As the year 2026 began, President Donald Trump hosted his traditional New Year’s Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago. However, before the party commenced, Trump announced the removal of National Guard troops from several major U.S. cities. This decision followed a significant legal defeat at the Supreme Court, according to a report by NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez.
In a recent statement, a prominent figure advocated for mandatory cognitive examinations for presidential and vice-presidential candidates, citing concerns about “stupid” or incompetent leadership. However, observations suggest the individual himself may not be in perfect health. Reports indicate this person is taking more aspirin than recommended by doctors, and has offered unusual explanations for skin discolorations, which could be related to excessive aspirin use.
Starting in July 2026, significant changes to student-loan repayment, enacted in President Trump’s spending legislation, will begin. These changes involve replacing existing income-driven repayment plans with a standard repayment plan and a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), which will offer income-based payments and forgiveness after 30 years. The legislation also introduces new borrowing caps for graduate and professional students, while eliminating the Grad PLUS program. Additionally, the SAVE plan will be phased out, potentially impacting millions of borrowers, and eligibility for income-based repayment plans is being expanded.
Judicial Watch has sued the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for failing to respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding the Final Research Performance Progress Report for the GUDMAP program at the University of Pittsburgh. The conservative watchdog group submitted its FOIA request on May 30th, seeking documents and communications about the program, but has received no substantive response. Judicial Watch argues that HHS is in violation of the FOIA, as the agency has not provided a determination, reasons for a denial, or the requested records. This lawsuit is part of a broader investigation into federal funding of human fetal tissue research, with Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton emphasizing the public’s right to information about taxpayer-funded projects.
Amid concerns about his age, President Trump requested his staff restructure his schedule to include fewer meetings, though he denies this is due to his age. Despite reports detailing signs of aging, Trump insists his health is “perfect.” While the former president maintains a busy schedule, his aides have reportedly encouraged him to slow his pace. A recent poll indicated that a significant portion of Americans believe Trump is too old to serve as president.
In her New Year’s speech, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen directly addressed U.S. President Trump’s renewed efforts to annex Greenland, asserting Denmark’s firm stance against the proposition. She highlighted the strengthening of the country’s military and security in the Arctic region. This follows Trump’s appointment of a special envoy with the declared intention of making Greenland part of the U.S. King Frederik X also echoed the theme in his New Year’s Eve address, emphasizing unity and the importance of defense amid rising geopolitical tensions and praising Greenlanders’ strength. Furthermore, the U.S. consulate in Greenland is actively seeking unpaid interns to advance the annexation plan, raising concerns about potential impacts on local taxpayers.
The Trump administration has implemented a freeze on federal childcare funding to all states, following an initial suspension for Minnesota, citing alleged widespread fraud. This decision was justified by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) based on evidence that included a social media video. States now face new requirements, including providing justification and evidence to receive future funding, with heightened scrutiny for childcare centers suspected of fraud. Minnesota’s Democratic officials, including the Attorney General and Governor, have condemned the move, accusing the administration of political motivations and an attack on essential services.
Newly released transcripts reveal that former special counsel Jack Smith was largely prevented from discussing his Mar-a-Lago classified documents investigation due to an injunction from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. Smith, despite his willingness, avoided delving into the specifics of his final report, even declining to review it before his closed-door testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. He cited the fear of violating Cannon’s order as the primary reason for his reticence, emphasizing his commitment to upholding the court’s directives. Smith’s reluctance underscores the constraints imposed upon him by the ongoing legal challenges, even as the cases against Trump’s co-defendants have been dismissed.
Jack Smith, the former special counsel, testified before the House Judiciary Committee, defending the investigations into Donald Trump and rejecting accusations of political motivations. Smith asserted that Trump was the “most culpable and most responsible person” for the January 6th Capitol riot, emphasizing that the event would not have occurred without Trump’s actions. The deposition revealed that Smith’s case relied heavily on evidence from Republican allies and supporters, highlighting Trump’s role in inciting the riot and his subsequent refusal to quell the violence. Smith also defended the acquisition of phone records of GOP lawmakers, arguing that accountability should lie with Trump.
Following the release of the Epstein files, eight survivors are now calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump. They are also demanding investigations into Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI head Kash Patel due to their handling of the document’s release. Survivor Haley Robson, who previously supported Trump, has retracted her support, citing the withholding of documents and broken promises of transparency. The survivors are seeking accountability and justice for the mishandling of sensitive information and the overall lack of transparency.
John Q. Hosedrinker