Jan. 22: U.S. Supreme court approves transgender military ban
The United States Supreme Court approved President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military in a 5-4 decision. The policy was released in 2018 by Trump’s former secretary of defense, but a federal court ruling prevented the ban. Trump defended the policy by saying it costs too much money to provide services for transgender people serving in the military. For roughly 7,000 active-duty transgender individuals in the military, the costs of medical care is five times lower than the cost the military pays for Viagra, according to The Washington Post.
Jan. 22: L.A. teacher’s strike ends after massive negotiating session
Los Angeles teachers won significant benefits after a six-day strike involving over 30,000 teachers and supporters beginning on Jan. 14. After a 21-hour negotiating session, the cost of the strike—$125 million—accelerated its process. Teachers in the L.A. school district won a 6 percent raise, a gradual decrease in class sizes and an increase in counselors, librarians and nurses across the district. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and members of the teacher’s union presented the contract after the session, announcing teachers will return to work on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
Jan. 25: Government shutdown ends after 35 days
President Trump agreed to end the government shutdown after plans for a border wall were shut down by House Democrats. The Senate signed the pre-approved House bill to end the longest shutdown in American history without the approval of $5 billion for a southern border wall. Over 800,000 workers went unpaid during the government shutdown, with over 10,000 of those federal workers employed in Oregon. Trump has since threatened a second government shutdown or a state of emergency if he does not receive border funding by Feb. 15.
Jan. 25: Former Trump advisor Roger Stone indicted by Mueller
President Trump’s longtime associate Roger Stone was indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller after being accused by a federal grand jury of lying to congress about the Democratic Party emails stolen by Russian hackers during the 2016 presidential election, according to the Wall Street Journal. Stone was charged with seven counts including obstructing a congressional inquiry and persuading a witness to lie. Stone is the sixth official associated with Trump to be charged in Mueller’s investigation. According to The Hill, Stone said he will plead not guilty to all charges.