NPR News: 01-26-2025 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 26, 2025, 11 AM EST

Hosted by NPR

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Political Developments: President Trump’s Action-Packed First Week

Immigration Policies Take Center Stage

In the first week of his second term, President Donald Trump has been swift in implementing his key agenda, with immigration reform leading the charge. According to Mara Liasson of NPR, "The immigration orders...had an immediate effect. The system is shut down for now" ([00:28]). Trump's focus on immigration reflects his commitment to fulfilling a popular promise, as he targets one of the most supported aspects of his platform—deporting individuals without legal status in the United States.

Judicial Pushback on Birthright Citizenship

Despite the administration’s efforts, a federal judge in Seattle temporarily blocked Trump’s attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to noncitizen parents. This legal hurdle underscores the contentious nature of Trump’s immigration policies and the ongoing debates surrounding citizenship and immigration law.

International Immigration Stances

President Trump has also shifted focus internationally, urging Arab nations like Jordan and Egypt to accept more Palestinian refugees from Gaza. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasized the need for regional support in rebuilding efforts, stating, "With Gaza filled with wartime rubble, Arab nations should help build housing in different locations" ([00:49]).

Elon Musk’s Controversial Appearance at AfD Rally

In a surprising move, billionaire Elon Musk made a virtual appearance at a rally for Germany's nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is under government surveillance for its threats to democracy. NPR’s Rob Schmitz reports that Musk addressed over 4,000 supporters, urging pride in German heritage and emphasizing generational accountability: "Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their grandparents" ([01:39]). Musk’s involvement comes amid scrutiny over his gestures at Trump rallies, which he denies being Nazi-era salutes.

Florida’s Legislative Push on Immigration

Governor Ron DeSantis has convened a special session of Florida’s legislature to address illegal immigration, echoing support from President Trump. NPR’s Greg Allen details the proposed measures, including making illegal entry a state crime and mandating proof of immigration status for overseas money transfers. DeSantis asserted his relentless stance on the issue, declaring, "You can view me as like a dog that's got you on the ankle on immigration. I am not just going to let go" ([02:57]). Despite these efforts, Republican leaders indicate potential inaction this week, with plans to revisit immigration during the regular March session.

Symbolic Renaming: Mount McKinley Reverts to Former Name

In a notable executive action, President Trump has officially renamed Alaska’s tallest mountain back to Mount McKinley, reversing former President Obama’s decision to honor the indigenous name, Denali. This move underscores Trump’s tendency to restore historical names and symbols as part of his broader cultural and political agenda.

Sports Highlights: Super Bowl Contenders and Tennis Triumphs

NFL Showdowns Set the Stage for Super Bowl

Greg Ecklund reports from Kansas City on the upcoming NFL matchups that will determine this year’s Super Bowl contenders. The Kansas City Chiefs are set to defend their title against the Buffalo Bills, aiming for their third championship since 2019. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce emphasized the high stakes, stating, "Everybody understands the stakes... it's just making sure you're showing that you're going to work more now" ([03:45]). Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles seek to secure their place in the Super Bowl against the Washington Commanders, hoping to replicate their recent successes.

Tennis: Jannik Sinner and Madison Keyes Clinch Titles

In Melbourne, Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has secured his second consecutive Australian Open championship by defeating Germany's Alexander Zverev. At 23, Sinner becomes the youngest man in three decades to win back-to-back Grand Slam titles in Australia. On the women’s side, American Madison Keyes triumphed over Irina Sabalenka, adding to a day of significant victories in the tennis world ([04:25]).

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in politics and sports. From President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies and their judicial challenges to Elon Musk’s controversial political engagement, and from Florida’s legislative maneuvers to significant sports achievements, the episode encapsulates a snapshot of current events shaping the national and international landscape.

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For more detailed coverage and updates, visit NPR News.

Transcript

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[NPR News]

Live.

[Louise Schiavone]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. President Trump's first week in his second term in office was action packed. And as NPR's Mara Liasson tells us, he led with his top talking point, immigration.

[Mara Liasson]

The immigration orders, for instance, had an immediate effect. System is shut down for now. People who are at the southern border who had appointments no longer have them. So on that one politically, Trump chose one of his most popular promises to enact first, because the majority of Americans say they agree with Trump, at least in general, that people who are here without legal status should be deported.

[Louise Schiavone]

Hearing a case brought by four states, a federal judge in Seattle Thursday temporarily blocked Trump's effort to eliminate birthright citizenship for those born in the United States to noncitizen parents. President Trump is telling reporters that Arab nations, including Jordan and Egypt, should increase the number of Palestinian refugees they take in from Gaza. Speaking on Air Force One, Trump said with Gaza filled with wartime rubble, Arab nations should help build housing in different locations. Israel is preventing Palestinians from entering northern Gaza in a dispute over an Israeli civilian that Israel says should have been released. In yesterday's hostages for prisoners swap, billionaire Elon Musk made a virtual appearance at a political rally for the nationalist Alternative for Germany party. NPR's Rob Schmitz has details.

[Rob Schmitz]

Musk addressed a haul of more than 4,000 supporters for the Alternative for Deutschland or AfD, a far right party under surveillance by Germany's government for the threat it poses to the country's democracy. Speaking live via video link alongside party leader Alice Vital, Musk encouraged those gathered to be proud of their German heritage and and he said, quote, children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their grandparents. Referring to Germany's Nazi past, Musk's appearance comes amidst debate over whether a gesture he made twice during an inauguration rally for President Trump was a Nazi era salute, which he denies. Rob Schmitz, NPR News, Berlin.

[Louise Schiavone]

Florida's legislature is meeting today in a special session. It's been called by Governor Ron DeSantis to take up measures aimed at curbing illegal immigration. NPR's Greg Allen has more from Miami.

[Greg Allen]

President Trump has expressed support for Florida's special session on a series of enforcement measures, including one that would require local officials to help carry out deportations or face suspension. Governor DeSantis wants to make it a state crime to enter the US Illegally and to require people to show proof of immigration status before sending money abroad. Republican leaders in Florida's legislature have indicated they may take no action this week, but DeSantis says he'll keep the pressure on.

[Ron DeSantis]

You can view me as like a as like a dog that's got you on the ankle on immigration. I am not just going to let go.

[Greg Allen]

Lawmakers say they will deal with immigration and other issues in their regular session in March. Greg Allen, NPR News, Miami.

[Louise Schiavone]

This is NPR News. President Trump has formally changed the name of the continent's tallest mountain back to Mount McKinley. Former President Obama had renamed the Alaska mountain Denali, the name used for centuries by indigenous people. In an existing executive order, Trump has renamed the mountain after President William McKinley. If you like pro football, today is your day. Two separate clashes on the field will produce this year's super bowl contenders. Greg Eklund has more from Kansas City, where two teams of gladiators will face off.

[Greg Ecklund]

The Kansas City Chiefs, the two time super bowl champions, square off against the Buffalo Bills, who are trying to reach the super bowl for the first time since 1994. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce says his team will need to be in top form to win.

[Travis Kelce]

Everybody understands the stakes and, you know, everything that we got at hand going against these Bills. So it's just making sure you're showing that you're going to work more now.

[Greg Ecklund]

Than ever in the NFC Championship. The Philadelphia Eagles are hoping to return to the super bowl for the second time in the last three years when they host the Washington Commanders. For NPR News, I'm Greg Ecklund in Kansas City.

[Louise Schiavone]

In Melbourne, Jannik Sinner of Italy has claimed his second consecutive Australian Open championship. Sinner defeated second ranked Alexander Zverev of Germany. The 23 year old tennis champion has become the youngest man to nail two consecutive Grand Slam trophies in Australia in three decades. Yesterday, American Madison Keyes took the women's title in Melbourne, defeating Irina Sabalenka. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

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