7. During President Donald Trump’s inaugural parade, Tesla/X CEO Elon Musk was accused of making gestures that resembled Nazi salutes, sparking widespread debate. CNN’s Erin Burnett described the action as an “odd-looking salute,” while her colleague noted that such gestures are uncommon at American political rallies. Social media reactions ranged from outrage to speculation that Musk’s movements were inspired by historical Roman salutes, while Musk defended the gestures as heartfelt expressions of triumph.
6. President Donald Trump issued mass pardons to individuals convicted or charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, to bring an end to the largest criminal probe in U.S. history. CNN reported that the clemency covered 1,250 convicts, including violent offenders such as those who assaulted police, and dismissed approximately 300 pending cases. Trump’s proclamation was justified by the idea that the DOJ went too far.
5. Donald Trump’s second inauguration prompted backlash from Alabama’s liberal figures, including Tabitha Isner of the state’s Democratic Party, who warned that vulnerable groups could potentially be targeted. Commentators like aldotcom’s Kyle Whitmire criticized the influence of billionaires on the Trump administration, using Alabama-specific terminology such as “big mules,” despite some on social media pointing out the hypocrisy of these complaints, given that some liberal outlets are owned by billionaires themselves. Whitmire’s deranged colleague, JD Crowe, drew an image of Martin Luther King Jr. looking at now-President Donald Trump saying “I had a dream” — but no one seems to know what that means.
4. In an extraordinary final act, President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons for Trump critics, his family members, and political allies, citing fears of retaliatory investigations by incoming President Donald Trump. Recipients include Gen. Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of Congress who investigated the January 6 Capitol attack, among others. Biden asserted that these actions protect individuals from unjust scrutiny rather than imply guilt. While the pardons shield recipients from federal charges, they have sparked debate over their true purpose, impact on justice, potential to encourage similar actions by future administrations, and how the media called Trump’s pardons a “rampage” while railing against his “corrupt excess” at the end of his first term while framing these as necessary and defensive.
3. Donald Trump made history as the 47th president, returning to power with plans to swiftly reverse the Democratic agenda, including stricter immigration controls and rollback of climate and social programs. His unprecedented political comeback followed years of legal battles and controversies, all while he pledged to simply restore American sovereignty and justice. Trump also signaled bold ambitions from acquiring Greenland and relaunching space exploration to expanding U.S. influence and securing the border once and for all.
2. President Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th U.S. President was met with strong support from Alabama officials, including Governor Kay Ivey, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), and Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), who expressed excitement about implementing his agenda. Sen. Tuberville lauded Trump for ending a “national nightmare” of border chaos and inflation, while Rep. Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) called Trump’s victory a mandate to secure borders, restore the economy, and reestablish U.S. leadership. With unified enthusiasm, Alabama’s leaders pledged to work alongside Trump to “Make America Great Again” and usher in what they called a new “Golden Age.”
1. In his first hours as president, Donald Trump signed numerous executive orders on various issues including immigration, elimination of DEI, energy independence, forcing federal employees back to work, declaring their are only two genders, withdrawing from the World Health Organization, support for the death penalty, support for more appealing architecture, “putting people over fish” in California, enacting tariffs, revoking security clearances, and more. Trump’s targeting of illegal immigration was a huge focus, his actions included deploying military forces to the U.S.-Mexico border, classified cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, restarting construction on the border wall, ending birthright citizenship, ended Biden-era programs such as CBP One app, reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and declared a national emergency to halt illegal entry.
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Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast on WVNN at 10 p.m.
