The Justice Department announced it might take a few more weeks to finish releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The release was initially set for December 19, but many more documents were found, delaying the process.
Key Facts
The Justice Department is working on releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The release deadline set by Congress was December 19.
Over a million new documents were discovered, causing delays.
The files involve the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI.
The Justice Department says its lawyers are working hard to review and prepare the documents.
Legal requirements for redacting sensitive information are being followed.
The department aims to release the documents as soon as possible.
A federal judge stopped the Trump administration from revoking the security clearance of lawyer Mark Zaid. This ruling follows an order that aimed to remove clearances from Zaid and 14 others deemed unsuitable by the White House.
Key Facts
A federal judge blocked a move by the Trump administration.
The administration wanted to revoke attorney Mark Zaid's security clearance.
The decision is a legal setback for President Trump's administration.
The ruling came after Zaid claimed the action was political revenge.
The presidential memorandum targeted Zaid along with 14 other individuals.
Those targeted were said to be unsuitable to keep their security clearances.
Affected individuals included political and legal figures, such as former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and former President Joe Biden.
A group of U.S. senators is asking the Justice Department's watchdog to review why all records related to Jeffrey Epstein were not released by the deadline set by law. These records are linked to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and their disclosure is required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The Justice Department says the delay is to protect victims' identities.
Key Facts
A dozen U.S. senators are urging an audit of the Justice Department's handling of Epstein records.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act requires public release of Epstein and Maxwell-related documents.
The records release was supposed to happen by a congressionally mandated deadline.
The Justice Department blamed delays on the need to protect victims' identities.
Some records have already been released, though many are heavily redacted.
New documents include information about Epstein's private plane and emails involving Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Justice Department plans to release more records but hasn’t given a specific timeline.
The U.S. Supreme Court stopped President Trump from sending National Guard troops to Illinois, where cities like Chicago are located. This decision means the President might consider using regular military forces instead. Illinois leaders see the ruling as a temporary win against the deployment.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled against President Trump's plan to deploy the National Guard in Illinois.
Legal expert John Yoo suggested this decision could lead Trump to use regular military forces.
The court's decision was not unanimous; three conservative justices disagreed with the majority.
The ruling temporarily prevents troop deployment but is not a final decision.
There are talks of using the Insurrection Act, which allows military use inside U.S. borders in specific cases.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker praised the decision as a victory for the state.
President Trump and his administration focus on enforcing immigration laws and protecting federal property.
President Trump's administration is planning to expand ICE detention centers in the U.S. using warehouses to hold around 80,000 immigrants. This plan is part of a strategy to speed up deportations, with several states identified for these facilities. The draft plan, seen by The Washington Post, is not yet finalized and is subject to changes.
Key Facts
President Trump's administration aims to expand ICE detention by using warehouses.
The planned expansion could hold about 80,000 immigrants.
States like Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and Virginia may host large sites.
Smaller sites could be in states like New York, New Jersey, Utah, and Michigan.
A draft plan suggests the facilities will be modified with necessary amenities.
The expansion is backed by an increased ICE budget from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
DHS aims to reach a deportation goal of 600,000 by the end of the year.
There are concerns about facility conditions and oversight, especially from Democrats.
An ICE agent in Glen Burnie, Maryland, shot and wounded two people during a confrontation on Christmas Eve. A local official stated that the agent fired when someone allegedly tried to run them over. Both people were taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.
Key Facts
An ICE agent was involved in a shooting in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
The incident happened on Christmas Eve, around 11 a.m.
Two people were injured and taken to the hospital.
The agent fired after someone allegedly tried to run them over.
The ages and genders of the injured persons are not known.
The incident is under investigation, with potential updates expected.
A warm weather system is expected to affect parts of the U.S. during Christmas week, possibly breaking long-standing high-temperature records. States from the Rockies through the Midwest and Appalachians might see temperatures much higher than usual. This surge in warmth could impact travel and visibility due to fog and low clouds.
Key Facts
A warm spell is expected across much of the U.S. during Christmas week.
Temperatures might rise 30 to 40 degrees above normal in some areas, with potential records.
Nearly two dozen states will experience temperatures 15-30 degrees above the historical average.
Cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Tulsa may see weather more typical of late April or May.
The warmth could lead to low clouds and fog, affecting road and air travel.
Oklahoma City could reach high temperatures in the upper 70s, challenging old records.
Some areas might see record warm overnight lows.
The likelihood of a white Christmas is reduced in the Midwest and Northeast due to the warm trend.
Last week, the number of people in the U.S. applying for unemployment benefits went down, staying at a healthy level. The Labor Department reported that jobless claims dropped by 10,000 to 214,000, which is lower than expected. Despite this, the U.S. job market shows some signs of slowing down.
Key Facts
Unemployment claims dropped to 214,000 for the week ending December 20.
Analysts had predicted 232,000 new jobless applications.
Job market health is tracked through unemployment claims, which act as a proxy for layoffs.
The U.S. gained 64,000 jobs in November but lost 105,000 jobs in October.
The unemployment rate increased to 4.6%, the highest since 2021.
Federal job losses were significant due to workers leaving after budget cuts.
Job creation has slowed, now averaging 35,000 jobs per month since March.
The Federal Reserve recently cut interest rates due to concerns about job market weakness.
A sheriff in Fulton County, Ohio, stopped Santa Claus for driving too fast with Mrs. Claus. Santa received a friendly reminder, not a penalty, to slow down.
Key Facts
Santa Claus was driving through Fulton County, Ohio.
A sheriff stopped him for speeding.
Santa was in the vehicle with Mrs. Claus.
No ticket or penalty was given, only a warning.
The incident happened as Santa was in the process of delivering Christmas gifts.
The Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump's attempt to use the National Guard in Illinois to support his immigration plans. Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented, discussing the potential use of the Insurrection Act. The decision marks another legal check on presidential authority during Trump's second term.
Key Facts
The case involved President Trump's plan to deploy National Guard troops in Illinois for immigration purposes.
The Supreme Court blocked Trump's plan, with a majority of justices ruling against it.
Justices Alito and Gorsuch mentioned the Insurrection Act in their dissents, questioning its application.
The Insurrection Act allows presidents to use the military to deal with domestic insurrections if a state cannot handle it.
Justices John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett joined liberal justices in the majority decision.
The ruling focused on legal limits to presidential authority to use military forces domestically.
President Trump previously mentioned using the Insurrection Act to address crime in Chicago if state efforts fall short.
In January 2026, Social Security payments for many seniors in the U.S. will arrive later than usual due to the calendar layout. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will distribute payments on different Wednesdays, while direct deposit can help avoid future delays.
Key Facts
Over 70 million Americans get monthly Social Security benefits.
In January 2026, because January 1 lands on a Thursday, payments will be delayed.
Payment dates will be on different Wednesdays based on birth dates: January 14, 21, and 28.
Those who started receiving payments before May 1997 will get payments on January 2.
SSI and some retirement payments will arrive on December 31, 2025, and January 2, 2026.
Benefits will increase by 2.8% starting in January 2026, in line with inflation adjustments.
Switching to direct deposit can prevent issues with mail delivery delays for payments.
Dallas police officers detained two street preachers outside the American Airlines Center during a basketball game. The incident became widely discussed online, with debates about free speech rights and proper policing. Police stated the men were detained for noise ordinance violations on private property, not for preaching on a public sidewalk.
Key Facts
The incident happened on December 18, outside an NBA game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
The street preachers were affiliated with the "Testimonies of God" ministry.
Video of the incident showed officers detaining the men, causing it to go viral after being shared online.
The police stated the men were detained due to "interference with public duties" and noise ordinance violations, not for preaching.
Dallas police clarified the event took place on private property, not a public sidewalk.
A citation was issued for using a loudspeaker, violating noise rules, but no formal arrests were made.
The street preachers claimed they were detained for exercising their free speech rights.
The Dallas Police emphasized compliance with city noise codes and that they support First Amendment rights.
Police in Wilson, North Carolina responded to reports of gunfire at a Walmart on Christmas Eve. They confirmed there was no active shooter, and requested people to avoid the area while they investigated.
Key Facts
Police in Wilson, North Carolina responded to a report of gunshots at a Walmart.
The incident happened on Christmas Eve, a busy shopping day.
Wilson authorities assured the public there was no active shooter.
Police asked residents to stay away from the location as they investigated.
Local news displayed a large emergency response with police cars and ambulances present.
Two individuals were seen being placed into ambulances on stretchers.
A man named Rahmanullah Lakanwal is facing new federal charges for a shooting that killed one National Guard member and injured another near the White House. The charges could lead to the discussion of the death penalty. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and illegal possession of a firearm.
Key Facts
The shooting happened near the White House on November 26.
Lakanwal is 29 years old.
One National Guard member died, and another was seriously injured.
Lakanwal is charged with transporting a firearm across state lines with criminal intent.
He also faces charges for moving a stolen gun across state lines.
Discussions about the death penalty are now possible in this case.
The case has moved from a local court to a federal district court.
Lakanwal was also injured during the incident and has pleaded not guilty to local charges.
The Supreme Court decided to block President Donald Trump's order to deploy the National Guard in Chicago. This decision may impact the way federal forces are used in domestic law enforcement in the U.S. The court's ruling also keeps open the discussion about the president's power to use military forces inside the United States.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court blocked President Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard in Chicago for now.
Three justices disagreed with the decision, while another agreed but had some concerns.
The White House said the deployment aimed to protect federal officers and property.
The decision is part of a broader debate about federal authority in domestic law.
The ruling does not set a legal precedent but may guide future cases.
Pending lawsuits in other cities might be influenced by this ruling.
The Insurrection Act, which could allow troop deployment, was noted as a possible future option by some justices.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped again, showing a negative gap according to a poll by a Republican-aligned group. This could affect the political landscape as Republican lawmakers prepare for upcoming elections. Economic concerns and immigration policies are among the factors influencing public opinion.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating is currently at minus 10 points according to a Rasmussen Reports poll.
Rasmussen is known for being more favorable to Republican candidates compared to other polling firms.
Earlier this month, Trump's approval rating had improved briefly after hitting a low of minus 12 on December 4.
The drop in approval rating is not new, with similar levels recorded in November.
Trump's strongest recent approval rating was reported by InsiderAdvantage as +8.4 points in December.
The Gallup poll showed Trump's approval rating at 36 percent, marking a low for his second term.
Economic concerns and immigration policies may be influencing changes in public sentiment.
Trump's statement on Truth Social criticized the accuracy and bias of certain polls.
President Trump has ordered a pause on five offshore wind projects along the East Coast for at least 90 days. The suspension is due to national security concerns and the Interior Department will work with developers to address these issues.
Key Facts
The pause affects five major wind projects currently under construction off the East Coast.
The Interior Department will work with project developers during this 90-day pause.
The suspension was announced because of unspecified national security threats.
There is a possibility that the 90-day suspension could be extended.
A federal judge recently struck down an executive order from President Trump that blocked wind energy projects.
Local officials support these projects and are upset by the suspension.
The Trump administration has taken multiple steps against renewable energy sources like offshore wind.
Washington state is considering a new tax plan that would impose a 9.9% tax on incomes over $1 million. The proposed "millionaire tax" aims to shift the tax burden to high earners and support lower-income residents. This measure would make Washington one of several states with similar taxes targeting the wealthiest citizens.
Key Facts
Washington state is debating a new tax on incomes over $1 million.
The proposed tax rate would be 9.9% on high earners.
Governor Bob Ferguson supports the proposal, which intends to ease the tax burden on lower-income people.
If approved, the tax would not take effect until 2029.
Washington currently does not have a personal income tax.
Other states with similar millionaire taxes include California, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, and New York, among others.
At the federal level, there is no separate millionaire tax; the highest income tax rate is 37% for incomes above $609,351.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger addressed concerns about unsigned tabulator tapes from the 2020 election, stating that these errors do not invalidate the votes. The unsigned tapes involved about 315,000 ballots from Fulton County, but multiple audits and recounts have confirmed the election results.
Key Facts
Over 130 tabulator tapes from Georgia's 2020 election were not signed properly, affecting around 315,000 ballots.
The unsigned tapes do not mean the ballots are invalid, and these votes have been recounted and audited.
Former President Donald Trump and his allies have claimed the 2020 election was stolen, despite no evidence of widespread fraud.
Multiple audits and a statewide hand recount confirmed that Joe Biden won Georgia in the 2020 presidential election.
Georgia's Rule 183-1-12-.12 requires signature verification on tabulator tapes, which did not happen for these tapes.
Brad Raffensperger stated that a clerical error does not cancel the validated legal votes.
The issue has reignited claims of voter fraud among some Republicans and MAGA supporters.
In 2025 special elections, Democrats performed significantly better than expected in several races across the United States. This performance suggests increased enthusiasm among Democratic voters, even though Republicans still won some key races.
Key Facts
Democrats achieved better election results than former Vice President Kamala Harris's performance in several 2024 races.
In Florida, Democrats narrowed Republican victory margins in two Congressional Districts compared to Trump's previous larger margins.
Democrat James Walkinshaw won the Virginia 11th Congressional District by over 50 points, compared to Harris's previous 34-point win.
In Arizona, Democrat Adelita Grijalva won by nearly 40 points in a district Trump had improved his standing in during 2024.
In Tennessee's 7th District, despite a Republican win, Democrats reduced the margin significantly from Trump's prior victory.
Democrat Eileen Higgins won the Miami mayoral race by nearly 20 points, a notable gain from the previous narrow Democratic win.
Susan Crawford, aligned with liberals, won Wisconsin's nonpartisan Supreme Court election by about 10 points over her conservative rival.
