A group of House Democrats, led by Rep. Haley Stevens, is independently pursuing impeachment actions against officials like HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., without official party backing. Democratic leaders express frustration, viewing these independent impeachment efforts as unlikely to succeed and a distraction from broader party goals. Many within the party believe focusing on impeachment is not practical given the Republican majority in Congress.
Key Facts
Rep. Haley Stevens introduced articles of impeachment against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Stevens is part of a group of Democrats acting without party leadership support on impeachment.
Democratic leaders and members like Frank Pallone and Hakeem Jeffries are not supporting these efforts.
Other Democrats, such as Rep. Shri Thanedar, also introduced impeachment measures against President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Many Democrats view these actions as distractions that don't align with party messaging.
Party leaders worry the impeachment efforts could be framed as political stunts.
Rep. Joe Morelle and Sarah McBride emphasize the need for serious, evidence-based impeachment proceedings.
Rep. Don Beyer criticizes frequent impeachment attempts as ineffective and performative.
The United States is considering a new rule that would require some visitors to share up to five years of their social media history to enter the country. This proposal affects travelers from certain countries who can visit without a visa and aims to increase security by collecting more detailed personal information.
Key Facts
The proposed rule targets visitors eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, which includes 42 countries.
The new requirement involves sharing up to five years of social media data.
Currently, the ESTA system allows people from these countries to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without an in-person interview.
The proposal also asks for email addresses used in the last 10 years and phone numbers used in the past five years.
Additional data like metadata from photos, family details, and biometric information could be requested.
This initiative follows an executive order by President Donald Trump for more thorough screening.
Public comments are open for 60 days before the rule can be finalized.
Senate Democrats are concerned about an investigation into Senator Mark Kelly by the Pentagon. They argue this investigation could politicize the military justice system. The investigation began after President Trump accused Kelly and others of seditious behavior.
Key Facts
Senate Democrats wrote to the Navy Secretary, John Phelan, about their concerns.
President Trump accused Senator Kelly and others of "seditious behavior" on a social media platform.
The investigation focuses on a video where Kelly and others said military members can disobey unlawful orders.
Democrats say the investigation is a misuse of power by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
They argue a fair investigation is not possible due to public statements from the Trump administration.
The Navy Secretary is expected to update Defense Secretary Hegseth by December 10.
Senator Kelly stated the investigation will not stop him from his duties.
An advocacy group filed a complaint against Judge Emil Bove for attending a rally held by President Trump in Pennsylvania. The group argues that Bove's presence at the event, which was political in nature, could compromise his ability to be impartial in cases related to Trump. Federal judges like Bove are expected to avoid activities that may appear politically biased.
Key Facts
Judge Emil Bove attended a rally hosted by President Trump in Pennsylvania.
A group called Fix the Courts filed a complaint, saying Bove's attendance violated judicial conduct rules.
The complaint argues that judges should not engage in political activities or appear biased.
Federal judges have lifetime appointments and their decisions can affect national laws.
The rally included President Trump discussing topics like the economy, migration, and politics.
Judge Bove stated he attended the rally as a citizen, not for political reasons.
The complaint does not automatically lead to an investigation; it requires the court's chief judge to decide on further action.
Schools in many parts of the United States are closing on December 11 due to severe winter storms. These storms are impacting areas in the Midwest and Eastern U.S., causing safety concerns from hazardous roads and cold temperatures. Officials are closely watching the situation and recommending people check local news for updates.
Key Facts
Many schools are closing on December 11 as winter storms hit parts of the U.S.
The affected regions include the Midwest and Eastern United States.
Virginia and Michigan are among the states with multiple school closures.
The National Weather Service reports heavy snow and strong winds in some areas.
People are advised to use caution on roads due to snow and low visibility.
Weather advisories cover states from Indiana to Maine, and into the Dakotas and Minnesota.
Officials may announce more closures as the storm continues.
President Donald Trump has discussed his administration's new U.S. security strategy and views on immigration, while also addressing his vision for healthcare reform in an interview. He criticized Congress for delays and blamed Democrats for the lack of progress in making healthcare cheaper, while also aiming to end subsidies for insurance companies. Additionally, the Supreme Court will review his executive order on ending birthright citizenship for children of unauthorized immigrants.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump criticized Europe's immigration policies, praising Hungary for strict controls.
Trump outlined his new U.S. security strategy, warning Europe about threats to its culture.
Trump's healthcare reform aims to reduce costs but faces a Congressional stalemate.
He blames Democrats for delays in healthcare changes and plans to cut insurance company subsidies.
The Supreme Court will hear a case on Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship for children born to unauthorized immigrants.
Trump argues that the law should change to redefine American citizenship.
President Donald Trump has criticized Indiana State Senate Pro Tem Rodric Bray for not supporting a redistricting plan. Trump claims this plan could increase Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has warned that GOP lawmakers opposing the plan might face challenges from MAGA supporters.
Key Facts
President Trump is pressuring Rodric Bray over redistricting in Indiana.
Trump suggests the redistricting could add two Republican-leaning House seats.
Trump posted his criticisms on Truth Social, a social media platform.
Indiana has not changed its congressional maps since the 2020 census.
Trump warns opposing GOP lawmakers of possible primary challenges.
Trump accuses some Indiana Republicans of siding with Democrats.
Indiana's Senate did not reconvene to address the redistricting proposal.
Top U.S. lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, joined in lighting the Menorah at the U.S. Capitol. The ceremony marks Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday from December 14 to December 22.
Key Facts
House Speaker Mike Johnson attended the Menorah lighting.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was also present.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries took part in the event.
The ceremony celebrates Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish holiday.
Hanukkah for 2024 is observed from December 14 to December 22.
U.S. Congressman Randy Fine made remarks suggesting Palestinians should be destroyed during a congressional hearing. He has a history of making controversial statements about Palestinians and Islam. Fine's comments have drawn criticism and added to tensions over U.S. relations with Israel and Palestine.
Key Facts
Randy Fine is a U.S. Congressman and ally of President Donald Trump.
He suggested Palestinians should be destroyed, citing concerns over Israeli security.
Fine has previously made Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian statements.
The international definition of genocide includes actions intended to destroy a national or ethnic group.
At least two U.S. citizens have died in Israeli settler attacks this year.
Fine's statements reflect ongoing U.S. political debates about Israel and Palestine.
He received criticism from Abed Ayoub of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.
Fine was elected to Congress with the support of Trump and AIPAC.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a large defense spending bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with a vote of 312-112. This bill, which President Trump supports, includes a pay raise for military members and other changes, but faced opposition from 18 Republicans and 94 Democrats. Some conservative lawmakers were dissatisfied, feeling that the bill doesn't sufficiently limit U.S. military involvement overseas.
Key Facts
The NDAA authorizes $900 billion for Pentagon programs.
The bill includes a 3.8 percent pay raise for military personnel.
Provisions in the bill aim to increase oversight of military operations.
The NDAA passed with bipartisan support, despite some opposition.
18 Republicans and 94 Democrats voted against the bill.
President Trump supports the bill as it aligns with his national security goals.
The bill removes some outdated military authorizations.
Changes to climate and diversity programs were made as part of a political compromise.
House Speaker Mike Johnson managed to control a potential rebellion within the Republican Party for the second time in two weeks. This time, the disagreement was over a vote related to a $900 billion defense bill, which eventually passed after some party members changed their votes.
Key Facts
Mike Johnson is the House Speaker and a member of the Republican Party.
The disagreement was about a procedural vote for a $900 billion national defense authorization bill.
Some Republican members initially opposed the bill but were persuaded to support it.
The vote eventually passed with a 215-211 outcome.
Procedural votes like this one are supposed to be routine but have recently become contentious.
Last week, a similar issue arose with a different piece of legislation about college sports.
The House has been experiencing long voting sessions as leaders try to convince members to change their votes.
President Donald Trump commented on recent election results in Miami, where Democrat Eileen Higgins won the mayoral race against Republican Emilio González. This marks the first time a Democrat will lead Miami in nearly 30 years. The election is viewed as significant in understanding voter attitudes ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Key Facts
Eileen Higgins defeated Emilio González in Miami's mayoral runoff election.
Higgins is the first Democrat elected to lead Miami in nearly 30 years.
President Trump stated he is not worried about the Democrats winning recent elections.
Miami is Florida’s second-largest city and has been a Republican stronghold.
Democrats overperformed in recent 2025 elections, signaling potential challenges for Republicans.
Higgins won 59.46% of the vote in the runoff, while González secured 40.54%.
Key issues during the campaign included housing costs, immigration policies, and political corruption.
Higgins focused on affordable housing and environmental resilience, while González prioritized tax cuts and increasing police presence.
The House approved a large defense policy bill worth $900 billion. This bill includes a pay raise for troops and changes in how the Department of Defense buys weapons. The bill has support from the White House and aims to match President Trump's national security goals.
Key Facts
The House passed the defense bill with a 312-112 vote.
The bill authorizes $900 billion in military programs.
It includes a 3.8% pay raise for military members.
The bill changes the way the Department of Defense purchases weapons.
President Trump's administration supports the bill as it aligns with his security agenda.
The bill asks for more information on military activities in the Caribbean and support for allies in Europe.
It reduces focus on climate and diversity efforts but increases Congress’s oversight of the Pentagon.
Some conservatives are unhappy that the bill does not reduce overseas commitments more.
Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a bill to rename Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C., after conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The bill is part of a broader effort by Republicans to honor Kirk, who was recently killed. It is unclear if this bill will pass in Congress.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace is a representative from South Carolina.
The proposal aims to rename the plaza as "Charlie Kirk Freedom of Speech Plaza."
Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist who was assassinated.
Republicans have previously named a California street after Kirk and honored him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
A bill in Florida proposes to make Kirk's birthday, October 14, a day of remembrance.
The original naming of Black Lives Matter Plaza happened during the 2020 George Floyd protests.
Mace's bill requires at least two street signs with the new name.
The bill's future in Congress is uncertain, needing Democratic support in the Senate.
A judge has ordered the Trump administration to stop the National Guard's deployment in Los Angeles. The Justice Department will unseal transcripts from a past sex trafficking case involving Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Facts
A federal judge stopped the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles.
The judge's decision affects the Trump administration's actions.
The Justice Department received permission to unseal court transcripts.
These transcripts relate to a 2019 case about Jeffrey Epstein and sex trafficking.
Scientists discovered that humans may have started using fire much earlier than previously believed.
For the first time in almost 30 years, a Democrat will lead the city of Miami.
President Trump went to Pennsylvania to talk about affordability. During his speech, he also spoke at length about immigrants. Two political commentators discussed this event afterward.
Key Facts
President Trump visited Pennsylvania to talk about the affordability issue.
He gave a lengthy speech which included comments about immigrants.
This focus on immigrants was not part of the main topic of affordability.
President Trump's approval ratings have been affected by the affordability issue.
Two political commentators, one Democrat and one Republican, shared their opinions on the speech.
President Trump’s administration has made an agreement with seven states to close a student loan relief program from President Biden's time. About 7 million people who are part of this program may be affected by this change.
Key Facts
President Trump’s administration reached a deal with seven states.
This deal will close a student loan relief program started during President Biden’s administration.
Approximately 7 million people are currently using this program.
The closure may impact borrowers in upcoming months.
Danielle Douglas-Gabriel from The Washington Post discussed the effects of this decision with John Yang.
Judy Woodruff, a journalist, has spent the last three years speaking with people across the United States to learn how political divisions affect them. She is revisiting some of these individuals for her series "America at a Crossroads."
Key Facts
Judy Woodruff is a journalist who reports on political divisions in the U.S.
Over the past three years, she has talked to people across the country to understand their experiences.
Her work is part of a series called "America at a Crossroads."
The series aims to explore how political differences are impacting people's lives.
Judy Woodruff is revisiting some of the people she previously spoke with to see how their situations have changed.
A federal judge has stopped President Trump's use of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, requiring them to return to the state's control. The judge ruled against the federal government's argument that the deployment was needed to handle protests.
Key Facts
A federal judge blocked the use of National Guard troops in Los Angeles.
The judge said the troops must be under the state governor's control.
The government said the troops were needed because of protests against immigration raids.
About 4,000 National Guard members were initially sent to Los Angeles in June.
Only about 100 National Guard troops remain in Los Angeles now.
The decision gives a temporary hold on the troop deployment until Monday.
California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom, opposed the federal troop deployment.
The US State Department has changed its official font back to Times New Roman under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This reverses a decision made during the Biden administration to use Calibri for better accessibility. The change supports a more formal presentation style in line with President Trump’s approach.
Key Facts
The US State Department will use Times New Roman font instead of Calibri starting December 10.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed this change, reversing a decision made under Antony Blinken.
The switch to Calibri was meant to make text easier to read, especially for people with disabilities.
Times New Roman is seen as more formal and often used in official documents.
A spokesperson said the change aligns communications with President Trump's standards for professionalism.
Calibri is known to be easier to read on screens, as it lacks the small lines (serifs) that Times New Roman has.
The Trump administration has taken other steps to reduce diversity and inclusion initiatives.
