Wayne Dupree Podcast

President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance. Due to freezing temperatures, the inauguration events, including the oath-taking and formal ceremonies, will take place indoors at the Capitol Rotunda, and the traditional inaugural parade has been canceled.

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is reportedly preparing to enter the New York City mayoral race, potentially challenging Mayor Eric Adams in what could become a highly contentious election. While Cuomo hasn’t officially confirmed his bid, early polls show him leading among Democratic candidates, raising the stakes for the June primary. This development is setting the stage for one of the most dramatic mayoral races in recent memory.

Our world is filled with challenges that can shake our sense of peace and security, making it easy to feel fearful about the future. In these times, we must hold tightly to Jesus, our unshakable Rock, trusting that He is in control and working for good. No matter how difficult life gets, His love and care for us remain constant. He is near, watching over us, and mindful of every challenge we face, offering reassurance and hope even in the hardest situations.

President Joe Biden met with officials to address the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which have claimed at least 10 lives, destroyed over 10,000 structures, and caused $57 billion in damages. Calling the fires “unprecedented,” Biden announced that the federal government will cover 100% of disaster response costs for the next six months, including debris removal, temporary shelters, and first responders’ overtime.

The Senate begins confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet ahead of his Jan. 20 inauguration. Pete Hegseth (Defense Secretary) faces scrutiny Tuesday, with hearings also set for John Ratcliffe (CIA), Kristi Noem (Homeland Security), and Marco Rubio (State). Hearings for Kash Patel (FBI) and Tulsi Gabbard (DNI) are unscheduled.

Wildfires in Los Angeles have killed at least five people, destroyed over 1,100 buildings, and forced evacuations in areas like Pacific Palisades and Runyon Canyon. Celebrities such as Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, and Eugene Levy have lost their homes as fires continue to devastate the region.

House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that Social Security and Medicare cuts will not be included in the funding plans for President-elect Donald Trump's agenda, emphasizing the Republican Party's commitment to preserving these benefits.

Congress certified Donald Trump’s presidential victory without incident, a stark contrast to 2021 when a pro-Trump mob disrupted Biden's confirmation. The session, completed in under an hour, proceeded smoothly despite a snowstorm, with no objections or evacuations. Tensions over the events of January 6, 2021, still linger.

On Thursday, Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, criticized American culture for embracing mediocrity. Backed by Elon Musk, he called for skilled immigrants to fill tech jobs, clashing with the MAGA faction's anti-immigration stance. Musk urged removing immigration opponents from the Republican Party.

An Emerson College Polling survey shows 41% of young adults (18-29) find the actions of UnitedHealthcare CEO Bryan Thompson’s alleged killer "acceptable," while 40% disagree. The case, involving 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, highlights dissatisfaction with the U.S. healthcare system. Overall, 68% of respondents called the act "unacceptable," with Democrats (22%) more approving than Republicans (12%), and men (19%) slightly more supportive than women (14%).

Former CIA targeter Sarah Adams warned of an impending attack but faced pushback from the Pentagon for bypassing “proper channels.” Now she's raise the alarm, and challenging officials who dismissed her warnings. Bureaucratic failure or a courageous stand?

Leftover border wall materials were auctioned off following a Republican-led bill passed in December 2023. The law required the defense secretary to create a plan within 75 days to dispose of "excess construction materials" and implement it within 100 days, aiming to eliminate storage and maintenance costs.

Three federal judges, including Judge James Andrew Wynn, have rescinded their retirements to prevent former President Trump from appointing their replacements. This unprecedented move highlights ongoing political battles over control of the federal courts, which decide key issues like same-sex marriage, transgender rights, and immigration policies.

Federal authorities, including the FBI and Homeland Security, have reassured residents that most reported drone sightings are likely cases of mistaken identity, often involving manned aircraft or facilities.

President-elect Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for firing missiles into Russia, calling it a "foolish decision" and a significant geopolitical risk. After meeting Zelensky twice since his 2024 election win, Trump stated that Zelensky is ready for peace and believes it's time for Russian President Vladimir Putin to do the same. Trump emphasized the need for a peace agreement, clarifying that he does not intend to abandon Ukraine in the process.

The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted about an “insult to the intelligence of the American people” as he was led into court. Arrested after a five-day search, Luigi Nicholas Mangione was taken into custody at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.

Luigi Mangione found himself in custody for firearm possession after law enforcement intervened while he dined at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This arrest came to pass following an alert from a vigilant employee, as disclosed by the NYPD's chief detective. At 26 years of age, Mangione was discovered to be carrying several counterfeit identities along with a firearm equipped with a silencer, state authorities reported.

The fate of Syria's Christian population remains a concern. A Christian resident of Aleppo, speaking anonymously, expressed shock at the sudden withdrawal of Syrian government forces. Once reclaiming the city in 2016 through heavy bombardments and sieges under President Assad, their presence vanished swiftly: "They withdrew entirely," the resident said.

President Biden’s aides are debating preemptive pardons for officials who could face legal risks if Trump returns to power. Concerns grew after Trump appointed Kash Patel, who pledged to target critics, to lead the FBI. However, the White House fears pardons could suggest guilt and spark backlash.

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a replacement for Pete Hegseth, his Pentagon pick, due to concerns over allegations about Hegseth's personal life. Selecting DeSantis, a 2024 GOP rival, would be a surprising move but aligns with Trump’s views on addressing "woke" military policies. Trump’s team sees the next 48 hours as critical for deciding Hegseth’s future.

Sen. Joe Manchin suggested in a CNN interview that President Biden should consider pardoning President-elect Trump, reflecting on Biden's recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Biden defended his son's pardon, citing political motivations behind the charges, which included felony gun charges from 2018.

Biden addressed claims of "weaponization," stating he stayed true to not interfering with the Justice Department's investigation of his son. The pardon covers his son's federal gun conviction and tax evasion charges, with sentencing dates in December and September, respectively.

Trump Derangement Syndrome has ended, and America is on the road to recovery. Despite Democrats and the press comparing Trump to Hitler, 59% of Americans approve of his handling of the transition from Biden to his second term.

Denver's Democratic Mayor, Mike Johnston, vows to rally protests against President-elect Donald Trump's planned mass immigrant deportations in Colorado, as sanctuary city leaders gear up to challenge the threat.

President-elect Donald Trump declared on Monday that a "free, fair, and open media" is crucial to his mission of "Making America Great Again." Trump says his duty to engage with the press for the American people's sake, despite facing unprecedented hostility from some outlets.