NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-21-2025 1PM EST

Episode Date: January 21, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump's border security czar confirms that starting today, the administration is taking targeted enforcement operations against migrants who are not in the U.S. legally. Tom Homan, the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, says officers are apprehending people with criminal convictions. But in an interview with CNN, Homan suggested migrants without criminal convictions could also be detained. When we go find our priority target, which is a criminal alien, if he's with others in the United States illegally, we're going to take enforcement action against him. We're

going to force the immigration law. It's uncertain whether certain so-called sanctuary cities that previously declined to assist ICE with deportations will stay the course in the wake of Trump's new executive actions. But Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recently told NPR that his city will fight for its residents whether or not they're, quote, undocumented or seeking asylum. Marco Rubio has been sworn in as Secretary of State and he's diving into the job hosting his counterparts from Australia, Japan and India later today. Here's NPR's Michelle Kelliman. After a 99 to 0 confirmation vote Rubio was

sworn into office by Vice President Vance, Rubio is vowing to ensure the State Department under his leadership is focused on making America stronger, safer and more prosperous. One of the primary goals of American foreign policies is the promotion of peace. Of course peace through strength, peace and always without abandoning our values, but I think it's extraordinary that it's something that needs to be said and hasn't been said enough in recent memory. Rubio, whose parents were born in Cuba, is the first Latino to be Secretary of State and he made a point of speaking briefly in Spanish at his swearing-in ceremony. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department. Israeli forces have begun a new operation

in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian authorities say at least six Palestinians were killed in a strike and 35 wounded. NPR's Kat Lonsdorf reports from the West Bank the violence comes in the first few days of a ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office called it a, quote, significant military operation to combat terrorism. It said the name of the operation is Iron Wall, and the goal was to, quote, strengthen security in the West Bank. Jenin has long been a militant stronghold and the focus of many Israeli military raids since the war in Gaza began.

Many Palestinians here worry that the Israeli military may shift focus over to the West Bank now that there's a ceasefire in Gaza. Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli settlers wearing masks burned and damaged property in a Palestinian village over the weekend, according to a statement from the Israeli military. The military says it was deployed to disperse the attacks. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Ramallah. The Dow is up 425 points. It's NPR News.

South Korean President Yoon Sung-yeol made his first appearance at his own impeachment trial. He's also Yoon's first public appearance since he briefly imposed martial law last month. In the Los Angeles area, red flag warnings remain in effect as the region, already ravaged by wildfires, is dealing with a new round of powerful winds. C. Futterman reports gusts in some mountain areas approaching 90 miles an hour. The strong Santa Ana winds did not result in any new major outbreaks in Los Angeles. Fire crews were on alert. LA County Fire Chief Anthony Morrone was with one of them.

This crew is going to be standing by ready to respond. In San Diego County three small fires did break out. The Lilac fire began burning just past one o'clock in the morning local time. Some evacuations were ordered. This wave of Santa Ana winds is expected to decrease but another wave of Santa Ana's could come late Wednesday or Thursday. Forecasters say those winds may not be as strong. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles. This morning, President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance attended the Interfaith Service Prayer at the Washington National Cathedral, the post-Inauguration Day tradition dating

back to Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency. The cathedral's website had said that due to security concerns and the large number of guests and dignitaries, the service was not open to the public. The Dow is up more than 1 percent or 446 points. The S&P has climbed 49 points and the NASDAQ up 126. This is NPR News.