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

This week, as we continue to mourn the lives taken in an antisemitic attack in Sydney, we saw people from every religious community unite to denounce religious and political violence. The horrific shooting and the heroic actions of Ahmed Al Ahmed in preventing further bloodshed symbolized the unity needed to confront hate. This outpouring of unity serves as a model, as do the communities across the country that have acted to protect their neighbors and loved ones.

While we are seeing the best reflections of our religious traditions in the outpouring of love and unity, we are also witnessing a dark contrast in the White House's reaction to the tragic murder of Rob and Michelle Reiner. While many across the country mourned the loss of the talented director, Donald Trump denigrated him and implied that his death was a result of political criticism of his administration. Unfortunately, this ugly rhetoric aimed at the Reiners continues a tradition that has recently targeted Somali Americans and immigrants in Minneapolis, and Muslims more broadly. It has been paired with an expanded travel ban targeting countries across the Global South.

This year has seen a troubling rise in bigotry, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, as the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts are paired with a rhetorical assault emanating from the White House. The elevation of antisemitic discourse within the conservative movement–– including figures like Nicholas Fuentes–– reminds us that no community is safe when any group is targeted for who they are or how they worship.

- Rev. Moya Harris and Chad Stanton, Sojourners

In the News

Congress battles over health care and war powers, increasing military budgets and denying access to a key social safety net for millions:

This week, Congress passed a $901 billion annual military policy bill, the largest of its kind in U.S. history, and also defeated two war powers resolutions regarding the Trump administration's strikes in Venezuela. 
Additionally, four Republicans in the House joined Rep. Jeffries to force a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies for millions of Americans. Despite support and pressure for the extension, Congress passed a new health care bill on the same day that will ultimately be voted down in the Senate.

The Trump administration expands the travel ban, deportation efforts increase, and ICE returns to Chicago:

In addition to the 19 countries banned or facing restrictions on entry into the U.S. by the Trump administration, 20 more countries will be added to the list Tuesday.
More than 117,000 immigrants face uncertainty as the Trump administration has filed to reopen low-priority cases, putting them at risk of deportation. This is part of a larger effort to deport immigrants who have been living in the U.S. legally.
ICE has resumed operations in Chicago after weeks spent focusing on North Carolina, Louisiana, and Minnesota. New data shows that police have been pivotal to ICE’s ability to detain and deport immigrants since the passage of HB 287 over the summer. State-based nonprofits are seeking to challenge the bill’s constitutionality under state law but face significant obstacles to reversing or altering federal law.

The Trump administration signals its intent to escalate attacks against Venezuela as strikes and piracy continue on the open seas:

Despite not mentioning a land attack on Venezuela in his address on Wednesday night, Trump has made numerous statements, at least 17 since September, about escalating attacks soon.
Trump is claiming that in these attacks, the U.S. will regain what was stolen from it by Venezuela, especially regarding oil, stating, “They took our oil rights. We had a lot of oil there. As you know, they threw our companies out, and we want it back.”
A near-collision occurred last weekend between an aircraft taking off from Curaçao, north of Venezuela, and a U.S. military refueling tanker, raising ongoing concerns about the potential for a land strike. Following this, Trump ordered a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers departing from or arriving in Venezuela. Maduro maintains that trade will continue despite Trump’s assertion.

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We’re also continuing to demand that Congress vote for health care everyone can afford as they continue to debate the Affordable Care Act subsidies.

What We’re Reading

“I Came To The United States A Capitalist, Now I Support Mamdani” | “Captivated by a faith packaged like a product, I became a product myself: an international student, aflame with evangelical zeal, trained to spread the gospel.” (By Yanan Rahim Navarez Melo)

“Faith Leaders Share Why They Joined Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team” | “Faith leaders care for the forgotten every day,” de la Torre wrote. “No matter the issue, faith leaders are already doing the work and can help bring people together to find shared answers.” (By Erwin Kamuene)

Deep Breaths

Someday at Christmas

Beloved, I pray you’re taking time to pause in the midst of all that’s going on. Christmas is upon us, the news is news-ing, and life continues to life. So, remember to breathe. Be present. Pay attention.

In this week before Christmas, I’m invoking the words sung by the great Motown legend, Stevie Wonder. First released as a single in 1966, Someday at Christmas was written by Ron Miller and Bryan Wells, and produced by Henry R. Crosby. Over the years, many have covered the song, but there’s something about Stevie’s original recording that always grabs my heart.

This song carries an eschatological vision, a hope-filled imagining of what Christmas could one day be: no more war, no hungry children, no hatred.

Take a moment to read the lyrics. Then listen to the song with your eyes closed.

Can you see the vision Stevie sang into the world?

I can.

—Rev. Moya Harris, Senior Director of Programs, Sojourners

Someday at Christmas

Songwriters: Bryan Wells / Ronald Miller

Performed by Stevie Wonder

Someday at Christmas men won't be boys

Playing with bombs like kids play with toys

One warm December our hearts will see

A world where men are free

Someday at Christmas there'll be no wars

When we have learned what Christmas is for

When we have found what life's really worth

There'll be peace on earth

Someday all our dreams will come to be

Someday in a world where men are free

Maybe not in time for you and me

But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmas we'll see a land

With no hungry children, no empty hand

One happy morning people will share

A world where people care

Whoa, someday at Christmas there'll be no tears

When all men are equal and no man has fears

One shining moment one prayer away

From our world today

Someday all our dreams will come to be

Someday in a world where men are free

Maybe not in time for you and me

But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmas man will not fail

Hate will be gone and love will prevail

Someday a new world that we can start

With hope in every heart, yeah

whoa, yeah

(Someday in a world where men are free)

Maybe not in time for you and me

But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmastime

The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff:

President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor
Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson
Digital Content and Community Specialist: Kassandra Tapia
Chief Program and Impact Officer: Bryan Epps
Political Director: Chad V. Stanton
Senior Program Director: Rev. Moya Harris
Digital Education and Outreach Specialist: Cortnie Brooks
Policy and Action Assistant: Trinity Williams
Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims

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