Page 199 – Must Read Alaska

Feds formally cut funds to EcoHealth over gain-of-function virus research in Wuhan

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January 19, 2025

Feds formally cut funds to EcoHealth over gain-of-function virus research in Wuhan

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has debarred the president of EcoHealth Alliance, which was coordinating with Dr. Anthony Fauci to funnel gain-of-function virus research money to a laboratory in Wuhan, China.

Fauci was the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022, and was chief medical advisor to the president from 2021 to 2022.

After an eight-month investigation, the agency cut off all funding and formally debarred EcoHealth and its former president, Dr. Peter Daszak, for five years, based on evidence uncovered by the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Debarment is a legal action that prevents a person or entity from working with the government.

In a new letter, HHS states “that a period of debarment for Dr. Daszak is necessary to protect the Federal Government’s business interests.” This letter also confirms that EcoHealth terminated Daszak’s employment effective Jan. 6, 2025.

EcoHealth and Daszak facilitated research in Wuhan, China without proper oversight and willingly violated multiple requirements of its multimillion-dollar National Institutes of Health grant. Gain-of-function research enables a pandemic-potential pathogen to replicate more quickly and it poses a grave threat to humanity or animals.

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer issued the following statement in response to the formal debarment:

“Justice for the American people was served today. Bad actor EcoHealth Alliance and its corrupt former President, Dr. Peter Daszak, were formally debarred by HHS for using taxpayer funds to facilitate dangerous gain-of-function research in China. Today’s decision is not only a victory for the U.S. taxpayer, but also for American national security and the safety of citizens worldwide.

“In May 2024, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup released evidence that EcoHealth repeatedly violated the terms of its NIH grant. EcoHealth routinely ignored government oversight requests, failed to report dangerous gain-of-function experiments conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and produced a required research report two years late. HHS cited all of these discoveries as key reasons for formally debarring EcoHealth and Dr. Daszak. Given that a lab-related incident involving gain-of-function research is the most likely origin of COVID-19, EcoHealth and its former President should never again receive a single cent from the U.S. taxpayer.”

According to Must Read Alaska health writer Linda Boyle, these the key takeaways from the hearing last May with Fauci, according to the House Oversight Committee’s own summary:

Dr. Fauci showed no remorse for the millions of lives affected by his divisive rhetoric and his unscientific policies. He did not apologize to the thousands of Americans who lost their jobs because they refused the novel vaccine, nor did he apologize to children experiencing severe learning loss as a result of actions he promoted.
Dr. Fauci confirmed that his Senior Advisor — Dr. David Morens — violated official NIH policies and potentially broke federal law. Evidence obtained by the Select Subcommittee suggests that Dr. Morens deliberately obstructed the Select Subcommittee’s investigation into the origins of COVID-19, unlawfully deleted federal COVID-19 records, and shared nonpublic information about National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant processes with his “best-friend” EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. (EcoHealth) President Dr. Peter Daszak.
Dr. Fauci maintained his misleading claim that the NIH never funded gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China. In 2021, he told Sen. Rand Paul that “the NIH has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.” During yesterday’s hearing, Dr. Fauci doubled down on his previous claim by stating “the NIH did not fund gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.” Notably, former Acting NIH Director Dr. Lawrence Tabak told the Select Subcommittee recently that the NIH did, in fact, fund gain-of-function research in Wuhan.
Dr. Fauci agreed with the Select Subcommittee that EcoHealth and its president, Dr. Peter Daszak, should never again receive a single cent from the U.S. taxpayer. Two weeks after the Select Subcommittee released evidence of EcoHealth’s contempt for the American people, its flagrant disregard for the risks associated with gain-of-function research, and its willful violation of the terms of its NIH grant, the Department of Health and Human Services commenced formal debarment proceedings against the organization and its president.
Dr. Fauci corrected his previous testimony that his staff did not possess conflicts of interest. During his transcribed interview he claimed, “the only people that I am involved with is my own staff, who we’ve mentioned many times in this discussion, who don’t have a conflict of interest.” During yesterday’s hearing, he changed his tune testifying that Dr. Morens “definitely had a conflict of interest.”
Dr. Fauci publicly acknowledged that the lab leak hypothesis was possible and not a conspiracy theory. Yesterday, he told Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) that he falsely claimed that he has kept an “open mind” about the origins of the pandemic. This comes nearly four years after prompting the publication of the now infamous “Proximal Origin” paper that attempted to vilify and disprove the lab leak hypothesis.
Read the letter from HHS to Dr. Peter Daszak here.
Read the letter from HHS to EcoHealth Alliance Inc. here.
Read HHS’s Action Referral Memorandum for Dr. Peter Daszak here.
Read HHS’s Action Referral Memorandum for EcoHealth Alliance Inc. here.

Sen. Joni Ernst takes on Eco Health Alliance — again

Linda Boyle: Fauci played fast and loose with the facts on gain-of-function research at Wuhan

Newt Gingrich: The People vs. the bureaucrats

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR

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January 19, 2025

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Newt Gingrich: The People vs. the bureaucrats

By NEWT GINGRICH | DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION

A recent survey of senior government employees revealed that 42 percent of them plan to work against the incoming Trump administration.

According to Tyler O’Neil, managing editor of the Daily Signal, “A surprising number of federal government employees admit they are gearing up to act like a deep state, opposing the incoming second administration of Donald Trump.”

He cited a poll by RMG Research Survey, which had been commissioned by the Napolitan Institute.

This should not surprise us. Much of the federal bureaucracy was recruited from liberals who came to Washington to impose their values and views on the American people. Many of the regulatory agencies consider it their jobs to force the American people to do what bureaucrats proscribe.

Trump and the Make America Great Again movement are a mortal threat to these bureaucrats. If President-elect Donald Trump does what he said he would do during the campaign, he is going to threaten the lifetime work of many senior federal bureaucrats. Everything they spent years trying to impose on the American people will be wiped out by the Trump administration.

The new Elon Musk–Vivek Ramaswamy Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is an example of the kind of threat Trump represents for establishment bureaucrats. The DOGE’s goal to cut $2 trillion from government spending will shatter the patterns, habits, procedures, and systems of the bureaucratic Washington establishment.

Imagine you spent 20 or 30 years methodically building a system that would let you achieve your ideological goals — even if the American people opposed you. Then imagine your life’s work is suddenly threatened by outsiders who are businesspeople who thrived outside the typical Washington environment. You would be horrified. For you, the barbarians are at the gate.

This is not a new problem. A senior official in President George W. Bush’s Defense Department once told me that the Pentagon bureaucracy just hunkers down to outlast new administrations. They refer to appointed officials as “the summer help.”

During the first Trump administration, a senior State Department official pointed out to me there are about 27 appointees in the Foreign Service — and 13,000 full-time bureaucrats who oppose them. Like the Paul Newman film “Fort Apache, the Bronx,” he told me “we are in the building, and they are surrounding us.”

This continual problem of bureaucracies manipulating or ignoring elected officials was brilliantly captured in two BBC TV series “Yes, Minister” and “Yes, Prime Minister.” Producer Antony Jay was a senior adviser to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Many of the episodes grew out of actual civil service manipulation against the prime minister. She said it was her favorite TV show. Every Trump appointee should watch the series.

Trump cannot possibly achieve his extraordinary goals if 43 percent of his senior bureaucracy is actively undermining him. Furthermore, bureaucracies that overrule elected officials violate President Abraham Lincoln’s principle, which he articulated at Gettysburg. We want “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Lincoln understood the importance of the elected executive controlling the instruments of government. In a small government (which exploded in size to win the Civil War), Lincoln replaced 1,200 of the 1,500 policy-making bureaucrats.

Since many of the people Lincoln replaced were Southerners, or pro-South, he could not possibly have won the war had they stayed in their positions. Replacing his opponents in the government with supporters was one of the key decisions that enabled the Union to endure four long, bitter years of war and prevail.

Trump does not have the power (nor would he have the ready replacements) to have an proportionate shift in today’s much larger government.

However, he must have the ability to replace bureaucrats who clearly try to sabotage, slow walk or undermine his policies.

This is a key principle the American people will accept. Once they have selected a chief executive that person should be able to execute. If they cannot, the whole system is beyond the control of the American people.

The Constitution has no provision for acceptable bureaucratic tyranny. It provides for the people to rule through elections to the House, Senate and White House.

Controlling rogue bureaucrats — and passing laws necessary to execute that control — will be a key test for the Trump administration and those who want to Make America Great Again.

This will be one of the first great struggles of the new administration.

Newt Gingrich is the former Speaker of the House. For more commentary from Newt Gingrich, visit Gingrich360.com. Also, subscribe to the Newt’s World podcast. This was republished from Gingrich360.com with permission.

Flip: Murkowski now supports a Trump nominee

Suzanne Downing

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January 19, 2025

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Flip: Murkowski now supports a Trump nominee

On the same day that Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she would not commit to voting to confirm any of President Donald Trump’s nominees for his cabinet because she was “learning,” she said she supports former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for secretary of the Department of the Interior.

During an Energy and Natural Resources committee hearing to consider his nomination, Murkowski and Burgum discussed Alaska’s energy and mineral potential and the need for the Department to dramatically improve its approach in the state.

“I don’t want the Department of the Interior to be a landlord—I want them to be a partner,” Murkowski said. “Hearing the Governor say that he views Alaska as ‘one of the biggest assets this country has’ is a breath of fresh air after the last four years. I look forward to working with Governor Burgum to unleash the energy and resource opportunities that Alaska possesses.”

In December, Murkowski was effusive about Burgum and Energy Secretary nominee Chris Wright, but last week, when asked by a reporter, she said she was not committing to any nominee because it was too early in the process.

Murkowski won’t yet commit to nominees’ approval, says she is still ‘learning a lot’

Day One: What Trump might do first

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR

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January 19, 2025

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By CASEY HARPER | THE CENTER SQUARE

President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to take office Monday, has made a series of promises of major executive actions on “day one” in office.

One of the simplest and more controversial of those “day one” plans is to pardon some of the Jan. 6 protesters currently behind bars or facing prosecution. The president has broad power to pardon, shown most recently when President Joe Biden pardoned his own son for crimes he committed or may have committed over more than a decade span.

But Trump’s “day one” executive orders are far from limited to pardons.

On energy policy, Trump has pledged to open up domestic oil drilling in a major way in an effort to lower costs for Americans and boost the energy industry. He has also promised to end a Biden-era rule that would require more than half of Americans to transition to electric vehicles over the next decade.

Trump has also consistently tapped into America’s frustration over the border crisis and broken immigration system.

Since President Joe Biden took office, more than 12 million illegal immigrants have entered the U.S., overwhelming some cities and raising national security concerns, since some migrants are on the federal terror watch list.

Trump has also promised to end transgender participation in women’s sports, something lawmakers in the House have already passed a bill to quench.

Trump has threatened “day one” tariffs as well, though it is unclear how wide-ranging those tariffs could be, since Trump likes to wield them as a negotiating tool against other nations.

On foreign policy, a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel apparently has been reached, just days before Trump took office. In the Ukraine-Russia war, Trump promised on the campaign trail to put an end to that war “in 24 hours.”

In a series of campaign speeches and media interviews, Trump has promised some “day one” actions to address the border and immigration crises.

These actions include:

• Trump has plans to reinstate Title 42, a COVID-era policy that helps shut down the southern border.

• Trump has said he would also reinstate “Remain in Mexico,” a policy that Trump used during his first term that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their claim to be processed. Biden ended that policy and let migrants in and asked questions later.

• According to Politico, Trump is considering designating cartels south of the border as terrorist organizations, a policy once pushed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis when he was running for president that could open up a flood of new resources and executive powers at the border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designated the violent Venezuelan prison gang, Tren de Aragua, a foreign terrorist organization last year.

• Trump has threatened to end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants born in the U.S., but it remains unclear if he has the Constitutional authority to do so since birthright citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment.

• Trump has made overtly clear that he plans to kickstart a massive, never-before-seen deportation program for the millions of illegal immigrants in the U.S. Trump’s appointee as border czar, Tom Homan, has been clear saying publicly that Trump named this as a top priority when choosing him for the job.

“On day one, we will SHUT DOWN THE BORDER and start deporting millions of Biden’s Illegal Criminals,” Trump said over the summer during the campaign. “We will once again put AMERICANS First and MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!”

Pedro Gonzalez: Doug Burgum is a fit for Interior

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR

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January 19, 2025

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Pedro Gonzalez: Doug Burgum is a fit for Interior

By PEDRO GONZALEZ

Interior Secretary nominee Doug Burgum told a Senate panel on Thursday that he aims for energy dominance and cast concern on the viability of renewable alternatives.

In some ways, the vision presented by the former North Dakota governor was backward-looking in that he left little doubt the incoming White House would revise and undo Biden-era policies. But it also looks ahead into the fast-approaching future.

For example, Burgum said that clean coal could provide power for artificial intelligence as the United States to get and keep the
technological upper hand over its rivals.

“This is part of a larger crisis our nation is facing around electricity. We have a shortage of electricity, and especially we have a
shortage of baseload,” he said. “Without baseload, we’re going to lose the AI arms race to China. And if we lose the AI arms race to China, then that’s got direct impacts on our national security in the future of this country.”

That is consistent with both the priorities and agenda of the next administration, which has vowed to lead on the global stage in both
energy production and technological advancement. Burgum’s selection makes sense in this view.

Burgum’s business background, which preceded his political career, intersected with the tech industry. He was involved with Great Plains Software and, after its acquisition by Microsoft, became senior vice president of Microsoft Business Solutions Group.

Politically, he has tried to take a hybrid stance on fossil fuels and environmentalism. He created a plan to make his state carbon neutral by 2030 through carbon sequestration. It came up during the hearing.

“If we can decarbonize traditional fuels cheaper than we can subsidize some of the renewables, that’s something we should look at,” Burgum said.

There is another area where Burgum could prove an asset to the administration: tribal relations.

“In North Dakota, we share geography with five sovereign tribal nations,” he told the committee. “State and tribal relationships in
North Dakota have sometimes been challenged, but the current partnership is historically strong because we prioritize tribal engagement through mutual respect, open communication, collaboration, and a sincere willingness to listen.”

The Interior Department oversees more than 500 Native American and Alaska Native tribes.

One point of contention arose when Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell asked about what she characterized as his “very aggressive oil and lease strategy.” The Democrat said the priority should be on federal lands that are already leased for oil and gas “that aren’t being used” instead of expanding into new leases.

Burgum replied by pointing out that there is a difference between the law on the books and how it is actually applied with regard to existing leases.

“What I’ve seen in my time as governor is not that we have existing [leases],” Burgum said, “but that we’re actually restricting legal,
legal access for development or timber or oil and gas or whatever on public lands today by illegally not holding the leases that should have been held.”

Burgum said that in one case, North Dakota had to sue the federal government just to “follow the law” on this issue.

The upcoming agenda will include “championing clean air, clean water and protecting our beautiful lands,” according to Burgum. In one response, he tied it into addressing the “mental health and addiction crisis.”

Part of the answer for many people, he said, is “getting that connection back to the outdoors.” As governor, Burgum established the North Dakota Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Pedro Gonzalez writes for Must Read Alaska.

Gallery: Photos from the inaugural events in D.C.

Suzanne Downing

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January 18, 2025

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Gallery: Photos from the inaugural events in D.C.

We’ve got some photos from Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 in Washington, D.C., where Alaskans are gathered to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as president.

We’ll add more galleries as people in D.C. shoot us their photos:

Congressman Begich and Carmela Warfield, chairwoman of Alaska GOP

People’s March advises Anchorage protesters to avoid coat hangers and ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ costumes during march Saturday

Suzanne Downing

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January 18, 2025

39

People’s March advises Anchorage protesters to avoid coat hangers and ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ costumes during march Saturday

Unlike in 2016 and 2020, the radical Women’s March now sees how it has worked itself into a lonely corner by using imagery such as enslavement of women in its march paraphernalia.

The People’s March in Anchorage on Saturday at 1 p.m. is advising its marchers to follow the guidelines developed by the Women’s March for this year. The group recommends the following for protesters: Don’t go overboard because you’re alienating normal people who don’t want to associate with you:

“Please join us for a People’s Rally in Anchorage town square with speakers and music followed by a day of action with our event collaborators at Williwaw. We will hear from organizations about the work they are doing within our community and opportunities for participants to sign up to help work with organizations to better represent and support our community. Now more than ever we need community and to take action and that means we need YOU!

“We welcome you to bring signs and friends as we join together in unity and resistance.
“Below you’ll find sign guidelines provided by Women’s March.

“We ask you to please note these guidelines when making your signs for the Rally:

“We ask you to please err on the side of unity and avoid symbols and language that alienate parts of our community.

“No coathangers – we do not want to accidentally re-enforce the Right Wing talking points that self-managed abortions are dangerous, scary and harmful.
“No Handmaid’s Tale – The use of Handmaid’s Tale imagery to characterize the controlling of women’s reproduction has proliferated, primarily by white women across the country, since the show has gained popularity. This message continues to create more fragmentation, often around race and class, because it erases the fact that Black women, undocumented women, incarcerated women, poor women, disabled women have always had their reproduction controlled in this country. It’s not some dystopic future or past. This is just a heightened attack. We cannot list actions on our map that use Handmaid’s Tale imagery or language, as it is not aligned with our values. Refusal to respect this guideline will be grounds for removal from this action, and other potential future actions.
“No female slavery messaging – The current state of reproductive rights is not akin to the United States’ history of slavery. Comparing the current state of reproductive rights to slavery minimizes the immense amount of violence, generational damage, and the scale to which the United States harmed Black and Indigenous people. This messagining is not inclusive and not accurate.

“DO NOT USE: ‘Safe, legal, and rare’ as it is stigmatizing and contends that abortion is not something that should be happening, thus it should be rare and reduced. There will be as many abortions as there need to be. The anti-abortion movement does not get to dictate who has abortions and why.”

Across America, Democrats are revving up to have marches and protests of the inauguration of Donald Trump as president, which takes place on Monday in Washington, D.C.

Last year, Anchorage Assemblywoman Karen Bronga wore a “Handmaid’s Tale” costume as her official attire for an Assembly meeting, play-acting a concubine from a fictional work by Margaret Atwood, in protest of Donald Trump. Read more about that and “What not to wear” at this link:

Who wore it better? Anchorage Assemblywoman dresses like fictional ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ concubine for official city meeting

Inaugural schedule in D.C. and where the Alaska parties are being held

Inaugural schedule in D.C. and where the Alaska parties are being held

Suzanne Downing

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January 18, 2025

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Inaugural schedule in D.C. and where the Alaska parties are being held

It’s a weekend of parties and galas in the nation’s capital as President Donald Trump prepares to take the oath of office once again on Monday, Jan. 20, just as he did back in 2016, only a few degrees colder and a few years wiser to the world of politics in the swamp.

Weather has become a factor this weekend with a cold front moving in, but it is not clear if the reason that the swearing in ceremony has been moved to the Capitol Rotunda is because of weather or because of some undisclosed threat.

In any case, only family, procedural officers, security, certain dignitaries, and members of the U.S. Senate and House will be in the Rotunda as Trump is sworn in. Everyone else who had a “seated” ticket will be at the Capital Arena, a domed arena where they can watch the event on the big screen.

Some events this weekend include Saturday’s Cabinet dinner with JD Vance and the black-tie Best of the West gala, which is co-sponsored by Bernadette Wilson at Denali Disposal.

Spotted in D.C. who had traveled from Alaska for the parties and the inauguration are:

Bernadette Wilson, Art Hackney, Ashley Reed, Anchorage Assemblyman Scott Myers, Stephen Romanelli, Wade Erickson, Alaska Republican Party Chair Carmela and Jason Warfield, Attorney General Treg and Jodi Taylor, Clark Penney, ASRC’s Crawford Patkotak, Truman Reed, Steve Straight, Teresa Hall, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Congressman Nick Begich, Sen. Dan Sullivan (who flew back to Alaska to attend an event for the Covenant House and then right back to D.C. for the inauguration), Sen. Lisa Murkowski, C.J and Eric Koan, Larry Baker, Keith Manternach, Ryan McKee, Judy Eledge, Stacey Stone, Sarah Erkmann Ward Ryan Sheldon, and others (add your name in comments if you are here in D.C. We don’t want to miss any names!)

Also, Craig Campbell, Patty and John Wisel, Dennis and Anita Merkes.

Here’s look at the current lineup of official inaugural events (there are many other unofficial parties) for the next four days surrounding Trump’s second inauguration as president.

Trump has a Saturday evening reception and a fireworks show at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia.

Sunday:

Arlington National Cemetery Ceremony, wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Make America Great Again Victory Rally, President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks.

The rally has performances by Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Village People, Lee Greenwood and the Liberty University choir.

In addition to Trump speaking, others at the podium microphone will be Vice President-elect JD Vance, Elon Musk, former wrestling star Hulk Hogan, actor Jon Voight, UFC President Dana White, Puerto Rican reggae star Anuel AA, Turning Point U.S.A. founder Charlie Kirk and conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly.

The big Alaska party is in the afternoon, with formal attire. Honorary cohosts include Sen. Dan Sullivan, Congressman Nick Begich, and Alaska Republican Party Chairwoman Carmela Warfield — but not Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Candlelight Dinner, President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks

Texas “Boots and Black Tie Gala” is an event many Alaskans will attend in the evening. It is sponsored by the Texas State Society.

Monday

St. John’s Church Service, near Lafayette Park from the White House, a traditional service for presidents-elect that Trump will attend.

White House tea. Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump will meet outgoing President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House for a short tea, another tradition.

Swearing-In Ceremony, U.S. Capitol, 1 p.m.

Musical Prelude by The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Combined Choirs
Prelude: “The President’s Own,” by the United States Marine Band
Call to order by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota
Invocation by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, and the Rev. Franklin Graham of Samaritan’s Purse and The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
“Oh, America!” by opera tenor Christopher D. Macchio
The vice presidential oath of office administered by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh
“America the Beautiful,” sung by Carrie Underwood, the Armed Forced Chorus, and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club
The presidential oath of office administered by Chief Justice John Roberts
“Battle Hymn of the Republic,” performed by the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club
Trump inaugural address
Benediction from Yeshiva University’s President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, Imam Husham Al-Husainy of the Karbalaa Islamic Center, Senior Pastor Lorenzo Sewell of 180 Church Detroit and the Rev. Fr. Frank Mann of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” sung by Christopher Macchio

Farewell to the Former President and Vice President, as they depart the capital

The President’s Signing Room Ceremony, where members of Congress will witness the newly sworn in president signing nominations, memorandums, and executive orders

JCCIC Congressional Luncheon (Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies) to be held by tradition in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol

The President’s Review of the Troops at the East Front steps of the Capitol

Presidential Parade – moved to Capital Arena, featuring Trump and marching bands

Oval Office Signing Ceremony at The White House

Commander in Chief Ball with country music band Rascal Flatts and country singer Parker McCollum for a gala with military service members. Trump will speak.

Liberty Inaugural Ball with rapper Nelly, country singer Jason Aldean, and disco band The Village People performing at the ball with Trump’s biggest supporters. Trump will speak.

Starlight Ball with singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw at a ball for some of the campaign’s biggest donors. Trump will speak.

Tuesday

National Prayer Service. Trump attends the traditional prayer service held at the Washington National Cathedral.

Official schedule is at this link.

Gamble: Eklutna rushes to open makeshift casino before Trump is in office; BIA gives quick decision

Suzanne Downing

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January 18, 2025

94

Gamble: Eklutna rushes to open makeshift casino before Trump is in office; BIA gives quick decision

The Village of Eklutna is feverishly rushing work at the site where the group plans a casino to be built this year in Anchorage. Without notification to the neighbors in Birchwood, construction has ramped up, even at night, and makeshift buildings have been moved to the site. Slot machines are sitting in wrapping material.

The Alaska Landmine was first to report this story.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs quietly gave the village a lightning speed “go-ahead” on Thursday, without announcing it publicly, and since courts are closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, no court action can be taken to stop the construction. It’s unclear how the village was able to get building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire code, and other permits in one day when even for a small residential home it takes weeks or months.

“On January 16, 2025, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and issued a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Eklutna Native Village (Tribe) Gaming Facility Project. The Final EA was completed in accordance with requirements set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 United States Code [USC] §4321 et seq.), the 2024 Council on Environmental Quality regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR § 1500 et seq.), and the BIA NEPA Handbook (59 Indian Affairs Manual 3-H), and assesses the environmental impacts that could result from the BIA’s approval of a business lease between the Native Allotment landowners and the Eklutna Native Village tribal government for the development and operation of a class II gaming facility (Proposed Action). The Project Site is located in the unincorporated community of Chugiak within the boundaries of the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska,” the decision said, listing Chugiak inaccurately.

Read the document here.

Eight residents nearby in Birchwood filed a lawsuit in December challenging the approval of the casino and the work being done this weekend appears to be an attempt to “grandfather” in the major development by being able to show the court that the casino was operational before the new administration could stall the controversial ruling.

Birchwood residents file lawsuit to stop major casino planned by Village of Eklutna

The Native Village of Eklutna is in partnership with Marnell Gaming of Las Vegas, one of the major casino companies in the world. Marnell plans to build and operate the casino for the village, which is inside the municipality of Anchorage.

It becomes more clear why Mayor Suzanne LaFrance on Jan. 3 issued a letter of support for the casino to the BIA. She appears to have known about the plan to move ahead with work and start a casino operating in the city next week, in temporary trailers. The public comment period ended Jan. 9, and the decision by the BIA came just one week later, which may set a land record for speed on an environmental impact decision from the federal government.

The mayor, who appears to have secretly coordinate the work without including the community of Birchwood or notifying the Birchwood Community Council, is allowing the construction to violate the city’s noise ordinance, which says construction noise is permitted between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with even more limitations on Sundays and holidays.

Royal flush? Mayor LaFrance’s big gamble on casinos

Feds formally cut funds to EcoHealth over gain-of-function virus research in Wuhan

Newt Gingrich: The People vs. the bureaucrats

Flip: Murkowski now supports a Trump nominee

Day One: What Trump might do first

Pedro Gonzalez: Doug Burgum is a fit for Interior

Gallery: Photos from the inaugural events in D.C.

People’s March advises Anchorage protesters to avoid coat hangers and ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ costumes during march Saturday

Inaugural schedule in D.C. and where the Alaska parties are being held

Gamble: Eklutna rushes to open makeshift casino before Trump is in office; BIA gives quick decision

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