NPR News: 01-22-2025 12AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – January 22, 2025

Host: Dan Ronan | Release Date: January 22, 2025

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1. Defense Secretary Nominee Pete Hegseth Faces Misconduct Allegations

Timestamp: [00:17]

Dan Ronan opens the episode by addressing the unfolding controversy surrounding Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary. In a sworn statement to the Senate, Hegseth's former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, has accused him of abusive behavior towards his second wife, citing an alcohol problem that led to domestic issues.

Timestamp: [00:36]

NPR's Luke Garrett provides deeper insight into the allegations:

"Danielle Hegseth... says the defense secretary nominee, quote, has an alcohol problem and was abusive to his ex-wife."

She further details instances where Hegseth's second wife felt compelled to hide in fear, highlighting the severity of the claims. The affidavit, submitted in response to Democratic Senator Jack Reed's request, has been described by Reed as "disturbing and potentially disqualifying." Despite these allegations, the Senate Armed Services Committee has endorsed Hegseth's nomination along party lines, setting the stage for a full Senate vote. Hegseth's legal team has dismissed the accusations, maintaining his suitability for the role. NPR is awaiting a formal comment from Hegseth on the matter.

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2. Trump Administration Revokes Biden-Era Voter Registration Executive Order

Timestamp: [01:19]

Dan Ronan reports on President Trump's move to revoke several executive orders from the Biden administration, notably the one aimed at promoting voter registration across federal agencies. This action is part of a broader strategy to "repair our institutions," according to Trump.

Timestamp: [01:38]

NPR's Hansi Lo Wang elaborates on the implications of this decision:

"Former President Joe Biden's 2021 order called for federal agencies to promote voter registration in ways that are consistent with applicable law."

The order had facilitated the creation of voter registration guides, updated governmental websites, and initiated programs in facilities like Veterans Affairs in Kentucky and Michigan to aid eligible voters. Trump contends that revoking the order counters what he and some Republican officials perceive as overreach by the Biden administration, though these claims lack substantial evidence. The revocation is seen by opponents as an attempt to suppress voter turnout ahead of elections.

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3. Impending Rain in Southern California: A Double-Edged Blessing

Timestamp: [02:19]

Wildfire-stricken Southern California is anticipating much-needed rainfall this weekend, which could bolster firefighting efforts. However, Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warns of potential complications such as mudslides and toxic ash runoff resulting from even minimal precipitation.

Timestamp: [02:38]

Mayor Bass outlines the city's proactive measures:

"The action plan I have directed our city public works bureaus to implement includes the installation of barriers, debris removal and diverting runoff from our stormwater system and into our sewer system where it can be treated."

She has issued an executive order aimed at expediting cleanup operations to mitigate environmental impacts. While the rain may aid in combating wildfires, the accompanying hazards pose significant challenges for the affected communities.

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4. Canadian Leadership Confident in Avoiding Trump’s Tariffs; Tribute to Garth Hudson

Timestamp: [02:53]

In international trade news, Canada's outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta's oil-rich province leader express confidence in circumventing the 25% tariffs proposed by President-elect Trump, effective February 1st. This assurance signals stability in Canada-U.S. trade relations amidst political changes.

Timestamp: [03:30]

Transitioning to cultural news, NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento pays homage to Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of the iconic roots rock band. At 87, Hudson's passing marks the end of an era for the beloved ensemble.

"Garth Hudson played keyboard and saxophone, but it was his way of playing the Lowry organ and the Clavinet as leading instruments that gave the band its signature churchy, post-psychedelic sound."

Hudson's influence extended beyond the band's dissolution in 1976, as he continued to perform with various iterations until his final public appearance in 2023. Writer Harry Hu remarked that Hudson "never lost that spark," celebrating his enduring legacy in music.

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5. Revocation of Secret Service Protection for John Bolton

Timestamp: [04:16]

The Trump administration has withdrawn Secret Service protection for former National Security Adviser John Bolton. Bolton, who served from 2018 to 2019, has become a vocal critic of President Trump’s foreign policy. Initially granted protection due to credible threats, including a plot by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, the revocation signifies a shift as Bolton continues his opposition to the administration. As with all protectees, Bolton remains under surveillance by a dedicated team of agents to ensure his safety.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a range of pressing national and international issues, from political controversies and policy changes to environmental challenges and cultural losses, providing listeners with a concise yet comprehensive overview of the day's most significant events.

Transcript

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[Dan Ronan]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump's pick to be defense secretary is facing more allegations of misconduct. In a sworn statement to the Senate, his former sister in law accuses him of being abusive to his second wife. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Luke Garrett]

Danielle Hegseth, the former wife of Hegseth's brother, says the defense secretary nominee, quote, has an alcohol problem and was abusive to his ex wife. In her affidavit reviewed by NPR News, she says at times Hegseth's second wife hid in a closet from him out of fear. Daniel Hegseth submitted the affidavit in response to a request from Democratic Senator Jack Reid of Rhode Island. The ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the affidavit, quote, disturbing and potentially disqualified. On Monday, the committee endorsed Pete Hegseth's nomination along party lines, paving the way for a vote in the full Senate. A lawyer for Hegseth dismissed these allegations to NBC News. NPR has requested comment from Hegseth. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Dan Ronan]

Among the dozens of Biden era executive orders that President Trump is revoking is one called the federal government agencies to promote voter registration. As NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports, Republican officials tried to turn the Biden order into a partisan flashpoint ahead of last year's election.

[Hansi Lo Wang]

Former President Joe Biden's 2021 order called for federal agencies to promote voter registration in ways that are consistent with applicable law. It led to new voter registration guides from the government mailers, updated websites and programs such as Veterans affairs facilities in Kentucky and Michigan, distributing and helping eligible voters fill out registration forms. So President Trump says revoking that order is the first of many steps the United States federal government will take to repair our institutions. Some Republican officials have claimed, with no substantial evidence, that through this now rescinded order, the Biden administration overstepped its authority and tried to generate more Democratic voters. Han Zila Wang, NPR News.

[Dan Ronan]

Weather forecasters say that the heavily damaged Southern California could get badly needed rain as soon as this weekend. It would help firefighters in their battle against the wildfires, but has lost. Angeles Mayor Karen Bass explained even a small amount of rain could create new challenges, including mudslides and toxic ash runoff.

[Karen Bass]

The action plan I have directed our city public works bureaus to implement includes the installation of barriers, debris removal and diverting runoff from our stormwater system and into our sewer system where it can be treated.

[Dan Ronan]

The mayor has issued an executive order to expedite the cleanup of the areas and limit the environmental impact. Canada's outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the leader of oil rich province of Alberta say they're confident they can avoid the 25% tariffs President elect Trump says he will impose on February 1st. From Washington, this is NPR News. Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of the beloved roots rock ensemble the band, has died. The Canadian musician was 87. NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmianto has an appreciation of his work.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Garth Hudson played keyboard and saxophone, but it was his way of playing the Lowry organ and the Clavinet as leading instruments that gave the band its signature churchy, post psychedelic sound.

[Karen Bass]

Take a load of Benny.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

The band got their start as the backing instrumentalists for Ronnie Hawkins and, famously, Bob Dylan. But in 1968, they broke out with their debut solo album, Music from Big Pink. After their official dissolution in 1976, Hudson continued playing with different iterations of the band for decades. He gave his first public performance in years in 2023 at a house concert in upstate New York. Writer Harry Hu told NPR that Hudson never lost that spark. Isabela Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Dan Ronan]

The new Trump administration has revoked Secret Service protection for former national security Adviser John Bolton, who worked in the Trump administration administration from 2018 to 2019 but has become a fierce critic of President Trump and his views on foreign policy. Bolton was granted Secret Service protection during the Trump administration, the first one after Bolton received death threats from Iran and a member of that country's Revolutionary Guard was charged by the Justice Department with plotting to murder Bolton. As is the case with all protectees, he has a dedicated team of agents guarding him around the clock. From Washington, this is NPR News.

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