Columnists David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart discuss recent events that appear to be challenges for President Trump's influence on the Republican Party. These issues may also affect his leadership in his current term.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump is facing challenges within the Republican Party.
These challenges could affect his ability to lead during his current term.
The discussion is part of a wider analysis of recent political events.
David Brooks writes for The New York Times.
Jonathan Capehart is affiliated with MS NOW.
Amna Nawaz hosted the discussion about President Trump's recent issues.
The U.S. Congress has released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate showing well-known figures, including President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton. Democrats in Congress are urging for transparency in the Epstein case, calling for the release of all related files. This comes after a law was passed requiring the release of government documents about Epstein while protecting the identities of victims.
Key Facts
The U.S. Congress released 19 photos showing figures like President Trump and Bill Clinton at Jeffrey Epstein's estate.
Democrats in Congress seek the release of all files related to Epstein, accusing Trump of covering up details.
President Trump denies having a close relationship with Epstein, claiming he was just a neighbor.
A law was passed requiring the Trump administration to release government documents related to Epstein by December 19.
Epstein was convicted of sex offences, and his death in 2019 was ruled a suicide.
Associates of Epstein include notable figures like ex-President Clinton and others from business and politics.
The released photos and the handling of the Epstein case have led to public calls for more transparency from the government.
A winter storm is expected to bring significant snowfall to various states in the U.S. over the weekend, particularly affecting the Midwest and Northeast. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings and advisories in anticipation of the storm, which could include up to 14 inches of snow in some areas and extremely cold temperatures in others.
Key Facts
The storm could drop 4 inches or more of snow in several states, including major cities like New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings and advisories ahead of the storm.
Areas with high chances of heavy snowfall include Indianapolis, Columbus, Ohio, and central West Virginia.
New York City has a 23% chance of receiving 4 inches of snow or more.
Some parts of the U.S. could experience feels-like temperatures as low as 40 degrees below zero.
The cold front is bringing blustery conditions and is expected to produce lake-effect snow near the Great Lakes.
Up to 14 inches of snow is possible in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York between Saturday and Monday.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. is on trial for allegedly assaulting his teenage daughter. He denies the allegations and claims he only punished her by limiting her social activities. Both he and his wife face charges related to child endangerment, and they have pleaded not guilty.
Key Facts
Marty Small Sr., Mayor of Atlantic City, is accused of assaulting his daughter.
The daughter testified that the mayor hit her and struck her with a broom.
Mayor Small denies these claims and says he only restricted her social life.
He faces charges of endangering a child, making threats, and witness tampering.
Mayor Small's wife, La'Quetta Small, is also charged in the case.
If convicted, Mayor Small could face up to 25 years in prison.
A group focused on preserving historic sites is suing the White House to stop the construction of a new ballroom. The group argues that the White House did not follow legal review processes before starting the project. President Trump says the construction is legal and funded by private donors.
Key Facts
A lawsuit has been filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to stop the White House ballroom construction.
The group claims the White House did not get the necessary reviews before starting construction.
The White House says President Trump has the legal power to make changes and improvements.
The ballroom plans include expanding guest capacity from 500 to 1,350 people.
The construction is funded by private donations, according to President Trump.
The lawsuit mentions ignoring of required reviews from the National Capital Planning Commission and Congress.
The White House project is already underway with extensive construction activities taking place.
Democratic Representative Al Green attempted again to impeach President Donald Trump but failed to get enough support in the House. Despite the failure, Green is determined to continue his efforts, backed by his belief in liberty and justice. House Republicans and some Democrats opposed the move, while others voted "present."
Key Facts
Al Green is a Democratic Representative from Texas who has repeatedly tried to impeach President Trump.
Green failed to get enough votes in the House for his latest impeachment attempt.
23 Democrats opposed Green's motion, 47 voted "present," and 140 Democrats voted against tabling the resolutions.
214 House Republicans voted to table the impeachment effort; six did not vote.
President Trump was previously impeached twice; once in 2019 over issues with Ukraine, and again after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Green expressed determination to continue impeachment efforts against Trump.
Democrats filed impeachment articles against other cabinet members, not just Trump.
House Democratic leaders expressed concerns about Trump's behavior, while Republicans considered the impeachment efforts a distraction.
A group focused on protecting historic sites has sued President Trump to stop the White House ballroom project. They want the project to go through reviews and get Congress's approval before it can continue.
Key Facts
President Trump is planning a White House ballroom project.
The project involves demolishing the East Wing.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed the lawsuit.
The lawsuit asks a federal court to halt the project.
The group wants independent design reviews and environmental checks.
They also seek public input and Congress's agreement.
Critics include historic preservationists and some political opponents.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to limit states from creating their own rules about artificial intelligence (AI). Former adviser Steve Bannon criticized this order, calling it unenforceable. Some state and federal lawmakers have voiced their opposition, arguing that states should have the right to regulate AI.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to challenge state laws on AI.
The order tasks the attorney general with forming a task force to address state AI regulations.
It calls for the Commerce Department to list what it considers "burdensome" regulations.
States such as California, Colorado, Texas, and Utah have already implemented some AI regulations.
Steve Bannon criticized the order, suggesting it cannot be enforced.
Some state laws target issues like data privacy and the use of deepfakes.
Democratic senators have also criticized the order, arguing it limits necessary state-level protections.
The Senate recently voted against a 10-year ban on state AI regulations within certain legislation.
A federal appeals court blocked the release of hundreds of immigrants arrested during a Chicago-area crackdown. The court ruled that each case must be assessed individually and extended the rules on how immigration agents can make arrests. The crackdown led to thousands of arrests and was questioned by a federal judge for its tactics.
Key Facts
A federal appeals court stopped the immediate release of over 600 immigrants.
The court requires individual assessments for each detainee's case.
The 2022 agreement outlines how immigration agents can arrest people without a warrant.
President Trump's administration's crackdown in Chicago led to more than 4,000 arrests.
A district judge initially ordered the release of the immigrants on bond.
The court said the administration wrongly categorized all detainees as needing detention.
The consent decree involves immigrant arrests in six Midwestern states.
The agreement was extended until February, although the government challenged this extension.
The U.S. Department of Justice has sued Fulton County, Georgia, over access to 2020 election voting records. The department also filed lawsuits against Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Nevada for not providing voter registration lists. These legal actions add up to a total of 18 states and one county facing lawsuits.
Key Facts
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit against Fulton County, Georgia.
The lawsuit seeks access to voting records from the 2020 presidential election.
Fulton County previously involved claims against President Donald Trump concerning election interference.
The lawsuit demands that Fulton County comply with a subpoena for election materials.
Federal lawsuits were also filed against the states of Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Nevada.
The lawsuits claim these states did not provide voter registration lists upon request.
A total of 18 states and Fulton County have been sued by the Department of Justice over similar issues.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that New York might lose $73 million in highway funds if it does not address issues in its system for issuing commercial driver's licenses to immigrants. New York officials claim they are following federal guidelines, but Duffy wants to ensure that only qualified individuals receive these licenses.
Key Facts
Sean Duffy is the U.S. Transportation Secretary.
New York issues commercial driver's licenses to immigrants that may remain valid beyond their legal stay.
Duffy threatened to cut $73 million in highway funds to New York unless the system is corrected.
New York officials assert they comply with federal rules and verify immigration status.
Duffy has focused on four states with Democratic governors to check the licensing process.
A truck crash in Florida involving an unauthorized driver prompted Duffy to start this review.
The regulations for these licenses have existed for several years.
Some churches in the United States have altered their Nativity scenes to comment on immigration policies. They have depicted figures like Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in scenarios reflecting modern immigration issues, such as being detained or in hiding.
Key Facts
Churches in places like Evanston and Dedham are using Nativity scenes to protest U.S. immigration policies.
In Evanston, the baby Jesus is shown with zip ties, and Mary wears a gas mask.
The Roman soldiers are portrayed as ICE agents, which stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A church in Dedham replaced the baby Jesus with a sign that read "ICE was here."
The displays aim to highlight the struggles of immigrants under current immigration enforcement.
These creative Nativity scenes are both praised and criticized by different groups.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stopped federal funding for a Texas charity run by Sister Norma Pimentel that helps migrants. DHS claims the charity had reporting issues, while some, like Catholic writer Christopher Hale, believe it shows a bias against organizations helping migrants. This action affects future support and policy for migrant aid at the U.S. border.
Key Facts
Sister Norma Pimentel runs a charity called Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV) that assists migrants in South Texas.
The DHS has suspended federal funding to CCRGV, citing "pervasive" reporting violations.
The organization, according to DHS, had inconsistent records and billed outside permitted times.
DHS attorney Joseph N. Mazzara highlighted concerns regarding data accuracy and misuse of funds.
Christopher Hale suggests the funding cut might be a part of the Trump administration's negative stance on migrant support.
The reduced funding raises concerns about the charity's ability to continue aiding migrants released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The situation underscores a conflict between government immigration policies and faith-based humanitarian efforts.
A new poll by AP-NORC shows that many Americans find holiday shopping more difficult this year. High prices for groceries, electricity, and gifts are causing people to dip into savings and search for deals.
Key Facts
AP-NORC conducted a poll about holiday shopping in the U.S.
Many Americans say prices for groceries, electricity, and holiday gifts are higher than usual.
More than half of the people surveyed are using their savings for holiday shopping.
About half find it harder to afford holiday gifts.
Many are delaying big purchases or cutting back on things they don't really need.
President Donald Trump is in office during this economic situation.
Several U.S. states have brought back mask mandates due to a rise in illnesses like whooping cough, norovirus, and COVID-19. New Jersey, New York, and California have introduced mandates in certain areas to reduce the spread of these diseases. Health experts discuss the effectiveness of masks and suggest clean indoor air as an additional measure.
Key Facts
Mask mandates are returning in some states due to increased illness.
New Jersey has mandates from health providers like RWJBarnabas Health and Hackensack Meridian Health.
California's Sonoma County started a mask mandate on November 1, 2025.
New York State Department of Health issued a mask mandate on December 2, 2025, mainly for healthcare workers without a flu vaccine.
Illnesses on the rise include whooping cough, norovirus, and COVID-19.
The CDC reports increased COVID-19 cases in 17 states.
Dr. Donald Milton highlights the need for masks and clean indoor air to reduce illness spread.
Masks may affect communication, especially for those with hearing loss.
The Winooski School District in Vermont raised a Somali flag to support its students of Somali descent after President Trump called the Somali community in Minnesota "garbage." The flag raising led to racist and threatening messages being sent to the district.
Key Facts
A school district in Vermont displayed a Somali flag to support its Somali students.
This happened after President Trump made negative remarks about the Somali community in Minnesota.
Approximately 9% of the students in the district are of Somali descent.
The flag was placed alongside the Vermont state flag and beneath the U.S. flag at the school.
Somali students expressed happiness and support for the flag display.
The district received racist and threatening messages following the flag raising.
In the Texas Democratic primary for the 2026 Senate race, Representative Jasmine Crockett leads state Representative James Talarico by 8 points, according to a poll. The survey, conducted by Texas Southern University, shows Crockett receiving 51% support from likely voters compared to Talarico's 43%.
Key Facts
Jasmine Crockett has a lead of 8 points over James Talarico in the poll.
The poll included 1,600 likely Democratic primary voters.
The margin of error for the poll is plus or minus 2.45%.
Crockett is leading among women, older voters, and Black voters.
Talarico has more support from white, male, Latino, and younger voters.
21% of voters are unfamiliar with Talarico, compared to 6% for Crockett.
Crockett's campaign is seen as more likely to energize Democratic voters.
Texas has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994.
Florida Congressman Randy Fine is under pressure to resign after saying that "mainstream Muslims" should "be destroyed." This comment was made during a congressional hearing focused on the Middle East, sparking criticism from various groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Key Facts
Randy Fine is a Republican Congressman from Florida.
Fine made the controversial comments during a Congress hearing about the Middle East.
He suggested that "mainstream Muslims" should "be destroyed."
The remarks were made while discussing conflicts in regions like the West Bank and Gaza.
Fine's comments have led to backlash and calls for his resignation.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has been vocal in criticizing Fine, asking the U.S. House to demand his resignation.
Fine stated he is not afraid of being labeled Islamophobic.
President Donald Trump is being sued by preservationists to stop the construction of a White House ballroom. The lawsuit claims the project should not proceed without an architectural review and approval from Congress. The group argues that President Trump bypassed essential legal requirements for federal buildings.
Key Facts
President Trump is building a new ballroom at the White House.
Preservationists filed a lawsuit to halt the project.
They want the project to go through an architectural review and get Congress' approval.
The lawsuit claims Trump bypassed legal procedures, like historic preservation reviews.
The project involves tearing down the White House's East Wing.
The ballroom would be nearly twice the size of the White House before demolition.
Trump says the White House needs a ballroom because formal events often use tents.
The U.S. Department of Justice released a report showing high rates of sexual abuse in certain prisons. Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in New York has the highest rate, followed by Pontiac Correctional Center in Illinois and Albion Correctional Facility in New York. The findings are based on a survey conducted across various state and federal prisons.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice conducted a survey in 177 federal prisons from March 2023 to March 2024.
The survey found that 4.1% of prison inmates reported sexual victimization in the past year.
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in New York had the highest reported rate of sexual victimization at 18.6%.
Pontiac Correctional Center in Illinois reported a 15.9% rate, and Albion Correctional Facility in New York reported 15.6%.
A total of 27,541 inmates participated in the survey.
The survey is part of efforts under the 2003 Prison Rape Elimination Act to reduce sexual violence in prisons.
Nine of the 17 prisons with the highest rates were male institutions, while eight were female.
The report comes as the U.S. plans to close a prison in Dublin, California, due to previous abuse issues.
