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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - JANUARY 22, 2025
In this week's Intersect, read about:
Trump Signed Slew of Executive Orders on Day 1. What Are His Priorities?
“President Donald Trump has begun his promised flurry of executive action on Day 1. With his opening rounds of memoranda and executive orders, Trump repealed dozens of former President Joe Biden’s actions, began his immigration crackdown, withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accords and sought to keep TikTok open in the U.S., among other actions. He pardoned hundreds of people for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.” Read more at Associated Press.
THINK.
- President Trump officially became America’s 47th president on Monday as he took the oath of office inside of the U.S. Capitol rotunda. The event marked the first time in over 40 years that a president was sworn in inside the Capitol, the last being President Ronald Reagan in 1985. In his inaugural address, President Trump declared, “The golden age of America begins right now.”
- After his swearing in, President Trump went right to work and signed dozens of Executive Orders, fulfilling many of his campaign promises on Day 1. Changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico, clearing a pathway forward for Tik Tok, pardoning January 6th protestors, ending birthright citizenship, and declaring a national emergency at the southern border were among his first executive actions. It is likely several of these actions will face challenges in court, but President Trump assured the press on Monday that they are in a strong position to defend his actions.
- What now? As Christians who are engaged in the public square, our work is just beginning. There is little doubt the first 100 days of President Trump’s presidency will be a marathon as he implements his policies, and it is up to us to hold him and our other lawmakers accountable to their campaign promises. If we genuinely want to preserve religious freedom, strengthen the traditional family, protect innocent life, and care for those in need, we cannot retreat.
PRAY.
Pray for President Trump, Vice President Vance, and all within the new administration as they begin enacting their America First agenda. Pray specifically for God to grant them wisdom, discernment, and energy.
ACT.
Did you know there are lots of local and statewide elections happening in 2025? Sign up for TurboVote today and get a text sent straight to your phone whenever there is an election happening near you. You do not want to miss an opportunity to use your voice!
Senate Confirms Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Giving Trump the First Member of His Cabinet
“The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day. Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of Trump’s nominees and vote was decisive, 99-0.” Read more at Associated Press.
THINK.
- It was not just President Trump that went straight to work Monday afternoon; the Senate followed suit. Former Senator Marco Rubio received a unanimous vote from his former colleagues Monday afternoon and was officially sworn in as Secretary of State by Vice President Vance on Tuesday. Additionally, Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth was voted out of the Armed Services committee. It is possible that his floor vote could come later this week.
- Why does the process take so long? After the President is sworn in, the various committees can submit their recommendations on nominees to the full Senate. Following these recommendations, Senators are given time to debate the nominee’s confirmation. Once the debate period concludes, the full Senate votes on the nominees. A nominee is confirmed and eligible to be sworn into office if they receive a majority (at least 51). It is important to note, the Senate may only debate one nominee at a time. Thus, once a nominee is confirmed by the Senate, they can begin the debate period for the next nominee, and so on.
- What committee hearings are happening this week? Department of Veterans Affairs nominee Doug Collins and U.N. Ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik both sat for their hearings on Tuesday. Russell Vought for the Office of Management and Budget is sitting for a hearing today, and Department of Agriculture nominee Brooke Rollins’ hearing is set for Thursday.
PRAY.
Lord, we pray for all the Senators as they perform their advice and consent duty. Please give them wisdom as they consider the qualifications and character of each of the President’s nominees. In Jesus’ Name We Pray. Amen.
ACT.
There are 15 positions in the President’s cabinet, excluding the Vice President. Have you ever wondered what they all do? Check out My Faith Votes’ latest article A Guide to the President’s Cabinet for a closer look at each of their roles.
Biden Issues Pre-Emptive Pardons for Members of His Family in One of His Final Acts as President
“Just minutes before he left office, Joe Biden announced a set of sweeping pre-emptive pardons for members of his family, including his two brothers and his sister, after some on the right suggested they should face prosecution.” Read more at NBC News.
THINK.
- In addition to the pardons former President Biden issued for members of his family, he also pardoned Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and members of the House Committee established to investigate the events that occurred at the capitol on January 6, 2021. In an accompanying statement, Biden said, “I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing.”
- Historically, presidential pardons are granted to individuals who have been convicted of a specific crime. But former President Biden has been issuing preemptive pardons to people—meaning he is pardoning the individuals before they are even charged with a crime. For example, Anthony Fauci was pardoned “FOR ANY OFFENSES against the United States which he may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through the date of this pardon…” This strategy from Biden is entirely unprecedented.
- Many Republicans and some Democrats expressed their frustrations at President Biden’s last-minute actions. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky wrote on X, “If there was ever any doubt as to who bears responsibility for the COVID pandemic, Biden’s pardon of Fauci forever seals the deal.” Likewise, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said, “I am not a fan of these [preemptive pardons].” And President Trump told the press issuing the pardons was “unfortunate” and “disgraceful.”
PRAY.
As President Trump enters office and, thus, wields the power to grant presidential pardons, pray that he would wield that power responsibly and with much consideration.
ACT.
Where does the President’s pardon power come from? How has it traditionally been used? For answers to all these questions, read more here.
First 3 Hostages Arrive in Israel After Hamas Release. Here Is What We Know.
“The first three hostages released from Gaza as part of a fragile ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on Sunday have arrived in Israel, the military announced. Their mothers were waiting to meet them.” Read more at CBS News.
THINK.
- The three young women released by Hamas as part of the latest cease-fire agreement are Romi Gonen (24-years-old), Emily Damari (28-years-old), and Doron Steinbrecher (31-years-old), but Hamas is still holding approximately 30 hostages. In exchange for the three hostages, Israel had to release 90 Palestinians from Israeli custody.
- The agreement reached between Israel and Hamas states that the remaining hostages will be released over a span of six weeks, with a few hostages freed every seven days. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said, “While we rejoice for each hostage who returns home, we remain deeply concerned for our loved ones who might be left behind. Now, more than ever, we need the public to stand with us until the last hostage returns. We will not leave anyone behind.”
- Although Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement, tensions in the region remain high. With President Trump taking office and Mike Huckabee poised to assume the role of Ambassador to Israel—pending Senate confirmation—it will be interesting to see how the United States collaborates with Israel to promote peace throughout the region.
PRAY.
Praise the Lord for the release of these hostages and for the cease-fire agreement. Continue to pray for the hostages that remain in captivity and for their safe return.
ACT.
Join us in praying for Israel, a nation of great biblical significance and a strategic ally of the United States. To guide you as you pray, download our Five Prayer Points for Israel here.
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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