Truth and Action Roundup 12.2.24

View this email in your browser Welcome to the Truth and Action Roundup, a reliable source of information, inspiration, and action for the post-election period. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to continue receiving it. Today is Monday, Dec. 2, 49 days before Inauguration Day. In today’s Truth and Action Roundup, we look at President Joe Biden’s use of the pardon power, President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial nomination for FBI director, and an alarming series of threats against public officials over the holiday weekend. We also offer an opportunity to urge Biden to save the lives of people on federal death row. Finally, we mark the first week of the season of Advent with a message of hope — including some reflections from a reader. – Rev. Adam Taylor and Rev. Moya Harris, Sojourners In the News Here’s what we know at the time of writing: 1) Yesterday, Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, for gun and tax charges for which he was previously convicted. This controversial use of the president’s constitutional power to commute sentences and pardon offenses — which Biden says he invoked in this case because he felt his son’s prosecution was politically motivated — marks the first time a president has pardoned one of their own children. It also marks a continuation of a troubling recent history of presidents using the power to benefit members of their family: Trump pardoned his daughter Ivanka's father-in-law, Charles Kushner, and Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother, Roger Clinton. Civil rights organizations and members of Congress have been urging Biden to use the pardon power more expansively in his final weeks in office to provide mercy and relief to people with far less resources and power, including the 40 people currently on federal death row, the 3,000 people still incarcerated on federal cannabis charges, and women punished for defending themselves against their abusers. 2) On Saturday, Trump announced his intention to nominate Kash Patel to serve as FBI director, a controversial and alarming nominee that also breaks the precedent for how appointments to this position have traditionally worked. The current FBI director, Christopher Wray, was appointed by Trump during his first presidency after he fired James Comey, and his 10-year term will not expire until 2027. The 10-year terms are intended to insulate the FBI director, and by extension the agency they oversee, from political influence. Some Republican lawmakers have praised the pick, while others have been more guarded. Some Democratic senators, meanwhile, have warned that Patel’s nomination signals Trump’s intention to use the FBI to seek retribution against his political adversaries. 3) Thanksgiving week featured an alarming series of bomb threats and “swatting attacks,” in which an emergency law enforcement response is triggered against a target victim under false pretenses. These threats and attacks were reported against both incoming Trump administration appointees and nominees and Democratic lawmakers. Thankfully, no explosive devices were found, and no one was injured. Take Action Ask Biden to commute all federal death sentences. Given Sojourners’ longstanding opposition to the death penalty, its disproportionate impact on Black, Brown, and low-income people, and the fact that more people on death row were executed during Trump’s first term than the previous 10 administrations combined, we encourage you to participate in this action alert from the American Civil Liberties Union urging Biden to commute all federal death sentences before he leaves office. Deep Breaths These days, it can be hard to see past the heaviness that comes with living in chaotic and tumultuous times. Yet the beginning of the liturgical season of Advent yesterday reminds us that holding onto hope is central to our faith. In such a time as this, we need to remember that the Bible was largely written by people under siege, people in exile, and people living under brutal occupation. Yet its message, including of new life in Jesus, continues to offer us hope, peace, joy, and love. Today, we share a hopeful message Lori K from Alaska sent us last week: “In these very difficult days since the election, it is easy to feel isolated and alone. On the day after the election I had a phone call from an old, very dear friend who needed to connect with someone who would understand her despair and fear. Since that day, we have continued to email one another and talk at least once a week. This connection/reconnection has been a light in the darkness. ... I have renewed several old friendships and found hope and even joy in these deep relationships. I believe this is one critical way I/we will move forward.” Our prayer today comes from the Revised Common Lectionary’s prayer for the first Sunday of Advent: God of justice and peace, from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness, that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder before your marvelous deeds. Raise our heads in expectation, that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. — Rev. Moya Harris, Director of Racial Justice, Sojourners The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff: President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor Director of Racial Justice: Rev. Moya Harris Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson Senior Adviser and Director to the President’s Office: Elizabeth Denlinger Reaves Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing: Sandy Ovalle Martínez Director of Congregational Outreach & Education: Rev. Andrea Saccoccio Digital Communications Associate: Lexi Schnaser Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims Donate Subscribe Copyright © 2024 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Sojourners | 408 C St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842