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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - FEBRUARY 5, 2025
In this week's Intersect, read about:
Mexico Agrees to Deploy 10,000 Troops to US Border in Exchange for Tariff Pause
“Mexico has agreed to deploy 10,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in exchange for a one-month delay on President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday.” Read more at Fox News.
THINK.
- President Trump was set to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported into the United States from Mexico and Canada. According to the Fact Sheet released by the White House, the tariffs were due, in part, to Mexico and Canada’s failure to help stymie the flow of illicit drugs across the border—drugs that are actively killing thousands upon thousands of Americans.
- President Trump is using these tools as a negotiating tactic—to strongarm countries like Canada and Mexico into pulling their weight along our shared borders. Given the deals made on Monday with both Canada and Mexico, it seems President Trump’s strategy is working—at least temporarily. At a press conference earlier this week, Vice President JD Vance told reporters, “I heard the far left of this country say that these tariffs would make Americans lives worse off, and what actually happened is the Mexican government is so afraid of the tariffs that they actually are taking their border enforcement and their anti-cartel activity more seriously.”
- The president has acknowledged that imposing tariffs on imported goods might temporarily hurt consumers here in the United States, as manufacturers increase the price of goods to cover the cost of the tariffs. However, Trump said he believes “it will all be worth the price that must be paid.” What do you think? Are you willing to bear some short-term pain for long-term prosperity?
PRAY.
As President Trump continues to negotiate deals with countries like Mexico and Canada, ask God to give Him wisdom, discernment, and courage.
ACT.
There is a lot of confusion around tariffs—their benefits and their consequences. That is why it is crucial to read, watch, and listen to the news with discernment. To help you do just that, we encourage you to read My Faith Votes’ article 11 Tips for Discerning the News.
High Volume of Air Traffic Contributed to D.C. Aircraft Collision, Say Experts
“As more details emerge about Wednesday night’s tragic aircraft collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. that took the lives of 67 people, increased scrutiny is being paid to the increasingly high volume of commercial flights over the nation’s capital combined with a steady stream of military aircraft activity.” Read more at The Washington Stand.
THINK.
- A former Black Hawk pilot suggested that the helicopter pilot might not have seen the American Airlines flight, be it due to their use of night vision technology or some other reason. He also suggested that the pilot might have been focused on another plane in the crowded DC airspace and therefore did not see the one it collided with until it was too late.
- Black Boxes have been recovered from both the Black Hawk and the American Airlines aircraft. These black boxes will relay valuable information to investigators, such as the aircraft’s altitude and velocity and recordings of pilot and co-pilot communications during flight.
- As of this writing, 55 of the 67 victims have been recovered from the wreckage in the Potomac River, but it is still unclear whether all the deceased will be recovered.
- There is much that does not make sense about the recent collision. As investigators and industry experts try to make sense of what went wrong, all we can do is pray for the families and friends of those lost and join them in their grief—just as the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:15.
PRAY.
Lord, we pray for the victims’ families first and foremost. Psalm 34:18 tells us that You are near to the brokenhearted. So, please, Lord, be near to these families as they grieve their loved ones. But we also pray that all would be revealed in the investigation of this tragic accident so that nothing like this happens again. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
ACT.
Tragedies like this are yet another reminder that local and state elections matter. Sign up for TurboVote today so you never miss an opportunity to vote for the leaders you want at the helm when disaster strikes.
Hegseth Declares ‘New Era' Under Trump in Visit to Southern Border in Texas
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday visited the southern border, declaring a ‘new era of determination’ as the Trump administration doubles down on its efforts to secure the border and stop illegal immigration. ‘Because of President Donald Trump, this is a new era at the southern border, a new era of determination, a new era of cooperation. And at the Defense Department, we are proud to be a part of it,’ Hegseth told reporters at a press conference in El Paso, Texas after Hegseth had toured the border.” Read more at Fox News.
THINK.
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a clear message while standing next to Border Czar Tom Homan: the days of prioritizing the defense of foreign borders over our own are over. Hegseth told reporters, “Guys and gals of my generation have spent decades in foreign countries guarding other people's borders. It's about time we secure our own border.”
- Newly sworn-in Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, also visited the border earlier this week, declaring that “the days of open borders are over.” She rode alongside the Horse Patrol unit which the Biden administration disbanded following false allegations that officers were whipping migrants crossing illegally.
- Between increased security measures at the Southern border and ICE raids being conducted all throughout the nation, leaders are finally taking the safety and security of the American people seriously. In response to push back on the raids in Chicago, Tom Homan said, “We’re going to do this job. And we’re going to enforce the laws of this country…. We’re going to do this operation without apology. We’re going to make our communities safer.”
PRAY.
Lord, thank You for leaders who care about the safety of our families and our communities. We ask that You protect the men and women who have been tasked with enforcing the law. And we continue to pray that You would give all our elected officials wisdom as they continue to shape immigration policy and procedures. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
ACT.
Tim Barton, president of Wall Builders, sat down with My Faith Votes recently to discuss how biblical principles influenced America’s founding and can guide today’s decisions, including immigration policy. Watch the full conversation here for insights on how faith shapes our approach to contemporary challenges.
RFK Jr. Appears on Track to Become US Health Secretary as He Wins Key Republican Senator’s Support
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic and activist lawyer, appeared on track to become the nation’s health secretary after winning the crucial support of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor who says Kennedy has assured him he would not topple the nation’s childhood vaccination program.” Read more at Associated Press.
THINK.
- RFK Jr. was voted out of the Senate Finance Committee 14 to 13—receiving support from all the Republicans on the committee. Interestingly, not a single Democrat voted to advance RFK Jr.’s nomination—a man whose last name is synonymous with Democrat royalty.
- Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as Director of National Intelligence was advanced out of committee yesterday, but, as of this writing, Kash Patel’s nomination as FBI Director remains in committee. Both Gabbard and Patel faced hostile questions from Senators in their committee hearings last week, with some implying they would place personal beliefs and interests above what is best for the American people. But in an article for Newsweek, Tulsi Gabbard wrote the following: “Ensuring the safety, security and freedom of the American people is a mandate of leadership that rises above partisan politics.”
- Since last week’s edition of Intersect, four more of President Trump’s nominees have been confirmed by the Senate: Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior, Lee Zeldin as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Chris Wright as Secretary of Energy, and Doug Collins as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Tuesday, Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania said that they expect to confirm several more nominees this week.
PRAY.
Continue to pray for each of President Trump’s nominees as they navigate the Senate confirmation process. And pray for the Senators evaluating them. May they look beyond partisan lines and analyze each candidate fairly.
ACT.
Have you ever wondered why it takes so long for cabinet nominees to be confirmed? Do you know all the steps in the process? Million Voices’ new resource Senate Confirmation: How Does It Work? walks you through each step of the process. Download it today and share it with friends and family.
My Faith Votes— is a ministry that motivates, equips, and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. An estimated 25 million Christians who are registered to vote, fail to vote in presidential elections. My Faith Votes is on a mission to change this statistic by helping Christians act on their faith and vote in every election. When we pray unceasingly for our nation, think biblically about the issues, and vote consistently in every election the impact of Christians taking action from the local to the state and federal level will be unprecedented.
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