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Today is Monday, Jan. 13, 7 days before Inauguration Day. In today’s Truth and Action Roundup, we preview the cabinet hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees (which are set to begin in the Senate this week), talk about a still ongoing case of election litigation unfolding in North Carolina that could decide a state Supreme Court seat, and report on continued voter suppression efforts from “election integrity” activists. We also provide an opportunity for action against a harsh immigration bill that the Senate will soon be voting on, an upcoming in-person and virtual justice gathering that coincides with the inauguration and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and a list of 10 ways to stay grounded during Trump’s second term. Finally, we offer our “Deep Breaths” spiritual resources to equip you for the days ahead.

— Rev. Adam Taylor and Rev. Moya Harris, Sojourners

In the News

Here’s what we know at the time of writing:

1) Hearings will kick off this week in the U.S. Senate for more than a dozen of Trump’s cabinet nominees, in the hopes of confirming as many of them as possible shortly after Trump’s inauguration. While some nominees — like Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state — are expected to sail through the process with minimal drama, more controversial nominees — like Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health and human services secretary, Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, and Kash Patel for FBI director — are expected to face contentious hearings with tough questions. CNN points out that how nominees conduct themselves in these hearings — including their degree of loyalty to Trump and his agenda — could make or break their chances.

2) In North Carolina, one of the seats on the state’s Supreme Court remains in limbo. Jefferson Griffin, the Republican challenger, is attempting to reverse his 734-vote loss to incumbent Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat, by nullifying more than 60,000 votes via a court challenge. Griffin’s efforts to question the election result have been ongoing since November, with this latest push coming after two separate recounts confirmed his loss to Riggs. The votes in question were cast by mail or early in-person voting but are missing a driver’s license number or the last 4 digits of the voter’s Social Security number due to mistakes in the preparation of the registration forms. Some of these omissions date back as long as two decades. Last week, the state Supreme Court, which is split 5-2 in favor of Republicans, blocked state officials from certifying the outcome of the race pending the ongoing litigation. Even some conservative election integrity watchdogs have balked at Griffin’s effort to throw out 60,000 votes, saying that many of them were cast by eligible voters and throwing them all out regardless of legitimacy “would be a grave injustice.”

3) Despite Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, “election integrity” activists continue pushing for voting law changes they claim will combat voter fraud, though these measures will actually suppress eligible votes. For example, one of the first bills introduced in the newly sworn-in Congress, called the SAVE Act, would add new proof-of-citizenship requirements to voter registration, which experts say could disenfranchise some eligible voters. Noncitizen voting in federal elections is already prohibited under existing law.

Take Action

Call your senators and tell them to vote against the Laken Riley Act! The Senate is expected to vote this week on the Laken Riley Act, which would “require the government to arrest and detain — without access to bail — any undocumented person convicted of or even merely arrested for certain offenses,” according to Church World Service. The lack of a statute of limitations or a mechanism for a detained individual to contest their detention are just two reasons this bill is extremely problematic and should be opposed. The bill would also allow judges in individual states to impose “sweeping national origin bans” on visa issuance for countries that do not fully cooperate with U.S. efforts to deport citizens of those nations. Scripture reminds us that we are to radically welcome immigrants — our collective flourishing depends on the safety and security of everyone, regardless of their immigration status. One concrete action we can all take is to call the office of our senators using the congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 and urge them to oppose the Laken Riley Act.
“For Such a Time as This” Gathering: On Jan. 20, the second inauguration of Trump coincides with the commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy — a pivotal moment for people of faith and our moral conviction to stand for justice. Join us online or in Memphis, Tennessee, for For Such a Time as This, a gathering of faith leaders, community advocates, and allies committed to justice, equity, and love. Co-sponsored by Sojourners, this event, inspired by Dr. King’s prophetic vision, is a declaration of hope and a moral response to divisive forces. Engage in prophetic listening and an interfaith worship service/moral meeting in person or virtually. Click here to register.
Prepare for the new administration with this list of “10 Ways to Stay Grounded During Trump’s Second Term.” This article, written by nonviolence and activism trainer Daniel Hunter, appears in the January/February issue of Sojourners magazine. It’s full of practical suggestions and reminders that we hope you will find useful in the weeks and months ahead.

Deep Breaths

Let’s pause for a moment. Wherever you are, take a deep breath with me. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold it for five seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth. If you need to, do it again. Let this moment remind you to check in with yourself, especially as tensions build leading up to Inauguration Day.

How are you releasing the stress you encounter daily? Stress often creeps in unnoticed, showing up as tight shoulders, headaches, or shallow breathing. Left unaddressed, it builds layer by layer until it demands your attention.

Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry and author of Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto, reminds us: “You are not a machine. Stop grinding yourself into exhaustion. The systems of oppression want you to believe rest is a luxury, but rest is your divine right.” Rest is a radical act of resistance, especially in systems that value productivity over humanity.

Remember that God created us as whole beings — body, mind, and spirit. When one part is out of balance, the others feel it too. Rest and mindfulness are ways to honor that divine connection.

Here’s a simple practice to get started:

A Coping Skill: Body Scan

1. Find a quiet, comfortable space.

2. Close your eyes and take deep breaths.

3. Slowly focus on each part of your body, from your head to your toes. Notice and release any tension with each exhale.

4. When finished, take a moment to notice how you feel.

As you move through this week, remember: You are worthy of care — not because of what you do, but because of who you are. Rest well and breathe deeply.

–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
Senior 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