New ICE Policies, Hegseth Claims, West Bank Attacks

Summary

Up First from NPR
Episode: New ICE Policies, Hegseth Claims, West Bank Attacks
Release Date: January 22, 2025

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1. Trump Administration’s New Immigration Policies

Overview:
The episode begins with a deep dive into the Trump administration's latest immigration policies, which significantly expand the scope of deportations and alter enforcement strategies. The administration has broadened the categories of individuals targeted for deportation and has removed previous restrictions that limited arrests to specific locations.

Key Developments:

• Expanded Arrest Powers:
  Immigration officers are now authorized to make arrests in previously protected locations such as schools and churches. This marks a substantial shift from prior policies that designated these places as off-limits for immigration enforcement.

  Steve Inskeep (00:03): "Immigration officers have clearance to make arrests in schools and churches, places previously considered off limits. We're getting them out of the country. They're going to be gotten out of the country first."

• Implementation of Executive Actions:
  The Department of Homeland Security has initiated steps to implement President Trump's executive actions, which include phasing out humanitarian parole programs and reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy. The humanitarian parole program had provided temporary legal status to individuals from countries like Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela.

  Ximena Bustillo (04:15): "One includes phasing out humanitarian parole programs... Another action set in motion is restarting full implementation of Remain in Mexico."

• Legal Challenges:
  The administration's reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment, aiming to restrict citizenship based on parental status and legal standing, is facing legal challenges. Eighteen Democratic state attorneys general and a coalition of civil rights groups have filed lawsuits to block these changes.

  Ximena Bustillo (05:19): "Trump wants to change this widely understood meaning of those words and make citizenship dependent on the status of one's parents and whether they're here in the U.S. legally, illegally or on visas."

Notable Quotes:

• Ximena Bustillo (03:09): "The administration has now cleared the way for arrests in schools... Bishop Matthew Hyde disputes the idea that criminal migrants were hiding in these sanctuaries."

• Ximena Bustillo (05:19): "A group of 18 Democratic state attorneys general... joined the legal fight to block the move."

2. Nomination of Pete Hegseth Amid Allegations

Overview:
The nomination of Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon has come under renewed scrutiny following allegations of personal misconduct and alcohol abuse. An affidavit from his former sister-in-law has intensified the debate over his suitability for the role.

Key Developments:

• Affidavit Details:
  Danielle Hegseth, Pete's former sister-in-law, submitted a sworn affidavit alleging that Pete caused his ex-wife, Samantha, to fear for her safety. She claims to have witnessed Pete intoxicated and engaging in abusive behavior.

  Deirdre Walsh (06:51): "Danielle Hegseth... states that Pete Hegseth is, quote, unfit for the job. She says her former sister in law... feared for her personal safety during their marriage."

• Administration’s Response:
  Pete Hegseth's attorney has dismissed the allegations, claiming that Danielle has political motivations against her brother-in-law. Samantha Hegseth has also denied any abuse, stating that court documents affirm there was no physical abuse.

  Deirdre Walsh (07:51): "His attorney... said Danielle was, quote, an anti Trump far left Democrat who was divorced from Hegseth's brother and never got along with the family."

• Senate Dynamics:
  Despite the allegations, Republican senators have largely stood by Hegseth, questioning the timing and motivations behind the affidavit. With a 53-seat majority, the likelihood of his confirmation remains high, even without Democratic support.

  Deirdre Walsh (08:53): "Hegseth's nomination is on track for a full Senate vote later this week or over the weekend at the latest."

Notable Quotes:

• Pete Inskeep (06:18): "The president's nominee for secretary of defense is once again facing allegations of alcohol abuse and misconduct."

• Deirdre Walsh (08:53): "He's not likely to get any support from Democrats, but he's not going to need them right now. He has the votes."

3. Israel’s Military Operations in the West Bank

Overview:
The podcast addresses Israel's recent military operations in the occupied West Bank amidst a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The focus is on the Jenin refugee camp, a known militant hub, and the broader implications for Palestinian civilians and U.S. foreign policy.

Key Developments:

• Military Focus on Jenin:
  Israel has launched airstrikes in the Jenin refugee camp, targeting militant activities. Jenin is described not as a typical refugee camp with tents, but as a densely populated area with established families and infrastructure.

  Kat Lonsdorf (10:31): "Jenin is basically a city where lots of Palestinian families and kids live with houses and schools."

• Impact on Civilians:
  The operations have resulted in casualties, with at least 10 Palestinians reported killed and many wounded. The ongoing conflict has turned Jenin into a closed military zone, severely restricting access and information from the area.

  Kat Lonsdorf (11:24): "An airstrike there killed at least 10 Palestinians and wounded many more, according to Palestinian health officials."

• U.S. Administration’s Stance:
  The incoming Trump administration, characterized by pro-Israel appointees, is expected to support Israeli actions in the West Bank, potentially easing sanctions on Israeli settlers and endorsing annexation efforts. This shift contrasts with the previous administration's attempts to de-escalate tensions.

  Kat Lonsdorf (13:22): "Several of President Trump's appointees... are very pro Israel... it seems likely the US Administration will give them the green light to [annex the West Bank]."

• Local Palestinian Concerns:
  Palestinians in the West Bank are experiencing increased hardships due to heightened military presence and restrictions on movement. There is a growing fear that the ceasefire in Gaza may lead to intensified actions against them.

  Kat Lonsdorf (12:35): "The west bank consists of a series of checkpoint and designated roads for Palestinians. And most of those have been closed by the Israeli military, making travel throughout the area really hard."

Notable Quotes:

• Kat Lonsdorf (10:31): "Jenin has also long been a militant stronghold. Attacks that have killed Israelis have been launched from there."

• Waleed Amera (12:35): "The Israeli government wants to prove something to their people, and the west bank will become the place where they can prove it."

• Kat Lonsdorf (13:22): "If Israel does make moves to annex the west bank, it seems likely the US Administration will give them the green light to do so."

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Conclusion

The January 22, 2025 episode of Up First from NPR provides a comprehensive overview of significant geopolitical and domestic issues. From the Trump administration's stringent immigration reforms and the contentious nomination of Pete Hegseth to escalating Israeli military actions in the West Bank, the episode underscores the complexities and far-reaching implications of these developments. Notable quotes from key participants enrich the narrative, offering listeners insight into the unfolding stories shaping today's news landscape.

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Produced by:
Kelsey Snell, Krishnadev Kalamer, Jerome Sokolovsky, Olivia Hampton, Alice Wolfley
Sound Engineering: Robert Rodriguez
Technical Direction: Carly Strange

Hosts:
Steve Inskeep, Leila Faldin

Transcript

[Steve Inskeep]

Immigration officers have clearance to make arrests in schools and churches, places previously considered off limits. We're getting them out of the country. They're going to be gotten out of the country first.

[Leila Faldin]

How do the new rules change law enforcement?

[Steve Inskeep]

I'm Steve Inskeep with Leila Fodel. And this is up first from NPR News.

[Leila Faldin]

The president's pick to lead the Pentagon faces one more round of criticism. Pete Hegseth denied many accusations about his personal conduct and also spoke of his redemption. Now his former sister in law has sent an affidavit adding to the allegations. How's that affect his nomination?

[Steve Inskeep]

Also, Israel launched a military operation in the occupied West Bank. How, if at all, does that fit in with the ceasefire that finally arrived in Gaza? Stay with us. We've got the news. You need to start your day.

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[Steve Inskeep]

President Trump's administration is rolling out its immigration actions day by day.

[Leila Faldin]

The federal government is broadening the number of people targeted for deportation and widening the locations where agents may arrest them.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo has been following all these developments. She's in our studios. Ximena, thanks for coming by.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Good morning.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay. We've heard things the administration is saying and gradually we're finding out how far they will go. Just a few weeks ago, December 16th, an advisor to the president was on NPR and was played a prediction about, quote, businesses being raided and, quote, kids not in Your schools. And Mary Louise Kelly asked Jason Miller what he thought.

[Kat Lonsdorf]

Jason Miller, is he wrong?

[NPR Sponsor]

And I chuckle.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Not because I'm taking the issue lightly, because it is such a bat, you.

[NPR Sponsor]

Know, what insane comment for this gentleman to make.

[Steve Inskeep]

So, dismissing the idea of people vanishing from schools, what are we learning now?

[Ximena Bustillo]

Well, the administration has now cleared the way for arrests in schools. The old rules said that schools, as well as places of worship, healthcare facilities, and a list of other areas were off limits to arrests of people suspected of being without legal status. Now, the acting Secretary of Homeland Security has rescinded those guidelines, which the Trump administration says limits law enforcement from doing its job. My colleague Brian Mann spoke with Bishop Matthew Hyde, who leads the Episcopal Diocese of New York. And Hyde disputes the idea in the administration's announcement that criminal migrants were, quote, hiding in schools and churches.

[Steve Inskeep]

This ministry of sanctuary is central to.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Who we are, our congregations and our service programs. Welcome, everybody.

[Steve Inskeep]

This is what our faith calls us.

[Ximena Bustillo]

To do, but we don't know yet how. Immigration enforcement agencies are planning to ramp up their operations.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so we'll keep watching that to see how far it goes. What else is the administration saying about immigration?

[Ximena Bustillo]

The department also issued two notices to start the process of implementing some of Trump's executive actions.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay.

[Ximena Bustillo]

One includes phasing out humanitarian parole programs. This includes the program that granted permission for certain people from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela to be in the US it's not really known what will happen to the hundreds of thousands of people currently living with humanitarian parole. This also accelerates a Biden era decision to not renew the legal status of those under the program. Another action set in motion is restarting full implementation of Remain in Mexico. This was a program from Trump's first term that required migrants to wait in Mexico while their asylum claims were being adjudicated in the US Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters yesterday that there needs to be a conversation with US Federal agencies.

[Steve Inskeep]

I appreciate the one thing you said. You said one of these moves about humanitarian parole accelerates a Biden decision. Biden's administration was also deporting people. This is a thing the United States does under any administration, but the terms are changing. And you mentioned when you were on the program yesterday that some people are suing over the new rules. Who else is suing now and why?

[Ximena Bustillo]

The main target of the lawsuits continues to be Trump's executive action that aims to reinterpret the 14th Amendment. This is the amendment that grants citizenship to nearly every person born on US Territory. It says all persons born or naturalized in the US and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens. Trump wants to change this widely understood meaning of those words and make citizenship dependent on the status of one's parents and whether they're here in the U.S. legally, illegally or on visas. A group of 18 Democratic state attorneys general, including from New Jersey and California, joined the legal fight to block the move. And a coalition of civil rights and liberties groups also filed a separate lawsuit.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR Samana Bastillo, thanks for coming by.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Thank you.

[Steve Inskeep]

The president's nominee for secretary of defense is once again facing allegations of alcohol abuse and misconduct. Yeah.

[Leila Faldin]

Pete Hexseth endured a round of questions about his past as well as his quality qualifications. And his nominations made it out of a Senate committee on a party line vote. The full Senate has yet to vote. And now his former sister in law has added her own views. She submitted an affidavit to senators saying Hegseth caused his ex wife to fear for her safety.

[Steve Inskeep]

Unsurprisingly, the affidavit is now public. NPR congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh is among reporters who obtained copies. Deirdre, good morning.

[Deirdre Walsh]

Good morning, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so what in this document adds to what was already known?

[Deirdre Walsh]

This is an on the record signed sworn statement from Hegseth's former sister in law. As you noted, Danielle Hegseth, she was married to his brother Nathaniel, and she states that she was asked to provide the statement by the top Democrat on the panel, Jack Reid. Senator Reid told me last night he made the request for the details because he didn't think the FBI background check on Hegseth was adequate. Danielle Hegseth says in her personal opinion, Pete Hegseth is, quote, unfit for the job. She says her former sister in law, Samantha, Hegseth's second wife, who he divorced, feared for her personal safety during their marriage. She often hid in a closet. She said Samantha had a plan about texting her a safe word or code word that meant she wanted someone to fly to Minnesota to help her. Danielle Hegseth also said she personally witnessed Hegseth intoxicated, yelling in her face. She told the FBI that Hegseth abused alcohol numerous times over the years to the point of actually passing out during a holiday gathering.

[Steve Inskeep]

Well, what does Hegseth say about all that?

[Deirdre Walsh]

Well, NPR reached out to his attorney, Tim Parlatore. He has not responded, but Parlatore told NBC, which first reported on this affidavit, that Samantha Hegseth, the ex wife, never alleged any abuse and actually signed court documents acknowledging there was no abuse. And she affirmed that as part of Hegseth's background check, he maintained parlatory that Danielle was, quote, an anti Trump far left Democrat who was divorced from Hegseth's brother and never got along the family. He said she has an axe to grind. In Samantha Hegseth's case, she told NBC in a statement there was no physical abuse. She wasn't going to comment on her marriage and she didn't have representatives speaking on her behalf. It's worth noting that during the public confirmation hearing, Pete Hegseth was pressed about previous allegations about excessive drinking, inappropriate behavior.

[Steve Inskeep]

Which he denied in a broad sense, said they were anonymous allegations and so forth. I guess the key question here involves Republican senators. How, how are they, how are they responding to this?

[Deirdre Walsh]

You know, they're standing behind him. I spoke with several last night after this affidavit became public. Most said they hadn't read the document, but they questioned the timing, the motivation. Hegseth's nomination is on track for a full Senate vote later this week or over the weekend at the latest. I talked to Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker. He told reporters he had grave doubts about Danielle Hegseth's account in the affidavit. But but he also admitted he hadn't read it. He said he was to review it, but he dismissed it as political. So far, no Senate Republican has publicly said they're going to oppose Pete Hegseth's nomination. With the 53 seat majority, he can lose three votes and still three Republican votes and still get confirmed. He's not likely to get any support from Democrats, but he's not going to need them right now. He has the votes.

[Steve Inskeep]

Yeah. I guess we should note the political context as well that President Trump has demanded this nominee and conservative groups have campaigned pretty strongly and threatened primaries and so forth against Republicans. Senators, Deirdre, thanks so much.

[Deirdre Walsh]

Thank you, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

Let's N. Pierce. Deirdre Walsh, okay, the ceasefire in Gaza is holding in a fourth day, but.

[Leila Faldin]

Israel has announced a new military operation, this time in the occupied West Bank. Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, says the military is using key lessons learned from the war in Gaza.

[Steve Inskeep]

We're joined by NPR's Kat Lansdorf, who was just there. Hey there, Kat.

[Kat Lonsdorf]

Hey.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so we're told this military operation focuses on the Jenin refugee camp, which is a phrase we use from time to time in this coverage. But what do we mean when we say refugee camp?

[Kat Lonsdorf]

Yeah. So this is a place where Palestinians have lived for many generations. It's not tents like you might think of when you hear refugee camp, it's basically a city where lots of Palestinian families and kids live with houses and schools. You know, Jenin has also long been a militant stronghold. Attacks that have killed Israelis have been launched from there. Right now it's hard to get information on what's happening on the ground there because it's essentially become a closed military zone in the past few days. We do know that an airstrike and Israeli airstrike there killed at least 10 Palestinians and wounded many more, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel says this is a counterterrorism operation aimed at strengthening security in the West Bank. Palestinian forces have also clashed with these fighters and there also have been Israeli military operations there in the past. I went into the Jenin refugee camp after the last major one in the fall and that operation lasted weeks and was very, very destructive.

[Steve Inskeep]

I feel we need to dwell always on the map here when we say West Bank. So there's Gaza, which is a separate area where the, which was the center of the war between Israel and Hamas, where there's now a ceasefire. The west bank is a separate area, much bigger in size. Millions of Palestinians live there. A lot of Israeli settlers have also moved in with the sanction of the Israeli government. And we have this bit of news that President Trump after his inauguration has said he will end sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank. What does that mean?

[Kat Lonsdorf]

Yeah, so President Biden put those sanctions in place to try to de escalate violent Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. Those attacks have increased dramatically since the war in Gaza began. There have been some attacks on Israeli settlers too. Even just this weekend there were Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages. They burnt cars and other property. You know, settler groups said that this was timed to coincide with the release of Palestinian detainees and prisoners. In accordance with the Gaza ceasefire deal, President Trump now canceling those sanctions on Israeli settlers. You know, certainly coming after what happened this weekend really doesn't discourage that kind of violence.

[Steve Inskeep]

How is all this affecting life in the West Bank?

[Kat Lonsdorf]

It's main life throughout the west bank difficult, even in the areas not directly affected. The west bank consists of a series of checkpoint and designated roads for Palestinians. And most of those have been closed by the Israeli military, making travel throughout the area really hard. And on top of that, many Palestinians in the west bank worry that Israelis military focus is shifting over to them now that there's a ceasefire in Gaza. I talked to 53 year old Waleed Amera in Ramallah about this. The day the ceasefire in Gaza in Gaza went into effect, he told me, of course, the war is coming here. The Israeli government wants to prove something to their people, and the west will become the place where they can prove it, he said.

[Steve Inskeep]

And of course, there's a new presidential administration, as we mentioned. How do they view the West Bank?

[Kat Lonsdorf]

Yeah, I mean, several of President Trump's appointees, you know, are very pro Israel. Mike Huckabee, who will be the next US Ambassador in Jerusalem, has visited Israel several times and argued that the west bank belongs to Israel. Elise Stefanik, who is set to be the next UN Ambassador, said in her confirmation hearing yesterday that Israel has a right to the west bank as well. So if Israel does make moves to annex the west bank, it seems likely the US Administration will give them the green light to do so.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Kat Lonsdorf, thanks so much.

[Kat Lonsdorf]

Thank you.

[Steve Inskeep]

And that's up first for this Wednesday, January 22nd. I'm Steve Inskeep.

[Leila Faldin]

And I'm Layla Falden. Make your next listen. Consider this the team behind NPR's All Things Considered goes deep into a single news story in just 15 minutes. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steve Inskeep]

Today's up first was edited by Kelsey Snell, Krishnadev Kalamer, Jerome Sokolovsky, Olivia Hampton, and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ziad Buch, Chris Thomas, Milton Guevara, and Claire Murashima, who is pointing at me right now. That's when I talk, whenever she points. Anyway, we get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us tomorrow Foreign.

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