The Morning Sixpack - January 21, 2025
It's started. But how will it end?
Trump Pardons Most Jan. 6 Defendants in Sweeping Executive Order
In a controversial move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order granting a "full, complete and unconditional pardon" to the vast majority of individuals charged in connection with the January 6th Capitol riot. The order, issued on Monday, pardons approximately 1,500 defendants and commutes the sentences of 14 others, including prominent leaders of the extremist groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Trump's decision fulfills a key campaign promise, as he has consistently referred to the rioters as "patriots" and "hostages" of the justice system, arguing they were treated unfairly.
Among those pardoned is Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, who had been sentenced to 22 years for seditious conspiracy.
"These are the hostages, approximately 1,500 for a pardon, full pardon," Trump declared from the Oval Office as he signed a series of executive orders on his first night back in office.
Another notable recipient of clemency is Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right militia group Oath Keepers, who was serving an 18-year sentence for his role in the deadly riot. The move has reignited national debate, with critics arguing that pardoning individuals convicted of serious crimes undermines the rule of law and emboldens future acts of political violence. Gee, ya think?
The Department of Justice reports that to date, over 1,583 individuals have been charged in relation to the insurrection, with more than 1,000 either pleading guilty or being convicted.
The charges range from misdemeanors like trespassing to felony offenses such as assaulting law enforcement and engaging in seditious conspiracy. Trump's decision to pardon the convicted rioters starkly contrasts with former President Biden's firm condemnation of the attack, which he described as a threat to American democracy. As Trump's second term begins, his actions signal a clear break from traditional notions of accountability and reinforce his commitment to his political base.
Source: Axios
WHO Needs Global Health Anyway?
Trump cuts ties with the World Health Organization.
President Donald Trump has officially withdrawn the United States from the World Health Organization (W.H.O.).
Talks over a key global health treaty crumbled last year, with some Republican lawmakers crying foul over what they saw as a threat to American sovereignty.
Trump's decision to pull the plug on the United States’ involvement comes despite warnings from public health experts about the consequences for both national security and global health initiatives.
Lawrence O. Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University who was involved in negotiating the treaty, didn't mince words: "A United States withdrawal from W.H.O. would be a grievous wound to public health but an even deeper wound to American national interests and national security."
The W.H.O., founded in 1948 with significant U.S. support, aims to tackle major health challenges worldwide, from epidemics to humanitarian crises. The U.S. has historically been one of the agency's biggest financial contributors, but that cash flow is set to dry up under Trump's new directive.
Of course, quitting an international health organization isn't as simple as just walking away. According to Gostin, the U.S. must give a year's notice and settle its outstanding financial obligations before fully disengaging. He’s kidding, right? Trump welches on all his commitments.
With an annual budget of $6.8 billion, the W.H.O. will no doubt feel the sting of losing a major donor, but the bigger question remains—how will the world cope without America's leadership in global health? Probably better than we will; remember COVID? Trump mishandled that so badly that we led the world in deaths, by far!
Source: MDGN
Civil Rights Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Birthright Citizenship Order
Immigrant and civil rights advocates, led by the American Civil Liberties Union, have filed a lawsuit against an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which seeks to strip U.S. citizenship from certain babies born in the country.
The executive order, signed on Trump's first day of his second term, has sparked immediate legal challenges, with advocates arguing that it violates constitutional rights. "Immigrants' rights advocates today sued the Trump administration over its executive order that seeks to strip certain babies born in the United States of their U.S. citizenship," the advocacy groups said in a statement.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, contends that the executive order undermines the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to all individuals born on U.S. soil. Advocacy groups argue that the measure targets immigrant communities and threatens fundamental civil liberties.
Legal experts expect a prolonged court battle, with potential implications for the broader immigration landscape and future presidential authority on such matters.
President Trump defended the order during his inauguration week, stating that it aims to address what he describes as "birth tourism" and ensure that citizenship is granted only under "appropriate circumstances." These guys are so morbidly wealthy that they think people spend thousands of dollars to come to the US just to have babies.
Critics, however, see it as an overreach of executive power and an affront to established constitutional principles. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a major legal precedent regarding presidential authority on immigration policy.
Let’s see if MAGA WHITE SCOTUS upholds the US Constitution. I bet they don’t.
Source: Reuters
The grifters get griftier!
Melania Trump Launches Cryptocurrency Amid Inauguration Excitement
On the eve of her husband Donald Trump's inauguration, incoming First Lady Melania Trump announced the launch of her own cryptocurrency, $MELANIA (say it out loud—SMELL on ee-ah), adding to the digital asset frenzy sparked by the former president's recent launch of the $Trump coin.
“The Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $MELANIA now,” she posted on social platform X, creating a buzz in the crypto community. Despite their rapid rise in value, both cryptocurrencies have experienced volatile trading as speculation swirls around the new administration's stance on digital assets.
The $MELANIA token, created and tracked on the Solana blockchain, joins the $Trump coin, which has already amassed a market valuation of approximately $8.7 billion, with $MELANIA trailing at around $1.3 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.
Despite Trump's past skepticism, having once called cryptocurrency a "scam," his 2024 campaign embraced digital assets, accepting crypto donations and promising a more favorable regulatory environment for the industry.
His policy proposals, such as building a strategic bitcoin stockpile and appointing crypto-friendly regulators, have fueled optimism among investors and driven Shitcoin to new record highs, currently trading at $140,000.
In Washington, D.C., the excitement extended to social events, with incoming AI and crypto tsar David Sacks hosting a "Crypto Ball" to celebrate the evolving digital financial landscape. Meanwhile, other cryptocurrencies, such as Dogecoin—heavily endorsed by Trump ally Elon Musk—have also seen significant gains. As the new administration takes shape, the crypto market is closely watching potential regulatory shifts that could either propel or hinder the industry's future growth.
Source: BBC
Just remember, the first people to be rounded up in camps were homosexuals in Germany…
Trump Executive Order Declares Only Two Recognized Sexes, Sparks Legal Battles
President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on Monday, declaring that the U.S. government will only recognize two sexes—male and female—defined at conception and “not changeable.”
The order rolls back several Biden-era policies supporting LGBTQ+ rights and mandates that federal agencies update identification documents such as passports and visas to align with this definition.
“It seems to be trying to wave a federal policy wand and make transgender people disappear — which is an impossibility,” said Kellan Baker, executive director of the Institute for Health Research & Policy at Whitman-Walker.
The executive order also directs federal agencies to eliminate policies promoting gender ideology and mandates the segregation of prisons and detention centers based on biological sex. This is gonna go over so well… like a lead baloon in post-Weimer, Germany.
In addition, it instructs the attorney general to block federal funding for gender transition-related medical treatments for inmates. These measures have sparked immediate concerns among advocacy groups, who argue they could endanger transgender individuals in federal custody. Kevin Jennings, chief executive of Lambda Legal, warned, “We are exploring every legal avenue to challenge these unlawful and unconstitutional actions.”
Trump’s directive is part of a broader initiative to reverse dozens of executive orders issued under President Biden, including those aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ rights. Legal experts anticipate significant court challenges to the policy changes, with civil rights organizations preparing to contest them on constitutional grounds. As the administration moves to implement the new measures, the debate over gender identity and federal policy is set to intensify in the coming months.
Source: MDGN
It’s amazing to me that these Christian fascists are SO FUCKING INTERESTED in sex organs!
Prediction: Law enforcement looks for non-binary sex or gender identification (i.e., “x” rather than “M” or “F”) and locks ‘em away. The new Scarlet Letter is X.
And last, but certainly not least…Trump is calling his Executive Orders “Presidential Actions.” Read all the way to the bottom for the link to the entire list.
Trump Wastes No Time: Executive Orders Target Immigration, Energy, and Federal Regulations on Day 1
On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed a series of sweeping executive orders aimed at reversing Biden-era policies and advancing his campaign promises.
Among the most controversial actions were the termination of birthright citizenship for children of non-citizens, declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, and withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement.
Trump, flanked by family and allies, signed the orders inside Washington's Capital One Arena, stating his commitment to "putting America first."
The immigration-related orders take a hardline stance, halting refugee admissions, restoring the "Remain in Mexico" policy, and classifying certain cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. The executive action also directs the military to prioritize sealing the border and provides resources for expanded detention operations.
Legal challenges are expected, as critics argue that these measures push the boundaries of presidential authority.
In addition to immigration, Trump’s sweeping energy policies prioritize domestic production, rolling back Biden's climate initiatives, and pausing offshore wind projects.
Further actions address domestic policies, including an order recognizing only two biological sexes and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies.
Trump also granted clemency to several January 6 defendants and delayed the enforcement of the federal TikTok ban, allowing time for negotiations with potential U.S. buyers. While supporters hail the orders as a swift fulfillment of campaign promises, legal and political opposition is mounting, signaling potential roadblocks to their implementation.
Source: The Washington Post
For the full list of “Presidential Actions,” click here.
To contribute to the ACLU, click here.