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.

The FBI’s No. 2 official will be stepping down in January

There will be a high-level leadership change at the FBI next month. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino’s planned resignation in January would be among the highest-profile departures of the Trump administration. The president suggested Bongino would return to his prior role as a popular podcast host. Bongino was an unconventional pick to be the FBI’s second-in-command. Though he had previously worked as a New York City police officer and Secret Service agent, he had no prior experience at the bureau.

Trump vows “serious retaliation” against ISIS terrorists in Syria

President Trump is putting Islamic State terrorists on notice. The president has announced, what he’s calling, a “very serious retaliation” campaign against ISIS strongholds in Syria. Writing on his social media platform, he warned terrorists who attack Americans that “you will be hit harder than you have ever been hit before.” His comments came as the Pentagon launched dozens of military strikes against the Islamic State following last weekend’s ambush killings of three Americans in Syria.

Trump skewers past presidents in expanded Walk of Fame gallery

New plaques are on display under presidential portraits that Donald Trump has installed at the White House. It’s called the Presidential Walk of Fame — a long wall facing the Rose Garden that now features framed portraits of every U-S president. Plaques describing each president are the latest addition to the display and several of them include partisan criticism. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says the descriptions were “eloquently written,” many by Donald Trump. His immediate predecessor is mocked as “Sleepy Joe Biden” and referred to as “the worst president in American history.” And President Barack Obama is described as “one of the most divisive political figures in American history.”

Trump clamps down on visa lottery program after Brown University shootings

The Trump administration is clamping down on a visa program after the deadly attack at Brown University. The Department of Homeland Security announced a pause in the processing of diversity lottery applications after the suspect in the Brown University shootings was linked to visa program. The gunman, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot, was a Portuguese national who obtained permanent residence via the diversity visa lottery program. Halting the applications was presented as keeping Americans safe, but critics said the Trump administration is using the attack to achieve a broader goal of reducing legal immigration.

U.S. military launched retaliatory strikes against ISIS fighters in Syria

The United States has launched a military operation in Syria against ISIS fighters. The military action follows the deaths of three U-S citizens in an ambush attack almost a week ago. Announcing the operation, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said “This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance.” One U-S official described it as “a large-scale” strike that targeted multiple locations and concentrated areas across central Syria that had Islamic State group infrastructure and weapons. Another U.S. official said more strikes should be expected.

Stefanik ends NY Gov. campaign, won’t seek reelection to Congress

Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is suspending her campaign for New York governor and will not seek reelection to Congress. Announcing her abrupt departure, Stefanik said she was confident of her chances in the GOP primary for governor. But she said, “It is not an effective use of our time” to stay in the race, and that she instead wants to spend more time with her young son and family. Stefanik was set to have a tough race against Bruce Blakeman, a county official in New York City’s suburbs. President Trump praised her online, saying Stefanik is a “fantastic person and congresswoman.” GC, Wash.

Trump’s board votes to add Trump’s name to DC’s Kennedy Center

Washington, DC’s performing arts center is getting a new name. On several occasions this year, President Trump joked about adding his name to the Kennedy Center. But now, the name change is happening. The president’s hand-picked board has voted to rename it the Trump Kennedy Center. Democrats say only Congress has the power to change the name and that the board, which is chaired by Donald Trump, had overstepped its legal authority. Some members of the Kennedy family call the move unacceptable.

Judge orders rehiring of feds fired during gov’t shutdown

Some fired federal workers are a step closer to getting their jobs back. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate roughly 300 federal workers it fired during the government shutdown. But she put the ruling on hold to allow an appeal from the administration. The judge said the funding bill that ended the shutdown required the government to reinstate the employees and refrain from firing any more workers until the end of January.

FBI Deputy Director Bongino to resign next month

Senate passes $901 billion annual defense bill

Before lawmakers leave town for the year-end holidays, the Senate passed a massive annual defense bill. The legislation, called the National Defense Authorization Act, authorizes 901 billion dollars in defense programs. Among other things, it raises troop pay by nearly four percent. The policy bill also demands more information on recent boat strikes in the Caribbean, requires that the U.S. keep its troop levels in Europe at current levels, and sends some military aid to Ukraine.

Trump highlights immigration, economic policies in year-end speech

President Trump highlighted his immigration and economic policies in a prime time speech to the nation.
In his prime time address, the president highlighted the core principle of his economic strategy — tariffs. He also touted his administration’s approach to immigration and securing the border. The president criticized the Biden-era transgender policies and claimed he was fixing the mess he inherited nearly a year ago.

Trump announces $1,776 “Warrior Dividend” for U.S. troops

President Trump has announced a “Warrior Dividend” for members of the U-S military.  Just in time for Christmas, dividend checks are being sent to nearly one-and-a-half million men and women of the U-S armed forces. The president said his administration is sending checks of $1,776 in honor of the year the country was founded. During his nationally broadcast speech, the president seemed to imply that the checks were being funded from tariff revenues.

Trump offers rosy review of his first year back in office

President Trump delivered a rosy review of his first year back in office. In a year-end speech touting his administration’s accomplishments, the president began by criticizing his predecessor for leaving a “mess.” He pointed to success in securing the southern border and claimed progress in lowering the cost of living. However, the rate of inflation is roughly the same as it was in January and the nation’s unemployment has steadily increased throughout the year. In the end, the president promised an economic boom in 2026.

At military base, Trump pays respects to Americans killed in Syria

President Trump paid his respects during the return of three Americans who were killed in Syria over the weekend. The president stood on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for the dignified transfer of two Iowa National Guard members and a U.S. civilian interpreter. The commander-in-chief was joined by his Pentagon chief and other dignitaries for the solemn ritual. The president met privately with grieving families before the transfer cases draped with the American flag that hold the soldiers’ remains were carried off the C-17 military aircraft.

Four Republicans defy House GOP leaders on health care

Four Republican lawmakers have joined with Democrats to force a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies.
The stunning move came after GOP leadership announced there wouldn’t be an up-or-down House vote on the ACA tax credits that expire in two weeks. The four moderate Republicans broke with House Speaker Mike Johnson and signed onto a Democratic-led petition that will force a House vote on extending the subsidies for three years as early as January. The four GOP lawmakers say their constituents need the extension to offset soaring monthly premiums.

Trump orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers into Venezuela

President Trump has ordered a blockade of all “sanctioned oil tankers” into Venezuela. The president alleges Venezuela is using oil to fund drug trafficking and other crimes. His “total and complete blockade” comes after U-S forces last week seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast amid a buildup of military forces in the region.Venezuela’s government accused Donald Trump of “violating international law, free trade, and the principle of free navigation.” And Mexico’s president wants the United Nations to intervene to “prevent any bloodshed” as tensions rise.

Trump to deliver year-end prime time speech from White House

President Trump will deliver a year-end address to the nation. Previewing tonight’s address from the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said “it’s going to be a really good speech.” She said he’ll recap accomplishments from the past year and also discuss his plans for the next three years. The president wrote on social media that “it’s been a great year for our country and the best is yet to come.”

Trump to travel to Delaware to honor U.S. troops killed in Syria

President Trump will go to Delaware today [WED] for the dignified transfer of the two National Guard members killed in Syria. As commander-in-chief, the president will be at Dover Air Force Base to honor the U-S service members killed in action. The dignified transfer is one of the most solemn duties undertaken by the commander in chief. Donald Trump has called it “the toughest thing” he has to do as president.

Trump expands travel ban to include 5 more countries

The Trump administration is expanding its travel ban to include five more countries and impose new limits on others. President Trump continues to clamp down on travelers from select foreign countries. The administration announced that citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria are banned from entering the United States. It’s also fully restricting travel on people with Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents. Back in June, the president announced that citizens of 12 countries would be banned from visiting the U-S and those from seven others would face restrictions. GC, Wash.

House will not vote on extending expiring Obamacare subsidies

The Republican-led House will not vote on a measure extending Obamacare enhanced subsidies that expire in two weeks. Speaker Mike Johnson said efforts were made to hold the vote, but it didn’t work out in the end. Johnson’s announcement infuriated moderate Republicans who had been pushing to go on the record about the subsidies. The speaker acknowledged that about a dozen GOP members in competitive districts are “fighting hard to make sure that they reduce costs for all of their constituents.”