Rep. Rosa DeLauro warns that President-elect Trump’s plan to utilize impoundment—the unilateral withholding of congressionally appropriated funds—is unconstitutional and would harm vital social programs. This strategy, supported by some Republicans and advocated by Musk and Ramaswamy, directly contradicts the Constitution’s grant of “power of the purse” to Congress. Legal precedents, including the 1974 Impoundment Control Act and Supreme Court rulings, firmly establish that the president lacks this authority. DeLauro highlights the potential devastating impact on programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and other crucial services for middle- and lower-income families.
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Following a rapid rebel advance, major Syrian cities including Homs and Aleppo fell within a week, with rebels subsequently entering the outskirts of Damascus. Reports indicate that Damascus has fallen militarily, with rebels encountering minimal resistance and senior regime officials potentially defecting. Celebratory scenes in liberated cities, mirroring the 2011 Arab Spring protests, showcase the significant shift in power dynamics. The Assad regime’s future remains uncertain, with the president’s whereabouts unknown.
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NYPD divers searched Central Park’s lake for the weapon used in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. This search followed the discovery of a suspect’s backpack containing a jacket but not the firearm. The backpack is undergoing forensic analysis, while police are closing in on a person of interest identified through surveillance footage. Mayor Adams confirmed the person of interest’s name is known but withheld for tactical reasons, noting he may have left the city. The investigation remains active.
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In a previously unannounced meeting in Paris on December 7th, Ukrainian President Zelensky met with U.S. President-elect Trump and French President Macron. The 35-minute discussion at the Elysee Palace focused on the situation in Ukraine and achieving a just peace, with Zelensky emphasizing the importance of a “peace through strength” approach. This trilateral meeting, occurring amidst the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening, marked Zelensky and Trump’s first in-person encounter since the U.S. election. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the “productive and meaningful” discussion and Trump’s resolute stance.
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A new $988 million military aid package for Ukraine, nearly halving the remaining Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds, was announced. This package, which includes drones and ammunition for HIMARS, prioritizes purchasing new weapons from industry rather than depleting U.S. stockpiles. The aid is being expedited before the incoming administration, due to concerns about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine under the new president. This action follows a previous $725 million package and builds on over $62 billion in total U.S. security assistance since the Russian invasion.
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Ellen Greenberg’s autopsy revealed eleven bruises, described as “in various stages of resolution,” suggesting infliction over time. An independent pathologist later deemed these bruises consistent with a repeated beating. Despite an initial homicide ruling, the medical examiner subsequently changed the cause of death to suicide, a decision disputed by Greenberg’s family. This ruling stemmed from the belief she was alone in a locked apartment, a claim contradicted by evidence suggesting otherwise. Ongoing lawsuits by the Greenberg family continue to challenge the official narrative and seek justice for their daughter.
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Israeli military actions targeting Assad regime chemical weapons sites as opposition forces advance on Damascus represent a complex strategic maneuver with potentially far-reaching consequences. The timing, coinciding with the opposition’s push towards the capital, suggests a calculated effort to prevent these dangerous weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
This proactive approach is understandable given the volatile nature of the Syrian conflict. The diverse array of groups vying for power—ranging from genuinely pro-democracy activists to extremist factions like ISIS—introduces immense uncertainty about who might ultimately control Syria. With such a chaotic and unpredictable landscape, the risk of chemical weapons being misused is exponentially amplified.… Continue reading
In a crucial North Carolina Supreme Court race, the Democratic Party is suing to prevent the Republican Party from discarding over 60,000 ballots. This action follows a recount affirming Democrat Justice Allison Riggs’s victory by a narrow margin, but Republicans are challenging the validity of numerous ballots. The GOP’s challenges, based on previously rejected legal arguments, target ballots cast by overseas citizens and those lacking specific identification information. The lawsuit seeks a federal court order to prevent the state elections board from invalidating these ballots, citing prior rulings that deemed similar challenges unlawful.
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Following the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, police discovered a backpack containing Monopoly money in Central Park. The backpack, believed to belong to the unidentified gunman, also held a jacket, though its connection to the crime remains unclear. Investigators are focusing on a potential bus route from Atlanta, where the suspect originated, and are reviewing security footage from bus stations along the way. Despite the ongoing investigation, including a $50,000 reward offered by the FBI, the gunman’s identity and motive remain unknown.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood