January 2025

Trump holds inauguration eve rally, highlights include images of the rally and Trump speaking.

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Trump’s first inaugural address was seen as dystopian by Washington, but his base saw it as hopeful and a promise to make America great again. His loyalists are preparing for a similar tone in his upcoming inaugural address, focused on unity and fairness. Trump’s rhetoric has grown angrier and more divisive over time, but it resonates with his supporters and reflects the current trend of partisanship in American political discourse. Some suggest that a straightforward and restrained speech would be best for Trump, but ultimately his base responds to his aggressive and confrontational rhetoric.

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Trump’s first inaugural address, filled with dark and dystopian language, was seen by his supporters as a hopeful message of redemption and a promise to make America great again. However, his subsequent speeches have only grown angrier and more divisive, reflecting the current trend of polarizing political discourse in America. Trump’s upcoming inauguration speech is expected to follow suit, with a focus on unity and fairness, but many do not expect him to follow through on these promises. Instead, he may continue to demonize his political enemies and perpetuate the culture of anger and division in his rhetoric.

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President-elect Donald Trump plans to travel to Southern California next week, making it his first trip of his second term. He was invited by California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has been criticized by Trump for his handling of the recent wildfires. Trump also discussed plans for ramping up mass deportations and his decision to move the inauguration ceremony indoors due to freezing temperatures. He mentioned possibly extending the deadline for TikTok to be sold to a non-Chinese buyer and pledged to work with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure the cease-fire deal with Hamas holds.

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Trump has hired James Sherk, a former special assistant on domestic policy, to return to the White House and lead efforts to make it easier to fire federal employees. Sherk previously worked on the Trump administration’s failed attempt to implement Schedule F, and believes that this effort can be successful with a different president. Trump has promised to reform the federal workforce and Sherk has already taken action by filing FOIA requests for emails from career staffers.

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A coalition of state-level advocacy groups, the National Federation of Stonewall Democrats, is being reestablished to fight against the incoming president and a Republican-controlled Congress. They plan to push for Democratic opposition to bills and executive actions targeting the LGBTQ+ community and may intervene in Democratic primaries to hold candidates accountable. Organizers are also focusing on refurbishing the party’s credentials on LGBTQ+ issues and supporting LGBTQ+ candidates in the 2026 midterms.

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Cartoonists captured the major political events of the week through their drawings, highlighting issues such as the impeachment inquiry, Brexit, and the 2020 presidential election. Their depictions showcased the division and chaos in American and British politics, as well as the power struggles and controversies within the Trump administration. Overall, the cartoons served as a commentary on the tumultuous state of current political affairs.

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DNC candidate Michael Blake believes that Democrats need to focus on being exciting in order to win back the trust and support of voters. He emphasizes the importance of energizing and engaging voters through bold and innovative ideas.

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A DNC chair candidate believes that the Democratic Party needs a leader who can guide them through challenging times and adopt a “wartime footing” mentality.

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