A quick look at the first press briefing of the new administration, led by the youngest press secretary in U.S. history, Karoline Leavitt.

Plus ~ how the price of eggs made it into the Q & A and why it matters. Is the topic as critical as it's cracked up to be? (Sorry - couldn't resist)

Curious your thoughts: [email protected] Send a voice note and get a chance to be featured!

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Rundown:

0:00 Introduction to the New Administration's Press Briefing 02:03 Historical Context of White House Press Briefings 03:20 The Impact of Rising Egg Prices 06:45 Economic Factors Influencing Food Prices

 

 

Perspective on executive actions issued by President Trump - from orders from the Oval Office on immigration to the declassification of files related to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy.

Plus ~ a captivating story about a recent heist in the Netherlands involving a mysterious gold helmet, once used as a water can for chickens ...

And ~ who to watch as cabinet nominees face senators this week - from RFK Jr. To Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard.

Curious your thoughts: [email protected] Send a voice note and get a chance to be featured!

SHOW NOTES: POLITICO ARTICLE

HEIST BACKGROUND

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Just a quick "Hello" on a Monday with an equally quick announcement!

We have a big news week ahead and look forward to providing quick, concise, nonpartisan news to you! "I love my weekly SCOOP! It is one of the best decisions I made to navigate the crazy news cycle we encounter these days. I feel prepared and ready for the week after the SCOOP live broadcast. And, I love that when life inevitably interrupts my ability to attend live, it is delivered into my inbox to watch at my convenience. Thank you @jennaleeusa and the @smarthernews team for the fantastic service you deliver!" Dara, SCOOP member

Here's how you can join us! scoop.smarthernews.com 

or https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/

 

 

From political to the personal, our Friday “Ask Me Anything”!

• What does the flu like in America?
• How long does it take to move a president in-and-out of the White House?
• Is there a deadline for cabinet nominees to be confirmed? Is this process taking longer than usual?
• Do former cabinet members get severance? (And ... how much do they make?)
• Where should we report from this summer?
• What about Elon Musk’s controversial "salute"?
• Who got pardoned? Plus the “MAGA granny” who didn’t want one …
• Got a favorite hobby? We got something for you consider!

SHOW NOTES: Flu Map: https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/usmap.html

Presidential Transition Graphics: https://presidentialtransition.org/confirming-the-cabinet-historical-trends-of-cabinet-secretary-confirmations-across-the-last-five-presidential-administrations/

Ex-MAGA Granny turns down pardon: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/01/22/maga-trump-reject-jan6-pardon/

Elon: https://thehill.com/video/dc-bureau-elon-musk-thanks-and-salutes-crowd/10385744

The first words delivered by the new Secretary of State on his first day on the job. The underreported story of a border patrol agent killed in the line of duty. The backstory to a viral moment of the week: the Reverend who confronted President Trump from the pulpit. What was really said?

Curious your thoughts: [email protected] Send a voice note and get a chance to be featured!

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If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/  

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President Trump, like all presidents before him, has the power of the pen but not a magic wand. We take a a closer look at two of President Trump’s first moves in office: issuing pardons and executive orders – and both the extraordinary reach and extraordinary limitations of a president’s power (in less than 10 minutes!)

Key Takeaways:

• Presidential power is often perceived differently than it is in reality.
• The power of forgiveness is a significant aspect of presidential authority.
• Clemency can take the form of pardons or commutations, each with different implications.
• Pardons restore civil rights but do not erase criminal records.
• Critics argue that executive actions can overstep presidential authority.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

 

The president did not take the oath of office while drunk ... nor did he deliver a 2-hour speech resisting a coat ... or end the day trying to keep "enthusiastic" supporters from standing on furniture at the White House - that just happened at OTHER inaugurations! A SmartHER take on the historic inauguration of President Trump: What to know and why it matters.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

 

And where is RFK Jr.??? Jenna discusses the upcoming cabinet positions, focusing on the nominees for Attorney General and the head of the CIA.

Takeaways:

• The cabinet can have varying numbers of members, not fixed by the Constitution.
• There are no specific qualifications required for cabinet members.
• The post office was once a cabinet-level department until the 1970s.

Chapters:

00:00 Quick Intro: Did you know this about the President's cabinet?

02:00 Contentious Hearings: Attorney General Nominee

05:04 The Role of the CIA and National Security

07:06 Write a letter this weekend! An ode to a former cabinet member ... 

SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

The unexpectedly funny, and surprisingly bipartisan hearing of Sec. of State nominee, Senator Marco Rubio..

Takeaways

• A key focus on China.
• The Arctic become an increasingly important area of discussion.
• Personal stories in politics.
• The stakes of war and peace vs. viral moments.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of the Secretary of State

02:26 Key Takeaways from the Hearing

05:06 Insights on Global Engagement and Leadership

07:00: Greenland or bust?

Summary

President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Hegseth, a veteran, author and former Fox News host, faced tough questions on his personal and professional record. Jenna breaks down the three key takeaways of this four-hour hearing.

Takeaways

• The Secretary of Defense is a historically significant role.
• The hearing revealed deep partisan divides in questioning.
• Hegseth's non-traditional background was acknowledged.
• Allegations against Hegseth became a focal point for Democrats.
• Republicans emphasized the military’s culture and Hegseth’s Christianity.
• Strategic questions about national security were largely overlooked.
• The confirmation process is likely to follow party lines.

00:00 The Importance of the Secretary of Defense - Did you know it was known as the Secretary of War?

02:28 Hearing Highlights: Party Lines and Allegations

05:57 - Character and Culture in Military Leadership

07:43 - Oversights in the Hearing

8:59 - Next Steps for Pete Hegseth's Nomination

SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews