President Donald Trump announced he is pulling National Guard troops out of several U.S. cities like Chicago and Los Angeles. This decision follows a Supreme Court ruling that limited his power to use these troops for police duties.
Key Facts
President Trump is withdrawing National Guard troops from certain U.S. cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles.
This move comes after a Supreme Court decision that restricted his authority to use National Guard troops for law enforcement.
President Trump posted on Truth Social, suggesting the troops might return later if necessary.
The Trump administration ended legal efforts to maintain troop presence in Los Angeles.
The Supreme Court ruling specifically addressed the use of troops in Chicago.
Although troops are being withdrawn from some cities, they remain active in Washington D.C.
Portland, Oregon was mentioned by Trump, but no specific action was noted regarding troop presence there.
The House Judiciary Committee released the transcript of former special counsel Jack Smith's deposition, which discusses his investigations into President Trump. Smith provided details on various aspects of his probes, including the January 6 Capitol attack, classified documents, and more. He defended his team's actions, stating that they followed the law and were not politically motivated.
Key Facts
Jack Smith's deposition transcript is 255 pages long and was made public by the House Judiciary Committee.
Smith stated that the investigation into January 6 was not aimed at affecting the 2024 Presidential election.
Smith defended obtaining phone records of certain lawmakers, stating it was done legally.
He claimed President Trump obstructed justice related to classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
Smith asserted he would have investigated any president, not just Trump.
Smith did not disclose whether FBI Director Kash Patel was interviewed, citing legal restrictions.
Congress released the transcript of former Special Counsel Jack Smith's testimony about his past investigations into President Trump. Smith defended his decisions to prosecute Trump for retaining classified documents and attempting to overturn the 2020 election. President Trump denied the charges, and the cases ended after his re-election.
Key Facts
Jack Smith gave testimony to Congress on December 17.
Congress released the transcript on New Year's Eve.
The transcript is 255 pages long and includes Smith's responses to lawmakers.
Smith led two investigations into Trump related to classified documents and the 2020 election.
Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The prosecutions ended after Trump was re-elected.
Smith's video deposition was nearly eight hours long.
Smith claimed his investigation found strong evidence against Trump.
President Donald Trump and his administration are considering taking away U.S. citizenship from Somali Americans involved in fraud cases. This follows the freezing of federal support funds for childcare centers in Minnesota, after reports of misuse linked to daycare centers run by Somali Americans. Legal experts note that denaturalizing citizens is rare and requires strong evidence.
Key Facts
President Trump is reviewing plans to revoke citizenship from Somali Americans convicted of fraud.
Federal subsidies for childcare in Minneapolis were frozen due to fraud allegations.
President Trump and his administration claim that Somali immigrants are largely responsible for fraud in Minnesota.
A White House spokesperson mentioned that denaturalization is an option for those convicted of fraud.
The move follows broader actions targeting Somali Americans, including increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Legal experts state that stripping citizenship requires substantial proof of initial false pretenses during naturalization.
Minnesota’s Attorney General announced legal actions against individuals, many of Somali descent, for fraud charges.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz criticized President Trump, saying he is using the situation to harm residents.
President Donald Trump criticized actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal, after they obtained French citizenship. Trump's comments referenced political differences and past critiques Clooney made about U.S. politics. Clooney has expressed appreciation for France's privacy laws, particularly regarding his family.
Key Facts
President Trump made public comments about George and Amal Clooney receiving French citizenship.
Trump criticized Clooney’s political views and past actions.
George Clooney, an actor, and Amal Clooney, a human rights lawyer, were granted French citizenship in December.
Trump's statement was posted on Truth Social, his own social media platform.
Clooney previously voiced the need for new leadership within the Democratic Party.
Clooney and his wife cited France’s privacy laws as a benefit for their family.
Clooney's recent actions and comments have attracted attention regarding his stance on U.S. politics.
The "Constellation Ball," full of crystal LED lights, is ready to drop in Times Square to welcome the year 2026 and begin the celebration of America's 250th birthday. Organizers tested the ball, which features 5,280 Waterford crystal lights, on Tuesday.
Key Facts
The "Constellation Ball" will drop in Times Square, New York City, to welcome the year 2026.
The ball includes 5,280 circular Waterford crystal LED lights.
This number of crystals nearly doubles those in previous versions of the ball.
The debut of this ball will mark the start of America's 250th birthday celebrations.
Organizers conducted a test run for the ball by raising and lowering it on a 139-foot pole.
The event will take place on the evening of December 31, 2025, as part of New Year's Eve celebrations.
Chief Justice John Roberts released his 2025 annual report on the federal judiciary, focusing on the historical foundations of the U.S Constitution and judicial independence. He avoided addressing current political controversies, instead emphasizing the judiciary's role in maintaining constitutional principles and independence from political pressures. The report also included data on court cases and filings.
Key Facts
Chief Justice John Roberts issued the 2025 annual report on the federal judiciary.
The report emphasizes the historical strength of America's constitutional framework.
Roberts focused on judicial independence, avoiding direct mention of current political issues.
The report includes historical references, such as Thomas Paine’s "Common Sense" and the Declaration of Independence.
Roberts did not discuss controversies involving the Trump administration's court cases.
The report contains data on Supreme Court and federal court case filings, noting increases in several areas.
The Supreme Court is expected to handle important cases in 2026 related to birthright citizenship and tariffs.
Millions of people in the U.S. are preparing to celebrate the new year while dealing with very cold weather and heavy snow. President Trump announced the withdrawal of National Guard troops from cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland. Newly-released information shows that Jack Smith commented on President Trump's role in the January 6th events.
Key Facts
People in the U.S. are dressing warmly due to Arctic temperatures and heavy snow as they celebrate the new year.
President Trump plans to withdraw National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland.
Jack Smith, a former special counsel, provided lawmakers with video and transcripts.
Jack Smith stated that the January 6 riot would not have happened without President Trump's involvement.
The information was newly released, providing more context on the January 6 events.
Vaccination rates for school-age children have dropped significantly across the U.S., according to new data from the Washington Post. This decline has led to increases in certain preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough. Changes in vaccine policy and schedules are being considered by government officials.
Key Facts
Vaccination rates for children have decreased in many U.S. counties.
The decline in vaccination rates started during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to lower vaccination rates, the U.S. may lose its measles elimination status for the first time in decades.
Arkansas has experienced a significant outbreak of whooping cough, affecting many young children.
The CDC reported a decrease in vaccination coverage among kindergartners for the 2024-25 school year.
Only 815 counties have reached the 95% vaccination rate needed for herd immunity.
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Trump are reviewing U.S. vaccine policies.
Some recent policy changes involve limiting certain combined vaccines for children.
Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized the strength of the U.S. Constitution in a recent statement. He described it as a key support for the country, especially with major Supreme Court decisions coming up.
Key Facts
Chief Justice John Roberts made a statement about the U.S. Constitution.
He said it remains "firm and unshaken," quoting President Calvin Coolidge.
Roberts shared his views in his annual letter to the judiciary.
The statement comes during a time of significant decisions by the Supreme Court.
The judicial system in the U.S. experienced a tumultuous year.
Kaitlin Davis is a social worker in Oklahoma who spends a lot of time traveling to meet foster children in rural areas. The shortage of foster families in these regions means that children often have to be placed far from home, which can be challenging for the child welfare system.
Key Facts
Kaitlin Davis works as a social worker in Oklahoma.
She travels long distances, nearly nine hours round-trip, to visit foster children.
There is a shortage of foster families in rural areas of Oklahoma.
This shortage makes it necessary for children to be placed far from their original homes.
The child welfare system aims to help children deal with sudden losses and changes in their lives.
Building hope for a better future is a focus of Davis’s work with foster children.
The Montana Supreme Court dismissed a misconduct case against the state's attorney general, Austin Knudsen. The case involved Knudsen's actions regarding a law that increased the governor's power over judicial appointments.
Key Facts
The Montana Supreme Court dismissed a misconduct case against Attorney General Austin Knudsen.
Knudsen was accused of misconduct for defying court orders in a legal dispute.
This legal dispute was over a 2021 law that allowed the governor to fill judicial vacancies directly.
A panel had suggested Knudsen's law license be suspended for 90 days.
The court found Knudsen violated attorney conduct rules but said his rights were violated when his expert witness was excluded.
Knudsen called the complaint a distraction and described it as a "political stunt."
Chief Justice Cory Swanson referred to the situation as a "public admonition" against Knudsen.
Jack Smith, a former special counsel, discussed details of his investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election in a 250-page deposition with Congress. Smith indicated he had considered charging co-conspirators but had not finalized plans before President Trump won his second term in 2024. The deposition was released by the House Judiciary Committee and addressed concerns about the potential political motivations behind the investigation.
Key Facts
Jack Smith talked to Congress about his investigation into overturning the 2020 election.
Smith's team had evidence to charge some individuals, but no charges were filed before President Trump's re-election.
Smith stated that Trump's actions on January 6, 2021, contributed to threats against Mike Pence.
The investigation considered whether prosecuting Trump would infringe on free speech rights.
Smith claimed efforts to overturn election results were not protected under the First Amendment because they involved fraud.
Lawmakers asked about phone record subpoenas of Congress members, which were approved by the DOJ.
Smith decided not to pursue information from Steve Bannon, believing it wouldn't be "fruitful."
A woman in Florida, Deborah A. Collier, attempted to kill her disabled 13-year-old great-granddaughter and herself due to stress affecting the family. The police found them in a car, and the girl was taken to the hospital and is stable. Collier is charged with attempted first-degree murder and is held without bond.
Key Facts
Deborah A. Collier is accused of trying to kill her great-granddaughter and herself.
The incident happened in Florida's Volusia County.
The girl, who needs 24-hour care due to her disabilities, was found unconscious but is now stable.
Police found a typed note from Collier explaining her actions were due to family stress.
Collier was the primary guardian for the girl alongside her husband.
Police discovered prescription medication alongside the note.
Collier is charged with attempted first-degree murder and is being held without bond.
President Donald Trump vetoed two bills nearly a year into his second term as President. The vetoed bills had bipartisan support in Congress and could potentially be overridden. One bill related to a water pipeline in Colorado, while the other was about a flooding project for a Native American tribe in Florida.
Key Facts
President Trump vetoed two bills with bipartisan support in Congress.
One bill aimed to reduce costs for a new water pipeline in Colorado.
Representative Lauren Boebert, from Colorado, supported the pipeline bill.
The second bill intended to help a Florida tribe with flooding issues.
President Trump argued the Colorado bill would hurt federal repayments.
Trump claimed unauthorized development happened on the tribe's land in Florida.
Trump has had disputes with Colorado leaders about the imprisonment of Tina Peters.
The Trump administration has ended a lease for three public golf courses in Washington, D.C., previously managed by the National Links Trust. The Department of the Interior stated the nonprofit did not fulfill lease terms, including making needed improvements. This decision allows President Donald Trump the potential to influence these golf courses' future.
Key Facts
The lease termination affects golf courses at East Potomac Park, Rock Creek Park, and Langston Golf Course.
The Department of the Interior ended the 50-year lease due to unmet terms by the National Links Trust.
National Links Trust reported that they invested $8.5 million in upgrades and increased both rounds played and revenue.
The nonprofit organization is still operating the courses temporarily, but major renovations have stopped.
The Interior Department's action is part of broader efforts by Trump to modernize federal properties.
The future status of the golf courses is uncertain, raising concerns about ongoing public access.
President Trump’s company operates multiple golf courses globally, which may influence his interest in the sites.
As of January 1, five U.S. states have new rules that limit what people can buy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. These states now restrict using SNAP funds to buy sugary drinks, candy, and other foods seen as unhealthy. The new rules aim to reduce health issues like obesity.
Key Facts
The states with new SNAP restrictions are Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia.
SNAP, previously known as food stamps, helps 42 million Americans buy groceries.
The restrictions are aimed at cutting down on health problems linked to sugary foods and drinks.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins support these changes.
Retailers may face technical issues and increased costs due to these restrictions.
The new rules impact about 1.4 million SNAP recipients in the five states.
Past federal policies allowed SNAP benefits for any food except alcohol and ready-to-eat hot foods.
The changes are part of a broader health policy under the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump has installed new bronze plaques under the portraits of former presidents in the White House. These plaques contain derogatory descriptions of past presidents, sparking mixed reactions from disbelief to acceptance.
Key Facts
President Trump is currently residing in the White House.
New bronze plaques are placed under portraits of former U.S. presidents.
The plaques use insulting language about past presidents.
President Joe Biden is called "sleepy" and "the worst in American history."
President Barack Obama is described as "one of the most divisive figures ever."
The plaques are inside the White House, a symbol of national unity in the U.S.
Reactions vary, with some people feeling disbelief and others shrugging it off.
The plaques are seen by some as part of a broader shift in politics toward entertainment and spectacle.
President Trump's administration is halting federal child care funding to states. The halt requires states to provide additional information about their child care programs. This decision is based on fraud issues in some Minnesota day care centers.
Key Facts
The administration is stopping child care funds to all U.S. states.
States need to give more verification and data about their child care programs.
The decision is due to fraud schemes in Minnesota day care centers.
These centers are run by Somali residents in Minnesota.
Minnesota is receiving most of the attention in this action.
Minnesota’s Attorney General, Keith Ellison, is looking into legal options to prevent cuts to child care services.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped during his second term in 2025. While he started with more than half of Americans approving of his performance, several polls now show a majority disapproving. His ratings on key issues like immigration and the economy have also seen a decline.
Key Facts
President Trump began 2025 with an approval rating above 50%.
By the end of the year, major polls show more Americans disapprove of his performance than approve.
The New York Times and Silver Bulletin report Trump's approval rating at 42% and disapproval at 54%.
The Decision Desk HQ finds Trump at 45% approval and 52% disapproval.
A The Economist/YouGov poll shows 39% approval and 56% disapproval.
A Trafalgar Group poll reports 50% approval and 45% disapproval.
Trump's handling of immigration also saw approval drop from over 50% to 44% by December.
On the economy, his approval ratings have declined, affected by policies like tariffs aimed at reducing trade deficits.
