Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 229

What is an executive order? A look at Trump’s tool for quickly reshaping government

By JOSH BOAK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is returning to the White House ready to immediately overhaul the government using the fastest tool he has — the executive order.

An incoming president signing a flurry of executive orders is standard practice. Executive orders allow a president to wield power without action from Congress. But there are also limits to what orders can achieve.

A primer on how the presidential power works and its often fleeting impact:

What are executive orders?

Basically, they are signed statements about how the president wants the federal government to be managed. They can be instructions to federal agencies or requests for reports.

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Many orders can be unobjectionable, such as giving federal employees the day after Christmas off. They can also lay out major policies. For example, President Joe Biden signed an order to create a structure for establishing regulations on artificial intelligence. But executive orders — and their policy sausage-making siblings, the proclamation and political memorandum — also are used by presidents to pursue agendas they can’t get through Congress.

New presidents can — and often do — issue orders to cancel the orders of their predecessors.

As the American Bar Association notes, the orders do not require congressional approval and can’t be directly overturned by lawmakers. Still, Congress could block an order from being fulfilled by removing funding or creating other hurdles.

How common are executive orders?

Throughout U.S. history, there have been several thousand executive orders, according to data collected by the American Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara. George Washington signed eight executive orders, while Franklin Delano Roosevelt did 3,721.

During his first term, Trump, a Republican, signed 220.

Biden, a Democrat, signed 160 as of Dec. 20.

Executive orders are often about political messaging

Trump forecasted signing as many as 100 executive orders on his first day, possibly covering deportations, the U.S.-Mexico border, domestic energy, Schedule F rules for federal workers, school gender policies and vaccine mandates, among other Day 1 promises made during his campaign. He’s also promised an executive order to give more time for the sale of TikTok.

Trump has asked Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., to write an order stopping the development of offshore windmills for generating electricity.

Many of Trump’s measures are likely to draw Democratic opposition.

And in several major cases, the orders will largely be statements of intent based off campaign promises made by Trump.

There are limits to the power of executive orders

Both Congress and the courts can potentially block executive orders.

For example, Congress in 1992 revoked an executive order by then-President George H.W. Bush that would establish a human fetal tissue bank for scientific research by passing a measure that the order “shall not have any legal effect.” Congress can also deny funding to agencies and hamstring the enforcement of an order.

There are also legal challenges based on the argument that a president exceeded his legal authorities. When President Harry Truman tried to seize steel mills during the Korean War, the U.S. Supreme Court said he lacked the authority to take private property without authorization from Congress.

Horoscopes Jan. 20, 2025: Rainn Wilson, discipline and hard work will help you meet the demands

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Skeet Ulrich, 55; Rainn Wilson, 59; Bill Maher, 69.

Happy Birthday: Evaluate, research and initiate the changes that lead to a healthy and prosperous future. Discipline and hard work will help you meet the demands you put on yourself. Reach your goal first before giving in to someone else’s needs. Changing the order in which you do things will help you put your life in perspective and excel in ways you never imagined possible. Your numbers are 6, 17, 25, 28, 32, 39, 41.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Work toward your endgame. Stay out of sight to avoid letting anyone dump their responsibilities on you. What you do should make you feel good about what you accomplish and help an issue that is dear to you. You’ll get further if you put anger aside while clarifying your position. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep your plans to yourself until you have every detail mapped out and ready to launch. Leave yourself wiggle room regarding budget to ensure you don’t fall short or take on unwanted debt. Control your emotions when dealing with sensitive situations. An ingenious diversion will help you excel. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Lower the tone and maintain the peace. You’ll find it much easier to get things done if you keep your schedule manageable. Use what you already have and turn it into something tangible. Let your research guide you, and eliminate nonessentials. Say no to overextending yourself. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Emotions will lead to trouble. Be observant, but don’t react unnecessarily. Monitor situations and use common sense. It’s up to you to choose what’s best and to put your energy where it benefits you most. Trust your judgment and pursue your goals. Self-improvement and personal growth will ease stress. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Taking on a losing battle will set you back. Choose the path that offers positive change, learning something new and diversifying what you already have to offer. Refuse to let your personal and professional lives interfere with one another. Take care of your responsibilities and distance yourself from disputes. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Choosing what’s right or wrong will be difficult. Get the lowdown, verify information and retreat from anything unrealistic. It’s up to you to embrace or reject change. Find your happy place and follow through. Temptation and indulgent behavior will not solve the problem; common sense will. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Run a tight ship personally and professionally. Haste makes waste, and mistakes are costly. Be open to suggestions, but refuse to let anyone take advantage of you. A simple plan executed with know-how and facts will help you exceed your expectations and deter others from interfering. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Participate in networking events, reunions and educational pursuits that can help you connect to those moving up the ladder. Use your voice to speed up the changes necessary to get ahead. An activity that gets you moving will encourage a healthy lifestyle and enthusiasm to excel. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Emotional conflicts will stand between you and what you can accomplish personally and professionally. Rethink your strategy and consider what’s essential before you begin your day. Choose the path that doesn’t cast doubt and is devoid of temptation. Stick to the straight and narrow, and abide by the facts and figures. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take a moment to analyze what others say and how they respond before participating in a conversation. A change may be your desire, but it can also be detrimental if your timing is off. Let your intuition guide you, not your emotions or the prompting of others. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Change your surroundings and let your imagination step in and take over. Stop procrastinating and put your plans into motion. All talk and no action will lead to criticism and self-doubt. Forge ahead with a positive mindset, and go with the flow. Invest time, effort and money in yourself, and you will flourish. 5 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Refrain from complicating your life or letting others interfere with your goals or plans. Set the standards and boundaries to ensure you live up to your expectations. Refuse to let anger be your response to demands others try to enforce. Say no to temptation. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are hardworking, innovative and deliberate. You are sensitive and opportunistic.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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Trump’s inauguration will usher in a crypto-friendly administration, and with it, new state policies

By MARC LEVY, Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The bitcoin-friendly administration of President-elect Donald Trump and an expanding lobbying effort in statehouses could push states to become more open to crypto and lead public pension funds and treasuries to buy into it.

Proponents of the uniquely volatile commodity argue it is a valuable hedge against inflation, similar to gold.

Many bitcoin enthusiasts and investors are quick to say government-backed currencies are prone to devaluation and increased government buy-ins will stabilize future price swings, giving them more legitimacy and boosting already rising prices.

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But the risks are significant. Critics say crypto investments are highly speculative, with so much unknown about projecting future returns. They warn that investors should be prepared to lose money.

Only a couple of public pension funds have invested in cryptocurrency. A U.S. Government Accountability Office study on 401(k) plan investments in crypto, issued late last year, warned it has “uniquely high volatility.” It found no standard approach for projecting the future returns of crypto.

2024 was a landmark year for crypto, with bitcoin surpassing $100,000. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved the first exchange-traded funds that hold bitcoin. Now, crypto enthusiasts are banking on Trump’s promise to make the United States the “bitcoin superpower” of the world.

More legislation on crypto could be coming

Lawmakers in more states can expect to see bills this year to make them crypto-friendly. Analysts say crypto is becoming a powerful lobby. Bitcoin miners are building new installations and venture capitalists are underwriting a growing tech sector that caters to cryptocurrencies.

Meanwhile, a new crypto-friendly federal government under Trump and Congress could consider legislation from Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyoming, to create a federal bitcoin reserve on which states can piggyback.

A bill introduced in November in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives sought to authorize the state’s treasurer and public pension funds to invest in bitcoin. It went nowhere before the legislative session ended, but it caused a stir.

“I had a friend who is a rep down the road text me, ‘Oh my god, I’m getting so many emails and phone calls to my office,’ more than he ever did about any other bill,” said the measure’s sponsor, Republican Mike Cabell.

A bitcoin enthusiast who lost his reelection bid, Cabell expects a colleague to reintroduce his bill. Leaders of bitcoin advocacy group Satoshi Action say they expect legislation based on their model bill to be introduced in at least 10 other states this year.

But what about public pension funds?

Keith Brainard, research director for the National Association of State Retirement Administrators, said he doesn’t expect many public pension fund investment professionals, who oversee nearly $6 trillion in assets, to invest in crypto.

Pension fund professionals take risks they deem to be appropriate, but bitcoin investing has a short track record, might only fit into a niche asset class and may not fit the risk-to-reward profile they seek.

“There might be a bit of dabbling in bitcoin,” Brainard said. “But it’s difficult to envision a scenario in which pension funds right now are willing to make a commitment.”

Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming helped make the state the first to introduce a system allowing people to pay a government agency in cryptocurrencies.

Fleming said he’s not trying to promote cryptocurrency, but rather views it as a recognition that the government must innovate and be flexible about helping people do business with the state. He said he would never invest his money, or the state’s, in crypto.

“My concern is that at some point it’ll stop growing and then people will want to cash in,” Fleming said. “And when they do, it could tank the value of a bitcoin.”

In Pennsylvania, Treasury Department officials said they have the authority to decide for themselves if cryptocurrencies meet the agency’s investment standards under state law and don’t need new legislation.

Still, a highly volatile asset is ill-suited to the agency’s need for predictability, considering it writes millions of checks a year. The overwhelming majority of the roughly $60 billion it invests at any given time is in short-term, conservative investments designed for an investment period of months, officials there said.

Pension boards, which invest on a 30-year time horizon, may already hold small investments in companies involved in mining, trading and storing cryptocurrencies. But they have been slow to embrace bitcoin.

That could change, said Mark Palmer, managing director and a senior research analyst at The Benchmark Company in New York.

Pension boards got investment tools they like last year when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved the first exchange-traded funds that hold bitcoin. In October, it approved listings of options on those funds, Palmer said.

Many “are likely in the process of getting up to speed on what it means to invest in bitcoin and kicking the tires, so to speak, and that’s a process that typically takes a while at the institutional level,” Palmer said.

Several major asset managers like BlackRock, Invesco and Fidelity have bitcoin ETFs.

Some states already are investing in crypto

In May, the State of Wisconsin Investment Board became the first state to invest when it bought $160 million worth of shares in two ETFs, or about 0.1% of its assets. It later scaled back that investment to $104 million in one ETF, as of Sept. 30. A spokesperson declined to discuss it.

Michigan’s state investment board reported about $18 million in bitcoin ETF purchases, while a candidate for New Jersey governor, Steven Fulop, said that if elected he would push the state’s pension fund to invest in crypto.

Fulop, the Democratic mayor of Jersey City, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, has been preparing for months to buy bitcoin ETF shares for up to 2% of the city’s $250 million employee pension fund.

“We were ahead of the curve,” Fulop said. “And I think that’s what you’re eventually going to see is this is widely accepted, with regard to exposure in all pension funds, some sort of exposure.”

Follow Marc Levy on X at: https://x.com/timelywriter.

Pope Francis calls Trump’s plans of mass deportation of immigrants ‘a disgrace’

By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis said Donald Trump’s plans to impose mass deportations of immigrants would be a “disgrace,” as he weighed in on the incoming U.S. president’s pledges nearly a decade after calling him “not Christian” for wanting to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Francis made the comments during an appearance at an evening talk show, and then followed up Monday with an official telegram of congratulations to Trump on the day of his inauguration. Francis said he prayed that America would live up to its ideals of being a “land of opportunity and welcome for all.”

“It is my hope that under your leadership the American people will prosper and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no room for hatred, discrimination or exclusion,” he wrote in the telegram.

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History’s first Latin American pope was asked Sunday night about the Trump administration pledges of deportations during an appearance on a popular Italian talk show, Che Tempo Che Fa.

“If true, this will be a disgrace, because it makes the poor wretches who have nothing pay the bill” for the problem, Francis said. “This won’t do! This is not the way to solve things. That’s not how things are resolved.”

Trump, who is being sworn in on Monday, made mass deportations a signature issue of his campaign and has promised a raft of first-day orders to remake immigration policy.

During his first campaign for the presidency, in 2016, Francis was asked about Trump’s plans to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Speaking after he celebrated Mass along the border, Francis famously said anyone who builds a wall to keep out migrants is “not Christian.”

Many U.S. bishops have firmly opposed Trump’s deportation plan, with the incoming archbishop of Washington D.C., Cardinal Robert McElroy, saying such policies were “incompatible with Catholic doctrine.” It was a reference to the Biblical call to “welcome the stranger.”

Another cardinal close to Francis, Chicago Cardinal Blasé Cupich, said the reports of mass deportations targeting the Chicago area “are not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply.”

In a statement delivered from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on Sunday, Cupich said governments have the responsibility to protect borders and communities.

“But we also are committed to defending the rights of all people, and protecting their human dignity,” according to the text of his statement.

Francis, who grew up in Argentina in a family of Italian immigrants, has long prioritized the plight of migrants and called for governments to welcome, protect and integrate them, within their means. He has said the dignity and rights of migrants trump any national security concerns.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Watch live: Donald Trump’s inauguration

Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president on Monday, taking charge as Republicans assume unified control of Washington and set out to reshape the country’s institutions.

Frigid weather is rewriting the pageantry of the day. Trump’s swearing-in was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda — the first time that has happened in 40 years — and the inaugural parade was replaced by an event at a downtown arena.

When Trump takes the oath of office at noon, he will realize a political comeback without precedent in American history.

Here’s how to watch Trump’s inauguration live:

Contributing: Associated Press

Trump returning to power after unprecedented comeback, emboldened to reshape American institutions

By ZEKE MILLER, CHRIS MEGERIAN and MICHELLE PRICE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump, who overcame impeachments, criminal indictments and a pair of assassination attempts to win another term in the White House, will be sworn in as the 47th president on Monday, taking charge as Republicans assume unified control of Washington and set out to reshape the country’s institutions.

Trump is expected to act swiftly after the ceremony, with executive orders already prepared for his signature to jumpstart deportations, increase fossil fuel development and reduce civil service protections for government workers, promising that his term will bring about “a brand new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride.”

Frigid weather is rewriting the pageantry of the day. Trump’s swearing-in was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda — the first time that has happened in 40 years — and the inaugural parade was replaced by an event at a downtown arena. Throngs of Trump supporters who descended on the city to watch the inaugural ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol from the National Mall will be left to find somewhere else to view the festivities.

Snow falls on the Capitol in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

“God has a plan,” said Terry Barber, 46, who drove nonstop from near Augusta, Georgia, to reach Washington. “I’m good with it.”

When Trump takes the oath of office at noon, he will realize a political comeback without precedent in American history. Four years ago, he was voted out of the White House during an economic collapse caused by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Trump denied his defeat and tried to cling to power. He directed his supporters to march on the Capitol while lawmakers were certifying the election results, sparking a riot that interrupted the country’s tradition of the peaceful transfer of power.

But Trump never lost his grip on the Republican Party, and was undeterred by criminal cases and two assassination attempts as he steamrolled rivals and harnessed voters’ exasperation with inflation and illegal immigration.

Now Trump will be the first person convicted of a felony — for falsifying business records related to hush money payments — to serve as president. He will pledge to “preserve, protect and defend” the Constitution from the same spot that was overrun by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021. He’s said that one of his first acts in office will be to pardon many of those who participated in the riot.

Eight years after he first entered the White House as a political newcomer, Trump is far more familiar with the operations of federal government and emboldened to bend it to his vision. He has promised retribution against his political opponents and critics, and placed personal loyalty as a prime qualification for appointments to his administration.

President-elect Donald Trump arrives at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

He has pledged to go further and move faster in enacting his agenda than during his first term, and already the country’s political, business and technology leaders have realigned themselves to accommodate Trump. Democrats who once formed a “resistance” are now divided over whether to work with Trump or defy him. Billionaires have lined up to meet with Trump as they acknowledge his unrivaled power in Washington and ability to wield the levers of government to help or hurt their interests.

Trump has pledged to bring quick change to the country by curtailing immigration, enacting tariffs on imports and rolling back Democrats’ climate and social initiatives.

Long skeptical of American alliances, his “America First” foreign policy is being watched warily at home and abroad as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will soon enter its third year and a fragile ceasefire appears to be holding in Gaza after more than 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas.

Trump, who spent Saturday and Sunday night at Blair House across from the White House, will begin Monday with a prayer service at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Then he and his wife Melania will be greeted at the executive mansion by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden for the customary tea. It’s a stark departure from four years ago, when Trump refused to acknowledge Biden’s victory or attend his inauguration.

The two men and their spouses will head to the Capitol in a joint motorcade ahead of the swearing-in.

Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn-in first, taking the oath read by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on a bible given to him by his great-grandmother. Trump will follow, using both a family bible and the one used by President Abraham Lincoln at his 1861 inauguration as Chief Justice John Roberts administers his oath.

Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, and his wife, Usha Vance, arrive to a dinner event at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The inaugural festivities began Saturday, when Trump arrived in Washington on a government jet and viewed fireworks at his private golf club in suburban Virginia. On Sunday, he laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and rallied his supporters at Washington’s downtown Capital One Arena.

A cadre of billionaires and tech titans who have sought to curry favor with Trump and have donated handsomely to his inaugural festivities, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, will be in attendance.

Also present will be the head of TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned social media app deemed a national security risk by the U.S. Trump has promised to lift an effective ban on TikTok through one of many executive orders expected to be issued on Monday as the new president attempts to show quick progress.

At his Sunday rally, Trump teased dozens of coming executive actions, promising that “by the time the sun sets” on Monday he will have signed executive orders involving border security and immigration policy, including a revival of Trump’s first-term effort to shut down access to many new entries under what’s called Title 42 emergency provisions.

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Others orders are expected to allow more oil and gas drilling by rolling back Biden-era policies on domestic energy production and rescind Biden’s recent directive on artificial intelligence.

More changes are planned for the federal workforce. Trump wants to unwind diversity, equity and inclusion programs known as DEI, require employees to come back to the office and lay the groundwork to reduce staff.

“Expect shock and awe,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

“What I’ve been urging the president, and my colleagues, to do is stay laser-focused on delivering on our promises,” Cruz said. “And that’s what I expect that we’re going to do.”

With control of Congress, Republicans are also working alongside the incoming Trump administration on legislation that will further roll back Biden administration policies and institute their own priorities.

“The president is going to come in with a flurry of executive orders,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. “And we are going to be working alongside the administration and in tandem.”

AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro and AP writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

As Trump returns to the White House, families prepare for mass deportations

By GISELA SALOMON AND SOPHIA TAREEN, Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) — Parents around Nora Sanigo’s large, rectangular dining table had lunch before signing documents to make the Nicaraguan immigrant a legal guardian of their children, entrusting them to her if they are deported. She gave a list of what to carry with them: birth certificates, medical and school records, immigration documents, her phone number.

“Talk to your children and tell them what can happen, let them have my phone number on hand, let them learn it, let them record it,” Sandigo said Sunday.

Nora Sandigo, left, listens to a mother as she decides what to do about her U.S. born children if she is detained or deported, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

For the group at Sandigo’s southwest Miami home and for millions in the United States illegally or with temporary legal status, the start of Donald Trump’s second term as president on Monday comes with a feeling that their time in the U.S. may end soon. Trump made mass deportations a signature issue of his campaign and has promised a raft of first-day orders to remake immigration policy.

“You don’t have to be afraid, you have to be prepared,” Sandigo told the group of about 20 people, including small children, who watched a demonstration of how to respond if immigration officers knock on their door. “Take precautions wherever you are.”

A mother reads a pamphlet to help her family prepare in the event she is apprehended by immigration authorities, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Sandigo, who came to the U.S. in 1988, has volunteered to be guardian for more than 2,000 children in 15 years, including at least 30 since December. A notary was on hand Sunday.

Erlinda, a single mother from El Salvador who arrived in 2013, signed legal rights to her U.S.-born children, ages 10 and 8. She said she applied for asylum but doesn’t know the status of her case.

“I am afraid for my children, that they will live the terror of not seeing their mother for a day, for a month, for a year,” said Erlinda, 45, who asked to be identified by first name only due to fears of being detained.

A young mother signs a form giving Nora Sandigo legal guardianship of her children if she is detained or deported by immigration authorities, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Plans for deportation arrests appeared to be in flux after news leaked of an operation in Chicago this week. Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan said on Fox News Sunday that Chicago was “not off the table, but we’re reconsidering when and how we do it.” He said the leak raised concerns about officer safety.

So-called sanctuary cities, which limit how local police cooperate with federal immigration authorities, have been a favorite Trump target, especially Chicago. Reports that his initial push would be in the nation’s third-largest city brought a new sense of urgency and fear.

Chicago became a sanctuary city in the 1980s and has beefed up policies since, including after Trump first took office in 2017. Last week, the City Council heartily rejected a longshot plan calling for exceptions allowing local police to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on deportation cases for people accused or convicted of crimes.

A young man reacts to information on how to prepare for the upcoming changes to undocumented families living in the U.S., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

The Rev. Homero Sanchez said he didn’t realize the depth of fear in the Chicago immigrant community he serves until someone asked him to handle the sale of their family’s home and other finances if they are picked up after Trump takes office.

“They feel they have been targeted for who they are. They feel like they’re reviving this fear they had eight years ago,” said Sanchez, who serves the St. Rita of Cascia Parish on Chicago’s South Side. “They’re feeling like something is going to happen. This is not their city because of the threat.”

Sanchez, whose congregation has consisted mostly of people of Mexican descent since the 1980s, devoted Sunday Mass “to solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters.”

A mother thanks notary Adela Morales, right, and Nora Sandigo, left, after she signed documents giving Sandigo legal guardianship of her children, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Miami. Since December, Sandigo has become the legal guardian of at least 30 children. She has been doing so for 15 years and is the legal guardian to more than 2,000 children of undocumented immigrants. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Cardinal Blase Cupich, who leads the Archdiocese of Chicago, said reports of the city being targeted by immigration officers were “not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply.”

“We are proud of our legacy of immigration that continues in our day to renew the city we love,” Cupich said Sunday during a visit to Mexico City, according to a copy of his prepared remarks.

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ICE arrests a fraction of targets in its street operations, though Trump is expected to cast a wider net than President Joe Biden, whose focus on picking up people away from the border was largely limited to those with serious criminal histories or who pose a risk to national security.

Biden’s administration also ended the practice of mass worksite arrests, which were common under Trump, including a 2019 operation targeting Mississippi chicken plants.

Trump aides have said immigration officers will arrest others, such as spouses or roommates, who are not targets but happen to be in the country illegally.

Tareen reported from Chicago.

Horoscopes Jan. 19, 2025: Dolly Parton, don’t let emotions sway you from a better choice

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Shawn Johnson, 33; Drea de Matteo, 53; Katey Sagal, 71; Dolly Parton, 79.

[image error] Katey Sagal

Happy Birthday: Refuse to let your emotions supersede, and make the better choice. Get realistic this year, take time and plant your seeds deep. It’s up to you to build a foundation that can withstand what you want to achieve. Embrace life wholeheartedly but also with a plan and the money to complete the mission you envision. Let your heart lead, but let your intelligence decide what’s best for you. Your numbers are 7, 18, 21, 29, 33, 37, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Participate in something that inspires you to socialize more with people who share your interests or concerns. It will broaden your perspective regarding the possibilities and how to tap into joining forces with those who, like you, want to make a difference or contribution. Do your due diligence before donating. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Someone you least expect will broadside you with emotional drama. Listen carefully, but don’t get involved in something that can compromise your position, reputation, health and well-being. Put your time, money and energy into benefiting yourself, not someone else. Account for every penny spent and improvement made. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Attend an event that offers knowledge, new connections and insight into making the most of what you have. Exploring what’s available will encourage you to upgrade your qualifications or revise your resume. Say no to temptation, walk away from relationships promoting indulgent behavior and say yes to personal growth. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Read between the lines and decipher what or who offers the best deal. If something sounds too good to be true, take a pass. Put your energy behind facts and truth, not empty promises. Money, information and joint venture opportunities will come from an unusual source. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Participate and be the one to make a difference. Less complaining and more action will ease your stress and help you pave a path toward a better future. Improved health begins with positive lifestyle changes, fitness and a clean diet. Take pride in looking, feeling and doing your best. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Monitor money matters and assess your position, reputation and the safety of your financial future

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Expand your mind, interests or qualifications. Attend a reunion, seminar or networking function. An emotional situation will bring about a positive lifestyle change. Look past the chaos and find your way to a brighter future. Let the past go and make peace of mind your destination. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Honor your promises to yourself and others. Stop procrastinating, and you’ll discover the satisfaction you get from putting your to-do list behind you. A commitment to someone close to you will change the dynamics of your relationship. A reunion, day trip or creative endeavor is favored. 3 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be direct, ask questions and get the facts. Someone you least expect will withhold information or exaggerate a situation. Evaluate your job prospects and income, and determine how to get the financial injection you require to improve your lifestyle. Your best way forward requires persistence, hard work and ingenuity. 4 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Your ability to act fast is remarkable, but if you let your emotions intertwine with your actions, you may not get your intended results. Take that brief but necessary moment to review your motive. Once satisfied, do what’s best for you. A decision requiring commitment is apparent. 2 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Think twice before rearranging your space or giving in to someone trying to take advantage of you. Listen more and reveal less; you’ll maintain the upper hand and gain clarity of a situation that can change rapidly. Know who and what you are dealing with, and choose practicality over pleasing others. 5 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Avoid drama and simplify your life and relationships with others. Stick to the facts and the truth, and be precise when asking for something. How you deal with others will determine what you get in return. Intelligence is the key to your success, not trying to make everyone else happy. 3 stars
Birthday Baby: You are intuitive, mindful and connected. You are witty and steadfast.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.
Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

High School football: Central Coast all-star game

Players selected to the Central Coast High School All-Star football game

Saturday, Feb. 1 at Salinas High, 7 p.m.

Teams will be divided once practice starts

Coaches: Juan Cuevas, North County; Francisco Estrada, Alisal

Players named in alphabetical order

Nathaniel Alvarez, Gonzales

Joshua Angel, Alisal

Carmelo Arias, Hollister

Brady Ballesteros, Salinas

Dmytro Bieliaiev, Monte Vista

Vaughn Bredy, Soquel

Jayden Brown, Monterey

Julio Camacho, Soledad

Dominic Chaidez, Palma

Kavon Collins, Monterey

Paul Colman, Marina

Masen Coso, Soquel

Nate Crandall, Salinas

Luca Dasilva, Soquel

Tommy Dayton, Stevenson

Jeremy Elledge, Alisal

Julius Escort, Seaside

Elijah Fisher, Monterey

Brian Flores, Pajaro Valley

Javier Fonseca Jr, St. Francis

Soakai Funaki, Monterey

Jagger Funk, King City

Caleb Gabriel, Alisal

Hector Garcia, Greenfield

Matthew Garcia, North Salinas

Antonio Garcia, Gonzales

Ben Garry, Pacific Grove

AJ Gomez, North County

Andre Gonzalez, Gonzales

Marcus Gonzalez, St. Francis

Jacob Hernandez, Gonzales

Gio Hernandez, Greenfield

Fabian Herrera, King City

JT Islas, North County

Arnulfo Jimenez, North County

Gideon Llantero, Pacific Grove

Robert Lopez, North Salinas

Tyreis Lundy, Soquel

Donovan Maben, Marina

Wyatt Maravilla, Salinas

Dayven Marquez, Salinas

Mario Martinez, North County

Rico Maturino, Salinas

Kenji Mellin, North County

Lucas Milburn, Palma

Christopher Morris, Greenfield

Jake Mungaray, Salinas

Abel Munoz, Alvarez

Joshua Na, Salinas

Izaak Ocampo, Pajaro Valley

Ben Palma, Soquel

Hector Pantoja North County

Nick Paz, St. Francis

Iker Ponce, Watsonville

Efren Posadas, Alisal

Christopher Rasmussen-Horan, North County

Xavier Reinhardt, Palma

Jess Ringel, Scotts Valley

Angel Rodriguez, Salinas

Melvin Romero, Soledad

Christopher Rua-Chico, Soledad

Xavier Salas, Salinas

Tomas Salvador, Hollister

Brody Sanchez, Salinas

Caden Scherer, Palma

Jackson Scott, Salinas

Brian Tapia, Rancho San Juan

Tanner Trowbridge, Soquel

Emarrcis Turner, Salinas

Hezekiah Turner, Seaside

Eric Valdez Alvarado, Monterey

Jason Valencia, North Salinas

Christian Vaughn, Monterey

Elijah Velez, Scotts Valley

Carlos Zamora, Alisal

Warriors avoid upset, defeat Wizards behind strong play in second half

SAN FRANCISCO — It wasn’t always pretty, but the Warriors got it done when it mattered most. 

After a sluggish first half, Golden State’s offense found life in the final two quarters and held on to beat the last-place Washington Wizards 122-114 to open its two-game homestand. 

Stephen Curry scored 26 points before suffering a minor ankle injury late, and Andrew Wiggins had a game-high 31 to lead Golden State. Dennis Schröder totaled 20 points and four assists. Moses Moody was big down the stretch for the Warriors as he scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half.

Draymond Green exited the game at the nine minute mark of the first quarter and did not return. The team announced the injury was due to left calf tightness – an ailment that kept Green out back-to-back games in early December.

Former Warrior Jordan Poole made his second appearance at Chase Center as a member of the Wizards and hit 8 of his 15 3-point attempts, finishing with 38 points to lead Washington.

“We knew what we lacked going into the third quarter,” said Warriors guard Gary Payton II. “We had to punch first and that’s what we did. We were down Draymond and we had to fill that presence.”

After Green’s exit, the Warriors struggled to stop the Wizards offense for the rest of the first half. 

Washington led by seven after the first period and that lead ballooned to as much as 10 in the second quarter. 

Poole hit five of his eight 3-point attempts and finished the half with 23 points to lead all scorers. Curry and Wiggins combined for 25 points to keep the Warriors within striking distance, but Golden State still trailed 60-53 at halftime.

The Warriors opened the third quarter on a 9-5 run and took a one-point lead later in the period on Wiggins’ corner 3-pointer on a pass from Schröder. 

Golden State finished the quarter strong and took a 89-87 lead going into the final 12 minutes of play. 

Both teams went back-and-forth in the opening minutes of the fourth, but Golden State started to pull away late. The Warriors methodically picked apart the Wizards’ backline rotations, which led to open shots at the rim and on the perimeter. 

Curry hit a 3-pointer at the 2:30 mark, giving the Warriors a 115-105 lead late in the fourth, but he did not finish the closing minute of the game after tweaking his left ankle. 

The Warriors outscored the Wizards 18-11 in the final minutes of play to seal the victory. 

Golden State has struggled to find a consistent No. 2 scoring option alongside Curry all season, but Wiggins stepped into that role comfortably on Saturday night. He scored 19 points in the second half and was the Warriors’  go-to scorer down the stretch.

“Andrew was great,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s been playing at a really high level all season The way things have evolved the last couple of weeks, we just really leaned into his scoring. So we’re trying to get him on the floor for all the non-Steph (Curry) minutes, running a lot of the offense through him.

“He’s doing a lot of good things for us, scoring in multiple ways. Tonight the way he rebounded, just played the total game. He was fantastic.”

Golden State will play eight of its next nine games at home and will host the Boston Celtics on Monday. 

Warriors face an old friend

Poole seemed to enjoy being back in the place he called home for four seasons.

His first basket came in the opening minutes of the game on a long step back 3-pointer on the left wing over Trayce Jackson-Davis. 

Poole and the Warriors displayed some gamesmanship throughout the night.

In the middle of third, Poole hit a fall away corner 3-pointer and had some friendly words for the Warriors bench as he jogged back on defense. During one of Poole’s free throw attempts, Payton untied Poole’s shoe.

“It’s always fun playing with Jordan, against Jordan,” Payton said. “I was with him all summer, so we’ve been at it all summer. So now it’s time to go to work, it makes it even more fun. But we were just messing around, trying to have fun.”

Injury updates

While Curry did not close the final minute of the game, Kerr and Curry confirmed the injury is not serious. He and Green are both considered day-to-day, but Curry is not expected to miss time.

Both Kerr and the team said making up for Green’s responsibilities on the court will be crucial as Golden State awaits his return.

“I mean a lot changes. Draymond is someone you can’t replace,” Wiggins said. “His IQ, defensive ability, playmaking, all of that. Everybody collectively has to come up and fill his shoes. It’s going to be tough for sure but we have guys who can do it.”