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POLITICS

Washington’s Big Day

At noon EST on Monday, Donald Trump became America’s 47th president inside the Capital Rotunda (see photos of the day).

After his swearing-in by Chief Justice Roberts, President Trump gave a 30-minute inaugural address that promised to usher in a “golden age of America.” He said the U.S. has “suffered greatly” under the Biden administration and promised a “proud, prosperous, and free” future. Among the President's promises were pledges to plant a flag on Mars and to retake the Panama Canal.

Within minutes of the ceremony, President Trump was down to business. Here’s a round-up of his Day 1 orders and other actions:

• Declared a national emergency at the southern border, classified drug cartels as global terrorists, and ordered the end of birthright citizenship;

• Re-left the Paris Climate Accord, revoked several Biden-era climate executive orders, and declared a national energy emergency to expedite American energy development;

• Granted full pardons to nearly all (roughly 1,500) January 6 defendants; 

• Renamed the Gulf of Mexico (now “Gulf of America”) and Mount Denali (“Mount McKinley” once again);

• Ended remote work for federal employees and froze federal civilian hiring;

• Ended DEI programs across the federal government;

• Declared that the federal government would recognize only two biological sexes;

• Delayed the ban on TikTok for 75 days.

Trump kept his pen in his pocket on tariffs, quieting investors’ fears about international trade changes and giving the stock market a boost. #47 said he’d consider 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports on February 1. 

Many of these orders are expected to face legal challenges, with at least 18 states suing to block his birthright citizenship order. President Trump is also facing criticism from some ethicists over the release of $TRUMP and $MELANIA meme coins, newly-created cryptocurrencies that quickly boosted the first family’s net worth by billions. 

(We’re also covering this story tomorrow in Decaf, The Pour Over for Families. Sign up—for free—here.)

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Followers of Christ are not identified by their political affiliation but by their love for God and others—including people you believe have un-loving stances. Remember compassion for your neighbors regardless of whether they’re celebrating, mourning, or indifferent to Washington’s busy week.

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 (CSB) (read full passage)

SPORTS

O-H-...

The Ohio State Buckeyes claimed the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff National Championship, defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 Monday night. OSU built a commanding 31-7 lead before Notre Dame rallied in the second half, cutting the deficit to eight with four minutes left. A late Buckeye field goal sealed the dub and their ninth title. 

Both teams faced bumps in the road to Mercedes-Benz Stadium––Ohio State fell to rival Michigan Thanksgiving weekend, while the Fighting Irish stumbled in week 3 against Northern Illinois. 

With as many as 16 players projected to be drafted this year, the Buckeyes will soon be shining on Sundays (and Mondays) (and Thursdays) (and sometimes Fridays).

Here are ESPN’s way-too-early rankings for next season.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Whether you watched the National Championship, binged your latest Netflix pick, or curled up with a good book Monday night, we can agree that God’s call on our lives today is to live in a manner that reflects his undeserved love, displayed on the cross. Pray that you will do that today. 

“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received.”
Ephesians 4:1 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Former President Biden issued several controversial preemptive pardons minutes before leaving the Oval Office. Biden said the broad immunity—granted to three of his siblings and two in-laws, retired General Mark Milley, Dr. Fauci, and members of Congress who investigated the January 6 events—will protect against “baseless and politically motivated investigations.” Trump called the move “disgraceful.”
 

At least 66 people were killed and 51 injured in a fire at a Turkish ski resort. The blaze broke out around 3:30 a.m. in the hotel’s fourth-floor restaurant and took 12 hours to be extinguished. Guests reported hearing no alarms; many fled through windows. Four, including the hotel owner, have been arrested as part of an open investigation.
 

Marco Rubio was confirmed by the Senate as America’s 72nd secretary of state—the first of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees to get the upper chamber’s seal of approval. Then-Senator Rubio (R-FL) was able to vote for himself in the confirmation that passed with unanimous support (99-0). Now, he’ll turn to some sticky situations abroad, including a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
 

Greater L.A. continues to battle dangerous fire conditions as the Palisades and Eaton fires—which have claimed at least 27 lives and destroyed or damaged more than 21,000 structures—remained 63% and 89% contained, respectively. Meanwhile, at least nine people have been arrested for allegedly starting small fires in the wake of the more prominent infernos.
 

Brr… it’s cold out here. Nearly two-thirds of the contiguous U.S. is bundled up as another arctic blast plummets temps from the Great Plains to the East Coast. Meanwhile, Winter Storm Enzo is bringing rare and unexpected snow, sleet, and freezing rain along the northern Gulf (of America?) Coast, prompting four states to declare states of emergency.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Meet the puppies of this year’s puppy bowl…

How We’re Helping Families Survive
With World Concern*

Somalia continues to fight its biggest hunger crisis in decades. 

Global conflicts, widespread poverty, disease outbreaks, and the worst drought in 40 years have left tens of millions of people without access to clean water, killed millions of livestock, and decimated crops. 

Now, two in five Somalian children suffer from acute malnutrition. 

This week, we’re partnering with World Concern—a faith-based non-profit working in the hardest-hit areas—to provide food, water, and emergency supplies, and TPO is matching the first $5K given. For as little as $12, you can provide Somalian families with the aid they desperately need.

What We’re Sippin’
LMNT Chocolate Medley*

If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I looove a warm, cozy drink––especially in the depths of this arctic blast.  

Enter one of my faves—LMNT’s Chocolate Medley. With Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Chai, and Chocolate Raspberry, these flavors are the best way to stay toasty and hydrated. They’re… choc-full of perfectly balanced electrolytes. 

Stir one pack into hot water for instant hot cocoa vibes. Or try my personal fave, Chocolate Chai mixed with some hot water and a splash of cream as a lil’ bedtime treat…*chef’s kiss*.

TPO readers get eight single-serve packs free with any purchase!

 Xan Sibley | Writer