NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-14-2025 6AM EST

Episode Date: January 14, 2025

NPR News: 01-14-2025 6AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington on Corva Coleman, the Justice Department has published a long-awaited report from special counsel Jack Smith. This report is over charges of election interference against President-elect Trump. The charges were withdrawn. Smith says he stands behind his decision to prosecute Trump, even though this case will never go to trial. NPR's Carrie Johnson reports. After days of legal wrangling, the Justice Department issued a nearly 150-page report

detailing its case against Trump and his efforts to cling to power. Jack Smith walked away from the indictment after Trump won re-election last year because the DOJ believes a sitting president cannot face trial. But Smith says he's convinced there was enough evidence for a jury to convict Trump. He says standing up for the rule of law matters. And so does fighting for justice in the face of relentless personal attacks. In a social media post, Trump says the voters have spoken and returned him to power. His allies have pledged to investigate the people who investigated Trump.

Kari Johnson, NPR News, Washington. Meanwhile, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the release of a second volume of Smith's report. That report is into the special prosecutor's case against Trump that alleged mishandling of classified documents and obstructing justice as officers tried to retrieve them. Senate confirmation hearings for President-elect Trump's cabinet nominees get underway this morning. NPR's Giles Snyder reports that up first is Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee to lead the Defense Department.

Pete Hegseth is the former Fox News host who's been battling allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, and a drinking problem, all of which he denies. And when he sits down in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, his views on diversity in the U.S. military, including the role of women, is likely to be a focus of questioning. Hexeth may be the first to be grilled by Senate committees this week, but he won't be the last. Several Trump nominees will be on Capitol Hill for their own confirmation hearings, including Pam Bondi for Attorney General, Margo Rubio for Secretary of State, and Kristi Noem, who's been tapped to lead the Homeland

Security Department. Trial Snider, NPR News. The National Weather Service says the Los Angeles area has entered a fresh period of extreme fire danger. Steve Fetterman reports that's because a new round of dynamic winds is blowing into the region. We are now in this very critical period between now and Wednesday afternoon. The National Weather Service says we will see very strong winds, gusts up to 70 miles

an hour in some areas, and those winds are strong enough to cause lots of problems. They can spark new fires. They can rekindle old fires. So everyone right now is sort of crossing their fingers hoping they will get through this new challenge. Steve Futterman reporting, the Palisades fire burning west of LA is about 14% contained. The Eaton fire is a third contained.

This is NPR. NPR has learned that negotiators are close to a ceasefire deal for Gaza. The talks are happening in Qatar. NPR has learned that negotiators are close to a ceasefire deal for Gaza. The talks are happening in Qatar. A proposed agreement would reportedly see an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian detainees. It would include a six-week pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas and further talks about the withdrawing of Israeli troops.

A federal judge has ordered a white nationalist group to pay $2.7 million in damages for attacking a Boston musician in 2022. And Piers Odette Youssef reports the decision is winning praise from those who counter violent extremism in the U.S. On July 4th of 2022, Charles Morel, a black man, was violently attacked by Patriot front members who were marching in Boston. Boston police were monitoring the march at the time and offered medical assistance to Morrell after the attack, but no criminal charges were filed. So Morrell pursued civil remedies. Amy Spitalnik of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs helped advise the plaintiff's team.

Amy Spitalnik, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, helped advise the plaintiff's team. Bringing this case makes very clear that this sort of violent extremism, no matter where it comes from, will face consequences. Patriot Front is an offshoot of another group that was found liable for organizing the fatal 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. Odette Youssef, NPR News. A Russian woman who was a stowaway on a flight from New York to Paris has been indicted by a federal grand jury in New York. Svetlana Dali sneaked onto a Delta flight last November but was returned and arrested. A different stowaway was discovered in December on another Delta flight about to take off from Seattle for Honolulu. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.