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Today is Wednesday, Jan. 15, five days before Inauguration Day. In today’s Truth and Action Roundup, we cover the release of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on President-elect Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference, the contentious confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth to serve as Trump’s secretary of defense, and the just-announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. We also provide opportunities for action to oppose Hegseth’s nomination and an opportunity to attend a justice gathering — virtually or in person on Inauguration Day — focused on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s moral vision and legacy. 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) Yesterday, special counsel Smith released the report on the election interference case against Trump. In it, he argued that the evidence against Trump would have led to his conviction at trial, if not for Trump’s election victory resulting in the need to drop the case in accordance with longstanding Justice Department precedent that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted while they hold office. For now, the special counsel’s report on the classified documents case he also pursued against Trump will remain private, reportedly to “avoid interfering with an ongoing case against two other defendants,” according to NPR.

2) Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, had a contentious confirmation hearing in the Senate yesterday, during which he was grilled by several Democratic senators on his qualifications and knowledge to hold the position as well as allegations that he has engaged in sexual assault and alcohol abuse. Problematic views he has expressed in the past about torture and women serving in the military were also an important focus of the hearing. Finally, Democratic senators also highlighted that Hegseth’s FBI background check for his nomination did not include interviews with his ex-wives or the woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017. Less discussed but also alarming are Hegseth’s ties to a coalition of hard-Right churches associated with Christian nationalism.

3) After 15 months of bloodshed and tens of thousands of people killed in Israel and Palestine, the Israeli government and Hamas have reportedly reached a phased ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement. If the deal is honored by all parties, it includes an initial 42-day ceasefire and the release of 33 Hamas-held Israeli captives, followed by additional releases during that period. The deal also provides for the release of hundreds of Israeli-held Palestinian captives and increased humanitarian aid into Gaza. The remaining captives will be exchanged in the second phase of the deal, and the third phase includes reconstruction of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing and security structure. Since the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, at least 46,707 people have been killed in Gaza according to the Gaza Health Ministry, while Israel has reported about 1,605 deaths. Both figures include both military personnel and civilians.

Take Action

Call your senators to oppose Hegseth as secretary of defense. After his confirmation hearing yesterday, it has become even clearer that Hegseth is an unqualified and inappropriate nominee to lead the Pentagon. His troubling views on women in the military and torture are problematic in and of themselves, but accusations against him of sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and financial mismanagement, along with his lack of qualifications for the position he is seeking, make his nomination unacceptable. Get a refresher and some quick tips on how to call your senators to oppose nominations using this Sojourners toolkit.
“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, Tenn., 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.

Deep Breaths

Ella Baker once said, “We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.” Her words remind us that justice requires persistence, courage, and collective action. Yet, her call is not a demand for exhaustion but a reminder that freedom is not won through complacency. Rest is not the enemy of the struggle; it is the fuel that sustains us. When we care for ourselves, we strengthen our ability to care for others.

At this moment in history, when so many lives and identities remain under threat, now is not the time to turn away or grow indifferent. For those of us with power and privilege, this is the time to step forward — to advocate, organize, and uplift. It is a time to listen deeply to those most vulnerable and act boldly for justice.

True freedom demands that we move beyond individual comfort to collective liberation. Rest when you need to, but do not give up. We are all connected, and the fight for freedom is not just for others — it is for us all. Let us honor the words of Ella Baker by committing to the work, holding fast to hope, and moving forward with love.

Here’s a freedom playlist to encourage you this week.

— 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

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