NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-20-2025 11AM EST

Episode Date: January 20, 2025

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Do you make resolutions in January? We do. Specifically, we make pop culture resolutions. We also check in on what we resolved to do this last year. Did we catch up on all those classic movies or finally write that novel? Find out on the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korova Coleman. President-elect Trump takes the oath of office in one hour at the U.S. Capitol. He's expected to sign many executive orders later today. Trump will declare a national emergency at the border.

This will allow U.S. armed forces to be deployed to the southern border where some can finish building a wall. Officials say Trump will entirely end the practice of asylum. They say this means an immediate removal process for some people. It is not clear if that means they

will be rounded up in the US and immediately forced out. In a controversial move, Trump will seek to end birthright citizenship for people born in the US to parents not here legally. However, birthright citizenship is enshrined in the US Constitution. President-elect Trump is taking aimined in the U.S. Constitution. President-elect Trump is taking aim at issues of gender and diversity.

NPR's Franco Ordoñez reports some executive orders will seek to establish a government-wide definition for male and female. The first order on gender will outline that it's the policy of the U.S. to recognize two biologically distinct sexes. An incoming White House official said the change will require government agencies to use the definitions on documents like passports and employee records. The official said government contracts will also be reviewed

since federal funds will not be allowed to be used to promote gender ideology. The second executive order will end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government, citing examples such as environmental justice programs at the Department of Agriculture and diversity training at the Treasury Department. Franco, Ordonez, NPR News, The White House. Danielle Pletka Trump is to take the oath of office in the Capitol rotunda instead of outdoors because of very cold weather, and the room is already filling up with officials.

President Biden has arrived at the Capitol along with the president-elect. Former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush are there. But many of Trump's supporters cannot be in the room because of limited space. Joanne Floyd came from Mississippi. She is thrilled about Trump's upcoming executive actions.

I think that he will bring back money to the United States that all these other countries have stolen from us. And another thing, the biggest thing that I love about Donald Trump is those borders, it kept them closed. Thousands of supporters will be gathering at a Washington arena where the inauguration will be gathering at a Washington arena where the inauguration will be live streamed. President Biden has issued several pardons this morning. He says these are meant to protect certain Americans from politically motivated prosecutions. The

pardons are for former Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley, the former pandemic medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci, and lawmakers on the House January 6th committee and their staff. The cold weather that's forced a change in the inauguration is spread widely across the US. Forecasters have issued warnings of extreme cold from Michigan to Texas. This is NPR.

The video sharing app TikTok has resumed service despite a federal law that took effect yesterday, it said TikTok would be banned. President-elect Trump says he will issue an executive order to pause that ban once he is sworn in, possibly this afternoon. But legal experts are questioning if Trump can use an executive order to skirt the existing federal law

on TikTok. Today, the nation observes the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year, the federal holiday coincides with the beginning of a new presidential administration. NPR's Kristen Wright reports. The day of service honors the life and legacy of the civil rights leader who only lived to see 39.

Many years and presidential administrations later, the country remains deeply divided. Dr. King's son, Martin Luther King III, spoke to NBC's Meet the Press Sunday. We've seen a lot of chaos, some of it constructive, some of it destructive. I think Dad would always want to hear on the side of how do we create constructive engagement? How do we build the beloved community? He'd be quite disappointed Quite frankly that we are where we are probably wouldn't be surprised King said he hopes that young people can help bring the country together

Kristen Wright NPR News, Washington the former leader of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards has, according to her family. She was 67 years old. The abortion rights activist died of brain cancer. Cecile Richards' family says memorial arrangements are pending. I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News.