NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-20-2025 6PM EST

Episode Date: January 20, 2025

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President Trump is back in Washington, pursuing major policy changes on his own terms. We know from the past that means challenging precedent, busting norms, and pushing against the status quo. NPR is covering it all with Trump's Terms, a podcast where we curate stories about the 47th president with a focus on how he is upending the way Washington works. Listen to Trump's Term terms from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States today. As NPR's Barbara Sprun explains, the inauguration ceremony took place inside the U.S.

Capitol instead of the traditional West Front due to frigid temperatures. President Trump marked his historic comeback in an inaugural address that strongly resembled his campaign speeches, where he listed a litany of grievances about the previous administration and promised to restore American greatness. He spoke about the failed assassination attempt in July during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. But I felt then and believe even more so now that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again. Trump called the election a mandate for his agenda and said he will declare a national

emergency on the southern border and deport millions of immigrants without legal status. He also said he will impose tariffs on foreign goods and expand U.S. drilling. Barbara Sprint and PePR News, Washington. Trump plans to take scores of executive actions today, including 10 related to immigration. NPR's Joel Rose reports that's according to a call with incoming White House officials this morning. The Trump administration is expected to declare a national emergency at the southern border. Incoming White House officials say that would allow the administration to deploy members

of the armed forces and National Guard to the border. Incoming White House officials say that would allow the administration to deploy members of the armed forces and National Guard to the border. The incoming officials say the White House also intends to end birthright citizenship and close the border to anyone without legal status, including people seeking asylum. Those are among the most ambitious proposals, which are all but certain to be challenged in court. Trump also plans to bring back some policies from his first term, restarting border wall construction, pausing refugee resettlement, and reinstating remain in Mexico, which forced asylum seekers to wait south of the border while their claims are adjudicated. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

Trump is attending what's billed as an indoor parade at this hour at the Capital One Arena in Washington, where he's expected to sign more executive actions in front of supporters. A new lawsuit filed against President Trump claims his so-called Department of Government Efficiency violates federal transparency rules. That's the newly created group headed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk whose mission is to revamp the federal government. More from MPR's Andrea Hsu. The lawsuit was brought by two public interest non-profits and a union representing some 800,000

government employees. It argues that Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOJ, is not in fact a government agency but a kind of advisory committee tasked with recommending drastic cuts to government agencies and programs. The plaintiffs note that under federal law, such committees must have a quote, fair balance in viewpoints represented and that the work must be made available for public inspection. The lawsuit asks that Doge be blocked from operating until those requirements are met. Andrea Hsu, NPR News.

The U.S. financial markets are closed for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. The former leader of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, has died at the age of 67. Her family says she passed away this morning following her battle with brain cancer. NPR's Sarah McCammon has this remembrance. Cecile Richards was the daughter of the late Texas governor Ann Richards. Both were known for their unflappable advocacy for progressive causes. Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood Great Rivers in the St. Louis area,

knew Richards for more than a decade through their advocacy for abortion rights. Colleen McNicholas, Chief Medical Officer, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, St. Louis I think she really changed the way that the movement engaged publicly. She was a very visible and bold presence. She wasn't afraid to take question, to say the word abortion. Joe Biden awarded Cecile Richards the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2024. In a statement Biden praised her legacy of fighting for quote equality, justice, and freedom. Sarah McCammon, NPR News. Bridg air from Texas to parts of the South continues to hold a sizable swath of the US in its grip. Continued wintery weather bringing snow and ice to a number of sections of the

country that don't usually see it. Cold Arctic air mass is largely to blame for the bitterly cold weather. Winter storm warnings are in place for areas including heavy lake effect snow expected in Western New York State today through midweek. Critical futures prices closed modestly lower today after President Trump declared an energy emergency and promised to fill US strategic stockpiles oiled down 91 cents a barrel to 76.48 a barrel in New York. I'm Jack Spear and PR News in Washington.