NPR News: 01-21-2025 9AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 21, 2025, 9 AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: January 21, 2025

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1. President Trump's Pardons for Capitol Attack Involvement

Korva Coleman (00:12):
In a significant move, President Donald Trump has pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals convicted of or accused of involvement in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. This decision includes rioters who are currently imprisoned, such as the man responsible for attacking former Washington, D.C. police officer Michael Fanon with a stun gun.

Michael Fanon (00:51):
Fanon expressed his deep sense of betrayal, stating, "I have been betrayed by my country and I've been betrayed by those that supported Donald Trump." Fanon, who sustained serious injuries during the attack—including crushed spinal discs and a traumatic brain injury—also mentioned experiencing a mild heart attack later as a result of the ordeal.

Korva Coleman (00:57):
The pardons have sparked controversy, particularly among law enforcement and victims of the attack. President Trump's executive action aims to address border security and immigration, aligning with his focus during the inaugural address.

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2. Executive Actions on Immigration and Birthright Citizenship

Tamara Keith (01:22):
NPR’s Tamara Keith reports that President Trump is pushing the boundaries of his executive authority. One of his most contentious orders seeks to revoke birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents who are not legally present or are in the country temporarily.

Unnamed Commentator (01:36):
“Birthright, That's a big one.”

Tamara Keith (01:39):
Keith highlights that birthright citizenship is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. President Trump acknowledged uncertainty regarding the legality of his order, stating, “I don’t know whether his order will hold up to legal challenge.”

Unnamed Commentator (01:47):
“It's just absolutely ridiculous. But you know, we'll see. We think it, we have very good ground.”

Tamara Keith (01:53):
This executive order is part of a broader suite of actions signed by Trump shortly after his inauguration. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has announced plans to file a lawsuit challenging the birthright citizenship initiative.

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3. Trump's Stance on the Panama Canal

Korva Coleman (02:02):
In addition to immigration reforms, President Trump has reignited discussions about reclaiming the Panama Canal, a critical maritime route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

John Otis (02:22):
John Otis explains that the Panama Canal, originally built and operated by the U.S., was handed over to Panama in 1977 under a bilateral treaty. Trump claims that U.S. ships are being overcharged to use the canal and alleges, without substantiated evidence, that China controls it.

Unnamed Commentator (02:48):
“China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama and we're taking it back.”

John Otis (02:56):
Despite these assertions, Trump has not provided concrete plans for how the United States would reclaim control. Panama’s President, Jose Raul Molino, has firmly stated, “The canal belongs to Panama.” The international community is closely watching how this situation will unfold.

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4. Legal Proceedings in the Ahmaud Arbery Case

Korva Coleman (03:09):
Turning to significant legal news, a former Georgia prosecutor is on trial for allegedly interfering in the police investigation of Ahmaud Arbery's murder.

Debbie Elliott (03:49):
Debbie Elliott reports that Jackie Johnson, the former Glenn County District Attorney, faces charges of violating her oath of office and impeding police efforts. State prosecutors allege that she attempted to protect Arbery's killers, one of whom had previously worked as an investigator in her office. Marcus Arbery, Ahmaud's father, emphasized the necessity of holding Johnson accountable.

Unnamed Commentator (04:13):
“Get 100% justice for Ahmaud.”

Debbie Elliott (04:15):
Johnson, a white former DA who served for a decade, denies all allegations, claiming she recused herself from the Arbery case immediately. The trial, which begins with jury selection, will determine the validity of these serious accusations. Notably, the three men responsible for Arbery's murder are already serving life sentences.

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5. Weather Alert: Blizzard Warnings in Louisiana's Gulf Coast

Korva Coleman (04:31):
In weather news, parts of Louisiana's Gulf Coast are under blizzard warnings as a massive winter storm sweeps through the southern United States. Residents can expect up to four inches of snow, a rare and disruptive event for the region near New Orleans.

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Summary:

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues. From President Trump's controversial pardons and aggressive immigration policies to his unsubstantiated claims regarding the Panama Canal, the administration's actions are under intense scrutiny. The legal battle surrounding the Ahmaud Arbery case highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring justice and accountability. Additionally, an unexpected winter storm is impacting the southern U.S., showcasing the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Notable Quotes:

• "I have been betrayed by my country and I've been betrayed by those that supported Donald Trump." — Michael Fanon (00:51)
• "Birthright, That's a big one." — Unnamed Commentator (01:36)
• "It's just absolutely ridiculous. But you know, we'll see. We think it, we have very good ground." — Unnamed Commentator (01:47)
• "China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama and we're taking it back." — Unnamed Commentator (02:48)
• "Get 100% justice for Ahmaud." — Unnamed Commentator (04:13)

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This summary aims to encapsulate the key discussions and developments presented in the NPR News Now episode for listeners seeking a thorough understanding without accessing the original podcast.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump has pardoned about 1500 people convicted of or accused of involvement in the attack on the US Capitol four years ago. 140 law enforcement officers were hurt at that time, including those with crushed spinal discs and traumatic brain injuries. Rioters who are imprisoned will be freed. That includes the man who attacked former Washington, D.C. police officer Michael Fanon with a stun gun. Fanon was tased repeatedly and rioters threatened to murder him with his own gun. Fanon says he later had a mild heart attack. He has strong words about the president's executive action.

[Michael Fanon]

I have been betrayed by my country and I've been betrayed by those that supported Donald Trump.

[Korva Coleman]

That audio is courtesy of CNN's Anderson Cooper. AC360. President Trump focused heavily on border security and immigration during his inaugural address. He has declared a national emergency exists on the southern US Border. He then signed scores of executive actions on the issues. NPR's Chama Keith reports. Trump is taking aim at one right that is protected by the US Constitution.

[Tamara Keith]

Trump is already testing the limits of his executive power, including with an executive order that would end birthright citizen for the children of people who are not in the country legally or who are in the US Lawfully but temporarily.

[Unnamed Commentator]

Birthright, That's a big one.

[Tamara Keith]

Birthright citizenship is written into the Constitution. And Trump admitted he doesn't know whether his order will hold up to legal challenge.

[Unnamed Commentator]

It's just absolutely ridiculous. But you know, we'll see. We think it, we have very good ground.

[Tamara Keith]

The order was part of a stack of executive actions signed by Trump in the Oval Office just hours after being sworn in. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The ACLU is filing suit over the birthright issue. President Trump also says the United States will once again consider itself a growing nation that expands its territory. John Otis reports. In his inaugural address, Trump has renewed his threat to seize the U S built Panama Canal.

[John Otis]

The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is a key route for world shipping. It was built and operated by the U.S. but under a treaty signed by both countries in 1977, the canal was handed over to Panama. In his address, Trump insisted that US Ships are now being overcharged to use the waterway and claimed without evidence that it's controlled by China.

[Unnamed Commentator]

China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama and we're taking it back.

[John Otis]

However, Trump offered no details on how that would happen, and Panama's president, Jose Raul Molino, insisted that the canal belongs to Panama. For NPR News, I'm John Otis.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to npr. Israel's prime minister says his country's military is conducting a major raid in the occupied west bank to combat terrorism. Palestinian officials in the west bank say at least six Palestinians have been killed. This comes as a ceasefire continues to hold in the separate Palestinian enclave of Gaza. A former Georgia prosecutor goes on trial today, charged with interfering in the police investigation of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. He was a black jogger chased and killed by three white men in 2020. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports. No arrests were made until months later, and only after video of the crime was leaked.

[Debbie Elliott]

Former Glenn County District Attorney Jackie Johnson is charged with violating her oath of office and hindering a police officer. State prosecutors say she sought to shield Ahmaud Arbery' killers from arrest. One of them had previously worked as an investigator in her office. His father, Marcus Arbery says it's important to hold the former prosecutor accountable to.

[Unnamed Commentator]

Get 100% justice for Ahmaud.

[Debbie Elliott]

Johnson, who is white, served as the Glenn County DA for 10 years. She has denied interfering and said she immediately recused herself from the Arbery case. Jury selection begins today. Debbie Elliott, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The three men who murdered Arbery are serving life prison sentences. There are blizzard warnings up for parts of Louisiana's Gulf coast. Up to 4 inches of snow may fall on the region not far from New Orleans. It's part of a massive winter storm blanketing the southern U.S. i'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

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