U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on false information spreading about the recently released Epstein files. The files are part of an effort to be transparent about documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's activities. Some documents are still under review, and ongoing redaction is needed to protect victims and ongoing investigations.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice (DOJ) released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein as part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated there are false claims circulating about these files.
The released files mention public figures and contain thousands of pages.
Some documents remain under review to protect victims' identities and active investigations.
Blanche emphasized that some documents in possession may be false, like a letter claimed to be from Epstein.
There is ongoing debate about whether the DOJ has fully disclosed all relevant documents.
Lawmakers and victim groups call for complete transparency in the release of these documents.
Officials are committed to bringing charges against individuals involved in Epstein's activities.
President Donald Trump's approval rating with Hispanic voters has decreased, according to a recent poll by The Economist and YouGov. The approval rating stands at 28 percent, dropping from 38 percent the previous week. This change could affect the Republican Party's strategy with Hispanic voters in future elections.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating among Hispanic voters is now at 28 percent.
Overall, Trump's approval rating is at 39 percent, with 57 percent disapproval.
The poll was conducted from December 20 to December 22 with 1,592 people surveyed.
The poll's margin of error is 3.4 percent.
Trump's approval rating with Hispanics was 38 percent last week and 39 percent earlier in December.
This is the lowest approval rating with Hispanics since October, when it was 25 percent.
Hispanic voters are an important group for future elections, especially in swing states.
Shifts in Hispanic support may challenge the Republicans' goal to expand their voter base.
President Donald Trump's administration plans to restart garnishing the wages of some borrowers who have defaulted on their student loans. This action will begin on January 7, marking the first time the federal government has implemented this measure since the COVID-19 pandemic began. About 1,000 borrowers will be initially affected, with the number expected to rise over time.
Key Facts
President Trump's administration will garnish wages from some defaulted student loan borrowers.
Notices to affected borrowers will start on January 7.
Initially, about 1,000 borrowers are expected to be impacted, with more to follow.
The government can garnish up to 15% of a borrower's income, ensuring at least 30 times the federal minimum wage per week remains.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Approximately 1 in 6 American adults has student loan debt, totaling about $1.6 trillion.
More than 5 million borrowers have not made a payment in over a year.
The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in October and November, the highest since 2021.
President Trump's administration plans to start taking money directly from the paychecks of people who haven't paid their student loans. This action will begin the week of January 7 and is a part of resuming collections after a five-year pause. The Department of Education will begin notifying around 1,000 borrowers who are in default about this wage garnishment.
Key Facts
The Trump administration will start garnishing wages from defaulted student loan borrowers starting the week of January 7.
About 1,000 borrowers will initially receive notices, and the number will increase every month.
This action follows the end of a five-year repayment pause that affected 5.3 million borrowers.
President Trump signed a law in July that reduces the number of student loan repayment plans from five to two.
The U.S. government can also take federal tax refunds, Social Security, and disability benefits from borrowers who are in default.
Student loan collections follow laws from the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.
The Consumer Credit Protection Act limits garnishment to a maximum of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum wage.
There are 42.7 million borrowers with over $1.6 trillion in federal student debt.
President Donald Trump's name appeared on flight records for Jeffrey Epstein's private jet more times than previously known. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released documents showing Trump was a passenger on at least eight flights from 1993 to 1996. The DOJ mentioned that some documents contain false claims and stress no wrongdoing by Trump.
Key Facts
President Trump was noted as a passenger on Epstein's private jet eight times between 1993 and 1996.
He reportedly traveled on these flights with people including his daughter Tiffany and son Eric.
The DOJ released these documents as part of a larger collection known as the Epstein files.
Some documents released by the DOJ contain claims against Trump that they say are unfounded and false.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and stated in 2024 that he was never on Epstein's plane.
The DOJ released over 30,000 pages of documents about Epstein, with more pending release.
Epstein faced charges of sex trafficking and died in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial.
The Supreme Court has stopped President Trump's plan to send National Guard troops to Chicago. This decision is temporary while a legal case continues. Meanwhile, the U.S. military targeted a boat for drug smuggling, and former Senator Ben Sasse announced he has terminal cancer.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court temporarily halted President Trump's plan to deploy the National Guard to Chicago.
The halt is in place while legal arguments about this action are resolved.
The U.S. military carried out an operation against a boat they claim was involved in drug smuggling.
Former Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse announced he has stage-four pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer at stage four is considered terminal, meaning it is very unlikely to be cured.
A new agreement has stopped the U.S. Department of Education's SAVE plan, which helped with student loan forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of repayment. This deal also restricts future student loan forgiveness efforts for the next 10 years and gives Missouri special rights to challenge large forgiveness actions.
Key Facts
The SAVE plan, which helped reduce monthly student loan payments, will end under the new agreement.
The U.S. Department of Education will face limits on its ability to offer student loan forgiveness for the next decade.
Missouri can review and challenge any student loan forgiveness if it exceeds $10 billion in a month for the next 10 years.
The planned changes are still waiting for court approval.
The settlement will require the Department of Education to notify Missouri of any large forgiveness actions before they happen.
The agreement could impact student loan forgiveness efforts during and beyond President Donald Trump's term.
President Trump has made changes in Washington since taking office again, including the renaming of the Kennedy Center. This performing arts center, now called the Trump-Kennedy Center, has a history dating back over 60 years to the Eisenhower administration.
Key Facts
President Trump is in his second term as the U.S. President.
The Kennedy Center has been renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center.
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was established over 60 years ago.
The center's origins trace back to the administration of President Eisenhower.
The renaming highlights President Trump's influence in Washington.
Winter weather alerts in the U.S. indicate which states might get snow on Christmas. While most of the country will have warmer temperatures, states like California, Utah, Oregon, and Alaska expect heavy snow. The weather could disrupt holiday travel plans for many Americans.
Key Facts
Winter weather alerts are in place across the U.S. for Christmas.
AAA predicts 122.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for the holidays.
States like California, Utah, Oregon, and Alaska are expecting significant snowfalls.
Most of the U.S. will experience above-average temperatures, making snow less likely.
The National Weather Service reports possible light snow in Northern New England.
Heavy snow and gusty winds could make travel difficult in some areas.
High-elevation areas in California might receive up to 8 feet of snow.
Some states might experience record warmth for Christmas, with temperatures 15-30 degrees above average.
The deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, reportedly caused by their son, have brought attention to the struggles faced by families dealing with mental illness and addiction. Virginia state Sen. Cree Deeds, who has experienced similar loss with his son, shared his experiences in a discussion.
Key Facts
Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were reportedly killed by their son.
This incident has sparked discussion about mental illness and addiction within families.
Virginia state Sen. Cree Deeds experienced a similar tragedy with his son.
Deeds' son, who had bipolar disorder, attacked him and then died by suicide.
The situation highlights the challenges of dealing with mental health issues in families.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh expressed concerns about future implications of a Supreme Court decision that blocked President Donald Trump from deploying the National Guard in Illinois for immigration enforcement. The court found the federal government did not have the authority to use the National Guard for such purposes, a departure from previous rulings in favor of the administration.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court decision involved President Trump's plan to use the National Guard in Illinois for immigration enforcement.
Justice Kavanaugh agreed with the decision but warned it could affect future crisis responses.
The Supreme Court has a conservative majority of 6-3 but ruled against the Trump administration in this case.
Previously, the Supreme Court often supported the Trump administration in immigration matters.
Over 605,000 deportations have occurred since January 20, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The state of Illinois won a lawsuit stopping the deployment of the National Guard.
Justice Samuel Alito and others dissented, arguing the decision risks the safety of federal officers.
The president can deploy National Guard troops in specific situations, like civil unrest.
New documents about Jeffrey Epstein have been released, mentioning President Donald Trump's past flights on Epstein's private jet. These papers reveal Trump flew on Epstein's plane more times than previously known, with no claims of illegal activity against him. The Department of Justice and Trump dismissed the claims as false and unfounded.
Key Facts
New documents mention President Trump flying on Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet in the 1990s.
Trump reportedly took eight flights on Epstein's jet, with Ghislaine Maxwell on board for some.
Maxwell is in prison for helping Epstein abuse underage girls.
Trump denied being on Epstein’s plane, calling the island "stupid".
The Department of Justice called the claims about Trump in the documents false.
About 8,000 files have been released, including documents, videos, and audio recordings.
Many details in these files are redacted to protect names and information.
There is ongoing public and political interest in Epstein’s connections with powerful people.
Former Senator Ben Sasse has announced he has stage-four pancreatic cancer. He shared his diagnosis and expressed his views on life and death through a post on social media. Sasse, who once served in the U.S. Senate, also led the University of Florida before stepping down.
Key Facts
Ben Sasse announced he has stage-four pancreatic cancer.
Sasse is 53 years old.
He shared the news on a social media platform called X.
Sasse has been a critical voice against President Trump within the Republican Party.
He was a U.S. Senator from Nebraska, elected in 2014 and 2020.
Sasse left Congress in 2023 and became president of the University of Florida, but resigned a year later.
He emphasizes his Christian faith in his message about his diagnosis.
Former Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska announced he has stage-four pancreatic cancer. He shared this diagnosis in a social media post, calling it a "death sentence" but also expressing a fighting spirit. Sasse previously served in the Senate from 2015 to 2023 and was one of the Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald Trump in 2021.
Key Facts
Ben Sasse is a former U.S. Senator from Nebraska, serving from 2015 to 2023.
He announced he has stage-four pancreatic cancer, which has spread to other parts of the body.
Sasse described the diagnosis as a "death sentence" in a social media post.
He has three children and is married, mentioning his family's involvement in his life decisions.
Sasse was one of seven Republicans who voted to impeach President Donald Trump after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
After his Senate term, Sasse became the president of the University of Florida but left the position in July 2024 for personal reasons related to his wife's health.
A financial review found that Sasse had improperly used university funds, which he denies.
A Delaware state trooper and a suspect died after a shooting at a motor vehicle agency in New Castle, near Wilmington. Authorities confirmed that the situation was contained and they are assessing other injuries. The state's motor vehicle offices are temporarily closed.
Key Facts
A Delaware state trooper and the suspect both died in the incident.
The shooting happened at a motor vehicle agency near Wilmington, Delaware.
Authorities did not immediately share detailed information about the shooting.
The situation was declared over before 3 p.m.
State and local law enforcement secured the scene swiftly.
The state Division of Motor Vehicles temporarily closed all its offices.
The incident took place just a few miles outside of Wilmington.
The Trump administration announced plans to garnish wages of people with student loans who are not making their payments. The Department of Education will start by sending notices to about 1,000 borrowers starting the week of January 7.
Key Facts
The Trump administration will garnish wages of people with defaulted student loans.
Wage garnishment means a portion of a person's paycheck will be taken to pay off debt.
The Department of Education will send the first batch of notices to about 1,000 borrowers.
These notices will start going out the week of January 7.
More notices will be sent each month.
This affects borrowers who are not paying their student loans as required.
A "60 Minutes" segment, which was critical of President Trump's immigration policy and featured claims of abuse against deported migrants, leaked online after it was pulled from broadcast. The report included interviews with deportees who described harsh treatment at a Salvadorian prison. There is ongoing debate about why CBS News decided not to air the story, amid claims it was to protect the President from negative media.
Key Facts
A "60 Minutes" news segment about President Trump's immigration policy was pulled and later leaked online.
The segment included interviews with deported migrants who described abuse at the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador.
A recording of the segment aired on Canada's Global Television Network.
CBS News and Global TV did not confirm the authenticity of the leaked video.
Deportees in the segment spoke of torture and abuse, including sexual abuse and beatings.
Human Rights Watch data suggested few deportees were violent offenders.
CBS leadership decided to pull the segment, sparking debate over journalistic independence.
Journalist Sharyn Alfonsi reported the segment and claimed it was factually correct.
The Supreme Court decided not to allow the Trump administration to send National Guard troops to the Chicago area for an immigration crackdown. This decision upheld an earlier ruling by a U.S. District Judge and was not a final decision, but it could influence other similar cases.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago.
This was part of President Trump's effort to support an immigration crackdown.
The decision upheld a previous ruling by U.S. District Judge April Perry.
An appeals court also refused to change Judge Perry's decision.
The Supreme Court took over two months to make this decision.
Three justices, Alito, Thomas, and Gorsuch, disagreed with the decision.
This is not a final decision and might affect other related cases in different cities.
A new bill called the Clergy Act aims to allow some clergy members to choose to participate in Social Security and Medicare after previously opting out. The bill proposes a two-year window for these individuals to revoke their exemptions. If passed, this law would let clergy meet the program's contribution requirements to receive benefits.
Key Facts
The proposed law is called the Clergy Act.
It allows clergy and Christian Science practitioners to opt back into Social Security and Medicare within a two-year window.
Currently, clergy members can choose to exempt themselves from these programs on religious grounds and cannot change this decision.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must help inform eligible clergy about the new option.
President Trump is the current President of the United States.
More than 70 million Americans receive Social Security benefits.
The bill has bipartisan support, sponsored by Republican Vince Fong and Democrat Mike Thompson.
Clergy members would need to meet standard contribution requirements to benefit from Social Security.
The Supreme Court did not allow President Trump's administration to send National Guard troops to Chicago for immigration enforcement. The court's decision followed a lower court block on the deployment, and comes after several months of deliberation. This ruling is a rare setback for President Trump's administration in front of the Supreme Court.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court prevented the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago for immigration purposes.
President Trump's administration wanted to use the military in response to immigration issues.
A lower court initially blocked the deployment.
A federal appeals court also chose not to change the lower court's decision.
The Supreme Court took more than two months to make this decision.
This marks a notable defeat for President Trump in the Supreme Court.
The decision may affect other cases about using military forces in Democratic-led cities.
