Courtesy of the New York Times

By Hank Bartholomew

On January 20, 2025, at 11:00 A.M Eastern Time, Donald J. Trump became the forty-seventh president of the United States. It marks the beginning of a historic term and a potential new direction in American policy. Perhaps what was most telling of how the next four years will look was Trump’s actions in his first day in office.

One of the new president’s first actions was to gut legislation from the Biden’s administration. Trump revoked over seventy of former president Biden’s executive orders and legislation, many of which involved Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts and attempts to tackle the climate crisis. It’s a strong indication that this current presidential term will not maintain much of a focus on across-the-isle legislation or efforts to bridge the gap between conservatives and liberals. 

Soon after, Trump issued an executive order titled “Restoring Freedom of Speech And Ending Federal Censorship.” The legislation claims that the Biden administration limited the ability of the American public to speak their mind, and calls for immediate remedial action. Most likely, the order stems from Biden’s efforts to limit misinformation on online platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. Critics have suggested that this action may have the additional purpose of allowing many of the tech magnates that Trump has become cozy with to have greater freedom with regard to how they run their programs. 

One of the president’s most shocking actions was his withdrawal of the United States from a variety of climate legislation agreements, most notably the Paris agreement. On the campaign trail, Trump has repeatedly suggested that such accords have had debilitating effects on the American economy, and that the nation’s withdrawal from these agreements is the only way to allow American businesses to reach their full potential. With brutal wildfires still raging in California, the move has drawn sharp criticism from liberals in congress.

Quickly after, Trump pardoned over 1,500 of the January 6th insurrectionists who stormed America’s capital following Trump’s loss to Biden in 2020. While expected, the decision was nonetheless shocking; pardons on such a large scale are unheard of. Most likely, the pardons symbolize a gathering conflict between the White House and the Justice Department and legal system. 

Moments later, the president withdrew, via executive order, the United States from the World Health Organization, or WHO. The United States has been a leading member of the WHO since its founding in 1948, and the move may have drastic consequences both abroad and at home. Internationally, the withdrawal symbolizes an effort to move the United States to a relatively isolationist position. Trump has been a long-time critic of international organizations, arguing that the funding the United States often puts in is not equivalent to the results and support provided in return. It is possible that the WHO was just the first target on a long list. Domestically, the withdrawal represents a movement by the administration to reform American healthcare practices and policies. With Robert Kennedy Jr., a prominent advocate of anti-vaccination measures, at the helm of the Department of Health and Human Services, it is not illogical to assume that much of America’s health policies may also see drastic change.

Trump also issued a proclamation “Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border.” The declaration calls for increased military personnel and barriers at the border between the United States and Mexico, and is most likely a first step in the President’s efforts to pursue the mass deportations he has called for while on the campaign trail. 

With regard to economic policy, the new president signed a memorandum labeled “America First Trade Policy,” which calls for actions to limit “unfair and unbalanced trade,” presumably via tariffs. Tariffs on foreign nations, particularly China, were a key part of Trump’s message while campaigning, and it’s quite possible that this memorandum was the first attack in a long trade war with the foreign power.

Focusing on the American economy, Trump then issued an executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy,” which calls for the review and removal of Biden-era policies intended to limit climate change. In particular, the order frees up coal-burning and fossil-fuel consuming corporations to continue their practices unhindered. According to the new administration, doing away with prior environmental regulations will “unleash” the American economy and stimulate vast American economic growth. However, critics and economists alike have warned that the removal of Biden’s environmental policies, which created hundreds of thousands of jobs in the green energy sector, may in fact have adverse economic consequences.

Perhaps the most shocking action taken by the nation’s new leader was his executive order attempting to redefine birthright citizenship. Titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” the order argues that citizenship should not apply to individuals born in the United States to an illegal or non-permanent mother and father. The statement is a shocking contradiction of the 14th Amendment, which in 1868, declared that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or proper.” The open contradiction of a long-time staple of the American Bill of Rights has already raised concerns; the executive order is already being challenged in court, and Democrats have labeled the statement a violation of presidential power. 

The second Trump presidency is still in its infancy, but many of its main promises and objectives are starting to truly come into focus. Still, all that is clear is that nothing is certain in the next four years.

By: Aarav Sapra

Elon Musk and Donald Trump have often been recognized as two influential partners who have supported each other numerous times during the election cycle. For instance, Musk backed Trump by funding multiple campaigns to help Trump triumph in the 2024 Presidential Elections. On the other hand, Trump has backed Musk’s stance on the H-1B Visa program, a crucial tool for attracting skilled talent to tech companies. However, ironically, on a bizarre morning in Las Vegas, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel on Jan. 1, 2025. The distinctive, triangular shape of the Cybertruck, parked near the hotel’s entrance, was reportedly engulfed in flames after a sudden and violent explosion. The Cybertruck had pulled up to the hotel and then proceeded only to blow up. Fortunately,  firefighters were on the scene quickly, extinguishing the blaze before it could spread to nearby vehicles or the hotel itself. After the incident was cleared up, authorities stated they found fuel canisters, fireworks and two semi-automatic handguns. Regardless, they could not figure out how the explosion had been ignited.

Although people speculated the truck exploded due to issues in the vehicle, Musk made it quite clear the explosion was caused by the massive fireworks or  bomb that was in the bed of the truck. A couple of days later, military officials identified the driver as Army Master Sergeant Matthew Alan Livelsberger. According to the Army, Sergeant Livelsberger enlisted as a Special Forces trainee, and served on active duty from January 2006 to March 2011. Afterwards, he was enrolled in  the National Guard from March 2011 to July 2012,  and later became an  Army Reservist from July 2012 to December 2012. He had rented the Tesla truck in Denver on Dec. 28 and passed through Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona before arriving in Las Vegas and parking in front of the Trump hotel. He supposedly detonated the explosives, and shot himself soon after.  

According to notes on Sergeant Livelsberger’s cell phone, which were shared publicly by the police, he had been concerned that the United States was headed toward “collapse.” One note stated, “This was not a terrorist attack. It was a wake-up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives?” Ultimately, this has resulted in the community speculating that the explosion may have been an act of protest or intentional sabotage, which supports Livelsberger’s beliefs. Others dismiss this theory, claiming it is more likely a coincidence. Given the high-profile nature of both Tesla and Trump, it is hard to ignore many potential theories that still may exist. 

By Snigdha Chakravarti

On January 7, 2025 at 10:20am, the Palisades fire began its trek along destroying thousands of acres of southern California. A red flag warning was issued for LA and Ventura counties when the Palisades fire was first viewed, and at noon, evacuation orders began. Governor Gain Newsom declared a state of emergency as the Palisades fire grew to 1200 acres in a single day. Soon after, the Palisades’s destruction of southern California was joined by the Eaton fire at 6:18pm on the same day, resulting in evacuation orders in Eaton’s origin, Altadena county. The California wildfires had only just begun and would be the worst in the history of wildfires in Los Angeles. 

The wildfires in Los Angeles had occurred primarily due to drought and strong Santa Ana winds, thus allowing the fire to spread through “flammable vegetation.” In fact, in Mountain Lukens, which was exposed to the Eaton fire, wind gusts reached 100 miles per hour. By January 8th, the Lidia fire emerged in Acton county, and the Sunset fire started up in Hollywood Hills, all while the Palisades and Eaton fires spread 3000 and 1000 acres, respectively.  On January 9th, then-President Biden declared that the national government will deal with 100% (up from the usual 75%) of the costs spawning from the “catastrophic” fire for 180 days. The president stated how the federal funding would go to cleaning up debris, putting up shelters, and sending 400 federal firefighters and 30 federal firefighting planes. Additionally, the president mentioned how the Congress needed to “step up”  and “spare no expense” in order to pass the federal funding for rebuilding efforts. By this time, the Palisades fire had spread 17,000 acres and the Eaton fire, 10,000 acres. 

At around 4pm on January 9th, an evacuation alert was accidently sent to ten million residents of Los Angeles County; the evacuation alert was meant for people in and around West Hills, who were in danger from the newly formed Kenneth Fire. Due to this, the Office of Emergency Services would take care of evacuation alerts. According to County Supervisor Janice Hahn, the evacuation warning was “mistakenly issued countywide due to a technical error.” Later, Kevin McGowan, the director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management explained how  the warning was “intended only for residents of Calabasas and Agoura Hills and those within the West Hills community of Los Angeles”, but the Office of Emergency Management was  “committed to sharing accurate information”, realizing that “these wildfires have created great anxiety, hardship, and distress among our residents.”

On January 10th, a new fire started in Granada Hills, while the Palisades and Eaton fires had spread 20,000 and 14,000 acres, respectively. Governor Newsom launched an independent investigation concerning the close of the Pacific Palisades Reservoir prior to the start of the Palisades fire, namely the “the reported unavailability of water supplies.” However, for other places in southern California, water contamination seems to be a major issue. In Pasadena, for example, residents are not allowed to drink water. Water contamination is primarily caused by the water source or the system delivering it. In many cases of the current wildfires in California, there are issues with the system delivering the water. As a result of high water usage by firefighters, depressurization occurred, thus resulting in a vacuum. This vacuum, according to Jackson Webster, a professor of civil engineering at California State University in Chico, “pulls contaminants, like gases from combustion,  back into the distribution system. And this causes chemical contamination of the distribution system which is very difficult to get rid of.” Such chemical contaminants include carcinogenic chemicals like benzene, which was found in water after the 2017 Tubbs Fire and 2018 Camp Fire.  Soot from damaged structures can also enter broken pipes and tank vents, furthermore contaminating the water. 

By January 21st, 28 people were dead while 18 were missing. The Eaton fire was deemed the deadliest fire in Los Angeles history with 17 deaths. However, both the Palisades and Eaton fires were contained, 65% and 89%, respectively. A whopping 15,000 structures were destroyed as a result of the fires.

On Wednesday, January 22, the Hughes fire broke out, spreading 500 acres in just one hour and eventually making its way through 10,000 acres. 31,000 people were evacuated and 23,000 were given warnings. These evacuees included students from Castaic Middle and High School, who were evacuated to a supermarket parking lot, students from Castaic Elementary, who were evacuated to a sports complex, and 4500 inmates from the Pitchess Detention Center.  Additionally, aircraft dropped 30,000 gallons of fire retardant and 113,00 gallons of water to keep the fire spreading to surrounding communities. By Friday morning, the fire was 36% contained. 

By Jessica A. Dennehy

As one of the last acts of his presidency, the now former-President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals on the 4th of January. As the highest civilian award in the United States, these laureates made exceptional contributions to the recognized fields of national security, world peace, cultural contributions, public service, and private endeavors. Originating under the Kennedy administration, a total of 652 of these medals have been dealt out to the present day. This award serves as a means to recognize excellence, courage, and dedication to the improvement of society, and to hopefully serve as an inspiration to others on how to make a difference in the world. These honorees have been celebrated for their dedication to improving society, with the White House acknowledging their achievements in the official announcement. All quotes included in this summary are sourced from the White House.

José Andrés – A renowned Spanish-American chef, restaurateur, and multiple James Beard Award recipient, the White House has noted his role in popularizing “the cooking of his native Spain in his adopted home of the United States.” As the founder of World Central Kitchen, he has also played an important role in food distribution following natural disasters and crises.

Ashton Baldwin Carter (posthumous)—The former U.S. Secretary of Defense under President Barack Obama, he served under 11 different Secretaries of Defense in both Democratic and Republican administrations. The White House applauded Carter’s lifelong devotion “to making the nation safer for all.” 

Hillary Rodham Clinton – A former Secretary of State, First Lady, and U.S. Senator, the White House referenced her Democratic nomination in the 2016 presidential election and how she “became the first woman nominated for president by a major United States political party.” 

Bono—Born Paul David Hewson, he is the frontman for the Irish rock band U2, known for their 1980s hits “With or Without You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Beyond his contributions to music, Bono has also served as a pioneer against AIDS and poverty. As the co-founder of campaigning organizations ONE and (RED), Bono “united both sides of the aisle in the creation of the United States PEPFAR AIDS program.” 

Michael J. Fox – An actor best known for his role as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy, Fox is a recipient of five Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Grammy Award. Off the screen, he was commended for his role as a “world-renowned advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development.” 

Tim Gill— An American entrepreneur and philanthropist who “transformed the publishing industry through groundbreaking software and leveraged his success to secure key victories in the fight for marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections.” The founder of Quark, he was one of the first openly gay entrepreneurs on Forbes 400.

Jane Goodall—An ethologist and conservationist, she’s considered the world’s expert on chimpanzees, having lived and studied with them for over 60 years. Goodall is “a passionate advocate for empowering individuals and communities to protect and preserve the natural world,” whose research has helped shape modern ideas of evolution. 

Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumous)—A women’s rights and voting rights activist who laid crucial groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act through her founding of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Her challenge to the oppression and exclusion of Black voices in politics “transformed the struggle for racial justice in America.” 

Earvin “Magic” Johnson—A now-retired basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, he helped them win five championships and advance to the finals nine times over his thirteen-year career. Johnson’s philanthropy through his Magic Johnson Foundation supports those who are traditionally underrepresented, including ethnically diverse urban communities and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. 

Robert F. Kennedy (posthumous) – A former U.S. Attorney General and Senator, his role in combating racial segregation, poverty, and inequality on a national scale has left a lasting impact. His “legacy continues to inspire those committed to justice, equality, and public service.” Coupled with the legacies of his eldest brother, John F. Kennedy, and his son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Kennedy family’s impact on the United States politics is still remembered and ongoing. 

Ralph Lauren—The legendary American fashion designer, he has “redefined the fashion industry with a lifestyle brand that embodies timeless elegance and American tradition.” Beyond  his trademark Polo shirts and Flag sweaters, his significant contributions to the fight against cancer and the preservation efforts of the Star-Spangled Banner have also not gone unnoticed.

Lionel Messi – The football star and current Inter Miami CF forward, Messi is “the most decorated football player in history.” A UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, he also supports healthcare and education programs for children through his Leo Messi Foundation. He didn’t attend the ceremony in person due to predetermined scheduling conflicts. 

William Sanford Nye – Better known by science classrooms around the world as “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” his educational TV show has remained a generational staple in science education. As CEO of the Planetary Society and  a prominent voice for space exploration and environmental stewardship, his advocacy of STEM also goes beyond the classroom.

George W. Romney (posthumous) – A former Governor of Michigan, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Chairman of American Motors Corporation, his political contributions have spanned decades. The Romney legacy will stand for some time, especially with his son Mitt Romney being a former Governor, Presidential Nominee, and U.S. Senator.

David M. Rubenstein—The co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group, an investment firm with almost $450 billion in assets. He is “renowned for his philanthropy and generous support for the restoration of historic landmarks and the country’s cultural institutions.”

George Soros—A Hungarian-American philanthropist and founder of the Open Society Foundation, Soros has “supported organizations and projects across the world that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice.” He’s known as the man who broke the Bank of England when he shorted the British pound. 

George Stevens, Jr. – A writer, playwright, director, and producer, Stevens is also the founder of the American Film Institute and the Kennedy Center Honors. According to the White House, he also “has illuminated American ideals of racial equity and justice for half a century.” 

Denzel Washington – A renowned actor and director, Washington has received two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, two Golden Globes, and the 2016 Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. Some of his iconic films include “Glory,” “Malcolm X,” and “Training Day.” He’s a long-time supporter of the Fisher House Foundation, an organization providing medical assistance to military personnel at minimal personal costs, and has been a national spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 1992.  

Anna Wintour—the fashion icon and editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988, she’s behind the annual fundraiser that’s the Met Gala. She is also a “champion for philanthropic causes… and chief content officer of Condé Nast.”

By Jessica A. Dennehy

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away on December 29, 2024. He was 100. With his death, he broke a myriad of American records: the longest-living president, the longest presidential marriage, and arguably, the most impactful post-presidency. From the son of a peanut farmer in Georgia to a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, his life’s lofty accomplishments remained rooted in his humble upbringing.

James Earl Carter, Jr., better known as Jimmy Carter, was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. Raised as a devout Baptist, he was interested in both politics and peanut farming from a young age. After graduating from the Naval Academy in 1946, he married Rosalynn Smith, with their marriage lasting for 77 years and resulting in four children: Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy. Jimmy and Roselynn Carter’s marriage is the longest-lasting presidential marriage in the history of the United States; the next longest belonged to George H.W. Bush, at 73 years. After serving seven years in the Navy, Carter returned to his hometown of Plains, Georgia in 1962, entering state politics shortly afterwards. He eventually became the Governor of Georgia in 1970 and gained national attention for his emphasis on ecology, government efficiency, and removing racial barriers. The culmination of his political career arrived when Carter announced his candidacy for President in December of 1974. He served as the Democratic nominee with his  running mate Senator  Walter F. Mondale of Minnesota. Campaigning against the incumbent President Gerald R. Ford, Carter eventually won the presidency with 297 electoral votes to Ford’s 241.

Although Carter was only a single-term president, his domestic policies have had a lasting impact on the federal government. He was responsible for the creation of the Department of Education and played a pivotal role in expanding the national park system to include an additional 103 million acres of land in Alaska.  Prioritizing civil service reform, he stuck to his Georgian promise to increase government efficiency,  appointing a record number of women, African Americans, and Hispanics to government positions in the process. Carter’s peace-keeping efforts on the international stage, however, were among his most notable achievements as President. In 1978, he helped orchestrate the signing of the Camp David Accords, which brought amnesty between Egypt and Israel. He also succeeded in obtaining ratification of the Panama Canal treaties, which granted long-promised control of the canal to Panama. While treaty-making, Carter additionally established full diplomatic relations with China and the Soviet Union, negotiating the SALT II nuclear arms treaty with the latter. However, the accomplishments of Carter’s presidency were marred by the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979, where U.S. embassy staff were held hostage in Tehran for the final 14 months of his term. This crisis, coupled with high inflation and interest rates, significantly weakened Carter’s re-election campaign, to the point that Ronald Reagan won the presidency in 1980.

Following his defeat, Jimmy Carter began arguably the most extraordinary post-presidential career in American history. In 1982, a year after leaving office, he founded the Carter Center  alongside his wife Rosalynn. The Carter Center is  a still-active nonprofit dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering, the promotion of democracy, and the improvement of global health. In 1986, under the Reagan administration, Carter had successfully negotiated the release of political prisoners in Nicaragua. In 1994, under the Clinton administration, he helped negotiate the de-escalation of nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula. His long-stand diplomatic and humanitarian efforts earned him global recognition, culminating in his receiving of  the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in conflict resolution and promoting human rights. In the aftermath of this accomplishment, Carter’s diplomatic efforts continued: in 2010, under the Obama administration,  he secured the release of American Aijalon Mahli Gomes from North Korea. 

Even as he faced a public battle with cancer in 2015, Jimmy Carter continuously advocated for global health initiatives and humanitarian causes. His global contributions have still kept him close to home, though.  A long-time resident of Plains, Carter maintained a deep commitment to his faith and education, teaching Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church and serving as a professor at Emory University in Atlanta for nearly 40 years. 

By Hank Bartholomew

Bullet holes and property damage were recently discovered at a DNC Campaign office in Tempe, Arizona. After responding to reports of gunfire, police identified at least five bullet holes in the building’s windows and door. This is the third incident of vandalism of the building, with the first being damage by what is believed to be a pellet gun, and the second also by gunfire. The shooting marks another act in the storm of political intimidation and violence that is starting to plague America.

Currently, details of the case are still quite vague. No persons of interest have been identified, although the Tempe police department has identified 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander as the potential vehicle the suspect may have used. The shooting is believed to have occurred at some time between midnight at 1:00 AM. The office itself was located in a relatively populated area: a strip mall near a fitness center and a daycare. Some of the campaign office’s staffers have changed residences in response to the attacks. Tempe Police Sergeant Ryan Cook confirmed in a statement that “No one was inside the office during the overnight hours,” but added that the shooting “raises concerns about the safety of those who work in that building, as well as those nearby.”

Tempe is a battleground init of itself. Located just Southeast of Phoenix, Tempe is a key part of both campaign’s strategies. The college town, home to Arizona State University, is a key point in the overall battleground state of Arizona. ASU students will be a tightly contested demographic in the coming election–they number 57,000 in a state that President Joe Biden only won by about 10,000 votes last year. It’s no surprise that in such a politically tense environment, tensions have bubbled over into violence.

It’s no secret that political polarization–and political violence–are on the rise in the United States. With assassination attempts on former president Trump, juror intimidation, and bomb threats to government officials, a wave of political violence has begun to envelop the nation. It is easy to claim or believe that these incidents are isolated, actions by a few disgruntled individuals that do not reflect the overall beliefs of Americans. But the more political violence occurs, the more accepted it is as what is normal.