Trump Signs DOZENS of Exec Orders, Biden Pardoned Who? Plus, Dems Sue Over Immigration
The Josh Lafazan Show - Episode 47
Today's top stories in U.S. news, politics, government, and world affairs:
Trump Signs 26 Executive Orders on His First Day
On his first day back in office, Donald Trump made headlines by signing 26 executive orders, the most by any president in recent history. His swift actions highlight the growing trend of using executive orders to bypass gridlock in Congress. As we break down what executive orders actually are, we’ll look at some of Trump’s most contentious ones, including his birthright citizenship order and moves to tighten immigration policies, suspend refugee resettlements, and crack down on cartels. These orders have already sparked lawsuits, particularly around birthright citizenship. Democrats are calling them unconstitutional, but can these actions withstand legal scrutiny?
We also discuss Trump’s attempts to extend the TikTok deadline, his government deregulation efforts, and his controversial pardon for over 1,500 January 6 participants. Whether you agree with Trump’s policies or not, one thing is clear—his executive orders will set the stage for a fierce legal and political battle.
Dems Sue Trump Over Executive Orders
Less than 24 hours after Trump signed his executive orders, Democrats have filed lawsuits in response, challenging key policies. For example, 22 states are suing over Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order, arguing that it violates the 14th Amendment. Another lawsuit targets Trump’s DOGE panel, claiming it violates federal transparency laws.
Will these lawsuits make it to the Supreme Court? With a 6-3 conservative majority, legal experts believe the conservative-leaning court could tip the scales in favor of Trump’s administration.
Biden’s Last-Minute Pardons (Including Family Members)
In an unexpected move, Joe Biden issued several last-minute pardons before leaving office—many of which were preemptive. While some of these pardons were directed at people on Trump’s “enemies list,” such as Dr. Fauci and General Mark Milley, others raised eyebrows, especially his blanket pardon for Hunter Biden. Critics argue that pardoning his son for past criminal convictions undermines trust in government and demonstrates a troubling abuse of power.
Yet, not all Biden pardons were controversial. He took action to protect key figures like Liz Cheney and Fiona Hill from political prosecutions. While some of these actions were necessary, others, like the pardon for his own family, raised serious questions about ethics in the White House. In this segment, we dive into the pros and cons of Biden’s use of the pardon power and why it’s a point of contention.
Doug Emhoff Sticks Up for Kamala Harris
A lesser-known but important political drama emerged during a recent swearing-in ceremony when Senator Deb Fischer’s husband refused to shake hands with Kamala Harris. Doug Emhoff, the Second Gentleman, took a firm stand, calling out Fischer’s husband for his disrespectful behavior. Emhoff’s direct confrontation led to an apology from Fischer’s husband, showing that even in the world of politics, decency and respect should never be sacrificed. We discuss why this moment of political decorum matters and what it says about the current state of political discourse in America.
Politics Trivia: The Party Flip
This week’s trivia takes us back in time to explore a fascinating political shift: how the Republican Party went from dominating the North (during the era of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt) to today’s dominance in the South. We explain how LBJ’s Civil Rights Act of 1964 triggered a party realignment, leading to the Southern Strategy and the eventual switch in party loyalty across regions. We’ll also explore how Obama’s coalition in 2009 has shifted to Trump’s broader appeal among minority groups today.
This Week in History: Citizens United
In 2010, the Supreme Court issued its landmark Citizens United ruling, which allowed unlimited campaign spending by corporations and unions. We break down how this decision changed the landscape of American politics, leading to an era where big-money donors now have the power to influence elections like never before. With billionaires influencing the seating arrangements at inaugurations, is our democracy at risk? We’ll discuss the growing influence of the wealthy and what’s next for the future of our elections.
Stat to Remember: Inaugurations Through History
Finally, we’ll look back at 60 inaugurations since 1789, highlighting how this tradition of peaceful transition of power remains a cornerstone of American democracy. We’ll also explore how the modern era of wealthy donors and big-money influence is changing the inauguration landscape, and how this could impact future presidencies.
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