President Donald Trump is working on a plan to send $2,000 checks to Americans using money from tariff revenue. The White House is still looking into how to make this happen, and details of the plan have not been finalized yet. Some experts worry about the plan's cost, estimating it could add significantly to the national deficit.
Key Facts
President Trump aims to send $2,000 checks to American individuals.
The plan would use money from tariff revenue, according to White House officials.
Specific details about the plan have not been released.
A White House official mentions that new tariffs have brought in $195 billion in revenue so far in 2025.
President Trump says he wants the payments to help middle and lower-income individuals.
Policy experts estimate the plan could cost $600 billion a year, potentially adding $6 trillion to the national deficit over 10 years.
For the plan to move forward, it would need approval from Congress.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt changed the sentence of a death row inmate, Tremane Wood, to life in prison without parole just before his scheduled execution. Wood, who was involved in a 2002 robbery that resulted in a murder, received clemency after a recommendation from the Pardon and Parole Board. Governor Stitt's decision echoed the sentence given to Wood's brother, who admitted to the murder before his death in 2019.
Key Facts
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt granted clemency to Tremane Wood.
Wood was scheduled to be executed for a murder during a robbery in 2002.
Wood's sentence was changed to life in prison without parole.
The decision followed a 3-2 recommendation from the Pardon and Parole Board.
Wood's brother, involved in the same crime, was also sentenced to life without parole.
Wood's legal team argued about ineffective counsel and concealed evidence in his trial.
Governor Stitt has previously granted clemency only one other time during his term.
The U.S. Supreme Court denied requests to stop Wood’s execution.
Virginia Giuffre, a key accuser of Jeffrey Epstein, has repeatedly stated that she does not believe President Donald Trump was involved in Epstein's criminal activities. Recently released emails and court documents have renewed focus on Trump's connections with Epstein, but there is no evidence from Giuffre or others to support any allegations against Trump. Both President Trump and former President Bill Clinton deny any wrongdoing linked to Epstein.
Key Facts
Virginia Giuffre has stated under oath and in her memoir that she does not believe President Trump was involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.
Newly released documents from the House Oversight Committee include emails referencing Trump.
The documents are part of ongoing investigations into Epstein’s activities and relationships.
An email from Epstein mentioned Trump, but other testimonies, including Giuffre’s, do not accuse Trump of misconduct.
Both President Trump and former President Bill Clinton have denied any criminal activities with Epstein.
Emails from the committee included references to a "Virginia," clarified to be Virginia Giuffre by the White House.
Names of victims were redacted from these documents to protect their privacy.
Trump has previously stated he declined invitations to Epstein's private island.
Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez criticized fellow Democrat Representative Jesús García for how he announced his retirement, calling it "undemocratic." García announced he wouldn't seek reelection after the filing deadline, sparking debate within the Democratic Party about fair election practices. Some Democrats support Pérez's condemnation, while others defend García's actions.
Key Facts
Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez criticized Representative Jesús García's retirement process.
Jesús García announced his retirement after the filing deadline, leading to criticism.
García's Chief of Staff filed to run for his seat before his retirement was announced.
Critics say this move limits voters' choice for a new representative.
García cited health issues as his reason for retiring.
Gluesenkamp Perez sought a House vote to condemn García's actions as undemocratic.
Opinions in the Democratic Party are divided over whether García's actions were fair.
Some Democrats support Pérez's resolution while others defend García.
The U.S. is facing a debate over whether the government should continue to pay for health insurance or let the market handle it. Politicians have not agreed on how much money should come from public funds and how much from private companies.
Key Facts
The debate is about government spending on health insurance in the U.S.
Republicans and Democrats have different views on this topic.
Supporters of government funding say it helps the economy and protects families.
Critics believe government funding increases costs and reduces competition.
The discussion is part of a larger conversation about government budgets and healthcare access.
The recent U.S. government shutdown caused many federal workers to make financial sacrifices. With the shutdown ending, these workers are questioning if it was worth the struggles they faced.
Key Facts
The shutdown was the longest in U.S. history.
Jessica Sweet, a Social Security claims specialist, had to reduce her spending to cope.
Federal workers missed paychecks during the shutdown.
Workers used credit cards to cover essential expenses.
Some workers feel their struggles were used for political purposes.
Jessica Sweet is also a union steward for AFGE Local 3343.
The shutdown affected trust in government agencies.
President Trump blocked the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, but a batch of Epstein's emails eventually came out. These emails revealed personal comments about Trump from Epstein but showed no evidence of crimes. The release of these emails caused significant discussion in media and political circles.
Key Facts
President Trump initially stopped the release of Jeffrey Epstein files.
Thousands of Epstein emails were released, showing no evidence of crimes but causing controversy.
The emails contained negative descriptions of Trump written by Epstein.
The House Oversight Committee released these emails, increasing public pressure for full disclosure.
Trump's handling of the situation sparked comparisons to past controversies in his presidency.
Despite being mentioned in the files, Trump has not been linked to any criminal actions.
Epstein described Trump in unflattering terms in the emails, but they never communicated via email.
The Trump administration is thinking about introducing portable mortgages, a plan that allows homeowners to transfer their current mortgage rate to a new home. This idea comes after a 50-year mortgage proposal did not gain support. Portable mortgages aim to help homeowners by allowing them to keep lower rates when moving, though some experts caution it may complicate the housing market.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is considering implementing portable mortgages.
A portable mortgage lets homeowners move their current mortgage rate to a new home.
The previous proposal for 50-year mortgages was not successful.
The median sale price of a home in September was $415,200, and the average interest rate was 6.3%.
Portable mortgages aim to prevent homeowners from being stuck with a low-rate mortgage on a current home.
Experts mention that lack of housing supply, not demand, is the main issue in the market.
Some concerns exist that portable mortgages could increase home prices.
Michael Wolff addressed the release of emails involving himself, Jeffrey Epstein, and President Donald Trump. The emails, released by Democratic lawmakers, include conversations about Trump's association with Epstein. The situation has sparked comments from both political parties about the nature of the relationship between Trump and Epstein.
Key Facts
Michael Wolff spoke about emails released from Jeffrey Epstein's estate that discuss President Trump.
Democratic lawmakers released emails involving Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Wolff.
House Republicans released other documents, accusing Democrats of trying to slander President Trump.
The White House Communication Director criticized Michael Wolff, calling him a liar.
Epstein and Trump reportedly had a close relationship for over a decade, according to Wolff.
Trump claims he and Epstein had a falling-out in the early 2000s and denies any wrongdoing.
Some of the emails include discussions about how the media might question Trump about Epstein.
Wolff mentioned he was trying to gather information about Trump through his communications with Epstein.
The U.S. government shutdown has ended after 43 days, making it the longest in history. Neither political party achieved all their goals, and the shutdown caused problems for many people, including federal workers and travelers.
Key Facts
The U.S. government shutdown lasted 43 days, the longest ever.
Democrats did not get health insurance provisions in the spending deal.
Republicans faced blame for the shutdown in polls and elections.
Federal workers missed paychecks during this time.
Airline passengers experienced delays and canceled trips.
Nutrition assistance program disruptions led to long lines at food banks.
Many people felt stressed due to the timing near the holiday season.
A father named Dave Robbins had an unexpected emotional moment while reviewing his son's math homework. His son expressed frustration in words by writing "I’m mad" on the page. This moment highlighted the importance of teaching children to express their emotions appropriately.
Key Facts
Dave Robbins, a father from Phoenix, Arizona, reviewed his son's math homework.
His son used words to express frustration by writing "I’m mad" above a math problem.
Robbins encourages his children to express emotions with words.
A study shows managing emotions helps children succeed in school and socially.
Robbins' son expressed his feelings as taught during a routine evening at home.
The incident underscored the balance between responsibilities and fun for children.
A new study suggests that rising housing costs are a significant factor behind the decline in birth rates in the United States between the 2000s and 2010s. The research found that increased housing expenses accounted for more than half of the drop in fertility rates during this period. The study highlights concerns about an aging society and the potential impact on the labor force.
Key Facts
The study was conducted by Benjamin K. Couillard, a doctoral candidate in economics.
Rising housing costs since 1990 are linked to 51% of the decline in total fertility rates between the 2000s and 2010s.
The U.S. fertility rate is projected to average 1.6 births per woman over the next 30 years, below the replacement rate of 2.1.
Between 1990 and 2020, U.S. rents increased by 149%, more than the inflation rate of 103% over the same period.
Couillard's research involved data from the U.S. Census Bureau and simulations to examine housing and fertility trends.
High housing costs reduce fertility by making child-rearing more expensive and less feasible.
The study suggests that increasing the supply of family-suitable housing might help address demographic challenges.
California is planning to take back 17,000 commercial driver's licenses issued to immigrants because the licenses have expiration dates beyond the immigrants' legal stay in the U.S. This decision comes after concerns raised by federal officials about licensing standards for immigrants and a fatal accident involving an unauthorized driver. The move is part of compliance with federal rules and scrutiny from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Key Facts
California will revoke 17,000 commercial driver's licenses given to immigrants with expired legal status.
The decision was influenced by federal criticism, including that from President Trump's administration.
Concerns arose after a fatal accident involving an unauthorized immigrant driver in Florida.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized California's previous defense of its licensing standards.
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office indicated the licenses violated state law.
New federal rules only allow certain visa holders to get commercial licenses, reducing eligible noncitizens.
The federal government has imposed funding penalties on California for not tightening licensing standards.
California is the only state where action has been taken due to completed audits delayed elsewhere by a government shutdown.
A recent Gallup poll shows that fewer than half of Americans consider religion important in their daily lives, marking a significant decline since 2015. This decrease in religious importance is observed amid broader cultural changes in the U.S. and contrasts with patterns in other wealthy nations. The number of churches closing and the rise in Americans identifying as religiously unaffiliated highlight these shifts.
Key Facts
In 2025, only 49% of Americans said religion is important in their daily lives, a drop from 66% in 2015.
This decline of religiosity in the U.S. is one of the largest among wealthier countries.
The U.S. is approaching the median religiosity level of 36% among other developed nations, as per the OECD.
A significant number of U.S. churches are projected to close in 2025, with more closing than opening.
The percentage of Americans identifying as Christians has decreased from 78% in 2007 to 62%.
In the 2024 election, President Trump received a high percentage of votes from white evangelical and Protestant voters.
The Gallup poll conducted interviews with 1,000 adults and has a margin of error of ±4.4%.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has held discussions with Democratic governors about strategies to oppose President Trump and other priorities. These talks include advice on handling Trump's actions like deploying federal troops and how to govern effectively. The governors Mamdani spoke to come from different areas of the Democratic Party, indicating a wide-ranging strategy.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor-elect of New York City and a democratic socialist.
Mamdani has talked with Democratic governors like JB Pritzker, Wes Moore, and Josh Shapiro.
Discussions with Pritzker focused on strategies against President Trump, particularly military deployments.
Mamdani and Moore talked about government innovation and supporting small businesses.
Mamdani and Shapiro discussed issues related to antisemitism, Israel, and permitting reform.
Governor Pritzker has had a tense relationship with President Trump, while Moore has sometimes shown willingness to work with Trump.
Governors see Mamdani's success or failure as impactful for the Democratic Party's future.
Mamdani plans to work with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to respond to President Trump’s actions.
Juanita Avila, a permanent resident from Guatemala living in Oregon, claimed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained her due to racial profiling. ICE stated they focus on individuals violating immigration laws, and Avila was mistakenly detained for a short time before being released.
Key Facts
Juanita Avila is originally from Guatemala and has lived in Oregon since 2014.
On November 5, Avila was stopped by law enforcement officers while driving in Cottage Grove, Oregon.
Avila claims the officers detained her because she is Hispanic.
Despite having her permanent residency identification, Avila was detained for about 30 minutes.
ICE denied targeting individuals randomly and said they focus on those violating immigration laws.
ICE arrested nine people in Cottage Grove the same day for immigration violations.
The Cottage Grove police were informed about ICE's presence but did not participate in the operation.
Lawyers for James Comey and Letitia James are challenging the legality of a prosecutor's appointment by asking a federal judge to dismiss the cases against them. They argue that the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, was not properly appointed as interim U.S. attorney in Virginia. The federal court will review the rules that cover how U.S. attorneys should be appointed.
Key Facts
James Comey and Letitia James face charges brought by the Justice Department.
Their lawyers claim the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, was illegally appointed.
They want a federal judge to dismiss the charges.
Lindsey Halligan holds the position of interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The case involves complex rules about how U.S. attorneys are appointed in the U.S.
The judge must decide if Lindsey Halligan was properly installed in her role.
The hearings take place in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.
U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene defended President Donald Trump in response to new Jeffrey Epstein emails that raised questions about Trump's knowledge of Epstein's actions. Greene accused Democrats of smearing Trump and called for the release of all Epstein-related files for transparency. The emails suggested a possible connection between Trump and Epstein, which Greene and the White House have dismissed as a politically motivated attack.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene is a U.S. Representative and a supporter of President Donald Trump.
New emails concerning Jeffrey Epstein have been released, raising questions about President Trump's ties to Epstein.
Greene accused Democrats of using the situation to smear President Trump.
Greene is among four Republicans who want a full release of Epstein's investigation files.
President Trump referred to the issue as a hoax created by Democrats to distract from other political matters.
The emails include claims from Epstein suggesting Trump knew about his activities.
Trump's administration had previously promised transparency regarding the Epstein files.
The White House Press Secretary has criticized the selective release of emails as misleading.
President Donald Trump signed a bill to provide funding for the government, ending a 43-day shutdown. The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, caused issues for federal workers and the public.
Key Facts
President Trump signed a government funding bill on Wednesday.
The shutdown lasted 43 days, marking the longest in U.S. history.
Federal workers were financially affected as they missed paychecks.
President Donald Trump was accused of spending Thanksgiving in 2017 with Jeffrey Epstein based on a 2017 email exchange between modeling manager Faith Kates and Epstein. There is no concrete proof supporting this claim, and White House records indicate Trump was at Mar-a-Lago during that time. Newly released documents have brought renewed attention to Trump's past relationship with Epstein.
Key Facts
President Trump is accused of spending Thanksgiving 2017 with Jeffrey Epstein, but there is no solid evidence.
A 2017 email mentions Trump, but it does not confirm he was with Epstein.
White House records indicate Trump was at Mar-a-Lago for Thanksgiving in 2017.
U.S. lawmakers recently released over 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein's estate.
Emails reveal Epstein referred to Trump and mentioned others like Steve Bannon and Larry Summers in discussions.
Trump denied any wrongdoing and said his association with Epstein ended in the early 2000s.
The House is set to vote on releasing more Epstein-related records after a petition reached the necessary signatures.
