Friday, January 24th, 2025 - Hegseth vote; New Jan. 6 panel; EO blocked; LA wildfires; TN school shooting; Purdue-Sackler settlement

Morning Announcements

Today’s Headlines: Trump’s first week back has been eventful. Pete Hegseth’s Defense Secretary nomination heads to a final vote, while John Ratcliffe is confirmed as CIA director. A new GOP-led January 6th committee was launched and Speaker Johnson has discouraged subpoenaing Cassidy Hutchinson amid fears of exposing lawmakers’ explicit texts. Trump’s order to limit birthright citizenship faced its first legal challenge, with a federal judge issuing a restraining order, calling it "blatantly unconstitutional." Meanwhile, Trump considers cutting FEMA as wildfires rage in Los Angeles, burning over 10,000 acres and prompting mass evacuations. In Nashville, a school shooting left two dead and two injured, despite AI weapon detection software failing. His manifesto cited Candace Owens and Adolf Hitler as inspirations. Lastly, the Sacklers agreed to a $7.4B settlement over Purdue Pharma’s opioid crisis role.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

• AP News: Senate advances Pete Hegseth as Trump's defense secretary, despite allegations
• NBC News: Senate confirms John Ratcliffe to be Trump's CIA director
• Axios: House GOP launches new panel to investigate Jan. 6
• WA Post: Johnson aide discouraged Hutchinson subpoena over concerns about lawmakers’ ‘sexual texts’
• NBC News: Federal district court judge temporarily blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order
• CBS News: Hughes Fire in LA County burns 10,000 acres, containment rises as some evacuations remain
• The Guardian: ‘Setting us up for catastrophe’: alarm at Trump attack on federal disaster agency
• Tennessean: Antioch school shooting updates: Nashville mayor emphasizes community 'togetherness,' fundraiser
• NBC News: Purdue Pharma, Sackler family to pay $7.4 billion in settlement to OxyContin lawsuits

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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