Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt – Part 1

January 29, 2025

Briefings & Statements

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Action Summary

Cabinet and Leadership: Senate confirmed five key Cabinet nominees including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with a call to expedite remaining confirmations.
Immigration and Border Security: President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, ended catch-and-release policies, resumed border wall construction, and enforced aggressive deportations including targeted arrests of individuals with criminal histories.
International Diplomacy and Sanctions: Swift imposition of sanctions and tariffs on Colombia over a deportation dispute, underscoring an expectation that all nations cooperate with U.S. immigration enforcement.
Economic Relief and Deregulation: Steps taken to lower costs for American families by ordering emergency price relief, rolling back onerous Biden-era regulations, and launching initiatives to restore energy dominance and deregulate federal bureaucracy.
Funding Freeze and Fiscal Stewardship: A pause on federal funding for programs deemed inconsistent with the administration’s priorities (e.g., DEI programs, Green New Deal initiatives, and certain foreign aid), while ensuring that individual assistance (Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, and welfare) remains unaffected.
Media and Communication Reforms: Revamped access to the press with a dedicated “new media” seat in the briefing room and a new online application process to include independent journalists, podcasters, and social media influencers.
AI and Technology Policy: Initiatives aimed at restoring American AI dominance, including rollback of restrictive regulations in the AI sector and the appointment of an AI and crypto czar, David Sacks, to bolster the nation’s technology leadership.
Additional Updates: Clarification on New Jersey drone operations (authorized by the FAA) and a commitment to transparent, truth-forward briefings from the White House.

Risks & Considerations

The executive actions taken by President Trump, particularly the freeze on federal grants and funding for certain programs, could impact Vanderbilt University if it relies on federal funding for research or other initiatives. The pause on funding for DEI programs and the Green New Deal could affect university programs aligned with these initiatives.
The emphasis on deportation and immigration enforcement may affect international students and faculty at Vanderbilt, potentially leading to a decrease in international enrollment and diversity within the university community.
The changes in media access and the focus on new media outlets could alter the landscape of information dissemination, impacting how the university engages with media and communicates its achievements and research findings.
The rollback of regulations and the focus on energy independence may influence research funding and opportunities in environmental and energy-related fields, potentially affecting departments and research centers focused on sustainability and climate change.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations may need to closely monitor changes in federal funding and adjust strategies to secure necessary resources for university programs.
International Student and Scholar Services might need to provide additional support and guidance to international students and faculty affected by changes in immigration policies.
Vanderbilt’s Media Relations could explore new media channels to effectively communicate the university’s message in a changing media landscape.
Research Centers focused on Environmental and Energy Studies may need to adapt to shifts in federal priorities and explore alternative funding sources.

Financial Impact

The freeze on federal grants could lead to financial uncertainty for programs and research initiatives at Vanderbilt that rely on such funding, necessitating a review of budget allocations and funding strategies.
Changes in immigration policies could impact tuition revenue from international students, requiring adjustments in financial planning and recruitment strategies.
The potential reduction in funding for DEI and environmental programs may require the university to seek alternative funding sources to maintain these initiatives.
Opportunities may arise for Vanderbilt to engage in research and development in areas prioritized by the administration, such as AI and energy independence, potentially leading to new funding avenues.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive actions present a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs and funding strategies.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should closely monitor the implications of the federal funding freeze on programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Understanding the impact of these changes on federal grants and funding opportunities will be crucial for adapting the university’s strategies and ensuring compliance with new federal guidelines.
Vanderbilt’s Financial Planning and Budget Office should assess the potential impact of the temporary pause on federal funding for programs that may affect university operations or partnerships. This includes evaluating any financial dependencies on federal grants that could be affected by the new administration’s policies.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the broader societal impacts of the executive orders related to immigration and deportation policies. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect community dynamics and long-term economic outcomes, enhancing Vanderbilt’s role as a thought leader in policy analysis.
Vanderbilt’s Center for Technology and Innovation should explore opportunities to engage with the administration’s focus on restoring American AI dominance. By leveraging its expertise in technology and innovation, the center can contribute to the development and implementation of AI initiatives that align with federal priorities.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to expand its research and development in AI technologies. By aligning with the administration’s focus on AI dominance, the school can position itself as a leader in AI research and innovation, potentially influencing national technology policy.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on energy independence by developing new programs and partnerships related to energy research and sustainability. This could include joint research initiatives, student exchange programs, and collaborative curriculum development, enhancing Vanderbilt’s reputation and reach in the energy sector.
The emphasis on supporting American energy dominance offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Environmental and Energy Policy Program to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the program can influence how energy policies are shaped and implemented to support sustainable development.
By engaging with the broader technology community and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on AI and technology innovation. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of AI policies can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative technological thought and practice.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive orders present the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to funding impacts and opportunities in AI and energy sectors.)

Average Relevance Score: 4.2

Timeline for Implementation

Starting today: The new directive establishes that the press secretary’s seat in the front will be renamed to the “new media” seat and that new media applicants can immediately apply for credentials via WhiteHouse.gov/NewMedia.

No other directive in the briefing provided a specific timeline or deadline, so this is the only actionable deadline identified.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of State: Impacted by the appointment of a new Secretary of State (Marco Rubio) as part of the Cabinet confirmations.
Department of Defense: Affected through the confirmation of the new Defense Secretary (Pete Hegseth) and related executive actions on national security.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): Named through the appointment of Director John Ratcliffe, emphasizing shifts in intelligence and security priorities.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Impacted by various immigration and border enforcement directives, including actions carried out by ICE and coordination with CBP.
Department of the Treasury: Implicated by policy shifts that include economic directives, tariffs, and funding review measures.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Specifically mentioned for its role in the deportation operations as part of the administration’s border security initiatives.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Directed to review and freeze certain federal grant programs and oversee spending in line with the administration’s objectives.
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE): Established to work alongside OMB to ensure taxpayer dollars are used in accordance with new priorities.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Referenced regarding the authorization to fly drones over New Jersey for research and related purposes.
National Security Council (NSC): Consulted on national security implications, particularly regarding American AI industry dominance.

Relevance Score: 3 (Between 6 to 10 government organizations are directly impacted by these executive actions.)

Responsible Officials

Heads of all Executive Departments and Agencies – Tasked with executing the president’s directives on emergency price relief, regulatory rollbacks, terminating DEI programs, and implementing border security measures.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – Responsible for conducting deportations and enforcing measures such as ending catch-and-release policies at the southern border.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – Charged with reviewing and freezing federal funding programs that conflict with the administration’s fiscal and regulatory agenda.
White House Press Office and New Media Team – Tasked with restoring press credentials for journalists and integrating new media voices into official briefings.
AI and Crypto Czar (David Sacks) and his team – Responsible for rolling back onerous regulations on the AI industry to ensure American dominance in the field.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives directly affect Cabinet-level officials and agency heads, who are responsible for implementing high-level executive actions.)