NPR News: 01-29-2025 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 29, 2025, 10 AM EST

Host: Kristen Wright
Producer: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

Senate Confirmation Hearings for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Kristen Wright opens the episode by discussing the ongoing Senate confirmation hearings for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

• Controversy Surrounding the Nominee: Kennedy faces criticism due to his skepticism of vaccines and other contentious viewpoints. This has sparked a significant debate over his suitability for the role.

• Deferred Resignations for Federal Employees: The Trump administration is offering federal employees "deferred resignations" with full pay and benefits if they agree to leave their positions by the end of September.

  • Andrea Hsu of NPR explains, “[00:53] I think some workers who have been remote for years, since before the pandemic, they may have already been planning to resign. So maybe some of them will. But others I've spoken to this week are really determined to stay in their jobs. You know, they took these jobs because they believe in the mission. They believe in serving the country. They want to be enforcing the law.”
  • This move follows President Trump’s initial order to end remote work for federal employees, aiming to bring employees back to physical offices.

Federal Judge Blocks Federal Payment Freeze

A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration's plan to freeze federal payments for grants, loans, and other programs until Monday. This ruling provides a temporary reprieve while the administration's policies are scrutinized in court.

Netanyahu Invited to the White House

Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's invitation to the White House, marking Trump's first foreign leader invitation since his return to office.

• Diplomatic Context: Netanyahu's office confirmed the invitation, highlighting ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and prisoner exchange with Hamas.

  • Estrin notes, “[01:36] Netanyahu's office says the Israeli leader is invited to meet Trump in the White House next week.”

• Political Pressures: Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right allies to resume military actions in Gaza and is concurrently facing legal challenges with his corruption trial, which may affect his ability to attend the meeting.

Stock Market and Federal Reserve Update

Scott Horsley provides an update on the stock market and the anticipated actions of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

• Market Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by approximately 30 points in early trading.

• Federal Reserve Expectations:

  • “[02:25] Powell and his Fed colleagues are widely expected to hold interest rates steady today as the central bank tries to wrestle inflation back down to its target of 2%. Prices are still climbing a little bit faster than that.”
  • The Fed is proceeding cautiously amid uncertainties regarding President Trump's economic policies and their impact on the cost of living.

• Trade Deficit Concerns: The national trade deficit reached a record high of over $122 billion in December, driven by a decrease in exports and a surge in imports, partly due to businesses anticipating potential Trump-imposed tariffs.

• International Markets: Stocks in Tokyo saw gains, while most other Asian markets remained closed in observance of the Lunar New Year.

Halting of Refugee Programs Strands Afghans

Quill Lawrence reports on the Trump administration's suspension of refugee programs, which has left thousands of Afghans who collaborated with the U.S. military stranded.

• Veterans' Advocacy:

  • Veterans groups are actively pushing for a policy change to honor the promises made to Afghan allies.
  • Tim Kennedy, a Green Beret, emphasizes the sacrifices of Afghan partners: “[03:43] The men that we were fighting alongside in Afghanistan, they would take extraordinary and exceptional risks and demonstrate countless acts of valor in the protection of us.”

• Government Response: On his first day as Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth stated, “[03:54] The US stands with its allies,” but provided no further details on the matter.

Deportation of Migrants to Colombia

Two Colombian military planes carrying migrants deported from the U.S. have arrived in Bogotá. This action comes after the White House announced it would lift visa restrictions and other measures once the Colombian government accepted the migrants.

• Diplomatic Tensions: Over the weekend, Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially rejected U.S. military flights for deported migrants, leading to a trade dispute between Petro and President Trump. Eventually, Petro agreed to accept the migrants, resolving the immediate diplomatic row.

Brittney Griner Joins Atlanta Dream

WNBA star Brittney Griner has signed with the Atlanta Dream, marking a significant move in her professional basketball career.

• Career Highlights: Griner, who spent 11 years with the Phoenix Mercury, announced her transfer via an Instagram video alongside her new teammates. She previously missed the entire 2022 season due to her 10-month detention in Russia, from which she was released in a prisoner swap.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now covered a range of critical topics, from high-profile political appointments and international diplomacy to significant economic indicators and humanitarian issues. Notable quotes from key figures provided deeper insight into the ongoing stories, ensuring listeners stay informed on the latest developments shaping the national and international landscape.

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Notable Quotes:

• Andrea Hsu ([00:53]): “I think some workers who have been remote for years, since before the pandemic, they may have already been planning to resign. So maybe some of them will. But others I've spoken to this week are really determined to stay in their jobs. You know, they took these jobs because they believe in the mission. They believe in serving the country. They want to be enforcing the law.”

• Tim Kennedy ([03:43]): “The men that we were fighting alongside in Afghanistan, they would take extraordinary and exceptional risks and demonstrate countless acts of valor in the protection of us.”

• Pete Hegseth ([03:54]): “The US stands with its allies.”

---

This summary was compiled based on the transcript of the NPR News Now episode released on January 29, 2025.

Transcript

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[Kristen Wright]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. Senate confirmation hearings for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Are underway at this hour. President Trump nominated Kennedy as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is criticized for his skepticism of vaccines and other controversial viewpoints. Some employees of the federal government are being offered what the Trump administration is calling deferred resignations with full pay and benefits if they agree to leave their jobs by the end of September. The deadline to decide is a week from tomorrow. NPR's Andrea Shoes says this follows President Trump's order on day one to end remote work for federal employees.

[Andrea Hsu]

I think some workers who have been remote for years, since before the pandemic, they may have already been planning to resign. So maybe some of them will. But others I've spoken to this week are really determined to stay in their jobs. You know, they took these jobs because they believe in the mission. They believe in serving the country. They want to be enforcing the law.

[Kristen Wright]

NPR's Andrea Hsu reporting. A federal judge is temporarily blocking the Trump administration's plan to freeze federal payments for grants, loans and other programs, at least until Monday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to the White House. It's President Trump's first White House invitation to a foreign leader since returning to office. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv.

[Daniel Estrin]

Netanyahu's office says the Israeli leader is invited to meet Trump in the White House next week. On Tuesday, Trump and his Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff were instrumental in pressing Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire and hostage prisoner exchange with Hamas on the eve of Trump's inauguration. The Trump administration is urging Israel to extend the ceasefire. Netanyahu is under pressure from far right allies to return to fighting in Gaza. Netanyahu is scheduled to testify three times a week in his corruption trial, and it's unclear if the Israeli court will grant him a reprieve for a White House visit. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Kristen Wright]

Stocks open mix as investors wait to hear from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell this afternoon. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow rose about 30 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

Powell and his Fed colleagues are widely expected to hold interest rates steady today as the central bank tries to wrestle inflation back down to its target of 2%. Prices are still climbing a little bit faster than that. There's also considerable uncertainty about how President Trump's policies will affect the cost of living. So the Fed is likely to proceed with caution. The nation's trade deficit hit a record high in December, topping $122 billion. Exports were down during the month while imports jumped. Some of the increased imports were the result of businesses hustling to bring goods into the country before any potential Trump tariffs take effect. Stocks were higher in Tokyo today. Most other Asian markets were closed for the lunar new Year. Scott Horsley listen to NPR News, Washington.

[Kristen Wright]

You're listening to NPR News in Washington. The Trump administration's halt of refugee programs has stranded thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. military at war. NPR's Quill Lawrence reports. Veterans groups are pushing for a change in policy.

[Quill Lawrence]

Afghans who helped out the US military over 20 years of war were promised US visas, but now thousands of them and their family members are stranded. The suspension of foreign aid also means no support for Afghans that the US has evacuated to third countries. Veterans say they made promises to these Afghan allies. Tim Kennedy is a Green Beret who fought in Afghanistan.

[Tim Kennedy]

The men that we were fighting alongside in Afghanistan, they would take extraordinary and exceptional risks and demonstrate countless acts of valor in the protection of us.

[Quill Lawrence]

On his first official day as secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth was asked about the issue. He said the US Stands with its allies, but didn't elaborate. Quill Lawrence, NPR News.

[Kristen Wright]

Two Colombian military planes carrying migrants deported from the US Arrived in Bogota. The White House has said it would lift visa restrictions and other measures once the Colombian government accepted migrants. Over the weekend, Colombia's president rejected two US Military flights of deported migrants from Colombia. President Gustavo Petro and President Trump traded tariff threats until Petro eventually relented. WNBA star Brittney Griner is signing with the Atlanta Dream. Griner made the announcement on Instagram in a video alongside some of her new teammates. She spent her 11 year career with the Phoenix Mercury. She missed the 2022 season when she was detained in Russia for 10 months. She was freed in a prisoner swap. I'm Kristen Wright, and this is NPR News from Washington.

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