NPR News: 01-29-2025 3AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now Summary Episode: NPR News: 01-29-2025 3AM EST | Release Date: January 29, 2025

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Federal Judge Halts President Trump's Freeze on Grants and Loans

Timestamp: [00:16]

Shea Stevens reports that a federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's suspension of federal grants and loans until Monday. This judicial decision has elicited a strong response from White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

Stephen Miller stated at [00:36], “The American people voted for dramatic change implemented by Donald Trump, so it is essential for him to get control of government, to establish a whole of government process for Donald Trump's political appointees to review discretionary grants of spending for pet projects that are not directed by Congress.”

Miller emphasized the administration's objective to eliminate what they consider "wasteful" programs by targeting funds not specifically allocated by Congress. In response, nearly two dozen state attorneys general have countered, arguing that some of the frozen funds are already designated for essential programs supporting working families, the disabled, and other vulnerable groups.

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White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt Announces New Media Initiatives

Timestamp: [01:02]

During her first briefing, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt introduced plans to revamp the White House's media engagement strategy. Levitt, the youngest ever to hold the position, announced the inclusion of "new media voices" in the press briefing room.

Caroline Levitt remarked at [01:22], “We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House.”

Levitt highlighted President Trump's successful use of podcasting for campaign purposes and cited a Gallup survey indicating declining public trust in traditional media outlets. This move aims to diversify the White House's media interactions and engage with a broader, more varied audience.

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Legal and Economic Updates: Bob Menendez's Sentencing and Federal Reserve's Interest Rates

Timestamp: [01:59] & [02:30]

Shea Stevens reported that former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is set to be sentenced for his conviction on 16 counts, including bribery and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt and Qatar. Prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison term.

In economic news, Scott Horsley covers the Federal Reserve Board's anticipated decision to maintain current interest rates during their first meeting of the year. Despite a significant reduction in inflation rates, prices continue to rise faster than the Fed desires.

Scott Horsley explained at [02:30], “The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates at its last three meetings, but Fed policymakers now seem ready to take a breather and see how the economy responds. Inflation was still running at an annual rate of 2.9% last month. That's higher than the Fed would like.”

He added that the resilient job market reduces the immediate pressure to lower rates further. Additionally, President Trump's policy proposals, such as tariffs and mass deportations, might inadvertently increase inflation, providing the Fed with additional reasons to proceed cautiously.

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U.S. Air Force F35 Crash in Alaska

Timestamp: [03:08]

An F35 fighter jet crashed during a training exercise at Isle Sun Air Base, approximately 25 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska. The pilot safely ejected from the single-seat aircraft shortly before the crash. This incident marks the third F35 crash in less than two years. The cause of the malfunction is currently under investigation.

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Brazil's Response to U.S. Immigration Crackdown

Timestamp: [03:57]

Giulia Canaro reports from Rio de Janeiro that Brazil plans to establish an outpost dedicated to receiving deportees from the United States, aiming to ensure "dignified conditions of travel."

Mauro Vieira, Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated at [03:57], “Deportations of Brazilians from the US have to meet minimum requirements of dignity and respect of human rights.”

This initiative follows reports of mistreatment during a recent deportation flight, where air conditioning failures and prolonged handcuffing were criticized as "unacceptable." Despite these tensions, Brazil seeks to maintain amicable relations with the U.S., contrasting with Colombia's diplomatic challenges.

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Tragic Stampede at Indian Festival in Uttar Pradesh

Timestamp: [04:38]

A stampede at a festival in Uttar Pradesh, India, resulted in dozens of injuries. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crowd surge towards a river during the event. The incident coincided with expectations of France's participation in the weeks-long Holy Bath event.

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Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. A federal judge has temporarily halted President Trump's freeze on federal grants and loans until Monday. The decision prompted pushback from White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who says that the aim is to eliminate programs that the administration deems wasteful.

[Stephen Miller]

The American people voted for dramatic change implemented by Donald Trump, so it is essential for him to get control of government, to establish a whole of government process for Donald Trump's political appointees to review discretionary grants of spending for pet projects that are not directed by Congress. In other words, these are pots of money where Congress hasn't said how to spend it or where to spend it.

[Shea Stevens]

Nearly two dozen state attorneys general argued that some of the money is already earmarked for programs that aid working families, the disabled and others. At her first briefing, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt announced that she was planning to shake things up. As NPR's Tamara Keith reports, Levitt is the youngest person ever to hold the job.

[Caroline Levitt]

Every inch of the famous press briefing room was packed as Levitt took the podium, including two seats traditionally reserved for staff at the front of the room. Levitt said the White House would be inviting what she called new media voices to sit there. We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House. Levitt cited Trump's success campaigning via podcast appearances and a recent Gallup survey showing the continued decline in public trust for traditional outlets. Tamara Keith, NPR News, the White House.

[Shea Stevens]

Former New Jersey US Senator Bob Menendez is scheduled to be sentenced today for his conviction on 16 counts of bribery and acting as a foreign agent to Egypt and Qatar. Prosecutors say they're seeking a punishment of 15 years behind bars. The Federal Reserve Board is expected to hold interest rates steady this afternoon when policymakers wrap up their first meeting of the new year. NPR Scott Horsley reports that even though inflation has cooled considerably, prices are still climbing faster than the central bank would like.

[Scott Horsley]

The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates at its last three meetings, but Fed policymakers now seem ready to take a breather and see how the economy responds. Inflation was still running at an annual rate of 2.9% last month. That's higher than the Fed would like. The job market has proven to be remarkably resilient so the central bank feels little pressure to give it a boost by cutting rates further. President Trump has said he wants to see lower interest rates, but Trump's own policy proposals, such as tariffs and mass deportation, could have the effect of fueling inflation. That gives the central bank another reason to take its time. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is NPR News. A U.S. air Force pilot safely ejected from a single seat F35 fighter jet on Tuesday shortly before it crashed in Alaska. The aircraft failed during a training exercise at Isle Sun Air base, located about 25 miles south of Fairbanks. It was the third F35 crash in less than two years. The cause is under investigation. Brazil's government says it will set up an outpost to receive deportees from the United States and negotiate what it calls dignified conditions of travel. From Rio de Janeiro, Giulia Canaro reports on Brazil's response to President Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration.

[Mauro Vieira]

Brazil's minister of foreign affairs, Mauro Vieira, says deportations of Brazilians from the US have to meet minimum requirements of dignity and respect of human rights. Mr. Vieira said this would be discussed with US authorities. Last Friday, deportees reported mistreatment on a flight from the US To Brazil. The plane's air conditioning broke and passengers remained handcuffed even after landing, which the government called unacceptable. Despite tensions raised by the episode, Brazil does not want its relations with the US to sour and seeks to negotiate, avoiding the diplomatic spat faced by Colombia. For NPR News, I'm Julia Hanedu.

[Shea Stevens]

In Rio, dozens of people have been injured in a stampede at a festival in India. It's unclear what caused the crowd to rush toward a river in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Authorities expect France to take part in the weeks long Holy Bath event. This is NPR News.

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