Donald Trump says Tuesday morning’s prayer service at National Cathedral was “not too exciting” after the Bishop of Washington urged him to show mercy towards migrants and LGBT+ children. Her sermon has enraged the right, with one lawmaker saying the New Jersey native should be deported.
Relatedly, 22 states are now challenging the president’s executive order to end birthright citizenship as unconstitutional.
After being sworn into office, Trump has already signed a deluge of such orders, promising a new “golden age of America.”
On immigration alone — in addition to undermining birthright citizenship — Trump moved to declare a national emergency at the southern border, designate cartels as terrorist organizations, reinstate his “Remain in Mexico” policy, and end “catch and release” practices.
He also pardoned 1,500 “J6 hostages,” withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Accord, affirmed that the government recognizes only two genders, renamed the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska’s Mount Denali, froze federal hiring and postponed the implementation of the TikTok ban for 75 days.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has responded after being accused of performing a Nazi salute at Trump’s inauguration celebrations on Monday, dismissing the accusations as “tired” and “dirty tricks”.
Key Points
- Bishop urges Trump to ‘have mercy’ on ‘scared’ immigrants and LGBT+ youth
- Trump sued by 22 states and pregnant women over ‘flagrantly illegal’ birthright citizenship order
- Trump pardons more than 1,500 Capitol rioters
- Elon Musk forced to respond over inauguration ‘Nazi salute'
- What we know about Trump’s day one executive orders
- Trump’s inauguration got lowest ratings since at least 1969
Bannon: Trump ‘broke’ Musk and Zuckerberg — who don’t really believe in MAGA movement
00:45 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump’s former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon has fired a fusillade of heavy blows at the Silicon Valley tech triad arguing that the Trump 2.0 era will “break all these guys eventually.”
Speaking about the three richest men in the world, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, who all attended Trump’s inauguration, Bannon said an era of “techno-feudalism” had arisen but that the tech “oligarchs” would undoubtedly falter in the new Trump era.
Madeline Sherratt reports.
Steve Bannon says Trump ‘broke’ tech bros Musk and Zuckerberg
What do the polls say about Trump’s support?
00:35 , Josh MarcusA new poll has revealed how Americans feel about President Donald Trump after his first two days in office — and the results are both good and bad news for the Republican.
Some 47 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s administration, a higher rating than he earned during much of his first term, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in the first 24 hours of his presidency.
But Trump’s specific policy actions in the last day have seen lower approval ratings.
Fifty-eight percent of Americans said Trump should not pardon all people convicted of crimes related to their involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection, according to Reuters. But the president has done nearly exactly that, signing pardons Monday for some 1,500 people involved in the riots.
Katie Hawkinson reports.
Poll shows how America feels about Trump after his first two days in office
Trump media stock takes a nose dive as he returns to Oval Office
00:25 , Josh MarcusThe stock price of Trump Media & Technology Group plummeted during the first full day of President Donald Trump’s second term, dropping more than 11 percent in a single day.
A share of Trump Media, which sells under the ticker “DJT,” was worth just over $35 on Tuesday afternoon.
On Friday, it was worth more than $40, about the same as after the assassination attempt that saw Trump get shot in the ear in July last year. The share price has dropped more than 28 percent over the course of the last year.
Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, isn’t the only Trump-connected entity seeing its price drop. Trump launched a crypto coin just days before taking office, the price of which dropped on Tuesday after initially rallying.
Gustaf Kilander has the details.
Trump media stock takes a nose dive as he returns to Oval Office
Judges begin signing off on Trump January 6 pardons
00:21 , Josh MarcusCourts are beginning to approve Donald Trump’s sweeping pardons of his supporters who were convicted of storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Judge Nichols signs the motion dismissing Jake Lang's case. Typically only takes a little while for defendants to be processed and released out of the D.C. Jail after that. https://t.co/VkvD1iCpvi pic.twitter.com/aDDXsmbTR2
— Jordan Fischer (@JordanOnRecord) January 21, 2025
Here’s more on how those who lived through January 6 feel about the pardons.
Cop who survived Capitol riot injuries condemns Trump’s pardons
Trump’s inauguration got lowest ratings since at least 1969
00:17 , Josh MarcusDonald Trump’s inauguration was one of the lowest-rated in recent TV history, Vulture reports.
The ceremony drew a 14.1 household Nielsen rating, down from Biden’s 21.1 and Trump’s 20.1 rating for his first inauguration.
The festivities drew just 24.6 million TV viewers.
Trump gave Jan. 6 rioters a mass pardon. Here’s a reminder of the crimes they committed
00:15 , Oliver O'ConnellAfter ascending to the top of the GOP ticket in March 2024, Donald Trump made a promise.
“My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned,” he wrote at the time on his Truth Social platform.
On his first day back in office on Monday, Trump stayed true to his word on the rioters and granted clemency to more than 1,500 supporters charged with crimes connected to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol building.
James Liddell looks back at the crimes they committed:
Trump gave Jan. 6 rioters a mass pardon. Here’s a reminder of their crimes
Watch: Trump asked if Proud Boys have place in US politics
00:00 , Oliver O'ConnellBilly Ray Cyrus speaks out after ‘cringeworthy’ inaugural ball performance
Tuesday 21 January 2025 23:50 , Oliver O'ConnellBilly Ray Cyrus has issued a statement regarding his “epic disaster” of a performance at Donald Trump’s Liberty Ball.
On Monday (January 20) evening, the 63-year-old country star took the stage to perform his hit tune “Achy Breaky Heart” and his Lil Nax X collaboration “Old Town Road.”
Inga Parkel reports on what happened next.
Billy Ray Cyrus speaks out after ‘cringeworthy’ performance at Trump’s Liberty Ball
Fox News dominates as Trump inauguration pulls in 26 million viewers
Tuesday 21 January 2025 23:40 , Oliver O'ConnellAccording to Nielsen’s early data ratings, which were released on Tuesday afternoon, Fox News was the top destination for those who wanted to see President Donald Trump sworn into office for the second time.
Between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET, which encompasses Trump’s swearing-in ceremony and first address as president, Fox News drew 10.3 million total viewers and 2 million in the coveted advertising demographic of adults aged 25-54. The total, if it stands, would be the second-highest-rated inauguration in the channel’s history.
Justin Baragona reports.
Trump inauguration pulls in 26 million viewers as Fox News dominates
ANALYSIS: Trump’s whirlwind first day
Tuesday 21 January 2025 23:30 , Oliver O'ConnellJohn Bowden writes:
Donald Trump is back in Washington. So is the Trump Show: a 24-hour, nonstop spectacle of governance and politicking that runs both his critics and the media (sometimes one and the same) ragged.
After taking the oath of office at noon on Monday, the new president sprinted through his first day. Issuing more than 200 executive orders and other actions, Trump began his administration’s assault on birthright citizenship, environmental protections, and parts of Joe Biden’s legacy with directives targeting a staggering scope of issues.
This was all carefully calculated: a “Day One” agenda that captured Americans’ attention in a way that Biden and his former running mate/replacement Kamala Harris never could.
Continue reading...
With a whirlwind first day, Trump upends government and brings back the spectacle
Facebook users say they are now auto-following Trump
Tuesday 21 January 2025 23:20 , Oliver O'ConnellFacebook users say they’re auto-following President Donald Trump and White House pages after the inauguration of the 47th president amid the rightward turn of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Gustaf Kilander investigates.
BREAKING: Trump uses Biden pardons to defend release of violent Jan 6 rioters
Tuesday 21 January 2025 23:05 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump used his predecessor’s decision to grant preemptive pardons to his family members and other critics of the 47th to deflect criticism for releasing thousands of violent January 6 rioters, including some who assaulted police officers at the Capitol four years ago.
Speaking at a media availability with a trio of technology executives who were announcing a half-billion dollar investment in AI data centers, Trump was asked about the release from custody of DJ Rodriguez, who during the January 6, 2021 riot drove a stun gun into the neck of Washington, DC police officer Michael Fanone.
Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, D.C.
Trump uses Biden pardons to defend release of violent Jan 6 rioters
After giving TikTok a second chance, can Trump actually save the app from its ban?
Tuesday 21 January 2025 23:00 , Oliver O'ConnellOn Sunday, the 170 million Americans who use TikTok saw the same message when they opened the app.
“As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.”
But can Trump really save the app?
Katie Hawkinson investigates.
Trump has given new life to TikTok in the US...but can he actually save the app?
Watch: Trump announces ‘Stargate’ AI investment program
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:52 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Trump: "Together these world leading technology giants are announcing the formation of Stargate...a new American company that will invest $500 billion at least in AI infrastructure in the United States...creating over 100,000 American jobs." pic.twitter.com/tZiFZFtXjP
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2025
Read more about the program here:
Trump to announce newly formed partnership investing $500B in AI
Petty Trump administration removes portrait of critic General Milley from Pentagon
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:45 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Pentagon removed a portrait of General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from its walls on Monday just hours after President Donald Trump was sworn into office.
Milley, who was appointed to the position by Trump in 2018 and retired under President Joe Biden last year, had his portrait unveiled and hung in the hallway alongside other former Joint Chiefs of Staff less than two weeks ago.
But roughly two hours after Trump was inaugurated, the White House ordered its removal, according to a New York Times report.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Portrait of Trump critic General Mark Milley removed from Pentagon
Trump has signed a slew of executive orders — can they be challenged?
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:35 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump signed a batch of executive orders on inauguration day to begin implementing his conservative agenda but some of his most ambitious – revoking birthright citizenship and denying the identity of transgender people – are likely to face legal challenges.
Executive orders are mandatory declarations from the president to federal agencies or the military about how they should use resources given to them by Congress or operate within the limits of the U.S. Constitution. It is typical for presidents to sign executive orders upon taking office to display an eagerness to begin working.
But Trump has made it clear, he plans to utilize his presidential authority to carry out his agenda to the fullest extent possible. Already, he has set the record for most executive orders signed on the first day in office.
However, some of his executive orders face legal challenges with lawmakers disputing Trump’s scope of authority. Now, many are left wondering if there is any way to stop or challenge an executive order.
Read on...
Trump has signed a slew of executive orders. But is there any way to challenge them?
Bureau of Prisons says 211 Jan 6 convicts have been released
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:32 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Bureau of Prisons released the following statement:
On Monday, Jan 20, 2025, President Trump directed a pardon for more than 200 individuals who were convicted defendants associated with the activities of January 6, 2021. The Federal Bureau of Prisons received the release order for those individuals at roughly 9:30 p.m. on January 20. Upon formal notification, FBOP reviewed and verified the individual’s information and conveyed the updated status to the impacted facility where they were housed, and as of approximately 10:30 p.m. the first individuals began being released. Effective 9:30 a.m. on January 21, 2025, all individuals who had their sentence pardoned or commuted, and were under BOP custody, were released. The entire process for those individuals under BOP custody took approximately 12 hours and resulted in the release of 211 individuals.
According to the Department of Justice, 667 of the 1,100 defendants who had been sentenced were jailed
Watch: JD Vance’s children steal show at inaugural parade
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell
JD Vance’s children steal show at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration parade
DOGE gets a logo... and it’s really somthing
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:27 , Oliver O'Connell.@DOGE website updated with a new logo: pic.twitter.com/Oidh7UAxY5
— Will Steakin (@wsteaks) January 21, 2025
Watch: Tuberville outraged bishop urged Trump to show mercy to migrants and LGBT+ people
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:20 , Oliver O'ConnellTommy Tuberville is treating a bishop speaking some uncomfortable truths to Trump today like it's a combination of 9/11 and Pearl Harbor pic.twitter.com/9jA6d0DQ1D
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 21, 2025
Colbert mocks ‘weather cuck’ Trump for moving inauguration indoors
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:15 , Oliver O'ConnellStephen Colbert has reacted to Donald Trump’s return to the White House, mocking the president for his last-minute decision to relocate the inauguration indoors due to winter temperatures.
Days before the Monday (January 20) ceremony, the transition team announced that for the first time in decades, the elaborate event, which commonly takes place outside on the steps of the Capitol, would be held inside the Capitol Rotunda.
Hours after the ceremony, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert host teased Trump for the last-minute location change in his opening monologue.
Inga Parkel has the story.
Stephen Colbert mocks Trump over last-minute inauguration change
Exclusive: Insiders claim Trump has Starmer ‘over a barrel’ on trade deal
Tuesday 21 January 2025 22:00 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump’s new administration believes it has Sir Keir Starmer’s government “over a barrel” on trade as Britain becomes increasingly reliant on a US deal, insiders have told The Independent.
Senior sources in the president’s team said the UK had no choice but to seek a trade agreement after the prime minister said his government’s success would be judged primarily on economic growth.
David Maddox, The Independent’s political editor, reports from Washington, D.C.
Trump has Starmer ‘over a barrel’ on trade deal, insiders claim
Watch: Highlights from Elise Stefanik’s confirmation hearing to be Trump’s UN amabassador
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:58 , Oliver O'ConnellElise Stefanik was pressed on Elon Musk’s apparent Nazi salute and antisemitism during her confirmation hearing today.
— The Recount (@therecount) January 21, 2025
Here are the highlights in 90 seconds: pic.twitter.com/GL3srxW6bi
Number of state suing Trump over ‘flagrantly illegal’ birthright citizenship order grows to 22
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:50 , Oliver O'ConnellA pregnant woman living in Massachusetts with temporary protected status is expected to give birth in March. But under the terms of Donald Trump’s executive order that unilaterally redefines the Constitution, upending federal law and decades of established Supreme Court precedent, her baby will not be a citizen.
She is the lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against the newly inaugurated president and members of his administration, accused of mounting a “flagrantly illegal” attempt to “strip citizenship from millions of Americans with a stroke of a pen.”
Alex Woodward reports.
Trump sued by pregnant women over ‘flagrantly illegal’ birthright citizenship order
Trump keep saluting during the national anthem but the flag code says he shouldn’t
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:45 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump has made a habit of saluting during the national anthem despite the flag code indicating that he should simply place his hand over his heart.
Gustaf Kilander explains why.
Watch: Trump confronted by bishop over migrants and LGBT+ children
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:35 , Oliver O'Connell
Watch: Bishop confronts Trump over 'mercy' for LGBT+ children
Eric Adams once said he doesn’t need ‘racist’ Tucker Carlson’s support — guess who just interviewed him...
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:30 , Oliver O'ConnellEric Adams, the embattled New York City mayor who seems to be desperately angling for a pardon from President Donald Trump, recently sat down for a lengthy interview with MAGA podcaster and trusted Trump allyTucker Carlson.
The friendly chat, which will air in full on Carlson’s network and X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday night, comes less than three years after Adams rejected the former Fox News star’s apparent endorsement of him in the New York mayoral race.
Justin Barangoa has the story.
Eric Adams sits down with Tucker Carlson — who he once called a ‘racist’
Watch LIVE: January 6 rioters leave prison after Trump pardon
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:26 , Oliver O'ConnellReproductive rights and Spanish-language White House pages removed
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:15 , Oliver O'ConnellThe president has since been busy signing off on his orders with his signature Sharpie while his staff have been redecorating the White House and revamping its website in accordance with his values.
However, the changes introduced to the latter so far appear to mean that visitors searching for pages that once provided information on reproductive rights or offered Spanish language content will only get “Error 404” messages for their trouble.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
Reproductive rights and Spanish-language White House webpages removed
Bolton ‘disappointed but not surprised’ after Trump removes Secret Service protection
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:08 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump has removed John Bolton's Secret Service protection despite the ongoing threat of assassination from Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
In a statement, Bolton — Trump’s National Security Adviser in his first term — said: “I am disappointed but not surprised that President Trump has decided to terminate the protection previously provided by the United States Secret Service. Notwithstanding my criticisms of President Biden's national security policies, he nonetheless made the decision to extend that protection to me in 2021. The Justice Department filed criminal charges against an Iranian Revolutionary Guard official in 2022 for attempting to hire an assassin to target me. That threat remains today, as also demonstrated by the recent arrest of someone trying to arrange for President Trump's own assassination. The American people can judge for themselves which President made the right call.”
Trump removes John Bolton's Secret Service protection despite ongoing threat of assassination from Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps for Qassem Soleimani killing.
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) January 21, 2025
Statement from Bolton:
“I am disappointed but not surprised that President Trump has decided to terminate the…
Republicans conveniently dodge questions on Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons
Tuesday 21 January 2025 21:05 , Oliver O'ConnellSenate Republicans were mostly evasive when asked about President Donald Trump’s pardon of both violent and non-violent offenders who stormed the US Capitol on January 6 four years ago.
On the first day of his second term in office, Trump, who had repeatedly said that he would pardon people who committed crimes on January 6, and who called them hostages while onstage with hostages recently freed by Hamas as part of a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, issued pardons for 1,500 people criminally charged with the violent assault on the US Capitol in attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
Eric Garcia reports from the US Capitol.
Republicans conveniently dodge questions on Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons
MAGA lawmaker calls for Bishop to be deported over sermon urging Trump to show mercy
Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:57 , Oliver O'ConnellIf you thought MAGA would let the Bishop of Washington’s sermon urging President Donald Trump to show mercy to migrants and LGBT+ children pass them by, then you would be very wrong.
Rep Mike Collins of Georgia called for Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, an American citizen, to be “added to the deportation list.”
The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list. pic.twitter.com/d7a2z1CM6s
— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) January 21, 2025
Here’s what happened this morning at the National Prayer Service:
Trump looks awkward as bishop urges him to ‘have mercy’ on ‘scared’ immigrants, LGBT
After ex Musk’s salute controversy, Grimes says she’s ‘happy to denounce Nazi-ism’
Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:55 , Oliver O'ConnellGrimes has said she’s “happy to denounce Nazi-ism” after her former partner Elon Musk was accused of giving a “Nazi salute” during an inauguration celebration for Donald Trump.
The world’s richest man was hit with a wave of immediate outrage online after he made a salute that many felt resembled the infamous Nazi gesture during his speech at the Capitol One Arena on Monday (January 20).
That outrage extended to his former partner Grimes. The Canadian musician, 36, shares three children with the 53-year-old Tesla and SpaceX CEO.
Kevin E G Perry reports from Los Angeles.
Grimes ‘happy to denounce Nazi-ism’ after ex Elon Musk’s salute controversy
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson called out by fans over wild inaugural ball scenes
Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:45 , Oliver O'ConnellJake Paul and Mike Tyson have made it clear that they are “best friends” despite having fans believe otherwise last year when they faced off in the ring for the first time.
On Monday night (January 20), the two boxers attended President Donald Trump’s Starlight Ball — one of the three inaugural presidential balls typically attended by major donors.
Inga Parkel has the story.
‘Best friends’ Jake Paul and Mike Tyson called out over wild inaugural ball scenes
Trump sets date for when he will put tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada
Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:33 , Oliver O'ConnellTariffs of 25 percent could hit goods from Mexico and Canada entering the U.S. as soon as next month, Donald Trump announced on Monday while signing executive orders, signaling the beginning of a potential trade war that could have major effects on the U.S. economy.
Trump claimed in the Oval Office that Mexico and Canada are “allowing vast numbers of people” and fentanyl to cross their borders into the U.S.
Josh Marcus has the details.
Trump reveals date he expects tariffs on China and Canada to start
Trump admin ‘trusts’ ICE to use ‘common sense’ after revoking Biden era rule about arrests near ‘sensitive locations'
Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:22 , Oliver O'ConnellAs part of the Trump administration’s shake-up of immigration enforcement, a Biden-era memo has been revoked that prohibited ICE from arresting unauthorized immigrants at or near “sensitive locations.” This includes areas around schools, places of worship, healthcare sites, shelters, and relief centers.
The administration says it “trusts” ICE to “use common sense.”
The new Department of Homeland Security team has also instructed officials to begin the process of phasing out programs that allowed certain immigrants to stay in the U.S. under the immigration parole authority.
The new DHS team has also instructed officials to begin the process of phasing out programs that allowed certain immigrants to stay in the U.S. under the immigration parole authority.
— Camilo Montoya-Galvez (@camiloreports) January 21, 2025
The Independent’s Josh Marcus wrote about the possibility of this happening in December:
Trump will revoke policy shielding migrants from deportation arrests in churches
Trump to introduce ‘Stargate’, a newly formed partnership investing $500bn in AI
Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:18 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump on Tuesday is announcing investments worth up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank.
The new entity, Stargate, will start building out projects needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas, according to the White House.
Read on...
Trump to announce newly formed partnership investing $500B in AI
India to take back 18,000 illegal immigrants identified by US authorities
Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:14 , Oliver O'ConnellBloomberg reports that the Indian government is prepared to work with Donald Trump’s administration to identify and take back all its citizens residing illegally in the US.
This is being read as an early signal from New Delhi that it’s willing to comply with the new president and avoid a trade war.
Per the report:
The US has identified some 18,000 illegal Indian migrants to be sent back home, for which India will verify and start the process of deportation, according to people familiar with the matter. The figure could be much higher than that, though, given that it’s unclear how many illegal Indian migrants live in the US, the people added, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private.
Youth from western India, in particular the states of Punjab and Gujarat, are believed to constitute a majority of the illegal immigrants in the US, the people said.
Full story: Trump’s Mar-a-Lago judge just made sure Jack Smith’s final report won’t see the light of day
Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:05 , Oliver O'ConnellTop members of Congress won’t be able to privately review Jack Smith’s final report on Donald Trump’s possession of classified documents, virtually guaranteeing that the full results of his investigation will never be released while Trump is president.
Alex Woodward reports.
Judge Cannon just made sure Jack Smith’s final report won’t see the light of day
Why did Trump pull the US out of the World Health Organization?
Tuesday 21 January 2025 20:00 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the World Health Organization via executive order Monday evening to the shock of some.
Trump cited the organization’s “mishandling” of the COVID-19 pandemic and the funds contributed by the U.S. in his executive order ending the country’s membership. The order came amid dozens of others during the first hours of Trump’s second term in the White House.
Here’s what we know about the decision:
Trump pulled the US out of the World Health Organization, again. Here’s why
Hegseth’s behavior made second wife ‘fear for her safety,’ former sister-in-law claims
Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:47 , Oliver O'ConnellPete Hegseth’s behavior made his second wife fear for her safety, his former sister-in-law has claimed in a new affidavit handed to senators ahead of the vote on his confirmation, according to NBC News.
Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, has rejected the claims and his second wife has stated that “there was no physical abuse in my marriage.”
Senators received the affidavit on Tuesday after staffers at the Senate Armed Services Committee had been in touch with the former sister-in-law for a number of days.
Gustaf Kilander has the latest.
Hegseth’s behavior made second wife ‘fear for her safety,’ ex-sister-in-law claims
It’s almost tax season — could Trump’s freeze on IRS hiring impact your return?
Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:45 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump has issued an indefinite hiring freeze for the Internal Revenue Service.
Trump issued an executive order Monday night ordering a 90-day hiring freeze for all federal agencies — except for the Internal Revenue Service, which will remain under the freeze until his administration determines “that it is in the national interest” to hire again.
With tax season set to begin on January 27 and the filing deadline less than four months away, how will this impact your tax return?
Katie Hawkinson takes a look:
What did Trump ask US troops in South Korea?
Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell
‘You’ll figure it out’: Trump seems to confuse Spain with South Africa
Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:15 , APPresident Donald Trump has left some in Spain confused after seeming to get the S in the acronym ‘Brics’ confused.
On his first day, the president said Spain is a member of the Brics bloc of developing economies, causing some head-scratching and jitters over possible tariffs in Madrid.
Read on...
Donald Trump seems to confuse Spain with South Africa: ‘You’ll figure it out’
What did Trump and Biden discuss in their limo ride — Amy Klobuchar tells all... (ish)
Tuesday 21 January 2025 19:00 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump and former president Joe Biden spent some of their limousine ride from the White House to the Capitol being normal and discussing sports, it has been revealed by Senator Amy Klobuchar, who was with them.
Ariana Baio has the story:
Amy Klobuchar reveals what Trump and Biden discussed on their limo ride
Bust of Sir Winston Churchill moved back into Oval Office
Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:52 , Oliver O'ConnellAfter returning to the White House, Donald Trump quickly reinstated a bust of Britain’s Second World War Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, in the Oval Office, a move he also made in 2017.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
Trump moves bust of Sir Winston Churchill back into Oval Office
‘Very troublesome’: Newsmax legal analyst scorches Trump’s birthright citizenship order
Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:41 , Oliver O'ConnellNewsmax judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano strayed from the MAGA media narrative on Tuesday by blasting President Donald Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship as “troublesome,” warning it could lead to Trump attempting to “nullify” other parts of the Constitution.
Justin Barangoa reports.
Newsmax analyst scorches Trump’s ‘very troublesome’ birthright citizenship order
Explained: Elon Musk’s gesture has drawn comparisons to Roman salutes by right-wing fans. But, what exactly is one?
Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:30 , Oliver O'ConnellElon Musk has been slammed online after his gesture at Trump’s inauguration was compared to a “Nazi salute.” However, some of his biggest fans rushed to his defense calling it a Roman salute and trying to downplay the connection to World War II Germany.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO dismissed the comparison to the Nazi and wrote on X that his critics “need better dirty tricks.”
“The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” he added.
Gustaf Kilander explains.
Elon Musk’s gesture has drawn comparisons to roman salutes. But, what exactly is one?
ICE enforcement begins today with targeted operations, says Homan
Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:28 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, says ICE enforcement begins today: “Not roundups — targeted enforcement operations. When we target public safety threats, we know exactly who we’re looking for. Pretty good idea where they’re at, we even know sometimes who is living in the household with them."
Fox News’s Jacqui Heinrich reports that Homan says this will be happening today all over the country but does not say where specifically, citing safety concerns.
“ICE Officers throughout the country were told today ‘go make arrests of those who are here illegally that are public safety threats. So they developed target sheets, an operational plan — they’re out there right now.”
TOM HOMAN says ICE enforcement begins today: "Not roundups - targeted enforcement operations. When we target public safety threats, we know exactly who we're looking for. Pretty good idea where they're at, we even know sometimes who is living in the household with them."
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) January 21, 2025
Homan…
ANALYSIS: Trump treated Inauguration Day like an episode of reality TV. It’s why Biden got fired
Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:22 , Oliver O'ConnellAndrew Feinberg writes:
With a stroke of a giant Sharpie, Donald Trump on Monday began the work of systematically dismantling anything and everything that his predecessor built over the previous four years — and he turned it into reality TV.
Continue reading...
Trump treated his inauguration like reality TV. It’s why Biden got fired
Report: Trump’s sweeping deportation raids are on hold to maintain ‘element of surprise’
Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:15 , Oliver O'ConnellMass deportation raids that were expected to begin on Tuesday in Chicago may be on hold because too much information about the operation was made public, border czar Tom Homan hinted on Monday.
Hours after President Trump was inaugurated on Monday, Homan told Fox News that he and his team had “pulled back” on the plan to send 100 to 200 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to arrest undocumented immigrants with criminal records after the Wall Street Journal reported it on Friday.
Ariana Baio reports.
Trump’s sweeping deportation raids on hold to maintain ‘element of surprise’: report
Abortion rights hang in the balance as Trump yet to declare stance on ‘Global Gag’ policy
Tuesday 21 January 2025 18:06 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump announced a flurry of explosive executive orders Monday during his inaugural address as he returned to the Oval Office – two of which included initiating the withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization and the policy of recognizing only two sexes.
As he signed over 100 executive orders in a move that broke away from his predecessors, reproductive rights activists waited anxiously for Trump’s next move would be regarding abortion rights and sexual health information.
Madeline Sherratt reports.
Abortion rights hang in balance as Trump yet to declare stance on ‘Global Gag’ policy
Watch LIVE: Marco Rubio addresses State Department for first time as secretary
Tuesday 21 January 2025 17:57 , Oliver O'Connell
Watch live: Rubio addresses State Department as Trump's Secretary of State
Trump infrastructure announcement concerns private sector investment in AI, report says
Tuesday 21 January 2025 17:54 , Oliver O'ConnellCBS News reports that President Donald Trump’s announcement this afternoon concerns billions of dollars of private sector investment in building artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The network reports that OpenAI, Softbank, and Oracle are planning a joint venture called Stargate, according to multiple people familiar with the deal.
SCOOP: President Trump is set to announce billions of dollars in private sector investment to build artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States, @CBSNews has learned.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 21, 2025
OpenAI, Softbank and Oracle are planning a joint venture called Stargate, according to multiple…
Watch: New Jersey AG leading 18 states to stop Trump form ending birthright citizenship
Tuesday 21 January 2025 17:51 , Oliver O'ConnellNew Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin is leading a coalition of 18 states in suing to stop Donald Trump executive order ending birthright citizenship because it attempts to overrule the Constitution.
“When we say we will fight for the rule of law, we mean it.”
Presidents can’t overrule the Constitution and centuries of precedent with a stroke of a pen.
— Attorney General Matt Platkin (@NewJerseyOAG) January 21, 2025
I'm leading a coalition of 18 states in suing to stop Trump's unlawful EO banning birthright citizenship.
When we say we will fight for the rule of law, we mean it. pic.twitter.com/arwPZ2IRS5
Bishop of Washington makes plea to Trump during national prayer service
Tuesday 21 January 2025 17:47 , Oliver O'ConnellDuring the sermon here at Washington National Cathedral, with President Donald Trump in attendance, the Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde urged Trump, “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President,” to have mercy on vulnerable groups including LGBT+ kids and undocumented migrants.
During the sermon here at National Cathedral, with President Trump in attendance, the Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Badde urged Trump - “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President” - to have mercy on vulnerable groups including LGBT kids and undocumented migrants. pic.twitter.com/mQPUTAbpsY
— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) January 21, 2025
Here’s that moment:
Trump warned over plan to designate drug cartels as terrorists
Tuesday 21 January 2025 17:45 , Oliver O'ConnellFears have been raised that President Donald Trump‘s executive order saying that the United States would designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations could open doors to military operations in Mexico.
Designating them as terrorist organizations could allow the government to place economic and social sanctions on cartels. But it also bolsters the president’s authority to carry out military operations on those involved with a terrorist organization, including foreign states suspected of supporting such organizations. The president can also preemptively deploy military force against terrorist organizations.
Vanda Felbab-Brown, an organized crime expert for the Brookings Institution, said the order could have “huge implications from trade to migrants.”
Continue reading...
Donald Trump warned over plan to designate drug cartels as terrorists
After ‘Nazi salute’ accusations, Elon Musk says his critics need ‘better dirty tricks’
Tuesday 21 January 2025 17:29 , Oliver O'ConnellElon Musk is now responding to the controversy he sparked when he delivered back-to-back gestures during his speech at Donald Trump’s inauguration celebration, which many saw as him performing a “Nazi salute.”
Rather than outright deny that he was emulating a fascist salute when he shot his right arm in an angular direction with the palm facing down, the Tesla CEO and “first buddy” instead said his critics needed “better dirty tricks” because attacking their political opponents as Adolf Hitler is “sooo tired.”
Justin Barangoa reports.
Elon Musk says his critics need ‘better dirty tricks’ after ‘Nazi salute’ accusations
Watch: Rubio covers for Trump when asked about promise to end war in Ukraine on day one of presidency
Tuesday 21 January 2025 17:25 , Oliver O'ConnellCBS: One of the many things Trump said during his campaign was that he would end the war in Ukraine on day one. That did not happen.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 21, 2025
MARCO RUBIO: The promise the president made really, if you look at it, is it's going to be official policy of the US that the war in Ukraine needs… pic.twitter.com/8xp8jmYjux
Full story: Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes released from prison after Trump pardons
Tuesday 21 January 2025 17:15 , Oliver O'ConnellMore than 1,500 people were criminally charged in connection with a mob’s assault on the Capitol, fuelled by Trump’s bogus narrative that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and stolen from him.
Trump issued “full pardons” for virtually all of them on January 20, and commuted the sentences of 14 convicted members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers to time served. Pending cases are being dismissed.
Alex Woodward has the details.
Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes released following Trump clemency
GOP lawmakers have little to say about Trump pardoning violent Jan 6 offenders
Tuesday 21 January 2025 17:10 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Independent’s Eric Garcia has been talking to Republican lawmakers about what they think about President Donald Trump pardoning both violent and non-violent January 6 offenders.
Here’s a selection of their comments:
John Curtis, who succeeded Mitt Romney, won’t comment and told me to talk to his office.
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) January 21, 2025
On Trump pardoning violent January 6 offenders, John Cornyn says “it’s the president’s Prerogative. Congress doesn’t have a role.”
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) January 21, 2025
Tim Sheehy, the new Senator from Montana, said he had “no comment” on Trump pardoning violent January 6 offenders
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) January 21, 2025
Trump pardons: Oath Keepers founder now a free man
Tuesday 21 January 2025 17:02 , Richard HallStewart Rhodes, founder of the far-Right Oath Keepers militia, received one of the longest sentences of anyone charged in connection to the attack on the US Capitol.
This morning, thanks to a pardon from Donald Trump, he is a free man.
Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison in May 2023 for seditious conspiracy following an eight-week trial.
During that trial, jurors were played an interview conducted by The Independent following the November presidential election, when the Stop the Steal movement was just gathering steam.
Had a brief discussion with Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far right Oath Keepers militia, about alleged voter fraud. He says he won’t recognise Biden as president and will resist enforcement of any law he passes. pic.twitter.com/DAbAMqsbE2
— Richard Hall (@_RichardHall) November 14, 2020
At a rally in Washington D.C. on November 14, 2020, Rhodes told The Independent that his militia would refuse to recognize Joe Biden as president because they believed the election had been stolen.
“I think about half this country won’t recognize Biden as legitimate. They won’t recognize this election,” Rhodes said.
“What that means is that everything that comes out of his mouth will be considered not of any force or effect, anything he signs into law we won’t recognize as legitimate. We’ll be very much like the founding fathers. We’ll end up nullifying and resisting,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes’ ex-wife, Tasha Adams, described him as a paranoid man who is good at manipulating people in an interview with The Independent.
She shared images of “escape tunnels“ and other protections in their backyard built by Rhodes “in case the feds ever came” to his door.
Nine warnings from history about the rise of the Nazis that already strike a chord
Tuesday 21 January 2025 16:45 , Oliver O'ConnellIn his new book, acclaimed historian of the Nazis Laurence Rees takes a forensic look at how the authoritarian regime rose to power and the ordinary citizens who let it happen. Nine of the 12 warnings have a contemporary relevance, says Robert McCrum, and in the age of Trump 2.0, it is compulsive reading.
Nine warnings from history about the rise of the Nazis that already strike a chord
PREMIUM: After Maga, will Trump now spark ‘Mega’… and Make Europe Great Again?
Tuesday 21 January 2025 16:41 , Oliver O'ConnellMary Dejevsky writes:
The inauguration of Donald Trump gave every appearance of ushering in a new special relationship – and not the one between the returning US president and the British prime minister.
Rather, all eyes were on the political bromances blossoming between Trump and select foreign dignitaries, among them Britons and Europeans, from a variegated spectrum of the political right.
The presence of highly placed foreign guests marked a bit of a departure in itself. Unlike state funerals, inaugurations have been traditionally treated as primarily domestic events. There also seemed little consistency, ideologically or institutionally, about precisely who received an invitation, but nationalist, far-right groups within the European Parliament were well represented.
Continue reading...
After Maga, will Trump now spark ‘Mega’… and Make Europe Great Again?
Watch: Jimmy Fallon pokes fun at Melania’s inauguration hat as he compares new presidency to Squid Games
Tuesday 21 January 2025 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Jimmy Fallon pokes fun at Melania's inauguration hat in Tonight Show spoof
In pictures: Trumps and Vances attend National Prayer Service
Tuesday 21 January 2025 16:25 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are at the National Prayer Service at Washington, D.C.’s National Cathedral, alongside their family and Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance.
Birthright citizenship: Trump sued by pregnant women and civil rights groups over ‘flagrantly illegal’ order
Tuesday 21 January 2025 16:15 , Oliver O'ConnellA pregnant woman living in Massachusetts with temporary protected status is expected to give birth in March. But under the terms of Donald Trump’s executive order that unilaterally redefines the Constitution, upending federal law and decades of established Supreme Court precedent, her baby will not be a citizen.
She is the lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against the newly inaugurated president and members of his administration, accused of mounting a “flagrantly illegal” attempt to “strip citizenship from millions of Americans with a stroke of a pen.”
Alex Woodward has the details.
Trump sued by pregnant women over ‘flagrantly illegal’ birthright citizenship order
ICYMI: Trump dances holding huge sword
Tuesday 21 January 2025 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Watch: Donald Trump dances on stage with giant military sword
Watch LIVE: President Trump and Vice President Vance attend national prayer service
Tuesday 21 January 2025 15:55 , Oliver O'Connell‘QAnon Shaman’ to celebrate Trump pardon by buying 'some motha f***in guns’
Tuesday 21 January 2025 15:45 , Oliver O'ConnellThe spear-wielding, bare-chested Jan 6 rioter known as the “Qanon Shaman” has been pardoned by Donald Trump and says he plans to “buy some motha f***in’ guns” in order to celebrate his freedom.
James Liddell has the story.
Bessent treasury nomination advances out of committee
Tuesday 21 January 2025 15:42 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Senate Finance Committee has voted 16-11 to advance Scott Bessent's nomination to be Donald Trump’s treasury secretary.
All the Republicans on the committee voted yes. Majority Leader John Thune, who remained a Finance member, attended today’s meeting in person to vote for Bessent. Two Democratic members — Mark Warner and Maggie Hassan — also voted yes, with the remainder opposing the nomination.
Senate Finance Cmte voted 16-11 to approve Scott Bessent’s nomination to be Treasury Secretary in the second Trump Administration,favorably sending his nomination to the Senate for a vote. 2 Democratic Senators Maggie Hassan (NH) & Mark Warner (VA) voted Yes with all Republicans. https://t.co/0SnAgqBa7m
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) January 21, 2025
Bessent was chosen by Trump to be his treasury secretary during a flurry of cabinet announcements on a Saturday night in late November.
Trump picks Scott Bessent for treasury as he announces flurry of cabinet picks
Watch LIVE: Elise Stefanik grilled at Senate confirmation hearing to be Trump’s UN amnbassador
Tuesday 21 January 2025 15:23 , Oliver O'ConnellGen. Mark Milley’s portrait removed from Pentagon as Trump takes office
Tuesday 21 January 2025 15:15 , Oliver O'ConnellYesterday, General Mark Milley’s portrait — which was only unveiled on January 12 — was removed from a wall at the Pentagon as Donald Trump took office for his second term.
A before and after of the Pentagon hallway where General Mark Milley’s portrait was unveiled just a few weeks ago. It was removed after Trump was inaugurated, though reason is still unclear. pic.twitter.com/p7g7mSNvVj
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) January 20, 2025
Today, the wall received a fresh coat of paint, as if the portrait had never been there...
New coat of paint for the wall where retired general Mark Milley’s portrait hung at the Pentagon before it was removed on the day that Trump took office pic.twitter.com/dwVC0YtW8I
— W.G. Dunlop (@wgdunlop) January 21, 2025
Milley, formerly Trump’s chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was a fierce critic of the president and received a preemptive pardon from former President Joe Biden as he left office:
Biden issues pre-emptive pardons to Dr. Fauci and other Trump targets
Judge Cannon blocks lawmakers from reviewing Jack Smith report into classified documents case
Tuesday 21 January 2025 15:07 , Oliver O'ConnellOne day after Donald Trump's inauguration, Judge Aileen Cannon, whom he appointed in his first term, blocks the Justice Department from allowing four members of Congress to review Volume 2 of special counsel Jack Smith's final report into the Mar-a-Lago classified documents investigation.
Judge Cannon earlier allowed the release of Volume 1 of Smith’s final report, which covered Trump’s involvement in the Capitol riot of January 6, 2021.
Here’s Alex Woodward’s earlier report:
Justice Department can publish Jack Smith report on Trump’s Jan. 6 case, judge rules
Trump meeting with Republican congressional leadership on Tuesday
Tuesday 21 January 2025 14:15 , Joe SommerladHere’s what the president is up to today:
TRUMP-JOHNSON-THUNE meeting is 2p. Followed by full GOP leadership with trump at 3.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 21, 2025
