A recent Emerson College poll reveals a significant portion of the public, 36%, gave President Trump an “F” grade on his handling of the economy, representing the most common response. This economic dissatisfaction, with cost of living as a primary concern, could negatively affect the GOP’s prospects in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. The survey also highlighted poor ratings in healthcare and affordability, despite better scores on immigration. Experts suggest that a worsening economic outlook could mirror historical trends where presidents with low approval ratings faced substantial losses in midterm elections.
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In a move reflecting a broader crackdown on immigration, the Trump administration has set a goal to strip citizenship from over a thousand naturalized Americans in fiscal year 2026. This directive, issued to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices, demands a significant increase in denaturalization cases, a process that has historically been rare. Experts suggest that fulfilling this directive will be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, due to the legal hurdles involved and the need for federal court approval. This aggressive pursuit of denaturalization, viewed as a tool to instill fear, comes amidst unprecedented censorship and attacks on progressive media, making support for independent journalism like Truthout crucial.
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President Donald Trump has suspended the green card lottery program, following the Brown University and MIT shootings. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the pause, deeming the suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, should not have been allowed in the country through the program. Valente, who obtained a diversity immigrant visa in 2017 after previously being a student, is suspected in the shootings that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. The diversity visa program, created by Congress, provides up to 50,000 green cards annually by lottery, and this move is anticipated to face legal challenges.
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In Milwaukee, a jury found Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan guilty of obstruction for her role in helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal authorities, representing a win for the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The jury acquitted Dugan on the concealment charge, but she still faces up to five years in prison for the obstruction conviction, following six hours of deliberation. The case stirred political tensions, with the administration portraying Dugan as an activist judge while Democrats argued it was an attempt to stifle judicial opposition. Dugan’s defense argued she was simply following courthouse protocols, however, prosecutors presented evidence showing she intentionally created an opportunity for the immigrant’s escape.
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Brown University shooting suspect found dead, Fox News reports. The news hit like a ton of bricks – the suspect in the Brown University shooting, the same person linked to the murder of an MIT professor, has been found dead. Fox News broke the story, citing a source. It’s a shocking development, to say the least, and one that leaves so many questions hanging in the air. This whole situation feels surreal, like something ripped from the pages of a thriller.
Brown University shooting suspect found dead, Fox News reports, and the implications are huge. It’s the end of a manhunt, certainly, but it also means we’ll likely never get all the answers we crave.… Continue reading
Recent document releases related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, spurred by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, have unveiled new materials, including disturbing images and redacted travel documents, prompting further inquiry. These releases, separate from the Department of Justice’s forthcoming document dump, have raised new questions about Epstein’s connections to prominent figures like Donald Trump and his inner circle. The House committee’s investigation, which has been ongoing for months, has subpoenaed the Epstein estate and is releasing documents to both Democrats and Republicans. Representative Robert Garcia has called for the DOJ to release the Epstein files, highlighting the need to uncover any potential cover-ups and shed light on what the DOJ has in its possession.
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Overnight drone attacks targeted at least seven Russian regions, leading to significant infrastructure damage. In Oryol Oblast, a thermal power plant was reportedly hit, causing disruptions to heating, electricity, and hot water supplies. A fire also erupted at the TogliattiAzot chemical plant, a major ammonia producer in the Samara region. Furthermore, Rostov Oblast reported damage to civilian infrastructure and power outages due to a severed high-voltage transmission line.
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Ukraine’s defense ministry has announced that it has been supplying its troops with approximately 950 interceptor drones daily since early December, a significant production milestone. These interceptors are designed to counter enemy Shahed-type UAVs and are often fast-moving quadcopters. Developed in response to Russia’s increased use of attack drones, these interceptors are designed to destroy aerial systems through direct impact or explosives. With a production goal of 1,000 interceptors a day, the Ukrainian government is working with multiple manufacturers and has placed further orders for next year.
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Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna has warned Attorney General Pam Bondi of potential prosecution for obstruction of justice if the full Epstein files are not released by the Friday deadline, as mandated by the Epstein Transparency Act. Khanna’s statements underscore the demand for complete transparency, with a strong emphasis on holding individuals accountable regardless of their position, who tamper with, conceal, or excessively redact documents. While the law does not explicitly detail penalties for missing the deadline, Khanna highlighted the possibility of Congressional action and federal lawsuits. The pressure comes as a 30-day deadline looms and new Epstein-related files, including photos and text messages, are released, while the Justice Department may obscure some details.
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The Supreme Court, once revered for its neutrality, has been transformed by a conservative supermajority under Donald Trump’s influence, leading to a collapse in public approval. While the court’s conservative justices appear unconcerned with maintaining the court’s legitimacy, many liberals continue to cling to the idea of a nonpartisan institution, with some even responding with nostalgia for the court’s past. A more effective approach would be to recognize the court’s transformation and advocate for reforms that prioritize popular rule rather than clinging to the hollow hope of judicial power. This involves expanding and disempowering federal courts to ensure the US is moving in the direction of an actual democracy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood