After Zelenskyy meeting, Trump says “closer than ever” to peace deal

There appears to be progress toward ending Russia’s war against Ukraine following President Trump’s weekend meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Donald Trump hosted the Ukrainian leader for talks in Florida, declaring that Ukraine and Russia are “closer than ever before” to a peace deal. However, both leaders acknowledged that difficult issues remain, including whether Russia can keep Ukrainian territory it controls. President Trump insisted that both countries want peace, but warned that negotiations could still break down. After their meeting, the two presidents called European leaders to discuss the latest developments.

New Trump envoy: U.S. not looking to “conquer” Greenland

The newly appointed envoy to Greenland says the U-S is not looking to “conquer” the Danish territory.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry says the Trump administration wants to begin a conversation with Greenland’s residents about the best way forward and isn’t going to try “to take over anybody’s country.” However, those comments seemed at odds with President Trump, who has repeatedly said the U-S needs to take over the Arctic territory. In response, the leaders of Denmark and Greenland demanded respect for their territorial integrity.

Zelensky to meet with Trump in Florida to discuss peace plan

Trump deploys 350 National Guard troops to New Orleans

Student loan borrowers in default to have wages garnished

U.S. launched strikes against ISIS in Nigeria for targeting Christians

President Trump says the U-S launched a deadly strike against Islamic State forces in Nigeria. In a Christmas evening announcement, the president said he directed the military strikes against ISIS for “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians.” He wrote on social media that he had previously warned the terrorists there would be consequences “if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians.” The military strikes came after the U-S recently designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.

Justice Department needs a “few more weeks” to release all Epstein documents

The Justice Department says authorities have uncovered “over a million more documents” related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a Christmas Eve announcement, the DOJ said it may need a “few more weeks” to release all of its records on Epstein. It further delays compliance with last week’s congressionally mandated deadline to make all the files public. The news came as a surprise after department officials suggested months ago that a comprehensive review of the documents had taken place. A dozen U-S senators have called on the Justice Department’s watchdog to examine its failure to meet the deadline.

On Christmas Eve, Trump talks with children, thanks troops, attacks the Left

President Trump ushered in Christmas talking with children, thanking troops, and attacking his political enemies. The president and first lady spent part of Christmas Eve on the phone thanking U-S military personnel stationed overseas. They spoke with soldiers in Iraq, the Philippines and the U-S Virgin Islands. The president also talked with several children dialing into the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which playfully tracked Santa’s progress around the globe. And he posted a political holiday message online that said “Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country, but are failing badly.”

Tensions remain high between Trump admin and Venezuela

National Guard shooting suspect could face death penalty

Trump criticizes late night TV shows, threatens broadcast licenses

Gas prices at lowest level this year — in time for Christmas travel

Gas prices are at their lowest level of the year — just in time for Christmas travel. With millions of Americans driving over the river and through the woods to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, the price of gasoline in December is at a five-year low. It’s currently the cheapest it’s been all this year. Triple-A says the national average for unleaded gasoline has stayed below the 3-dollar mark since December 2nd. And that’s something the Trump White House has been touting on social media the past few days.

In a holiday gift, Trump gives federal workers 2 extra days off

For most federal workers, Christmas Eve is the start of an extra-long holiday weekend. On at least two occasions this year, the president complained on social media that there are too many holidays on the calendar. But that didn’t stop him from delivering a Christmas gift to most federal workers. Last week, he signed an executive order closing most federal offices on December 24th and 26th, giving employees in federal agencies three days off for Christmas, plus the upcoming weekend.

Former GOP Senator Sasse has advanced pancreatic cancer

Former Republican Senator Ben Sasse has terminal cancer. The former lawmaker from Nebraska announced that he’s been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Sasse, who is 53 years old, wrote a bleak social media post saying he is “gonna die.” But he also said, quote, “I’m not going down without a fight.” Sasse was first elected to the Senate in 2014 and won reelection in 2020 before resigning in 2023 to serve as president of the University of Florida.

New batch of documents show Trump flew on Epstein’s plane

The Justice Department has released another batch of documents about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The newly released files show that President Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet eight times during the 1990’s. According to an email from a New York prosecutor, that was “many more times than previously has been reported.” The document contradicts a 2024 social media post from Donald Trump that said he “was never on Epstein’s plane.” In a statement, the Justice Department said “some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump.”

Trump revisits idea of U.S. taking control of Greenland

President Trump is talking again about the United States taking over Greenland, which is a territory belonging to Denmark. He says the U-S needs it and he hasn’t ruled out military force to take control of it. Over the weekend, the president announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland. In response, the leaders of Denmark and Greenland demanded respect for their territorial integrity.

Trump delivers fresh warning to Venezuela’s Maduro

President Trump delivered a fresh warning to Venezuelan President Maduro. As the U.S. Coast Guard steps up efforts to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea, the president increased his rhetoric toward Maduro. The White House says it is targeting tankers flying under a false flag. The president also repeated his threat of U-S forces conducting land strikes in Venezuela against drug traffickers.

Trump announces plans to build new fleet of Navy battleships

President Trump has announced plans to build a new fleet of U-S battleships. Joined by the Secretaries of Defense, State, and Navy, the president said the two new battleships will be known as the “Golden Fleet.” He said production of the two ships will begin immediately and that the new cutting-edge vessels will help maintain American military supremacy and revive the shipbuilding industry.

Trump administration sues Wash. DC over its gun laws

The Trump administration is suing the local government of Washington, D.C., over its gun laws. In the lawsuit, the administration alleges that the District of Columbia’s restrictions on certain semiautomatic weapons run afoul of Second Amendment rights. The Justice Department asserts that the District is imposing unconstitutional bans on AR-15s and other semiautomatic weapons. It’s the latest clash between DC and President Trump, who dispatched troops to the nation’s capital over the summer to fight crime.

Trump pauses 5 large-scale offshore wind projects

Justice Dept defends partial release of Epstein files

The Justice Department is defending its handling of the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The DOJ was required to release all the files by last Friday. But Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defends the decision to release just a fraction of them. He told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that his department was obligated to act with caution and eventually will release all of the thousands of documents. But Democrats and other critics are not satisfied, accusing the Trump administration of trying to hide information.

White House cities “constructive” Russia-Ukraine talks

The Trump administration says it held “productive and constructive” weekend talks about ending the Russia Ukraine war. That was the assessment from White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who met in Florida with Ukrainian and European representatives to end the nearly four-year war. Ukraine’s president also pointed to progress, saying all sides were moving “quickly.” Although just last week, President Zelensky said he didn’t think Russia’s Vladimir Putin wants peace.

Trump recalls more than two dozen U.S. ambassadors, diplomats

President Trump is recalling more than two dozen career ambassadors and other diplomats. The chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries have been informed that their tenures would end in January. All of them had taken up their posts in the Biden administration but had survived an initial purge in the early months of Donald Trump’s second term that targeted mainly political appointees.Two State Department officials said those affected by the shake-up are not losing their foreign service jobs, but will be returning to Washington for other assignments.

Nebraska to be first state implement new Medicaid work requirements

Nebraska will become the first state to implement new work requirements for some people with Medicaid health insurance. Nebraska’s Republican governor announced that the requirement would take effect in the state May 1 and could impact about 30-thousand people who have slightly higher incomes than traditional Medicaid beneficiaries. The law, signed by President Trump earlier this year, mandates that people ages 19 to 64 who have Medicaid coverage work or perform community service at least 80 hours a month or be enrolled in school at least half-time to receive and keep coverage. GC, Wash.