[Saturday, November 08] US News Headlines from r/politics

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare
November 8, 2025

Executive Summary

Today’s headlines are dominated by the escalating federal government shutdown, now a nationwide crisis. The Supreme Court has temporarily halted full SNAP benefit payments, throwing millions of families into chaos. The shutdown is also crippling the nation’s aviation system, with air traffic controllers reportedly resigning and flights being canceled en masse. In a major check on executive power, a federal judge permanently blocked the deployment of the National Guard to Portland. Meanwhile, the administration is boycotting the G20 summit, pursuing a military leadership shakeup, and facing a “new low” in presidential approval ratings.

1. The Federal Government Shutdown: Deepening Crisis and Widespread Disruption

1.1. Supreme Court Halts SNAP Benefits, Igniting Nationwide Chaos

The federal government shutdown, now in its 39th day [1], has escalated into a major social crisis following a Supreme Court decision regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The legal battle intensified after an appeals court left in place an order requiring the Trump administration to pay out full benefits [2]. The administration then formally asked the Supreme Court to intervene, and the high court responded by issuing a temporary stay, allowing the President to withhold a reported $4 billion in food aid “for now” [3]. The ruling created immediate turmoil, as it was issued even after some states had begun processing November payments, throwing the program into chaos [4]. Multiple reports describe families being left “in limbo” and highlight the significant “human toll” as the food aid is cut off [5, 6]. While most of the country waits, at least one state has acted independently; Maine Governor Mills directed her state’s Department of Health and Human Services to issue full SNAP benefits despite the federal court’s stay [7].

References:
[1] Discussion Thread: 2025 US Government Shutdown, Day 39, /r/politics/comments/1orr4x6/discussion_thread_2025_us_government_shutdown_day/
[2] Appeals court leaves in place order requiring Trump administration to pay out full SNAP benefits, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeals-court-trump-administration-full-snap-benefits/
[3] US Supreme Court lets Trump withhold $4 billion in food aid funding for now, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/usda-says-it-is-working-comply-with-court-order-pay-food-aid-benefits-2025-11-07/
[4] Supreme Court temporarily blocks full SNAP benefits even as they’d started to go out, https://www.npr.org/2025/11/07/nx-s1-5602351/full-snap-benefits-go-out-despite-appeal
[5] Families in Limbo After Supreme Court Order Interrupts Food Stamp Payments, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/us/politics/families-food-stamps-supreme-court-order.html
[6] The Human Toll of the Suspension of SNAP, https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-human-toll-of-the-suspension-of-snap
[7] Gov. Mills directs Maine DHHS to issue full SNAP benefits, https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-governor-janet-mills-directs-maine-dhhs-to-issue-full-snap-benefits-food-stamps-president-donald-trump

1.2. Legislative Stalemate Deepens Over ACA Demands

Legislative negotiations to end the shutdown remain at a complete standstill. Senate Republicans rejected a “new offer” from Democrats to reopen the government in exchange for a one-year extension of healthcare subsidies, with the GOP reportedly “digging in” [1]. In a competing maneuver, Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-led bill to restore pay for federal workers, deepening the stalemate [2]. The impasse appears centered on President Trump’s demands for significant changes to Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies [3]. From his Florida golf course, Trump signaled no compromise and publicly called on lawmakers to give healthcare money “directly to the people”—a call Senate Republicans are reportedly embracing as they push to replace Obamacare [4, 5]. With both sides entrenched, at least one House Republican is now predicting the shutdown will extend beyond Thanksgiving [6].

References:
[1] Democrats Scale Back Shutdown Demands, but G.O.P. Digs In: After weeks of stalemate, Senate Democrats said they were willing to reopen the government in exchange for a one-year extension of health care subsidies. Republicans ruled it out., https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/us/politics/shutdown-democrats-schumer-thune.html
[2] Senate Democrats block GOP-led bill to pay federal workers as shutdown stalemate deepens, https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/07/politics/shutdown-congress-federal-pay-vote
[3] Trump demands ACA subsidy changes as Senate remains divided over shutdown, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/11/08/obamacare-subsidies-trump-congress/
[4] Trump calls for giving healthcare money ‘directly to the people’ as shutdown talks drag on, https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/trump-urges-lawmakers-give-healthcare-money-directly-people-2025-11-08/
[5] Senate Republicans embrace Trump’s call – from his Florida golf course – to replace Obamacare, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/08/senate-republicans-trump-obamacare
[6] House Republican predicts shutdown will last beyond Thanksgiving, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5596199-burchett-government-shutdown-thanksgiving/

1.3. Systemic Collapse: Aviation and Public Services

The shutdown is inflicting acute and tangible damage on the nation’s infrastructure and public services. The aviation sector faces a critical emergency, with reports that unpaid air traffic controllers have begun resigning from their positions during what is being called “the longest government shutdown in U.S. history” [1]. The operational strain on the system is severe, with over 1,000 flights canceled for the second consecutive day [2]. Beyond aviation, the consequences are widespread. Teachers in U.S. military schools are working without pay and have received debt letters [3], and national parks are suffering from “bear jams,” graffiti, and fires in the absence of staff oversight [4]. State and local governments are beginning to react, with Hawaii activating National Guard troops to assist with food distribution [5] and a coalition of governors and local leaders issuing a joint appeal to end the shutdown, stating, “We are at risk” [6].

References:
[1] Air Traffic Controllers Start Resigning as Shutdown Bites. | Unpaid air traffic controllers are quitting their jobs altogether as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history continues., https://www.thedailybeast.com/air-traffic-controllers-start-resigning-as-shutdown-bites/
[2] More than 1,000 flights canceled on second day of cuts tied to government shutdown, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/08/flight-cancellations-government-shutdown
[3] Teachers working without pay in US military schools during shutdown received debt letters, https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/07/politics/military-teachers-pay-shutdown
[4] “Bear jams,” graffiti and fires: National parks suffer during shutdown, https://www.axios.com/2025/11/08/trump-national-parks-shutdown-open-or-closed
[5] Hawaii National Guard troops to assist emergency food distributions, https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/11/07/breaking-news/hawaii-national-guard-troops-to-assist-emergency-food-distributions/
[6] ‘We are at risk’: Governors, local officials call for shutdown end, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/07/government-shutdown-state-funding-00642371

2. Executive Power and Judicial Clashes

2.1. Personnel Shakeups and Use of Pardon Power

The administration is undertaking significant changes in key personnel and exercising its executive authority. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is reportedly “purging military leaders with little explanation,” signaling a major and unexplained shakeup at the Pentagon [1]. Concurrently, President Trump has pardoned a former Tennessee House speaker and their aide who had been convicted on federal fraud charges [2]. In a separate and controversial matter, a report alleges that a Trump official appointed a former registered sex offender to a federal housing role [3].

References:
[1] Hegseth Is Purging Military Leaders With Little Explanation, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/us/politics/hegseth-firing-military-leaders.html
[2] Trump pardons former Tennessee House speaker and aide, convicted of fraud, https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/trump-pardons-tennessee-house-speaker-glen-casada-cothren-rcna242644?icid=latestpost_bot
[3] Trump official accusing president’s rivals of crimes tapped a former registered sex offender for federal housing role, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-official-accusing-presidents-rivals-crimes-tapped-former-registered-sex-2025-11-07/

2.2. Executive Authority Tested by Federal Courts

The judiciary is handing down significant rulings that challenge the administration’s use of executive authority. In the most prominent case, a federal judge has permanently blocked the administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. The Trump-appointed judge ruled that the president “exceeded his authority” and “failed to meet legal requirements” for the domestic military deployment [1]. Separately, a judge ruled that partisan out-of-office emails sent from the Department of Education blaming Democrats for the shutdown violated the First Amendment [2]. In Chicago, another judge restricted the use of force by immigration agents after a Border Patrol commander reportedly admitted he had lied about a tear gas incident [3].

References:
[1] Judge permanently blocks deployment of National Guard to Portland, saying Trump exceeded his authority, https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-permanently-blocks-deployment-national-guard-portland-trump/story?id=127325048
[2] Judge says Education Dept. partisan out-of-office emails violated First Amendment, https://www.npr.org/2025/11/08/nx-s1-5602859/education-department-out-of-office-emails-ruling
[3] Border Patrol commander admitted he lied about tear gas incident, judge says, as she restricts use of force by immigration agents in Chicago, https://abcnews.go.com/US/border-patrol-commander-admitted-lied-tear-gas-incident/story?id=127283392

2.3. Politicization of the Justice System

Concurrently, a contentious atmosphere is building between the administration’s allies and the judicial system. The Department of Justice is reportedly preparing subpoenas for a “sweeping criminal probe” into the origins of the Obama-era Trump-Russia investigation [1]. The DOJ has also taken the formal position that President Trump’s past hush money conviction “should be thrown out” [2]. This comes as Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh urged a convention of conservative lawyers to “stand up for their principles” [3], and Trump attorney Todd Blanche characterized the effort to defend the president’s policies against “rogue activist judges” as a “war, man” [4].

References:
[1] DOJ prepares subpoenas in sweeping criminal probe of Obama-era Trump-Russia investigation, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/07/doj-subpoenas-obama-john-brennan-trump-russia/87128605007/
[2] US says Trump’s hush money conviction should be thrown out, https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-says-trumps-hush-money-conviction-should-be-thrown-out-2025-11-07/
[3] Barrett and Kavanaugh urge convention of conservative lawyers to stand up for their principles, https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/07/politics/barrett-kavanaugh-federalist-society
[4] Todd Blanche on defending Trump policies before ‘rogue activist judges’: ‘It’s a war, man’, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/07/todd-blanche-justice-department-trump-policies-00643602

3. Economic and Fiscal Policy

3.1. Worsening Economic Outlook and Public Anxiety

Recent economic data points to a sharply deteriorating outlook and collapsing public confidence. According to a new report, corporate job cuts in October reached their highest level for that month in 22 years, signaling a significant contraction in the labor market [1]. This development coincides with reports that consumer sentiment has fallen to a “near-record low” amid concerns that the President’s policies are wrecking “hope in US Economy” [2]. Against this backdrop, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicly warned that the U.S. “may be headed for a recession” [3]. Public anxiety is also high over the looming ACA “subsidy cliff,” a situation described by some affected consumers as “terrifying” [4].

References:
[1] Job cuts in October hit highest level for the month in 22 years, Challenger says, https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/06/job-cuts-in-october-hit-highest-level-for-the-month-in-22-years-challenger-says.html
[2] Consumer Sentiment Falls to Near-Record Low as Trump Wrecks Hope in US Economy, https://www.commondreams.org/news/consumer-sentiment-trump-economy
[3] Greene: US ‘may be headed for a recession’, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5595453-recession-warning-marjorie-taylor-greene/
[4] Consumers on edge as ACA ‘subsidy cliff’ looms: ‘Quite frankly, it’s terrifying’, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/08/aca-subsidy-cliff-government-shutdown.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.CopyToPasteboard

3.2. Inflation, Affordability, and Tax Policy

A significant disconnect has emerged between the administration’s messaging on inflation and the economic reality facing consumers. President Trump has repeatedly claimed that a Thanksgiving dinner will cost 25% less this year, a figure the Associated Press fact-checked as “misleading” [1]. One report notes that with food inflation running at nearly twice the rate of the previous administration’s final year, “Americans are not fooled” by the claims [2]. Meanwhile, the administration is making major fiscal policy changes, with reports indicating it is quietly enacting new tax breaks for wealthy investors and corporations [3] while simultaneously suspending the IRS’s “Direct File” program, a free online service for filing taxes [4].

References:
[1] Trump says Thanksgiving dinner will cost 25% less this year. His numbers are misleading, https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-trump-thanksgiving-meal-cost-discounts-0005c70022b7701e0ec0531220673942
[2] Trump Finally Meets A Problem His Lies Cannot Overcome: Rising Grocery Prices | Trump keeps claiming that prices are ‘way down’ — but with food inflation running nearly twice the rate as it was in Biden’s last year, Americans are not fooled., https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-grocery-lies_n_690e4e2ee4b0dd4ea75b830a?origin=home-whats-happening-unit
[3] Trump Quietly Dishes Out More Tax Breaks to Rich Investors While Slashing Food Aid for Millions, https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-tax-breaks-rich-investors
[4] I.R.S. Suspends Free Online Offering to File Taxes Directly, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/business/taxes-irs-direct-file.html

4. Foreign Policy and National Security

4.1. Diplomatic Engagements and Tensions

In a major diplomatic shift, President Trump announced that the United States will boycott the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, explicitly citing the host nation’s “treatment of white farmers” as the sole reason [1]. This move comes amid other international tensions. Leaders in the Caribbean have reportedly issued a call for a “unified Latin resistane to US attacks,” though the headlines do not specify the nature of the alleged attacks [2]. Separately, President Trump has indicated that he may grant Hungary an exemption from sanctions related to its purchase of Russian oil, signaling a potential carve-out in the Russia sanctions regime [3].

References:
[1] Trump says US will boycott G20 summit in South Africa, citing treatment of white farmers, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/07/trump-boycott-g20-south-africa-white-farmers
[2] Caribbean leaders call for unified Latin resistane to US attacks, https://truthout.org/articles/caribbean-leaders-call-for-unified-latin-american-resistance-to-us-attacks/
[3] Trump says he may give Hungary an exemption on Russian oil sanctions, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp85dvnkpv4o.amp

4.2. Defense Modernization and Cybersecurity Failures

The administration is signaling a new military strategy focused on rapid rearmament. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated he wants the Pentagon to prioritize “speed over cost” when purchasing weapons [1], a directive that aligns with a report that President Trump “wants to Buy One Million Drones” [2]. However, the nation’s digital defense is under scrutiny. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) was hit by a cyberattack, raising broad concerns over government network security [3]. This follows a report offering a severe accusation that the “Trump Cybersecurity Policy Is Indistinguishable From A Foreign Attack” [4].

References:
[1] Hegseth says he wants the Pentagon to prioritize speed over cost when buying weapons, https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-hegseth-weapons-purchases-6f9326c2bad4355541d1a02b54d899db
[2] Trump wants to Buy One Million Drones from Military Industrial Complex, https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-army-buy-1-million-drones-major-acquisition-ramp-up-2025-11-07/
[3] Congressional Budget Office hit by cyberattack, raising concerns over US government network security, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/congressional-budget-office-hit-by-cyberattack-raising-concerns-over-us-government-network-security?intcmp=fb_pols&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=Iwb21leAN735VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5Wy6x3CO8jXwXkgsH4R9qHwALQGc5DdH9RtiyaCZnn1aGB2eT7j58iiVXNrQ_aem_9lGOWNktbIQKfH6TtzpD7g
[4] Trump Cybersecurity Policy Is Indistinguishable From A Foreign Attack, https://www.techdirt.com/2025/11/07/trump-cybersecurity-policy-is-indistinguishable-from-a-foreign-attack/

5. Domestic Politics and Public Figures

5.1. Recent Elections and Midterm Outlook

Recent local elections are sending shockwaves through the political establishment and providing potential indicators for the midterms. The victory of socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race is being attributed to a strategy that “reshaped the electorate” by mobilizing non-voters [1]. His win, which surprisingly drew some support from Trump voters [2], prompted an immediate response from President Trump, who reportedly threatened to “punish NYC over Mamdani” [3]. Mamdani’s victory is part of a wider trend, as reports note that socialist candidates won various city elections across the country [4].

References:
[1] Zohran Mamdani’s win shows the power of mobilizing non-voters - Mamdani reshaped the electorate, bringing hundreds of thousands of non-voters out to the polls, from young people to left-behind immigrant communities, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2025/nov/08/zohran-mamdani-win-non-voters
[2] Trump voters for Mamdani and a new left coalition: the biggest surprises from New York’s election, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/05/new-york-election-trends-michael-lange-zohran-mamdani
[3] Trump threatens to punish NYC over Mamdani. Will he arrest new mayor and block funds?, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/08/trump-threat-nyc-mayor-mamdani/87133111007/
[4] Socialists Won City Elections Across the Country This Week, https://jacobin.com/2025/11/municipal-elections-democratic-socialism-mamdani-dsa

5.2. Party Divisions and Leadership Challenges

Both major parties are navigating visible internal friction. On the Democratic side, progressive groups are blasting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s leadership [1], with one commentary piece arguing he “Is Not Fit to Lead the Democratic Party” [2]. On the Republican side, President Trump is intervening in midterm primaries by bolstering the challenger to Rep. Thomas Massie [3], even as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was reported to have called out Trump’s “blatant lie on inflation” [4]. At the same time, Trump has made a public case for eliminating the Senate filibuster, claiming the GOP “would never lose an election again” if the rule were removed [5].

References:
[1] Progressives warn Democrats against alienating the left and blast Schumer’s Senate leadership, https://apnews.com/article/democrats-progressives-election-067434ae75a216e2d4dc42fc4eb930ce
[2] Chuck Schumer Is Not Fit to Lead the Democratic Party, https://prospect.org/2025/11/06/chuck-schumer-not-fit-to-lead-democratic-party/
[3] Trump bolsters Thomas Massie’s GOP challenger ahead of midterms, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5586996-gallrein-trump-endorsement-kentucky/
[4] Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls Out Trump’s Blatant Lie on Inflation, https://newrepublic.com/post/202870/marjorie-taylor-greene-trump-lie-food-prices-inflation
[5] Trump says GOP would never lose an election again if filibuster is eliminated, https://www.axios.com/2025/11/07/shutdown-trump-trans-voting-filibuster-republicans-hungary

5.3. Commentary from Key Political Figures

Several major political figures are drawing media attention. A new survey, described as “damning,” reports that President Trump’s approval rating has plummeted to a “new low” [1]. This comes as Former President Joe Biden has returned to the political stage, delivering a sharp speech in which he accused President Trump of having “taken a wrecking ball to democracy” [2]. In the tech world, Elon Musk, since his departure from the administration, is being described in media reports as having made himself a “far-right fixture” [3].

References:
[1] Trump’s Approval Rating Plummets to New Low in Damning Survey, https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trumps-approval-rating-plummets-to-new-low-in-damming-survey/
[2] Biden says Trump has ‘taken a wrecking ball’ to democracy in sharp criticism, https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/08/politics/biden-democracy-wrecking-ball-trump
[3] Elon Musk makes himself far-right fixture after White House departure, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/08/elon-musk-global-far-right

5.4. State and Local Developments

Significant political developments are also unfolding at the state and local levels. In California, secessionist sentiment has seen a tangible development, as Shasta County has reportedly backed the state’s exit from the union following the passage of a ballot measure known as “Prop 50” [1]. Elsewhere, Texas continues to deploy its state soldiers to Chicago, with news outlets now reporting on the cost of the ongoing mission [2].

References:
[1] Shasta County, where secession rumbles run deep, backs California exit after Prop 50 wins, https://www.redding.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/11/06/shasta-county-1st-to-back-new-effort-to-split-california-after-prop-50/87134266007/
[2] Texas soldiers are still deployed in Chicago. Here’s how much it’s costing, https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/texas-guard-chicago-trump-21138683.php

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