What Did Donald Trump Do Today?
January 21, 2025 Recap
The National Prayer Service at Washington National Cathedral, a long-standing tradition following U.S. presidential inaugurations since Franklin D. Roosevelt, was attended by President Trump, The First Lady, Vice President Vance, and Second Lady Usha Vance. It was a traditional interfaith gathering to mark the peaceful transition of power and offer prayers for the nation's leaders. The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, delivered a sermon directly addressing President Trump and urging him to respond with empathy and care for vulnerable groups within the country.
Bishop Budde's sermon centered on themes of dignity, mercy, and shared responsibility. She called for the protection of LGBTQ individuals, highlighting their fears for safety and acceptance. She also addressed the concerns of immigrants, many of whom she described as contributing members of society who pay taxes, are faithful members of religious communities, and live as good neighbors. Budde appealed for compassion toward families fearing separation due to immigration policies and for those fleeing war zones and persecution seeking refuge in the U.S.
The sermon drew upon scriptural teachings, emphasizing the inherent dignity of all individuals and the importance of fostering unity through respect, honesty, and humility. Budde likened the call for unity to building a strong foundation, as described in Jesus' parable of the house built on rock, urging the nation to transcend divisions and care for one another even amid disagreements.
Despite the focus on unity and inclusiveness, President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the service in his comments to reporters, calling it "not too exciting" and "not a good service." His remarks stood in stark contrast to the event's overarching message of reconciliation and collective responsibility.
The service also included prayers for government officials, military personnel, educators, first responders, and others in public service, seeking wisdom and strength for their roles. Leaders from diverse faith traditions read from sacred texts, underscoring the pluralistic nature of the nation and its commitment to shared values of justice and peace.
President Trump announced the launch of Stargate, a transformative $500 billion AI infrastructure project, during remarks focused on revitalizing U.S. technological leadership. Developed in partnership with Oracle’s Larry Ellison, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son, and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, this ambitious initiative is the largest AI infrastructure project in history. Stargate will invest in constructing massive data centers and technology campuses across the United States, creating over 100,000 jobs almost immediately. Trump emphasized that this project is a resounding declaration of confidence in America’s future under his leadership, with efforts to keep cutting-edge innovations and investments domestic, especially amid rising global competition from nations like China.
A significant aspect of Stargate is its potential to revolutionize healthcare through AI. Trump and the executives highlighted advancements in cancer diagnostics, including blood tests for early detection of tumors and personalized cancer vaccines tailored for individual patients. These vaccines, produced with mRNA technology and AI, could be ready within 48 hours of diagnosis. Additionally, AI applications are expected to enhance electronic health records, enabling doctors in remote or underserved areas to access treatment insights from leading medical institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering and Stanford University. These innovations signal a new frontier in healthcare powered by AI’s capacity to accelerate diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and reduce costs.
The president also framed this announcement within the context of broader economic and energy reforms. He criticized past policies that allowed U.S. resources and investments to benefit other nations, specifically calling out China. Trump highlighted his administration’s steps to ensure energy independence, including restarting domestic drilling projects and addressing water distribution challenges in California. He detailed plans to issue an executive order mandating the redirection of water resources to support farmers and urban areas, countering what he described as politically motivated mismanagement.
Trump used the occasion to discuss his broader policy agenda, including reversing inflation through energy reforms, eliminating DEI mandates in federal institutions, and prioritizing merit-based systems. He also referenced executive orders to secure the U.S. border, revitalize manufacturing, and restore historical names to American landmarks like Mount McKinley.
In addition to domestic policy, Trump addressed several international matters. He reiterated his belief that the war in Ukraine and the October 7 attacks in the Middle East would not have occurred under his prior leadership, citing a lack of respect for his successor’s administration. Trump pledged to engage in negotiations with Ukrainian President Zelensky and Russian President Putin to end the conflict. He also called on the European Union to support Ukraine more financially, highlighting the disproportionate burden on the U.S.
Finally, Trump defended his recent decisions to pardon individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol events, arguing that their sentences were excessive compared to those for other crimes. He also criticized the broader judicial system for failing to address violent crime across the country adequately. He reaffirmed his commitment to renegotiating trade policies on the economic front, potentially imposing tariffs on China and other nations to address trade imbalances and protect American industries.
Trump's remarks portrayed Stargate as emblematic of a broader resurgence in American innovation, strength, and leadership. He framed this project and the accompanying policy initiatives as the foundation for what he called a “golden age” for the United States, emphasizing his administration’s determination to prioritize American interests and global competitiveness.
President Trump issued an order directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation to prioritize merit-based hiring and ensure the highest safety standards in aviation. He criticized the previous administration for implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies that, according to him, prioritized characteristics such as race, sex, or disability over qualifications and competency. The order mandates the immediate cessation of DEI-focused hiring practices, emphasizing a return to non-discriminatory, merit-based hiring based on individual capability, competence, and achievement.
Additionally, the Secretary of Transportation and the FAA Administrator are tasked with reviewing the performance of individuals in critical safety roles. If any personnel fail to meet the required standards, they must be replaced with highly qualified individuals to maintain public confidence in air safety. The directive underscores the importance of hiring and promoting employees based on their ability to perform essential duties to the highest standards, ensuring safety and efficiency across the aviation industry.
Vice President J.D. Vance presided over Marco Rubio's swearing-in ceremony as the United States Secretary of State. During his remarks, Vance praised Rubio for his deep love of the nation, bipartisanship, and commitment to conservative principles. He highlighted Rubio’s background as the son of Cuban immigrants and commended his ability to understand and advance President Trump’s foreign policy priorities.
In his speech, Rubio expressed gratitude to his wife, children, colleagues, and Vice President Vance for their support. He emphasized his commitment to President Trump’s agenda of prioritizing U.S. national interests in foreign policy. Rubio outlined three guiding principles for the State Department under his leadership: ensuring actions make the U.S. stronger, safer, or more prosperous. He highlighted the administration's focus on "peace through strength" and advancing America’s values.
Rubio also acknowledged his faith and attributed his achievements to God's blessings, pledging to work diligently to achieve the administration’s goals. The ceremony concluded with applause and optimism for Rubio’s leadership as Secretary of State.
Thank you for including Bishop’s Budde’s remarks … and Trump’s reaction to them. May we continue to focus on her remarks.
"Merit based" means white supremacy, back at the helm.