What Did Donald Trump Do Today?
January 22, 2025 Recap
President Trump has ordered the immediate suspension and eventual dismantling of all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the U.S. federal government. Federal DEI employees were placed on paid administrative leave as of Wednesday evening following an executive order issued on Tuesday. The directive mandates that all DEI offices, positions, and programs be eliminated within 60 days.
The executive order criticizes DEI initiatives as "illegal" and in opposition to civil rights laws, promoting a "color-blind and merit-based" society instead. It also revokes a 1965 executive order by President Lyndon B. Johnson requiring federal contractors to ensure equal employment opportunities; a move critics warn it could undermine anti-discrimination efforts.
Federal agencies must submit lists of DEI personnel and develop layoff plans by January 31. The administration aims to refocus federal hiring and evaluations on individual performance rather than DEI-related factors.
Union leaders and civil rights advocates have condemned the decision, warning it will reverse progress in addressing workplace discrimination and diversity. Critics argue the move could allow discriminatory hiring practices and eliminate vital anti-bias training.
The order aligns with recent trends among private companies, where several large firms have scaled back DEI programs. However, supporters of the executive order view it as a fulfillment of Trump’s campaign promise to end what he sees as discriminatory DEI policies.
Under President Trump's orders, the Pentagon has deployed approximately 1,500 active-duty troops to the southern U.S. border. This deployment follows Trump’s executive orders, which direct a military-led border mission and designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
The border has had a military presence for years through two operations:
Joint Task Force North: Run by U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) with 2,200 active-duty troops supporting Customs and Border Protection.
Operation Lone Star: A Texas National Guard-led effort, once involving 10,000 National Guardsmen but now reduced significantly due to personnel constraints.
Trump's executive orders direct NORTHCOM to lead a mission to “seal the borders” and combat illegal migration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling. However, the vague language of the orders has raised concerns among defense and legal experts, as it suggests the military may take on direct law enforcement roles or even engage in defense-like operations, which are typically outside its scope.
Critics, including retired Gen. Victor Renuart and legal expert Elizabeth Goitein, question the legality and feasibility of such directives. They argue that the orders blur the roles of the military and traditional border agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection and potentially strain international relations and legal norms.
The executive orders signal an unprecedented expansion of military authority at the border, raising ethical and legal concerns about their implications for domestic and international law.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has enacted an immediate pause on public health communications, requiring all communications, including regulations, guidance, announcements, press releases, and social media posts, to be reviewed by a political appointee. Acting HHS Secretary Dorothy Fink issued the directive on January 21, with the pause expected to last at least until February 1. The Associated Press (AP) reported that the delay could extend until the Senate considers the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead HHS. However, the timeline for a Senate hearing remains unclear, as the necessary paperwork has yet to be submitted to the Senate Finance Committee. Kennedy’s nomination has been met with criticism due to his history of substance abuse, advocacy for drug legalization and abortion rights, and his promotion of vaccine conspiracy theories.
The pause impacts key agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For example, the CDC’s scheduled publication of its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, including reports on the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, has been delayed. Political appointees previously targeted this report during the Trump administration for its publication of information that conflicted with White House messaging. While most communications are suspended, exceptions are made for critical updates related to health, safety, environmental, financial, or national security issues, subject to review. The FDA has continued to issue certain notices, such as warning letters to companies and safety communication about a rare allergic reaction to a multiple sclerosis medication. These developments have raised concerns about the potential impact of the pause on the timely dissemination of vital public health information.
President Trump issued full and unconditional pardons to two former Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, Andrew Zabavsky and Terence Sutton, who were convicted in connection to the 2020 death of Karon Hylton-Brown. Zabavsky was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice and sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment with three years of supervised release. Sutton was convicted of second-degree murder, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice and sentenced to 66 months of imprisonment with three years of supervised release. Both officers had been free pending appeal.
The case stemmed from an October 2020 incident in which Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old, was riding a moped on a sidewalk without a helmet. Sutton pursued him despite MPD policy prohibiting chases for traffic offenses. During the chase, Hylton-Brown was struck by a car and died two days later. Prosecutors alleged that Sutton and Zabavsky attempted to cover up their actions to avoid scrutiny.
Trump defended the pardons, citing his belief that the officers were unjustly targeted. The DC Police Union also supported the decision, describing the convictions as miscarriages of justice and accusing prosecutors of weaponizing the legal system.
Additional Source: DC News Now
President Trump issued an Executive Order initiating the process of designating Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under U.S. law. Ansar Allah, supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, poses a significant threat due to their involvement in numerous hostile actions. These include attacks on U.S. Navy ships, civilian infrastructure, and regional allies such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel. Their activities also disrupt global maritime trade, contributing to economic instability. The policy outlined in the order emphasizes the need for U.S. cooperation with regional partners to weaken Ansar Allah’s capabilities, disrupt their operations, and end their attacks on U.S. personnel, allies, and maritime shipping.
To implement this policy, the Secretary of State is directed to evaluate and report on the designation of Ansar Allah as an FTO within 30 days, consulting with intelligence and treasury officials. Within 15 days of the report, steps must be taken to finalize the designation. Additionally, USAID and the State Department are tasked with reviewing and potentially terminating relationships with organizations or contractors in Yemen linked to Ansar Allah, including those that have financially supported the group or failed to document its abuses sufficiently. The order ensures that all actions comply with existing laws and budgetary constraints, clarifying that it does not create enforceable legal rights. This designation seeks to counter Ansar Allah’s threats and reinforce regional and global security.
The Trump administration has suspended the U.S. refugee resettlement program, abruptly canceling travel plans for thousands of refugees who had already been vetted and approved to come to the U.S. This includes over 1,600 Afghans who assisted the U.S. military and families fleeing violence and persecution worldwide.
The pause, part of a broader immigration crackdown, caused confusion and hardship for refugees, many of whom sold their belongings and prepared to move. Critics, including veterans and resettlement agencies, argue that refugees undergo extensive vetting and are now left in limbo, jeopardizing lives and breaking promises to allies.
The administration cited community strain and concerns over migrant numbers as reasons for the suspension. However, advocates warn that the halt undermines America’s commitments to its allies and values. Meanwhile, special immigrant visa programs for Afghans who worked directly with the U.S. government remain unaffected.
President Trump criticized Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde for her remarks during a National Cathedral prayer service following his inauguration. Budde called on Trump to show compassion for marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrant families, and workers without proper documentation. She urged him to address their fears and support those fleeing persecution.
Trump responded on Truth Social, labeling Budde a “radical left” critic and accusing her of politicizing the service in a “nasty” and ungracious way. He also highlighted issues of crime related to illegal immigration and criticized the service as uninspiring. Trump demanded an apology from Budde and her church, claiming she was unfit for her role.
Budde’s sermon addressed fears among various communities about Trump’s presidency and highlighted the contributions of immigrant workers, asserting that most immigrants are not criminals but integral members of society.
Sources: The Hill, Associated Press
President Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, who was serving a life sentence for creating an underground online marketplace facilitating over $200 million in illicit trade using Bitcoin. Arrested in 2013 and convicted in 2015, Ulbricht’s case was a landmark prosecution involving drug distribution, money laundering, and other crimes. Prosecutors claimed he operated under the alias "Dread Pirate Roberts" and sought to protect Silk Road by extreme measures, including allegedly soliciting murders (though none were confirmed).
Trump announced the "full and unconditional" pardon on his platform, Truth Social, citing government weaponization against him and commending Ulbricht's opportunity for a fresh start. This move fulfilled a campaign pledge and aligned with libertarian advocacy for Ulbricht's release, highlighting concerns over government overreach. Critics point out the website’s role in drug-related deaths and crimes, while Ulbricht’s defense argued he was a scapegoat and had relinquished control of Silk Road before its closure. Ulbricht’s release signals a potential shift in U.S. policy on cryptocurrency regulation under Trump’s influence.
The Trump administration has canceled various scientific meetings and seminars designed to advance knowledge regarding human diseases. https://www.statnews.com/2025/01/22/trump-administrations-cancels-scientific-meetings-abruptly/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
I would also like to know if he played golf. We should keep track of how much time he spends on the golf course.