NPR News: 01-22-2025 6AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 22, 2025, 6AM EST

Hosted by Korva Coleman

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1. Trump Administration Targets DEI Programs

President Trump has taken a significant step to dismantle federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across government agencies. In a recent executive order, he declared the termination of all federal DEI programs, citing that they "cause division, promote discrimination and drain taxpayers dollars" (Ayanna Archie, 00:33). As a result, employees involved in these programs have been placed on paid administrative leave pending further instructions.

Agencies are required to:

• Inform DEI employees of their administrative leave by the end of the day (Ayanna Archie, 00:33).
• Remove all DEI-related content from their websites and social media platforms.
• Report compliance to the administration by Thursday and develop a comprehensive plan by month-end to reduce workforce involvement in DEI initiatives.

Furthermore, Trump has criticized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for what he describes as preferential hiring practices, alleging employment of individuals with "serious infirmities" that could compromise safety operations (Korva Coleman, 01:15). He asserted that the FAA hires individuals lacking the necessary disabilities or racial backgrounds, though no evidence has been presented to support these claims.

2. Controversy Surrounding Defense Secretary Nominee Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth, President Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, faces fresh allegations of misconduct. An affidavit from his former sister-in-law accuses him of excessive drinking and abusing a former spouse. Hegseth's legal team has refuted these claims, stating that his ex-wife has never made such allegations (Korva Coleman, 01:15).

3. Legal Challenges to Ending Birthright Citizenship

The Trump administration's executive order aiming to revoke birthright citizenship has sparked legal battles. At least 22 Democratic-led states, including Washington state and Washington D.C., have filed lawsuits challenging the order's constitutionality. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown emphasized the illegality of the move, stating, "The president's executive order claiming to end birthright citizenship in the United States is plainly and obviously illegal" (Scott Greenstone, 02:12).

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also joined the fray, filing a lawsuit against the administration over the same issue. These legal actions underscore significant opposition to what many view as a constitutional overreach by the Trump administration.

4. Escalation of International Tariffs and Sanctions

In response to allegations that China is funneling fentanyl into Mexico and Canada, President Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs. These sanctions include:

• A 10% tariff on Chinese goods.
• Continuation of existing threats of 25% tariffs on both Mexico and Canada.
• Potential tariffs on the European Union as well.

These measures are slated to take effect on February 1st, aiming to curb the flow of illicit substances and address trade grievances (Korva Coleman, 02:42).

5. Severe Winter Storm Devastates the Southeast

A formidable winter storm continues to batter the Southeast, with New Orleans receiving an unprecedented 8 inches of snow (Korva Coleman, 02:42). This rare snowfall has led to:

• Snowmen on Beaches: Residents are engaging in uncharacteristic winter activities, such as building snowmen on the beach and skiing down Bourbon Street.
• Travel and Business Disruptions: Government offices, schools, and numerous businesses have shut down. The storm has also caused significant delays in shipping operations at the ports of Houston and New Orleans.
• Governor's Warning: Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry cautioned, "Again, this wind Wonderland that we're seeing right now is going to end and a hard freeze is going to begin. So the fun is going to come to a quick end" (Debbie Elliott, 03:58).

The National Weather Service forecasts that areas from Jacksonville to Virginia Beach may receive up to 3 inches of snow, exacerbating travel hazards and economic impacts in the region.

6. Wildfires Persist in the Los Angeles Area

Firefighters are battling multiple wildfires in the Los Angeles vicinity. The Clay Fire, which ignited in Riverside County and East Los Angeles, has burned 38 acres and is nearly half contained (Korva Coleman, 04:22). Efforts continue to control the spread amidst challenging weather conditions.

7. Passing of Jules Pfeiffer

The news community mourns the loss of Jules Pfeiffer, a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, who passed away at the age of 95 in New York. Pfeiffer was renowned for his long tenure with the Village Voice and his beloved illustrations for the children's classic, "The Phantom Tollbooth" (Korva Coleman, 04:22).

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Notable Quotes

• Ayanna Archie (@00:33): "These programs cause division, promote discrimination and drain taxpayers dollars."
• Scott Greenstone (@02:12): "The president's executive order claiming to end birthright citizenship in the United States is plainly and obviously illegal."
• Jeff Landry (@03:58): "Again, this wind Wonderland that we're seeing right now is going to end and a hard freeze is going to begin. So the fun is going to come to a quick end."

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the major news highlights from NPR News Now's January 22, 2025, episode, providing listeners with a clear and detailed account of the day's top stories.

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Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump has issued another executive order, this time ending federal programs dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. NPR's Ayanna Archie reports. Employees of these programs have been put on PA administrative leave.

[Ayanna Archie]

The Trump administration is moving quickly to re evaluate federal DEI programs. Agencies have until this evening to tell employees in those programs that they will be placed on paid leave with benefits. They also have until then to remove all DEI references from websites and social media. Trump also wants agency employees to let his administration know if there are any plans to conceal DEI initiatives through vague language. The president says these programs cause division, promote discrimination and drain taxpayers dollars. Agencies have until Thursday to report their compliance to the administration and until the end of the month to come up with a broader plan to reduce the workforces for these programs. Ayanna Archie, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Trump is also blaming the Federal Aviation Administration for hiring people with, quote, serious infirmities that could impact life saving duties. He insists there are people who want to work for the FAA but don't have a requ disability or the right skin color. Trump has offered no evidence of his allegations. Trump's nominee to be defense secretary is rejecting fresh claims of misconduct. Pete Hegseth is accused by his former sister in law in an affidavit of excessive drinking and of abusing one of his former wives. Hegseth's lawyer told NBC Hegseth's former wife has never made these allegations. At least 22 Democratically led states and Washington, D.C. are suing the Trump administration over the president's executive order that aims to end birthright citizenship. That right is protected in the U.S. constitution. From member station KUOW in Seattle, Scott Greenstone reports on Washington state's effort.

[Scott Greenstone]

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said he's also filing an emergency order to block any federal agency from denying citizenship to babies born in Washington state. The president's executive order claiming to end birthright citizenship in the United States is plainly and obviously illegal. Washington state will not abide by such harmful and unjust action. Republicans in Washington state have claimed this lawsuit is a distraction. For NPR News, I'm Scott Greenstone in Seattle.

[Korva Coleman]

The ACLU has also sued the Trump administration over the birthright citizenship issue. President Trump is now threatening China with additional sanctions of 10%. He told reporters yesterday that is because China is sending fentanyl to Mexico and to Canada, and he has already threatened those two countries with tariffs of 25%. All of these tariffs could take effect February 1st. Trump also says the European Union could get hit with tariffs, too. You're listening to NPR News. Forecasters say a winter storm is still pounding the Southeast from northern Florida to southern Virginia. Areas in between, from Jacksonville to Virginia beach, could get about 3 inches of snow in all areas on the Gulf coast got a lot more than that yesterday. The National Weather Service says New Orleans got 8 inches of snow and nearby places got even more. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports the weather has affected travel and business.

[Debbie Elliott]

The Gulf south is seeing snow like it's never had before, prompting snowmen on the beach and people skiing down Bourbon street in New Orleans. But Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry warns treacherous conditions remain in a region not used to dealing with icy roads.

[Jeff Landry]

Again, this win Wonderland that we're seeing right now is going to end and a hard freeze is going to begin. So the fun is going to come to a quick end.

[Debbie Elliott]

Government offices, schools and many businesses are closed. The storm has also disrupted shipping at the ports of Houston and New Orleans. Debbie Elliott, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Firefighters are still working to control several wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The Clay fire broke out yesterday in Riverside County, East Los Angeles. That's 38 acres and nearly half contained. Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Jules Pfeiffer has died at his home in New York, according to his wife. He was 95. Pfeifer worked for years for the Village Voice, but he was best loved for illustrating the beloved children's book the Phantom Tollbooth. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.

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