Ex-U.S. Capitol Police Officer Remembers Jan. 6, CNN Defamation Trial, Golden Globes

Summary

Up First from NPR - Detailed Summary Release Date: January 6, 2025

On the January 6, 2025, episode of NPR's Up First, hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin, and A Martinez deliver a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing stories. This summary delves into three major topics discussed during the episode: reflections from an ex-U.S. Capitol Police officer on the January 6th attack, CNN's ongoing defamation trial, and highlights from the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.

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1. Reflections from an Ex-U.S. Capitol Police Officer on January 6th

Key Points:

• Trump's Pardon Proposal: Donald Trump has announced his intention to pardon individuals who participated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This statement has stirred significant controversy and feelings of betrayal among law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol that day.

• Officer's Sentiments: A retired Capitol Police officer, Aquilino Ganel, expressed profound disillusionment, questioning the purpose behind risking his life. He poignantly asked, "What did I risk my life for?" [04:52].

• Impact on Families: The families of the officers involved, including Gladys Sicknick, mother of Officer Brian Sicknick who died from a stroke after being assaulted on January 6th, voiced their anguish over the potential pardons. Gladys remarked, "What I'm very upset about that might happen is that he's going to let all these people out of jail. It's just, it's just not right." [05:09]

• Legal Proceedings: The episode highlights CNN's defamation lawsuit against a security contractor, Zachary Young, who claimed misrepresentation by the network. This legal battle unfolds against a backdrop of increasing public distrust in the media.

Discussion: Tom Dreisbach of NPR provides an in-depth analysis of the January 6th aftermath, emphasizing the extensive legal actions taken against the perpetrators. Dreisbach notes, "Most defendants pleaded guilty... judges, including those appointed by Trump, rejected claims that the violence was overblown." [03:55] He further explores Trump's ambiguous stance on pardons, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding who might be granted clemency.

The emotional toll on law enforcement is palpable, with officers like Ganel feeling betrayed by political figures they once supported. The possibility of pardons not only undermines their sacrifices but also fuels ongoing tensions between supporters and critics of Trump.

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2. CNN Faces Defamation Lawsuit

Key Points:

• Background of the Case: CNN is currently defending itself in court against defamation accusations brought forth by Zachary Young, a security contractor. Young alleges that CNN's portrayal of his actions during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was misleading and damaging to his reputation.

• Allegations by Young: Young contends that CNN's reporting inaccurately depicted his services as predatory, suggesting he was involved in price gouging during the evacuation efforts. His attorneys argue that Young's character was unjustly maligned, impacting his business and credibility. [05:59]

• CNN's Defense: In response, CNN has issued apologies for specific language used in their reports, particularly the term "black market." Pamela Brown, a substitute host, acknowledged that labeling Young's services as such was inappropriate. CNN's legal team also argued that Young misled reporters, complicating the network's ability to verify his claims. [06:57]

• Broader Media Context: David Folkenflick of NPR contextualizes this lawsuit within a larger trend of increasing defamation cases against media organizations. He points out the broader implications for press freedom, noting similar lawsuits like the $15 million settlement between The Walt Disney Company and the Trump Foundation over claims against ABC News. [08:42]

Discussion: The episode underscores the heightened scrutiny and legal challenges facing news outlets today. Experts consulted by Dreisbach suggest that CNN's case may lack sufficient grounds, with prominent First Amendment lawyers advising settlement due to potential weaknesses in the defense. This lawsuit exemplifies the ongoing tension between media organizations and individuals seeking to protect their reputations, raising concerns about the future landscape of journalistic freedom.

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3. Highlights from the 82nd Golden Globe Awards

Key Points:

• Major Winners: The Golden Globes saw Netflix's Emilia Perez take home multiple awards, including Best Musical or Comedy Film and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana. On the television front, Shogun led the night with several wins. Actress Demi Moore received her first major acting award after a lengthy career, a moment that resonated deeply. [09:36]

• Notable Speeches: Demi Moore's acceptance speech was a highlight, where she expressed gratitude and reflected on her journey in the film industry. She shared, "It was her very first major acting award, even though she's been at it for more than 45 years." [12:00]

• Hosting and Atmosphere: Stand-up comedian Nikki Glaser hosted the event, bringing humor and sharp wit to the proceedings. Her performance included playful jabs at the celebrity attendees, fostering a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere. Glaser notably commented, "Really, you're all so famous, so talented, so powerful. I mean, you could really do anything. Except tell the country who to vote for. But it's okay. You'll get them next time if there is one. I'm scared." [11:24]

• Industry Changes and Controversies: The episode revisits the controversies surrounding the Golden Globes, particularly the 2022 boycott due to a lack of diversity within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). Since then, the HFPA has undergone significant restructuring, expanding its membership to over 300 entertainment journalists globally to address previous ethical concerns. [10:49]

Discussion: Manalita El Barco provides an insightful overview of the Golden Globes, emphasizing both the celebratory aspects and the underlying industry shifts. The success of films like Emilia Perez signifies a broader acceptance and appreciation for diverse narratives in mainstream media. The restructuring of the HFPA marks a pivotal step towards fostering inclusivity and transparency within award-giving bodies.

The hosts also touch upon the cultural impact of these awards, highlighting how they set the tone for the upcoming Oscars and signal trends in the entertainment industry. The heartfelt speeches and unexpected wins, such as Demi Moore's first major acting award, illustrate the personal and professional milestones celebrated within Hollywood.

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Conclusion

The January 6, 2025, episode of Up First offers a thorough examination of significant national events and cultural moments. From the lingering repercussions of the Capitol attack and the contentious issue of presidential pardons to the challenges faced by media organizations amidst rising defamation lawsuits, the episode provides listeners with nuanced perspectives on pressing issues. Additionally, the coverage of the Golden Globes underscores the evolving dynamics within the entertainment industry, highlighting both triumphs and transformative changes.

By interweaving expert analysis, personal testimonies, and up-to-date reporting, Up First ensures that its audience remains informed and engaged with the day's most critical stories.

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Notable Quotes:

• "What did I risk my life for?" – Aquilino Ganel [04:52]

• "What I'm very upset about that might happen is that he's going to let all these people out of jail. It's just, it's just not right." – Gladys Sicknick [05:09]

• "Most defendants pleaded guilty... judges, including those appointed by Trump, rejected claims that the violence was overblown." – Tom Dreisbach [03:55]

• "Really, you're all so famous, so talented, so powerful. I mean, you could really do anything. Except tell the country who to vote for. But it's okay. You'll get them next time if there is one. I'm scared." – Nikki Glaser [11:24]

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Support NPR: Listeners are encouraged to support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Up First+ for sponsor-free listening. Additional support can be provided through donations at donate.npr.org.

Transcript

[Michelle Martin]

Donald Trump has said he will pardon the rioters who attacked the U.S. capitol on January 6, 2021.

[A Martinez]

A retired Capitol police officer says that feels like betrayal.

[Tom Dreisbach]

So it feels like sometimes like, what did I risk my life for?

[Michelle Martin]

I'm Michelle Martin. That's a Martinez. And this is up first from NPR News. CNN is in court today defending itself against accusations of defamation. A security contractor who offered to help Afghans flee the Taliban said wrongly portrayed him as predatory. The trial comes as public perceptions of the media are increasingly negative.

[A Martinez]

And the 82nd Golden Globe Awards came and went. Last night, Netflix musical Emilia Perez won big, and Demi Moore scored a major acting award, her first in a long career. Stay with us. We've got all the news you need to start your day.

[David Folkenflick]

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[Manalita El Barco]

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[David Folkenflick]

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[A Martinez]

Today is January 6th, when Congress is set to certify Donald Trump's victory in the Electoral College.

[Michelle Martin]

We are expecting a much different scene than four years ago today, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. capitol. About 140 officers were injured. The FBI calls the attack an act of domestic terrorism. Trump has referred to January 6th as a, quote, day of love, and he's promised to pardon people charged for their role in the attack.

[A Martinez]

NPR's Tom Dreisbach has been covering January 6th and its aftermath the last four years. He's with us now. Tom, I was sitting at the KPCC studios in Pasadena in stunned silence. I mean, an event that so many of us watched on TV has so many different interpretations. How can that be?

[Tom Dreisbach]

Well, in a word, politics. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, the FBI, Justice Department launched what became the largest single investigation in their histories. More than 1500 cases, hundred of those for violent assaults on police officers. And the most serious cases were for seditious conspiracy against leaders of extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Most defendants pleaded guilty. The people that went to trial were virtually all convicted by juries or in some cases, by judges. And as these prosecutions have gone on, the facts that emerged have only been more alarming. We've seen more videos of violence. We learned more people had weapons like guns, bats, Tasers, pepper spray. But as Trump ran for president again, he embraced this idea that the violence on January 6 was overblown. He claimed there were no guns, which is not true. And he claimed to supporters at most got a little out of hand that they've been unjustly prosecuted, in his view. And that's a narrative, though I should say that judges that actually heard these cases saw the evidence, including judges he appointed, they rejected those claims again and again.

[A Martinez]

Okay, now that he won the election, what do we know about Trump's plan for pardons?

[Tom Dreisbach]

Well, during the campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to pardon issue pardons on day one, but he's been vague about exactly whom he would pardon. At times, he said it would be on a case by case basis. He did say he would be open to pardoning people convicted of assaulting police. The Trump transition team, I asked them about this. They didn't give me any details. They said they would pardon people who are, quote, denied due process. But as I mentioned, most people pleaded guilty, others decided to try their cases in front of a jury, and most lost.

[A Martinez]

Now, you've been talking with police officers who were injured on January 6. What have they been saying?

[Tom Dreisbach]

Well, I spoke to, for example, Aquilino Ganel. He was a sergeant in the Capitol Police. On that day, he witnessed some of the worst violence. His injuries actually forced him to retire. And here is what he told me when I asked how he was feeling about the election. Honestly, he tried. So it feels like sometimes, like, what.

[Aquilino Ganel]

Did I risk my life for?

[Tom Dreisbach]

What did I risk my life for? He said. And I also talked with the family of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. He was assaulted with pepper spray on January 6th. He died of a stroke the following day. His mom, Gladys, said she's been crying sometimes just out of the blue.

[Gladys Sicknick]

What I'm very upset about that might happen is that he's going to let all these people out of jail. It's just, it's just not right.

[Tom Dreisbach]

The Sicknick family says they've been devastated to learn that there would be the possibility of pardons for the people who are involved with violence on January 6, including potentially the man who assaulted Gladysicknick's son Brian, who was sentenced to six years in prison. It is unclear if he'll get a pardon and also get out of prison.

[A Martinez]

That's NPR's Tom Dreisbach. Tom, thank you very much.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Thanks.

[A Martinez]

Today, CNN is in court fighting a defamation lawsuit.

[Michelle Martin]

A security contractor who had offered to evacuate people from Afghanistan says he sued CNN to clear his name.

[A Martinez]

As NPR's David Folkenflick reports, the case arrives at a moment when the news media is under increased scrutiny and legal pressure. So David, tell us about this contractor. Why is he suing CNN?

[Aquilino Ganel]

So let's go back to August of 2021 and the chaos that ensued when the US withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban, you know, extended its control to the country. Security contractor named Zachary Young offered services for a fee to get people out, many thousands of dollars apiece. CNN reported that Afghans who were trying to get relatives out felt they were being price gouged. They used the words exorbitant prices, the term black market. Young's attorneys say, look, the character of our client was maligned. He was not doing this for individuals who were desperate simply, but for deeper pocketed organizations like corporations, non government organizations from the US And Europe and that he lost millions of dollars as a result of this story.

[A Martinez]

All right, so what does CNN say?

[Aquilino Ganel]

So the network says a couple of things here. It apologized some months later. The story originally appeared on the Lead with Jake Tapper. A substitute host, Pamela Brown, apologized on the air saying the network shouldn't have applied the label black market. Det mean to apply that to Mr. Young and it shouldn't have been in the story. And then it said we're just reflecting the concerns of the Afghans we spoke to here. But its lawyers also have taken a more aggressive tone in legal documents filed and motions for this case. They said, look, we learned that Young lied to our reporters during the reporting of stories and we were unable to confirm that he evacuated anybody as he claimed.

[A Martinez]

How strong is this case against cnn?

[Aquilino Ganel]

Well, it's really interesting to go through and look at the documents and let's remember that, you know, any kinds of exchan from Slack or emails or texts or whatever in any kind of case like this are going to be necessarily a narrow window into it. It may not reflect the full context. But you're seeing editors right as the story is going to air and is about to. A fuller version of the story is about to be published online. These editors internally at CNN are expressing real misgivings. They say we don't have the goods here in one exchange. Like, look, let's just hope that we just keep with the video version of the story and not do anything with the written story. It's about 80% emotion and maybe facts. We don't have it there. I spoke to two prominent First Amendment lawyers. One an expert on it at the University of Florida where the case is being held. Another used to be the chief global counsel for Bloomberg News. And they say these are all red flags. In fact, the one formerly with Bloomberg News lawyer named Charles Glasser said CNN simply should settle here. It got this wrong.

[A Martinez]

And David, there is a much larger context for this legal battle going on right now, right?

[Aquilino Ganel]

Well, you're seeing just an enormous surge of defamation lawsuits against news organizations in recent years, including, let's be honest, npr. And there's no known ties between Zachary Young, or at least on my part known between Zachary Young and incoming President Donald Trump. But the incoming president and his allies have promised an assault against the press. You've seen it rhetorically. They've promised to use the powers of governments and the courts. And let's use one example. Recently The Walt Disney Company just agreed to pay $15 million to a Trump Foundation, a million in legal fees to a Trump defamation suit against ABC News. First Amendment lawyers told me that case seemed easier to defend.

[A Martinez]

All right. That's NPR media correspondent David Folkenflick. David, thanks.

[Aquilino Ganel]

You bet.

[A Martinez]

The 82nd Golden Globes were awarded last night in Beverly Hills.

[Michelle Martin]

Netflix's Emilia Perez took home the most movie awards, including one for best musical or comedy film and one for co star Zoe Saldana as supporting actress. Shogun led wins on the television side.

[A Martinez]

NPR entertainment correspondent Manalita El Barco was there inside the ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel joins us now. Manalita, so let's start with who won. What were the highlights?

[Gladys Sicknick]

Well, as you said, Emilia Perez was a big winner and that was no surprise. This film about a Mexican cartel leader's trans journey was also celebrated for one of its original songs and it was named the best non English language film at the Globes. Also, the Brutalist became the night's best motion picture drama. Adrien Brody got a gold for starring as a Jewish Hungarian architect who immigrates to America after World War II. The award for best director of a motion picture went to Brady Courbet, who also co wrote the Brutalist.

[Michelle Martin]

No one was asking for a three and a half hour film about a mid century designer on 70 millimeter, but it works.

[Gladys Sicknick]

And he urged Hollywood to take more chances.

[A Martinez]

Now, Mandalit, just a few years ago, the Golden Globes were controversial. I mean, can you remind us what that was all about?

[Gladys Sicknick]

Yeah. Well, there was a boycott in 2022 after the LA Times reported that there were no black members of the hfpa, the Hollywood Foreign Press association that used to hand out these awards. And there were also ethical concerns about the organization and it's since been bought. And the HFPA was formally disbanded. They expanded the number and types of voting members, so now it includes more than 300 entertainment journalists from around the world.

[A Martinez]

Yeah, and you wouldn't even know anything about that controversy based on the awards last night because it seemed like people were having a lot. And stand up comedian Nikki Glaser hosted the show. How did she wind up doing?

[Gladys Sicknick]

Well, Nikki Glaser was a hit. And as you may know, she's known for roasting celebrities. Last night she had some of the biggest Hollywood stars laughing at themselves.

[Nikki Glaser]

Really, you're all so famous, so talented, so powerful. I mean, you could really do anything. I mean, except tell the country who to vote for. But it's okay. You'll get them next time if there is one. I'm scared.

[Gladys Sicknick]

That was probably the most pointed political.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Moment of the night.

[Gladys Sicknick]

A few others brought up vague references to dark times.

[A Martinez]

All right, any big surprises last night?

[Gladys Sicknick]

You know, the movie musical Wicked only got one win for its box office achievements. That's really an award for the fans. And Demi Moore surprised even herself when she was crowned best actress in a musical or comedy. She co starred in the movie the Substance. And during her speech, she said it was her very first major acting award, even though she's been at it for more than 45 years. She recalled a producer once told her she was a popcorn actress and that she thought that maybe was her limit.

[Nikki Glaser]

And as I was at kind of a low point, I had this magical, bold, courageous, out of the box, absolutely bonkers script come across my desk called the Substance and the universe told me that you're not done.

[Gladys Sicknick]

We'll see how all of these films do at the Oscars. The Golden Globes are just the start of awards season.

[A Martinez]

I know it officially begins. That's NPR entertainment correspondent Manalita Manali.

[Gladys Sicknick]

Thanks thank you.

[A Martinez]

And that's up first for Monday, January 6th. I'm A. Martinez.

[Michelle Martin]

And I'm Michelle Martin. And remember, you can listen to this podcast sponsor free while financially supporting public media with Up First Plus. Learn more at plus.NPR.org that's plus.NPR.org Today's.

[A Martinez]

Episode of Up first was edited by Barry Hardeman, Emily Kopp, Claire Lombardo, Ali Schweitzer and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ziad Butch, Niat Dumas and Ben Abrams. We get engineering support from Stacy Abbott, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us again tomorrow.

[Nikki Glaser]

Foreign.

[Manalita El Barco]

To hear this podcast without sponsor breaks. Amazon prime members can listen to up first sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get up first [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org support for this podcast and the following message come from Squarespace. Measure your end to end online performance with powerful website and seller analytics. Get insights, track sales metrics and more. Go to squarespace.com NPR for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

[David Folkenflick]

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