Fox News host Sean Hannity questioned FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino about his previous statements alleging a cover-up in the case of pipe bombs planted outside political offices before the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. Bongino, now part of the FBI, insisted investigations are based on facts, not opinions. Recently, the FBI arrested Brian J. Cole Jr., accusing him of placing the bombs.
Key Facts
Fox News host Sean Hannity asked Dan Bongino about past comments on a supposed "cover-up" related to pipe bombs from January 5, 2021.
Dan Bongino used to claim there was an inside job involved in the pipe bomb case.
Bongino now serves as Deputy Director of the FBI and stated investigations are based on evidence.
The FBI arrested Brian J. Cole Jr., 30, from Virginia, in connection to the pipe bombs.
Cole is charged with placing explosives near the Democratic and Republican national committee offices.
Authorities said the arrest came from analyzing existing evidence, not from new tips.
Cole had purchased materials associated with making the bombs and was in the area at the time.
The investigation continues with input from several law enforcement agencies.
A Republican candidate, Matt Van Epps, won a special election in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. This win for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party came amid broader political challenges, including low approval ratings and economic concerns. Democrats improved their performance in this election compared to 2024, prompting discussions about future elections.
Key Facts
Matt Van Epps, a Republican, won the special election in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District.
Democrats performed better than expected, narrowing the typical Republican lead.
President Trump's approval ratings are currently at the lowest point of his second term.
The Republican victory follows a period where Democrats achieved strong special-election results in 2025.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned Republicans about voter complacency in upcoming elections.
Observers noted a significant shift toward Democrats in every county of the district compared to 2024.
The election results are seen as indicative of potential trends for the 2026 midterm elections.
The Trump administration has decided to remove Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the fee-free days at National Parks in 2026. Instead, additional days celebrating former presidents' birthdays and Flag Day have been introduced. The Department of the Interior plans to introduce digital passes and new fees for foreign visitors.
Key Facts
Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth will not be fee-free days at National Parks in 2026.
Instead, days like former presidents' birthdays and Flag Day will be fee-free.
The decision aligns with President Trump's policies focusing on American priorities.
Digital "America the Beautiful" passes will be available for use on mobile devices.
These digital passes will feature images of President Trump and George Washington.
New fees will be implemented for foreign visitors to U.S. National Parks.
U.S. citizens will pay $80 for an annual pass, while nonresidents will pay $250.
Poll results show a rise in support for California Governor Gavin Newsom as a possible Democratic presidential candidate. Emerson College's recent poll reveals an increase in potential votes for Newsom from August to December. Although Newsom has not officially announced a presidential run, he indicated he will decide after the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
Governor Newsom's support in the Democratic primaries has increased by 13 points from August to December.
In the Emerson poll, 36% of likely voters support Newsom, with Pete Buttigieg receiving 16%.
Other candidates included in the poll are Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 13% and Kamala Harris at 9%.
Newsom hinted he would decide on running for president after the 2026 midterms.
Newsom will end his term as California governor in January 2027.
In a hypothetical election matchup, 46% of people would support Vice President JD Vance, and 45% would support Newsom.
Newsom has publicly criticized President Trump and engaged with him on social media.
Congress is examining new changes to U.S. pensions through a bill introduced by Representative Eugene Vindman. This bill aims to make it easier for Americans to save money for emergencies without affecting their retirement plans. It involves raising contribution limits and changing the rules for certain savings accounts linked to pensions.
Key Facts
A new bill was introduced by Representative Eugene Vindman to change U.S. pension rules.
The bill focuses on emergency savings accounts tied to retirement plans, known as pension-linked emergency savings accounts (PLESAs).
The proposal aims to change eligibility rules and increase contribution limits for these accounts.
PLESAs allow workers to save for unexpected expenses without using their retirement funds.
Contributions to PLESAs are made after-tax, meaning no taxes are owed when withdrawing it.
Currently, contributions to PLESAs cannot exceed $2,500, adjusted for inflation.
The proposed changes are intended to improve financial resilience for American workers.
The bill builds on previous changes made under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022.
A federal vaccine advisory committee voted to change the longstanding recommendation that all newborns in the U.S. receive a hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The new guideline suggests that the decision should be made by parents and doctors unless the mother has tested positive for hepatitis B. The committee members were appointed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Key Facts
A federal committee voted to change the recommendation that all U.S. newborns receive a hepatitis B shot at birth.
The committee members were appointed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine activism.
The new guideline suggests that parents and doctors decide on the vaccine unless the mother has tested positive for hepatitis B.
The committee vote passed 8–3 in favor of this change.
The acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will decide whether to accept this recommendation.
The previous guideline had been in place since 1991 to reduce childhood infections from hepatitis B.
Critics argue the new recommendation could harm public health efforts to prevent hepatitis B.
The panel was restructured by Kennedy in June, replacing previous members with critics of past vaccine policies.
The suspect, Brian Cole Jr., allegedly placed pipe bombs near U.S. political party offices in Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2021. Cole told the FBI he believed the 2020 presidential election was stolen, echoing claims from President Donald Trump. He faces charges related to using explosive devices.
Key Facts
Brian Cole Jr. is charged with planting pipe bombs near the Republican and Democrat National Committee offices.
The incident took place on the evening of January 5, 2021, before the Capitol riot.
Cole informed the FBI that he believed the 2020 election was stolen.
President Trump claimed the election was stolen from him, but many court cases did not find evidence to support this.
The FBI conducted multiple interviews with Cole about the incident.
Charges against Cole include transporting an explosive device and attempted destruction using explosives.
Millions of people in Alaska, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania will receive tax relief payments by the end of 2025. The payments come from state government programs and are designed to help people cope with higher living costs. The aid varies by state, with different qualifications and amounts for residents.
Key Facts
Alaska is distributing $1,000 payments to eligible residents from the Permanent Fund Dividend, which is funded by oil revenues.
New York is providing a one-time inflation relief rebate, ranging from $150 to $400, to over 8 million residents.
New Jersey's ANCHOR property-tax relief program is mailing payments for late-filed applications in early December 2025.
Pennsylvania's Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program continues to send payments to late applicants, possibly extending into early 2026.
These tax relief payments are state-level initiatives and are not part of any new federal stimulus programs.
Residents can check the status of their payments through official state websites.
The New York State distribution started in late September 2025 and continues through December, with checks potentially arriving in early 2026.
A federal vaccine advisory committee in the U.S. has decided to stop recommending that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine on their first day. The panel members were appointed by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., previously known for his anti-vaccine stance.
Key Facts
A federal vaccine advisory committee made a vote about the hepatitis B vaccine recommendations.
The committee voted to end the recommendation for all U.S. babies to get the vaccine at birth.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed all current committee members.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was an anti-vaccine activist before his current government role.
Medical and public health leaders have criticized the committee's decision.
Dr. William Schaffner, a vaccine expert from Vanderbilt University, spoke about the committee's decision.
A study by AARP found that middle-aged Americans, specifically those in their 40s and 50s, are now the loneliest age group in the U.S. This trend shows a shift from the common belief that older adults are the most lonely. The research highlights a link between loneliness and social connections and suggests middle age may be a critical time for addressing loneliness.
Key Facts
AARP's study shows 46% of people aged 45-59 feel lonely, more than those aged 60 and older.
40% of adults 45 and older report feeling lonely, up from 35% in 2010 and 2018.
The study was conducted with 3,276 U.S. adults by Ipsos in August 2025.
Loneliness among men is more common now than among women, at 42% compared to 37%.
17% of men report having no close friends, compared to 13% of women.
Nearly six in ten older adults use technology to stay in touch, but some find it isolating.
23% of lonely adults are open to using AI for companionship, more than the overall 15%.
AARP suggests loneliness interventions might be needed earlier in life.
A new fundraising platform called Impact has emerged in the Republican Party, competing with the existing WinRed platform. Impact aims to attract donations for political campaigns by offering lower fees and more transparency. This rivalry could influence President Trump's fundraising strategies and the broader GOP fundraising landscape.
Key Facts
Impact is a new online fundraising platform aligned with President Trump.
It competes with WinRed, the main GOP fundraising platform that raised $1.8 billion in 2024.
Impact aims to offer lower fees and more transparency to attract donors.
WinRed has faced criticism for its fees and automatic recurring donation enrollments.
Impact is owned by PublicSquare, which positions itself as an "anti-woke" marketplace.
The decision by President Trump's team on which platform to use could influence overall GOP usage.
Some Republicans express concerns about Impact's financial stability due to PublicSquare's falling stock price.
Trump’s fundraising operations currently remain on WinRed, but discussions about switching platforms are ongoing.
President Donald Trump released a new National Security Strategy (NSS) outlining his foreign policy views. The document focuses on keeping the Western Hemisphere free from foreign control and emphasizes controlling migration as a security priority. The strategy also outlines policies on trade with China and the situation in Europe.
Key Facts
President Trump introduced a National Security Strategy (NSS) document on December 5, laying out his administration's foreign policy.
The strategy emphasizes the "Trump Corollary" to keep foreign powers out of the Western Hemisphere.
Migration control is highlighted as a key national security concern in the strategy.
The NSS criticizes past policies of globalism and dependence on allies for defense.
The strategy proposes a "Golden Dome" missile defense system for the U.S.
Europe is viewed as having issues with migration and low birth rates, with a call to support nationalist movements.
China is depicted as an economic threat that benefited from the global trade rules, and the strategy aims to shift supply chains to the Americas and friendly nations.
The document describes mass migration as a source of global disorder and a security risk.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is updating its health records system to an electronic format, aiming for better efficiency and access to patient information. The new system is set to be in more VA facilities by 2026, but there have been some reported issues during its rollout. The update should help healthcare providers manage records more easily and improve the quality of care for veterans.
Key Facts
The VA is moving veterans' health records to a new electronic platform through a program called the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM).
The new system aims to improve how healthcare providers store and track patient data.
There have been some problems reported, like lost patient records and incorrect information after software updates.
As of now, the system is active in six VA facilities across the U.S.
The new system will help providers access important medical images and veterans' complete health records, enhancing decision-making.
Veterans will no longer need to manually transfer records when leaving the military since data will be stored electronically.
The older system was becoming difficult to upgrade because it was customized individually by various VA centers.
The change aims to make appointments more effective and reduce repeated procedures for veterans.
Core inflation in the U.S. was lower than expected in September, which is considered a positive outcome for President Donald Trump. This may influence the Federal Reserve to consider lowering interest rates in their upcoming meeting.
Key Facts
Core inflation refers to the cost of goods and services, excluding food and energy.
Core prices increased by 2.8% in September compared to the previous year.
This inflation rate was lower than the 2.9% recorded in August.
The Federal Reserve pays close attention to core inflation when deciding interest rate changes.
The Federal Reserve's rate-setting committee will meet on December 9 and 10.
Lower inflation could support President Trump’s push for interest rate cuts.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) provided the inflation data.
New laws in California taking effect in 2026 include increasing the minimum wage, reducing the cost of insulin, requiring gender-neutral restrooms in schools, and more. These laws also cover areas like cat declawing, car purchase protections, plastic bag bans, and AI regulation. Governor Gavin Newsom signed these bills, which aim to tackle issues such as affordability and transparency.
Key Facts
California will raise the minimum wage from $16.50 to $16.90 per hour in 2026.
Insulin co-pays will be capped at $35 per month for large health insurers.
Public schools must have at least one gender-neutral restroom.
Law enforcement officers will face restrictions on wearing face masks and must show identification.
Declawing cats for nonmedical reasons will be banned.
Consumers can return cars bought from dealers for a full refund within three days.
Single-use plastic bags will be banned, and stores can only provide recycled paper bags.
AI laws will require disclosures for chatbots and safeguards for minors.
Landlords must provide refrigerators and stoves in rental properties.
Sexual assault survivors can file lawsuits for two years starting in 2026, even if the statute of limitations has passed.
President Trump's administration released a new national security strategy. This strategy criticizes European allies and focuses on increasing U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere. It emphasizes America First policies.
Key Facts
The strategy criticizes European countries' migration and free speech policies.
The document hints at doubts about the reliability of European allies.
It is part of Trump's "America First" approach, which prioritizes U.S. interests.
The strategy suggests reducing involvement in overseas conflicts.
It aims to strengthen U.S. power in the Western Hemisphere.
The release of this document may cause tension with European allies.
U.S. immigration courts have a backlog of nearly 3.7 million cases, causing long wait times for immigrants and asylum seekers. President Trump's administration has reduced the number of immigration judges, while USCIS faces record high pending applications. Six states, including Florida and Texas, hold a large portion of these unresolved cases.
Key Facts
The U.S. has around 3,687,750 active cases in immigration courts.
Nearly 1,961,655 of these are asylum applications.
The average wait for a case decision is about 636 days.
Florida, Texas, California, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois have the largest backlogs.
Miami’s immigration court has a backlog of 311,291 cases.
The number of immigration judges decreased from about 700 early in the year to less than 600.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has a record 11.3 million pending applications.
Recent legislative efforts seek to change who can be appointed as temporary judges.
Brian Cole, a 30-year-old from Virginia, was arrested for planting pipe bombs during the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021. The Justice Department says Cole faces charges related to explosives and attempts to cause damage. Authorities used surveillance footage and phone records to identify him.
Key Facts
Brian Cole is from Woodbridge, Virginia, about 36 miles from Washington, DC.
He worked for a bail bondsman in northern Virginia.
Cole is charged with transporting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and trying to destroy property using explosives and fire.
Pipe bombs were found near the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, DC.
Both IEDs were deactivated by authorities before they could explode.
Cole's motive remains unknown.
Surveillance footage and cellphone records helped identify Cole.
The FBI linked Cole to purchases of bomb components using bank and credit card records.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has created a "GOP Retirement Watch" bingo card listing Republican Congress members they think might leave office. House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing internal issues as several Republicans consider exiting, which could affect the GOP's control in Congress. Representative Nancy Mace, who is on the bingo card, denied she plans to leave and criticized Congress’s current pace.
Key Facts
The Democratic Committee released a bingo card featuring Republicans they believe may retire, including Speaker Mike Johnson.
The card lists 16 Republicans, including Nancy Mace and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Several Republicans have announced plans to exit Congress, raising concerns about losing their majority in upcoming elections.
Nancy Mace has denied plans to retire, despite expressing dissatisfaction with how Congress is operating.
Criticism of Speaker Johnson includes handling of legislative sessions and keeping members out during a government shutdown.
Some Republicans are trying to bypass Johnson through discharge petitions to push issues forward.
Representative Elise Stefanik criticized Johnson's leadership and said he might not be elected Speaker if voted on again today.
Johnson encouraged Republicans to address concerns directly with him rather than publicly.
Vice President JD Vance addressed rumors about his marriage after his wife, Usha Vance, was seen without her wedding ring. He stated that their marriage remains strong despite public attention.
Key Facts
JD Vance is the Vice President of the United States.
His wife, Usha Vance, was recently seen without her wedding ring.
There were speculative rumors on social media about their marriage.
JD Vance told NBC News that their relationship is strong.
Vance mentioned that being in the White House brings both good and challenging aspects.
Updates to the story are expected as it is still developing.
