3.4.25 Resettlement challenges for Afghan allies, executive order procedures, and life on a homestead

Summary

The World and Everything In It Episode: 3.4.25 Resettlement Challenges for Afghan Allies, Executive Order Procedures, and Life on a Homestead Release Date: March 4, 2025

Hosted by WORLD Radio, "The World and Everything In It" delivers comprehensive news coverage, insightful interviews, and expert analysis grounded in biblical principles. In Episode 3.4.25, the program delves into the ongoing resettlement challenges faced by Afghan allies, the intricacies of executive order procedures in the United States, and the resurgence of homesteading as a sustainable lifestyle choice.

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1. News Segment: US Military Aid to Ukraine and Economic Policies

Pause of Military Aid to Ukraine The episode opens with significant developments concerning the United States' military support to Ukraine. President Trump announced a suspension of all military aid to Ukraine following a contentious Oval Office meeting and remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kent Covington highlights, “The president has set a very clear goal for his administration. He wants the killing to stop” (02:06).

Quotes:

• J.D. Vance (01:01): “President Trump has paused all military aid to Ukraine.”
• Kent Covington (02:06): “The president has set a very clear goal for his administration. He wants the killing to stop.”

Tariffs on Canada and Mexico In response to what Trump perceives as insufficient efforts by Canada and Mexico to curb the influx of fentanyl, the US imposed a 25% tariff on imports from these neighboring nations. This move aims to pressure these countries into enhancing their border security and reducing drug flow. Mary Reichard emphasizes the financial impact: “We are ready with $155 billion worth” (02:56).

Price Impact and Job Creation While the tariffs are intended to protect American industries and reduce inflation, critics like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argue that American consumers will bear the brunt through higher prices on goods such as produce, groceries, and cars.

Investment in Semiconductor Manufacturing In a strategic move to bolster national security and economic independence, President Trump announced a new deal with a leading semiconductor manufacturer, which plans to invest over $100 billion in US-based facilities. “Semiconductors are the backbone of the 21st century,” Covington notes (04:21).

Upcoming Address Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress, where he will discuss trade policies, tech investments, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. House Speaker Mike Johnson anticipates a mixed reception, with Democrats preparing to highlight the administration’s controversial policies.

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2. Resettlement Challenges for Afghan Allies

Background and Current Status Three and a half years after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the resettlement of Afghan allies remains incomplete. Mary Reichard introduces the segment by stating, “Afghans relocating to the United States after the Taliban takeover relied on three immigration special immigrant visas, the refugee resettlement system and humanitarian parole” (08:19).

Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program The SIV program, designed for Afghans who directly assisted the US Government or military, faces significant hurdles. Sean Vandiver, head of Afghan Evac, expresses frustration: “You can still apply for a visa. You can still interview for a visa. There's just no help to get you from Afghanistan to a place where you” (09:25).

Legislative and Advocacy Efforts Republican lawmakers, including Texas Representative Michael McCall, advocate for exceptions to the SIV program, emphasizing the need to honor commitments made to Afghan partners. “They worked with our troops to defeat the Taliban... We ought to live up to our word,” McCall asserts (09:51).

Legal Challenges and Judicial Actions A federal judge recently blocked Trump's refugee resettlement suspension, a move supported by major refugee aid groups. Addie Offerins reports that the Biden administration's broader definitions for "Priority two" refugees complicate the resettlement landscape, mixing genuine allies with general refugees and parolees (11:46).

Impact and Future Outlook With approximately 130,000 Afghans having applied for various resettlement programs and only 10,000 SIV spots remaining, the path to citizenship remains uncertain. Advocate Nayla Rush emphasizes the need for clarity and distinction within resettlement categories to ensure that those who genuinely assisted the US are prioritized (10:44).

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3. Executive Order Procedures: Authority and Implications

Understanding Executive Orders Professor Karen Holt of Virginia Tech provides an in-depth analysis of executive orders, their constitutional basis, and their evolution over time. She clarifies, “Executive orders are themselves a specific kind of presidential action” (16:01).

Historical Context and Usage Executive orders have been a tool for presidents since George Washington, expanding significantly during crises such as the Great Depression and World War II. Holt notes that presidents often use executive orders to implement policy priorities and respond to legislative gridlock (19:45).

Checks and Balances The segment explores how executive orders can be challenged in courts, particularly when their constitutional or statutory authority is questioned. Holt explains that opposition parties and external entities can file claims to halt or overturn orders that overstep legal boundaries (18:38).

Unintended Consequences Using historical examples like FDR's surveillance measures and Trump's travel bans, Holt discusses how executive orders can lead to unforeseen challenges and require subsequent orders to address gaps or backlash (20:46).

Implementation Challenges While executive orders are straightforward to issue, their implementation can be complex, often requiring detailed guidance and cooperation from federal agencies. Holt emphasizes the negotiation and interpretation involved in translating executive directives into actionable policies (16:43).

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4. Life on a Homestead: Embracing Sustainable Living

Introduction to Modern Homesteading The resurgence of homesteading as a lifestyle choice is explored through the story of Jack and Kim Fuhrman, missionaries turned farmers residing in Gretna, Virginia. Their farm, "Our Father's Farm," exemplifies sustainable living and self-sufficiency (25:18).

Motivation and Practices After experiencing agrarian societies in Africa, Jack Fuhrman was inspired to adopt traditional farming methods, believing that “God was teaching him that he has a design for every animal” (26:01). Their farm focuses on pasture-raised poultry, grass-fed beef, and dairy products, operating through a herdshare program to circumvent raw milk sales restrictions in Virginia (27:46).

Community and Economic Model The Fuhrmans' herdshare model allows customers to invest in their herd, receiving fresh dairy products in return. This community-supported agriculture approach fosters a direct connection between producers and consumers, ensuring economic viability and sustainable practices (27:10).

Challenges of Homesteading Kim Fuhrman candidly shares the hardships of homesteading, including significant losses like the tragic death of 150 poults during a storm. “Homesteading is hard. The reasons for failure can include starting without a plan or a budget” (29:14). Despite these challenges, the family emphasizes the personal and spiritual rewards of their lifestyle.

Personal Growth and Community Impact Growing up on the farm instills a strong sense of purpose and resilience in the Fuhrmans' children. Hope and Sheila highlight the character-building aspects of farm work, such as responsibility and cooperation, fostering individuals who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to their communities (30:20).

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5. Human Interest Story: A Life-Saving Kidney Donation

Story of Sean Moyer and Elena Hershey A heartwarming tale unfolds as Lindsay Mast narrates the reunion of Sean Moyer and Elena Hershey, former high school prom dates who reconnect decades later under dire circumstances. Elena, hearing about Sean's urgent need for a kidney transplant, selflessly offers to donate.

Generosity and Impact Although Elena was not a direct match, her participation in a donor swap program results in a stranger receiving her kidney, which subsequently becomes available for Sean. “Hope and Sheila say growing up on the farm was priceless” (29:46), reflecting the invaluable lessons of compassion and community.

Successful Transplant Sean receives his transplant successfully in February, underscoring the profound impact of altruism and the importance of organ donation programs. “From backup prom date to life-saving backup plan” (24:22) serves as a testament to the power of human kindness.

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6. Opinion Segment: The Killing of Christians in Africa

Analysis by as Ibrahim As Ibrahim delivers a somber commentary, he details the recent massacre of 70 Christians in Maiba, Democratic Republic of Congo, perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group affiliated with ISIS. He draws parallels to the 2015 execution of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya, highlighting a disturbing pattern of targeted violence against Christians by Islamic terrorists.

Root Causes and Solutions Ibrahim argues that Islamic teachings, as interpreted by extremist groups, legitimize the persecution and killing of non-Muslims, particularly Christians. He urges the international community to enhance local security, cut off terrorist funding, and support Muslim leaders who condemn terrorism.

Quotes:

• Ibrahim (32:04): “Islam as written definitely offers reasons for many Muslims to delight in butchering non-Muslims, especially Christians.”
• Ibrahim (37:42): “The international community needs to help struggling countries identify areas where terrorists thrive.”

Preventive Measures Ibrahim emphasizes the necessity of shutting down Islamic propaganda, identifying recruitment channels, and empowering Muslim leaders to counter extremist narratives within communities and online platforms.

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7. Conclusion and Upcoming Topics

The episode concludes with a preview of future segments, including an update on federal workforce cuts and their implications for President Trump's agenda, as well as a special report from the Democratic Republic of Congo addressing ongoing challenges faced by the region.

Closing Remarks Mary Reichard and Lindsay Mast sign off with reminders of WORLD Radio's mission to provide biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires. They also recite a passage from Luke 23:39-43, reinforcing the program's commitment to faith-based perspectives.

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Notable Quotes:

• Mary Reichard (00:05): “Good morning. It's three and a half years now since the US Pulled out of Afghanistan.”
• Kent Covington (00:27): “Providing healthy foods raised God's way.”
• Lindsay Mast (00:46): “How powerful are they and who can stop them and why?” (Referring to executive orders)
• Karen Holt (16:06): “Executive orders have been seen going back to George Washington as seen as being a way for a president to exercise their Article 2 of the Constitution's powers.”

This episode of "The World and Everything In It" delivers an in-depth exploration of pressing global and domestic issues, grounded in thorough reporting and insightful analysis. Whether addressing geopolitical conflicts, immigration challenges, or personal stories of resilience, the program offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the world's complexities through a faith-based lens.

Transcript

[Mary Reichard]

Good morning. It's three and a half years now since the US Pulled out of Afghanistan.

[Kent Covington]

There was chaos. Nobody knew who was who. Those who could get on the plane got on the plane.

[Mary Reichard]

And now new changes in policy leave some Afghans in limbo again.

[Lindsay Mast]

Also executive orders. How powerful are they and who can stop them and why? Some Christians are drawn to homesteading.

[Kent Covington]

Providing healthy foods raised God's way.

[Lindsay Mast]

And world commentator AS Ibrahim on the killing of Christians by Islamic terrorists.

[Mary Reichard]

It's Tuesday, March 4th. This is the world and everything in it. From listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichard.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. Good morning.

[Mary Reichard]

Time now for the news with Kent Covington.

[J.D. Vance]

President Trump has paused all military aid to Ukraine. That comes in the wake of a disastrous Oval Office meeting on Friday, but also just hours after remarks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made yesterday. Speaking in London, Zelenskyy said, quote, an agreement to end the war is still very, very far away and no one has started all these steps yet. That further drew the ire of President Trump, who told reporters at the White.

[Kent Covington]

House the deal can be made very fast. It should not be that hard a deal to make. It could be made very fast. Now maybe somebody doesn't want to make a deal.

[J.D. Vance]

Zelensky does not see a realistic path right now to get to, in his words, a just and sustainable peace with Russia. But Trump believes that Zelensky still hopes to bring Russia to its knees on the battlefield before seriously engaging in talks. And that is something President Trump does not see as realistic. Pausing military support is meant to apply pressure to the Ukrainian president to negotiate. And with regard to Friday's Oval Office argument, Vice President J.D. vance said last night, we can look.

[Kent Covington]

Past all that stuff, but the president has set a very clear goal for his administration. He wants the killing to stop. And I think that it's very important that President Zelensky and of course, President Putin, too, they've both got to come to the negotiating table. And that's ultimately where things broke apart.

[J.D. Vance]

Zelensky on Monday said he thinks the relationship with the Trump administration can be repaired. He also said that he remains ready to sign an economic deal that the two presidents were set to sign last week before their meeting went off the rails. Trump on Monday also said he believes that the deal over mineral rights, among other things, can still move forward. It's unclear if the pausing of military aid will change the equation. 25%. US tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico took effect this morning. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie said Monday that her country was ready to respond in kind.

[Mary Reichard]

We are ready with $155 billion worth.

[Kent Covington]

Of tariffs, and we're ready with the.

[Mary Reichard]

First tranche of tariffs, which is 30 billion.

[J.D. Vance]

After delaying the tariffs for one month, President Trump said the neighboring nations had not done enough to stop the flow of fentanyl into the country. But the import taxes are not merely punitive. Trump says tariffs will bring more manufacturing back to the US I would just.

[Kent Covington]

Say this to people in Canada or Mexico. If they're going to build car plants, the people that are doing them are much better off building here because we have the market. We're the market where they sell the most.

[J.D. Vance]

Democrats in Washington say American consumers will pay the price for the tariffs, literally. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer When Donald.

[Kent Covington]

Trump starts a trade war for Canada.

[Mary Reichard]

And Mexico, it means rising costs for produce, for groceries, for cars.

[J.D. Vance]

But President Trump maintains that his trade and other economic policies will ultimately bring inflation down while creating millions of jobs. And at the White House on Monday, Trump announced a new deal with the world's biggest chip maker designed to bring more manufacturing to the US Today, Taiwan.

[Kent Covington]

Semiconductor is announcing that they will be investing at least $100 billion in new capital in the United States over the next short period of time to build state of the art semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

[J.D. Vance]

That is on top of a previously announced $65 billion investment in the US including three plants in Arizona. The company produces chips for tech giants like Apple, intel and Nvidia. Trump said semiconductors are the backbone of the 21st century, powering all kinds of technologies.

[Kent Covington]

We must be able to build the chips and semiconductors that we need right here in American factories with skill and American labor.

[J.D. Vance]

He called that a matter of both economic and national security. Trade, tariffs, tech investments and the war in Ukraine are all sure to be major topics in Trump's address to a joint session of Congress tonight. House Speaker Mike Johnson says he hopes Democratic lawmakers will be respectful of the president. Everyone should stand and give him an ovation for what he's been able to accomplish in the first few weeks. It's incredible. But Democrats say he's done an incredible amount of damage. And party leaders are encouraging Democratic lawmakers to each bring with them one person who they say has been hurt by Trump's policies. Tonight's speech will not be called a State of the Union address, as tradition dictates that presidents don't deliver official State of the Union updates until their second year in office. Israel is renewing its warning to Hamas after the expiration of a ceasefire deal over the weekend. World's Kristen Flavin has more.

[Kent Covington]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday.

[Kristen Flavin]

That there will be unimaginable consequences if the terror group does not release the remaining Israeli hostages.

[Kent Covington]

His remarks came after he said Hamas rejected a new cease fire plan proposed.

[Addie Offerins]

By the US it would require the.

[Kristen Flavin]

Release of half of the remaining Israeli.

[Lindsay Mast]

Hostages and in return, Israel would extend the initial ceasefire for an additional 42 days.

[Kent Covington]

That would halt the war through both Ramadan and Passover. For world, I'm Kristin Flabin.

[J.D. Vance]

And I'm Kent Covington. Straight ahead, processing special immigration claims for Afghan allies. Plus self sufficient living on the small family farm. This is the world and everything in it.

[Lindsay Mast]

It's Tuesday the 4th of March. Glad to have you along for today's edition of the WORLD and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Mary Reichard]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Next up, Afghans who helped the President Trump temporarily shut down the refugee resettlement program, but many people are now urging the president to make an exception. Four Afghans who assisted the US government before it withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021.

[Lindsay Mast]

But others argue the term Afghan allies doesn't distinguish between those who directly assisted the US Government and others seeking to escape Taliban rule for other reasons. World's Compassion reporter Addie Offerins published her findings last month on the problem. Here's World Radio's Anna Johansson Brown with her story.

[Mary Reichard]

Afghans, residents and those fearing reprisals from the Taliban were still flooding the area Monday, desperately trying to find a way.

[J.D. Vance]

Out of the country.

[Addie Offerins]

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban stormed Kabul. Afghanistan's president fled and US troops began a chaotic final withdrawal from the country. Hundreds of thousands of Afghans swarmed the airport, begging for a spot on one of the departing planes.

[Mary Reichard]

A U.S. official says troops that have.

[Karen Holt]

Taken over the airport had to fire.

[Kent Covington]

Their guns in the air to keep.

[Mary Reichard]

People off the tarmac and the planes flying.

[J.D. Vance]

The US Says it's trying to get tens of thousands of at risk Afghans.

[Mary Reichard]

Who worked for the government out.

[Addie Offerins]

More than three years later, that work still isn't finished. Afghans relocating to the United States after the Taliban takeover relied on three immigration special immigrant visas, the refugee resettlement system and humanitarian parole. Trump's refugee resettlement pause affected all three. Afghans who worked directly for the US Government or military are eligible for what's called a special immigrant visa, or siv. It includes a pathway to permanent residency and eventually citizenship.

[Kent Covington]

My generation of veterans grew up fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Addie Offerins]

Sean Vandiver served in the US Navy off the coast of Iraq, critical to.

[Kent Covington]

Our efforts, our wartime allies.

[Addie Offerins]

He now heads up an advocacy coalition called Afghan Evac. He recently posted a video about the situation on the ground.

[Kent Covington]

There are about 12 to 1500 between.

[Karen Holt]

Qatar and Albania that have approved SIVs in their passports.

[Addie Offerins]

The Trump administration did clarify that the refugee pause wouldn't bar SIV holders from entering the country, but Vandiver says the program didn't escape unscathed.

[Kent Covington]

You can still apply for a visa. You can still interview for a visa. There's just no help to get you from Afghanistan to a place where you.

[Karen Holt]

Can interview for that visa, and no help to get from there to the.

[Kent Covington]

United States once you've earned your shot.

[Karen Holt]

At the American dream.

[Addie Offerins]

Some Republican lawmakers are echoing Vandiver's plea for an Afghan exception. Here's Texas Representative Michael McCall on CBS's Face the Nation.

[Kent Covington]

They worked with our troops to defeat the Taliban, which unfortunately Biden surrendered to. But it seems to me we ought.

[Kristen Flavin]

To live up to our word.

[Kent Covington]

Otherwise down the road in another conflict, no one's going to trust us.

[Addie Offerins]

The number of special immigrant visas is capped and there are only about 10,000 spots left in the program. But roughly 130,000 Afghans have applied, not including their family members. It's unclear how many would actually qualify as legitimate SIV applicants, and current terminology isn't helping. The available tallies of Afghans waiting for resettlement lump together SIV applicants along with Afghans applying for refugee status or humanitarian parole. Some advocates claim all of them are Afghan allies.

[Kent Covington]

So Afghan allies. As you can guess, it has a lot of emotional aspect to it.

[Addie Offerins]

Nayla Rush is a senior research fellow at the center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for reducing immigration.

[Kent Covington]

These are people supposedly who worked with us, fought with US Forces in Afghanistan, and because of this collaboration were threatened.

[Addie Offerins]

She points out that not all of the Afghans in the refugee pipeline worked directly with the US Government. The Biden administration widened the definition of allies when it designated some Afghans as Priority two refugees, meaning they have a special humanitarian concern.

[Kent Covington]

If you have worked for US Government funded program or project in Afghanistan supported through a US Government grant or cooperative agreement. Others Afghans who were employed in Afghanistan by US Based media organization or ngo. It has widened the group of people who have access to this program.

[Addie Offerins]

Marjeela Badash trained journalists in Afghanistan until her employer closed their offices after the Taliban took over in 2021. Her organization was affiliated with the National Endowment for Democracy, which receives the majority of its funding from the US government. Bidosh qualified for a priority two refugee visa and finished her vetting at a US military base in Qatar.

[Kent Covington]

So I was there for 27 days, and after my refugee process was done there, I came to United States.

[Addie Offerins]

She knows of others who were waiting to reunite with family already in the United States.

[Kent Covington]

I can definitely feel them because I was in the same situation that they are now. But for me there was a future. I could come. But for them with this policy, if it lasts for long, it will be very tough for all Afghan families and refugees.

[Addie Offerins]

The Biden administration allowed tens of thousands of other Afghans to enter the US on humanitarian parole. That's a temporary status that includes work authorization, but doesn't have a pathway to permanent residency. In the chaos of Kabul's fall, Nayla Rush says it wasn't clear whether all the Afghan parolees assisted the US Government or even would have qualified for refugee status in the first place.

[Kent Covington]

There was chaos. Nobody knew who was who. Those who could get on the plane got on the plane.

[Addie Offerins]

Rush says she would understand if the Trump administration made an exception for SIV applicants who have been accepted into the program already but haven't yet reached the United States. But she says cries for a broader exception for Afghan allies don't make any distinction between refugees, parolees or SIV holders. Last week, a federal judge blocked Trump's refugee resettlement suspension.

[Lindsay Mast]

The ruling came after a lawsuit brought.

[Mary Reichard]

By major refugee aid groups.

[Lindsay Mast]

They argued that Trump's executive order goes against the system Congress created for moving refugees refugees into the U.S. the government.

[Addie Offerins]

Is likely to appeal the ruling, and so far it's unclear how the ruling will affect Afghan resettlement. Reporting for world, I'm Anna Johansson Brown.

[Mary Reichard]

Coming up next on THE WORLD and everything in it executive orders. You've just heard of the legal skirmishes around President Trump's executive order affecting refugee resettlement. Every president from George Washington on has issued executive orders, the one exception being the ninth president, William Henry Harrison, who died right after taking office.

[Lindsay Mast]

Abraham Lincoln issued perhaps the most famous executive order, the emancipation proclamation, in 1863 that changed the legal status of three and a half million enslaved African Americans. Joe Biden issued a total of 160 during his single term. President Trump's count so far this year is nearly 80, the latest from this past Saturday, making English the official language of the US Joining us now to talk about executive orders is Karen Holt, professor of political science at Virginia Tech.

[Mary Reichard]

Karen, my understanding of what an executive order is is pretty straightforward. It's a written directive signed by the president that orders the government to take specific actions to ensure the laws are faithfully executed. Is that an accurate statement?

[Karen Holt]

Well, that sounds like a basic question, but in many ways it's not. Sometimes it gets used to refer to anything that a US President does in terms of trying to make policy decisions or issue policy assertions or ideas or initiatives. And that's too broad of a sense, but it's become a more clear and explicit legal instrument, really, going back to the Franklin Roosevelt administration. And that's when they started being numbered and started being collected by the Federal Register. But it's important to be clear that executive orders are themselves a specific kind of presidential action. And other things that are called executive orders may also be things like presidential directives or presidential proclamations or a whole range of other kinds of activities.

[Mary Reichard]

Let me ask you, what is the source of presidential power to issue executive orders?

[Karen Holt]

Executive orders have been seen going back to George Washington as seen as being a way for a president to exercise their Article 2 of the Constitution's powers in terms of saying, my responsibility is to make sure that the laws are faithfully executed. Those laws, of course, are made by Congress, but they have to be consistent with the U.S. constitution. And so an argument would be made that a president's authority to issue these executive orders comes from at least two different places. One from the Constitution itself, but secondly from Congress and the statutes that Congress passes.

[Mary Reichard]

All right. I think most people understand executive orders as the president telling the executive branch agencies to accomplish his priorities. That's easy to issue, but not so easy to implement. Correct?

[Karen Holt]

That's fair. However, many executive orders actually have started on the agency side, and under those circumstances, some agencies may be appealing to the White house and saying, Mr. President, it would be helpful to get your specific guidance in writing. Other times, it's used as almost a negotiation process within the executive branch. And so it's important to keep that broader landscape in mind, although clearly it's changed over time. Certainly, talking about incoming presidents, what we've seen over the last several administrations is that there's a flurry on January 20. Presidents are issuing executive orders for a variety of reasons, in some cases overturning the executive orders that their predecessors put in place, and so making it clear to all there's been a change in leadership, and we've got new priorities and new goals. The other thing that new presidents often do is issue executive orders that are more hortatory, that are more focused on the general public and their political audiences outside the executive branch. Simply saying, I won the election. And these are what my plans are going to be going forward for the executive branch agencies that then can lead to some of the implementation concerns that get raised from the executive branch agency side. Well, what does that mean specifically? That we need to do.

[Mary Reichard]

And to be clear, the president cannot write a new statute because that's the job of Congress. But an order can tell federal agencies how to implement a statute, correct?

[Karen Holt]

Precisely. Precisely. How to implement a statute and in some cases, how to prioritize that implementation. And so we've had some presidents that have said, don't pay as much attention to this part of the statute. The executive orders can also give agencies guidance that way as well.

[Mary Reichard]

All right, let's talk about how executive orders can be stopped. And we're seeing this playing out right now with some of the executive orders President Trump has issued. Checks and balances.

[Karen Holt]

One of the clear checks and balances is that many of the initial executive orders that come out of new administrations, not so much this one in this time around, but in the first term, many times the Trump administration was issuing executive orders without an indication of what their statutory authority was or what their constitutional authority was. So one way then that parties can bring claims into the federal court system is to say, you know, the president doesn't have the statutory authority or the constitutional authority to do these kinds of things. So that's one claim. Other times, parties from the outside can say, congress may have said this, but this is not the precedent, as in court decisions. That is not the common interpretation of that part of the statute. Or what the president is proposing is a different interpretation of the law. So that could be another line of argument as well.

[Mary Reichard]

How have executive orders evolved over time? I mean, what factors influence those changes?

[Karen Holt]

Well, whole range of things. But among those factors, we saw a real increase of executive orders, really going back to the late 19th and the early 20th century, as government began to expand over time. So then we start thinking about when was the federal government taking on new responsibilities and coping with new tasks. Most of us are going to think immediately of the Great Depression. Others will think about World War II and other wars. So all of those things tend to be linked to increased use of executive orders. So growth in the size and scope and complexity of government is part of that. Final thing is, and this brings us up to the present day. Some of it has to do is when Congress becomes very closely divided or gridlocked, then that opens up an avenue for the president to say, you know, things need to be done. And I have this separate executive authority to do things. And that's why you heard Barack Obama say, for example, with a stroke of a pen, I can change things. Now it's in fact not quite that easy.

[Mary Reichard]

Karen, can you provide an example of executive orders meant to address a certain issue but then led to unintended consequences.

[Karen Holt]

Going back to Franklin Roosevelt and in the run up to World War II, for example, the US government was really starting to increase surveillance of people in the United States that might have links back to Europe and Japan. That has had longer term consequences that I don't think either Franklin Roosevelt or those around him in Congress or elsewhere fully anticipated. This is not a new set of concerns. In the first Trump administration that immediate order on the so called Muslim ban had all kinds of feed on effects. One can argue that that increased some of the concern with the incoming Trump administration anyway in terms of its contacts with other parts of the world and within the United States. It also led to a whole range of efforts in the first Trump administration to have to continue to go back and redo those executive orders because they hadn't fully anticipated what differences they would make, not only immediately with people trying to reach the United States, but also in entire other parts of the country. For example, places that have large numbers of folks that do a of travel back and forth, whether that's for business travel or family travel or a variety of things, none of those were fully anticipated because the response was to an immediate perceived problem and an effort to fulfill a campaign promise. I chose First Trump because that got a lot of media attention. But certainly one can look at the Obama administration as well as at the Biden administration and how it dealt with this whole range of immigration issues and issues at the border.

[Mary Reichard]

Certainly Karen. Karen Holt is a political scientist at Virginia Tech. Karen, thank you so much.

[Karen Holt]

Sure. Wonderful to talk to you.

[J.D. Vance]

Additional support comes from the new living translation, accurate, understandable and audibly intended. NewLivingTranslation.com and from Covenant College in Georgia, providing an uncompromising biblical education where students explore calling and career more at covenant.edu world.

[Lindsay Mast]

35 years ago, Pennsylvania High School senior Sean Moyer was in a bit of a bind. His prom date had just bailed on him for another guy. Enter junior Elena Hershey. The backup date set up by mutual friends. Audio from WHTM TV she was a remarkably nice person.

[Karen Holt]

She was pretty and she was smart. He was student council president. He was most likely to succeed.

[Lindsay Mast]

They had a great time, then went their separate ways. Moyer became a doctor. Hershey moved to Colorado. Decades passed, but Then a twist. Mutual friends mentioned to her that Moyer was in trouble on dialysis waiting for his third kidney transplant since the age of 16.

[Karen Holt]

I had already planned on donating altruistically or just anonymously.

[Lindsay Mast]

I was glad I heard about that.

[Karen Holt]

So that I could contact him and offer him my kidney.

[Lindsay Mast]

She wasn't a match, but that didn't stop her. Through a donor swap program, her kidney went to a stranger, moving Moyer up the list. Then in February, he got the call. The best part, Moyer received his transplant late last month and is recovering well.

[Mary Reichard]

Hey. From backup prom date to life saving backup plan.

[Lindsay Mast]

Not bad. It's the world and everything in it.

[Mary Reichard]

Today is Tuesday, March 4th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Mary Reichard.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. Coming next on the World and everything in it, homesteading. It's a way of life that focuses on self centered efficiency and sustainable living. The modern homesteading movement has grown by leaps and bounds since the pandemic began.

[Mary Reichard]

The term may seem contradictory. Modern homesteading. Here's world senior writer Kim Henderson.

[Kristen Flavin]

Jack and Kim Fuhrman have a homestead in Gretna, Virginia. Is called Our Father's Farm. The Furmans were missionaries before they bought these 60 acres.

[Kent Covington]

Seven years in Africa serving among Arab Muslims, there was a tremendous challenge.

[Kristen Flavin]

Difficult times in Africa drove Jack, a seminary graduate, to a deeper study of.

[Kent Covington]

The Bible to see what his word really says about family and the functioning.

[Kristen Flavin]

Of the family and the roles at the same time. He was immersed in an agrarian society, one that stuck to the old ways of farming. Jack began to admire some of their methods. He says God was teaching him that he has a design for every animal.

[Kent Covington]

He created and see beautiful fruit result from, you know, stewarding the animals in that way or the land or we can, you know, think that we as men have come up with a better factory production method of producing food, you know, and we can do.

[Kristen Flavin]

The Furmans came back to the United States in 2006 to care for their aging parents. By then they were reading and researching and praying about farming.

[Kent Covington]

But then I started to see this, you know, this model of kind of homesteading or kind of just providing healthy foods raised God's way to people directly and that, you know, you could actually maybe make a living off of that. And so we just.

[Kristen Flavin]

The term homesteading is a pretty broad one. The state with the biggest self proclaimed homesteaders is Montana. It's followed by North Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska and Oklahoma. But the Furmans bought land In Virginia. Today, their farm produces pasture raised poultry, grass fed beef and Thanksgiving turkeys. Oh, and lots of milk.

[Addie Offerins]

And then this is where we milk the cows.

[Kristen Flavin]

That's Hope Fuhrman. She's 23, one of the nine Furman children.

[Addie Offerins]

So we bring four in here, wash them off, prep them, hook them up, and then we bring four in here, wash them off while these are being milked, and then we swap.

[Kristen Flavin]

She's given a tour of a hundred year old tobacco barn on their property. It has low ceilings typical of that period. And it's where she milked 33 cows this morning. Even with the machines they use, it took two hours. In Virginia, it's illegal to sell raw milk. So homesteaders who want to profit from milk do it through herd share programs.

[Addie Offerins]

So you sign a contractual agreement to buy into our herd share program and you pay for that and then you pay boarding fees, which is to pay for us taking care of your cow. And then, you know, in return you get milk every week.

[Kristen Flavin]

The farm property also includes a small storefront with freezers and refrigerators.

[Addie Offerins]

So this is all just the yogurt and cream kefir.

[Kristen Flavin]

Hope walks over to open a refrigerator full of items available to herdshare owners.

[Addie Offerins]

Yogurt, whole milk yogurt and skim milk yogurt.

[Kristen Flavin]

Just outside, a customer, or rather a herd share owner, has driven up in a timely manner.

[Lindsay Mast]

And so last week's went with them.

[Kristen Flavin]

And I take, oh, Ashley Lumpkins is a busy mom. She's come 45 miles for her raw milk because she missed her regular pickup. In the town of Danville, the Furmans deliver their products as far away as Roanoke.

[Lindsay Mast]

Once you get the raw dairy quality, you don't really want to buy anything from the store again.

[Kristen Flavin]

The Furman's farm is thriving now, but Jack's wife Kim says people should be careful not to romanticize homesteading. Their family's experience includes a big learning curve. One tough experience involved their flock of Thanksgiving turkeys. They had 150 poults or baby turkeys ready to move to the field. A storm blew through, stressing the poults. They all died.

[Addie Offerins]

Once you grow them to full maturity.

[Kristen Flavin]

And you sell them all, that is.

[Addie Offerins]

Your entire winter paycheck on the farm. That's how you buy the shoes, that's how you buy the groceries, that's how you pay the electric bill.

[Kristen Flavin]

God saw the Furmans through that winter and other hard times since then. Homesteading is hard. The reasons for failure can include starting without a plan or a budget. Not Seeking mentors, taking on too many projects. But Hope and her older sister Sheila say growing up on the farm was priceless. Did you kind of like escape out here in the afternoons when you're done with school?

[Addie Offerins]

We would go for walks a lot. We'd explore. So this, this is our egg mobile is what we call it.

[Kristen Flavin]

Mom Kim remembers when her son, barely two years old, came into their house with eggs in both hands.

[Mary Reichard]

He goes, oh, it's working hard.

[Karen Holt]

What would you do without me?

[Addie Offerins]

We were like, we don't know. We would be up the creek. We need you so bad. We are so glad you're here. So it's like they never. Little farm kids never really have to.

[Karen Holt]

Wonder, why am I here and do.

[Addie Offerins]

I have a purpose?

[Kristen Flavin]

Hope and Sheila seem pretty sure of their purpose. Sheila can name a lot of ways farm work builds character.

[Addie Offerins]

You're having to work with other people who, you know, rub you the wrong way. Often you are working with nature. You're working with lives, animals, lives that depend on you. So that's really, I think, the biggest thing. They just want us to be the kind of people that God can use wherever he places us.

[Kristen Flavin]

Homesteading isn't for, but it's hard to deny its growing popularity. Jack Fuhrman was a commercial pilot before he was a missionary. It was a big leap of faith to become a homesteader.

[Kent Covington]

I don't necessarily advise it for everyone, but it's what the Lord had for us and very, very grateful for. I wouldn't trade it, Wouldn't trade it for anything.

[Kristen Flavin]

Reporting for World I'm Kim henderson in Gretna, Virginia.

[Lindsay Mast]

Today is Tuesday, March 4th. Good morning. This is the world and everything in it from Listener supported World Radio. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Mary Reichard]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Up next, World Opinions contributor as Ibrahim on the latest killing of Christians in Africa and why it's part of a disturbing pattern.

[Kent Covington]

The world continues to witness as Muslim terrorists massacre Christians. And the media rarely care to cover such horrific attacks. This time, the Muslim butchery of 70 Christians occurred in the majority Christian village of Maiba in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A group of Muslim militants from the Allied Democratic Forces, or adf, entered the Christian village in the early hours of the day, knocking on doors and seizing everyone. The terrorist group with ties to the Islamic State led the captives to a nearby Protestant church. Later, their bodies were discovered inside the church and reports describe the victims as having been bound with many beheaded, likely with machetes. Congo is Africa's second largest Christian majority nation after Nigeria, with over 93% of the population identifying as Christian. Catholics and Protestants make up about 85% of the total number of Christians. In the past decade, ADF terrorized parts of western Uganda and eastern Congo, especially in vulnerable villages. While an army presence and government influence can often be found in major cities, the small, isolated villages are vulnerable to rebel attacks. Many may rush to claim that this atrocity has nothing to do with Islam, arguing that Islam doesn't condone violence against Christians. But they will be wrong. Ten years ago, on February 15, 2015, ISIS terrorists executed 21 Coptic Egyptian Christians on a beach in Libya. The event sent shock waves around the world due to its brutality and the stark display of faith by the victims. The brutal attack on The Copts in 2015 was repeated with the Congolese Christians in 2025. Muslim terrorists identified Christians abducted them as poor and vulnerable people who are unable to resist and led them to slaughter. This is the horrific reality many Christians face at the hands of Muslim terrorists in many parts of the world. This isn't a time to claim all religions have bad people. It is not the time to rationalize an endless debate about what's the true Islam. Nor is it a time to speak of how the majority of Muslims are peaceful people who aim no harm against anyone. Islam as written definitely offers reasons for many Muslims to delight in butchering non Muslims, especially Christians. ISIS and ADF know Islam and delight in following its precepts. The Quran, Muhammad's teachings, and the authoritative historical accounts of Islam, Allah, yes. All include statements and examples that clearly allow Muslims to target Christians and kill them for Allah's sake and to advance Islamic dominance. Once a Muslim identifies a Christian as an infidel, all brutal actions can be legitimized through religious commands. Unless we expose these teachings and claims as inhumane and morally abhorrent, nothing can change. But we can do more. The international community needs to help struggling countries identify areas where terrorists thrive. It should come together to support enhancing local security and seek to cut the lifeline of these groups, not only drying up their funding through imposing sanctions on countries and groups that aid terrorists, but also by crippling their ability to recruit new soldiers in underprivileged and isolated regions. Governments can and should shut down Islamic propaganda and identify NJ recruiters. In a sense, Muslim leaders who are open about disavowing Islamic terrorism are much needed in this regard, while non Muslim thinkers can tackle Islam's claim right on. Muslim leaders who are vocal in condemning Islamic terrorism can influence Muslims in crucial places, including mosques, schools and online spaces where radicalization emerges and festers, and it must be done before more attacks like this one take place. I am as Ibrahim.

[Lindsay Mast]

Tomorrow, an update on Doge and federal workforce cuts and what it means for President Trump's agenda. That's on Washington Wednesday and on World Tour. A special report from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where challenges keep stacking up. That and more tomorrow. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Mary Reichard]

And I'm Mary Reichardt. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible records that one of the criminals who were hanged railed at Jesus, saying, are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us? But the other rebuked him, saying, do you not fear God, since you were under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing wrong. And he said, jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And Jesus said to him, truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. Verses 39 through 43 of Luke, chapter 23 go now in grace and peace.