Members phkrause Posted January 21 Author Members Posted January 21 Trump inauguration moved inside U.S. Capitol amid predictions of Arctic blast WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday he will move his inauguration inside the U.S. Capitol building, instead of holding it on the terrace overlooking the National Mall, citing weather forecasts for frigid temperatures. https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/01/17/dc/trump-inauguration-moved-inside-u-s-capitol-amid-predictions-of-arctic-blast/? Trump nominee for Treasury opposes higher taxes on billionaires, decries federal spending WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Treasury secretary appeared on track for Senate confirmation after a wide-ranging hearing Thursday that included substantial debate on tax policy and how tariffs would affect everyday Americans. https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/01/17/dc/trump-nominee-for-treasury-opposes-higher-taxes-on-billionaires-decries-federal-spending/? ps:Of course he does!! Trump nominee for housing chief calls for building ‘millions more homes’ WASHINGTON — Senators pressed Department of Housing and Urban Development nominee Eric Scott Turner on how he would tackle housing affordability and homelessness during a Thursday confirmation hearing. https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/01/16/dc/trump-nominee-for-housing-chief-calls-for-building-millions-more-homes/? Live updates: Trump issues pardons for Jan. 6 rioters and signs more executive orders Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, setting out to reshape the country’s institutions. https://apnews.com/live/trump-inauguration-updates? FACT FOCUS: A look at false and misleading claims Trump made at inaugural events In his first address after being sworn in on Monday, President Donald Trump repeated several false and misleading statements that he made during his campaign. They included claims about immigration, the economy, electric vehicles and the Panama Canal. In remarks later at the Capitol’s Emancipation Hall, he issued a number of other false claims, including one that distorts pardons made by President Joe Biden as he left office. Here’s a look at the facts. https://apnews.com/article/trump-inauguration-fact-check-b920161868e192d0430df534a42ea5ce? Trump orders reflect his promises to roll back transgender protections and end DEI programs President Donald Trump signed executive orders Monday rolling back protections for transgender people and terminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government in what he described in his inauguration speech as a move to end efforts to “socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.” https://apnews.com/article/trump-sex-gender-transgender-dei-order-245350b97e0c4dcc221fefc49ef44699? Trump names acting defense secretary with Hegseth not yet confirmed WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has named an acting defense secretary because his choice to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, has not yet been confirmed by the Senate. https://apnews.com/article/trump-pentagon-defense-secretary-hegseth-7bf18dfaaa53e3e75a76e3fd768a7fdd? Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 21 Author Members Posted January 21 Trump's "golden age" "The golden age of America begins right now," President Trump said today in an inaugural address that was heavy on specifics about his second-term agenda. It wasn't as dire as Trump's "American carnage" theme in 2017. But he painted a relatively bleak picture of the current state of the U.S. — and vowed to change it. 🎤 "The pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair," Trump said as former President Biden looked on with a pained expression. "We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad." "January 20, 2025, is Liberation Day," Trump said, who got frequent standing ovations from the crowd in the Capitol Rotunda, where the swearing-in was held because of a frigid forecast. "From this moment on, America's decline is over," Trump said. 🔎 Trump used his inaugural address to reiterate his pledges to significantly restrict immigration, reduce consumer prices, produce more domestic energy and impose new tariffs on imports. "Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom and indeed to take my life," Trump said. "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." The latest ... Transcript of Trump's speech ... Trump priorities list, issued today. 🎟️ Billionaires' row Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sánchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk attend the inauguration. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk sat together at the Capitol today. The people in this photo are worth a collective $910 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 21 Author Members Posted January 21 Trump tests the limits of his power Within hours of taking office, President Trump dared the courts, Congress and his fragmented opposition to stand in the way of what could be his most enduring legacy: a radical expansion of presidential power, Axios' Zachary Basu writes. Trump's flurry of executive orders and other policy announcements immediately ignited a series of showdowns that will define his vision for a maximalist second term. 🔎 Zoom in: One of Trump's Oval Office executive orders stands out for its ambition and audacity: a declaration ending birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants. Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the Constitution, but Trump's order seeks to "clarify" the language in the 14th Amendment to exclude undocumented immigrants. The ACLU and other immigrant rights groups are already planning to sue to block the executive order, and legal experts widely expect it to be struck down by the courts. 💼 Trump also issued an executive order that could strip thousands of civil servants of their employment protections, making it easier to fire federal workers deemed to be "disloyal" — a key component of Trump's plan to kneecap the bureaucracy that he felt stood in the way of his agenda last time. 👀 What we're watching: Trump's blizzard of executive orders has exhilarated his base, who see it as proof that he's willing to steamroll the "Deep State" to fulfill his campaign promises. But his rapid consolidation of power has unnerved liberals, institutionalists and even some Republicans who are skeptical of big government. Go deeper ... Full texts of all Trump's executive actions ... Inaugural address. 🌊 Day 1 deluge President Trump promised a historic first day. He didn't even wait to get into the White House before beginning to deliver on that promise. Trump began signing executive orders yesterday afternoon at Capital One Arena, where an inauguration celebration took the place of the usual parade. ⏰ Less than 24 hours into his presidency, Trump has already: Pardoned almost everyone convicted of a crime related to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Declared a national emergency at the southern border, along with other immigration-related orders designed to increase the military's involvement. Begun withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement (Executive order). Begun withdrawing from the World Health Organization (Executive order). Imposed a hiring freeze across the federal government, ordered federal employees back to in-person work and rolled back diversity programs within federal agencies. 🚢 What's next: Trump held off for now on new tariffs, but suggested they're coming soon. "We're thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada, because they're allowing vast numbers of people" into the U.S., Trump said in response to questions from reporters in the Oval Office last night. "I think we'll do it Feb. 1." —Bloomberg Front pages of today's N.Y. Times, Wall Street Journal Go deeper: Backstory on Trump's executive order on Mount McKinley and Gulf of America, "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness." 🎤 The two Trumps Data: Axios research. ("Other" includes sections not directly referencing policy, or where the policy was unclear.) Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios Less than an hour after wrapping up his formal inauguration speech, President Trump headed down to a different room within the Capitol complex and delivered a stream-of-consciousness stemwinder full of gripes and personal attacks. "I think this was a better speech than the one I gave upstairs," he joked. 📝 The big picture: He's back. And this is the new normal, Axios' Marc Caputo writes. "We struggled with this the entire time in the first administration. But Trump gonna Trump," said a former adviser. "The difference between now and then is this crew doesn't sweat it." 🔎 Between the lines: The days of staff undercutting Trump appear gone. Instead, the focus will be trying to harness his energy and keep him from melting down. In theory, that should make for a White House that runs more smoothly than it did in his chaotic first term. "He is who he is, and it is exactly who the American people voted for and exactly what they want," a transition source said. 🤐 Trump made clear in his second speech that he'd felt hamstrung by the first. "I did have a couple of things to say that were extremely controversial," Trump said — but Vice President JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump and others talked him out of it. Soon enough, though, he was calling former Rep. Liz Cheney a "crying lunatic" and repeating his claims that the 2020 election was "totally rigged." 🖊️ Trump later spoke at Capital One Arena, where the inaugural parade was held because of cold. His staff set up a desk for him to begin signing executive orders. Afterward, he threw commemorative Sharpie signing pens into the crowd. Then it was back to the White House to sign more orders and answer reporters' questions on live TV. Said one Trump adviser: "He owned every second of screen time today." 📷 1,000 words Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance dance to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" during the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball last night at the Washington Convention Center. Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times The Trumps and Vances wave buh-bye to the Bidens as they leave the Capitol after yesterday's swearing-in. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 21 Author Members Posted January 21 What Trump got right and wrong about the Panama Canal at his inauguration | Fact checks In the first speech of his second term, President Donald Trump denounced a deal made decades ago, when the U.S. turned over the Panama Canal to the country for which it's named. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2025/01/20/trump-panama-canal-inauguration-fact-check/77840452007/? Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 21 Author Members Posted January 21 Executive actions President Donald Trump signed a series of executive actions within hours after taking office on Monday, revoking 78 of Joe Biden's policies. Among a slew of immediate orders, Trump pardoned more than 1,000 people charged in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. The "full, complete and unconditional" pardons extend to people who were convicted of some of the worst crimes committed on the day of the Capitol insurrection. Trump also declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, triggering the use of Pentagon resources and personnel that will be deployed and used to build the border wall. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization. Gender identity The federal government will only recognize two sexes, male and female, under an executive order that President Donald Trump signed on Monday. The order will dismantle efforts by the Biden administration to be more inclusive of Americans' gender identification. As of 2022, US citizens have been able to select "X" as their gender marker on passports in an expansion of LGBTQ+ rights. Now, all government agencies will ensure that official documents, including passports, visas and Global Entry cards "accurately reflect the holder's sex," the executive order says, adding that sexes are "grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality." Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 21 Author Members Posted January 21 From TikTok to Jan. 6, this is what President Trump did on his first day President Donald Trump has begun his promised flurry of executive action on Day 1 with his opening rounds of memoranda and executive orders. Here’s a look into some of Trump’s initial actions and upcoming plans. Read more. Key points: As promised repeatedly during the 2024 campaign, the president issued pardons late Monday for about 1,500 people convicted or criminally charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump is pulling the U.S. out of the World Health Organization and has ordered a comprehensive review of U.S. foreign aid spending. In more symbolic moves, Trump planned to sign an order renaming the Gulf of Mexico, making it the Gulf of America. The highest mountain in North America, now known as Denali, will revert back to Mount McKinley. Trump reversed several immigration orders from Biden’s presidency. The president declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, and he plans to send U.S. troops to help support immigration agents and restrict refugees and asylum. He temporarily suspended the U.S. Refugee Admission Program, pending a review to assess the program’s “public safety and national security” implications. Trump is also trying to end birthright citizenship. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving Trump the first member of his Cabinet Ramaswamy won’t serve on Trump’s government efficiency commission as he mulls run for Ohio governor Trump rolls out his blueprint on border security, but his orders will face challenges Trump seeks to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations Trump issues an executive order to suspend the US TikTok ban. But can it stick? Trump signs death penalty order directing attorney general to help states get lethal injection drugs Trump temporarily halts leasing and permitting for wind energy projects Billionaires, tech titans, presidents: A guide to who stood where at Trump’s inauguration Transcript: Trump returns to presidency declaring ‘the golden age of America begins right now’ What Melania Trump wore to the inauguration — including the hat Trump returns to power in historic inauguration: Captured in photos WATCH: What do supporters expect from Trump’s second term? Live updates: Trump seeks to reshape American institutions with barrage of executive orders Trump grants sweeping pardon of Jan. 6 defendants, including rioters who violently attacked police President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned, commuted the prison sentences or vowed to dismiss the cases of all of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Read more. Why this matters: Trump also ordered the attorney general to seek the dismissal of roughly 450 cases that are pending before judges stemming from the largest investigation in Justice Department history. It’s unclear how quickly the defendants may be released from prison. An attorney for Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys national chairman who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, said he expected his client to be released from prison Monday night. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Trump moves to suspend clearances of ex-intel officials who signed letter on Hunter Biden laptop Trump orders government not to infringe on Americans’ speech, calls for censorship investigation Trump’s inauguration holds warning signs for US democracy Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico coming on Feb. 1 as he signs several orders on economy President Donald Trump said Monday that he expects to put 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting on Feb. 1, while declining to flesh out his plans for taxing Chinese imports. Read more. Why this matters: Orders on Monday included opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling. He declared a national energy emergency hoping to jumpstart more electricity production in the competition with China to build out technologies such as artificial intelligence that rely on data centers using massive amounts of energy. Trump also signed a directive telling federal agencies to conduct a 30-day review of how they can help lower the costs of housing, health care, food, energy and home appliances. Trump also signed a measure telling federal agencies to study trade policies and have the Treasury and Commerce departments advise on how to create an “External Revenue Service” for collecting customs and duties tied to trade. The measure set a series of April deadlines. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Trump suspends US foreign assistance for 90 days pending reviews Trump wants to pull the US out of the World Health Organization again Trump signs executive order directing US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement — again Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 21 Author Members Posted January 21 22 states sue to stop Trump’s order blocking birthright citizenship Attorneys general from 22 states sued Tuesday to block President Donald Trump’s move to end a century-old immigration practice known as birthright citizenship guaranteeing that U.S.-born children are citizens regardless of their parents’ status. https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-trump-executive-order-immigrants-fc7dd75ba1fb0a10f56b2a85b92dbe53? Trump pardons upend massive Jan. 6 prosecution by freeing rioters and dismissing cases WASHINGTON (AP) — Rioters locked up for their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack were released while judges began dismissing dozens of pending cases Tuesday after President Donald Trump’s sweeping grant of clemency to all 1,500-plus people charged in the insurrection that shook the foundation of American democracy. https://apnews.com/article/capitol-riot-trump-pardons-jan-6-f6e23bcd84eaed672318c88f05286767? Musk’s straight-arm gesture embraced by right-wing extremists regardless of what he meant NEW YORK (AP) — Right-wing extremists are celebrating Elon Musk’s straight-arm gesture during a speech Monday, although his intention wasn’t totally clear and some hate watchdogs are saying not to read too much into it. https://apnews.com/article/musk-gesture-salute-antisemitism-0070dae53c7a73397b104ae645877535? Trump's birthright citizenship order challenged by Democratic states More than a dozen Democratic state attorneys general sued President Trump Tuesday over an executive order that attempts to ban birthright citizenship. https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/trump-birthright-citizenship-lawsuit-states? GOP Senate resistance hits Trump over Jan. 6 pardons A small core of Senate Republicans — including former GOP leader Mitch McConnell — has denounced President Trump's near-blanket pardon of Jan 6 rioters. https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/republican-senators-trump-jan-6-pardons? Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 22 Author Members Posted January 22 Secretary of State Rubio on Day 1 meets with Quad countries focused on countering China’s influence BANGKOK (AP) — On his first full day as secretary of state, Marco Rubio is meeting with his counterparts from a group of countries known as the Quad, which is made up of the United States plus India, Japan and Australia, representing nearly 2 billion people and more than a third of global GDP. The grouping has been around for more than 15 years, but has recently grown in importance. What exactly is it? https://apnews.com/article/quad-us-india-japan-australia-rubio-trump-deb7256b806fa74db7cd9594235dc5ba? Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 22 Author Members Posted January 22 Trump's world economy Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios Donald Trump's ascendance to the presidency in 2017 seemed to global elites like a temporary aberration. Now his leadership is set to define an era for the world economy, Axios Macro co-author Courtenay Brown reports from Davos, Switzerland. 🌎 Why it matters: The economic thrust that prevailed for decades has receded fast and doesn't look likely to return. Gone are the days of nations becoming ever more interconnected, with the U.S. as the unquestioned protector of that world order. Trump's "America First" priorities, transactional style, and willingness to threaten and cajole major companies and leaders of America's closest allies are simply the way things are now. The ripple effects of that new geopolitical and economic landscape could extend long after his term ends. 🇪🇺 Between the lines: The ground is shifting beneath the feet of top economic policymakers. Trump's return will force introspection about what isn't working in their own countries. "In the last 25 years, Europe has relied on the rising tide of global trade to drive its growth," European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told Davos attendees today. "It has relied on cheap energy from Russia. And Europe has too often outsourced its own security." Hear her out: That's over now. Read the full story by Courtenay Brown and Neil Irwin. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 22 Author Members Posted January 22 Trump's Oval orders President Trump pushed his top two leaders to play outside the lines in today's White House meetings. Why it matters: Trump hasn't shown much interest in resolving the GOP's big internal fight over reconciliation strategy. But he's showing a high level of interest in how to gain leverage over the Dems. Trump urged Senate GOP leader John Thune to be ready to roll on recess appointments if Democrats gum up confirmations, Politico reports. Trump told Speaker Mike Johnson that California wildfire aid could be good leverage to get the big debt limit hike he's been pushing. After the meeting, Johnson disputed suggestions from reporters that the House and Senate were still divided on process, insisting they had "a plan pretty well formulated now." Thune said the discussion was more focused on "what we can get done," he said. "We're obviously all interested in getting to the same destination." That doesn't sound like identical readouts of the same meeting. The bottom line: At this stage, the GOP trifecta seems to be spending more time admiring its problems than solving them. — Hans Nichols and Stef Kight Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 22 Author Members Posted January 22 The new judge and jury Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios Over just eight hours on Inauguration Day, Presidents Trump and Biden forever stretched the immense public and private power of the presidency to once-unimaginable dimensions, Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen write in a "Behind the Curtain" column: Presidents can preemptively pardon family and friends in case of any accusation of grift or crimes. Presidents can pardon violent criminals convicted of sedition and violence in defense of their politics. Presidents and their families can start businesses — or even currencies — and profit without restriction or outcry. Oh, and they can do this with the presumption of presidential immunity. 👑 Why it matters: America doesn't have a king. But we're dancing close to king-like power. So much of modern political and presidential power flows from precedent and imagination: doing unto others what the predecessors did — or did to them. And then stretching the hell out of it. 📝 Biden, under the guise of protecting his family from unfair political and legal persecution, preemptively pardoned his brothers James and Frank Biden, his sister Valerie Biden Owens, and John Owens and Sara Biden, the spouses of Valerie and James. This is unprecedented. "It's disgusting," Bill Daley — a longtime Biden friend who was White House chief of staff under President Obama — told us. It "confirms that there are serious concerns about culpability." Daley said the Bidens will never wipe this "stain" from the former president's legacy. Trump blasted the pardons, moments before offering his own to approximately 1,500 people convicted or charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol — including violent criminals who attacked police officers. ✍️ Trump pardoned Enrique Tarrio, the fascist Proud Boy leader convicted of seditious conspiracy — and serving a 22-year sentence in federal prison — for coordinating the attack on the Capitol from outside Washington. Trump also commuted the sentences of 14 extremist members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers convicted for plotting to violently overthrow the U.S. government and keep Trump in office. Column continues below ... 💵 Part 2: Testing new limits Data: CoinGecko. Chart: Axios Visuals 💰 Trump tested new limits by launching a surprise meme coin, $TRUMP, that vaulted him to crypto billionaire status two days before being inaugurated. Crypto insiders fear that $TRUMP — as well as the hastily launched $MELANIA meme coin — could destroy credibility that the scam-plagued industry has spent years trying to build. Remember, Trump once was a crypto skeptic and converted only during the 2024 campaign. He then became a beneficiary, to the tune of tens of billions of dollars, of the industry's open wallet. What an ROI! 🧧 Most Americans don't realize there are basically no limitations on presidents profiting off their reins of power through new businesses or business deals. Thanks to the Supreme Court, presidents also enjoy the presumption of immunity for "official acts" if they're ever accused of crossing any legal lines. ⚡️ So Trump and his family conceivably could make billions through deals worldwide, new businesses and new currencies, funding the family — or even a political movement — for a generation. Their only limitation is imagination. America has drifted into uncharted waters in the rule of law. Trump and future presidents can test the limits with a presumption of success. And Biden's final act of pardons show Democrats have lost a lot of ability to cry foul. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday when asked about Trump's blanket Jan. 6 pardons: "We said all along that Biden opened the door on this." ⚠️ We'll leave you with this: Now that presidential power is so broad, so deep, so uncontainable, why forfeit it? Well, here's an apparent loophole in the constitutional limit on two presidential terms: Trump or future presidents could simply run for a de facto third term — as the vice presidential nominee, with the understanding they will take power back once elected. That's but one of the once-unthinkable scenarios that seem more thinkable than ever. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 22 Author Members Posted January 22 ⚖️ "F--k it! Release 'em all" Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios President Trump's sweeping pardons for 1,500 Jan. 6 criminals and defendants were a last-minute, rip-the-bandage-off decision to try to move past the issue quickly, White House advisers tell Axios' Marc Caputo. As Trump's team wrestled with the issue, "Trump just said: 'F -k it! Release 'em all,'" an adviser familiar with the discussions told Axios' Marc Caputo. Why it matters: Just a few days before Inauguration Day, Trump aides and even Vice President-elect JD Vance didn't expect Trump to pardon every Jan. 6 defendant. 🔎 Behind the scenes: As his own legal problems mounted during his campaign, Trump came to embrace the cause of those charged in the riot. Trump vacillated during an internal debate over targeted clemency vs. a blanket decision according to two insiders. Early in the internal discussions, Vance actually had advocated for a blanket pardon — but figured Trump wouldn't want to take the hit for releasing the most notorious convicts. The case-by-case review was onerous. With time running out heading into Inauguration Day. Trump wanted to pardon as many people as possible and get it over with, so he landed on clemency for everyone. 🗂️ Trump's decision was a surprise to some Republicans in Congress, who grimaced at the appearance of the new president condoning violence against police officers. But in the Trump team's view, "all the prosecutions are tainted," the adviser familiar with the discussions told Axios. "It's time to move on." Trump advisers say they aren't particularly worried about the political fallout. They believe Jan. 6 was essentially litigated in the election Trump won, and that other issues matter more to voters. The bottom line: The pardons episode provided a lesson for Vance and others in Trump's orbit: Categorical statements forecasting the mercurial president's actions are always a risk. "Never get ahead of the boss," a Trump transition source said, "because you just never know." Go deeper. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 23 Author Members Posted January 23 Inside Trump's $500B infrastructure investment On Day 2, President Trump announced billions in private sector investments to grow AI in the U.S. and build massive new data centers for OpenAI. Why it matters: The deal gave Trump a quick, big win on Day 2 of his new term. It reflects a tech-friendly, business-friendly administration that's racing to deliver jobs and growth — a "golden age," as Trump put it in his inaugural address. OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle and the UAE's MGX, under a joint venture called the Stargate Project, intend to invest $500 billion over four years, with $100 billion deployed immediately. Stargate will open a data center in Texas and expand to other states. The partnership will create more than 100,000 American jobs, Trump said. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle founder and chairman Larry Ellison appeared with Trump at the White House for the announcement. Arm, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Oracle and OpenAI are the initial technology partners. 📱 The backstory: Trump and Altman have been in frequent touch, including speaking by phone just before the inauguration about this announcement, industry sources tell Axios. Trump met in Las Vegas in June with OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman and OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap. The meeting was set up by then-North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a finalist to be Trump's vice president, and now his pick for secretary of Interior. Brockman knew Burgum because both are from North Dakota. AI infrastructure was the focus of much of the meeting. We're told Trump fixated on the need to build more in the U.S. amid the race with China. The takeaway from the meeting: The U.S. must win. 🔎 Between the lines: Studies show AI progress is outracing capacity in data centers and energy generation. Altman and OpenAI have repeatedly pushed for the U.S. to keep and extend its leadership on AI. The two-part argument: Gains by authoritarian countries, especially China, are a threat to U.S. national security and the security of our allies and partners. Building the necessary infrastructure is a massive economic opportunity for the country. Read the announcement ... Partnership highlights. Immigration crackdown President Donald Trump is rolling out a slate of new policies targeting undocumented immigrants with mass deportations. The White House this week made it easier for immigrants to be arrested in places once considered safe zones — like churches and schools. Immigration and Customs Enforcement set a policy in 2011 preventing agents from making arrests in sensitive locations and the Biden administration put out similar guidance. Now, immigrant advocates have shared concerns over stripping that policy, arguing that doing so would stoke fear in immigrant communities and keep children from going to school or people from seeking care at hospitals. Tariffs The Trump administration is moving to impose steep tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico that may come as soon as February 1 — a move that could raise prices for American consumers. President Trump this week said that he is considering a 10% across-the-board tariff on all Chinese goods and 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. While Trump claims foreign exporters pay the tariffs, US consumers stand to foot a portion of the bill, too, as retailers are unlikely to fully absorb the added costs. Retailers have taken some preemptive steps to stave off increasing prices, including stockpiling goods and shifting production away from countries that could get hit by tariffs. But those measures may only protect consumers for so long. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 23 Author Members Posted January 23 Trump administration directs all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on leave President Donald Trump’s administration moved Tuesday to end affirmative action in federal contracting and directed that all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on paid leave and eventually be laid off. The executive order on affirmative action revokes an order issued by President Lyndon Johnson. Read more. What to know: Trump has called the programs “discrimination” and insisted on restoring strictly “merit-based” hiring. The Office of Personnel Management in a Tuesday memo directed agencies to place DEI office staffers on paid leave by 5 p.m. Wednesday. By next Friday, they are expected to develop a plan to execute a “reduction-in-force action” against those federal workers. Trump’s order paves the way for an aggressive but bureaucratically complicated overhaul of billions of dollars in federal spending that conservative activists claim unfairly carve out preference for racial minorities and women. While many changes may take months or even years to implement, Trump’s new anti-DEI agenda is more aggressive than his first and comes amid far more amenable terrain in the corporate world. Prominent companies from Walmart to Facebook have already scaled back or ended some of their diversity practices in response to Trump’s election and conservative-backed lawsuits against them. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Trump defends pardons for rioters and suggests Proud Boys could have place in politics Republican senators are mostly quiet on Trump’s sweeping pardons of Jan. 6 rioters Trump pardons founder of Silk Road website Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law alleges abuse against second wife in affidavit to Senate Trump administration throws out policies limiting migrant arrests at sensitive spots like churches Trump fires heads of TSA, Coast Guard and guts key aviation safety advisory committee Trump Administration shuts down White House Spanish-language page 22 states sue to stop Trump’s order blocking birthright citizenship Democrats struggle to pick their message against Trump’s shock-and-awe campaign Estimated 24.6 million TV viewers watched inauguration coverage, smallest audience since 2013 WATCH: Elon Musk's straight-arm gesture during Trump's inauguration rally embraced by right-wing extremists At inaugural prayer service, bishop pleads for Trump to ‘have mercy’ on LGBTQ+ people and migrants Trump highlights partnership investing $500 billion in AI Supreme Court grants a new hearing for the only woman on Oklahoma’s death row Democratic Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson launches bid for governor ‘Orchestrated attack’ on Portland elections office shatters dozens of windows, police say Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 23 Author Members Posted January 23 Donald Trump’s No. 2 Pick for the EPA Represented Companies Accused of Pollution Harm The man tapped by President Donald Trump to be second-in-command of the federal agency that protects the public from environmental dangers is a lawyer who has represented companies accused of harming people and the environment through pollution. https://www.propublica.org/article/david-fotouhi-donald-trump-epa-pollution? ps:Of course he did!! That's what he does!!!! Trump’s perceived enemies worry about losing pensions, getting audited and paying steep legal bills WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not just criminal prosecutions that worry those who have crossed President Donald Trump. There are more prosaic kinds of retaliation: having difficulty renewing passports, getting audited by the IRS and losing federal pensions. https://apnews.com/article/trump-revenge-retribution-bolton-enemies-milley-fauci-2c467fe2253cb6b65d9436b0b9a5c552? ps:So if people disagree they're now considered enemies?? Everything Trump did in the first executive orders and actions of his presidency President Donald Trump started his second administration with a blitz of policy actions to reorient the U.S. government. https://apnews.com/article/what-has-trump-done-trump-executive-orders-f061fbe7f08c08d81509a6af20ef8fc0? Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 23 Author Members Posted January 23 Trump's loyalty test The Trump administration is screening the loyalty of approximately 160 career civil servants assigned to the National Security Council, Axios' Ivana Saric and Marc Caputo report. Why it matters: The screenings are part of a larger push by President Trump to reshape the federal workforce — including staffing the administration with loyalists and making it easier to fire civil servants. 🧮 Approximately 160 civil servants on the NSC, known as "detailees," are having their employment reviewed. These reviews are at "different stages" but nearly all "are being impacted today," a national security source briefed on the matter told Axios. The sidelined detailees have been told to temporarily work from home as the process continues, per AP. 👀 Even before Trump took office, members of his administration began questioning NSC employees about their political affiliations and actions, to determine their loyalty to the president. The Justice Department also reportedly ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state and local law enforcement if they refuse to enforce the administration's new immigration policies. Go deeper. ps:Loyalty to who? The only Loyalty we should have is to God, Family and Country! Not to A Man? or A Party? 🎢 Trump tech forecast Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios Visuals "Volatile" captures the tech industry's new reality under the second Trump administration. With AI booming, social media splintering and crypto inflating, the giant companies that drive today's economy face a huge spike in uncertainty, Axios managing editor for tech Scott Rosenberg writes. Even today, the unpredictability was public. Hours after Trump announced $500 billion AI project Stargate, DOGE head Elon Musk undermined it on X, Axios' April Rubin writes. "They don't actually have the money," Musk said on X late yesterday after the project was announced at a White House event with President Trump. Open AI's Sam Altman — with whom Musk has had a fraught relationship — later responded in a thread with Musk: "Wrong, as you surely know." Just over an hour earlier, Altman had posted: "i genuinely respect your accomplishments and think you are the most inspiring entrepreneur of our time." Buckle up. Four trends that will shape tech's free-for-all world under Trump: Rail-free AI: Regulation takes a back seat. Unchained crypto: The blockchain gets another shot at glory. Deals dynamo: Companies will be less cautious of anti-trust lawsuits. Social media's "big sort": The great partisan segregation online continues. Read the full story. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 23 Author Members Posted January 23 🚨 Trump's troubled nominee Some Senate Republicans are zeroing in on Tulsi Gabbard's 2020 call for the U.S. to drop charges against Edward Snowden, a man many of them still consider a traitor. Why it matters: Gabbard is quickly becoming the most endangered Trump pick. "There's definitely a risk that she won't even survive the committee process," one GOP senator told us, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Zoom in: Most of the concerns about Gabbard — the nominee for director of national intelligence — have so far been sparked by a trip she took to Syria, her references to U.S. bio labs in Ukraine and a history of questioning the findings of the U.S. intelligence community. Now it's her stance on Snowden, a former NSA contractor who was charged in 2013 with leaking classified documents revealing global surveillance programs. He became a naturalized Russian citizen in 2022. As a member of Congress, Gabbard sponsored a House resolution with former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) "expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Government should drop all charges against Edward Snowden." Only recently has this come to the attention of Republicans sitting on the Senate Intelligence Committee — and elsewhere in the conference, multiple sources familiar told us. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told us she's concerned about the legislation, adding "it's something that came up in my own review of [Gabbard's] record." Between the lines: "There is not one GOP senator on record opposing Lt. Col. Gabbard's nomination," Gabbard spokesperson Alexa Henning told us in a statement. Henning pointed to bipartisan senators on Intel "who have shown positive support for her nomination and qualifications." The bottom line: Even if Gabbard were to fail to get the votes necessary to be recommended by the Intel committee, there would be ways for her nomination to still be considered on the floor. Those processes would be more complicated — and in some cases, highly unlikely to succeed. Gabbard's team has already written off Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), as we told you last week. — Stef Kight ✅ Hegseth's path to 50 President Trump's transition team is quietly confident that Pete Hegseth will survive the latest allegation against him, transition officials and senators tell Axios. Why it matters: Collins hinted today she might vote against Hegseth, referencing a sworn affidavit by his brother's ex-wife. Collins' comments ricocheted across the Republican Party. Some Republicans are privately concerned that Collins, along with McConnell and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), will ultimately vote against Hegseth. Hegseth can still get confirmed with three GOP "no" votes, as Vice President Vance is available to break a potential 50-50 deadlock. Catch up fast: The ex-sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, alleged in her affidavit that Pete Hegseth's then-wife feared for her safety while married to him. Senators reviewed the affidavit yesterday. Hegseth denies the allegations. In her sworn statement, Danielle Hegseth stated she went public with her story to convince wavering senators to oppose his nomination. Zoom In: The Trump transition insisted that only the chair and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services committee would have access to Hegseth's FBI file, citing the precedent of Biden's nominees. That means only Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) are in a position to adjudicate if the information that Danielle Hegseth shared with the FBI during a Dec. 30 interview was included in their background check. She spoke again with the FBI on Jan. 18, according to her affidavit. What they are saying: Those two senators have different views on whether the FBI report incorporates her allegations. Wicker told us the affidavit was not "inconsistent with the FBI report." "It's not a show-stopper," he said. Reed took the opposite view. "I have been concerned that the background check process has been inadequate, and this affidavit confirms that fact," he said in a statement yesterday. The bottom line: Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who was previously skeptical about Hegseth, was dismissive of the new allegations, citing the ex-wife's denial. — Hans Nichols Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 24 Author Members Posted January 24 Trump's revenge tour Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images President Trump is flexing his vast new powers to target what he's described as "the enemies from within" — enforcing loyalty tests, purging career officials and seeking to rewrite the history of the last eight years. Trump has at times downplayed his thirst for revenge. But his first moves back in office show that resentment of Democrats, former allies, prosecutors and the media will be a driving force in his second term, Axios' Zachary Basu writes. 😡 Zoom in: Some of Trump's acts of vengeance this week have been petty and personal. 🗄️ On Day 1 as president, he revoked the security clearances of 51 former intelligence officials who signed a letter in 2020 saying the Hunter Biden laptop scandal carried "classic earmarks" of a Russian disinformation campaign. 📤 On Day 2, he publicly fired thousands of Biden presidential council appointees — including former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Mark Milley and Biden-supporting celebrity chef José Andrés. 🪖 The Pentagon removed a portrait of Milley — whom Trump once suggested should be executed for treason — just hours after inauguration. ⚡️ Other Trump moves have been far more serious: Trump revoked Secret Service protection for his former national security adviser John Bolton, who has been targeted for assassination by Iran. He pardoned about 1,500 supporters convicted or charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, including hundreds who violently attacked the police officers protecting the building. Trump's new FCC chair plans to reinstate complaints against ABC, CBS and NBC for allegedly biased coverage, which the commission's former Democratic chair had dismissed as a partisan attempt to "curtail freedom of the press." Go deeper ... Roundup of Trump's executive orders. ps:What a piece of work this man is!! 📋 Trump tells feds to report covert DEI work Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios The Trump administration, seeking to stamp out diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, is calling on federal employees to snitch on any colleagues who continue to follow such policies. Memos sent across federal agencies late yesterday warned employees of "adverse consequences" if they continue any DEI-related work, Axios' Brittany Gibson and Marc Caputo report. The notices followed an order from the new administration directing agencies to close their DEI offices and place those staffers on paid leave by the end of the day yesterday, in advance of being laid off. 📝 Employees were told they have 10 days to report anyone continuing to do DEI work. "We are aware of efforts by some in government to disguise these programs by using coded or imprecise language," the letters say. "These programs divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars, and resulted in shameful discrimination." Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 24 Author Members Posted January 24 🌎 Immigrants fear what's next Deportees unload from a Customs and Border Protection van yesterday in Nogales, Ariz., before being sent to Mexico in the first wave of deportations of the Trump administration. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images Immigrants and advocacy groups nationwide are scrambling to prepare for potential raids, as President Trump carries out his plan to deport millions of people unauthorized to stay in the U.S., Axios' Brittany Gibson, Monica Eng and Russell Contreras report. Some anxious immigrants are refusing to go to work or send their children to schools, the groups say, due to confusion about how raids would be carried out — and what will happen to those detained. ☎️ State of play: Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said his group received 400 calls to its hotline on Monday alone — compared to 800 calls in the rest of January combined. Chicago-area restaurants are keeping immigration documents and other worker verification paperwork ready in case of a visit from ICE. Denver's public schools have directed principals to lock down their campuses if federal immigration agents come knocking. Some advocacy groups are handing out cards to immigrants that advise them to not allow federal agents into their homes without a warrant. 💬 The other side: Harrison Fields, White House principal deputy press secretary, tells Axios that those trying to help undocumented immigrants stay in the U.S. are swimming "against the tide." Go deeper. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 24 Author Members Posted January 24 📨 What Biden told Trump President Trump looks at a letter left for him by former President Biden in the Oval Office on Monday. Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA via Getty Images President Biden's handwritten note to President Trump was a brief, positive message. The full text: Dear President Trump, As I take leave of this sacred office I wish you and your family all the best in the next four years. The American people — and people around the world — look to this house for steadiness in the inevitable storms of history, and my prayer is that in the coming years will be a time of prosperity, peace, and grace for our nation. May God bless you and guide you as He has blessed and guided our beloved country since our founding. ✍️ It's been a longstanding tradition for the outgoing president to leave a note to the incoming president in the Resolute Desk. Trump discovered his while signing executive orders Monday evening. Immigration President Donald Trump is dispatching around 1,500 troops to the US-Mexico border to follow through on a promise to crack down on illegal immigration. The move comes just days after the Trump administration asked the military to be prepared to deploy up to 10,000 active duty troops immediately, setting off a scramble inside the Pentagon. In an Oval Office interview on Wednesday, Trump also told Fox News he "might have to" cut funding to so-called sanctuary cities if they do not comply with his immigration orders. Meanwhile, the House voted on Wednesday to pass the Laken Riley Act, a GOP-led bill to require detention of undocumented migrants charged with certain crimes, handing an early legislative win to Trump and congressional Republicans. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 24 Author Members Posted January 24 Trump Halts Sanctions on Israeli Settlers, Threatens to Seize Assets of War Crimes Investigators In his inauguration speech on Monday, President Donald Trump said he wanted to be known as “a peacemaker and a unifier” in his second term, before applauding his own efforts of securing a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, as well as the return of three Israeli hostages from Gaza. https://theintercept.com/2025/01/22/trump-israel-settlers-west-bank-sanctions/? ps:RIGHT!!!!! It's called Bull Manure!!!!! Trump’s Executive Orders Are Full of Deadlines. We’re Tracking Them. President Donald Trump started his second term with a flurry of executive orders on Monday, many of which he signed live for a cheering audience before throwing pens into a crowd of MAGA true-believers. Some of the most egregious orders are already being challenged in court, including Trump’s attempts to change the very definition of U.S. citizenship and to overhaul the federal workforce. Many more will be before judges soon. https://theintercept.com/2025/01/21/trump-executive-order-tracker-deadlines/? Trump Promised a Russia–Ukraine Peace Deal. Where Is It? Just hours into President Donald Trump’s second term, he has already blown his first deadline. https://theintercept.com/2025/01/21/trump-russia-ukraine-war/? Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 24 Author Members Posted January 24 A federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s executive order redefining birthright citizenship SEATTLE (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order denying U.S. citizenship to the children of parents living in the country illegally, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional” during the first hearing in a multi-state effort challenging the order. https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-donald-trump-lawsuit-immigration-9ac27b234c854a68a9b9f8c0d6cd8a1c? "Blatantly unconstitutional": Judge blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship is "blatantly unconstitutional," a federal judge said Thursday, temporarily blocking it nationwide, multiple outlets reported. https://www.axios.com/2025/01/23/trump-birthright-citizenship-judge-blocked? What to know about President Donald Trump’s order targeting the rights of transgender people An executive order President Donald Trump signed on his first day back in office offers a new federal government definition of the sexes that could have a major impact on transgender people nationwide. https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-passports-prisons-eggs-sperm-da1d1d280658a8c85c57cfec2f30cefb? Kristi Noem’s immigration rhetoric overlooks stark economic realities in her own state PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — On a face-numbingly frigid afternoon last week, Gov. Kristi Noem used a farewell address to South Dakotans to warn of an “invasion” far away from the state’s windswept prairies and freedom-loving farmers. https://apnews.com/article/kristi-noem-dhs-immigration-crackdown-trump-south-dakota-52bf133437d20f4dd6f5284bb751e264? Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 24 Author Members Posted January 24 Trump softens tone on China Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photos: Getty Images President Trump returned to the White House this week seeming to downplay the threat from China — a threat he treated as existential in his first term. Why it matters: The stakes are enormous, Axios' Zachary Basu and Nathan Bomey write. 🇨🇳 How Trump deals with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the next four years will have sweeping implications for the global economy, AI, climate change, national security and more. After mentioning China just once in his inauguration address, Trump revealed he's considering 10% tariffs on Chinese products — far lower than the 60% duties he had threatened during the campaign. 📱 Trump and Xi talked on the phone just days before the inauguration to discuss trade, fentanyl and TikTok. Beijing's readout of the call was exceedingly warm, with state media declaring the two superpowers "can become partners and friends ... prosper together, and benefit both countries and the world." 💬 "I like President Xi very much. I've always liked him. We always had a very good relationship," Trump said during a videoconference with the World Economic Forum in Davos, where a huge screen showing the president loomed over the elite in the gathering's Congress Hall. Trump acknowledged tensions during COVID. 🚦 Trump's early actions signal a "more restrained" approach to Beijing, Jacques deLisle, a China scholar at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, tells Axios. In a remarkable moment on Fox News, Trump was pressed by Sean Hannity on why he has defended TikTok given its reputation as a "spying app for the Communist Chinese." "You can say that about everything made in China," Trump shot back, citing cell phones and other imports. "Is it that important for China to be spying on young people, on young kids watching crazy videos?" 🥊 Reality check: Trump's Cabinet is stocked with China hawks, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. Go deeper. China hawk sworn in: The Senate (74-25) confirmed John Ratcliffe, 59, a Texan who was director of national intelligence during President Trump's first term, as CIA director. Ratcliffe is the second confirmed member of Trump's Cabinet, after Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Senate vote: 99-0). Full lists: Cabinet appointments ... Sub-Cabinet ... Acting Cabinet and Cabinet-level ... Board & commission chairs. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 24 Author Members Posted January 24 💻 Shape-shifting DOGE Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios The blueprint for Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) keeps changing — and each time, it comes closer into line with Musk's core interests. When Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy first outlined their plans for DOGE, it was a non-governmental entity focused on overturning regulations and shrinking the power of the federal bureaucracy. At some point, it also took on the mission of cutting federal spending by $2 trillion. Whether that was the main goal or incidental to curbing regulations depended on who you asked. 🖥️ Now Ramaswamy is out, DOGE has a home inside the government, and it's focused on streamlining federal data — a software-first enterprise that's much more in Musk's wheelhouse. Musk has spent the last two months promising DOGE would revolutionize the government. It's unclear how the new mandate to run a "Software Modernization Initiative" will deliver on that promise, Axios' Ben Berkowitz writes. 💾 DOGE appears to be usurping the U.S. Digital Service, an Obama-era creation designed to bring Silicon Valley's expertise to bear in Washington. The Digital Service succeeded in attracting top tech talent, and it's been lauded for its achievements, but it's not clear which (if any) of its efforts will survive the DOGE transition. Go deeper. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
Members phkrause Posted January 25 Author Members Posted January 25 Birthright citizenship A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, calling it "blatantly unconstitutional." Several Democratic-led states are seeking a temporary restraining order as they argue that Trump's action violates the Constitution's 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to all children born on US soil "and subject to the jurisdiction thereof." The Trump administration has vowed to fight the decision, arguing that that clause "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" allows the president to exclude the children of undocumented immigrants and even children whose parents are lawfully present but lack permanent legal status. Quote phkrause How little do we enter into sympathy with Christ on that which should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him,—compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discouraging them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power.—The Ministry of Healing, 163.
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