UNBIASED Politics (1/21/25): President Trump's Day One Actions; Biden Pardons Living Siblings, Spouses, Dr. Fauci, and Others; Elon's Controversial Gesture; What's Going on with TikTok; and More.
Jan 21, 2025
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Dive into the whirlwind of January 21, 2025, as President Trump takes swift action on day one with nearly 100 executive orders. Explore the Supreme Court's ruling affecting TikTok and its implications for national security, along with President Biden's surprising pardons that include his family and Dr. Fauci. Unpack the controversial moments of the inauguration, including Trump’s peculiar hand position and Elon Musk's bold gesture. Stay informed on these critical events and their potential impact on the political landscape.
The Supreme Court upheld a TikTok law prioritizing national security over free speech, emphasizing the government's role in protecting user data.
President Biden's controversial pardons on his final day reflect an attempt to shield certain individuals from politically motivated investigations.
Trump's extensive executive actions on his first day highlight significant shifts in policies regarding immigration, birthright citizenship, and government inclusivity definitions.
Deep dives
NFL Playoffs and Football Tradition
The enthusiasm for the NFL playoffs is highlighted, emphasizing the speaker's personal connection to football, stemming from childhood experiences playing quarterback in girls' flag football. This passion extends beyond playing, as there is a fondness for betting on games, specifically engaging in parlays as a fun activity shared with a spouse. The speaker mentions that while the stakes are not excessively high, the enjoyment of betting enhances the football experience during playoff season. The excitement of the playoffs creates a festive atmosphere for fans and participants alike.
TikTok Ban and Supreme Court Ruling
The discussion centers around the Supreme Court's unanimous decision to uphold a law pertaining to TikTok, setting a precedent for national security over free speech considerations. The law, which was recognized as a content-neutral restriction, allows the government to act in the interest of preventing foreign access to U.S. user data. The ruling identifies national security as a legitimate concern, especially regarding the possibility of foreign entities accessing sensitive data like contact lists of federal officials. Despite the law's validity, the practicality of enforcing such a ban against TikTok's availability in the U.S. is questioned.
Pardons Issued by President Biden
The episode outlines President Biden's controversial issuance of preemptive pardons and commutations, particularly targeting certain individuals including family members, and staff from the January 6th investigating committee. These pardons were seen as a protective measure against politically motivated prosecutions and aimed at shielding individuals from potential investigations. The legal foundation of such pardons is explored, emphasizing their historical precedent and raising questions about their constitutionality. The implications of these actions lead to potential future scrutiny by the Supreme Court regarding the extent of presidential pardoning power.
Inauguration Day Events
Significant moments from Inauguration Day are recapped, where President Trump was sworn in, marking a historical shift with particular attention to the procedural intricacies of the event. Notably, a brief period existed where the U.S. lacked a sitting president due to the timing of the inauguration, illustrating the delicate transition of power. Several ceremonies leading up to the swearing-in, including a cabinet dinner and church services, showcase the ceremonial nature of presidential transitions. However, the day's events also sparked discussions around political symbolism, such as the controversy regarding the display of flags in honor of former President Carter.
Legal and Governmental Changes Under Trump
The episode covers a range of executive orders signed by President Trump on his first day, including significant changes pertaining to birthright citizenship and immigration policies. These executive orders are dissected to reveal their legal ramifications, including ongoing lawsuits challenging their validity based on constitutional grounds. One notable change involved adjusting definitions of sex for government documents, which reverses prior policies aimed at inclusivity. Discussions around the establishment of new advisory agencies and Trump's promises regarding tariffs further delve into the overarching legal and economic implications of his administration's directives.
Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place.
In today's episode:
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Divest-or-Ban Law; TikTok Goes Dark for 12 Hours; Trump Extends Ban Deadline (0:33)
Biden Issues Final Day Pardons and Commutations Including His Siblings, Their Spouses, Dr. Fauci, and Others (11:31)
Inauguration Day; Why Wasn't Trump's Hand on the Bible; Why Were Flags Flown at Full Staff; Elon Musk's Controversial Gesture (17:06)
DOGE Sued in Four Lawsuits on Inauguration Day (24:17)
President Trump's Signs Almost 100 Actions on Day One (26:53)
Quick Hitters: Sen. Marco Rubio Confirmed, Apple Disables AI Feature After Misleading News Headlines, Two Arrested for Posing as Firefighters in Pacific Palisades, US Border Patrol Agent Shot and Killed at US-Canada Border (41:10)