When the surprising news broke on Thursday that China’s President Xi Jinping had accepted an invitation from President-elect Donald J. Trump to attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20th, it caused barely a ripple in American newsrooms. The story was only a minor note on the global radar as the world monitors Trump’s upcoming return to the White House.
In recent days, the 45th—and soon-to-be 47th—President has been at the center of global attention. He has fielded calls from foreign leaders, hosted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-A-Lago to discuss tariff issues, rang the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange, and graced the cover of TIME Magazine as its “Person of the Year.” The cover sparked outrage from critics, including media personalities like Don Lemon and Nicolle Wallace, who might need some calming as January 20th approaches.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Cabinet selections, such as Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and FBI Director nominee Kash Patel, appear to have weathered the initial controversies stirred by the media and seem on track for smooth confirmations. Current FBI Director Christopher Wray, reading the political landscape, announced his resignation effective at the end of the Biden administration to “avoid further politicization of the bureau.” Observers noted this as a preemptive move, likely to avoid an unceremonious dismissal by Trump.
On Capitol Hill, the shift in power is becoming evident. During the Salem Media Group program This Week On The Hill with Tony Perkins, House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the bipartisan passage of the Fiscal 2025 National Defense Appropriations Act. Johnson emphasized that the new legislation reflects the administration’s focus on restoring national defense as the top priority, adding, “There’s a new sheriff in town.”
The Biden administration’s “woke” agenda has been stripped from the NDAA. Speaker Mike Johnson stated, “We removed much of the progressive agenda to ensure it no longer shapes Defense policy. For instance, federal law will now prohibit taxpayer funding for transgender surgeries on minors. We wanted to ensure no tax dollars are spent on experimental, non-scientific practices like so-called gender-affirming care, which can cause severe, irreversible harm to young people.”
Johnson also highlighted efforts to eliminate DEI and “woke” directives introduced during Biden’s term from military academies. Additionally, the NDAA includes a significant 14% pay increase for military members—the largest in years—which Johnson acknowledged as overdue and a positive step for military families.
On the global front, Donald Trump appears to be benefiting from events that could lead to early foreign policy successes in his next term. The fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has reshaped the geopolitical landscape, weakening Iran’s influence. Speaking on This Week On The Hill, former Trump national security advisor John Bolton emphasized the strategic opportunity. “Israel’s relentless fight against terrorism has created a chance for the U.S. to achieve meaningful change in the Middle East,” Bolton said. “This benefits America, Israel, our Arab allies, and the broader region.” Meanwhile, Israeli jets have been targeting key sites in Syria, including Assad’s remaining naval assets, as efforts intensify to locate his hidden chemical weapons stockpiles.
Assad’s sudden departure from Syria marks a turning point, rivaled only by the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan under President Biden’s leadership.
Back in the U.S., Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg—known for his controversial legal tactics that led to Donald Trump’s conviction—suffered two high-profile courtroom defeats in just 72 hours. Bragg unsuccessfully attempted to convict subway hero Daniel Penny, whose restraint of a homeless man in a threatening situation tragically resulted in the man’s death. Initially, Bragg pursued a manslaughter charge, but the jury deadlocked. He then pivoted to a charge of “criminally negligent homicide,” but that too was rejected by jurors after a legal rollercoaster ride. Media outlets like CNN, MSNBC, and The Washington Post quickly expressed outrage, with thinly veiled warnings that Penny’s acquittal could encourage “vigilantism” in major cities. The Post even invoked the specter of 1980s “subway vigilante” Bernhard Goetz, who famously shot attackers armed with a screwdriver.
Meanwhile, strange “large drones” the size of VW buses have been spotted over New Jersey and other areas. The origins and purpose of these drones remain unclear, yet the outgoing Biden administration dismissed them as “not a public threat”—a statement that left many scratching their heads. With incidents like these, the current leadership appears increasingly ineffective and out of touch.
Against this backdrop, Donald Trump is poised to take command of a nation longing for decisive leadership. His central promise since entering politics—to Make America Great Again—feels more urgent than ever. Though he has yet to be inaugurated, signs of his renewed leadership are already emerging, offering reassurance that the grownups are on their way back to the White House.
