Welcome to the Truth and Action Roundup, a reliable weekly source of information, inspiration, and action for the first hundred days of the second Trump administration. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to continue receiving it.

Today is Ash Wednesday, March 5, day 45 of the new Trump administration. As we decompress from the outrages and disinformation in Trump’s speech to Congress last night, we’re taking heart in the knowledge that many of our fellow citizens share our grave concerns with the state of our country. Recent polling suggests that majorities of Americans are concerned about the influence tech CEOs currently have on the Trump administration. Elon Musk’s leadership of DOGE in particular is viewed as a net negative. Amid the solemnity of the liturgical season of Lent that begins today, we encourage you to ground yourself in faith and solidarity with one another as we struggle together for a better nation and world.

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

A note on next week’s schedule: We’ll be back to our regular Friday schedule next week, so the next Truth and Action Roundup will be coming your way on Friday, March 14.

In the News

Here’s what’s been happening this week:
1) The Trump administration announced that it is pausing all military aid to Ukraine, days after President Trump and Vice President Vance berated Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a White House meeting. These developments reflect a clear pivot in U.S. foreign policy under Trump toward Russia. European nations such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have responded to these developments by “doubling down” on their support for Ukraine, announcing their intention to develop “a ceasefire plan acceptable to Ukraine and Europe that they would present to Trump,” according to the Washington Post.

2) Donald Trump’s long-threatened tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico are in effect, along with a doubling of recently instituted tariffs on Chinese goods. The moves caused big drops in global stock markets, reflecting anxiety and uncertainty about the economic impact of these moves, which have already prompted retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods and threaten to raise prices for consumers for a wide variety of goods.

3) Protests against Elon Musk’s assault on the federal government have been growing at Tesla dealerships across the country in an attempt to hurt Musk’s bottom line. The demonstrations, dubbed “Tesla Takedown” by some of the organizers, took place outside at least 90 Tesla shops and charging stations over the weekend. February marked the worst month for Tesla stock since December 2022, with shares falling 28%.

4) The Israeli government cut off all entry of food and other supplies into Gaza this week as Hamas and Israel negotiate around extending their fragile ceasefire. At issue is a disagreement over whether the agreement’s first phase should be extended (the Israeli government’s position) or whether the agreement’s second phase should be implemented — which would effectively end the war (Hamas’ position). Meanwhile, Egypt has developed a proposal for Gaza’s future to be discussed by Arab leaders in Cairo this week that would exclude Hamas from future governance of the enclave, instead proposing the formulation of an independent, technocratic Palestinian committee to govern Gaza on an interim basis.

Take Action

Join us TODAY virtually or in person for Faithful Witness Wednesday, A Call for Congressional Courage! Wednesday, March 5, at 12 noon Eastern, we will kick off a monthlong series of vigils at the U.S. Capitol. Faith leaders will call on Congress to exercise greater moral courage in upholding its constitutional powers and preventing overreach by the Trump administration. Sign up here to attend virtually or in-person.

Tell Congress: Protect U.S. Foreign Assistance! The Trump administration’s cruel disruption of U.S. foreign assistance continues, with thousands of contracts unilaterally terminated by the administration without congressional input. These cuts are already having devastating impacts on some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Contact your members of Congress to demand that they speak out against these draconian disruptions.

Join “Bloody Sunday: A Case Study in Nonviolent Civil Disobedience” TONIGHT, a webinar hosted by Jim Wallis at Georgetown’s Center on Faith and Justice. This discussion will mark the 60th anniversary of the brutal attacks on peaceful demonstrators by law enforcement on the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Panelists include Civil Rights leader Rev. Otis Moss Jr., Rep. Terri Sewell — who represents Selma, Birmingham, and Montgomery — and more. Join the webinar tonight, March 5, 6:30-8pm ET.

What We’re Reading

Soul Care for Weary Activists | So much of what passes for self-care is commodified. Here’s what we need instead. (By Edgar Rivera Colón)

How Many Americans Are Christian Nationalists, Really? | In late January, the Pew Research Center released a study of religious nationalism worldwide, including in the U.S. The results? Only 6% of Americans fit Pew’s definition of “Christian nationalist.” That's a smaller number than several previous estimates, but sociologists and researchers suggest it may just provide a shade of nuance to the way we think about religious nationalism in America. (By Mitchell Atencio)

Deep Breaths 

Ash Wednesday 

Lectionary Readings:

First reading: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12 | Psalm: Psalm 51:1-17 | Second reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 | Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Ash Wednesday is when we face our mortality head-on, reflecting on our purpose in God’s creation.

This year, it doesn’t take much effort to tap into our frailty. We confront death and chaos daily. Faith communities are leaning into this Lenten season with a strong emphasis on truth-telling, calling attention to failings in our current political and social realities and to the evil policies and rhetoric that are harming people across the world.

Yet amid our prophetic witness, we must also not overlook our own failings. This season of repentance is an opportunity to examine our own hearts lest we fall into the traps of ego and pride. Most of us reading this today live with some level of privilege — some more than others. And if we are not careful, our human ego can lead us into a savior complex, where we begin seeking praise and recognition for the good we do.

But scripture reminds us, “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). Our acts of grace are not meant to be performative. We do not serve, pray, or help for applause. We do so because our hearts are broken — just as God’s heart is broken. We love because we were first loved. This is an act of worship and resistance. 

So on this Ash Wednesday and all the days ahead, let us boldly call out the evil of empire. But let us also be vigilant, watching for the more subtle evils — pride, self-righteousness, and the temptation to seek validation — that can quietly pull us away from God’s grace. 

Let this season be one of truth, humility, and love.

Join me in this season of reflection, resistance, and worship by listening to my Ash Wednesday playlist.

— 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
Associate Editor: Josina Guess
Mobilizing and Policy Assistant: Miriam Tellez
Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims