It’s inauguration day, and Trump is formally the forty seventh president of the US. The theme was “enduring democracy,” led by Senator Amy Klobuchar, which felt completely absurd after they have been swearing in a felony who tried to overturn an election. On the intense aspect, it’s chilly sufficient in DC that they needed to transfer the inauguration indoors, which suggests Trump doesn’t get to brag about throngs of individuals within the mall watching him get sworn on. On the draw back, he’ll in all probability make up some monumental variety of folks they needed to flip away. We’ve some recommendations for the way to deal with at present beneath.
However first, talking of the chilly: It’s icy on the market, particularly at evening. The King County Regional Homelessness Authority has activated Tier 3 extreme climate response protocols over the weekend, they usually’ll final till tomorrow. What does that imply?
- The KCRHA coordinates with transit and transportation companions to assist transport weak populations to shelter websites.
- They open emergency daytime and in a single day warming facilities and day facilities, together with libraries.
- They coordinate with cities to open native metropolis halls and different city-owned properties for warming facilities and/or 24/7 emergency shelters.
For more information, test the KCRHA web site.
Okay again to Trump: It appears to be like like at present received’t be all ceremony. Based on the New York Instances: “President-elect Donald J. Trump is anticipated to signal as many as 100 government orders inside hours of taking workplace Monday afternoon, a flurry of exercise that can start close to the place he’s set to be sworn in on the Capitol. The orders are set to deal with a broad swath of American life, concerning immigration, local weather and vitality coverage, and variety initiatives within the federal authorities.”
Nationwide Emergency: Trump made plenty of guarantees about “mass deportations” on Day One, and he’s doing his finest to maintain that promise. Among the many government orders we’re anticipating are a number of that might try to finish birthright citizenship, shut down the border to asylum seekers, and declare border crossings from Mexico as a nationwide emergency. Chicago is bracing to be “floor zero” for Trump’s mass deportations after a doc leaked that confirmed that ICE officers have been planning a serious enforcement operation concentrating on immigrants in Chicago for a number of days after Trump’s inauguration.
Consider them after they inform you who they’re: Based on NYT, Trump’s first spherical of government orders can also be anticipated to undermine most federal protections for trans folks within the US. Based on “prime advisors,” he plans to take away protections for trans folks in federal prisons and trans migrants in US custody, and set up “organic intercourse” definitions each for federal employees and as a part of revised Title IX steerage to colleges. Within the lead-up to the inauguration, we’ve revealed guides for updating your gender marker on federal paperwork. We’ll preserve these up to date because the panorama shifts.
Pricey Chief: TikTok went darkish on Saturday evening, with a pop-up that learn: “A regulation banning TikTok has been enacted within the U.S. Sadly, which means you may’t use TikTok for now. We’re lucky that President Trump has indicated that he’ll work with us on an answer to reinstate TikTok as soon as he takes workplace. Please keep tuned!” Then on Sunday, the app was again with a brand new announcement: “Thanks in your persistence and help. Because of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is again within the U.S.!”
That is clearly theater. Biden had already mentioned that he wouldn’t implement the ban on his final day in workplace, and we all know that TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew visited Mar-a-Lago in December, and he was within the crowd at present on the inauguration (sure, that ought to really feel as dystopian because it does). So what new data got here out of this? To maintain TikTok reside within the US, Trump needs the US authorities to personal 50 % of the app.
Talking of Government Orders: In his final hours as president, Biden preemptively pardoned 5 members of his household, and different officers that Trump considers his “enemies.” That is an unprecedented flex of government energy. We’ll add it to the checklist.
Coping Mechanisms: The best way I see it, there are 3 ways to deal with at present: group, distraction, or plain o’ rage. Between the EverOut Seattle workforce and The Stranger, we have now recommendations for all three.
Group: In a gross twist of the Gregorian calendar, at present can also be Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Seattle MLK Jr. Coalition’s occasions have already began, however you can also make it in time for the rally at Garfield Excessive College at 11 am and the march at 12:30 pm. (We’ll be there, so in the event you can’t get to it, test in later for photograph and video updates). United Means of King County has additionally organized volunteer alternatives across the metropolis.
Distraction: At present is an effective day to stroll into the woods and by no means come again, and our parks system is aware of it. At present, you may get into Washington State parks AND Nationwide Parks without spending a dime, and you must. If nature’s not your bag, go sit in a darkish room on the Beacon and watch Doubtlessly Sick-Suggested: Movies About Assassinating Your Political Leaders (emphasis on the ill-advised). Or reinstall that Chrome extension that turns each picture of Trump into cats.
Rage: Doom scroll. Watch CNN. Learn each reactionary article that tries to contextualize the looming government orders earlier than we have now any actual context. Take a deep dive on TikTok to attempt to determine what deal they could struck with the Trump administration. That is what I’ll be doing, however solely as a result of it’s my job. I don’t advocate it. However in the event you select this route, I do advocate protecting your fists distant from drywall. Hand accidents suck.
Metropolis Corridor Replace: In native information, the pool is down to 6 finalists for metropolis council’s district 2 seat. As you all keep in mind, progressive councilmember Tammy Morales introduced she’d be stepping down from her seat only one 12 months into her time period. We gave you a rundown of the 20 “certified candidates” final week, and on Friday, the council narrowed it down to 6 finalists. They’re: Mark Solomon, Chukundi Salisbury, Adonis Ducksworth, Thaddaeus Gregory, Edward Lin, and Hong Chhuor. Subsequent step is a public discussion board, which can occur this week, earlier than the council chooses their appointee subsequent Monday. Keep tuned.
Headline of the week: “I knew in the future I’d have to observe highly effective males burn the world down. I simply didn’t anticipate them to be such losers.”
Simply days left to declare your love in The Stranger: All month lengthy we have been accumulating lots of of Valentine’s Day messages from readers, and we will cram all of them into our Love and Intercourse challenge, which can hit stands on February 5. To this point, we have acquired messages for “Huckleberry,” “Candy Pisces Boy,” “Area Mate,” “Cuddle Kitten,” “Boner Monkey,” “Slurpee,” “Bubbarooni,” “Bananaboy,” “Chocobo,” “Cool Bean,” “Wormy,” and so many extra. It’s free, it’s lovely, it’s a bit of filthy. Get on it.
A Track for At present: I hearken to this at any time when I must cry, however I am to mad or annoyed or rage-y to really make tears occur. So it is my reward to you at present.