NPR News: 01-20-2025 10AM EST

Summary

Summary of NPR News Now

Episode: January 20, 2025, 10 AM EST
Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: January 20, 2025

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Presidential Inauguration and Upcoming Executive Orders

In today’s episode, Korva Coleman reports on the imminent inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump. Scheduled to take the oath of office in two hours at the U.S. Capitol, Trump, along with Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance and their families, participated in a traditional church service at St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House. Coleman notes that this century-old tradition underscores the solemnity of the presidential transition.

Later today, President-Elect Trump is expected to sign several significant executive orders. One such order will formally recognize two biologically distinct sexes, male and female, impacting official documents like passports, visas, and employee records (00:12). Another order aims to terminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the federal government (00:12). Additionally, an incoming White House official indicates that Trump plans to declare a national emergency to reduce regulations for the energy industry, specifically aiming to end the electric vehicle mandate (00:12).

Trump is also set to declare a national emergency at the U.S. border, which will include suspending refugee resettlement for four months and restoring the death penalty for individuals who illegally kill law enforcement officers in the U.S. Furthermore, he intends to challenge the constitutional amendment of birthright citizenship, a move anticipated to face immediate legal challenges (00:12).

Inauguration Celebrations Amid Weather Challenges

NPR’s Sarah McCammon provides a glimpse into the supporter's preparations for President-Elect Trump's inauguration. Many supporters traveled extensive distances to attend the event, hoping to witness history firsthand. However, due to unexpected cold weather, the inauguration was moved indoors to a downtown arena.

Sarah interviews Michael Webb from Texas and Jonathan Mahoney from Massachusetts, both military personnel stationed near Washington, D.C. (01:57) Webb expresses disappointment over the change of venue but maintains a positive outlook, stating, "You want the best for him because a successful presidency, no matter what party, is a successful country. So we hope the same for Trump" (02:28). Edwin Alas from Colorado, along with his husband Gabriel, also shares their sentiments, highlighting their desire to support the new president despite not having tickets (02:12).

Trump will take the oath inside the Capitol Rotunda, with numerous supporters watching from the indoor arena, adapting to the shift caused by the inclement weather (02:36).

President Biden’s Pardons and Legal Actions

Amid the transition, President Joe Biden has issued several pardons aimed at protecting certain Americans from politically motivated prosecutions. Coleman reports that these pardons include high-profile figures such as former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former pandemic medical adviser to the White House (02:44). Additionally, lawmakers involved in the House January 6th Committee and their staff members have also been pardoned. Biden emphasizes that these actions are intended to safeguard individuals from undue political persecution (02:44).

Extreme Weather Warnings Across the U.S.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings about extreme cold affecting the central United States, spanning from the Canadian border down to South Texas. Concurrently, a winter storm is developing along the Gulf Coast, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to Texas, Georgia, and Florida—regions not typically accustomed to such severe winter conditions (02:44). Coleman underscores the rarity and potential impact of this weather pattern, advising residents in the affected areas to prepare accordingly (04:31).

U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions Over Tariffs

Dan Carpentuk reports on escalating trade tensions between the United States and Canada. Canada's Internal Trade Minister, Anita Anand, warns of significant retaliatory measures if President-Elect Trump proceeds with his threatened tariffs on Canadian products (03:48). Anand states, "Retaliatory measures are ready and will be unveiled on Monday when and if Trump slaps a 25% tariff on Canadian products" (03:48). She emphasizes Canada's preparedness to protect its workers and industries, citing the united stance of cabinet ministers and provincial premiers (03:48).

Economic experts caution that Trump's tariff threats could trigger one of the largest trade wars between the U.S. and Canada in decades, potentially inflicting severe damage on both economies (03:48). Despite the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s exact plans, Anand assures that Canada has multiple rounds of counter tariffs prepared and is ready to implement them without hesitation (03:48).

Wildfires Threaten Los Angeles Amid Santa Ana Wind Conditions

Back in Washington, Coleman reports that firefighters are battling two massive wildfires surrounding Los Angeles. The situation is exacerbated by returning powerful Santa Ana winds, which have historically fueled the spread of such fires in the region. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning, indicating that the high winds are expected to persist through Thursday (04:31). The combination of ongoing firefighting efforts and adverse weather conditions poses a significant threat to the area, requiring continued vigilance and resources to manage the blazes (04:31).

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This summary provides an overview of the key discussions and updates from the NPR News Now episode aired on January 20, 2025. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Elect Trump takes the oath of office in two hours at the U.S. capitol. Last hour, Trump, Vice President elect J.D. vance and their families attended a service at St. John's Episcopal Church close to the White House. The church service is a nearly century old tradition for incoming presidents. Later today, Trump is expected to sign several executive orders. One is going to say that it's U.S. policy to recognize two biologically distinct sexes, male and female. This order can affect documents such as passports, visas and employee records. A second order will end all diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government. An incoming White House official says Trump is going to sign an executive order declaring a national emergency that's intended to cut regulations for the energy industry. The order is supposed to end the electric vehicle mandate. Trump is also going to declare a national emergency at the U.S. border. He is expected to take several actions around this. These include efforts to suspend refugee resettlement in the US for four months. It also calls for restoring the death penalty for people in the US Illegally who kill a law enforcement officer. Trump will also seek to end a constitutional amendment known as birthright citizenship. This last action is expected to see an immediate legal challenge. Supporters of President Elect Trump are preparing to celebrate his inauguration. NPR's Sarah McCammon reports. Some traveled hundreds of miles for the event they hoped to witness, only to find that it was moved indoors because of cold weather.

[Sarah McCammon]

Michael Webb and Jonathan Mahoney were excited for the inauguration, but they're rolling with the change of plans.

[Michael Webb]

They got moods inside, so it's kind of sad. Kind of sad. Yeah. We had tickets, too, so we were like on the lawn and then we don't know what's going on with that man.

[Sarah McCammon]

Webb, who's from Texas, and Mahoney, from Massachusetts are in the military and stationed together a few hours from D.C. edwin, alas, traveled from Colorado with his husband, Gabriel. Allas says they don't have tickets, but they wanted to come celebrate the new president.

[Michael Webb]

You want the best for him because a successful presidency, no matter what party, is a successful country. So we hope the same for Trump.

[Sarah McCammon]

Trump will take the oath inside the Capitol Rotunda with many supporters watching from a downtown arena. Sarah McCammon, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Meanwhile, this morning, President Biden has issued several pardons. He says these are meant to protect certain Americans from politically motivated prosecutions. The pardons are for former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley, the former pandemic medical adviser to the White House, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and pardons for lawmakers on the House January 6th Committee and their staff. You're listening to NPR. The National Weather Service has issued warnings of extreme cold in the central US from the Canadian border down to South Texas. At the same time, a winter storm is brewing on the Gulf Coast. Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain are headed for Texas, Georgia and Florida. Forecasters say these areas don't often get this kind of winter weather. Canada's internal trade minister says if President Elect Trump follows through on his threat of tariffs, Canada could retaliate with the single largest trade blow to the U.S. dan Carpentuk reports. Anita Anand says Canada is ready to take on Trump immediately.

[Anita Anand]

Anand says retaliatory measures are ready and will be unveiled on Monday when and if Trump slaps a 25% tariff on Canadian products. She's echoed what other cabinet ministers and nearly all provincial premiers have said, that Canada will use all the tools it has to ensure that Canadian workers and industry are protected. Trump has praised the use of tariffs, but economic experts are warning that his threat would have devastating effects on both economies, especially if there is a trade war, the biggest between Canada and the US in decades. Anand also acknowledges that Ottawa still does not have any information about what Trump will do. But she says Canada has planned multiple rounds of counter tariffs, which it will not hesitate to use. For NPR News, I'm Dan Karpenchuk in Toronto, California.

[Korva Coleman]

Firefighters are making progr against the two enormous wildfires burning around Los Angeles, but powerful Santa Ana winds that have helped fuel the flames are returning today. Forecasters have issued a red flag warning. The winds are expected to last through Thursday. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.

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