A video of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from 2016 has reappeared, in which he mentions there should be consequences for following illegal military orders. Recently, Hegseth criticized Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Mark Kelly, for advising military personnel not to follow unlawful commands. Kelly responded by pointing out that Hegseth is now challenging statements Hegseth himself made nine years prior.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the current U.S. Defense Secretary.
A video from 2016 shows Hegseth discussing consequences for obeying illegal military orders.
Hegseth has criticized Democratic lawmakers for similar statements.
Six lawmakers were accused by Hegseth of spreading false information.
An investigation has been ordered into Senator Mark Kelly by Hegseth.
Kelly noted that Hegseth's past comments align with the current ones under scrutiny.
The situation is developing with more details to follow.
The Trump administration, led by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, is threatening to stop federal food assistance funds for 21 states that refuse to share personal data about recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These states are currently part of a lawsuit against the U.S. government, challenging the legality of the data request. The issue raises concerns about privacy and the politicization of food assistance aid.
Key Facts
The Trump administration wants states to share personal information about SNAP beneficiaries with the federal government.
SNAP, also known as food stamps, aids low-income people in buying groceries.
Secretary Rollins claims the data is needed to tackle alleged fraud in the program.
Critics argue this could violate privacy and is politically motivated.
Of the states asked, 29 have agreed to comply, primarily those with Republican leadership.
21 Democratic-leaning states, including California and New York, are resisting the data request.
A U.S. district court has temporarily blocked the administration's order.
Federal food aid could be withheld from the non-compliant states if they do not comply.
A truck driver was safely rescued after his vehicle partially hung off a bridge in West Virginia due to an icy road caused by early winter storms. Local fire and rescue teams used a crane to pull the driver from the truck cab, and fortunately, he was not injured.
Key Facts
A truck driver was stranded for hours as his truck dangled off a West Virginia bridge.
The incident happened because the truck lost control on an icy bridge road.
Early winter storms had caused the road to become icy with rain and snow.
Local fire and rescue teams used a crane to lift the driver out of the truck.
The driver did not suffer any injuries during the rescue operation.
The United States Justice Department wants to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Maurene Comey, a former federal prosecutor, over her firing. They argue she didn't follow the necessary procedures before filing the lawsuit. Her firing is said to be politically motivated due to her father, James Comey, who is a known critic of President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Maurene Comey filed a lawsuit claiming her dismissal was political because her father is James Comey, a critic of President Trump.
The Justice Department says Comey didn't follow required complaint procedures before suing.
A hearing about the dismissal request is planned in a Manhattan federal court.
Comey's firing took place in July, and she filed the lawsuit in September.
Her lawsuit includes the Justice Department, the Executive Office of the President, the US Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and the Office of Personnel Management.
The Justice Department wants the Merit Systems Protection Board to handle the complaint first.
Maurene Comey previously won convictions in high-profile cases, like the conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell and former Senator Bob Menendez.
Her case saw a change of prosecutors after a New York recusal, now handled by US Attorney John Sarcone in Albany.
President Donald Trump criticized Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Somali immigrants, referring to them as "garbage" during a cabinet meeting. Omar responded to Trump's remarks on social media, and Trump's comments are part of broader anti-immigration policies he has been advocating. Omar represents a district in Minnesota with a large Somali population and has been a frequent target of Trump's criticisms.
Key Facts
President Trump called Somali immigrants and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar "garbage" during a cabinet meeting.
Ilhan Omar, a Somali American Congresswoman, responded to Trump's comments on social media.
Trump has been increasing his anti-immigration statements following a shooting involving an Afghan refugee.
The Somali community in Minnesota has been a focus of Trump's previous immigration policies.
Omar is the first Somali American to serve in the U.S. Congress and represents a district with many Somali residents.
Trump's remarks are part of broader steps to tighten U.S. immigration, including suspending migration from certain countries.
Trump has historically criticized Omar and other immigrant politicians for their views on U.S. governance.
Republican candidate Matt Van Epps won a special election in Tennessee's 7th District, defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn. The election occurred due to the retirement of former Representative Mark Green. This victory helps maintain the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Key Facts
Matt Van Epps, a Republican, defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in the Tennessee special election.
Van Epps won approximately 53.9% of the vote, leading Behn by about 9 percentage points.
The election took place because former Representative Mark Green retired to work in the private sector.
The Associated Press announced Van Epps as the winner with 99% of the votes counted.
The win keeps the Republicans' slim lead in the U.S. House of Representatives, with 219 seats compared to the Democrats' 213.
Notable figures, including President Trump, congratulated Van Epps on social media.
The race saw high interest and investment from national parties and grassroots activists.
Senate Democrats claim that President Trump's administration did not provide full information about a military operation targeting suspected drug traffickers from Venezuela. They allege there was a second strike that was not disclosed to Congress. Democrats are calling for a congressional investigation and are asking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to resign.
Key Facts
Senate Democrats say they were not informed about a second strike on suspected drug boats from Venezuela.
Four Democratic senators on the Armed Services Committee spoke out about this information gap.
The Washington Post reported that a no-survivors order was allegedly given in September.
The White House claims that Adm. Frank Bradley, not Pete Hegseth, ordered the strike.
Democratic senators are calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's resignation.
Congressional leaders are planning an investigation into the issue.
Lawmakers have expressed frustration with the administration's communication about military actions.
President Donald Trump’s administration plans to withhold funds for food assistance in Democrat-led states unless they share data about SNAP recipients, like immigration status. This action is aimed at identifying fraud in the food aid program but could result in millions losing benefits if states do not comply.
Key Facts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants states to provide information about SNAP (food stamp) recipients, including immigration details.
President Trump's administration says Republican-led states have shared this information, but some Democrat-led states have not.
Brooke Rollins, Agriculture Secretary, stated that the government might pause funds to non-compliant states.
The USDA claims it needs this data to find and stop fraud in the SNAP program.
Approximately 800,000 Americans have stopped receiving SNAP benefits since President Trump took office again.
Rollins mentioned specific fraud cases but the specifics of these claims have not been independently verified.
The Government Accountability Office reported more than $320 million has been replaced because of stolen benefits in recent years.
Most SNAP beneficiaries are seniors and children who need immediate access to food aid each month.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) under President Trump has filed lawsuits against six more states to obtain detailed voter registration lists. This move is part of an effort to secure elections by checking voter registration systems. Several states have resisted, citing concerns over privacy and the extent of information requested.
Key Facts
The DOJ sued Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington for not providing full voter registration lists.
Previously, the DOJ had taken legal action against eight other states, including Michigan and Wisconsin, for similar reasons.
The DOJ claims these lawsuits aim to ensure election security by having accurate voter lists.
State officials argue they comply with laws to release what information they can but resist sharing sensitive data.
Concerns have been raised over voter privacy and potential misuse of personal information.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasizes the importance of accurate voter rolls for fair elections.
Federal courts are expected to handle these cases quickly, following previous suit timelines.
Democratic attorneys general may coordinate joint efforts in defense against these federal demands.
Republican Matt Van Epps won a special election in Tennessee for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He defeated Democratic state representative Aftyn Behn in the race for the 7th Congressional District.
Key Facts
Matt Van Epps is a Republican who won the special election in Tennessee.
The election was for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Van Epps defeated Democratic opponent Aftyn Behn.
President Donald Trump supported Van Epps in the election.
Van Epps is a military veteran and former state official from Nashville.
The Trump-supporting group, MAGA Inc., spent over $1 million on the election campaign.
This was the first time MAGA Inc. spent money on a campaign since the last presidential election.
Republican Matt Van Epps won a special election for a House seat in Tennessee's conservative district by defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn. Despite the loss, Democrats performed better than in past elections, narrowing the gap compared to previous races. This result maintains the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
Key Facts
Matt Van Epps, a Republican, defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn by about 6 percentage points.
This election took place in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, which usually supports Republicans.
Democrats improved their performance from the 2024 election where President Trump won the district by 22 points.
The district includes parts of Nashville, Clarksville, and rural areas in central Tennessee.
The seat became available after former Representative Mark Green retired for a private sector job.
President Donald Trump supported Van Epps, urging voters in the district to vote.
Important Democrats, like Al Gore and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, supported Behn.
The election increases the Republican majority in the House of Representatives to 219 seats over 213 for the Democrats.
A birthday party in Stockton, California, turned tragic when gunshots were mistaken for popping balloons. The shooting resulted in the death of four people, including three children, and injured eleven others. Authorities are investigating the incident, suspecting it was targeted, and are urging the public to help with information.
Key Facts
The shooting occurred at a birthday party in Stockton, California.
Four people were killed, including three children aged 8, 9, and 14, and one 21-year-old.
Eleven others were injured in the shooting; one person is critically injured.
The gunfire started inside the banquet hall and may have moved to the street.
Authorities believe the attack may have been targeted and involved multiple shooters.
No suspects have been arrested yet, and police are asking for public help in the investigation.
The incident took place amid rising violent crime rates in Stockton and the broader San Joaquin Valley.
The mayor of Stockton and the sheriff have both issued statements condemning the violence and urging suspects to surrender.
President Donald Trump congratulated Matt Van Epps on winning a special election in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn, with strong support from Trump's allies and campaign funding. This election took place in a Republican-leaning area that was recently redistricted.
Key Facts
Matt Van Epps, a Republican, won the special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District.
He defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn with 53.2% of the votes.
President Trump expressed support for Van Epps on social media.
The district was redrawn in 2022 to reduce Nashville's influence, a mostly Democratic city.
Trump's super PAC contributed over $1 million to Van Epps' campaign.
The Democratic party also invested $1 million in support of Behn.
Van Epps closely aligned his campaign with Trump, promising full support.
This district has historically backed Republican candidates by large margins.
Prosecutors charged Rahmanullah Lakanwal with murder after a shooting incident involving National Guard soldiers in Washington DC. One soldier was killed, and another was critically injured. The case has led the Trump administration to pause asylum decisions and review Afghan refugees in the US.
Key Facts
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is charged with first-degree murder and assault after a shooting in Washington DC.
One National Guard member, Sarah Beckstrom, died, and another, Andrew Wolfe, is critically injured.
Lakanwal shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the incident, according to a complaint.
Lakanwal pleaded not guilty from a hospital bed during a virtual court appearance.
The Trump administration paused asylum decisions following the shooting.
Lakanwal had connections with the CIA and fled Afghanistan in 2021.
He lived in Washington state with his family and was reported to have mental health issues.
A judge described the case against him as "exceedingly strong" and denied him bond.
A power outage in Wisconsin on December 1 caused a chairlift to stop at Sunburst Ski Area. Fourteen people, including a snowboarder, were safely rescued using ropes by local firefighters and ski area staff. No one was hurt during the rescue operation.
Key Facts
A chairlift stopped due to a power outage at Sunburst Ski Area in Wisconsin.
Fourteen people were on the chairlift at the time.
The Kewaskum Fire Department and Sunburst personnel handled the rescue.
The rescue operation took about 40 minutes.
No injuries occurred during the incident.
The firefighters completed their rope rescue training less than two weeks before the incident.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley has decided not to run against Sen. Ed Markey in the upcoming election. Instead, she will aim to keep her current position in the U.S. House of Representatives. Pressley cited personal reasons and her commitment to her district as factors in her decision.
Key Facts
Rep. Ayanna Pressley announced she will not challenge Sen. Ed Markey in a primary election.
Pressley will run for reelection to her current U.S. House seat next year.
Sen. Ed Markey, 79, faces pressure from inside his party to step down.
Rep. Seth Moulton, another Democratic representative from Massachusetts, is running against Markey.
Pressley is known for being part of the progressive "Squad" in Congress.
Pressley's decision might help Markey gather support from progressive voters in Massachusetts.
Pressley cited her daughter's upcoming departure for college and local district needs as reasons for her choice.
A poll suggested Pressley was a strong contender against both Markey and Moulton.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced plans to keep military strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea. He emphasized a focus on targeting boats involved in illegal drug trade operations.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
He announced continued military action against certain boats in the Caribbean Sea.
The targets are described as "narcoboats," which carry illegal drugs.
Hegseth aims to combat narcoterrorism through these strikes.
The statement implies an ongoing military campaign in the region.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and assault related to a shooting in Washington, DC. The shooting involved two members of the National Guard, resulting in one death and one injury. A judge ordered that Lakanwal be held without bond.
Key Facts
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, DC.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and assault.
Lakanwal appeared in court via video from a hospital bed after being shot in the incident.
The shooting resulted in the death of 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom.
24-year-old Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe was wounded in the shooting.
The judge ordered Lakanwal to be held without bond due to the severity of the charges.
Lakanwal previously served in a CIA-trained unit in Afghanistan.
Reports suggest that Lakanwal became isolated after being evacuated from Afghanistan.
Representative Elise Stefanik and House Speaker Mike Johnson are having a public disagreement over a part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Stefanik claims Johnson blocked a provision that would require the FBI to inform Congress about any counterintelligence investigations into federal candidates. This disagreement highlights tensions within the Republican Party as they try to pass important legislation.
Key Facts
Elise Stefanik alleges Mike Johnson blocked an FBI-related provision from the National Defense Authorization Act.
The provision would require the FBI to notify Congress when opening investigations into federal candidates.
Stefanik believes these investigations can be politically motivated, referencing past probes into Trump.
She threatens to oppose the bill, which could jeopardize its passage with Johnson's slim majority.
Johnson denies involvement and states that the issue was not prominent until Stefanik's public comments.
Johnson supports the provision but claims it was removed due to lack of agreement among key lawmakers.
A GOP staffer claims Johnson was responsible for pulling the provision, despite Democratic opposition.
The House is expected to vote on the defense measure soon.
The Department of Homeland Security plans to focus on Minnesota, particularly targeting visa fraud among the Somali community. This is part of a broader immigration crackdown directed by President Trump. The operation follows recent investigations into visa fraud in the state.
Key Facts
The Department of Homeland Security is turning attention to Minnesota for immigration enforcement.
Minnesota has a large Somali community, which has been a focus for President Trump.
Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned targeting visa fraud in Minnesota.
An operation called "Operation Twin Shield" has already investigated 1,000 cases, finding suspected fraud in 275.
New efforts will increase immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
President Trump has expressed a desire to end temporary protective status for Somalis.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz criticized the immigration crackdown, suggesting it targets immigrants indiscriminately.
