NPR News Now – January 6, 2026, 5PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)
Date: January 6, 2026
Episode Theme:
A concise update on the hour’s most significant national and international news stories, including U.S. foreign policy moves, the anniversary of January 6th, issues of justice and politics, state-level abortion rights, and a feel-good animal science segment.

Main Headlines and Key Discussion Points

1. U.S. Military Action in Venezuela

[00:18 – 01:23]

• President Trump celebrates the U.S. raid to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
  • The administration is vague about what follows this high-profile action.
  • The U.S. rules out an “Iraq style occupation,” leaving most of Maduro’s government in place with little plan for imminent democratic elections.
  • Trump appears confident in continued support from his base, despite breaking promises on avoiding foreign intervention:
    • Quote (President Trump, via NBC News): “MAGA loves it. MAGA loves what I’m doing. MAGA loves everything I do. MAGA is me. MAGA loves everything I do.” [00:56]
  • For midterm strategy, Trump advises Republicans to focus on issues like private health insurance accounts, lower gas prices, and bans on transgender athletes—but notably omits mentioning Venezuela.
  • Reported by Mara Liasson.

2. Five Years Since the January 6th Capitol Attack

[01:23 – 02:26]

• Marking the fifth anniversary since the attack.
  • President Trump has issued mass pardons for January 6th rioters.
  • The lasting trauma for police, especially Daniel Hodges of D.C. police, is highlighted:
    • Hodges was brutally assaulted during the riots and speaks to the ongoing psychological toll:
      • Quote (Daniel Hodges): “I can't draw a straight line between this and the sixth, but I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety adjustment disorder, and PTSD symptoms.” [02:05]
    • Hodges commits to continuing to speak out to preserve historical truth:
      • Quote (Daniel Hodges): “I'll keep speaking out about the insurrection to try to preserve an accurate account of what happened that day.” [02:16]
  • Reporting by Tom Dreisbach.

3. Military and Political Fallout: Senator Mark Kelly Censured

[02:26 – 03:04]

• Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth censures Senator Mark Kelly (AZ) for appearing in a video urging troops to resist unlawful orders.
  • Consequences: Downgraded rank and reduced retirement pay.
  • Senator Kelly describes the move as intimidation by the administration:
    • Quote (Mark Kelly): “This is the way they're going to deal with me. And it sends a chilling effect to service members, retired service members, especially across the country. But anybody who served in the military and any US citizen, that if you speak out against this president, they're going to come after you.” [02:47]
  • President Trump publicly accuses Kelly of sedition, punishable by death.

4. Market Update

[03:04 – 03:15]

• The S&P 500 and NASDAQ both increase by 0.6%.

5. International: Swiss Nightclub Fire Investigation

[03:15 – 03:44]

• Fire safety checks at the bar in Switzerland, where a fire recently killed 40 and injured over 100, had not been done since 2019.
• Early investigations point to sparkling candles on champagne as the likely ignition source.

6. Wyoming Supreme Court Upholds Abortion Access

[03:44 – 04:33]

• Wyoming’s Supreme Court rules that laws banning most abortions violate the state constitution’s guarantee of healthcare choice.
  • State OBGYN Dr. Giovanina Anthony expresses relief:
    • Quote (Dr. Anthony): “You know, I don't have to lie to patients about what they can and can't do. I don't have to send them out of state. I don't have to figure out how to fly them somewhere.” [04:01]
  • Despite the court ruling, legislators may pursue a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion in most cases.
  • Abortion remains legal in Wyoming despite national challenges post-Roe v. Wade.
  • Reporter: Hannah Merzbach (Wyoming Public Radio).

7. Feel-Good Story: Giant Panda Cub ‘Rio’

[04:33 – 04:58]

• Indonesia’s conservation park releases a milestone video of a panda cub, Rio, 40 days after birth.
  • The footage shows Rio’s significant development from a pink newborn to a playful panda.
  • The cub’s survival is particularly noteworthy due to the species’ known breeding challenges.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• President Trump (Venezuela policy):
  “MAGA loves it. MAGA loves what I’m doing. MAGA loves everything I do. MAGA is me. MAGA loves everything I do.” [00:56]
• Officer Daniel Hodges (U.S. Capitol attack repercussions):
  “I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety adjustment disorder, and PTSD symptoms.” [02:05] “I'll keep speaking out about the insurrection to try to preserve an accurate account of what happened that day.” [02:16]
• Senator Mark Kelly (military censure):
  “This is the way they're going to deal with me. And it sends a chilling effect… if you speak out against this president, they're going to come after you.” [02:47]
• Dr. Giovanina Anthony (Wyoming abortion access):
  “You know, I don't have to lie to patients about what they can and can't do. I don't have to send them out of state. I don't have to figure out how to fly them somewhere.” [04:01]

Memorable Moments

• The chilling and raw testimony of Officer Hodges, underscoring the long-term impacts of January 6th [02:05 – 02:16].
• The celebratory tone from President Trump, both in foreign policy and the way he continues to rally his supporters [00:56].
• Dr. Anthony’s genuine relief at being able to openly care for her patients in Wyoming following the Supreme Court decision [04:01].
• The closing, upbeat note celebrating the survival and growth of a rare panda cub, Rio, giving listeners a hopeful ending to an intense news round-up [04:33 – 04:58].

This summary covers the substantive news updates in the January 6, 2026, 5PM NPR News Now episode. Ads, promotional content, and non-news segments have been omitted.