Enrique Marquez, friend to Syed Farook, one of the two San Bernardino shooters, pleaded not guilty to federal charges of supporting terrorism and lying about the purchase of guns used in the December attack, which left 14 dead and 22 wounded. Marquez is accused of hatching other plots with Farook in 2011 and 2012, and is also charged with making false statements on a visa application.  If convicted, Marquez faces up to 50 years behind bars.

Republicans rushed to denounce President Obama’s executive actions on guns, alternatively branding them as an effort that “undermines liberty,” as House Speaker Paul Ryan put it, and much ado about nothing (“they’re not really doing anything,” an NRA spokesperson said). Nonetheless there appeared to be at least the potential for some consensus on the portion of the executive actions dedicated to mental health ($500m to increase access to mental health care and easing restrictions on mental health issues as regards background checks).  

The Center for American Progress held its monthly gun violence prevention meeting Wednesday, disseminating talking points, a social media campaign and infographics in support of the president’s actions, and shared articles and information about their legality, recent relevant regulations, and smartgun technology. Media Matters disseminated a clip of Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, who said on his show that “the FBI should background check anyone buying a firearm in America” and urged the NRA and gun owners to “be reasonable” about that.

Following an initial surge, gun stocks dropped, as analysts concluded that an immediate spike in sales following the president’s remarks would not be sustainable.

The administration’s program to deport families who arrived illegally in the US since 2014 and have had bids for asylum denied by an immigration denied drew escalating fire from Democrats and a number of grantees. Wendy Young of KIND voiced concern that the program could sweep up unaccompanied minors . Frank Sharry of America’s Voice branded the program “outrageous” and something worthy of “a President Trump.” NDLON and the Center for Migration Studies also spoke out in opposition. And many have joined sign-on letters asking the president to “renounce the use of such harsh tactics against this incredibly vulnerable group” (quoting from a letter signed by more than 160 civil rights and immigration groups and sent last week) and another sent Monday to the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice arguing that the raids violated civil rights statutes (signed by 150 groups). Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has defended the program as something long announced and consistent with the administration’s enforcement priorities.

The situation presents a complicated strategic quandary for grantees, who are attacking the administration over this program at the same time that they are supporting the president’s executive actions on immigration, which seeks to shield up to 5 million other immigrants living and working in the U.S. from deportation. Advocates have also been pressing the administration to allow in more Syrian refugees fleeing the civil war in that country. How to balance these competing prerogatives—and how best to engage the administration most effectively--is a subject of much discussion in the field and among funders.

Wheaton College began disciplinary proceedings against Larycia Hawkins, a professor at the Christian college who donned a hijab in solidarity with Muslims following the massacre in San Bernardino. The process could result in her being fired from the faculty.

France observed the anniversary of the attack on Charlie Hebdo.  

 Among other grantee and advocate activity:

--Colorlines, produced by grantee Race Forward, published a piece on what it’s like to be a Muslim at a Donald Trump rally.

--The Council on Islamic-American Relations (not a grantee) released a guide for Muslim parents on how to talk about extremism with their kids.