President Donald Trump's approval rating has increased for the first time in months, according to recent national polls. Despite the rise, his overall disapproval rating still exceeds his approval rating. This change might affect political dynamics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating rose to 42% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll, up from 39% the previous month.
An InsiderAdvantage poll showed a net positive approval rating of 8.4 points for Trump, with 49.5% approval.
Decision Desk HQ's average approval rating for Trump is 43.2%, with disapproval at 53.3%.
Ballotpedia shows a similar approval/disapproval split at 42% and 55%, respectively.
The ratings are an improvement from November 2025 when approval rates were around 41%.
The polls surveyed adults and likely voters, mostly online, with margins of error around 3%.
Police in Columbus, Ohio, have released video footage showing a person of interest near the home of Spencer and Monique Tepe. The couple was found dead from gunshot wounds on December 30. Authorities are asking for the public’s help to identify the individual in the video.
Key Facts
Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead in their Ohio home on December 30.
The Columbus Division of Police has released video of a "person of interest."
The incident occurred between 2:00 and 5:00 a.m., according to police.
The Tepes’ children were found unharmed at the scene.
The public can provide information to the police via a phone number or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
The couple was discovered after a well-being check by patrol officers.
Medical personnel declared them dead shortly after officers arrived.
Melania Trump has asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by journalist Michael Wolff, claiming she was not properly notified about it. The lawsuit involves allegations connected to Jeffrey Epstein and claims Melania threatened to sue Wolff for over $1 billion if certain statements were not retracted.
Key Facts
Melania Trump is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit from journalist Michael Wolff.
Her legal team argues she was not properly served with the lawsuit papers.
The papers were delivered to a doorman at Trump Tower, not to Melania Trump herself.
The lawsuit concerns statements made by Wolff about Melania Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.
Wolff claims Melania threatened a $1 billion lawsuit over these statements.
Melania Trump may request to transfer the case to southern Florida if not dismissed in New York City.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced a bill to eliminate the H-1B visa program, which helps U.S. companies hire skilled foreign workers. This visa program is mainly used for jobs in technology, engineering, and science. Greene also proposed a bill requiring photo ID and proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
Key Facts
A bill was introduced to end the H-1B visa program.
The H-1B visa helps U.S. companies hire skilled foreign workers.
Jobs usually needing H-1B workers are in technology, engineering, and science.
The U.S. issues 85,000 H-1B visas annually.
20,000 of these visas are for workers with advanced degrees from U.S. colleges.
The demand for H-1B visas is high, leading to a lottery each year.
Indian nationals are a large group of H-1B visa recipients.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene also proposed a bill related to voting ID and citizenship proof.
Jimmy Kimmel, a talk-show host, took a "cognitive test" similar to the one President Donald Trump said he had aced. President Trump posted that he has passed this test three times and believes it should be mandatory for presidential candidates. Kimmel joked about the test on his show to highlight its simplicity.
Key Facts
Jimmy Kimmel took a cognitive test on his talk show.
President Trump claimed he aced a cognitive test three times.
Trump posted on a social platform that the White House doctors confirmed his perfect health.
He suggested that all presidential and vice-presidential candidates should take a cognitive test.
Kimmel joked that taking the test wasn't as impressive as Trump thought.
Kimmel invited a doctor to administer the same test to him for fairness.
President Donald Trump's CDC has reduced the number of vaccines recommended for children. This decision has concerned leading medical groups, as vaccination rates are decreasing, and diseases are rising. The American Medical Association criticizes the lack of scientific review and transparency in the policy change.
Key Facts
The CDC, under President Trump, removed recommendations for four vaccines for children: rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease, and hepatitis A.
US vaccination rates are falling, and preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough are increasing.
The CDC made the changes without the usual external expert review process.
Secretary of Health Robert F Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, approved the changes.
The American Medical Association opposes the decision, citing lack of evidence and transparency.
The changes reflect that children should only receive these vaccines if they are at high risk or if advised by doctors.
States set school vaccine requirements, but CDC recommendations usually influence these decisions.
Graham Platner, a candidate for the Maine Senate, raised $4.7 million despite controversies over a tattoo and social media posts linked to Nazi symbols. Platner is in a competitive race to become the Democratic nominee against Republican Senator Susan Collins, who is seeking her fifth term.
Key Facts
Graham Platner raised $4.7 million in the last quarter.
Platner's campaign is endorsed by Bernie Sanders.
Controversies surrounding Platner involve a Nazi-linked tattoo and social media posts.
Platner has apologized for the posts and covered the tattoo.
He aims to become the Democratic nominee to challenge Senator Susan Collins.
A Super PAC called Pine Tree Results raised $5 million to support Collins.
Maine is considered a key battleground by Democrats, but the party is divided.
Recent polls show varied results for Platner's standing in the race.
House Republicans are preparing to vote on whether to override two vetoes by President Trump. These vetoes concern a water project in Colorado and an expansion of the Miccosukee Tribe's area in Florida. It is rare for Congress, which is led by Republicans, to oppose President Trump, and overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority in both Congress and the Senate.
Key Facts
House Republicans plan to vote on Thursday to override President Trump's vetoes.
The vetoed bills cover a Colorado water pipeline and land expansion for the Miccosukee Tribe in Florida.
Overriding vetoes requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate.
The Colorado water project aims to supply drinking water to southeastern communities.
President Trump stated the water project would burden federal taxpayers.
The Florida bill has support from local lawmakers who say it is about fairness and conservation.
President Trump vetoed the bills, saying the projects supported special interests and opposed his policies.
Despite Trump's stance, both bills initially had bipartisan support.
The Trump administration has decided to freeze $10 billion in funding for child care and poor families in five states, citing concerns about social services fraud. The states affected are California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. The freeze includes funds meant for subsidizing child care for low-income families and cash assistance for needy families.
Key Facts
The funding freeze targets California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York.
The Trump administration cites reports of fraud and money given to undocumented immigrants as reasons for the freeze.
$10 billion includes funding for the Child Care Development Fund and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
TANF supports very poor families with monthly cash assistance.
Approximately $7 billion of the frozen funds were intended for TANF.
1.4 million children in the U.S. are affected by federal child care funding.
Federal officials are now requesting more detailed data from all states before releasing funds.
Day care centers on small budgets could struggle due to delays in receiving funds.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reduced the number of vaccines it recommends for children from 17 to 10. This change, made under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the Trump administration, emphasizes vaccines like polio and measles but suggests others, such as hepatitis and COVID-19 vaccines, should be based on decisions made between doctors and parents.
Key Facts
The CDC's new guidelines reduce recommended children's vaccines from 17 to 10.
The change affects how vaccines like hepatitis A, B, and COVID-19 are recommended.
Decisions on some vaccines will now rely on discussions between parents and doctors.
The U.S. childhood vaccine schedule is now more aligned with international standards.
Vaccines, including those dropped from the list, will continue to be covered by insurance until the end of 2025.
The American Academy of Pediatrics criticized the guideline changes, describing them as harmful to children.
The CDC found the U.S. had more recommended vaccines compared to 20 other developed countries.
A 26-year-old man, William D. DeFoor, is charged with attacking Vice President JD Vance's home in Cincinnati with a hammer, causing significant damage to government property. DeFoor faces federal charges for damaging property, violence on restricted grounds, and assaulting federal officers.
Key Facts
William D. DeFoor is accused of attacking Vice President JD Vance's home in Cincinnati.
The attack reportedly caused more than $28,000 in damage to government security equipment.
DeFoor allegedly tried to smash the window of an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle.
Secret Service agents and Cincinnati police detained DeFoor after he tried to flee.
DeFoor faces charges of damaging government property, violence on restricted grounds, and assaulting federal officers.
If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison for property damage and restricted grounds charges, and up to 20 years for assaulting officers.
He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Trump administration has reduced the number of shots on the federal childhood vaccination schedule to 11, aligning it with other developed countries' practices. The changes are aimed at increasing trust and uptake in vaccinations amid declining rates but may result in fewer children getting certain vaccines.
Key Facts
The Trump administration cut the recommended childhood vaccinations to 11.
The change is to match practices in other developed countries.
The decision aims to address lower vaccination rates in children.
Officials hope this change will build trust in public health.
There is concern that fewer vaccines could lead to higher disease rates.
Parents are advised to consult doctors before certain vaccinations.
Recommended vaccines still include measles, mumps, rubella, and others.
The HPV vaccine recommendation was changed to one dose instead of two.
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is thinking about running for governor of Minnesota. This comes after current Governor Tim Walz decided not to run for a third term. Klobuchar is a well-known Democrat and could be a top contender for the position.
Key Facts
Senator Amy Klobuchar is considering running for Minnesota governor.
Governor Tim Walz announced he will not seek a third term.
Klobuchar is a high-profile Democrat with a strong track record in past elections.
She has won all her Senate campaigns by large margins.
Her entrance into the governor's race may affect other Democrats' plans.
A decision by Klobuchar would create a vacancy for her Senate seat if she wins.
Klobuchar would be the first female governor of Minnesota if elected.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth formally criticized Arizona Senator Mark Kelly for a video where Kelly urged troops to resist unlawful commands. Other news includes the end of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's pursuit of a third term in office, the start of jury selection in the Uvalde school shooting response trial, and the passing of Eva Schloss, Anne Frank's stepsister.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized Senator Mark Kelly.
Kelly, a retired Navy Captain, appeared in a video about resisting unlawful orders.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will not seek a third term.
Jury selection started for a trial related to the Uvalde school shooting.
Eva Schloss, the stepsister of Anne Frank, has died.
Ryan Camacho, 36, is charged with murdering a teacher named Zoe Welsh in Raleigh, North Carolina. Camacho's past charges were dismissed just last month, and he has a history of convictions, including gun offenses and misdemeanors. The investigation is still ongoing.
Key Facts
Ryan Camacho, 36, is charged with the murder of Zoe Welsh, a teacher in Raleigh.
Camacho was also charged with breaking into Welsh's home.
Previous charges against Camacho, including theft and property damage, were dismissed last month.
Camacho has a criminal record dating back to 2005, with a conviction in 2019 for shooting into an occupied building.
Zoe Welsh taught at Ravenscroft School since 2006 and served as chair of the science department.
The Raleigh Police Department arrested Camacho without incident shortly after the crime.
The CDC has changed its vaccine guidance for children. The new guidelines suggest giving flu and COVID vaccines only with a doctor's advice and focus on giving shots for other diseases to children at higher risk.
Key Facts
The CDC has updated its vaccine guidelines for children.
Flu and COVID vaccines are now recommended only after consulting a healthcare provider.
Vaccines for hepatitis A and B, RSV, and bacterial meningitis are recommended mainly for higher-risk groups.
The changes mark a significant shift from previous practices.
Geoff Bennett talked with Dr. Sean O’Leary to understand the implications of these changes.
The Pentagon plans to reduce the military rank and pension of Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy Captain, over a video deemed "seditious." The video urged military personnel to refuse illegal orders after U.S. strikes on drug-trafficking boats. Senator Kelly has 30 days to respond to the Pentagon's notice.
Key Facts
The Pentagon wants to demote Senator Mark Kelly, impacting his pension, due to a video it calls "seditious."
The video included Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers urging military members to refuse illegal orders.
The video followed U.S. strikes on drug-trafficking boats, raising legal questions.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the action and mentioned Kelly's accountability to military justice.
Kelly criticized the Pentagon's move, calling it "outrageous" and "un-American."
Legal experts are debating the Pentagon's ability to punish a sitting Congress member for political speech.
Retired military members, like Kelly, are still subject to parts of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
President Trump, on his second term's inauguration day, pardoned around 1,500 individuals convicted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol violence. These pardons included people who had injured officers like former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term on January 20, 2025.
On that day, President Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 people linked to the January 6, 2021, Capitol incident.
Former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell was informed about the pardons by federal officials.
Some of the pardoned individuals had physically harmed Gonell during the Capitol riot.
Gonell had testified against some of the individuals who were released.
The act of pardoning has been a topic of concern for those affected by the Capitol violence.
Nearly 200 people have filed a lawsuit against President Trump's administration for stopping immigration processes for passport holders from certain countries. These people are stuck in the U.S., unable to move forward with their legal immigration status. The legal challenge claims that the pause is not supported by immigration laws.
Key Facts
About 200 people are suing over the immigration pause.
The pause affects people from 39 countries on a travel ban list.
This halt has stopped asylum claims, work authorizations, and student visa renewals.
The lawsuit argues that current laws do not allow the President to stop casework for those already in the U.S.
The lawsuit was filed in Boston's federal court.
The halt is impacting students, scientists, workers, and families.
The lawsuit asks the court to cancel the pause, hoping to help those affected.
A DHS spokesperson said the pause is for safety and thorough vetting.
Flu cases in the U.S. have significantly increased over the holiday season, marking a severe flu season similar to the previous year's epidemic. The Trump administration has decided to stop recommending flu vaccines for all children, leaving the decision to parents and doctors. The flu type called A H3N2 is causing most hospitalizations, especially among older adults and children.
Key Facts
U.S. flu infections rose significantly during the holidays.
Forty-five states reported high or very high flu activity during the Christmas week.
The A H3N2 flu virus, known for severe impact, is currently the most common.
More than 90% of A H3N2 infections are from a new variant not included in this year's flu shots.
Health officials expect flu activity to peak in January or February.
At least 11 million flu illnesses and 5,000 deaths have occurred so far this season.
The Trump administration stopped recommending flu vaccines for all children.
The flu vaccine will still be covered by private insurance and government programs.
