Members phkrause Posted January 25, 2025 Author Members Posted January 25, 2025 Trump pardons anti-abortion activists who blockaded clinic entrances President Donald Trump announced Thursday he would pardon anti-abortion activists convicted of blockading abortion clinic entrances. Trump called it “a great honor to sign this.” The news of the pardons comes ahead of Friday’s annual anti-abortion protest March for Life in Washington, where the president is expected to address the crowd in a video. Read more. What to know: In the first week of Trump’s presidency, anti-abortion advocates have ramped up calls for Trump to pardon protesters charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which is designed to protect abortion clinics from obstruction and threats. The people pardoned were involved in the October 2020 invasion and blockade of a Washington clinic. Abortion rights advocates slammed Trump’s pardons as evidence of his opposition to abortion access, despite his vague, contradictory statements on the issue as he attempted to find a middle ground on the campaign trail between anti-abortion allies and the majority of Americans who support abortion rights. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ The Senate confirms John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA, giving Trump his second Cabinet member Hegseth told senator he paid $50,000 to a woman who accused him of sex assault in 2017 Trump revokes protections for former Secretary of State Pompeo and top aide threatened by Iran What to know about the ruling blocking Trump’s order on birthright citizenship Trump orders release of JFK, RFK and MLK assassination records What Americans think about Trump and Musk’s plans for the federal government: AP-NORC poll US active duty troops beginning to arrive in Texas and San Diego to support border security Trump signs executive order on developing artificial intelligence ‘free from ideological bias’ Who’s the guy handing Trump those binders of executive orders? Meet Will Scharf Kremlin scoffs at Trump's claim that a drop in oil prices will help end Ukraine conflict Experts worry that Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons will legitimize political violence, embolden extremists Supreme Court allows small business registration rule to take effect, aimed at money laundering New York county agrees to redraw voting lines that lawsuit said disenfranchised residents of color Democrats’ Minnesota House boycott echoes earlier walkouts in other states Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 26, 2025 Author Members Posted January 26, 2025 ?️ Gulf of confusion Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios So ... are we still calling it the Gulf of Mexico, as it's been known for 400 years? Or is it really the Gulf of America now, pursuant to President Trump's executive order? That tension — between the formal policy of the U.S. and longstanding common practice — is a real one for government agencies, map makers and even journalists. ? The Interior Department told AP it will abide by Trump's name change, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has also embraced "Gulf of America." But the U.S. does not exclusively control the gulf — it's not entirely up to us what it's called. Google and Apple Maps are both sticking with Gulf of Mexico. So is AP style, the gold standard for news writing. ? Yes, but: AP style will adopt Trump's name change in Alaska, where he ordered the mountain known as Denali to revert to its past name, Mt. McKinley. Because the mountain is entirely contained within the U.S., it's the president's decision what to call it, AP explained. Go deeper: Mapmakers, teachers flummoxed ... AP's new style rules. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 26, 2025 Author Members Posted January 26, 2025 ? "Imperial presidency" Cover: Ellie Foreman-Peck for The Economist The Economist's new cover story compares President Trump to President William McKinley, the 25th president — who served from 1897 until 1901, and raised protective tariffs to promote American industry: "McKinley was an imperialist, who added Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines and Puerto Rico to American territory. McKinley also loved tariffs, at least at first." "He was also backed by the commercial titans of the time: J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller both donated about $8m in today's money to his campaign," the cover story says, noting parallels with Trump's desire to take over Greenland and impose new tariffs. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 26, 2025 Author Members Posted January 26, 2025 Trump 2.0's health care plans Photo illustration: Allie Carl/Axios. Photo: Rebecca Noble/Getty Images Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearing on Wednesday could shed light on President Trump's health care agenda, which has been unclear so far, Axios' Caitlin Owens writes. Why it matters: Both minimalist and maximalist approaches are still on the table. ?⚕️ Kennedy, President Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has mostly said what he won't do — like take away the polio vaccine. ? What to watch: Kennedy's vow to bring a wrecking ball to public health agencies, and break what he views as the health industry's grip on government, could easily run against more mainstream Republicans' conviction that large-scale health reform will never work in their favor. Go deeper. Trump proposes ‘getting rid of FEMA’ while touring disaster areas LOS ANGELES (AP) — President Donald Trump surveyed disaster zones in California and North Carolina on Friday and said he was considering “getting rid of” the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offering the latest sign of how he is weighing sweeping changes to the nation’s central organization for responding to disasters. https://apnews.com/article/trump-first-trip-california-north-carolina-nevada-b906880254ce7bf249c3dcefa45bf846? ps:Of course he does Trump ends Fauci’s security detail and says he’d feel no responsibility if harm befell him FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump has ended the federal security detail for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert who advised him on the COVID-19 pandemic, a person familiar with the matter said Friday. https://apnews.com/article/fauci-trump-security-detail-4b2e317dc9e7768c0571df30750e863a? ps:Of course he did!!! Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 26, 2025 Author Members Posted January 26, 2025 Trump Administration News and investigations about President Donald Trump and his administration, his business interests and the impact of his policies as the 45th and 47th President of the United States. https://www.propublica.org/topics/trump-administration? ✈️ Scoop: Trump plans quick help for LA After touring war-zone-like wildfire devastation yesterday, President Trump plans to act as soon as Monday to bring federal regulatory relief to help Angelenos clean up and rebuild, two sources close to the president tell Axios' Mike Allen. Why it matters: Trump was moved by talking to people who aren't being allowed to even see the remnants of their houses. Aides are researching requirements the White House can waive, or California rules that can be overridden, to get homeowners back and rebuilt quicker. Trump is drawing on expertise about the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Commission, which'll play a massive role in residents' ability to rebuild, one of the sources said. Trump is "tapping into his history of property development and regulation knowledge," the source added. Context: During a stop to view flood damage in North Carolina before heading to California, Trump told reporters that disaster funding for LA will be contingent on changes to state voting laws and water-management policy. "I want to see two things in Los Angeles," he said. "Voter ID, so that the people have a chance to vote, and I want to see the water be released and come down into Los Angeles and throughout the state. Those are the two things. After that, I will be the greatest president that California ... has ever seen." In his first second-term trip, Trump surveyed disaster zones in LA and North Carolina, which is still recovering from Hurricane Helene. Trump flew over several neighborhoods in Marine One before landing in the hard-hit Pacific Palisades. He and the first lady walked a street where all the houses have burned, chatting with residents and police officers, AP reports. "We're going to need your support. We're going to need your help," Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom told Trump. "You were there for us during COVID. I don't forget that, and I have all the expectations we'll be able to work together to get a speedy recovery." ? "First 100 hours" President Trump signed more executive orders on his first day than any president in history — and has not slowed down, with a burst of policies that target immigration, DEI, energy regulations and more. The White House is dubbing the first-week flood Trump's "first 100 hours." ? Trump yesterday fired at least 12 inspectors general — the independent watchdogs at government agencies — "to install loyalists in the crucial role of identifying fraud, waste and abuse in the government," the WashPost reports. The IGs were notified by email from the White House that they'd been terminated immediately, Reuters reports. ? The purge of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) programs and workers, begun Monday, is happening at lightning speed, Axios' Emily Peck reports. The Trump administration is directing the heads of federal agencies to "take action to terminate" staffers of DEI offices, according to a memo from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management issued last night. Trump and Vice President Vance both addressed the 52nd annual March for Life rally on the National Mall yesterday. Trump appeared in a recorded video address, while Vance attended in person. ? What's next: The president is in Las Vegas today, and he'll host a rally later at the Circa Resort and Casino downtown. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 ? Sudden end to feds' remote work Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios Federal agencies are calling workers back to the office full-time, leaving some employees confused and scrambling to rework their lives, Axios D.C.'s Mimi Montgomery reports. Following President Trump's orders, the Office of Personal Management (OPM) gave federal workers roughly a month's heads-up to be back in the office full-time. The order is a win for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who's long advocated for federal workers to return in person to give the city's empty federal buildings — and downtown's economy — a boost. ? The intrigue: There might not even be offices for some of these workers to return to, The Washington Post reports. The federal government has been downsizing much of its office space as it sat empty post-COVID. Many workers told The Post their employers didn't have enough desks for a full head count. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 Trump’s First Orders Parrot Project 2025 Manifesto He Disavowed After distancing himself from the corporate policy agenda during his campaign, President Donald Trump is issuing executive orders torn straight from its pages. https://www.levernews.com/trumps-first-orders-parrot-project-2025-manifesto-he-disavowed/ Trump's black box President Trump is surprising — even frustrating — some longtime friends in his second administration's early days with fewer leaks, a lack of exploitable rivalries, and tighter restrictions on access to him, Axios' Marc Caputo reports. ? Why it matters: No modern president has done more — across more areas of American policy, culture and life — than Trump in the past six days. This new operating style and system enabled a strategy of flooding the nation with so many huge moves that it's hard for critics to attack specific ones. On Friday, Trump jammed through confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, fired at least a dozen inspectors general, proposed killing FEMA, and scolded LA officials. Yesterday, he said he wants to "clean out" Gaza, bullied Greenland and Canada, and went all-in on no tax on tips. Behind the scenes: Trump's inner circle is hellbent on running a more functional White House than his chaotic first term — partly to act quickly on his most controversial plans before critics can attack. It's stunning to veterans of Trump's first West Wing. But at least in Week 1, the new government has mirrored the discipline of his 2024 campaign operation — another sharp contrast with his previous teams. "It's a total black box," said one lobbyist close to the administration. "Nothing is leaking except what they want." There's a "strong silo system" that has kept advocates and special interests from forum-shopping and end-running administration officials, the lobbyist added. ? The biggest change of all, Axios has learned, is that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and other aides have clamped down on the ability of random friends and reporters to call Trump directly. Until now, if you called, Trump would answer and talk to you — and maybe even act on whatever you suggested. Now, Trump wants to focus more on work and has less time for bull sessions so he's less prone to answer his phone. ? Between the lines: Trump's first administration was often a free-for-all, driven by rivalries between Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, adviser Steve Bannon and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. This time, Trump and Wiles — along with deputy chiefs of staff Taylor Budowich, James Blair and Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump's controversial crackdown on immigration —wanted a unified team. ? When Trump was elected in 2017, he was new to politics, and essentially a foreign agent in the GOP. "Back then, he was trying to consolidate power in the Republican Party," said Marc Short, who was chief of staff to then-Vice President Mike Pence. "Today, Trump is the party." Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 Trump: "Clean out" Gaza President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One yesterday that he wants Jordan and Egypt to take Palestinians from Gaza into their territory. The big picture: Since the start of the war in Gaza, Egypt and Jordan have led the Arab world's opposition to any forced transfer by Israel of Palestinians from Gaza, Axios' Barak Ravid reports. Zoom in: Yesterday, Trump spoke on the phone with Jordan's King Abdullah, who congratulated him on his inauguration. King Abdullah "stressed the pivotal role of the U.S. in pushing all sides to work towards achieving peace, security, and stability for all in the region," the Jordanian royal court said in a statement. But Trump said the two leaders discussed an entirely different topic: the millions of Palestinians who live in Jordan, and the possibility that more will move there from Gaza. "I said to him, 'I'd love you take on more,' because I'm looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now and it's a mess. It's a real mess," Trump said. He added that he planned to speak to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and ask him to accept Palestinians from Gaza. "You're talking about a million and half people, and we just clean out that whole thing," Trump said. "It's literally a demolition site. Almost everything is demolished and people are dying there, so I'd rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing at a different location where they can maybe live in peace for a change." Such a drastic displacement of people would openly contradict Palestinian identity and deep connection to Gaza. Still, Trump said the part of the world that encompasses Gaza, has "had many, many conflicts" over centuries. He said resettling "could be temporary or long term," AP reports. Trump wants Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinians from Gaza. Here’s why they are likely to refuse President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Egypt and Jordan take in Palestinians from the war-ravaged Gaza Strip is likely to be met with a hard “no” from the two U.S. allies and the Palestinians themselves who fear Israel would never allow them to return. Read more. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 ✋ Two new secretaries Vice President Vance swears in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Washington yesterday. Watch Hegseth's remarks. As SecDef, Hegseth will lead the 1.3 million active-duty service members and nearly 1 million civilians who work for the military, and he'll oversee a $1 trillion budget, Reuters notes. Justice Clarence Thomas swears in Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The Senate voted 59-34 yesterday to confirm the former South Dakota governor. Noem, a Trump loyalist and immigration hardliner, will play a crucial role in implementing President Trump's immigration policies, including his plans to carry out mass deportations and shut down the border, Axios' Stef Kight reports. ? What's next: The next nominees in the hot seat are Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, Kash Patel for FBI director and RFK Jr. for Health secretary. All three have confirmation hearings on Thursday. As Hegseth takes charge at the Pentagon, here's what changes could be in store Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will have a daunting array of issues to tackle — from global conflicts and border security to administrative tasks. Here are some key issues that Hegseth, who was confirmed in a tiebreaking vote Friday by Vice President JD Vance, will face right away. Read more. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 Alaskans say Trump can change the name of Denali but can’t make people call it Mount McKinley ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — North America’s tallest peak is a focal point of Jeff King’s life. https://apnews.com/article/trump-alaska-denali-mckinley-name-39c6e735fc56f4046200259cfe9e9934? Trump uses mass firing to remove independent inspectors general at a series of agencies WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has fired about 17 independent inspectors general at government agencies, a sweeping action to remove oversight of his new administration that some members of Congress are suggesting violated federal oversight laws. https://apnews.com/article/trump-inspectors-general-fired-congress-unlawful-4e8bc57e132c3f9a7f1c2a3754359993? FACT FOCUS: A look at false and misleading claims made by Trump during his first week back in office President Donald Trump stepped back into the presidency this week moving quickly to set a new agenda, but from his inaugural address continuing through a flurry of executive actions, press conferences and interviews Trump relied on an array of false and misleading information to support his case. https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fact-focus-first-week-president-claims-4b60d31b3209e98e63ec383d3f4052dc? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 Immigration crackdown The Trump administration is wasting no time fulfilling a campaign promise to conduct arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants. Almost 1,000 arrests have been reported across the US amid President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement blitz. In addition to "enhanced targeted operations" announced by ICE agents in Chicago, immigration enforcement actions were reported over the weekend in the Atlanta area, as well as in Colorado, Los Angeles and Austin, Texas. The operations are expected to continue this week. On Sunday, Trump also imposed a 25% tariff on Colombia when the country initially balked at accepting deported migrants being returned on US military planes, but lifted the penalty when the country backed down. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 Trump's bureaucracy goes to war Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios The departments under President Trump's command are moving with blazing speed to transform the federal bureaucracy into an army of loyalists, Axios' Zachary Basu and Dave Lawler write. Why it matters: The vast majority of federal workers are career employees, not political appointees. But the president has made clear he wants them all to board the Trump train. "We're getting rid of all of the cancer ... caused by the Biden administration," Trump told reporters while signing a Day 1 executive order that stripped employment protections from civil servants. ? The White House on Friday night fired about 17 inspectors general — independent agency watchdogs responsible for identifying fraud, waste and corruption. ? DEI offices and programs have been shuttered across the government. Federal workers have been ordered to report colleagues who may seek to "disguise" DEI efforts by using "coded language." ? Trump directed federal agencies to each identify "up to nine" major companies, universities or nonprofits to investigate over DEI practices. There've been hundreds of staff removals or reassignments, including at the State Department, where far more career officers were asked to resign than in past administrations. Trump's National Security Council sent home around 160 staffers while officials conduct loyalty screenings. One of the administration's highest-profile firings so far was Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead a branch of the U.S. military. She was accused of an "excessive focus" on DEI at the Coast Guard Academy. Between the lines: Trump loyalists have also moved to centralize control around public messaging, particularly when it comes to public health. ? HHS ordered an unprecedented "immediate pause" on all health reports and social media posts through at least the end of the month, leading scientists to cancel CDC meetings on the escalating bird flu outbreak. ⬟ The Pentagon ordered a global pause on all official social media posts until the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has promised a radical culture shakeup across the U.S. military. The new administration is moving quickly on issues including LGBTQ and civil rights. ? The State Department froze passport applications with "X" designated as the gender. ⚖️ DOJ ordered a freeze on civil rights litigation, and ordered federal prosecutors to investigate local and state officials in so-called "sanctuary cities." ❌ The Pentagon moved to abolish an office focused on curbing civilian deaths in combat operations. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 ? Trump trade winnners Data: YCharts. Chart: Axios Visuals Tesla, Palantir and Robinhood have seen a big bump since the election of President Trump, Axios' Felix Salmon writes. Tesla has the Elon Musk factor. Palantir is expected to see a significant uptick in government revenue. Robinhood should benefit from the deregulation of financial services in general, and crypto in particular. Flashback: When all three companies hit 52-week highs on Nov. 6, the first full trading day after Election Day, the stocks seemed expensive. But look what they've done since then. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 ?? Trump wins deportation standoff Members of the Mexican Navy build temporary shelters on the Mexican side of the border to prepare for an increase in deportations. Photo: Quetzalli Blanco/AFP via Getty Trump suddenly declared 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Colombia yesterday after the country rejected two deportation flights — before changing course just as quickly and claiming victory. The White House said Colombia's left-wing President Gustavo Petro quickly accepted "all" of Trump's terms. Why it matters: The tariffs could have driven up coffee prices and severely damaged relations with a longtime U.S. partner. Instead, the episode serves as a warning to other countries who might consider crossing Trump. What to watch: Trump claimed his administration would quickly deport "millions and millions" of "illegal aliens" with criminal records. But those millions simply don't exist, Axios' Russell Contreras writes. Read our explainer. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 ?️ Meet the keeper of Trump's orders Will Scharf, President Trump and piles of executive orders. Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images Some of the most consequential moments of President Trump's second administration have come at his Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, Sharpie in hand, executive orders at the ready ... and with one much less famous man in the frame. That man, bearing the binders and narrating what the president is about to sign, is Will Scharf of St. Louis. ? He's the White House staff secretary — a powerful post that AP's Michelle L. Price describes as "air traffic control for the West Wing" — tracking the drafting and approval of memos and statements as they work their way to the president's desk, then out to the world. The staff secretary has nearly unparalleled visibility into the goings-on of the West Wing, and leads one of the least-known but most consequential teams in a well-functioning White House. Any piece of paper that a president touches goes through the StaffSec, whose office also prepares a president's nightly homework — reading to be ready for the next day. ? Zoom in: Scharf, a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law, was part of Trump's legal team in the election interference case brought by former special counsel Jack Smith. "Will Scharf is a brilliant legal mind who has extensive experience defending President Trump from the witch-hunts against him," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. "Will is perfectly suited to help execute President Trump's agenda in this important role." Keep reading. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 State Department freezes new funding for nearly all US aid programs worldwide WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department ordered a sweeping freeze Friday on new funding for almost all U.S. foreign assistance, making exceptions for emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt. https://apnews.com/article/state-department-trump-foreign-aid-bf047e17ef64cb42a1a1b7fdf05caffa? Justice Department curtails prosecutions for blocking access to reproductive health centers WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s new Justice Department leadership issued an order Friday to curtail prosecutions against people accused of blocking access to abortion clinics and reproductive health centers, calling the cases an example of the “weaponization” of law enforcement. https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-reproductive-care-clinics-prosecutions-5f693b186d0dd62fc693474aab7b5f3f? US Justice Department drops case against Texas doctor charged with leaking transgender care data DALLAS (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Friday dropped the case against a Texas doctor who called himself a whistleblower on transgender care for minors and was accused of illegally obtaining private information on patients who weren’t under his care. https://apnews.com/article/doctor-texas-case-dismissed-transgender-care-c52dc9d0cc1a2f59d974ff6f7031bb3a? In policy reversal, Trump eliminates help for Black and Latino communities hit harder by pollution For four years, the Environmental Protection Agency made environmental justice one of its biggest priorities, working to improve health conditions in heavily-polluted communities often made up largely of Black, Latino and low-income Americans. Now that short-lived era is over. https://apnews.com/article/climate-health-trump-environmental-justice-pollution-59baf164c81049d3995d2dfe1eceda8c? New bid for TikTok from Perplexity AI could give US government 50% stake WASHINGTON (AP) — Perplexity AI has presented a new proposal to TikTok’s parent company that would allow the U.S. government to own up to 50% of a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok’s U.S. business, according to a person familiar with the matter. https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-trump-perplexity-87988733973760927bb5681f7de9b9af? 5 economic forces that could shape the first year of Trump’s presidency WASHINGTON (AP) — Like most presidents, Donald Trump faces an economy that seldom bends to political ambitions. https://apnews.com/article/trump-inflation-debt-tariffs-wealth-immigrant-ea7d1ee97cae226fa4d427737ddaa22a? Loyalty tests and MAGA checks: Inside the Trump White House’s intense screening of job-seekers WASHINGTON (AP) — Job-seekers hoping to join the new Trump administration are facing a series of intense loyalty tests, with White House screening teams fanning out to government agencies to check for “Make America Great Again” bona fides and carefully parsing applicants’ politics and social media posts. https://apnews.com/article/trump-loyalty-white-house-maga-vetting-jobs-768fa5cbcf175652655c86203222f47c? He’s emboldened, he’s organized and he’s still Trump: Takeaways from the president’s opening days WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s first week in office isn’t over yet, but already it offers signals about how his next four years in the White House may unfold. https://apnews.com/article/trump-takeaways-inauguration-pardons-first-week-b153c325399ede1cc7044bf41f9a9e1e? How key Republican senators are responding to Trump allies’ primary threats DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — From activists on the far right to Elon Musk, allies of President Donald Trump have been quick to threaten primary challengers for Republican senators who don’t back his Cabinet picks and legislative priorities. https://apnews.com/article/ernst-tillis-cassidy-cornyn-graham-musk-9a70ea4d8f1f75d5f3f62689da430b50? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 27, 2025 Author Members Posted January 27, 2025 Trump’s First Orders Parrot Project 2025 Manifesto He Disavowed After distancing himself from the corporate policy agenda during his campaign, President Donald Trump is issuing executive orders torn straight from its pages. https://www.levernews.com/trumps-first-orders-parrot-project-2025-manifesto-he-disavowed/ What to know about Trump’s first executive actions on climate and environment President Donald Trump’s first week in office included a flurry of executive orders with implications for Earth’s climate and environment. https://apnews.com/article/trump-executive-orders-climate-change-environmental-policy-e4fb2b2495c0bcf880fab46605936b09? Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, turn to faith amid deportation fears SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — At the end of his Sunday service, the pastor of the First Haitian Evangelical Church of Springfield, Ohio, asked ushers and musicians to form a circle around him as he knelt in prayer, flanked by the flags of Haiti and the United States. https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-haitian-migrants-ohio-deportation-fears-c28786fcf3b9e4f99b576330e9fb87d1? New Trump orders on transgender troops, COVID and more expected on Hegseth’s first day WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday he will sign a flurry of executive orders focused on the military, including to reinstate troops booted for refusing COVID-19 vaccines and remove “transgender ideology” from the force, just as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth began his first day on the job. https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-tuskegee-airmen-dei-pentagon-480d932c8bcb4c6056abe78e34010982? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 28, 2025 Author Members Posted January 28, 2025 Trump's two-by-four foreign policy Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images President Trump has been threatening friend and foe alike with the foreign policy equivalent of a two-by-four. Colombia's president found that out the hard way over the weekend when he tried to stop U.S. military flights carrying deportees back to Colombia, Axios' Marc Caputo and Brittany Gibson report. "F--k around and find out," a top White House official told us. Why it matters: Trump's worldview revolves around showing strength — a carrot-and-stick approach that usually is short on rewards and long on threats. But it's showing some results at least in Latin America, where Trump is determined to boost U.S. influence. ?? On Sunday, after Trump threatened crushing tariffs and travel restrictions, Colombian President Gustavo Petro buckled and agreed to accept his country's nationals deported from the U.S. "Other countries began reaching out after that" to discuss accepting deportees, the White House official, who wasn't authorized to speak on the record, said without elaborating. "There is more of a willingness to take back their citizens and to express that." ?? El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, opted for the carrots. Three days before Trump's row with Petro, Bukele tentatively agreed with Trump to accept his citizens deported from the U.S., as well as Tren de Aragua gang members originally from Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's first foreign visit, coming soon, will be to El Salvador. Trump "means what he says, and I think any nation that doesn't believe that is making very poor judgment," said Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), who served in Trump's first administration. ? Reality check: One risk of swinging the two-by-four too often is that it disillusions allies. ? Zoom out: Trump wants to showcase a new, aggressive foreign policy that hearkens back to the Monroe Doctrine and clearly establishes the Western Hemisphere as a China- and Russia-free zone. It's what makes him so focused on Cuba and Venezuela. Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Latin America envoy Mauricio Claver-Carone and Trump's choice for ambassador to Panama, Kevin Cabrera, are all anti-leftist foreign policy hardliners. ? How it happened: Waltz frequently travels with the president and was with him when Petro, at 3:41 a.m. Sunday, posted on X that he would "deny" U.S. military flights of deportees to Colombia. Trump was at his Doral resort near Miami, ahead of a meeting of House Republicans there. The resort is about a 10-minute drive from Rubio's home. Rubio hustled over, met with Waltz, and hammered out the outlines for a response to Petro. "They got a plan. They presented to the president. It was done by lunch," said a source familiar with the conversations. ? "Nat Sec at the speed of social media," a White House official added. Keep reading. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 28, 2025 Author Members Posted January 28, 2025 ? Surprise move: Trump freezes federal payments The Trump administration temporarily paused federal grant, loan and other financial assistance programs, effective 5 p.m. ET today. The suspension will provide the administration with time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of funding for those programs consistent with the law and Trump's priorities, says a White House Office of Management and Budget memo, via Reuters. Agencies have until Feb. 10 to submit detailed information on any programs, projects or activities subject to the pause. The memo says the pause "does not include assistance provided directly to individuals." ? Between the lines: The memo created confusion across Washington. It may impact at least tens of billions of dollars in payments, Brian Riedl, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a center-right think tank, told The Washington Post (gift link). "The funding delays are going to prove very difficult for grantees under the impression the money is coming, and have rent and salary payments dependent upon it," Riedl said. "It seems like a very big deal." ? The memo says that "to the extent permissible under applicable law, Federal agencies must temporarily pause [bold in original] all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal." The other side: Top Democratic congressional budget appropriation lawmakers, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, said in a letter to OMB: "The scope of what you are ordering is breathtaking, unprecedented, and will have devastating consequences across the country. Read the two-page memo. Transgender troops President Donald Trump on Monday signed four executive orders that will reshape the military, including banning transgender troops from serving in the US armed forces; gutting the military's diversity, equity and inclusion programs; and reinstating service members who were discharged for refusing to get vaccinated from Covid-19. The order outlines new military standards regarding gender pronouns and states that mental and physical readiness requires transgender service members to be excluded from the US armed forces. On his first day as defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, who has long been in favor of these changes, told reporters that he would ensure these "orders are complied with rapidly and quickly." Immigration raids A wave of planned immigration raids across the US has resulted in more than 2,000 arrests in two days and will continue across the Southeast US about two to three times a week, a source told CNN. Various US agencies have been given permission to apprehend immigrants under Customs and Border Protection's immigration authority. At least two agencies assisting US immigration officials with the raids have told personnel to ensure their clothing clearly depicts their respective agency in case they are filmed by members of the media. While it is a common safety practice for agents conducting arrests to wear insignias identifying themselves as law enforcement, even agents on the perimeter of operations conducted across the nation have been specifically instructed by their leadership to wear raid jackets and be camera-ready, sources said. Public health Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — the vaccine skeptic President Donald Trump has nominated to serve as Health and Human Services secretary — will face a pair of high-profile confirmation hearings this week. Despite the president's backing, some GOP senators want public commitments from RFK Jr. on abortion and vaccines before deciding whether to support him. A new poll shows that less than half of US adults trust Trump and Kennedy to make the right recommendations on health issues, but views are split heavily along partisan lines — particularly regarding attitudes on vaccines. Kennedy's views on vaccines have raised alarm among public health experts, including his promotion of the false claim that vaccines cause autism in children. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 28, 2025 Author Members Posted January 28, 2025 California Immediately Slaps Down Trump’s Claim He ‘TURNED ON THE WATER’ The California Department of Water Resources has shot down President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to play the hero during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. https://www.thedailybeast.com/california-immediately-debunks-donald-trumps-claim-he-sent-in-military-turned-on-the-water/? ps:As per usual, nothing new, just another lie!!!!! Trump Justice Department says it has fired employees involved in prosecutions of the president The Justice Department said Monday that it had fired more than a dozen employees who worked on criminal prosecutions of President Donald Trump, moving rapidly to pursue retribution against lawyers involved in the investigations and signaling an early willingness to take action favorable to the president’s interests. Read more. Why this matters: The firings are effective immediately. The abrupt termination targeting career prosecutors who worked on special counsel Jack Smith’s team is the latest sign of upheaval inside the Justice Department and is consistent with the administration’s determination to purge the government of workers it perceives as disloyal to the president. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ US places dozens of senior aid officials on leave, citing possible resistance to Trump orders Scott Bessent confirmed as treasury secretary Trump signs order that likely sets in motion a future ban on transgender troops New top prosecutor for DC advocated for Jan. 6 rioters and echoed Trump’s false 2020 election claims Hundreds of US visa appointments canceled in Colombia following spat with Trump over deportations Trump fills his government with billionaires after running on a working-class message What has changed with immigration under Trump and what is still playing out? Indiana man pardoned by Trump is fatally shot during traffic stop Egg prices are soaring. Don’t expect that to change anytime soon Florida Republicans defy DeSantis to push their own immigration bill State lawmakers are pushing for vaccine exemptions even as childhood vaccination rates fall Deb Haaland made history as Interior secretary. Now she’s running for governor of New Mexico Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 28, 2025 Author Members Posted January 28, 2025 What is DeepSeek, the Chinese AI company upending the stock market? A frenzy over an artificial intelligence chatbot made by Chinese tech startup DeepSeek was upending stock markets Monday and fueling debates over competition between the U.S. and China in developing AI technology. Read more. Why this matters: Part of what’s worrying U.S. tech industry observers is that the Chinese startup may have caught up with the American companies at a fraction of the cost. That, if true, calls into question the huge amounts of money U.S. tech companies say they plan to spend on the data centers and computer chips needed to power further AI advancements. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ WATCH: Trump says DeepSeek AI ‘should be a wake up call’ DeepSeek's new AI chatbot and ChatGPT answer sensitive questions about China differently Trump says Microsoft is one of the companies eyeing TikTok ps:So where was Musk during this?? If anyone should have known about this it should've been trumps musk!!!!! Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 29, 2025 Author Members Posted January 29, 2025 How Donald Trump and Project 2025 previewed the federal grant freeze ATLANTA (AP) — A White House order to freeze federal grants reflects a theory of presidential power that Donald Trump clearly endorsed during his 2024 campaign. The approach was further outlined in the Project 2025 governing treatise that candidate Trump furiously denied was a blueprint for his second administration. https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-project-2025-grants-freeze-6cb624cd3ef92805a5600fe5622733f0? ps:Imagine that he lied again about not knowing about Project 2025, just add it to other things he didn't know or know about!! Some Trump voters are skeptical of his opening moves to embrace fellow billionaires MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Enrique Lopez votes sporadically but bought into Donald Trump’s vows to fight for everyday workers, helping the Republican flip Arizona last year. Then the home construction contractor watched how the billionaire president opened his second administration. https://apnews.com/article/trump-working-class-billionaires-8e443e1345246911e34b8f0fe2b40da9? ps:Like they didn't see that to begin with? Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 29, 2025 Author Members Posted January 29, 2025 Trump to offer buyouts The White House is preparing to offer buyouts to every federal worker, Axios' Marc Caputo and Emily Peck report. Workers who don't want to return to the office can get paid through Sept. 30, as long as they resign by Feb. 6, a White House official tells Axios. Why it matters: It's an acceleration in Trump's already unprecedented purge of the federal workforce. What they're saying: "The government-wide email being sent today is to make sure that all federal workers are on board with the new administration's plan to have federal employees in office and adhering to higher standards," a senior administration official tells Axios. "We're five years past COVID and just 6 percent of federal employees work full-time in office. That is unacceptable." Go deeper. AI "wake-up call" Photo: Mike Allen/Axios The U.S. is "looking into" the potential security implications of AI breakthroughs from China's DeepSeek, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said today at her first press briefing. Leavitt said President Trump saw DeepSeek as a "wake-up call" for the U.S. AI industry — but he remains confident "we'll restore American dominance." She said she had personally discussed the matter with the National Security Council officials earlier today. ? What she's saying: Leavitt defended Trump's decision to fire inspectors general across the federal government. Democrats have suggested the move may have been illegal. Citing Supreme Court precedent, she asserted: "He is the executive of the executive branch, and therefore he has the power to fire anyone within the executive branch that he wishes to." Look for that to be litigated. Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 29, 2025 Author Members Posted January 29, 2025 "Let's work something out" — Florida Trump supporter begs president to "let me keep my wife" after ICE deports her back to Venezuela Under Trump's instructions, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids in South Florida. The situation turned difficult for a man, who appeared to be in distress after his wife was taken away by the officials. According to BBC, the immigration crackdown was held on January 26, 2025, and led to the arrest of nearly 1000 people. https://local.newsbreak.com/florida-state/3780816860362-lets-work-something-out-florida-trump-supporter-begs-president-to-let-me-keep-my-wife-after-ice-deports-her-back-to-venezuela? ps:Next time just pay attention!!!!! Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
Members phkrause Posted January 29, 2025 Author Members Posted January 29, 2025 Trump awakens "Resistance" Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios A potential constitutional crisis erupted yesterday over the Trump administration's surprise federal funding freeze, jolting Democrats into action after months of strategic paralysis, Axios' Zachary Basu and Erin Doherty write. Why it matters: For the first time since President Trump won the election, the so-called "Resistance" is showing signs of life. Senate Democrats moved with rare dexterity to block a GOP-led bill in one of the few places where they have real leverage, and blanketed social media with panicked reports from their constituents. House Democrats called an emergency meeting for today to plot out a "comprehensive three-pronged counteroffensive" — targeting appropriations, litigation and communications. Nonprofits — later joined by Democrat-led states — stormed the federal court system with lawsuits, leading a judge to temporarily halt the funding freeze. Lead stories of today's Washington Post, N.Y. Times ? Zoom in: The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent shockwaves through Washington Monday night with a memo directing agencies to "temporarily pause" grants, loans and federal financial assistance programs to ensure they align with Trump's priorities. "This is not a blanket pause," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed as she was bombarded with questions about the freeze in her first press briefing yesterday. "Social Security benefits, Medicare benefits, food stamps, welfare benefits, assistance that is going directly to individuals will not be impacted by this pause," she said. ?️ The big picture: For more than a week, Trump has overwhelmed his critics with an unrelenting flood of executive orders, government purges and bureaucratic maneuvering. Yesterday alone, Trump offered to buy out any federal employees who resign by Feb. 6 and signed an executive order aiming to restrict youth gender-affirming care — diverting headlines from the funding freeze. But nothing has broken through like the funding memo, which sent state governments, nonprofits, schools, emergency workers and even some GOP officials scrambling to determine whether they'd be affected. ? Between the lines: Trump and his nominee for OMB director, Russ Vought, have argued that the Impoundment Control Act — a Nixon-era law that restricts presidents from withholding funding passed by Congress — is unconstitutional. An FAQ sheet distributed by the OMB Tuesday claims Trump's "temporary pause" doesn't constitute an "impoundment." Read yesterday's OMB FAQ ... N.Y. Times Upshot lists 2,600 programs under scrutiny (gift link) ... Original 2-page memo ... Quote phkrause Read Isaiah 10:1-13
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