Dear Friend,

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Stew, WORLD’s political roundup.

During his 1960 campaign, President John F. Kennedy promised to end racial discrimination in federal housing aid. But more than a year after arriving in the Oval Office, he had yet to do so. Angry supporters mailed pens to the White House to encourage him to sign an executive order on housing. Others carried placards at his public appearances that read, “Pick up the pen, Mr. President.” In 1962, Kennedy signed the executive order that later led to the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Leo Briceno references this anecdote in his coverage this week of President Donald Trump’s executive orders, signed in a flurry that’s perhaps motivated by how important it has become for presidents to follow through on campaign promises in a timely manner.

In his first week back in office, Trump has been doing just that. He prefers Sharpies, which he tossed to crowds at the Capital One Arena on Monday after signing several orders. In his early orders, he fulfilled campaign promises by declaring a state of emergency at the southern border and pardoning Ross Ulbricht, the founder of an underground website that smuggled illegal drugs. Read on for more coverage of how Trump is firing off orders in Washington.

Here’s what is stirring in D.C. …

Another of Trump’s Day One promises was to pardon anyone criminally punished for actions related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. I went to the D.C. jail this week to watch the defendants get released. Trump supporters waving Make America Great Again flags greeted them. Read my report on how the defendants reacted to their pardons.

Plus …

• Trump’s second inauguration was one of the coldest on record. With the ceremonies moved indoors, thousands of supporters moved outdoors, looking for a new venue to watch the swearing-in. WORLD canvassed the city interviewing visitors. Listen to their stories on The World and Everything in It.
• Leo Briceno digs deeper into the stacks of executive orders that already received Trump’s signature. Listen to Washington Wednesday on The World and Everything in It for details on why and how Trump hit the ground running. And read Leo’s report in The Stew about what the orders mean for the next four years.
• The Senate voted on yet another version of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act, and it failed yet another procedural vote. This week I talk to pro-life senators and advocates about the hurdles facing such legislation in the new Congress.
• The Senate is back to full capacity after two departures to the Trump administration. In The Sift, I report on newly sworn-in Sens. Jon Husted of Ohio and Ashley Moody of Florida who now join the GOP ranks.

More Stewings

Where is DOGE? The new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is officially in the White House. On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order that renames an Obama-era U.S. Digital Service as the U.S. DOGE Service. This gives chairman Elon Musk a role within the executive office. Musk and former co-chairman Vivek Ramaswamy pledged to cut billions from the federal budget and slash the size of the federal workforce. This week, Ramaswamy left DOGE and is expected to announce his candidacy for Ohio governor in 2026. Musk has 30 days to create employee teams, but he also put out a call over social media for unpaid volunteers. Starting Monday, Trump launched a 90-day federal employee hiring freeze. After that, Musk and the budget and management offices must submit a plan to reduce the federal workforce.

Passed: Senators proposed nearly 100 amendments to the Laken Riley Act, a bill that would change detention and arrest protocols for illegal immigrants accused of crimes. In the end, only two Republican-sponsored amendments were adopted to expand the requirements to include murder-related charges and assault on law enforcement. The bill then passed the House this week by a 263-156 vote. Forty-six Democrats from swing districts voted for it. In the Senate, 12 Democrats, also from border or swing states, supported the final version of the bill. It will be the first to land on President Trump’s desk for signature.

Flip-flop on TikTok: The social media app went dark on Saturday but only for a few hours. A warning message on Sunday morning said that due to the Biden administration’s ban, the app would no longer be available to American users. Only a few hours later, another message thanked the incoming Trump administration for working toward a solution. On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order granting a 75-day extension before a law forcing TikTok owner ByteDance to divest. ByteDance’s Chinese ownership raises national security red flags. Trump previously tried to ban the platform in 2020, but now he says, “I got to use it.” In Oval Office remarks, he said there could be a way around the law if the U.S. and Chinese governments strike a deal. His comments have encouraged American investors. Billionaire Frank McCourt said he is open to a owning partial share of the app, and online creator MrBeast said he is preparing a bid.

New office: The Senate unanimously confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state on Monday evening. In remarks to State Department staff on Tuesday, Rubio said, “There will be changes, but the changes are not meant to be destructive. They’re not meant to be punitive… the changes will be because we need to be a 21st-century agency that can move, by a cliche that’s used by many, at the speed of relevance.” Shortly after taking office, Rubio sent a departmentwide cable that previewed “sweeping changes.” He said the State Department has “misread the world” and emphasized “ideology over common sense,” according to RealClearPolitics. Rubio said the first agenda item will be securing the southern border. He has also begun to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in line with another Trump executive order, and he paused refugee resettlement programs. Rubio’s first trip as secretary will be to Panama, though the date has not yet been scheduled.

Outside the Beltway

Mobilizing: The Pentagon announced this week that it is sending 1,500 active-duty service members to the southern border. The action follows a Trump executive order that declared a national emergency. The Pentagon this week also established a task force to coordinate with U.S. Northern Command, Transportation Command, the National Guard Bureau, and the Department of Homeland Security to work on installing physical barriers and assisting with deportations. The Trump administration ended a policy this week that prevented immigration agencies from arresting migrants at schools, churches, and hospitals.

Running: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced in a video that she will run for governor in 2026 to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Benson, also a Democrat, said she wants to be “the governor who puts transparency and efficiency at the forefront.” Benson launched her campaign on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and said she would uphold abortion access in the state. She has been secretary of state since 2018. In 2020, she received criticism for sending unprompted absentee ballot applications to registered voters.

And the kitchen sink

• Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., says she is considering a run for governor in 2026.
• President Trump orders all federal agencies to cancel diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility hiring practices.
• At least 18 states have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration for an executive order that ends automatic birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants.

WORLD-WIDE REPORTS

• In World Tour, Carlos Páez reports on how illegal immigrants are preparing for possible deportation.
• In Vitals, Leah Savas covers a pro-abortion amendment introduced in Virginia.
• Jenny Rough interviews appellate lawyer Paul Clement about his career arguing Supreme Court cases. Listen on The World and Everything in It.

That’s all for this week! As always, thank you for reading the Stew. Do you know someone who would like to receive this weekly newsletter? Your friends can sign up here.

Until next week,