January was quite the year, right? But we made it.
First up, if you live near the University of Kansas, I am heading your way this week.
Tickets are free, and you can reserve them here.
Now let me catch you up on the week:
The Immigration Crackdown Begins
Within days of being sworn in as president, Donald Trump had already secured his first legislative win: the Laken Riley Act passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support, and it was sitting on his desk to sign. The new law implements some significant changes to immigration policy, including two you may not be aware of.
Constitutional Crisis?
We normally think of constitutional crises as starting because of things like civil wars or assassinations. Was one started this week by a two-page memo? Gabe Fleisher explains.
Three Things to Think About
The incredible story of a man who saved nearly 700 children from the Nazis, what’s next in space exploration, and more.
A New Era of Pardons
We’re entering a new era, one in which pardons are being used as a public policy tool and a way to settle political scores. One in which pardons are a day-one priority and not a last-day housekeeping task.
What Does it Mean to Be a Patriot?
A new executive order says that children must be taught to “celebrate America’s greatness,” but we must build pride on the truth. This is our most shared piece of the week.
What I’m reading…
Clues From D.C. Plane Crash Suggest Multiple Failures in Aviation Safety
By Sydney Ember, Emily Steel, Mark Walker, Kate Kelly and Niraj Chokshi for The New York Times
Clues emerging from the moments before the deadly collision Wednesday night between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet suggest that multiple layers of the country’s aviation safety apparatus failed, according to flight recordings, a preliminary internal report from the Federal Aviation Administration, interviews with current and former air traffic controllers and others briefed on the matter.
Trump wants to cut the federal workforce. Who they are and what that means
By Scott Neuman for NPR
It has been a confusing several days for federal workers. But how well do most Americans understand this group that has been in the news so much — who they are, where they work and what they do? NPR discusses six things to know about this vast pool of workers.
Please Don’t Do This During Black History Month
by
When we look at Black history as a set of separate facts without their proper context, we can miss the significance — and the beauty — of it.
This troubling lack of context is also why so many people think history is boring. If it’s just memorizing names and dates devoid of the compelling stories that surround them, then why should anyone care?
Trump Administration Gives Musk Allies Access to Treasury Payment System
by Michael Stratford, Sam Sutton and Holly Otterbein
The Trump administration has approved plans to grant Treasury officials affiliated with Elon Musk’s team access to the federal system that handles trillions of dollars in payments.
What I am listening to…
The Supreme Court’s Worst Decisions with Sarah Isgur
Here’s Where It Gets Interesting
Why has the Supreme Court become such a hot topic of debate? Co-host of the Advisory Opinions podcast and former director in the DOJ, Sarah Isgur, joined me for a spirited discussion about why the Court has become so political. Sarah shares her theories on the reason public opinion of SCOTUS has plummeted, and why she believes it’s a good thing that the Court doesn’t always agree with the majority opinion.
Let’s all take a deep breath and dive into a new week. I’m thankful you’re here.