Trump Week One, Brace Yourself
Well, this week has been a doozy.
On Monday, President Donald Trump was inaugurated, and it didn’t take long for things to spiral. While we had some idea of what to expect in his first days, nothing could truly prepare you for watching democracy being dismantled piece-by-piece before your eyes—and feeling powerless to stop it.
A lot has happened this week, so I’ve broken it down into separate posts. Read what you can—some, all, or none. But whatever you do, don’t tune out completely.
Burying your head is an option, but it's not the answer.
No matter how hard it is or how impossible it feels, it is the responsibility of every person to be a check and balance on their government and those in power.
I was reminded of this quote by Frederick Douglass and I encourage you to sit with it – if that's the only thing you do this week.
“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”
TOP NEWS
- The latest and most important actions Trump took this week are here.
- The most shocking thing about Monday's inauguration was who was there, front and center – the Broligarchy.
- A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began over the weekend, and both sides exchanged hostages. Aid trucks have begun moving into the enclave as residents continue to dig through the rubble, looking for their missing loved ones. But when Israel gives, it also takes. Violence in the West Bank has skyrocketed this week and this is why, here.
HEADLINES
Trump, Crypto Bro
Is Trump profiting from the presidency? He recently signed an executive order promoting cryptocurrency growth in the U.S. and called for a working group on digital asset markets. His motives are questionable—before taking office, Trump launched a meme coin that made him billions on paper.
Meme coins are often seen as cash grabs, and many new crypto buyers, including Trump supporters, may not fully understand the risks. If Trump sells, he could walk away with billions, while others face devastating losses.
By loosening regulations, Trump stands to benefit financially, and critics argue he’s putting national security at risk. As MSNBC points out:
“First, Trump having billions of dollars in wealth tied up in a cryptocurrency would obviously impact how his administration approaches regulating the crypto market. Will Trump fight for the public interest in regulating crypto — a key mechanism for the funding of ransomware, fentanyl and terrorism — if doing so could threaten the lucrative digital asset industry, an outsize share of which is controlled by a small elite?”
Politics of TikTok
Tech companies are responding to the TikTok ban and Trump’s extension with a mix of “money, politics, and fear,” according to The New York Times. While Google and Apple—despite earning millions from TikTok—are complying with the law, Oracle is aligning with Trump, likely to gain favor with his administration.
Potential buyers include Elon Musk, Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison—both of whom Trump seems fond of—and YouTube star Mr. Beast (Jimmy Donaldson).
Clean Energy
The EU has made significant progress in clean energy, now sourcing nearly three-quarters of its electricity from renewables or non-emitting energy—up from 40% in 2019. In contrast, the U.S. and China still rely on fossil fuels for two-thirds of their energy, worsening climate change, which disproportionately impacts poorer nations.
Trump’s recent climate policy rollbacks signal further regression:
- Paris Climate Agreement: Trump withdrew from the 2015 accord again, reversing Biden’s re-entry.
- Electric Vehicles: He revoked incentives for EV purchases.
- Offshore Drilling: Trump called for expanding drilling operations.
- Wind Farms: He paused permits for new federal land projects.
Environmental groups slammed these decisions. Rachel Cleetus of the Union of Concerned Scientists warned "the human and economic consequences of climate change will only grow if the U.S. doesn't do its part to limit warming.
"'Even now…we're seeing these droughts, storms, heat waves, flooding, sea level rise accelerating,' Cleetus said. 'It is just stunning already the kinds of impacts that are unfolding.'"
Trump's First Bill Signing
Trump's first bill of his second term, the Laken-Riley Act, has passed with bipartisan support. It allows federal authorities to detain and deport noncitizens arrested for any crime—even minor ones—without conviction. Critics warn it could lead to wrongful detentions and racial profiling, with serious legal and public safety implications. Studies show that pretrial detention increases recidivism by disrupting employment and family support.
Trump Administration News
- On the confirmation front, Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, faces controversy over allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and views opposing women in combat. Hegseth, who denies wrongdoing, admitted to paying $50,000 to his accuser, claiming it was consensual. An FBI background check reportedly flagged his ongoing alcohol issues as a concern. The Senate is expected to vote on his confirmation Friday night.
- In foreign policy, new Secretary of State Marco Rubio has frozen most foreign aid—except to Israel, Egypt, and food programs—while reviewing allocations. This includes suspending aid to Ukraine and critical health initiatives. Rubio also halted passport applications for gender marker changes, reversing a 2022 policy.
- Trump signed an order to declassify the assassination records of Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy. While the King family welcomes transparency, the documents were previously withheld for national security reasons.
- Related: Sen. Chuck Schumer is also calling on Trump to declassify documents related to UFOs.
- The Trump administration has quietly shut down the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, established under Biden. Its website has been removed. The closure came a day before a tragic school shooting in Tennessee, highlighting the urgent need for gun safety measures.
QUICK HITS
- The FDA approved a new nasal spray for severe depression.
- Ford recalled Bronco Sport and Maverick models over battery issues.
- A rare “planetary parade” featuring six planets will be visible in the night sky. NASA has some tips on how to catch it.
- Some Instagram users, including Demi Lovato, claim Meta won’t let them unfollow Trump or Melania.
- Washington’s Episcopal Bishop, Mariann Edgar Budde, refused to apologize after urging Trump to show compassion for immigrants and LGBTQ+ people at a prayer service. “I am not going to apologize for asking for mercy for others," Budde said.
- Did Elon Musk make a Nazi salute at a Trump inaugural event? Depends on who you ask.
