NPR News Now: January 20, 2025, 4 PM EST

Inauguration of President Donald Trump

At the U.S. Capitol today, Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office to Donald J. Trump, marking his return as the 47th President of the United States. In his inaugural address, President Trump outlined a series of significant policy changes and initiatives aimed at reshaping the nation.

Key Policy Announcements

• Renaming Landmarks: President Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" and restore Mount McKinley to its original name, honoring President William McKinley. Lakshmi Singh noted, “[Trump] outlined a long list of changes he planned to make” (00:47).

  Quote:

  “A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the government Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs.” — Donald Trump (00:59)

• Immigration Policies: Trump pledged executive actions to implement mass deportations and implement stricter measures for asylum seekers. This move has sparked significant reactions both domestically and internationally.

  Impact on Migrants: NPR’s Ada Peralta reported from Juarez, Mexico, highlighting the immediate effects of Trump's immigration policies:

  “Almost as soon as Donald Trump became President Trump, the phone application that allows migrants appointments to seek asylum in the United States went down. Existing appointments scheduled through CBP1 are no longer valid. Margelistinoco had been waiting for an appointment for six months, and the news broke her. She knelt on the ground at the foot of the international bridge that leads to El Paso, and she wept. ‘My God, when I thought everything was solved, it all comes crumbling down,’ she said.” — Ada Peralta, NPR News, Juarez, Mexico (01:32)

• Other Executive Actions: Additional measures include ending diversity programs within the federal government, imposing sweeping tariffs on imported goods, mandating government recognition of strictly two sexes (male and female), and exiting the Paris Climate Accord once more.

Republican Optimism for a Second Term

Across the United States, Republican supporters are expressing optimism about President Trump’s prospects for a second term. NPR’s Stephen Fowler provided coverage from a watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Watch Party Atmosphere:

• Despite rainy and chilly weather, the mood remained upbeat. Palm Beach County GOP Chair Carl Cassio stated:

  “This inauguration marks a new era.” — Carl Cassio (02:34)

• President Trump's address was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, who celebrated the declaration that “America's decline is over” and outlined the administration’s immediate priorities.

  Quote:

  “For the US but this is just the beginning. This is not going to be the time to sit back on our laurels and to just wait and let things happen. As you've seen over the last four.” — Donald Trump (02:45)

Celebrations in Washington D.C.

Back in Washington D.C., Trump supporters celebrated the inauguration despite frigid weather conditions, moving indoors to venues like the Capital One Arena. Notably, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk made an appearance, engaging the crowd with his unique style.

Elon Musk’s Appearance:

• Musk addressed the audience with enthusiasm, emphasizing the significance of the election.

  Quote:

  “There are elections that elections, they come and go. Some elections are, you know, important, some are not. But this one, this one, this one really mattered.” — Elon Musk (03:33)

• His entrance featured an unconventional dance to thank supporters, adding a vibrant energy to the event.

Farewell from President Joe Biden

Earlier today, outgoing President Joe Biden delivered his farewell speech at Joint Base Andrews. Emphasizing continuity and resilience, Biden encouraged Americans to remain engaged in various sectors to continue the fight for the nation’s progress.

Biden’s Farewell Message:

Quote:

“We're leaving office. We're not leaving the fight. You're smart, you're skilled, you're passionate. The country needs you again so you can stay engaged in all the ways you can, whether it's in public service, the private sector, philanthropy, academia, running for office, yourself or anything else you choose to do. I give you my word, we believe in you.” — Joe Biden (03:57)

Preemptive Pardons Issued by Biden

In the final minutes of his presidency, Biden issued preemptive pardons for members of his family. The White House stated that these pardons were intended to protect his family from potential investigations or prosecutions tied to activities during the Trump administration. Biden cited threats and attacks aimed at harming his family as the rationale behind these decisions.

Passing of Cecile Richards

NPR also reported the passing of Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood. According to a family statement, Richards died this morning after battling brain cancer. She was 67 years old.

Conclusion

The January 20, 2025, episode of NPR News Now provided comprehensive coverage of the significant political transitions in the United States, capturing the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the reactions from various communities, and noteworthy events surrounding the outgoing President Joe Biden. The episode offered listeners a detailed overview of the day's pivotal moments and their broader implications.