The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - December 30, 2025

Episode Date: December 30, 2025

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Howdy, folks, today is Tuesday, December 30th, and you're listening to The Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans managing editor Rob Lauchess, and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, almost immediately after President Donald Trump entered the White House for the start of his second term in office, his administration moved to fundamentally alter the landscape of immigration enforcement at the Mexican American border from that of the previous administration. Trump campaigned for the Oval Office in 24 on the message of mass deportations for illegal aliens and bolstering border security. Many of his first actions in office included addressing those issues. In the hours after his inauguration in January, security at the southern border ramped up. Ports of entry were closed and U.S. Customs and Border

protection shut down the use of the CBP1 application used to schedule immigration appointments. There was also a flurry of executive orders, including declaring a national emergency at the southern border. Next, artificial intelligence and the data centers that power them remain one of the most contentious issues, both across the country and here in Texas. Entering his second stint in the White House, President Donald Trump immediately took action with executive orders. One titled, Removing Barriers to American Leadership and Artificial Intelligence rolled back a number of Biden administration-era policies that were, quote, barriers to American AI innovation, clearing a path for the United States to act decisively

to retain global leadership and artificial intelligence, end quote. It was also in January that OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, and MGX announced a $500 billion AI initiative, alongside the president. Data centers then became a major focal point for investment and debate as new capital began to pour into Texas to help support these ambitious projects. In other news, although former President Joe Biden faced heavy criticism for certain high-profile clemency decisions at the close of his administration, which included his own family and senior administration officials, his Texas-related use of the pardon power followed a comparatively narrow and policy-driven path. Biden issued relatively few pardons overall, focusing instead on commuting sentences and systemic concerns

rather than individualized relief for prominent offenders. These Texas-linked clemency actions included commuting death sentences, such as cases involving prison homicides, as well as pardons for certain drug offenses, particularly regarding marijuana, reflecting the administration's opposition to capital punishment and its evolving approach to drug-related crimes. By contrast, President Donald Trump's pardons, to date, include several high-profile figures charged with or convicted of serious public corruption offenses. What is publicly known about the decision-making process behind these pardons can be traced to a blend of both recommendations after review of the case by staff based on merit and more controversially, making the decision based on direct instinct and impression of the case by the president. Also, it has been a banner year for the sanctuary cities for the unborn initiative.

with the passage of 29 ordinances by local political subdivisions in Texas. Starting with the city of Mullen and ending with Crosby County, towns from a population of just over 100 to counties with nearly 40,000 residents have passed measures to protect unborn babies from abortion, and more could be coming. Since the initiative began in 2019, 74 Texas cities and 14 counties have adopted sanctuary city ordinances totally prohibiting abortion and abortion trafficking within their subdivisions. Only one, the city of Omaha, has recanted the measure. Mark Lee Dixon, the founder of Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn, says the movement is organic and that he goes where residents show an

interest in passing an ordinance. Last but not least, nature lovers, hikers, and campers have been anticipating the opening of Palo Pinto Mountain State Park since the land was purchased in 2011. While the park hasn't officially announced its opening date, it is opening on January 1st only for first day hikes. First day hikes is a nationwide program to encourage hiking on New Year's Day. Palo Pinto Mountain State Park is hosting beginner, intermediate, and challenging hikes that day. Registration is required. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the texan. News and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.