This week marks the beginning of our reckoning with America’s truths, with the realization that Trumpism is the very product of our own societal tendencies. On Monday, January 20th, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.

Episode Time Stamps

• Intro: 00.43
• Reflecting on the First Term: 4.15
• The Tech Industrial Complex & Crony Capitalism: 07.23
• Global Political Context: 10.19
• Executive Orders, Policy, and Global Affairs: 11.22
  • Immigration: 14.05
  • Climate Change: 15.18
  • Trans Rights: 17.15
  • Public Health & Reproductive Healthcare: 19.17
  • Trade & Tariffs : 20.47
  • Civil Liberties & Disinformation: 21.36
  • Tech Corporations Role in Policy Making: 23.05
• International Affairs: 24.15
• Calls to Action: 25.20

Day One Executive Orders

On day one, Trump marked the start of his second term with a series of executive orders and pardons – two presidential privileges that fueled Trump’s sadistic passion for authoritarian rule. In addition to revoking 78 of Biden’s Executive Orders, including ones that protect LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, the planet, and women’s health, and issuing many more executive actions, he pardoned nearly all the 1,600 individuals charged in the January 6th insurrection, effectively ending all cases. Executive orders ranged across distinct categories: immigration, climate, trade, DEI, and public health. It was clear that this time around, Trump was prepared to execute the full powers of the presidency.

Now is the Time to Mobilize

This moment demands not only reflection but action. History has shown us that grassroots organizing can be the bedrock of change. From local communities to national coalitions, people are mobilizing to push back against authoritarianism and safeguard democracy. Stop Project 2025 Taskforce is actively working to counteract right-wing extremist policies targeting reproductive rights, climate justice, and civil liberties. Groups like Indivisible provide resources to build local political power, resourcing individuals to influence policy decisions directly in their communities. Meanwhile, the Sunrise Movement continues to rally young people to fight for climate justice, and organizations like the ACLU and Black Lives Matter lead the charge in protecting civil rights and chipping away at systemic inequities. 

Now is the time to get involved–whether by joining these movements, supporting their efforts financially, or even starting your own local coalition. Change begins with each of us, and together, we have the power to shape the future.

It is our responsibility to ourselves and one another to do everything we can to build, nurture, and sustain networks of community care. We must take this moment as our calling to build together, nurturing relationships rooted in compassion and reciprocity. We must cultivate resistance movements collectively to effectively challenge the systems that continue to uphold our oppression.

Resources to Support Safety and Collective Action

• How to Take Action on Inauguration Day and Beyond | ACLU
• Know Your Rights - We Are Casa
• Identity Documents for Trans People - Lambda Legal
• Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project

For more, you can find the full show notes of every episode at https://www.artofcitizenry.com/episodes

Thank you to our producer, Aly Honoré, and editor, Noah Kowalski.

The music featured in the podcast was created by Katrina Zemrak.