LA Wildfires, Carter's State Funeral, Trump's Agenda

Summary

Up First from NPR – Episode: LA Wildfires, Carter's State Funeral, Trump's Agenda
Release Date: January 9, 2025

NPR's Up First delivers the three biggest stories of the day with in-depth reporting and analysis. In this episode, hosts delve into the devastating wildfires engulfing Los Angeles, the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, and President Elect Donald Trump's strategic meetings with Senate Republicans. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing all key discussions, insights, and notable quotes from the episode.

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1. Devastating Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles

Overview of the Disaster: The episode opens with Steve Inskeep highlighting the severity of the wildfires in Southern California, which have reduced entire neighborhoods to ashes. Michelle Martin provides a personal account, stating, “The street behind us are what caught fire. So our backyard caught fire” (00:07).

On the Ground Reporting: Adrian Florido reports from Los Angeles, bringing firsthand accounts of the destruction:

• Karen Bass, a local resident, describes the flames overtaking affluent coastal communities: “Block after block of homes reduced to ash” (03:24).
• The Eaton fire in Altadena has obliterated over 20 homes in just a few blocks, with persistent embers igniting structures under rubble.
• Personal stories emerge, such as Brittany Mann and her brother hosing down their property to prevent further spread, and Sarah Rudd witnessing her neighbor's heroic efforts to save her home (03:56).

Challenges in Firefighting Efforts: The discussion shifts to the insufficient resources available to combat the raging fires:

• Karen Bass explains, “LA just doesn't have enough firefighters to tackle so many large fires at once” (04:44).
• Janice Quinones, LA's top water official, underscores the limitations of the fire hydrant system: “Fire hydrants are not made to fight multiple houses, hundreds of houses at a time” (05:19).
• High winds and dry conditions exacerbate the situation, making containment efforts unpredictable and prolonging the emergency (05:30).

Conclusion on Wildfires: The segment concludes with no clear end in sight for the fires, as meteorological conditions remain unfavorable. The community faces ongoing evacuation threats and the daunting task of rebuilding amidst continuous fire threats.

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2. State Funeral of Former President Jimmy Carter

Historical Significance: Steve Inskeep introduces the state funeral of Jimmy Carter, emphasizing his enduring legacy: “Carter lived to be 100, leaving a mark on this country and the world extending beyond his four years in the White House” (06:12). Carter's life post-presidency was marked by humanitarian efforts, teaching Sunday school, and maintaining a simple life in Plains, Georgia.

Eulogy and Tributes: Tamara Keith, NPR’s senior White House correspondent, previews the funeral’s highlights with Janice Quinones:

• Janice Quinones reflects on Carter’s presidency, noting both achievements like the Camp David Accords and challenges such as the Iran hostage crisis: “After leaving office, Carter wrote a whole new chapter of his legacy” (06:40).
• The presence of all living US Presidents, including President Biden and President Elect Donald Trump, adds a layer of political significance to the proceedings.
• Unique tributes include eulogies read by the sons of Gerald Ford and Walter Mondale, former officials who penned eulogies for Carter before his passing.

Notable Moments:

• Singer Artists: Country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood perform “Imagine” by John Lennon, Carter’s favorite song, symbolizing his life's work for peace (09:44).
• Political Dynamics: The gathering serves as a rare moment of unity among current and former leaders, offering insights into the interplay between respect for Carter and underlying political currents (07:38).

Conclusion on Funeral: The funeral not only honors Jimmy Carter’s contributions but also serves as a reflective moment for current political figures, highlighting the enduring impact of his humanitarian legacy.

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3. President Elect Donald Trump’s Legislative Strategy

Strategic Meetings with Senate Republicans: Following Carter’s funeral, the focus shifts to President Elect Donald Trump, who met with Senate Republicans to strategize for his upcoming administration:

• Barbara, NPR’s congressional correspondent, details the meeting’s objectives: advancing Trump’s agenda on border security and tax cuts (10:23).
• Tamara Keith highlights the unified front presented by Trump: “We had a great meeting. There's great unity” (11:07).

Legislative Approaches Discussed: Two primary strategies were considered for passing legislation:

1. Single Comprehensive Bill: Trump advocates for “one big, beautiful bill for everything” (10:23), aligning with House Speaker Mike Johnson’s vision.
2. Two-Bill Approach: Senate Republicans prefer dividing the agenda into separate bills for border security and tax cuts to streamline the legislative process.

Challenges and Uncertainties:

• Despite the lengthy two-hour meeting filled with applause and engagement, Trump remained non-committal about his preferred strategy: “he just isn't too concerned with process” (11:24).
• John Thune, Senate Majority Leader, echoed the emphasis on results over procedural details, indicating ongoing negotiations and adaptability (11:44).

Implications for Future Governance: The lack of a definitive strategy from Trump early in his administration raises questions about potential disruptions in legislative negotiations, reminiscent of past instances where Trump influenced legislative outcomes abruptly.

Conclusion on Trump’s Agenda: The episode underscores the importance of initial strategic decisions in setting the tone for the administration’s legislative effectiveness. Trump's approach could either foster collaborative progress or introduce unpredictability in the Republican agenda moving forward.

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Final Remarks:

This episode of Up First provides a thorough examination of pressing issues from natural disasters impacting Los Angeles, the ceremonial farewell to a revered statesman, and the intricate maneuvers of political strategy as a new administration prepares to take office. By weaving together on-the-ground reporting, expert analysis, and insightful commentary, NPR ensures listeners are well-informed on the critical events shaping their day.

For more detailed insights and daily updates, subscribe to Up First and support NPR's journalism at donate.npr.org.

Transcript

[Steve Inskeep]

Wildfires in Southern California reduced entire neighborhoods to ashes.

[Michelle Martin]

The street behind us are what caught fire. So our backyard caught fire.

[Adrian Florido]

Does the region have the resources to bring the ongoing disaster under control?

[Steve Inskeep]

I'm Steven Skiep with Michele Martin. And this is up first from NPR News. President Biden delivers the eulogy today at funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter. Here in Washington, where even remembrances can carry political messages, they often reveal as.

[Tamara Keith]

Many much about the speaker as they do the person being honored and eulogized, their worldview, what they believe in, their.

[Steve Inskeep]

Values, their vision, how will the former president be remembered?

[Adrian Florido]

And President Elect Trump met with Senate Republicans to help chart a course for his second term. Stay with us. We've got news you need to start your day.

[Michelle Martin]

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[Tamara Keith]

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[Michelle Martin]

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[Adrian Florido]

Every school in Los Angeles is closed. It's one sign of the way that wildfires have affected the nation's second largest city.

[Steve Inskeep]

The fires have sometimes destroyed whole neighborhoods. They wrecked the homes of celebrities. Billy Crystal says he lost that where he's lived with his wife since 1979. Several people are dead that we know of so far. And new fires appear as desert winds blow embers around the region.

[Adrian Florido]

We're joined now by NPR's Adrian Florido in Los Angeles. Good morning, Adrian.

[Karen Bass]

Good morning, Michelle.

[Adrian Florido]

Could you just give us an overview of the kind of destruction that these fires are causing?

[Karen Bass]

Well, a lot of the destruction. So Far is from the Pacific Palisades fire, which is where one of the two biggest fires is burning. News choppers were able to fly over that affluent coastal community yesterday and filmed blossoms. Block after block of homes reduced to ash. Homes in nearby Malibu also burned. The Hollywood Hills caught fire last night, and that blaze has quickly spread, forcing chaotic evacuations there. I was able yesterday to get into a neighborhood ravaged by the other big fire, the Eaton fire in Altadena on the east side of Los Angeles. I walked past more than 20 homes burning or already burned to the ground, and that was over just a couple of blocks.

[Adrian Florido]

I mean, it just sounds just like a horrific sort of scene there. Could you just. Would you just describe more about what you saw?

[Michelle Martin]

You know.

[Karen Bass]

Well, the ruins of many of the houses in the neighborhood where I was were still burning. And every so often, something under the rubble would explode or a wooden door frame would finish collapsing and it would shoot up this puff of embers. And it was windy, so neighbors were rushing to make sure that those embers didn't set their houses on fire. I met Brittany Mann as she and her brother were hosing down their roof and their lawns before evacuating.

[Michelle Martin]

The street behind us are what caught fire. So our backyard caught fire. So we're still trying to get those fires out before we leave.

[Karen Bass]

And across the street, Michelle, I met Sarah Rudd. She evacuated on Tuesday night, but while she was gone, her neighbor who had not evacuated noticed that her house had caught fire, and she said that he grabbed his hose.

[Michelle Martin]

Some of our neighbors who stayed back when they shouldn't have, they actually saved a lot of homes like our house right here, you can see where it's charred on the side. And he saved our house.

[Karen Bass]

When we spoke, she had just come back to check on her house. She was leaving again. But as we spoke, other houses were burning on her block, so hers was still at risk. And there were no firefighters around.

[Adrian Florido]

Adrienne, to that point, we've been hearing about how there just don't seem to be enough resources to fight all these fires. What can you tell us about that?

[Karen Bass]

Well, fire officials have said LA just doesn't have enough firefighters to tackle so many large fires at once. The ones who have been out there since Tuesday are exhausted. Louisiana's mayor, Karen Bass, says that more crews are coming in from other counties and cities. Officials also said that some. Some of the fire hydrants that firefighters were tapping into in the Pacific Palisades went dry on Tuesday. Winds that day had prevented aircraft from doing water drops, so hydrants were the only option and they couldn't take the strain. Janice Quinones is LA's top water official.

[Tamara Keith]

You're fighting a wildfire with a fire hydrant system.

[Janice Quinones]

Fire hydrants are not made to fight multiple houses, hundreds of houses at a time.

[Karen Bass]

She said that officials are still working to fill the tanks and the reservoirs where water is needed.

[Adrian Florido]

Adrian, do you have any sense of when these fires may be under control?

[Karen Bass]

No, not really, Michelle. There are several major fires burning across the region. Conditions are extremely dry and it's the wind spreading these flames and making this also unpredictable. High winds are expected at least through tonight, so this emergency is not over.

[Adrian Florido]

That is NPR's Adrian Florido in Los Angeles. Adrian, thank you.

[Karen Bass]

Thanks, Michelle.

[Adrian Florido]

Today, all the living US Presidents will gather with hundreds of other dignitaries at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. for former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral.

[Steve Inskeep]

Carter lived to be 100, leaving a mark on this country and the world extending beyond his four years in the White House. Even as he traveled the world over the decades, he kept living in Plains, Georgia, a comparatively simple life. But presidential funerals are grandiose, and Carter's will be no different.

[Adrian Florido]

NPR senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith will be in the cathedral for the funeral and she is with us now for a preview. Good morning, Tam.

[Janice Quinones]

Good morning.

[Adrian Florido]

So just start with telling us how history will remember Jimmy Carter.

[Janice Quinones]

He was a one term president and his time in Washington was marked by high energy prices, inflation and discontent which really dragged down his presidency. There were foreign policy triumphs like the Camp David Accord, but also challenges like the Iran hostage crisis that only ended on Carter's last day in office. You know, he came into office in 1977 on a wave of post Nixon backlash and demand for reform. He promised to never lie to the American people, but was punished for what became known as his malaise speech, where he perhaps shared a bit too much of what was on his mind. But after leaving office, Carter wrote a whole new chapter of his legacy. 40 years of work fighting disease and homelessness and working for peace. And I'm certain this will get more than one mention at the service today. But Carter continued teaching Sunday school at the Baptist church he attended in Plains, Georgia, well into his 90s.

[Adrian Florido]

As you said, all the living presence will be there, which is not something that often happens. What will you be watching for?

[Janice Quinones]

Well, you know, those dynamics of all the presidents sitting with their spouses in a single pew are always fascinating. President elect Donald Trump will be there, as will President Biden, who he will replace in the Oval Office in less than two weeks. And the last presidential funeral was in 2018 for George H.W. bush. Jimmy Carter was there for that one, along with the Obamas and Clintons. President Biden is set to speak at this service, and he and Carter go way back. Biden, then a young US Senator, was the first national political figure to endorse Carter back in 1976. I spoke to former Obama speechwriter Terry Zooplat about what he's watching for. And he said, in Washington, even a eulogy is a political act.

[Tamara Keith]

They often reveal as much about the speaker as they do the person being honored and eulogized, their worldview, what they believe in, their values, their vision.

[Janice Quinones]

But he also said there's a risk in reading too much into these speeches. Not every glowing statement about Carter's character will be meant as an implicit criticism of some other president who's in the room.

[Adrian Florido]

Okay, so potential for some subtext there, but what else stands out to you from the list of speakers?

[Janice Quinones]

You know, Carter was a political outsider, but he's getting the ultimate Washington insider send off. In addition to the eulogy from President Biden, there will be tributes from Carter's grandson, Jason Carter, and Stu Eisenstadt, who served in the Carter administration. One thing that is quite unique, thanks to Carter's incredible longevity, two eulogies will be read by the sons of the men who wrote them. Both former President Gerald Ford and former Vice President Walter Mondale wrote eulogies for Carter, but Carter outlived them both. One other fun thing, country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are set to sing Imagine by John Lennon. It was Carter's favorite song, and the lyrics are quite resonant with Carter's life's work.

[Adrian Florido]

That is NPR's Tamra Keith. Tam, thank you.

[Janice Quinones]

You're welcome.

[Adrian Florido]

President elect Donald Trump also visited Capitol Hill last night to pay his respects to former President Jimmy Carter.

[Steve Inskeep]

And he also met with Republicans to talk about strategizing for legislation. We're going to get something done that's going to be reducing taxes and creating.

[Tamara Keith]

A lot of jobs and all of the other things that you know about. But this, this was a really unified.

[Steve Inskeep]

Meeting, so he says. But is there a path ahead?

[Adrian Florido]

So here to tell us all about this is NPR congressional correspondent Barbara. Barbara, good morning to you.

[Michelle Martin]

Good morning.

[Adrian Florido]

So, Barbara, he met with the senators, Republican senators. What were the senators hoping for in that meeting?

[Michelle Martin]

Well, the goal was to decide on a strategy to advance Trump's agenda on border security and tax cuts. There's been a lot of Questions about how Republicans who will have unified government in two weeks are going to accomplish those things. Trump said earlier that he wants, in his words, one big, beautiful bill for everything, and that's in line with what House Speaker Mike Johnson wants. But on the Senate side, there's interest in a two bill approach. One that would tackle the border, the other on taxes. Now, both strategies would use a tool in the budget process to avoid a filibuster from Democrats in the Senate. But there was hope from many GOP lawmakers that Trump would put his thumb on the scale as to which option he wants to see implemented.

[Adrian Florido]

Interesting. So that's what they wanted. Did they get it?

[Michelle Martin]

No, not quite. It was a fairly long meeting, almost two hours. And those of us waiting outside the meeting heard lots of applause throughout. So a sign of good progress. And I'm told that people asked a good number of questions in the meeting. But bottom line, Trump came out and said he just isn't too concerned with process.

[Tamara Keith]

We had a great meeting. There's great unity. Whether it's one bill or two bill, it's going to get done one way or the other.

[Steve Inskeep]

I think there's a lot of talk.

[Tamara Keith]

About two and there's a lot of talk about one, but it doesn't matter.

[Steve Inskeep]

The end result is the same.

[Michelle Martin]

Senate Majority Leader John Thune spoke to reporters once Trump left and didn't commit to one particular path.

[Karen Bass]

We're all in line with getting the result and the process arguments that we have around here, I think are a.

[Tamara Keith]

Lot less important certainly to the people.

[Karen Bass]

Across the country than accomplishing the things.

[Michelle Martin]

I just he called it an ongoing conversation.

[Adrian Florido]

So what about that? Why does it matter if Trump signs off on a strategy?

[Michelle Martin]

Well, I think there's a desire for Trump to have a strong preference early on to be a kind of organizing force. It wasn't that long ago that he sort of threw a wrench in House Republicans efforts to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government. He made demands at the last minute and members at the time told me like, gee, I wish he had told us this earlier. So it's not out of character for Trump to make demands at inconvenient moments for members. And that can really upend negotiations when lawmakers think that they're on the same page and forging ahead and how they all act, the House, the Senate and the White House in the very early stages of the administration is going to be important and it can set a tone for how they work together going forward.

[Adrian Florido]

That is NPR congressional correspondent Barbara. Barbara, thank you.

[Michelle Martin]

Thank you.

[Adrian Florido]

And that's up first for Thursday, January 9th. I'm Michelle Martin.

[Steve Inskeep]

And I'm Steve Inskeep. You can listen to this podcast sponsor free, while also financially supporting public media with Up First Plus. Learn more at plus.NPR.org that's P L U S.NPR.org why don't they just let you press the plus sign? That doesn't matter anyway. Go on.

[Adrian Florido]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Gigi Duban, Roberta Rampton, Kelsey Snell, Janaya Williams and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ziad Butch, Nia Dumas and Lily Quiros. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez and David Greenberg, and our technical director is Zach Coleman. And we hope you'll join us again tomorrow.

[Michelle Martin]

Want 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 this message comes from Mint Mobile. From the gas pump to the grocery store, inflation is everywhere. So Mint Mobile is offering premium wireless starting at just $15 a month. To get your new phone plan for just $15, go to mintmobile.com Switch this message comes from Warby Parker prescription eyewear that's expertly crafted and unexpectedly affordable. Glasses designed in house from premium materials starting at just $95, including prescription lenses. Stop by a Warby Parker store near.