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WATCHDOG NEWS REPORT – JANUARY 21, 2025
“Trump's First Day: Executive Orders, Economic Shifts, and Global Conflicts"
Introduction:
Welcome to the Watchdog News Report. I'm Jared W. Campbell, reporting for Watchdog Ministries. Whether you're tuning in for the first time or a returning viewer, don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and follow us on Facebook and TikTok.
Today's coverage is packed with political, economic, and global developments. We break down President Trump's first executive orders, discuss economic and climate concerns, and examine global conflicts between Ukraine and Taiwan.
Let's dive in.
U.S. BREAKING NEWS
Trump's First Day Back: Executive Orders and Policy Shifts
On January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump officially returned to the White House as the 47th President of the United States. His first executive orders focused on border security, energy independence, economic deregulation, and foreign policy.
1. Border Security and Immigration
Executive Order 1: "Secure the Border Initiative"
• What It Does:
• Resumes construction of the southern border wall.
• Reinstates "Remain in Mexico" for asylum seekers.
• Deploys National Guard units to reinforce Border Patrol.
• Economic and Social Impact:
• Supporters argue it will reduce illegal immigration costs and ease job competition for American workers.
• Critics warn of economic harm to industries dependent on immigrant labor.
2. Energy Policy and Deregulation
Executive Order 2: "America First Energy Revival"
• What It Does:
• Lifts restrictions on drilling and fracking on federal lands.
• Withdraws the U.S. from Biden-era international climate agreements.
• Greenlights the Keystone XL pipeline.
• Economic and Climate Impact:
• Oil prices fell by 6% due to expectations of increased U.S. production, easing inflation.
• Environmental groups claim this will increase CO₂ emissions and climate risks.
• The renewable energy sector, including solar and EV manufacturers, saw a 3-5% stock decline.
3. Trade and Tariff Policy
Executive Order 3: "America First Trade Protection"
• What It Does:
• Reinstates tariffs on Chinese imports, targeting steel, semiconductors, and electronics.
• Ends federal subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs), citing "market distortions."
• Calls for renegotiation of trade agreements with Europe and Canada.
• Market Reaction:
• The Dow Jones surged 500 points, benefiting U.S. manufacturing and fossil fuel companies.
• China retaliated with tariffs on U.S. agriculture and tech exports, impacting farmers and companies like Apple.
4. Economic Stimulus and Deregulation
Executive Order 4: "Make America Prosperous Again"
• What It Does:
• Lowers corporate tax rates to 15%.
• Eliminates federal ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment mandates.
• Suspends student loan forgiveness programs.
• Economic Concerns:
• The federal deficit will rise by $2 trillion over the next decade.
• Supporters say it will boost business investments, but critics argue it disproportionately benefits the wealthy.
Key Points: U.S. Withdrawal from the WHO (January 20, 2025)
Executive Order Overview:
• President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO).
• This is the second attempt to exit the WHO after President Joe Biden reversed a similar move in 2020.
Objectives of the Withdrawal:
• Addressing Alleged Mismanagement: The administration justified the withdrawal by citing WHO's handling of global health crises, particularly COVID-19.
• Reducing U.S. Financial Contributions: The U.S. aims to halt funding, which previously accounted for about 18% of the WHO's budget, to reallocate resources to other health initiatives.
• Reassessing Global Health Partnerships: Plans to seek alternative organizations for global health efforts previously managed with the WHO.
Implications of the Withdrawal:
• Global Health Impact: A funding shortfall could weaken WHO's ability to address health emergencies and fight diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
• Geopolitical Consequences: Experts warn that the withdrawal may reduce U.S. influence in global health governance, potentially allowing China to expand its role within the WHO.
• Domestic Reactions: The decision has sparked debate, with concerns that leaving the WHO could undermine global and national health security.
Withdrawal Process:
• A 12-month notice period is required for the U.S. withdrawal.
• During this time, the U.S. will cease financial contributions and recall affiliated personnel.
• The timeline allows for potential policy reassessments and alternative international health collaborations.
Key Points: President Trump's FEMA Policy and Project 2025
Inauguration and Initial Actions:
• On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States.
• On his first day in office, he signed multiple executive orders and dismissed FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.
Project 2025 and FEMA Reforms:
• Proposed Structural Changes: Project 2025 aims to shift most of FEMA's preparedness and response costs to state and local governments.
• Reduction of Federal Support: The plan eliminates most Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant programs that fund disaster response efforts.
• Expert Concerns: Disaster preparedness specialists warn that these changes could weaken FEMA's ability to respond to emergencies effectively.
Clarification on FEMA's Role:
• Misconceptions Addressed: Experts confirm that while FEMA is not being eliminated, its role may be significantly altered under the proposed reforms.
• Schlegelmilch's Statement: Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness director clarified that FEMA would continue to exist but with a different scope.
Misinformation and Public Response:
• 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season: False claims circulated that FEMA blocked aid shipments and seized goods, leading to public confusion.
• Debunking False Information: Reputable sources, including PBS NewsHour, fact-checked and clarified the misinformation regarding FEMA's operations.
Ongoing Debate:
• While President Trump has been in office for only one day, Project 2025's FEMA reforms continue to generate debate over their potential impact on disaster response capabilities.
CLIMATE AND DISASTER REPORT
North Carolina Flooding: State of Emergency Declared
• Storms have left parts of North Carolina underwater, displacing over 30,000 residents.
• Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency, requesting federal disaster relief.
• Economic losses are estimated at $4.5 billion, with the agriculture and housing sectors being hardest hit.
California Wildfires: Worst in Years
• Fires have scorched over 500,000 acres, fueled by record drought conditions.
• Trump's FEMA response plan is already facing criticism for delays.
• Climate scientists warn these fires are part of a long-term warming trend.
WORLD REPORT: GLOBAL CONFLICTS AND ECONOMIC STRUGGLES
Russia-Ukraine War: Trump's Policy Shift Creates Uncertainty
According to the RAND report (RRA3400-1), Trump's decision to freeze U.S. aid to Ukraine could alter the war's course.
• Kyiv warns of increased Russian aggression, with Putin signaling renewed offensives in Donetsk.
• European nations are scrambling to provide additional military aid.
• RAND Analysis: The NATO burden-sharing debate gains urgency as Trump reassesses U.S. commitments.
China-Taiwan Tensions Escalate
China responded to Trump's new tariffs with military drills near Taiwan.
• Taipei increased defense spending, securing a $10 billion arms deal with the U.S.
• RAND Report Connection: Ukraine's struggle mirrors Taiwan's potential vulnerabilities.
Israel-Hamas Conflict: New U.S. Approach?
• The Gaza conflict continues, with Israeli airstrikes increasing in response to Hamas rocket attacks.
• Trump's administration is reconsidering military aid, prioritizing diplomatic mediation.
• RAND analysis suggests that U.S. strategic shifts in Ukraine could embolden Iran-backed groups in the region.
Global Economic and Climate Struggles
Economic Pressures
• Oil prices rose 8%, driven by Trump's energy policies.
• China's economy slowed, with GDP growth expected to drop below 4% due to U.S. tariffs.
• European markets fell 2% as concerns over transatlantic trade tensions grow.
Climate Risks and Economic Costs
• The RAND report (CPA614-2) links climate disasters to economic instability, warning of rising insurance premiums and infrastructure failures.
• Food shortages loom as Ukraine's grain exports slow, driving higher prices in Africa and the Middle East.
• Renewable energy investments declined as Trump prioritized fossil fuel development.
Key Points: U.S. Intelligence, Military, Economic, and Geopolitical Developments Under Trump's Second Term
1. U.S. Intelligence Leaks & Deep State Resistance
Concerns Over Trump's Foreign Policy:
• Reports indicate resistance from the federal bureaucracy ("Deep State") against Trump's national security policies.
• Intelligence leaks suggest concerns over Trump's approach to NATO, Russia, and China.
• Declassified NSA & CIA documents show analysts prepared for policy reversals weeks before Trump took office.
Potential Internal Opposition:
• Speculation arises over a possible shadow campaign within U.S. intelligence to undermine Trump's foreign policy.
• A RAND report suggests the U.S. military-industrial complex benefits from prolonged conflict in Ukraine, contradicting Trump's anti-interventionist stance.
Military Leadership Changes:
• Analysts suggest Trump may fire or sideline military leaders who resist his foreign policy, similar to Nixon's Pentagon battles in the 1970s.
2. U.S. Military Readiness & Defense Overhaul
Executive Order on Military Readiness:
• Trump signed Executive Order 5: "Restoring America's Military Readiness," initiating a full audit of U.S. military stockpiles.
• Concerns rise over depleted weapons reserves due to conflicts in Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel.
Strategic Readiness Risks:
• RAND Analysis: The Ukraine war exposed gaps in NATO's logistics, supply chains, and ammunition stockpiles.
• Pentagon Memos: Internal reports warn that a potential Taiwan-China war in 2026 could critically strain U.S. military reserves.
Potential Conflict with Iran:
• Some Pentagon insiders speculate Trump's military buildup could increase tensions with Iran over its influence in Syria and the Red Sea.
3. AI Warfare & Cyber Threats: A Silent Global Arms Race
Rise of AI-Driven Warfare:
• Trump's decision to freeze specific NATO commitments coincides with adversaries (Russia, China, Iran, North Korea) accelerating AI warfare capabilities.
• RAND reports indicate AI-powered cyber warfare is now a more significant threat than nuclear conflict.
Key Developments:
• China is deploying "Swarm AI" drone fleets capable of independent attack decisions, which have been tested in the South China Sea.
• Russia: Cyber units are probing U.S. infrastructure and reportedly conducting test cyberattacks on Texas and New York power grids.
Cybersecurity Risks:
• U.S. officials warn that Trump's rollback of international cybersecurity agreements could leave the U.S. vulnerable to Russian and Chinese cyberattacks.
4. Trump's Executive Order on Bitcoin & Financial Warfare
Crypto as a National Security Concern:
• Trump signed an executive order investigating crypto-backed economic warfare.
• Concerns arise as China and Russia stockpile digital currencies to bypass U.S. sanctions.
Key Financial Risks:
• Iran: Using cryptocurrency to fund operations in Syria, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
• RAND Financial Report: Decentralized digital finance could weaken U.S. dollar dominance.
Strategic Implications:
• Trump's financial crackdown on crypto may be an effort to reassert U.S. dollar supremacy in a global economy trending toward de-dollarization.
5. Economic Instability & Market Concerns
Looming Recession Warnings:
• Despite initial market optimism over Trump's tax cuts, major financial institutions warn of economic instability.
• Key concerns:
• Trump's corporate tax cuts could add $2 trillion to the deficit, pressuring the Federal Reserve to maintain high interest rates.
• JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs predict a 2025-2026 recession fueled by global trade instability.
• Energy analysts warn of potential oil and gas price volatility due to Trump's deregulation policies.
Global Economic Fallout:
• Trump's "America First" policies could accelerate debt crises in developing nations dependent on U.S. financial stability.
6. Geopolitical Power Shifts: Winners & Losers Under Trump's Policies
Beneficiaries:
✔ Russia: Gains strategic leverage as Trump reassesses NATO funding.
✔ China: May push harder on Taiwan while prioritizing trade deals over military conflict.
✔ Saudi Arabia & UAE: Expect major arms deals under Trump's renewed Middle East strategy.
Nations Facing Setbacks:
❌ Ukraine: Faces a collapse risk if NATO aid diminishes.
❌ Germany and the EU May have to increase defense spending or negotiate with Russia.
❌ Iran: Could face economic struggles if Trump reinstates maximum-pressure sanctions.
Potential Global Realignment:
• European nations may explore defense alliances outside NATO, possibly strengthening military ties with China.
Final Thoughts: What Lies Ahead for the U.S. and the World?
• Trump's second term is rapidly reshaping America's global role.
• U.S. military readiness faces critical challenges, particularly in Ukraine, Taiwan, and the Middle East.
• AI-driven conflicts and cyber warfare may redefine global security faster than nuclear threats.
• The dominance of the U.S. dollar is under pressure as crypto and global trade dynamics evolve.
📌 Biggest Question: Will Trump's policies dictate the future—or will global reactions shape America's next chapter?
Closing Thoughts
That concludes today's Watchdog News Report. In just days, Trump's executive actions have already begun reshaping U.S. policy with far-reaching economic, political, and global consequences.
• Markets react positively, but concerns over inflation, tariffs, and long-term stability remain.
• Global tensions rise as Russia, China, and Iran adjust their strategies in response to U.S. policy shifts.
• Disaster costs escalate, with record-breaking wildfires and floods testing America's emergency response capabilities.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Like, share, and subscribe to Watchdog Ministries for real-time updates. Follow us on Facebook and TikTok for exclusive reports.
I'm Jared W. Campbell. Stay vigilant and stay informed.
In Christ, love ❤️ Jared W Campbell
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