President Trump announced he would meet with OMB Director Russ Vought to discuss potential cuts to federal agencies, aiming to leverage the government shutdown. Trump’s post on Truth Social indicated the meeting would determine which “Democrat Agencies” should be cut, and whether those cuts would be temporary or permanent. This comes as the government entered its first shutdown since 2019 due to a funding dispute over the Affordable Care Act subsidies. Vought, a key figure behind the conservative “Project 2025” plan, which outlines overhauls to the federal government, will be instrumental in advising Trump on these decisions.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Donald Trump for continuing ballroom construction during a government shutdown. Newsom’s office shared an image of Trump with Marie Antoinette’s face, highlighting the contrast between the president’s lavish spending and potential cuts to public services. Despite the shutdown, a White House official confirmed that the $200 million expansion, privately funded by donors, will proceed. Companies like Google, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Palantir are reportedly contributing to the project.
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Retired General Barry McCaffrey described President Trump’s speech at Quantico as “bizarre” and “unsettling,” noting the president’s incoherent and exhausted delivery. The address, which included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s controversial directives to the military, also sparked criticism. Trump’s announcement of using “dangerous” cities as military training grounds and his claim of a domestic “war from within” raised further concerns. Leaders such as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker questioned Trump’s fitness for office, adding to the scrutiny of the president’s leadership.
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Newly released footage reveals a tense exchange between Representative Madeleine Dean and Speaker Mike Johnson on Capitol Hill. The footage shows Dean directly stating that the former president is “unwell,” to which Johnson seemingly concedes, acknowledging that many on both sides share similar concerns. The discussion was sparked by Trump’s posting of a racist AI-generated video of Schumer and Jeffries. Dean also referenced the former president’s address to senior military leaders, which fact-checkers criticized for containing numerous falsehoods.
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The recent federal government shutdown, the third under President Trump, arose from disagreements over healthcare subsidies and funding authority. Democrats insisted on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and limiting presidential “rescission” powers, while Republicans rejected these terms. Consequently, both parties’ stopgap measures failed to secure the necessary votes, leading to the shutdown and raising concerns among LGBTQ+ lawmakers. They worry about the impacts on healthcare access, equality, and family stability. Democrats are committed to opposing anti-LGBTQ+ measures and are fighting against Republican attempts to push blame on them.
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President Trump signed an executive order declaring any attack on Qatar a threat to U.S. security. The order stipulates that the U.S. will respond to such an attack with a range of measures. These measures include diplomatic and economic actions, with military intervention as a potential last resort. The signing took place after a meeting with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
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The government shutdown may be a strategic move by Trump to delay the release of the Epstein files, potentially to protect himself from damaging revelations. This suspicion arises from the delayed swearing-in of U.S. Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, who would be the deciding vote to force the files’ release. House Speaker Mike Johnson, known for following Trump’s directives, has seemingly stalled Grijalva’s oath, raising concerns about an attempt to obstruct transparency surrounding the Epstein case. Public opinion polls indicate potential political repercussions for Trump and his Republican allies concerning the Epstein files and the government shutdown, making his nonchalant attitude towards the shutdown suspect.
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President Donald Trump has recently renovated the Oval Office with extensive use of 24-karat gold, as showcased in a video shared on his Truth Social account. The post boasts about the quality and aesthetic appeal of the golden additions. However, the lavish display was met with criticism on social media, with many users highlighting the economic struggles of Americans and contrasting them with the president’s extravagant renovations. Critics pointed out the perceived insensitivity of flaunting gold decorations while many citizens face financial hardships and healthcare challenges.
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Amidst pressure from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, Hamas is considering US President Trump’s proposed ceasefire deal, though reports suggest the group views it as unjust. The deal, endorsed by Israel, includes a three-phase withdrawal, hostage release, and prisoner exchange, as well as the demilitarization of Gaza. While the proposal enjoys widespread international support, including from Russia and the Vatican, Hamas is reportedly hesitant due to concerns about its terms and potential for “foreign control,” with the group possibly seeking adjustments. Anti-Israel groups in the US have strongly denounced the plan, viewing it as a blueprint for surrender and occupation, while Hamas has been given approximately two days to respond.
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This recent action appears to be a retaliatory measure, targeting states that voted against President Trump in the 2024 election, particularly those with Democratic senators, and which also contribute significantly to the U.S. GDP. Simultaneously, the Trump administration has frozen $18 billion in infrastructure funding for New York City, citing the use of “unconstitutional DEI principles” as the reason. The Department of Energy has not provided any further comments on these decisions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker