Feb 01, 2021

Happy Monday morning! In the “actions speak louder than words” department, we look at what President Joe Biden said in his inaugural speech about “unity” and what he’s done since. We do the same for his rhetoric on COVID. In both cases, Biden’s actions take us in the wrong direction. Heritage also welcomes three former Trump administration officials from the Department of Homeland Security who will lend their expertise on immigration, China, and other issues as Heritage fellows. There are also podcasts and events, and more, you don’t want to miss in this week’s Agenda.

Biden’s Actions Speak Louder Than His Words
President Joe Biden delivered a memorable inaugural address, filled with calls to unity and healing for a badly fractured nation. His words rang hollow, however, in light of the divisive executive orders he’s since issued. “If our new president is going to be more interested pandering to his base than in delivering for all Americans, he’ll go down in history not as the great healer, but as just another lip-service politician who squandered an opportunity to bring our country together,” James writes in her latest op-ed. Read the full op-ed to learn more about how Biden’s executive orders contradict his message of healing. For a better understanding of executive orders, read Heritage’s popular explainer.

Heritage Welcomes Trump Administration Officials as New Fellows
Three former Trump administration officials joined The Heritage Foundation, where they will be fellows in the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy. They are Chad Wolf, who was acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Ken Cuccinelli, former deputy secretary at the DHS; and Mark Morgan, who was acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They will bring their policy expertise and first-hand knowledge to Heritage on a range of issues related to homeland security, immigration, and China. Read more about the new fellows and find out why Heritage President Kay C. James calls them an “all-star team.”

COVID-19: Why Biden’s Response Strategy Falls Short
President Joe Biden identified COVID-19 as his highest priority. But his administration’s actions so far are sewing confusion and creating more challenges than solutions to the virus, says Heritage visiting fellow Doug Badger. The administration laid out “seven broad goals but few new policies and fewer specifics on how or when the government might achieve these goals,” Bader writes. Read Badger’s full report to learn more about the Biden administration’s approach and how it can improve.

The Heritage Foundation is now ranked No. 1 among think tanks worldwide for “Best Use of Social Media and Networks” and, for the third year in a row, is rated the “Think Tank with the Best Use of the Internet.” Learn more about the University of Pennsylvania’s internationally renowned “Global Go-To Think Tank Index Report.”

Heritage President Kay C. James and Heritage founder Ed Feulner have essays in a new book called “The Future of Think Tanks and Policy Advice in the United States.” The book offers their knowledge on the role of think tanks and what trials and tribulations they will face in the coming years. Learn more about the book and their insights.

Lindsey Burke, director of Heritage’s Center for Education Policy, has been named as the new Kolokotrones Fellow. The fellowship was made possible by a donation from Mark A. Kolokotrones, who has served as a member of Heritage’s Board of Trustees since 2015 and has been a Heritage member since 2010. Learn more.

Monday at 9 a.m., Heritage and the National Review Institute will co-host a virtual event discussing the unfair restrictions from COVID and unjust religious discrimination. Featured speakers include Garry Leist, pastor at Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley, and Matt Sharp, state government relations national director at the Alliance Defending Freedom. Register for the webinar.

This week on the “Heritage Explains” podcast, labor expert Rachel Greszler breaks down why a “one-size-fits-all” federal minimum wage would kill jobs. Listen to the episode.

On “SCOTUS 101,” host and Heritage legal fellow, GianCarlo Canaparo interviews Fifth Circuit Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod. She tells us about her career, her musical talent, and her continuing devotion to her undergraduate alma mater. Listen to the episode.

Biden Administration’s Actions Won’t Help the American People
Heritage senior advisor and spokesperson Genevieve Wood joined Newsmax’s “America Right Now” to discuss President Joe Biden's executive orders and what they mean for America. Watch the interview.

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