The White House renovation project, originally touted as a minor undertaking, has expanded significantly, with costs escalating from an initial estimate of $200 million to $300 million. This project has become a means for wealthy individuals and corporations to curry favor with the Trump administration. Simultaneously, the former president has focused on altering American landmarks, redecorating the Oval Office, modifying the Rose Garden, and expressing intent to “fix” the Reflecting Pool.
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Newt Gingrich says the GOP is in trouble for the midterms if the economy doesn’t recover, and frankly, it’s hard to disagree. It seems like a pretty obvious assessment, given the state of things. When the economic winds aren’t favorable, it’s always an uphill battle for the party in power. It’s a fundamental truth of politics, and Gingrich, despite his history, seems to understand the game. The sentiment out there is clear: if things aren’t looking up financially for the average person, the current administration is going to get the blame.
Of course, the immediate response is a chorus of “well, duh.”… Continue reading
A recent Economist/YouGov poll indicates that a majority of Americans believe Donald Trump has overused the presidential pardon power. Furthermore, most respondents support implementing constitutional restrictions on the president’s ability to pardon. Disapproval of Trump’s recent pardons and commutations far outweighs approval. This data highlights significant public concern regarding the frequency and discretion of presidential pardons.
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Following the deaths of two U.S. soldiers and one civilian in Syria, along with injuries to three others, President Trump has vowed “serious retaliation.” The attack, attributed to ISIS, occurred in Palmyra, a city in northern Syria. President Trump expressed condolences for the losses and confirmed the injured soldiers are recovering. The U.S. maintains approximately 1,500 troops in Syria to combat the resurgence of ISIS.
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Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition figures like Maria Kolesnikova and Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski. This release follows an agreement with the US to lift sanctions on Belarus, specifically concerning potash exports, a significant economic move. While some prisoners were transported to Lithuania, the majority were sent to Ukraine, highlighting an unexpected arrangement. The move is viewed as a major diplomatic victory for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has faced international criticism and non-recognition as president.
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A recent AP–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll reveals that Americans are struggling with increased prices for groceries, electricity, and holiday gifts, leading to cutbacks in spending. Approximately half of those surveyed are finding it harder to afford gifts or are delaying large purchases, while many are dipping into savings at a higher rate. Despite these economic challenges, President Trump has downplayed concerns, attributing them to a “Democrat hoax” and even advising families to scale back gift-giving. The survey also shows that consumer confidence has decreased, with many adults anticipating economic decline in the coming year, although some Republicans express optimism.
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A recent Pew Research Center survey conducted in November 2025 revealed that 66% of Americans believe the federal government has a responsibility to ensure healthcare coverage for all citizens. Among those who support government involvement, opinions are split between a single national health insurance program (35%) and a mix of government and private programs (31%). Notably, 59% of Republicans do not believe the government should be involved in ensuring healthcare for all Americans, however, opinions have been shifting over time. These views vary across demographics, with lower-income Republicans more likely to support government responsibility than higher-income Republicans.
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A recent amendment proposed by a cross-party group of House of Lords Peers seeks to ban children in the UK from using VPNs. If enacted, VPN providers would be obligated to implement stringent age verification measures for all UK users, and the government would establish a monitoring regime to enforce compliance. This proposal aims to prevent children from circumventing age verification under the Online Safety Act. While supported by various Lords members, the amendment’s future remains uncertain as it requires approval from both the House of Lords and the House of Commons before becoming law.
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The “67” trend, originating from a rap song, has rapidly spread online and infiltrated various settings, including schools, churches, and even the White House. Vice President JD Vance shared a humorous anecdote about his son’s usage of the term during a church service, highlighting its pervasive nature. The nonsensical slang, often shouted in a call-and-response pattern, has led to disciplinary actions in schools and even disruptions in public spaces, causing frustration among adults like teachers.
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President Trump stated there would be “very serious retaliation” following an attack in Syria, attributed to ISIS, that killed two U.S. service members and one American civilian. The incident, which occurred in a dangerous part of Syria not fully controlled by the Syrian President, also left three U.S. service members wounded, and an investigation into the attack is ongoing. Syrian authorities reported a gunman linked to ISIS opened fire at a military post, also wounding members of Syria’s security forces. The attack marks the first with fatalities since the fall of President Bashar Assad, with the U.S. maintaining a presence in Syria to combat ISIS, as relations between the two countries have warmed since the recent political changes.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood