[Friday, September 19] US News Headlines from r/politics

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare September 19, 2025

Executive Summary

• Free Speech Crisis Erupts: The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show spirals into a national conflict, with President Trump celebrating the move and threatening the broadcast licenses of critical media. The FCC Chairman is accused of “mafialike” pressure, drawing a sharp, bipartisan backlash that includes conservatives like Senator Ted Cruz defending the host.
• Government Shutdown Imminent: Congress is barreling toward a government shutdown as the Senate rejects stopgap funding bills from both parties, leaving no clear path to avert a lapse in appropriations.
• Major Policy Overhauls: The administration enacts sweeping changes to immigration policy—including a new $100,000 H-1B visa fee and a Supreme Court appeal to deport 300,000 Venezuelans—while federal health panels fundamentally alter vaccine guidance.
• Kirk Killing Fallout Intensifies: The aftermath of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death is stoking extremism, with a prominent think tank reportedly calling for transgender people to be designated as terrorists, as Congress passes a divisive resolution honoring Kirk.
• Executive Power Challenged: The administration seeks Supreme Court authority to fire a Federal Reserve board member, moves to fire a U.S. Attorney for allegedly resisting political pressure, and faces legal defeat as a judge dismisses the President’s $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times.

1. Free Speech Crisis: Kimmel Suspension Ignites National Firestorm

1.1. Trump and FCC Escalate Pressure on Media

The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show has ignited a national firestorm over free speech, with President Trump publicly celebrating the move and escalating his attacks on media outlets [1]. The President has openly suggested that the federal broadcast licenses of TV networks that are “against” him should “maybe” be reviewed for revocation [2]. Trump reportedly declared that late-night comedy shows “aren’t allowed to mock him” [3]. This pressure from the White House is being mirrored by regulators. The FCC Chairman is reportedly targeting other shows, like the daytime talk show ‘The View’ [4]. This has had an immediate commercial impact, with reports indicating a wave of subscriber cancellations for Disney Plus in protest of the Kimmel decision [5].

References [1] Trump celebrates Kimmel show suspension as Democrats push free speech bill, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/19/trump-celebrates-kimmel-show-suspension-as-democrats-push-free-speech-bill
[2] Trump says TV networks ‘against’ him should ‘maybe’ lose licence after Kimmel suspension, https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/hollywood-comes-kimmels-defense-after-abc-pulls-late-night-show-2025-09-18/
[3] Donald Trump Says Late Night Shows Aren’t Allowed to Mock Him, https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-says-late-night-shows-arent-allowed-mock-him-jimmy-kimmel-2132463
[4] FCC Chair Looks to Tighten the Screw on ‘The View’, https://time.com/7318743/abc-kimmel-the-view-brendan-carr-fcc-equal-time-rule/
[5] Disney Plus Subscribers Quit in Droves Over Jimmy Kimmel Axe, https://www.newsweek.com/disney-plus-subscribers-quit-jimmy-kimmel-axe-2132535

1.2. Bipartisan Backlash and First Amendment Debate

The administration’s actions have drawn a fierce, bipartisan backlash. Democratic Senator Ed Markey urged media companies to “Have the courage not to capitulate” to what he termed “Trump’s FCC,” while former Vice President Kamala Harris blasted the moves as an “assault on free speech” [1, 2]. In a striking development, Republican Senator Ted Cruz forcefully defended Kimmel, labeling the FCC chairman’s threats as “mafialike” mob tactics and warning that MAGA “will regret” the action [3]. Despite this, Republicans in Congress blocked a Democratic attempt to subpoena the FCC Chair [4]. Legal scholars are examining whether the pressure on ABC amounts to illegal “jawboning,” with analysis suggesting Trump may have “crossed a Constitutional Line” [5]. The controversy is occurring as some administration allies appear to be rethinking free speech principles, with one unnamed Republican Senator quoted as saying the First Amendment shouldn’t be the “ultimate right” [6].

References [1] ‘Have the courage not to capitulate’: Ed Markey wants media companies to stand up to Trump’s FCC, https://www.semafor.com/article/09/19/2025/markey-kimmel-trump-fcc
[2] Kamala Harris Blasts Trump Admin’s ‘Assault on Free Speech’ After Kimmel Suspension, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/kamala-harris-slams-trump-assault-free-speech-kimmel-1235430874/
[3] Ted Cruz says FCC chair sounded like a mafia boss in threats against ABC over Jimmy Kimmel, https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/09/19/ted-cruz-says-fcc-chair-sounded-like-a-mafia-boss-in-threats-against-abc-over-jimmy-kimmel/
[4] Republicans Kill Attempt to Subpoena FCC Chair After Jimmy Kimmel Suspension, https://talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things-stand/republicans-kill-attempt-to-subpoena-fcc-chair-after-jimmy-kimmel-suspension
[5] In Pressuring ABC Over Kimmel, Trump May Have Crossed a Constitutional Line, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/us/politics/supreme-court-jimmy-kimmel-free-speech.html
[6] Republican Senator Says First Amendment Shouldn’t Be the ‘Ultimate Right’, https://www.newsweek.com/republican-senator-says-first-amendment-shouldnt-be-ultimate-right-2132666

2. Government on the Brink: Shutdown Looms Amid Institutional Clashes

2.1. Legislative Stalemate Guarantees Shutdown

The federal government is on a collision course with a shutdown after a critical legislative stalemate in Congress. The Republican-led House successfully passed its own Trump-backed short-term funding bill [1]. However, this measure was rejected in the Senate, which also failed to advance its own alternatives, derailing the entire funding process [2, 3]. With both chambers at an impasse, the path to averting a government-wide shutdown is now “unclear” [2].

References [1] House GOP passes stopgap funding bill ahead of shutdown deadline, setting up critical test for Senate, https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/19/politics/government-funding-bill-shutdown-house-senate?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=missions&utm_source=reddit
[2] House-passed GOP funding bill fails in Senate, leaving path to avoid shutdown unclear, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-vote-government-shutdown/
[3] Senate derails funding bills in shutdown stalemate, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/19/government-shutdown-standoff-senate-vote-00573168

2.2. Executive Overreach and Personnel Challenges

The administration is engaged in significant challenges to governmental norms and personnel. Reports indicate President Trump is poised to fire a U.S. Attorney, allegedly for failure to charge New York Attorney General Letitia James, a “political enemy,” with mortgage fraud [1]. This has drawn outcry from nearly 600 groups denouncing the administration for “weaponizing the government” [2]. In a separate, unprecedented move, President Trump has petitioned the Supreme Court to authorize the firing of Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve board, a direct challenge to the central bank’s independence [3]. Meanwhile, the Senate has confirmed Mike Waltz as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations after a months-long delay [4].

References [1] Trump intends to fire US attorney who didn’t charge political enemy Letitia James with mortgage fraud, https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/19/politics/trump-letitia-james-fire-us-attorney
[2] Nearly 600 Groups Denounce Trump for ‘Weaponizing the Government’ Against Political Opponents, https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-weaponizes-government
[3] Trump asks Supreme Court to let him fire Lisa Cook from Federal Reserve, https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/18/politics/trump-supreme-court-fire-lisa-cook-fed
[4] Senate confirms Mike Waltz as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations after months of delays, https://apnews.com/article/mike-waltz-united-nations-general-assembly-trump-nomination-senate-843ef9f77448113cb9e032fad92bac0c

3. Aftermath of Political Violence: The Charlie Kirk Killing

3.1. Official Response and Investigation

The official response to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is proceeding on two tracks: investigation and commemoration. The Secret Service is reportedly probing the suspected shooter’s “gaming history” as part of its investigation [1]. In Congress, both chambers have passed measures to honor Kirk, though the votes revealed deep fissures. The Senate passed a resolution to create a “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk” on his birthday, October 14 [2]. A similar bipartisan resolution passed the House, but it deeply split the Democratic caucus, with 95 members joining Republicans to approve the measure while others, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, opposed it [3].

References [1] Suspected Kirk Shooter’s Gaming History Probed by Secret Service, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-18/suspected-kirk-shooter-s-gaming-history-probed-by-secret-service?embedded-checkout=true
[2] Senate declares Charlie Kirk’s birthday Oct. 14 a ‘National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk’ with unanimous resolution, https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/charlie-kirk-shooting-investigation-9-18-2025
[3] US House passes bipartisan resolution honoring Charlie Kirk, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-passes-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-charlie-kirk-2025-09-19/

3.2. Fueling Extremism and Societal Division

The killing has become a catalyst for extremist rhetoric and heightened societal division. The Heritage Foundation is reportedly calling for transgender individuals and their allies to be officially designated as terrorists [1]. This follows a Republican Congressman’s reported call for the removal of all trans people from public life [2]. In a separate report, the FBI is allegedly planning to categorize all transgender people as a “Nihilistic Violent Extremist” threat group [3]. The fallout has also led to professional consequences, with a university health director fired for a social media post about the death of Charlie Kirk [4], while Facebook has been “flooded” with inauthentic, AI-generated “grief farming” posts [5].

References [1] The Heritage Foundation wants transgender people and allies designated as terrorists. The Charlie Kirk killing fueled the anti-LGBTQ think tank’s latest attack on gender minorities., https://www.advocate.com/politics/heritage-foundation-transgender-terrorists
[2] GOP Rep. says we need to remove all trans people from streets & the internet. He’s just the latest Republican politician to use Kirk’s murder as a pretext for eradicating trans people from public life., https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/09/gop-rep-says-we-need-to-remove-all-trans-people-from-streets-the-internet/
[3] FBI to Categorize Trans People As “Nihilistic Violent Extremist” Threat Group, Report Says, https://www.them.us/story/trump-admin-fbi-trans-nihilistic-violent-extremists-terrorist
[4] Ball State University fired health director for post regarding CK death, https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2025/09/17/ball-state-fires-staff-member-after-charlie-kirk-assassination-post/86208747007/
[5] Facebook FloodedWith Agitslop Of AI Grief Farming About Charlie Kirk, https://www.techdirt.com/2025/09/18/facebook-flooded-with-agitslop-of-ai-grief-farming-about-charlie-kirk/

4. Major Domestic Policy Overhauls

4.1. Sweeping Immigration Changes and Enforcement

The Trump administration is rapidly implementing a significant overhaul of U.S. immigration policy. The White House announced its intent to impose a new $100,000 fee for H-1B worker visas [1]. Concurrently, the administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow it to deport 300,000 Venezuelan nationals [2]. Enforcement actions are also escalating, with federal agencies reportedly rushing to rent space for immigration officers to conduct raids [3]. This has created deep concerns about detainee welfare, as lawyers report that hundreds of detainees at a facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” have “disappeared” from the official ICE database, describing the situation as a “‘black hole’” [4]. Amid the federal crackdown, advocates in Pennsylvania are calling on the governor to end state collaboration with ICE [5].

References [1] Trump to impose $100,000 fee for H-1B worker visas, White House says, https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/trump-mulls-adding-new-100000-fee-h-1b-visas-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-09-19/
[2] Trump asks Supreme Court to let him deport 300,000 Venezuelans, https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/19/politics/trump-asks-supreme-court-to-let-him-deport-300-000-venezuelans
[3] Trump administration rushes to rent space for immigration officers conducting raids, https://www.npr.org/2025/09/18/g-s1-89492/ice-immigration-raids-gsa-office-space
[4] Lawyers Report Disappearance of Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz Detainees From ICE Database: ‘It’s a Black Hole’, https://www.latintimes.com/lawyers-report-disappearance-hundreds-alligator-alcatraz-detainees-ice-database-its-black-589703
[5] ‘A void of leadership’: Pa. immigrant advocates call on Gov. Josh Shapiro to end state collaboration with ICE, https://whyy.org/articles/pennsylvania-immigrant-advocates-shapiro-ice-rally/

4.2. Public Health Policy Undergoes Major Revisions

A fundamental shift in U.S. public health and vaccine policy is occurring on multiple fronts. A CDC advisory panel has officially dropped its universal recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine, recasting vaccination as an “individual” choice [1]. This came as a panel associated with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. narrowly voted down a separate proposal that would have required a doctor’s prescription for COVID-19 shots [2]. The Kennedy-backed panel also formally voted to advise against the combined MMRV vaccine for young children and recommended limitations for children under four [3]. In response, several Northeastern states and New York City have formed a “Northeast Public Health Collaborative” to coordinate their own regional health strategies [4].

References [1] CDC Panel Drops Covid Shot Recommendations, Calling It an Individual Decision, https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/rfk-jr-cdc-vaccine-shots-ac33ac96?st=yGR2eD&reflink=article_copyURL_share
[2] RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Panel Votes Down Its Own Proposal to Require Prescriptions for Covid-19 Shots, https://www.wired.com/story/rfk-jrs-vaccine-panel-votes-down-its-own-proposal-to-require-prescriptions-for-covid-19-shots/
[3] RFK Jr.-Backed Vaccine Panel Advises Against MMRV Vaccine for Young Children, https://www.wsj.com/health/rfk-jr-backed-vaccine-panel-advises-against-mmrv-vaccine-for-young-children-da3de064
[4] Several Northeastern States and America’s Largest City Announce the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/press/pr2025/announce-northeast-public-health-collaborative.page

4.3. Social and Civil Rights Initiatives

The administration is pursuing policy changes related to civil rights and education. The Department of Justice is reportedly targeting “Blue States” with lawsuits over the state of their voter rolls, which critics allege are “driven by partisanship” [1]. The administration has also asked the Supreme Court for an emergency halt to a lower court order, seeking to regain the power to limit or prevent transgender people from choosing their sex markers on U.S. passports [2]. In education, the Department of Education has partnered with conservative organizations like Turning Point USA and Hillsdale College to launch the “America 250 Civics Coalition,” which includes a grant program for K-12 schools that adopt a “right-wing curriculum” [3].

References [1] DOJ Targets Blue States In Voter Roll Lawsuits ‘Driven by Partisanship’, https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/doj-targets-blue-states-in-voter-roll-lawsuits-driven-by-partisanship/
[2] Trump asks Supreme Court to halt order letting transgender people choose passport sex markers, https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-nonbinary-passports-a8abef038a19ffd233d34c88499cef11
[3] Ed. Department Will Give Grants to K-12 Schools That Adopt Right-Wing Curriculum, https://truthout.org/articles/ed-department-will-give-grants-to-k-12-schools-that-adopt-right-wing-curriculum/

5. Foreign Policy and National Security

5.1. European Security and Russia-NATO Confrontation

Tensions in Europe are elevated as Russian warplanes breached NATO airspace over Estonia in what was labeled a “dangerous provocation” [1]. NATO forces intercepted the Russian jets. This direct military confrontation comes as a report claims the United States is “quietly pausing some arms sales to Europe,” a potential policy shift that could impact allied defense capabilities [2].

References [1] Russian warplanes breach NATO airspace in ‘dangerous provocation’ over Estonia, https://www.politico.eu/article/russian-fighter-jets-breach-estonian-airspace-near-tallinn/
[2] The U.S. Is Quietly Pausing Some Arms Sales to Europe, https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/archive/2025/09/arms-sale-europe-trump-colby-ukraine/684274/

5.2. U.S.-China Diplomacy and Middle East Tensions

In high-stakes diplomacy, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet next month to discuss the contentious TikTok deal and the future of the bilateral relationship [1]. In the Middle East, the U.S. has once again used its veto power at the U.N. Security Council—for the sixth time—to block a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza [2]. This comes as the administration proposes a significant $6 billion weapons sale to Israel [3]. Separately, President Trump declared a new strategic goal of retaking Bagram air base in Afghanistan, citing its “proximity to rival China,” a move the Taliban immediately rejected [4].

References [1] Trump and Xi are set to discuss the TikTok deal and future of US-China relations, https://apnews.com/article/trump-xi-tiktok-china-united-states-e6b6334aef2946b5b8c809be4240cad1
[2] Israel-Gaza: US vetoes UN call for ceasefire for sixth time, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3yj41083no
[3] Donald Trump’s $6 billion Israeli weapons sale: Here’s what it includes, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-israel-weapons-sale-six-billion-hamas-gaza-2132813?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit_main
[4] Trump suggests US troops could return to base in Afghanistan, citing its proximity to rival China, https://www.military.com/daily-news/headlines/2025/09/18/trump-suggests-us-troops-could-return-base-afghanistan-citing-its-proximity-rival-china.html

6. Legal and Economic Affairs

6.1. Executive Actions Target Federal Reserve and Corporate Rules

The administration is taking aim at established economic regulations. Following a call from President Trump, SEC Chair Atkins announced the agency will propose a rule change to end mandatory quarterly earnings reporting for public companies [1]. At the same time, President Trump is petitioning the Supreme Court for the authority to fire Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook [2]. The administration’s trade policies continue to fuel discord, with one report suggesting that Trump’s tariffs are widening the “chasm” between “MAGA” and “non-MAGA” Republicans [3].

References [1] SEC to propose rule change on Trump’s call to end quarterly earnings reporting, says Chair Atkins, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/19/sec-to-propose-rule-change-on-trumps-call-to-end-quarterly-earnings-reporting-says-chair-atkins.html
[2] Supreme Court Doesn’t Immediately Act on Trump Bid to Fire Cook, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-19/supreme-court-doesn-t-immediately-act-on-trump-bid-to-fire-cook
[3] Trump tariffs, policies widen chasm between MAGA, non-MAGA Republicans, https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/trump-tariffs-inflation-maga-economy

6.2. Legal Rulings and Conflicts

President Trump was dealt a significant legal setback when a federal judge dismissed his $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. The judge dismissed the suit for being “decidedly improper and impermissible” [1, 2]. In a separate matter, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a lawsuit to block an unspecified New York state labor law, setting up a conflict between federal regulators and state-level worker protections [3].

References [1] Judge strikes down Trump’s $15bn lawsuit against the New York Times, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/19/trump-nyt-lawsuit-judge-ruling
[2] Judge rejects Trump’s New York Times lawsuit for being ‘decidedly improper and impermissible’, https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/19/media/trump-new-york-times-lawsuit-dismissed-merryday?cid=ios_app
[3] NLRB sues to block New York labor law, https://www.news10.com/news/ny-news/new-york-nlra-supremacy-clause/

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