NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-20-2025 1PM EST

Episode Date: January 20, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump's four-year battle to get back to the White House is complete. I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will, to the office of president of the United States the office of president of the United States and will to the best of my ability and will to the best of my ability preserve protect and defend protect and defend the Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts administering the oath of office to President Trump less than an hour ago in the U.S. Capitol rotunda. Trump then delivered a speech that noted in part overcoming a series of attempts to silence him.

My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed their freedom. His remarks drew standing ovations except from a small group to his left. Now former President Biden, among other former presidents, remains seated. Biden showed little emotion as he listened to the man he'd repeatedly described as a person who consistently puts his own interests above country and poses a threat to the future of U.S. democracy. Trump plans to sign an executive order that will declare a national energy emergency. NPR's Asma Khalid reports it's all part of a broader vision

to boost natural resource production in the U.S. Trump aims to cut red tape and regulations in the energy industry and enable the United States to produce more coal. He also intends to sign a specific executive order aimed at Alaska's natural resources. This is all according to an incoming White House official who spoke to reporters on a conference call to preview the announcements. The officials said energy prices are currently too high, but declined to name a target price. In recent years, U.S. oil and gas production has hit record levels. Trump also plans to end what he refers to as Biden's electric vehicle mandate and end efforts to limit consumer choices on items like gas stoves and dishwashers. Asma Khalid, NPR News.

Other executive actions Trump's threatened are mass deportations. And as NPR's Tamara Keith reports, an end to birthright citizenship. It is guaranteed that this is going to be challenged in court as soon as it is signed and that this is going to be a big legal battle. I think the broader effort here by the Trump White House is essentially a shock and awe on day one to sign a big stack of executive actions to say he's president, he's here, he's going to rescind what Biden did, he is going to keep his promises. NPR's Tamara Keith reporting. You're listening to NPR News. Well, Amanda Travis traveled from Arizona to be in Washington, D.C.

She says she has not encountered as much anti-Trump animosity as she first did in 2017. When we came in 2017, we had a lot of hate and people would chase us down through the street. Yeah, and then people scream at us, we hate you, scum of the earth. Yeah, we were really afraid. And then now, no. In his final moments of office, former President Biden pardons several members of his family, including James B., Biden, Sarah Jones, Biden, Valerie Biden, Owen, saying that they have been, quote, subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats that he does not foresee ending.

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. Here's NPR's Kristen Wright. 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. It's NPR