NPR News: 01-22-2025 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 22, 2025, 7 AM EST

Hosted by NPR

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Federal Immigration Policy Changes Ignite Concerns

Kansas City, January 22, 2025 – The Trump administration is intensifying its focus on immigration enforcement, signaling a potential increase in federal raids targeting cities that previously vowed to protect undocumented migrants. Korva Coleman reports that while no major raids are currently scheduled, groundwork is being laid for future actions in areas where such operations were previously restricted.

Jimene Bastillo elaborates on the shift in policy, noting, "Old rules said that schools as well as places of worship, health care facilities and a list of other areas were off limits for arrests of people suspected of being without legal status. Now, the acting secretary of Homeland Security has rescinded those guidelines, which the Trump administration says limit law enforcement from doing its job" (00:37).

This policy reversal has sparked significant backlash, with several states launching lawsuits against the administration. These legal battles center around President Trump's executive actions aimed at overturning birthright citizenship—a provision firmly rooted in the U.S. Constitution. The states argue that such moves undermine foundational legal protections and could lead to broader implications for immigration policy nationwide.

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Defense Secretary Nominee Faces Allegations of Misconduct

In a developing story, Korva Coleman introduces allegations against President Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth. Luke Garrett reports that Danielle Hegseth, the former sister-in-law of Hegseth, has submitted a sworn affidavit to the Senate accusing him of abusive behavior towards his second wife (01:25).

Danielle Hegseth claims that Pete Hegseth has an alcohol problem and was physically abusive, stating, "At times, Hegseth's second wife hid in a closet from him out of fear" (01:25). This affidavit was presented following a request from Democratic Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, who is the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Although Senator Reed described the allegations as "disturbing and potentially disqualifying," the committee nonetheless endorsed Hegseth's nomination along party lines, facilitating its progression to a full Senate vote.

In response, Hegseth's legal team has dismissed the allegations, and NPR has reached out for comment. The outcome of this nomination process remains uncertain, pending further scrutiny and the Senate's final decision.

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Devastating Wildfires in Los Angeles Prompt Presidential Visit

The Los Angeles region is grappling with severe wildfires that have resulted in at least 28 fatalities and the destruction of over 15,000 structures this month. Korva Coleman reports that President Trump is scheduled to visit Los Angeles on Friday to assess the damage firsthand and discuss disaster relief efforts (02:08).

Tamara Keith adds that President Trump is considering tying disaster relief funds to other legislative agendas. During a meeting with Republican congressional leaders, Trump discussed expanding tax cuts and increasing resources for immigration enforcement, suggesting that the wildfires could serve as a catalyst for garnering support. "It's been in some ways made simpler by Los Angeles because they're going to need a lot of money. And generally speaking, I think you find that a lot of Democrats are going to be asking for help. So I think maybe that makes it more one sided. I think we're going to do very well. Look, we're going to take care of Los Angeles going there" (02:48).

Additionally, President Trump's itinerary includes a stop in North Carolina, where ongoing hurricane recovery efforts are still underway, highlighting the administration's focus on managing multiple natural disasters simultaneously.

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Severe Winter Storm Hits the Southeast

A powerful winter storm is currently impacting the Southeastern United States, with warnings extending from northern Florida to southern Virginia. Korva Coleman details that regions are experiencing several inches of snow, an unusual event for areas like New Orleans, which was hit by at least eight inches of snowfall yesterday. At one point, blizzard warnings were issued for coastal Louisiana, emphasizing the storm's intensity (03:14).

The unexpected snowfall has disrupted daily life, impacting transportation, utilities, and local economies. Authorities are working to manage the fallout, while residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during the ongoing severe weather conditions.

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FDA Expands Approval for Antidepressant Nasal Spray Spravato

In the realm of healthcare advancements, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its approval of the antidepressant nasal spray Spravato, allowing it to be used as a standalone treatment for depression. Korva Coleman introduces the story, and John Hamilton provides further insights (03:50).

Spravato, composed of esketamine—a mirror image molecule of the anesthetic ketamine—was initially approved in 2019 for adults with major depressive disorder who did not respond to at least two other antidepressants. The original approval mandated that patients using Spravato continue taking an oral antidepressant concurrently. However, based on a recent large-scale study demonstrating that Spravato alone was more effective than a placebo, the FDA has revised its guidelines to allow the drug's standalone use.

This decision is not only a significant milestone for patients seeking alternative treatments for depression but also a substantial financial success for Johnson & Johnson, Spravato's manufacturer, which reported approximately $780 million in sales during the first nine months of 2024.

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Prince Harry Settles Lawsuit Against Murdoch-Owned Tabloids

In a notable legal settlement, Britain's Prince Harry and a senior British lawmaker have resolved their lawsuit against several tabloid newspapers owned by billionaire Rupert Murdoch. Korva Coleman reports that the settlement effectively ends the possibility of a high-profile trial in London, which was anticipated to unveil potentially damaging evidence against Murdoch and his tabloid executives (04:29).

The lawsuit stemmed from allegations that the tabloids engaged in phone hacking and invaded the privacy of Prince Harry and the lawmaker. By reaching a settlement, both parties have agreed to dismiss the case without proceeding to trial, thereby preventing further public disclosure of the contentious activities alleged against the media outlets. This resolution underscores the ongoing tensions between public figures and media organizations over issues of privacy and ethical journalism.

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Note: This summary excludes promotional content and non-substantive segments of the podcast to focus solely on the key news stories discussed in the episode.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. There's no word yet of any major federal immigration raids that are expected to target cities that say they will protect migrants living illegally in the U.S. but NPR's Jimene Bastillo says the Trump administration has laid groundwork for these arrests in places that were previously prohibited.

[Jimene Bastillo]

Old rules said that schools as well as places of worship, health care facilities and a list of other areas were off limits for arrests of people suspected of being without legal status. Now, acting secretary of Homeland Security has rescinded those guidelines, which the Trump administration says limit law enforcement from doing its job.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Heman and Bastillo reporting. Separately, several states are suing the Trump administration. This is over Trump's executive action trying to overturn birthright citizenship. It's enshrined in the US Constitution. President Trump's nominee to be defense secretary is facing more allegations of misconduct. In a sworn statement to the Senate, the former sister in law of Pete Hegseth 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 has an alcohol problem and was abusive to his ex wife. In her affidavit reviewed by npc, 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 Reed of Rhode Island. The ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the affidavit disturbing and potentially disqualifying. 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.

[Korva Coleman]

Fire crews continue to battle wildfires in the Los Angeles region. These have killed at least 28 people this month and destroyed more than 15,000 structures. President Trump plans to travel to Los Angeles on Friday to view the fire damage for himself. NPR's Tamara Keith reports. The president is talking about linking disaster relief funds to other legislation that he wants passed.

[Jimene Bastillo]

Trump met with Republican congressional leaders to discuss extending and expanding tax cuts and surging resources to immigration enforcement. Asked about how Republicans would get that done, Trump brought up the wildfires in Los Angeles.

[Donald Trump]

It's been in some ways made simpler by Los Angeles because they're going to need a lot of money. And generally speaking, I think you find that a lot of Democrats are going to be asking for help. So I think maybe that makes it more one sided. I think we're going to do very well. Look, we're going to take care of Los Angeles going there.

[Jimene Bastillo]

Trump plans to stop first in North Carolina, where hurricane recovery efforts are still underway. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A winter storm continues to pound the Southeast. There are winter storm warnings up from northern Florida to southern Virginia. These warmer climbs are getting several inches of snow. Yesterday, New Orleans was stunned by at least 8 inches of snow. And at one point, blizzard warnings were up for coastal Louisiana. The Food and Drug Administration has expanded its approval of the antidepressant nasal spray Spravato. NPR's John Hamilton reports that the drug is now cleared for use as a standalone treatment for depression.

[John Hamilton]

Spravato is made from esketamine, one of two mirror image molecules found in the anesthetic ketamine. It was approved in 2019 for use in adults with major depressive disorder who did not respond to at least two other antidepressants. The original approval required that patients on Spravato also receive an oral antidepressant. Now the FDA says the drug can be used on its own. The decision came after a large study found that Spravato alone worked better than a placebo. In the first nine months of 2024, the drug generated sales of about $780 million for its maker, Johnson Johnson. John Hamilton, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Britain's Prince Harry and a senior British lawmaker have reached a settlement against tabloid newspapers owned by billion Rupert Murdoch. They had accused the papers of hacking their phones and invading their privacy. The settlement of the lawsuit ends the chance of a trial in London that was expected to reveal evidence that might have been damaging to Murdoch and to some tabloid executives. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.

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