The article discusses criticisms directed at Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for a precision military strike on a vessel suspected of carrying narco-terrorists in the Caribbean. Critics label Hegseth a "war criminal," but the article argues the president has the authority to protect the nation from threats under the U.S. Constitution.
Key Facts
The article involves criticism of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for authorizing a military strike.
The strike targeted a boat involved in smuggling operations allegedly linked to narco-terrorists.
Critics label this action as making Hegseth a "war criminal."
The strike was part of ongoing operations against drug cartels in the Caribbean.
The president has constitutional powers to repel threats without prior congressional approval.
The U.S. Supreme Court has confirmed the president's powers to act swiftly in matters of national security.
The article references historical debates about executive power in national defense.
It suggests that critics are applying a double standard in their response to military actions depending on the political context.
President Donald Trump's administration has started a new immigration enforcement operation called "Operation Catahoula Crunch" in New Orleans, Louisiana. The operation targets cities with sanctuary policies, where local authorities do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Louisiana's Governor Jeff Landry has requested National Guard support, despite local criticism.
Key Facts
President Trump's administration launched "Operation Catahoula Crunch" in New Orleans targeting sanctuary cities.
The operation focuses on undocumented individuals with criminal convictions who have been released.
Sanctuary policies refer to local rules that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
New Orleans is included in a list of sanctuary cities, but local officials dispute this claim.
About 250 federal agents are expected in Louisiana as part of the operation, dubbed "Swamp Sweep."
The initiative aims to arrest 5,000 individuals across the state.
Governor Jeff Landry has asked for 1,000 National Guard members to be deployed to New Orleans.
Local officials, including Congress member Troy Carter, criticize the operation, labeling it a political tactic.
President Trump announced he will fully pardon Rep. Henry Cuellar from Texas, who faced charges of conspiracy and bribery. Cuellar, a Democrat, denied these charges, and Trump’s decision is seen as unusual because Cuellar is a sitting Democratic congressman.
Key Facts
President Trump granted a full pardon to Rep. Henry Cuellar.
Cuellar was indicted last year for conspiracy and bribery charges.
Cuellar denied the charges against him.
The pardon is notable because Cuellar is currently serving as a Democratic member of Congress.
President Trump has previously granted clemency to other former Democratic officials.
Rep. Cuellar did not reply to the request for a comment.
This is a developing news story, and updates may follow.
President Donald Trump has pardoned several individuals in 2025, including politicians, business figures, and participants in the January 6 Capitol riot. These pardons, issued since the start of his second term, have been marked by controversy and have included prominent individuals like Rod Blagojevich and Ross Ulbricht. The actions have sparked debates about the justice system and political motivations.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned Texas Representative Henry Cuellar and his wife for a bribery and conspiracy case.
Nearly 1,500 people involved in the January 6 Capitol riot received pardons, including those convicted of violent actions.
Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, received a full pardon.
Two Washington, D.C. police officers involved in a high-speed chase leading to a young man's death were pardoned.
Trump pardoned 23 anti-abortion activists convicted under the FACE Act for blockading an abortion clinic.
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was pardoned, clearing his corruption charges.
Former Tennessee Senator Brian Kelsey received a pardon for campaign finance violations.
Trump granted a pardon to Devon Archer, linked to a fraud case involving a Native American tribe.
Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola, was pardoned after being sentenced for fraud.
President Donald Trump made remarks criticizing Somali immigrants in the United States, and federal authorities plan an immigration crackdown targeting undocumented Somalis in Minnesota. Trump expressed negative views about Somali immigrants and indicated plans for increased immigration enforcement in Somali communities.
Key Facts
President Trump criticized Somali immigrants, saying they contribute nothing to the U.S.
Federal authorities plan an immigration crackdown on undocumented Somalis in Minnesota.
Trump’s remarks included calling Somali immigrants derogatory terms.
ICE will reportedly conduct operations in Somali neighborhoods in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Trump has previously targeted Somali immigrants and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar with negative statements.
The U.S. has paused immigration from 19 countries considered "high risk" after a recent shooting incident.
The Trump administration has reduced the U.S. refugee admission cap to its lowest since the 1980 Refugee Act.
The White House says President Trump was not falling asleep during a cabinet meeting. Some people thought he looked like he was dozing off because he closed his eyes and slouched at times.
Key Facts
The White House denied claims that President Trump was sleeping during a cabinet meeting.
Observers noted President Trump appeared with his eyes closed during the meeting.
At times, President Trump was seen slouching in his chair.
The White House called these accusations false.
The focus was on President Trump's behavior during this specific meeting.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara warned about possible "kidnapping" incidents in the city amid increased immigration enforcement. This follows President Trump’s recent remarks about the Somali population in Minneapolis, prompting intensified operations targeting those with final deportation orders. Officials are concerned about reports of people impersonating law enforcement.
Key Facts
Minneapolis Police warned about potential "kidnapping" linked to increased immigration enforcement.
President Trump made statements focusing on Minneapolis's Somali population.
The enforcement targets those with final deportation orders in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
There have been reports of people possibly impersonating law enforcement agents.
Minneapolis has experienced issues with individuals pretending to be law enforcement.
Mayor Jacob Frey mentioned concerns about potential wrongful arrests of citizens.
The operations occur alongside accusations that taxpayer money went to al-Shabab.
Minnesota has a large Somali community, with many immigrating since the 1990s.
Some Republicans in the House of Representatives are unhappy with Speaker Mike Johnson. The disagreements center around government spending, leadership decisions, and certain legislative proposals. This has led to tensions within the party, which could affect the passage of important bills.
Key Facts
House Republicans are experiencing disagreements, especially regarding Speaker Mike Johnson's decisions.
Disputes include issues like government spending and specific legislative provisions.
Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized Johnson, adding to the tension.
The GOP House majority is slim, making it harder for Johnson to pass legislation without unanimous support.
Some Republicans, including Elise Stefanik, accuse Johnson of blocking legislative provisions important to them.
Elise Stefanik is pushing for a bill related to past FBI investigations but claims Johnson is hindering its progress.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is stalled in the House due to amendments and party disagreements.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna has proposed a discharge petition to force a vote on banning stock trading by Congress members, bypassing Johnson's leadership.
The House Judiciary Committee, led by Republicans, has subpoenaed Jack Smith, a former special counsel from the Justice Department, for a private interview about his prosecutions of President Donald Trump. Smith was ready to attend a public hearing, but he will comply with the request for a closed-door session. Smith had investigated President Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and handling of classified documents.
Key Facts
The House Judiciary Committee, led by Republicans, subpoenaed Jack Smith for a private interview.
Smith had volunteered for an open hearing but will now testify in private on December 17.
The committee wants information on Smith's work as special counsel.
Smith had led investigations into President Trump's actions regarding the 2020 election and classified documents.
Smith resigned from his role after Trump was re-elected, citing Justice Department rules against indicting a sitting president.
The committee has focused on having access to phone record data from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot time period.
Smith’s team clarified that the phone records did not include conversation content, only call details.
Smith maintained his actions were lawful and not influenced by politics.
Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, has officially filed paperwork to run for governor of Minnesota. He has started the process of forming a campaign committee, which allows him to gather money for the campaign. He will announce his final decision about entering the race on December 11.
Key Facts
Mike Lindell is the CEO of MyPillow.
Lindell has filed paperwork to potentially run for governor of Minnesota.
He has started a campaign committee to raise funds.
Lindell's decision to run is not confirmed yet.
He plans to make an official announcement on December 11.
Tim Walz is the current Democratic governor of Minnesota.
Lindell has strong connections with President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.
The Pentagon's watchdog found that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used the Signal messaging app to share sensitive military information, potentially putting U.S. personnel at risk. The review did not find that Hegseth improperly declassified information, but the report is increasing pressure on him for his actions.
Key Facts
The Pentagon's inspector general noted risks from Hegseth's use of Signal to share sensitive military details.
Hegseth shared exact timings of military actions against Houthi militants in Yemen via Signal.
A journalist accidentally received sensitive information when added to a Signal chat by mistake.
There is an ongoing investigation into Hegseth's involvement in a separate Caribbean strike incident.
A partially redacted report regarding Hegseth's actions will be released publicly soon.
The findings from the review were shared with lawmakers, who reviewed them in a secure facility.
The investigation by the Pentagon's watchdog came after congressional calls for an inquiry.
President Donald Trump plans to announce changes to vehicle fuel economy rules to make them less strict. This change would allow carmakers to produce gasoline vehicles with lower fuel efficiency requirements through 2031.
Key Facts
President Trump is announcing weaker rules for vehicle fuel economy.
The announcement is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday.
The new plan would lower requirements for cars and trucks to control pollution.
The changes would apply to vehicles through the model year 2031.
The plan reverses previous policies aimed at promoting cleaner and more efficient vehicles.
The Trump administration states the new rules will increase access to more affordable gasoline vehicles.
Two new ad campaigns against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are appearing on streaming platforms. The ads criticize the recruitment of new ICE agents and share stories about the negative impacts of immigration enforcement. These ads are in response to President Trump's administration's push to hire more ICE agents and enforce stricter immigration policies.
Key Facts
Two anti-ICE ad campaigns are running on streaming services like Spotify and YouTube.
One ad features a U.S. veteran’s account of being mistakenly detained by ICE agents.
The veteran described being forcibly removed and detained despite being a U.S. citizen.
Home of the Brave runs one campaign with a $250,000 budget to highlight adverse effects of ICE actions.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a $51 million media budget, promoting ICE recruitment and deportation efforts.
Some users have criticized Spotify for hosting ICE ads and have threatened to boycott the platform.
MoveOn Civic Action launched a campaign spoofing ICE recruitment ads, portraying them in a negative light.
DHS insists that increased ICE actions are part of national security efforts promised by President Trump.
James Solomon won the mayoral race in Jersey City, defeating former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey. Both candidates are Democrats, and the election required a runoff because of multiple candidates.
Key Facts
James Solomon became the mayor of Jersey City.
Solomon defeated former Governor Jim McGreevey in the election.
The election finished with a runoff between Solomon and McGreevey.
Solomon has been a city council member since 2017.
The initial election round had seven candidates.
Jersey City elections are nonpartisan, which means candidates are not officially representing political parties.
A new poll shows Democratic candidate Janelle Stelson with a slight lead over Republican Representative Scott Perry in a closely contested Pennsylvania congressional district. This district is considered competitive, and Perry has previously won with narrow margins. The poll indicates that the upcoming elections could be challenging for Perry.
Key Facts
The poll shows Stelson leading Perry 48% to 44%.
The survey was conducted by Public Policy Polling for Republicans Against Perry.
Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District includes Dauphin, Cumberland, and parts of York Counties.
Perry won past elections by small margins; in 2024, he defeated Stelson by around 5,000 votes.
Demographic changes in the district may affect Republican support.
Perry's approval rating in the district is low, with 53% disapproving of his job performance.
Janelle Stelson is a former TV news anchor and recognized figure in the area.
Cumberland County, part of the district, is experiencing rapid growth, which may influence voter demographics.
A man named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, pleaded not guilty from a hospital bed to charges including murder and assault after shooting two National Guard troops near the White House. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was wounded in what authorities called an ambush-style attack. Lakanwal, who came to the U.S. through a resettlement program, is being held without bond and may face more charges as investigations continue.
Key Facts
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, aged 29, is accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House.
Lakanwal pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and illegal firearm possession.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was killed, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was injured in the incident.
The shooting occurred during a law enforcement surge ordered by President Trump in Washington, D.C.
Lakanwal was apprehended after allegedly firing and yelling during the attack.
He entered the U.S. through a resettlement program for Afghans and applied for asylum.
The court ordered him to remain in custody without bond until the next hearing in January.
Further federal charges may arise from ongoing investigations, and the possibility of seeking the death penalty is under consideration.
A raccoon broke into a Virginia liquor store during Thanksgiving weekend, drank some alcohol, and passed out in the bathroom. Animal control officers later safely released the raccoon into the wild after ensuring it was uninjured.
Key Facts
A raccoon broke into a liquor store in Virginia.
The incident happened over the Thanksgiving holiday.
The animal was found passed out in the store's bathroom.
The raccoon consumed alcohol during the break-in.
Animal control officers were called to handle the situation.
The animal was released safely after showing no signs of injury.
The liquor store was closed when the break-in occurred.
A CCTV image captured the raccoon drinking alcohol in the store.
Nebraska will start a scheme in 2026 that lets disabled veterans avoid paying motor vehicle tax and fees for one vehicle they use personally. Veterans must apply and meet specific disability criteria to benefit from this exemption.
Key Facts
Nebraska offers a motor vehicle tax break for disabled veterans starting January 1, 2026.
The tax break applies to one personal vehicle per eligible veteran.
Veterans must be Nebraska residents and have a service-connected disability.
To be eligible, veterans must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces under honorable conditions.
Veterans can apply for this benefit through the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Additional fees like plate fees and sales taxes are not included in the exemption.
Similar programs exist, such as one in Honolulu, Hawaii, for older veterans.
House Democrats released photos and videos from Jeffrey Epstein's private island to support an investigation into his crimes. They want the Trump administration to provide all remaining documents related to the federal sex trafficking investigation. A law requires these documents to be made public by mid-December.
Key Facts
House Democrats shared 14 photos and videos from Jeffrey Epstein’s private island.
The images show empty courtyards and rooms inside Epstein’s villa in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The release is part of a push to get more documents on Epstein’s crimes.
Representative Robert Garcia said the images were shared to make the investigation clearer.
The Justice Department must release documents by mid-December due to a new law.
President Donald Trump signed the law requiring public access to these files.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar criticized President Donald Trump for making negative comments about Somali immigrants in Minnesota. The mayor of Minneapolis responded by expressing support for the Somali community in their language.
Key Facts
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar criticized President Trump for his remarks about Somali immigrants.
President Trump made these remarks during a speech in Minnesota.
Omar responded by saying Trump needs help.
The mayor of Minneapolis spoke in support of the Somali community.
The mayor delivered his message in the Somali language.
The focus of the remarks and responses was on the Somali community in Minnesota.
