[Monday, November 10] US News Headlines from r/politics

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare November 10, 2025

Executive Summary

A historic 41-day government shutdown is set to end after a bipartisan Senate deal secured President Trump’s backing, but the agreement has fractured the Democratic party, prompting calls for Senator Schumer’s resignation. President Trump issued a wave of pardons for key allies, including Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows, connected to the 2020 election challenges. The Supreme Court has taken up a significant case on mail-in ballot deadlines while simultaneously declining to revisit its landmark same-sex marriage ruling. The administration is also appealing to the high court to freeze SNAP benefit payments, escalating a tense legal battle.

1. The Government Shutdown

1.1. Bipartisan Senate Deal Reached to End 41-Day Impasse

After a historic 41-day standoff that strained national infrastructure, a bipartisan agreement to end the federal government shutdown is advancing through Congress [1]. The breakthrough came after the Senate cleared a key procedural hurdle on a Republican-led plan, with eight Democratic caucus members joining with the GOP to cross the 60-vote threshold [2, 3]. President Trump quickly endorsed the Senate agreement, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson announced the House will reconvene for a vote, creating a clear path to reopening the government [4, 5]. In an immediate response to the deal’s progress, President Trump issued a directive ordering all air traffic controllers to return to their posts to begin stabilizing the nation’s fragile aviation system [6].

[1] Senate marches — slowly — toward ending government shutdown, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/11/10/government-shutdown-senate-bill/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com
[2] Senate Clears Key Hurdle to End Government Shutdown, https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/republicans-pitch-alternative-to-aca-extension-to-end-government-shutdown-3be838e3?mod=mhp
[3] These are the 8 Senate Democrats who voted to end theshutdown, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5598031-senate-democrats-end-shutdown/
[4] Trump backs Senate deal that would end government shutdown, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/10/trump-government-shutdown-senate-deal.html?__source=reddit|main
[5] Speaker Johnson says House will return to Washington for vote on shutdown deal, https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-update-80ef7cada7b3c0559aca38886efd8f90
[6] Trump orders all air traffic controllers back to work after shutdown deal, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/10/trump-orders-air-traffic-controllers-to-work/87195200007/

1.2. Deal Ignites Democratic “Civil War,” Schumer’s Leadership Challenged

The bipartisan deal has triggered what multiple reports describe as a “furious Dem Civil War,” exposing deep and angry fractures within the Democratic party [1]. Progressive activists and lawmakers have publicly denounced the agreement as a “capitulation” and a “pathetic surrender,” with many arguing the party had “little to show on health care” after the prolonged fight [2, 3]. Senator Bernie Sanders was sharply critical of his eight caucus colleagues who broke ranks, calling their move a “very, very bad vote” [4].

The intense backlash has rapidly escalated into a direct challenge to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s authority. A prominent progressive group has explicitly called for his resignation, a demand echoed by Representative Ro Khanna, who stated Schumer “should be replaced” because “He is not meeting the moment” [5, 6]. While House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is reportedly “standing behind Schumer,” the situation was further complicated by reports that Senator Jeanne Shaheen, one of the defecting Democrats, implied Schumer was aware of the bipartisan effort, a move one headline described as throwing the minority leader “under the bus” [7, 8].

[1] Furious Dem Civil War Immediately Erupts Over Bombshell Shutdown Deal - Democratic activists slammed the shutdown “surrender.”, https://www.thedailybeast.com/furious-democratic-party-civil-war-immediately-erupts-over-bombshell-shutdown-deal/
[2] ‘Absolutely Pathetic’: Senate Democrats Denounced for Caving to GOP in Shutdown Fight: “Let’s be clear — this proposal isn’t a compromise, it’s a capitulation,” said one progressive lawmaker in the US House., https://www.commondreams.org/news/democrats-cave-on-government-shutdown
[3] Senate government shutdown deal leaves many Democrats furious, with little to show on health care after 40 days, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-deal-senate-democrats-health-care/
[4] Sanders calls out 8 Senate Democrats for ‘very, very bad vote’ on government funding measure, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/sanders-calls-out-8-senate-democrats-very-very-bad-vote-government-funding-measure?intcmp=fb_fnc&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=Iwb21leAN-ilFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7fNBsrs_nE_k0s1LrGbZ3C-sbZxEB0eSYaUdlnC0eqqmeBb0QExAgWMuVTJQ_aem_HGZ45jjcMUzwfOsztP2nrg
[5] Progressive group calls for Sen. Chuck Schumer to resign over shutdown vote, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/10/progressives-call-for-schumers-resignation-after-shutdown-vote/87195871007/
[6] Khanna explains his call for Schumer to be replaced over shutdown deal: “He is not meeting the moment”, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-ro-khanna-chuck-schumer-senate-leader/
[7] Jeffries is standing behind Schumer despite Democrats’ shutdown fury, http://axios.com/2025/11/10/jeffries-schumer-democrats-shutdown-deal-angry
[8] Democrat Who Caved on Shutdown Says Chuck Schumer Knew All Along | Senator Jeanne Shaheen just threw the minority leader under the bus., https://newrepublic.com/post/202942/democrat-caved-shutdown-chuck-schumer-knew-shaheen

1.3. National Impact and Political Fallout

The shutdown inflicted severe and compounding national consequences, most acutely felt in the aviation sector. Ahead of the deal, the U.S. transportation secretary warned that mass quitting by essential personnel threatened to slow air traffic to a “trickle” [1]. This strain became reality over the weekend, when the U.S. recorded over 10,000 flight delays on Sunday, marking the worst single day for air travel during the shutdown, as daily cancellations soared past 2,700 nationwide [2, 3]. Beyond air travel, social workers reported scrambling to meet “surging needs” in their communities [4]. Political analysis has predominantly framed the outcome as a significant strategic victory for the Republican party, with one assessment naming President Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune as the primary “winners” [5]. News of the impending deal prompted an immediate jump in world stocks as global markets reacted with relief [6].

[1] U.S. transportation secretary warns air traffic could ‘slow to a trickle’ amid shutdown, mass quitting, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-airlines-flight-cancellations-government-shutdown-9.6972881
[2] US surpasses 10,000 flight delays Sunday in worst day of shutdown, https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-finance-reporting/us-surpasses-10000-flight-delays-sunday-worst-day-shutdown-2025-11-10/
[3] US airlines’ daily cancellations exceed 2,700 as shutdown impact extends, https://apnews.com/article/thanksgiving-air-traffic-shutdown-delays-ae216380cdf694c518bd2a4b0830eaea
[4] ‘It sucks so bad’: Social workers scramble to meet surging needs in wake of shutdown, https://wyofile.com/it-sucks-so-bad-social-workers-scramble-to-meet-surging-needs-in-wake-of-shutdown/
[5] Winners and Losers from the Shutdown: Trump, Thune, Health Care, https://news.bgov.com/bloomberg-government-news/winners-and-losers-from-the-shutdown-trump-thune-health-care
[6] World stocks jump as investors eye potential end to US shutdown, https://www.reuters.com/world/china/global-markets-global-markets-2025-11-10/

2. Executive Branch: Actions and Policies

2.1. Trump Pardons Giuliani, Meadows, and Jan. 6 Allies; Past Clemency Scrutinized

President Trump has exercised his clemency power in a sweeping series of pardons for top allies and dozens of other individuals involved in the multi-state effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election [1]. The list of recipients includes former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, former chief of staff Mark Meadows, and, according to reports, at least 76 other individuals accused of participating in the bid, including those involved in the “fake elector scheme” [2, 3].

The action came as the consequences of past clemency decisions by the President face renewed legal scrutiny. In one widely reported case, a drug dealer who was granted clemency by Trump has now been sent back to prison for violating the terms of his release [4]. In a separate matter, another felon freed by Trump, Jonathan Braun, is slated to be resentenced by a court in Brooklyn [5]. Meanwhile, one headline alleges, “Trump’s Jan. 6 Pardons Keep Child Sex Predator Out of Prison,” raising further questions about pardon beneficiaries [6].

[1] Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows and many Jan. 6 allies, https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/11/10/trump-pardons-giuliani-mark-meadows-jan-6/
[2] Trump pardons Giuliani, 76 others accused of bid to overturn 2020 election, https://www.axios.com/2025/11/10/trump-pardons-giuliani-fake-electors-2020-election
[3] Trump pardons supporters who tried to reverse his 2020 Michigan loss, https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/10/donald-trump-pardons-2020-michigan-false-electors-rudy-giuliani-kenneth-chesebro-boris-epshteyn/87191895007/
[4] Drug dealer granted clemency by Trump sent back to prison for violating terms of his release, https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/drug-dealer-granted-clemency-trump-back-prison-violating-127386091
[5] Jonathan Braun, Felon Freed by Trump, to Be Sentenced Again in Brooklyn, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/nyregion/jonathan-braun-resentencing.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
[6] Trump’s Jan. 6 Pardons Keep Child Sex Predator Out of Prison, https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-jan-6-pardons-keep-child-sex-predator-out-of-prison/

2.2. Administration in Legal Battle Over SNAP Benefits

A major legal and political confrontation is unfolding over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The conflict began when the USDA ordered states to stop issuing full November benefits and, further, to “undo” any payments already sent, threatening to penalize non-compliant states [1]. In a swift rebuke, a U.S. appeals court ruled that the administration cannot legally withhold the full funding and can be forced by the court to make the payments [2]. In the latest development, the Trump administration has escalated the fight, renewing its appeal to the Supreme Court to keep the full SNAP payments frozen and block the lower court’s order [3].

[1] Trump Admin Threatens to Penalize States That Don’t ‘Undo’ Full SNAP Payments, https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-penalize-states-snap
[2] Trump administration cannot withhold full funding for food aid, US appeals court rules, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-cannot-withhold-4-billion-food-aid-us-appeals-court-rules-2025-11-10/
[3] Trump administration renews Supreme Court appeal to keep full SNAP payments frozen, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-administration-renews-supreme-court-appeal-to-keep-full-snap-payments-frozen

2.3. Economic, Regulatory, and Foreign Policy

The administration is moving forward on several other policy fronts. A proposal for a “$2K tariff check,” in which tariff revenues could be distributed directly to Americans, is reportedly being weighed [1]. On the regulatory front, the White House has reportedly “pressured EPA for broad rollback of tailpipe rules” [2]. In foreign policy, President Trump held what was described as a “first-of-its-kind meeting” at the White House with a Syrian official identified as “al-Sharaa,” who used the visit to push for the lifting of Caesar sanctions [3]. Separately, President Trump has threatened a $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC over an edited speech in a documentary, an incident that reportedly led to the resignation of two of the broadcaster’s news bosses [4].

[1] What to know about Trump’s $2K tariff check proposal, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5597771-what-to-know-trumps-2k-tariff-check-proposal/
[2] White House pressured EPA for broad rollback of tailpipe rules, https://www.eenews.net/articles/white-house-pressured-epa-for-broad-rollback-of-tailpipe-rules/
[3] Syria’s Sharaa meets Trump at White House as he pushes for lifting of Caesar sanctions, https://www.reuters.com/world/live/syrias-sharaa-meet-trump-push-lifting-caeser-sanctions-historic-us-visit-2025-11-10/
[4] BBC says Trump has threatened to sue over edited speech that sparked resignations by news bosses, https://apnews.com/article/britain-bbc-crisis-trump-panorama-a392fb275af25216ea23537c6f4347e4

3. Judicial and Legal Developments

3.1. Supreme Court to Rule on Mail-In Ballots, Upholds Same-Sex Marriage Precedent

The Supreme Court has made two decisions with major national implications for election law and civil rights. The Court agreed to hear a “GOP Lawsuit” and will decide “whether states can count late-arriving mail ballots,” a practice long targeted by President Trump that could “radically restrict mail voting” if overturned [1, 2]. In a separate and highly anticipated order, the Court announced it has declined to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges, its landmark 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide [3]. The action leaves the nearly decade-old precedent intact, effectively rejecting a legal challenge that sought to reverse it.

[1] Supreme Court will decide whether states can count late-arriving mail ballots, a Trump target, https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-mail-ballot-deadline-mississippi-198789b582ac14fdee18a12bbd73e166
[2] SCOTUS to Hear GOP Lawsuit That Could Radically Restrict Mail Voting, https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/scotus-to-hear-gop-lawsuit-that-could-radically-restrict-mail-voting/
[3] Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-50eb4ad421911696e742d8c4fb4962fd?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2025-11-10-Breaking+News

3.2. Judiciary Under Pressure: Judge Resigns Citing “Existential Threat”

Tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary are showing signs of severe strain. In a dramatic move, a Reagan-appointed federal judge, Mark L. Wolf, has resigned from the bench, issuing a powerful public statement warning of an “‘existential threat to democracy’” [1]. In his condemnation of the president’s actions, Wolf drew a direct comparison to a previous administration, writing, “What Nixon did episodically and covertly, knowing it was illegal or improper, Trump now does routinely and overtly” [2]. This highly unusual public rebuke from a sitting judge comes as the Deputy Attorney General has reportedly declared a “war” on judges and vowed to strip bar associations of their power, signaling a new front of conflict between the Department of Justice and the independent legal community [3].

[1] Federal Judge, Warning of ‘Existential Threat’ to Democracy, Resigns, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/us/politics/mark-wolf-federal-judge-resigns.html
[2] ‘Existential threat to democracy’: Reagan-appointed judge resigns and condemns Trump | “What Nixon did episodically and covertly, knowing it was illegal or improper, Trump now does routinely and overtly,” Judge Mark L. Wolf wrote., https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/existential-threat-democracy-reagan-appointed-judge-resigns-condemns-t-rcna243033
[3] Deputy AG declares “war” on judges, vows to strip bar associations’ power, https://www.axios.com/2025/11/09/doj-blanche-war-activist-judges-dc-bar-associations

3.3. Ghislaine Maxwell Seeks Commutation Amid Whistleblower Allegations

According to a press release from House Judiciary Democrats, a whistleblower has provided evidence that Ghislaine Maxwell is filing a “Commutation Application” with the Trump administration in an effort to reduce her sex-trafficking sentence [1]. The whistleblower also alleges that Maxwell is being “pampered” and receiving “concierge-style treatment” in a federal prison camp, raising concerns about her conditions of confinement as she seeks clemency [2].

[1] Whistleblower Shares Evidence That Federal Prison Camp Warden is Pampering Ghislaine Maxwell, Maxwell Also Filing a “Commutation Application” With Trump Administration, http://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/whistleblower-shares-evidence-that-federal-prison-camp-warden-is-pampering-ghislaine-maxwell-maxwell-also-filing-a-commutation-application-with-trump-administration
[2] Whistleblower docs show Maxwell seeking commutation, receiving ‘concierge-style treatment’ in prison, https://thehill.com/homenews/5597856-maxwell-prison-perks-whistleblower/

4. Domestic Politics and Campaigns

4.1. Campaign Developments and Public Opinion

Notable shifts are occurring in key political races and public sentiment. In California’s upcoming gubernatorial race, a new poll indicates that Democrat Katie Porter has lost her lead to Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco [1]. At the federal level, criticism of the administration is emerging from traditionally supportive media voices, with one headline noting the “Federalist Boss Savages ‘Weak and Rudderless’ Trump” [2]. This coincides with a new poll finding that Americans’ trust in government has fallen to a low not seen in nearly five decades [3]. Separately, a report on congressional finances alleges that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi “earned more than $130 million in stock profits, [a] return of 16,930%, during time in Congress” [4].

[1] Poll: Katie Porter loses lead in California governor’s race, Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco leads, https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/california-governor-race-katie-porter-chad-bianco/103-6accca61-65ef-457c-971c-bfb44b917209
[2] Federalist Boss Savages ‘Weak and Rudderless’ Trump in Scathing Rant, https://www.thedailybeast.com/federalist-boss-savages-weak-and-rudderless-trump-in-scathing-rant/
[3] Americans’ trust in govt nears five-decade low, poll finds, https://www.semafor.com/article/11/10/2025/americans-trust-in-government-nears-five-decade-low-poll-finds
[4] Pelosi earned more than $130 million in stock profits, return of 16,930%, during time in Congress: report, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pelosi-earned-more-than-130-million-stock-profits-return-16930-during-time-congress-report.amp

4.2. State and Local Policy

Divergent policies are advancing at the state level across the country. In New York, regulators have given their approval to a “controversial gas pipeline” [1]. Conversely, California’s Supreme Court has taken action to uphold LGBTQ+ protections for elders in long-term care facilities [2]. In a separate measure, a Maryland task force has officially endorsed a path toward legalizing natural psychedelics, recommending the state first introduce psilocybin into medical settings [3]. At the local level, following the election of Zohran Mamdani as the new mayor of New York City, his first administrative appointments have been announced [4]. In a Pennsylvania county, voters ousted their sheriff in a direct response to his having signed an agreement to collaborate with ICE, demonstrating the potential electoral consequences of local immigration policy decisions [5].

[1] New York approves controversial gas pipeline, https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5598649-new-york-natural-gas-pipeline-hochul/
[2] California’s Supreme Court upholds LGBTQ+ protections for elders in long-term care, https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/11/californias-supreme-court-upholds-lgbtq-protections-for-elders-in-long-term-care/
[3] Task force endorses move toward natural psychedelics for clinical, recreational use | Report suggests state take steps toward introducing psilocybin into medical settings before expanding to commercial market, https://marylandmatters.org/2025/11/10/task-force-endorses-move-toward-natural-psychedelics-for-clinical-recreational-use/
[4] NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announces 1st appointments of his administration, https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/zohran-mamdani-administration-appointments/
[5] Voters ousted this Pennsylvania sheriff after he signed up to collaborate with ICE, https://boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-bucks-county-pennsylvania-ousted-in-2025/

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