[Wednesday, October 29] US News Headlines from r/Conservative

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare
October 29, 2025

Executive Summary

Today’s top stories reveal significant friction between the White House and Congress, alongside major developments in foreign policy and domestic investigations.

• A partial government shutdown persists, with the legislative impasse centered on SNAP funding.
• President Trump’s trade agenda faces bipartisan rebuke in the Senate, which voted to block tariffs on Brazil and Canada.
• The President secured a reported $950 billion economic and defense deal during a state visit to South Korea.
• Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points.
• Newly released documents on the ‘Arctic Frost’ probe suggest widespread FBI targeting of Republicans under the prior administration.

1. Congressional Affairs

1.1 Government Funding Stalled Over SNAP Dispute

A partial government shutdown continues, with the central impasse identified as a dispute over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is reportedly demanding a standalone vote on a “food stamps-only bill” as a condition for reopening the government, with SNAP benefits otherwise set to expire [1]. This legislative strategy has been described by some media observers, including CNN’s Jake Tapper, as a conscious “choice by Senate Democrats to not vote to open the government” [2]. In response, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has reportedly used Democrats’ “OWN WORDS” to confront their leadership publicly over the shutdown [3]. The prevailing narrative from the provided source material frames the situation as the “Schumer Shutdown” [4].

[1] Chuck Schumer demands GOPers put food stamps-only bill to vote instead of reopening government with SNAP benefits set to stop, https://nypost.com/2025/10/29/us-news/chuck-schumer-demands-gopers-put-food-stamps-only-bill-to-vote-instead-of-reopening-government-with-snap-benefits-set-to-stop/
[2] JAKE TAPPER: This is…a choice by Senate Democrats to not vote to open the government., https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/1983354102353678787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1983354102353678787%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_
[3] @LeaderJohnThune brought the receipts and grilled Senate Democrat leaders with their OWN WORDS:, https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1983558735587860605?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1983558735587860605%7Ctwgr%5E4a44cca1425fb67baf15ac2fd7e7460984830fe4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_
[4] Schumer’s Shutdown Is Empowering Trump To Drain The Swamp, https://thefederalist.com/2025/10/29/schumers-shutdown-is-empowering-trump-to-drain-the-swamp/

1.2 Bipartisan Senate Rebukes of Presidential Tariffs

President Trump’s trade agenda is facing significant opposition from a bipartisan coalition in the Senate. In two separate legislative actions, Republican senators have joined with Democrats to reject key administration policies. The Senate voted to “rebuke” the President’s proposed “50% emergency tariffs on Brazil,” with one report confirming that five Republican senators broke from the party to block the measure [1, 2]. In a similar show of dissent, Senate Republicans also defected to reject the administration’s tariffs on Canadian goods, signaling a pattern of bipartisan resistance to the White House’s protectionist trade strategy [3].

[1] Republicans rebuke Trump’s 50% emergency tariffs on Brazil in Senate vote | Fox News, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senate-republicans-defy-vances-warning-vote-block-trumps-brazil-tariffs-amid-shutdown
[2] Five Republican Senators Join Democrats to Block Trump’s Tariffs on Brazil, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/dmitri-bolt/2025/10/28/five-republicans-vote-with-democrats-to-block-tariffs-on-brazil-n2665609
[3] Senate Republicans defect, reject Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senate-republicans-defect-reject-trumps-tariffs-canadian-goods

1.3 Senate Oversight and Policy Debates

Beyond the immediate shutdown crisis, the Senate is pursuing new oversight and policy initiatives. A new probe has been launched to investigate the “tax-exempt status of the Gates Foundation” and other similarly structured organizations [1]. Separately, a strategic debate is ongoing within the Republican conference over how to approach the potential repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, with some analysts warning that the party may be “Walking Into a Trap” on the issue [2].

[1] Senate probes tax-exempt status of Gates Foundation, others, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/3866857/senate-probes-tax-exempt-status-gates-foundation-others/
[2] Are Republicans Walking Into a Trap on Section 230 Repeal?, https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/10/28/republicans_are_walking_into_a_trap_on_section_230_repeal_153457.html

2. Executive and Administrative Actions

2.1 President Secures Major Economic and Defense Deal in South Korea

President Trump is conducting a state visit to South Korea, described as a “charm offensive” aimed at securing billions in new foreign investment for the United States [1, 2]. The mission has culminated in the announcement of a major “$950 Billion South Korea deal” which reportedly includes provisions for the acquisition of American “nuclear-powered submarines” [3]. During the diplomatic engagement, the President was ceremonially awarded a “gold crown and medal” by his South Korean hosts [4].

[1] Donald Trump awarded gold crown and medal in South Korea charm offensive, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/29/trump-awarded-gold-crown-and-medal-in-south-korea-charm/
[2] Trump visits South Korea as he attempts to secure billions in investment, https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-visits-south-korea-he-attempts-secure-billions-investment
[3] Trump hails $950 Billion South Korea deal, gives nod to nuclear-powered submarines, https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-hails-950-billion-south-korea-deal-gives-nod-nuclear-powered-submarines?cmpid=FNC_app
[4] Trump gets huge gold crown in South Korea as host hails his ‘golden age’, https://nypost.com/2025/10/29/us-news/trump-gets-huge-gold-crown-in-south-korea-as-host-hails-his-golden-age/

2.2 Scrutiny Directed at Prior Administration’s Use of Autopen

The reported use of an autopen for official documents during the previous administration has prompted a formal request from congressional leadership. Following reports suggesting former President Biden’s orders and pardons were frequently signed via autopen, leading to descriptions of him as a “puppet president” [1], House Chairman Comer has officially called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to review and potentially “invalidate all Biden pardons, orders signed by autopen” [2]. Associated commentary claims this practice was part of a deliberate effort by “Biden’s handlers” to obscure his “mental decline” [3].

[1] Autopen report: Biden was a puppet president, https://thespectator.com/topic/autopen-report-biden-puppet-president-house-oversight/
[2] House chairman Comer calls on AG Bondi to invalidate all Biden pardons, orders signed by autopen, https://justthenews.com/government/congress/house-chairman-comer-calls-ag-bondi-invalidate-all-biden-pardons-orders-signed
[3] Here Are 8 Creepy Ways Biden’s Handlers Tried To Hide His Mental Decline To Keep A Grip On Power – Anyone connected to the scheme to hide Biden’s mental decline should never be appointed or elected to a federal position again., https://thefederalist.com/2025/10/29/here-are-8-creepy-ways-bidens-handlers-tried-to-hide-his-mental-decline-to-keep-a-grip-on-power/

2.3 National and Border Security Operations

The Trump administration has publicized several significant national security operations. A counter-narcotics strike in the Pacific Ocean was announced as the “deadliest yet,” reportedly resulting in the deaths of 14 alleged “narco-terrorists” [1]. Separately, reports have emerged detailing a federal plot, described as being “straight out of spy film,” to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro [2]. Domestically, the administration is framing its “urban crackdown” not merely as a local anti-crime effort, but as a broader “battle against foreign cartels” and their financial networks operating within the U.S. [3].

[1] Trump Administration Announces Deadliest Strike Yet: 14 Narco-Terrorists Killed in the Pacific, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/dmitri-bolt/2025/10/28/another-strike-on-narco-terrorists-14-killed-n2665589
[2] REPORT: Feds Tried To Nab Socialist Dictator Nicolas Maduro In Plot Straight Out Of Spy Film, https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/28/dhs-plot-capture-nicolas-maduro-socialist-dictator-venezuela-pilot/
[3] The Broader Reasons for Trump’s Urban Crackdown – Trump’s urban crackdown isn’t just about crime—it’s a battle against foreign cartels, corrupted cities, and the billion-dollar criminal empires eroding America from within., https://amgreatness.com/2025/10/29/the-broader-reasons-for-trumps-urban-crackdown/

3. Justice System and Federal Investigations

3.1 ‘Arctic Frost’ Probe Documents Reveal Widespread Targeting

Newly released documents are fueling allegations of political weaponization at the Department of Justice under the previous administration. The documents pertain to a broad FBI investigation codenamed ‘Arctic Frost,’ which reports indicate may have targeted “over 160 Republicans” [1] or “over 150 Republicans,” according to the House Judiciary Committee’s analysis [2]. The vast scope of the operation is suggested by records showing that prosecutor Jack Smith sought “197 subpoenas” as part of the probe [3]. One specific case file reportedly details the Seattle FBI office investigating a conservative CEO for the stated reason of being “Anti-Biden” [4].

[1] Biden-era FBI may have investigated over 160 Republicans as part of ‘Arctic Frost’ probe, documents show, https://nypost.com/2025/10/29/us-news/fbi-may-have-investigated-160-republicans-as-part-of-arctic-frost-probe-documents-show?utm_source=nypost&utm_campaign=android_nyp&utm_medium=social
[2] House Judiciary Says FBI’s ‘Arctic Frost’ Probe Potentially Targeted Over 150 Republicans, https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/28/fbi-doj-arctic-frost-republicans-jim-jordan-house-judiciary-jack-smith/
[3] Jack Smith sought 197 subpoenas in Arctic Frost probe, new records show, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3868459/bidens-watergate-jack-smith-sought-197-subpoenas-in-arctic-frost-investigation/
[4] Seattle FBI Probed Conservative CEO For Being ‘Anti‐Biden’ While Ignoring Antifa Violence, https://thefederalist.com/2025/10/29/seattle-fbi-probed-conservative-ceo-for-being-anti-biden-while-ignoring-antifa-violence/

3.2 Federal Prosecutor Reportedly Defies Judge’s Order

A significant conflict between the executive and judicial branches is being reported. A “Top Trump Prosecutor” is said to be openly defying a ruling from a “Bush-Appointed Judge.” According to the headline, the judge issued a ruling declaring that the prosecutor “Can’t Do His Job” [1]. The provided report does not contain further details on the specific case, the individuals involved, the legal basis for the ruling, or the nature of the prosecutor’s defiance.

[1] Top Trump Prosecutor Defies Bush-Appointed Judge Who Ruled He Can’t Do His Job, https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/29/top-doj-prosecutor-bill-essayli-unlawfully-appointed-nothing-changing-court-order-california/

4. Economy, Technology, and Environment

4.1 Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve has executed a significant shift in monetary policy, cutting its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points [1]. The provided news headline does not offer any additional information regarding the Federal Open Market Committee’s specific rationale for the decision, the vote margin, or the immediate market reaction.

[1] Fed cuts interest rates by 25 basis points, https://www.investmentnews.com/fixed-income/fed-cuts-interest-rates-by-25-basis-points/262782

4.2 Discourse Shifts on Climate; Green Investment Falters

Prominent figures and financial outcomes are challenging mainstream climate change narratives. Bill Gates has reportedly reversed his public stance, now stating that climate change is not an existential threat and will “not lead to humanity’s demise” [1]. This sentiment is echoed by a CNN analyst’s observation that climate change does not rank as a top priority for most people [2]. Concurrently, a major “green” investment has failed, with the California State Retirement Fund reportedly losing 71% of a “$468 Million Clean Energy Investment” [3].

[1] Bill Gates reverses course on climate change, says it will ’not lead to humanity’s demise’, https://www.foxnews.com/video/6384242706112
[2] CNN’s Harry Enten: Climate Change Just Isn’t a Big Priority for Most People, https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2025/10/29/cnns-harry-enten-climate-change-just-isnt-a-big-priority-for-most-people-n3808346
[3] California State Retirement Fund Lost 71% of $468 Million Clean Energy Investment, https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/10/28/california-state-retirement-fund-lost-71-percent-468-million-clean-energy-investment/

5. Immigration and Border Security

5.1 Judicial and Legislative Action on Immigration Enforcement

Federal immigration enforcement policy is being actively shaped by both court rulings and legislative efforts. In a significant jurisdictional development, a higher court has blocked an Illinois judge’s order that compelled CBP Chief Bovino to attend daily oversight meetings regarding local arrests [1]. On the legislative front, congressional Republicans are moving to introduce a bill that would “codify” the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on “illegal alien truckers” [2]. In a projection of enforcement tempo, Tom Homan has publicly predicted that the number of deportations could reach 600,000 by January [3].

[1] Court Blocks Judge that forced CBP Chief Bovino to meet with her every day., https://abc7chicago.com/post/border-patrol-ice-chicago-doj-appeals-judge-order-cbp-chief-greg-bovino-meet-every-day-immigration-operations/18087074/
[2] Republicans Move to Codify Trump Crackdown on Illegal Alien Truckers, https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/10/28/republicans-move-to-codify-trump-crackdown-on-illegal-alien-truckers/
[3] Tom Homan Predicts 600,000 Deportations by January, https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2025/10/29/homan-predicts-600000-deportations-by-january/

5.2 Reports of Violent Crimes Allegedly Committed by Immigrants

Two separate reports detail high-severity violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by illegal immigrants. In one case, an illegal immigrant stands accused of raping a 54-year-old American woman in an alley [1]. In another incident, a mother reportedly discovered a “migrant house contractor” allegedly raping her 11-year-old daughter inside their family home during a renovation project [2].

[1] An illegal immigrant raped 54-year-old American woman after he dregged her into an alley, stripped her naked and bashed her head into the concrete., https://nypost.com/2025/10/23/us-news/nicaraguan-illegal-migrant-accused-of-chicago-rape/
[2] American mom bursts into locked room to find illegal migrant house contractor raping her 11-year-old daughter after home renovation, https://www.themirror.com/news/us-news/virginia-mom-bursts-locked-room-1473819

6. U.S. Domestic Politics

6.1 NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani Faces Political Pressure

New York City Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing significant political headwinds, including a high-profile endorsement of his opponent by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who warned that the city “cannot afford the Mamdani mistake” [1]. The candidate also faces renewed scrutiny over past rhetoric, including a 2023 quote linking the NYPD to the Israeli Defense Forces [2]. This occurs amid heightened local tensions following a reported “antisemitic attack” in the city days before the election [3].

[1] Andrew Cuomo has my vote for mayor – NYC cannot afford the Mamdani mistake, https://nypost.com/2025/10/28/opinion/andrew-cuomo-has-my-vote-for-mayor-nyc-cannot-afford-the-mamdani-mistake/
[2] Mamdami in 2023: ‘When the Boot of the NYPD is on Your Neck, It’s Been Laced by the IDF’, https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2025/10/28/mamdami-in-2023-when-the-boot-of-the-nypd-is-on-your-neck-its-been-laced-by-the-idf-n3808309
[3] WATCH: Antisemitic Attack Shocks New York City Days Before Mayoral Election, https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-antisemitic-attack-shocks-new-york-city-days-before-mayoral-election

6.2 Activism, Monuments, and Political Violence

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has become the focus of a national debate over political monuments. A group of GOP senators is promoting a proposal to place a statue of Kirk in the “National Garden of American Heroes” [1]. The proposal has generated backlash, including from an LSU professor who reportedly compared Kirk to a “KKK leader” [2]. Separately, a student leader for Turning Point USA at the University of Colorado was physically attacked after being named on a published “Antifa Posted ‘Hit List’” [3].

[1] GOP senators push for Charlie Kirk statue in Trump’s National Garden of American Heroes, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-senators-push-charlie-kirk-statue-trumps-national-garden-american-heroes
[2] LSU professor emeritus compares Charlie Kirk to KKK leader after governor proposes statue on campus, https://www.foxnews.com/us/lsu-professor-emeritus-compares-charlie-kirk-kkk-leader-after-governor-proposes-statue-campus
[3] University of Colorado TPUSA Student Leader Attacked After Antifa Posted “Hit List”, https://jonathanturley.org/2025/10/29/university-of-colorado-tpusa-student-leader-attacked-after-antifa-posted-hit-list/

7. International Affairs

7.1 Fragile Gaza Truce Resumes; Poll Reveals Palestinian Views on Oct. 7

A temporary “truce resumes in Gaza” following a recent cycle of violence that included a Hamas attack and subsequent “Israeli reprisal strikes” [1]. As this fragile calm takes hold, a new poll conducted two years after the October 7th attacks reveals that a majority of Palestinians believe “Hamas was right to attack.” The same poll reports that 86% of respondents deny that Hamas committed atrocities against civilians during the attack [2]. The situation is further complicated by accusations that Hamas is engaging in a “new low” through what is described as “hostage remains deception” [3].

[1] Truce resumes in Gaza after Hamas attack, Israeli reprisal strikes: IDF, https://nypost.com/2025/10/29/world-news/israel-hamas-cease-fire-resumes-after-attack-and-retaliatory-strikes-idf/
[2] Poll: 2 Years After Oct. 7, Majority Palestinians Say Hamas Was Right to Attack — 86% Deny Civilian Atrocities, https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/10/28/poll-2-years-oct-7-majority-palestinians-hamas-right-attack/
[3] Hamas’s hostage remains deception is a new low, https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/hamass-hostage-remains-deception-is-a-new-low/

8. Health Policy and Public Safety

8.1 Healthcare Financing and Abortion Policy Debates

Active policy discussions focus on Affordable Care Act subsidies and the regulation of abortion medication. On the finance front, an analysis from the Cato Institute is calling to end specific ACA subsidies it labels “Welfare for the Wealthy,” claiming they allow high-income households to receive taxpayer-funded insurance [1]. On abortion policy, a pollster for the Trump administration reports that a segment of the public believes the drug Mifepristone is “dangerous and needs FDA regulation” [2]. At the state level, a package of “pro-abortion bills” in Pennsylvania is generating concern among opponents that it could make the state “one of the most extreme” in the nation on the issue [3].

[1] End Obamacare’s Welfare for the Wealthy COVID Credits. These partisan subsidies—passed without a single Republican vote—now make households earning up to $600,000 a year eligible for taxpayer-funded health insurance., https://www.cato.org/blog/end-obamacares-welfare-wealthy-covid-credits
[2] Trump’s Trusted Pollster: Even Pro-Aborts Say Mifepristone Is Dangerous And Needs FDA Regulation, https://thefederalist.com/2025/10/28/trumps-trusted-pollster-even-pro-aborts-say-mifepristone-is-dangerous-and-needs-fda-regulation/
[3] Slew of pro-abortion bills could make Pennsylvania ‘one of the most extreme… overnight’, https://www.liveaction.org/news/pro-abortion-bills-pennsylvania-most-extreme-overnight

8.2 Public Health Incidents

Public health officials have confirmed a case of the plague in California. According to the news report, the infection was “potentially caused by a flea bite” [1].

[1] Confirmed case of plague in California potentially caused by flea bite, https://www.earth.com/news/confirmed-case-of-plague-in-california-potentially-caused-by-flea-bite/

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