The U.S. government is considering new rules that would require travelers from certain countries, who do not need a visa to enter the United States, to provide their social media history and other personal information. This proposal is part of increased efforts to monitor international visitors.
Key Facts
The proposed rule would apply to travelers from countries that do not require a visa for entry into the United States.
These travelers might need to give five years of their social media information.
The Department of Homeland Security would receive this information for screening purposes.
Customs and Border Protection published this proposal notice.
The aim is to increase monitoring of visitors and immigrants.
This plan is part of broader efforts under the Trump administration.
The U.S. Supreme Court is discussing a case about whether Joseph Clifton Smith, who is on death row in Alabama, is too intellectually disabled to be executed. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito seem to support Alabama's position that Smith should not be exempt from execution based on his IQ scores. The case could affect how intellectual disability is determined in death penalty cases across the U.S.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court case is called Hamm v. Smith.
Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito appear to favor allowing Smith's execution.
Smith's IQ scores range from 72 to 78, above the typical cutoff of 70 for intellectual disability.
Lower courts have considered Smith intellectually disabled based on other factors besides IQ.
Alabama wants the court to focus solely on IQ scores above 70.
The decision could change how intellectual disability is assessed in death penalty cases nationwide.
The legal and medical community emphasizes using a broader set of criteria beyond IQ alone.
Smith was convicted for the 1997 murder of Durk Van Dam.
A federal judge in New York has ruled that grand jury records from Jeffrey Epstein's 2019 case can be made public. This decision reverses an earlier ruling to keep these records private, following a new law requiring the release.
Key Facts
A U.S. federal judge has allowed public access to Jeffrey Epstein's grand jury records from 2019.
Judge Richard Berman made this ruling in New York.
The judge's decision changed due to a new law passed by Congress.
The law requires the Department of Justice to release Epstein-related files soon.
Epstein faced sex trafficking charges in July 2019 but died a month later in jail.
A similar decision was made recently for records in Ghislaine Maxwell's case, who was convicted in 2021 for aiding Epstein.
A U.S. judge has stopped President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles. The judge ruled that the troops should be returned to the control of the state's governor and pointed out that the federal government did not justify taking control of the state's National Guard during protests.
Key Facts
A judge blocked President Trump's order to deploy National Guard troops in Los Angeles.
The decision requires the troops to be returned to the state's control.
In June, President Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to protests.
The protests were related to increased immigration raids by the Trump administration.
The judge stated that there was no proven need for federal control of the state National Guard.
The ruling will not take effect until December 15, allowing time for an appeal.
Other cities have also contested National Guard deployments in court, including Portland and Washington D.C.
The judge emphasized the importance of checks and balances in the U.S. government system.
President Donald Trump launched a new visa program called the Trump Gold Card, which offers a direct path to U.S. citizenship for qualified applicants. The program aims to attract wealthy foreign nationals to invest in the U.S. in exchange for residency.
Key Facts
The Trump Gold Card program was announced by President Trump on Truth Social.
It provides a new path to U.S. citizenship for people who meet specific financial and skill criteria.
The program targets wealthy foreign individuals willing to invest in the U.S.
Previous proposals required individual applicants to contribute $1 million to the U.S. Treasury.
Corporate-sponsored applicants may need to contribute $2 million.
A non-refundable $15,000 processing fee is part of the application process.
An additional proposal, the Platinum Card, could allow longer stays in the U.S. without foreign income tax liabilities for a $5 million fee.
The exact details of the Gold Card program are not fully clear yet.
Representative Haley Stevens from Michigan has filed impeachment articles against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Other Democratic lawmakers are also seeking to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump. These impeachment efforts occur as some Democrats push for stronger actions against President Trump's administration.
Key Facts
Rep. Haley Stevens filed impeachment articles against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
There are also impeachment efforts against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump.
Some Democrats, including Rep. Shri Thanedar, are pushing these efforts, possibly to gain political advantage in upcoming elections.
Stevens is participating in a contested primary race for the U.S. Senate in Michigan.
The impeachment resolution accuses Kennedy of "abuse of authority and undermining public health."
The resolution includes allegations about reducing vaccine research and spreading misinformation.
The impeachment efforts face challenges because Republicans control both congressional chambers.
HHS spokesperson stated Kennedy focuses on improving health and reducing costs.
The U.S. government plans to require foreign tourists from many countries to provide five years of social media history when applying to visit. This change is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to increase vetting for people entering the U.S. The requirement targets travelers who normally use the Visa Waiver Program, which allows entry without a traditional visa.
Key Facts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a notice about this new social media requirement.
This requirement is for tourists who apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
The Visa Waiver Program lets people from certain countries visit the U.S. without a visa, but they need an ESTA.
ESTA applicants will have to provide social media history for the past five years.
The plan is open for a 60-day period for public comments.
The proposed changes include collecting additional information like phone numbers, IP addresses, and biometric data.
There's a history of similar proposals, like a July policy on foreign students' social media.
A digital rights group criticized similar requirements for risking privacy and exposing personal information.
Utah's Republican Governor Spencer Cox praised Pennsylvania Democrat Governor Josh Shapiro during a CNN interview, suggesting Shapiro would make a good president. Governor Cox cited Shapiro's effective handling of economic and infrastructure challenges as reasons for his support. This praise is seen as unusual given the current political climate.
Key Facts
Utah Governor Spencer Cox is a Republican and praised Democrat Governor Josh Shapiro on CNN.
Cox thinks Shapiro would make a good president because of his work as governor.
Cox admires Shapiro for his success in handling economic issues and infrastructure, like the rapid rebuilding of an I-95 overpass.
Cox is known for prioritizing bipartisanship and practical governance.
Josh Shapiro was elected as Pennsylvania's governor in 2022 and was previously the state's attorney general.
Shapiro is considered a rising figure among Democrats, gaining national attention for his leadership skills and possibly running in the 2028 presidential election.
Governor Cox announced he won't seek a third term as Utah's governor.
Shapiro holds a 7% support rate among Democratic voters for the 2028 presidential election, according to a recent poll.
Senator Bernie Moreno has proposed a bill to end dual citizenship for Americans, requiring them to choose only U.S. citizenship. The bill suggests that U.S. citizens with dual citizenship must decide which citizenship to keep, but legal experts say this might conflict with Supreme Court decisions. Ending dual citizenship could create bureaucratic and economic challenges.
Key Facts
Senator Bernie Moreno introduced a bill to make Americans choose only U.S. citizenship.
Under current law, Americans can hold dual citizenship with other countries.
Moreno's bill would require dual citizens to renounce their other citizenships within a year, or they would lose their U.S. citizenship.
Legal experts say the bill might contradict Supreme Court rulings that protect citizenship rights.
To enforce the bill, new systems would need to be created by the State Department and Homeland Security.
Ending dual citizenship may limit Americans' job opportunities worldwide.
A recent poll showed that nearly half of Americans are interested in or have dual citizenship.
Some argue that the bill's ideas about loyalty might worsen antisemitism.
A New York doctor named Shareen Ismail is facing criminal charges for allegedly forging her son's vaccine records to enroll him in an elementary school. She turned herself in and denies the charges. The case arises as vaccine discussions remain a significant topic in the U.S.
Key Facts
Shareen Ismail has been charged with tampering with public records related to her son's vaccination status.
Ismail surrendered to authorities on December 3, according to her lawyer.
She runs a children’s health center in Manlius, New York.
Ismail's vaccination fraud case was reported by a Montessori school to a state tip line.
The alleged fake vaccine records were for enrollment at Tecumseh Elementary School.
Discrepancies were found in the vaccine dates and records came from different clinics.
Authorities claimed the records listed a pediatric office that confirmed they were not genuine.
A group of former senior federal immigration officials proposed a new plan to change the U.S. immigration system. Their plan includes ideas like "immigration probation" and a 10-year limit on deportations. These proposals come as President Trump’s administration continues to focus on mass deportations.
Key Facts
Former immigration officials created a new plan calling for changes to the U.S. immigration system.
The plan suggests introducing "immigration probation," a two-year program as an alternative to deportation.
It also proposes a 10-year time limit on deportations for some long-term residents.
The plan was developed over eight months through collaboration in an Immigration Policy Fellowship.
President Trump’s administration is currently focused on large-scale deportation efforts.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is managing a backlog of around 11.3 million immigration applications.
A survey found that most registered Republicans support immigration solutions focusing on security and legal pathways.
The proposal includes a 10-year rule, which could be reset if new violations occur or in cases of serious crimes.
Democratic Representative Shri Thanedar introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Thanedar accuses Hegseth of improper handling of military operations and sharing sensitive information. The impeachment effort is not expected to proceed in a Republican-majority Congress.
Key Facts
Shri Thanedar introduced impeachment articles against Pete Hegseth on accusations of murder, conspiracy, and mishandling classified information.
Hegseth's actions related to military strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific are under scrutiny.
Thanedar cited "Signal Gate," where Hegseth shared troop movement details in a chat, as part of his reasons.
A September U.S. military strike off the Venezuelan coast faced legal concerns about targeting a non-threatening vessel.
The Pentagon's watchdog found Hegseth's sharing of sensitive info endangered troops.
Republicans control Congress, making impeachment efforts unlikely to succeed.
Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, expressed happiness about Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's decision to run for the U.S. Senate in Texas. Crockett is entering the 2026 Texas Senate race, which is expected to be competitive and costly. Her candidacy has drawn significant attention and reactions from both Republicans and Democrats.
Key Facts
Jasmine Crockett has filed paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
Mike Johnson, a Republican leader, publicly welcomed her candidacy.
President Donald Trump has criticized Crockett, calling her a "low IQ person."
Crockett will compete in the Democratic primary scheduled for March 3, 2026.
She will not run for reelection to her current House seat.
Crockett succeeded Eddie Bernice Johnson in her congressional district in 2023.
The Texas Senate race includes notable Republicans like Senator John Cornyn.
Crockett has previously clashed with President Trump and other Republican leaders.
Changes to Medicare coverage starting next month will impact telehealth services. Temporary telehealth options extended during the COVID-19 pandemic will now continue until January 30, 2026. After this date, these flexibilities may end unless Congress decides to extend them again.
Key Facts
Medicare telehealth extensions, introduced during COVID-19, will continue until January 30, 2026.
These changes were part of a larger legislative act enacted during a government shutdown.
People who paid out-of-pocket for telehealth during a lapse in coverage may now be eligible for refunds.
Over 66 million Americans use Medicare for health services yearly.
Telehealth services help those in rural areas or with mobility issues access medical care.
After January 30, 2026, telehealth flexibilities will end unless further extended by Congress.
A new artificial intelligence pilot program for Medicare will start in six states next year, managing requests for certain medical procedures.
A district court in Washington state has decided that the government must continue providing information in a lawsuit challenging President Trump's suspension of refugee admissions. This legal challenge focuses on the executive order issued by President Trump on January 20, 2025, which halted the entry of refugees to the U.S.
Key Facts
A court denied the government's request to delay the lawsuit process concerning Trump's refugee suspension order.
President Trump's executive order, issued on January 20, 2025, stopped refugee admissions to the U.S.
The legal challenge began in February, claiming the order broke U.S. refugee and administrative laws.
An appeals court previously allowed some parts of Trump's order to go forward but noted potential legal violations.
The district court has ordered that the sharing of documents and evidence, known as discovery, must proceed.
Judge Jamal Whitehead stressed the need to keep the case moving, citing the importance of addressing ongoing impacts.
The decision makes sure that both the discovery and appeals process will continue side by side.
President Donald Trump made several claims in a Politico interview and during a speech in Pennsylvania. He talked about the economy, saying he inherited severe inflation, and made statements about Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's immigration status. Fact-checkers found inaccuracies in his claims about inflation and Omar.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke with Politico about the economy and other issues.
During his Pennsylvania speech, Trump criticized Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and made claims about her immigration status.
Trump stated he inherited the "worst inflation" from President Joe Biden, but fact-checkers say this is not true.
Inflation was below 3% before Trump’s second term started.
Historical U.S. inflation peaked much higher, such as 23.7% in June 1920.
Trump’s comments about gas prices were also misleading, as his mentioned prices were not reflective of the national average.
Ilhan Omar, a U.S. Congresswoman from Minnesota, was targeted by Trump’s remarks on her immigration status.
Fact-checkers have consistently debunked claims about Omar marrying her brother to gain entry to the U.S.
The article discusses the payment schedule for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in January 2026, which will follow the existing distribution timelines set by individual states. It also notes a conflict between President Trump's administration and several Democratic-led states over new data-sharing requirements for SNAP recipients.
Key Facts
SNAP, also known as food stamps, helps about 42 million low-income Americans buy groceries.
SNAP benefits are given through an electronic benefit transfer card (EBT).
Each state has its own timeline for distributing SNAP benefits.
In 2026, SNAP payment dates in January will not change and will continue to follow state schedules.
Some states determine distribution dates based on the recipient's last name or case number.
President Trump's administration wants states to provide detailed data on SNAP recipients.
The Trump administration says the data helps fight fraud, but some states object, citing concerns over privacy and existing verification systems.
At least 28 states and Guam comply with the new federal data requirements, while others, like California and New York, are resisting or suing.
Katherine Culbert, a Texas politician, filed to run as a Republican for the Texas Railroad Commission in 2026, despite previously raising funds using Democratic platforms. This has raised questions about transparency and ethics in campaign fundraising and candidate disclosures in Texas politics.
Key Facts
Katherine Culbert was a Democratic nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission in 2024.
Culbert lost the 2024 election to Republican Christi Craddick by 16.6 percentage points.
She filed to run as a Republican for the 2026 Texas Railroad Commission election.
Critics say she used Democratic fundraising tools, like ActBlue, without revealing her intent to switch parties.
Culbert's past campaign focused on environmental protection and corporate accountability.
Her recent campaign messaging emphasizes leadership beyond party lines.
Some Democratic supporters have expressed dissatisfaction and suggested seeking refunds for donations.
CBS News released a trailer for a town hall event featuring Erika Kirk, widow of the late Charlie Kirk, and hosted by Bari Weiss, the network's new editor-in-chief. The event will discuss faith, grief, and political violence in America. Some online reactions have criticized the tone of the promotional materials and the perceived change in CBS's political slant.
Key Facts
Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, will lead a CBS town hall.
Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University in September.
Erika Kirk is now CEO of Turning Point USA, a conservative group.
CBS announced the town hall on December 9, to focus on faith and political violence.
Bari Weiss, new CBS editor-in-chief, will host the event.
The town hall is Weiss' first on-camera appearance for CBS.
Bari Weiss previously worked at The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Some online users are concerned about CBS's perceived shift to the right.
The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) has changed a part of civil rights law, eliminating the "disparate impact" rule. This means that now only cases showing proof of intentional discrimination can be addressed, rather than relying on statistical evidence of unequal outcomes.
Key Facts
The DOJ removed the "disparate impact" principle from its rules as of Tuesday.
"Disparate impact" allowed proof of discrimination using statistical differences, even without intentional discrimination.
The DOJ now requires proof of intentional discrimination to address civil rights cases.
The change came after an executive order from President Donald Trump in April.
The shift could affect areas like housing, education, and employment.
DOJ officials argue this aligns with the original Civil Rights Act as passed by Congress.
Critics believe this change weakens tools against systemic discrimination.
