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When Russia invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago, President Joe Biden set three objectives for the U. S. response. Ukraine’s victory was never among them. The phrase the White House used to describe its mission at the time—supporting Ukraine “for as long as it takes”—was intentionally vague. It also raised the question: As long as it takes to do what? [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] “We were deliberately not talking about the territorial parameters,” says Eric Green, who served on Biden’s National Security Council at the time, overseeing Russia policy.

Lost amid the hullabaloo surrounding Donald J. Trump’s second Inauguration as President of the United States—the last-minute, cold-driven venue changes, the galas and balls, the $170 million raised from donors both big-name and anonymous—is the point of the whole extravaganza. In the summer of 1787, the delegates to the federal convention in Philadelphia included in the document they were drafting a requirement that before taking office, the President should recite the following oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Not everyone thought it was a good idea.

“Nineteen … and counting,” the New York Times reports. “That’s the number of former Fox News hosts, commentators, on-air medical experts, producers and other personnel who are poised to occupy roles in the second administration of President-elect Donald Trump.” “Never before has a single media organization exported so many alumni to a president’s day-one cabinet and staff.

Peter Baker: “More than 30 miles of anti-scale fencing are being erected all over the nation’s capital. Concrete barriers are being placed at key junctures. Certain roads have already been closed to traffic. Surveillance drones will flood the skies.” “But if Washington looks like a war zone again, it does not necessarily feel that way.

“President Biden warned in his farewell address to the nation last week that an oligarchy is taking shape in America. In Washington, the oligarchs are already here, buying big houses,” the New York Times reports. “Counting President-elect Donald Trump himself, there are at least a dozen billionaires among his cabinet picks and those headed for senior roles in the new administration.

“The president-elect’s immigration advisers have warned Republicans that it will take time and money from Congress to carry out the mass deportation effort he has promised to execute immediately,” the New York Times reports.