NPR News: 01-21-2025 5AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now Summary

Episode: NPR News: 01-21-2025 5AM EST
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Host: Giles Snyder, Asma Khalid, Frank Lankford, Becky Sullivan

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1. President Trump's Executive Actions

Timestamp: 00:16 - 01:29

On his first night back in office, President Donald Trump initiated a series of executive actions aimed at reshaping U.S. policies both domestically and internationally. Among the most notable actions was the issuance of pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6th Capitol attack. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump referred to the rioters as "hostages," criticizing their treatment by the Justice Department.

Giles Snyder reported, "The pardons have already led to some releases. Supporters gathered late last night outside the Washington, D.C. jail where more than a dozen defendants were being held" (00:33). Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer condemned these actions, stating that Trump is "ushering in a golden age for people that break the law and attempt to overthrow the government."

In addition to pardons, Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accord. He also declared a national energy emergency, a move part of his broader strategy to boost domestic natural resource production. Asma Khalid detailed, "Trump aims to cut red tape and regulations in the energy industry and enable the United States to produce more coal" (01:29).

2. Energy Policy and Regulation

Timestamp: 01:29 - 01:59

Trump's executive actions include significant shifts in energy policy. He emphasized the goal of reducing energy prices without specifying exact targets. The administration intends to increase coal production and end what Trump refers to as "Biden's electric vehicle mandate." Additionally, efforts to limit consumer choices on appliances like gas stoves and dishwashers are being rolled back. Asma Khalid elaborated, "In recent years, US oil and gas production has hit record levels," indicating a push towards traditional energy sources (01:59).

3. Trump Rally at Capital One Arena

Timestamp: 01:59 - 02:52

Approximately 20,000 supporters filled Washington's Capital One Arena to hear President Trump speak, following his indoor inauguration. Immigration emerged as a key topic, resonating strongly with attendees. NPR's Frank Lankford shared the story of Joanne Floyd from Mississippi, who expressed her support for Trump's border policies:

"The biggest thing that I love about Donald Trump is those borders. And it's sickening, very sickening to see under Biden's administration all of these illegal immigrants coming into the country." (02:22)

Trump announced a national emergency at the southern border and pledged to deport immigrants convicted of crimes. Despite a rise in illegal border crossings during the latter part of the Biden administration, current levels are at a recent low. Frank Lankford concluded, "Trump is declaring a national emergency at the southern border and is pledging to deport immigrants who've been convicted of crimes" (02:36).

4. Southern California Wildfire

Timestamp: 02:52 - 03:56

A new wildfire, named the Lilac Fire, has ignited north of San Diego, scorching three acres. Authorities are taking precautions by ordering evacuations due to persistently dangerous fire conditions, including wind gusts up to 70 mph. The situation remains under close watch as firefighting efforts continue.

5. Prisoner Exchange with the Taliban

Timestamp: 03:56 - 04:39

The Taliban government in Afghanistan announced the release of two American detainees as part of a prisoner exchange. The Foreign Ministry in Kabul did not disclose the identities of the released individuals but confirmed they were exchanged for Khan Muhammad, who is serving a life sentence in California on charges related to drug trafficking and terrorism. Ryan Corbett's family confirmed his release, expressing gratitude towards both President Trump and President Joe Biden for facilitating the exchange.

6. Ohio State Wins College Football National Championship

Timestamp: 04:39 - 04:56

Ohio State secured the college football national championship by defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with a score of 34-23. NPR's Becky Sullivan recapped the game, highlighting Ohio State's dominant offense and strategic plays that overcame Notre Dame's strong defense. Key moments included a pivotal first down pass to star freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, which sealed the Buckeyes' victory. This marks Ohio State's ninth national title and their first since 2014.

7. Australian Open Upset

Timestamp: 04:56 - 05:00

In sports news, American tennis player Coco Goff was eliminated from the Australian Open after losing a quarterfinal match to Spain's Paula Badosa, who now advances to her first Grand Slam semifinal. Giles Snyder reported the unexpected turn of events in the tournament's early stages.

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Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. On his first night back in power, President Trump signed a flurry of executive actions, including a pardon for some 1500 people charged with crimes during the January 6th attack Capitol four years ago.

[Asma Khalid]

So this is January 6th. These are the hostages, approximately 1,500 for a pardon.

[Giles Snyder]

Trump, speaking in the Oval Office, referring to the rioters as hostages. He claims they were unfairly treated by the Justice Department. The pardons have already led to some releases. Supporters gathered late last night outside the Washington, D.C. jail where more than a dozen defendants were being held. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer used a line from Trump's inauguration speech saying that Trump is ushering in a golden age for people that break the law and attempt to overthrow the government. The slew of executive actions Trump has taken since he took his oath of Office less than 24 hours ago include withdrawing the US from the world Health Organization and from the Paris climate Accord. He's also declared a national energy emergency. NPR's Asma Khalid reports. It's part of a broader vision aimed at boosting natural resource production in the United States.

[Asma Khalid]

Trump aims to cut red tape and regulations in the energy industry and enable the United States to produce more coal. The official said energy prices are currently too high but declined to name a target price. In recent years, US Oil and gas production has hit record levels. Trump also plans to end what he refers to as Biden's electric vehicle mandate and end efforts to limit consumer choices on items like gas stoves and dishwashers. Asma Khalid, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Some 20,000 people packed Washington's Capital One arena to hear President Trump speak in person following his indoor inauguration yesterday. Many who went cited what they described as a favorite Trump policy, immigration. Here's NPR's Frank Lankford.

[Frank Lankford]

Joanne Floyd traveled from Mississippi and spent five hours in the cold trying to get into the arena on Sunday, only to be turned back. This time she got in.

[Joanne Floyd]

The biggest thing that I love about Donald Trump is those borders. And it's sickening, very sickening to see under Biden's administration all of these illegal immigrants coming into the country.

[Frank Lankford]

Trump is declaring a national emergency at the southern border and is pledging to deport immigrants who've been convicted of crimes. As COVID 19 era restrictions eased illegal border crossings rose sharply under President Biden, but are now at their lowest level in recent years. Frank Lankford, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

A new wildfire has broken out in Southern California. The Lilac Fire is burning north of San Diego. It's only scorched three acres, but authorities aren't taking any chances. They've offered. They've already ordered rather some evacuations. Dangerous fire conditions persist in the California region. There could be wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour today. This is NPR News. The Taliban government in Afghanistan says it has released two Americans in a prisoner exchange. The Foreign Ministry in Kabul did not name the two, but said they have been exchanged for Khan Muhammad, who has been serving a life sentence in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges. The family of Ryan Corbett issued a statement confirming him as one of the Americans and thanking both President Trump and President Joe Biden. Ohio State has won the college football national championship. The Buckeyes beat the Notre dame Fighting Irish 3423 to win the ninth title in the school's history. NPR's Becky Sullivan has more on how last night's game shook out.

[Becky Sullivan]

The Buckeyes were the favorites coming into Atlanta. Their offense was stellar all season, especially their passing game. That set up a classic offense first defense matchup as Notre Dame had one of the country's best defenses, especially on third and fourth downs. And no team in college football SC points off of turnovers. Ohio State seemed to have the game in hand in the third quarter when they went up 31 7, but the fighting Irish wouldn't let the door close. They scored one touchdown, then another, and trailed by only eight points with four minutes left to play. But the Buckeyes sealed their victory with a key first down, a pass to who else but their star freshman wide receiver, Jeremiah smith. It's Ohio State's first national championship since 2014. Becky Sullivan, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

There's been an upset at the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. American Coco Goff has been knocked out of the Australian Open after losing a quarterfinal match to Spain's Paula Badosa. Badosa now heading to her first Grand Slam semifinal. I'm Giles Snyder, NPR News.

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