbent leaders being ousted during major election years.

Ellen Ionis (01:28): "2024 was a huge election year across the world, and we've really seen a lot of incumbents go down. You know, people are ready to turn the tide. And that does look like a move toward, like more of the right wing."

A key factor driving Trudeau's downfall is the rising cost of living in Canada, which resonates with voters grappling with economic hardships.

Ellen Ionis (01:51): "People are really having a hard time and they want something to blame. They want a person to blame, they want a party to blame, they want a policy to blame, and they want somebody to fix it for them."

As Canada prepares for a general election later this year, the new Liberal leader is expected to face Pierre Poilievre, a populist figure anticipated to secure a significant victory.

Ellen Ionis (03:37): "He's also sort of a populist in a Trump-esque mold. So I think that will really be something to watch, and I think that's something that Canadians are actually concerned about."

2. U.S. Presidential Maneuvers: Biden's Final Acts

As President Joe Biden approaches the end of his term, he is actively seeking to solidify his legacy through several executive actions:

• Social Security Expansion: Biden recently signed legislation to enhance Social Security benefits for millions of public sector workers.

• Environmental Initiatives: He has dedicated two new national monuments in California to protect tribal lands and announced a permanent ban on oil and gas drilling across more than 625 million acres of federal waters, encompassing regions like the Eastern Seaboard, Pacific Coast, and Gulf of Mexico.

These moves have sparked immediate opposition from President-elect Donald Trump, who vows to reverse Biden's environmental policies.

Donald Trump (04:49): "I will unban it. I have the right to unban it immediately. What's he doing? Why is he doing it? You know, we have something that nobody else has. I mean, nobody has to the extent we have it. And it'll be more by the time we finish."

However, legal complexities may hinder Trump's ability to swiftly undo these measures. NBC's White House correspondent Kelly O'Donnell explains that reversing such executive actions often requires congressional intervention.

Kelly O'Donnell (05:06): "It is not as easy as it might appear. You would think if one president can authorize something, another president might be able to reverse it, as you indicated. But what we have learned is that case law suggests that it is actually Congress who would have to take action."

Biden's reliance on the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which grants presidents authority to withdraw federal waters from future oil and gas leasing, complicates Trump's prospects of reinstating drilling activities. While Trump has previously used this act to protect coastal areas, legal precedents suggest that reversing such actions without congressional support is challenging.

Kelly O'Donnell (05:42): "Now, President Trump can certainly try to unwind this, but he also tried to do that in his first term with an Obama era matter. And the court said that Congress needed to act."

The episode highlights the tension between executive actions and legislative authority, emphasizing the potential obstacles Trump may face in altering Biden's environmental policies.

3. America's Homelessness Crisis: A Deepening Crisis

ProPublica's investigative reporting delves into the escalating homelessness crisis in the United States, which has reached unprecedented levels in 2023. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, nearly 800,000 individuals experienced homelessness this year—a 20% increase from the previous year.

The Supreme Court's recent decision permits cities to take punitive actions against unhoused individuals, leading to aggressive measures like the sweeping of housing encampments. These operations often result in the confiscation of personal belongings, further exacerbating the struggles of those already facing homelessness.

ProPublica reporter Nicole Santa Cruz shares the harrowing story of Stephanie from Portland, Oregon, who lost all her possessions during a city-led sweep.

Nicole Santa Cruz (07:20): "Her tent, most of her tarps, and her cooking stove weren't there, and her engagement ring and notes from her late fiance were also gone."

Stephanie's plight underscores the emotional and practical devastation caused by these sweeps. Despite her urgent need, including being pregnant and reliant on food stamps and cash stored in her purse, city officials failed to return her belongings effectively.

Nicole Santa Cruz (08:10): "She told us that going through all of that trouble to get her stuff back and then to have nothing that she needed there and to have that be decided by somebody else who doesn't even know her that it was traumatizing."

ProPublica's extensive interviews reveal that only 4% of seized items are reclaimed in Portland, leaving countless individuals like Stephanie without essential items such as medications, identification, and survival gear. Experts advocate for more compassionate approaches, emphasizing communication and ample time for individuals to prepare for encampment removals.

Nicole Santa Cruz (09:07): "Everyone says that you really need to open up the lines of communication with unhoused folks and also give them enough time to pack up what they might need to take with them and doing that well in advance of when an encampment removal might occur."

4. Additional News Highlights

• Severe Winter Storms: A massive snowstorm has swept across regions from Ohio to Washington, D.C., resulting in several fatalities and dozens of injuries. The storm has caused widespread disruptions, including abandoned vehicles, flight cancellations, and power outages. Although the heavy snowfall is diminishing, forecasted colder temperatures may lead to further travel issues, school closures, and additional power outages.

• Legal Battle Continues for Donald Trump: In legal news, former President Donald Trump faces a pivotal moment as his request to halt sentencing in his hush money case is denied. Convicted on 34 counts related to falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal during the 2016 election, Trump's defense team argues for an appeal based on presidential immunity. However, Judge Juan Merchan's earlier ruling indicates that such immunity does not apply in this case, keeping Trump on a path toward sentencing scheduled for Friday.

• Ilona Marr's Rugby Milestone: Transitioning from her stint on "Dancing with the Stars," Ilona Marr has made a remarkable return to the sports arena by debuting professionally with England's Bristol Bears rugby team. Her first match shattered attendance records, attracting 9,420 fans—more than double the club's previous record. Marr emphasizes the importance of diversifying attention within the sport to foster broader growth.

  Ilona Marr (11:01): "People call me the superstar of rugby, but that's not enough for the sport. We can't just have one superstar. We need to have more. We need to have people connecting with so many different players, and that is what will grow our game now."

Conclusion

This episode of Apple News Today provides a comprehensive overview of significant political shifts in Canada and the United States, the deepening homelessness crisis in America, and other notable events shaping the current landscape. Through detailed reporting and impactful personal stories, host Gideon Resnick delivers an informative narrative for listeners seeking to understand the complexities of today's news.