President Biden commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier, an 80-year-old American Indian Movement activist serving a life sentence for the 1975 murder of two FBI agents. Though maintaining his innocence, Peltier will now serve his sentence under home confinement. His commutation follows decades of advocacy highlighting concerns about the evidence used in his conviction, including a statement from a former prosecutor expressing doubts about the case. This decision concludes nearly five decades of imprisonment for Peltier.
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During the Trump inauguration parade, Elon Musk performed a Nazi salute three times on live television, then repeated the gesture before 20,000 supporters at a subsequent rally. This action followed Trump’s mention of Mars in his inaugural address, a topic of apparent excitement for Musk given his space exploration ambitions. The incident sparked outrage on social media, coinciding with reports of an impending lawsuit against a Trump government advisory panel headed by Musk.
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President Trump’s second inauguration oath deviated from tradition; while the Constitution mandates an oath or affirmation, it doesn’t prescribe the use of religious texts. Although nearly all officeholders utilize a Bible, Trump uniquely swore his oath with only one hand raised, foregoing the two Bibles presented. This action is notable given his public assertions of Christian faith. The reasons behind his choice remain unexplained.
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Addressing the French military, President Macron urged Europe to increase defense spending to lessen dependence on the U.S., particularly given anticipated shifts in American foreign policy under a returning Donald Trump. He highlighted the need for sustained support for Ukraine, including potential peacekeeper deployment, to ensure a strong negotiating position and prevent renewed conflict. Macron emphasized Europe’s responsibility in safeguarding any peace agreement and adapting to evolving geopolitical landscapes. The potential for European troop deployment, however, carries inherent risks, including escalating conflict with Russia.
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Panama’s President Mulino vehemently rejected President Trump’s claim to “take back” the Panama Canal, asserting Panama’s unwavering sovereignty over the waterway, secured by the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaty. Trump’s assertion, made during his inaugural address, contradicts the treaty’s terms and disregards Panama’s decades-long responsible management of the canal. Mulino warned against any actions violating Panama’s sovereignty, emphasizing the country’s commitment to international law and dialogue. Trump’s statements have sparked international condemnation and raised concerns about potential conflict.
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Following Elon Musk’s enthusiastic speech at President Trump’s inauguration, his celebratory arm gesture sparked intense debate online. Critics interpreted the motion as a Nazi salute, while others suggested it was a Roman salute or simply an exuberant expression. The incident drew comparisons to a similar gesture made by Laura Ingraham in 2016, reigniting the controversy surrounding such ambiguous hand movements. Musk and his representatives have yet to comment, leaving the interpretation open to ongoing discussion.
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Melania Trump launched her own meme coin, $MELANIA, shortly after her husband, President-elect Donald Trump, unveiled his own, $TRUMP. While $MELANIA initially saw a surge in value, reaching over $12 per coin and a $12 billion market cap, the launch coincided with a dramatic over 40% crash in the value of $TRUMP, losing over $7.5 billion in market capitalization. Both coins function as expressions of support, rather than investment opportunities, according to their respective websites. This development follows Trump’s appointment of David Sacks as his crypto and AI czar, signaling a potential shift in the nation’s approach to cryptocurrency.
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Three lawsuits were filed on January 20th, challenging President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, alleging violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act due to a lack of open meetings. The plaintiffs, including the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of Teachers, seek to halt DOGE’s operations and prevent further actions regarding federal worker hiring and spending cuts. The lawsuits name Trump, the Office of Management and Budget, and DOGE itself as defendants. These legal challenges target DOGE’s advisory role to the President and its potential impact on federal employees.
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President Trump signed executive orders aiming to recognize only two sexes (male and female) and eliminate federal DEI programs deemed “radical and wasteful.” The gender order mandates the use of “sex” instead of “gender” in official documents, impacting passports and visas, and restricts taxpayer funding for gender-transition healthcare. A second order targets the dismantling of DEI initiatives within federal agencies, focusing on environmental justice programs and equity-related grants. These actions, announced on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, are framed as a return to merit-based systems, while opponents argue they represent a setback for racial and social justice and anticipate legal challenges.
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During the presidential inauguration, President Trump deviated from tradition by not placing his hand on the Bibles held by the First Lady. He opted to use both a family Bible and the Lincoln Bible for the oath of office. Unlike prior presidents, his left hand remained at his side during the swearing-in ceremony. This marked a departure from the customary use of a single Bible for the oath.
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John Q. Hosedrinker