Among dozens of other actions, Trump pardons about 1,500 of the January 6 defendants, including many convicted of violent offenses. Plus, Elon Musk gives fascist-style salutes at rallyGood morning.As the second Trump era dawned yesterday, the president enacted a series of hardline executive orders – promising to undo Joe Biden’s legacy, pardoning January 6 defendants and cracking down on immigration.Pardoned about 1,500 January 6 defendants, many of whom have already been convicted of violent crimes for their roles in the 2021 storming of the US Capitol.Signed an executive order seeking to revoke birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants.Declared a “national emergency” at the southern border, paving the way to send US troops to the area.Sought to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization and Paris climate accords.Renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.Temporarily delayed the enforcement of a federal ban on TikTok for at least 75 days.Required federal agencies to revoke the use of “gender” and “gender identity”.Which global leaders attended the inauguration? Rightwing international politicians descended on DC, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Argentina’s Javier Milei, the UK’s 49-day prime minister, Liz Truss, and three officials from Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland) party.What did Joe Biden do in his last hours as president? He used his last day in office to issue pre-emptive pardons to politicians, public servants and even his family members, in an extraordinary use of presidential power to guard against what he said were “threats” of revenge from the incoming administration. Continue reading...