NPR News Now – January 6, 2025, 7 AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Producer: NPR
Release Date: January 6, 2025

Certification of 2024 Presidential Election and January 6th Prosecutions

Korva Coleman opens the episode by addressing the imminent certification of President Elect Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election. She draws a parallel to the events of January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to retain his presidency. This historical context sets the stage for a discussion on the legal repercussions faced by the rioters.

Tom Dreisbach delves into the aftermath of the Capitol attack, highlighting the extensive legal proceedings that followed. He notes, “Most defendants pleaded guilty. The people that went to trial were virtually all convicted by juries or in some cases, by judges” (00:34). Dreisbach underscores the gravity of the incident by revealing that subsequent investigations uncovered alarming details, such as the presence of weapons like guns, bats, tasers, and pepper spray among the rioters. Despite the mounting evidence, Trump downplayed the violence, asserting that “there were no guns,” which Dreisbach counters as untrue. He further states, “He claimed to supporters at most got a little out of hand that they've been unjustly prosecuted in his view” (01:05).

Major Winter Storm and Offshore Drilling Ban

The episode transitions to a significant weather event affecting the central and eastern United States. Korva Coleman reports on a major winter storm that has prompted warnings from Arkansas to New Jersey.

Concurrently, President Joe Biden has announced a sweeping ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling across more than 625 million acres of U.S. coastline. Jeff Brady provides an in-depth analysis of this policy shift, explaining that the ban encompasses major areas on both the east and west coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and the northern Bering Sea off Alaska (01:34). Biden frames this decision as a crucial step in combating climate change. However, the move has met with criticism from the American Petroleum Institute, which has called on Republicans to reverse the decision. Despite the oil industry's lukewarm interest in these protected areas, Brady notes the complexity of overturning the ban due to its foundation in a 1950s law that grants presidents significant authority over such protections. He contrasts Biden's policy with President Elect Trump's promise to deregulate drilling to boost production, despite the U.S. already being the world's leading oil producer. Environmental groups like Oceana have lauded Biden's actions, citing community opposition to new offshore drilling projects (01:34).

Syria's Call to Lift U.S. Sanctions

Korva Coleman introduces the segment on international relations by reporting on Syria's foreign minister's appeal to the United States. Dia Hadid provides the full story from Damascus, detailing the Syrian government's request to lift sanctions imposed to penalize the former Assad regime. Al Shaybani emphasizes that these sanctions are inadvertently harming the poor Syrian population: “They’re punishing poor Syrians” (02:15).

Hadid explains that Syria's interim government, led by Ahmad Al Shara, who took power after rebels ousted the Assad regime in December, has been seeking U.S. assistance for urgent aid and reconstruction efforts. The devastation wrought by the Assad regime’s attempts to eliminate rebel forces has left major cities in ruins, exacerbating the need for international support. The call to lift sanctions aligns with analyses from senior foreign policy experts who agree that easing these restrictions is essential for Syria's recovery and stabilization (02:28).

Hamas Negotiations for Hostage Release

In a developing story, Korva Coleman reports that Hamas has signaled willingness to release 34 hostages held in Gaza as part of a proposed ceasefire deal. These negotiations are reportedly taking place in Qatar. The hostages include female soldiers, other women, and approximately two dozen men, among whom are two Americans. The proposed deal stipulates that Israel would release some Palestinian prisoners and partially withdraw its forces from Gaza. However, the outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, with no confirmation yet on whether the deal will be finalized (03:14).

Public Repose Honoring Former President Jimmy Carter

The episode takes a moment to honor the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter. Sarah Kallis of Georgia Public Broadcasting reports that Carter’s body will lie in repose at the Carter Center in Atlanta. Carter, who passed away at the age of 100, continues to attract mourners from across the nation.

During the public repose, visitors are guided through the Carter Museum and Presidential Library, allowing them to view artifacts from Carter's life and presidency before paying their respects at his casket. William Mendoza, a 19-year-old attendee, shares his sentiments: “It's a really great refresher of how and who Jimmy Carter was—such a man who was willing to work for everyone no matter who you are, a man that was willing to put the people first and not their political party” (04:09). The Carter Center anticipates thousands of visitors each day until the public repose concludes on Tuesday morning (04:20).

Appointment of New Archbishop for Washington, D.C.

Closing the episode, Korva Coleman announces that Pope Francis has selected Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego as the new archbishop for the Washington, D.C. archdiocese. McElroy is set to succeed Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who is retiring. His appointment is seen as aligning with Pope Francis’s vision, as McElroy is regarded as a like-minded ally of the pontiff, potentially continuing the progressive initiatives within the archdiocese (04:38).

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events, from political upheavals and environmental policies to international diplomacy and the honoring of a longstanding statesman. Through insightful reporting and firsthand accounts, listeners are kept informed on critical developments shaping the world as of January 6, 2025.