[Thursday, November 20] US News Headlines from r/politics

This is an experimental AI project. We are continuously improving it, but errors can still appear. Feel free to contact us if you spot an error.

DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare | November 20, 2025

Executive Summary

• President Trump accused Democratic lawmakers of “seditious behavior, punishable by death,” for a video urging troops to disobey illegal orders, prompting a “death threats” complaint to Capitol Police.
• A federal judge issued a significant judicial rebuke, ordering the administration to halt the “unlawful” deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C.
• The CDC, under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reversed its long-held stance, updating its website to state that vaccines “might cause Autism.”
• President Trump signed a bill to release DOJ files on Jeffrey Epstein, but loopholes raise transparency concerns amid new allegations.
• A U.S.-Russian draft plan would force Ukraine to cede territory, as Ukraine escalates by striking inside Russia with U.S. missiles for the first time.

1. Executive Branch: “Sedition” Firestorm and Judicial Rebuke

1.1 President Accuses Lawmakers of “Seditious Behavior, Punishable by Death”

A severe political firestorm has erupted after President Trump accused Democratic lawmakers of “seditious behavior, punishable by death” for releasing a video that urged military members to reject any potential “illegal orders” they might receive [1, 2]. The lawmakers targeted, including Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), issued a joint statement defending their position [3]. The President’s rhetoric prompted House Democratic leaders to contact the U.S. Capitol Police regarding what they termed “death threats” and to issue a formal statement of condemnation [4]. The White House later issued a clarification, stating President Trump “does not want to execute lawmakers” [5]. Asked about the President’s comments, Speaker Mike Johnson’s response was described by one outlet as a “word salad” [6].

1.2 Court Halts “Unlawful” National Guard Deployment in D.C.

In a direct judicial check on executive power, a U.S. judge has ordered the Trump administration to halt the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., with one high-level report characterizing the now-suspended deployment as “unlawful” [7]. The ruling represents a significant legal intervention that curtails the administration’s authority to use military personnel for domestic operations in the nation’s capital.

1.3 Other Presidential Engagements

President Trump is scheduled to meet this Friday with New York City’s progressive Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, who stated he intends to discuss “affordability” [8]. In a notable social development, both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were reportedly not invited to the funeral of former Vice President Dick Cheney, which was attended by all four living former vice presidents [9].

[1] Trump says Democrats’ message to military is ‘seditious behavior’ punishable by death, https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-traitors-sedition-illegal-orders-c5fc3c5bd2fbc6b1204550e4203c24b2
[2] Trump calls for arrest of ‘seditious’ Democrats who told troops their duty is to uphold the Constitution, https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-arrest-democrats-troops-illegal-orders-b2869176.html
[3] Joint Statement from Kelly, Slotkin, Crow, Deluzio, Goodlander, Houlahan, https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/joint-statement-from-kelly-slotkin-crow-deluzio-goodlander-houlahan/
[4] House Dem leaders contact Capitol Police after Trump “death threats”, https://www.axios.com/2025/11/20/trump-death-threats-democrats-congress-military
[5] White House says President Trump does not want to execute lawmakers, https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/politics/2025/11/20/white-house-says-trump-does-not-want-to-execute-lawmakers/87379198007/
[6] Mike Johnson serves up word salad when asked about Trump’s call for Congress members to face death penalty, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mike-johnson-trump-treason-execution-b2869345.html
[7] Trump administration ordered to halt ‘unlawful’ Guard deployment in D.C., https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/11/20/trump-dc-national-guard-ruling/
[8] Mamdani says he wants to talk affordability with Trump and isn’t worried he’s walking into a trap, https://apnews.com/article/zohran-mamdani-trump-nyc-new-york-4443972e5c8159933e0d1075778430d0
[9] Trump and Vance not invited to Dick Cheney’s funeral, but all four living former vice presidents attending, https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/20/politics/dick-cheney-funeral-washington

2. Major Policy and Regulatory Overhaul

2.1 CDC Reverses Stance on Vaccines and Autism

In a major and controversial public health policy reversal, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its official website to state that “Vaccines might cause Autism” [1]. This change, occurring under the leadership of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., contradicts decades of scientific consensus and reverses the agency’s long-held position [2]. The move is reportedly the result of a “vaccine tug of war” within the administration and is being characterized as the CDC officially adopting the anti-vaccine views of Secretary Kennedy [3, 4].

2.2 Asserting Federal Power and Reshaping Regulation

The White House is moving to centralize control over technology and the federal bureaucracy. A drafted executive order seeks to preempt state-level laws on Artificial Intelligence and directs the Department of Justice to sue non-compliant states [5]. Internally, reports claim President Trump has “Gut[ted]” federal whistleblower protections [6], while Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is implementing a controversial consolidation plan that charges agencies like the National Parks a “premium to subsume their employees” [7]. Other regulatory changes include a U.S. Coast Guard policy revision to no longer classify swastikas and nooses as hate symbols [8] and an administrative reclassification so that nursing is no longer counted as a “professional degree” [9].

[1] CDC updated website to say that Vaccines might cause Autism, https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/11/20/nx-s1-5615040/cdc-rfk-childhood-vaccines-autism
[2] Under RFK Jr., federal health agency reverses course on stance that vaccines don’t cause autism, https://www.statnews.com/2025/11/20/cdc-vaccine-safety-website-promotes-debunked-autism-link/
[3] The vaccine tug of war inside the Trump administration, briefly explained, https://www.vox.com/the-logoff-newsletter-trump/469819/robert-f-kennedy-jr-mark-makary-power-struggle-hhs-fda-cdc-vaccines
[4] US CDC adopts Kennedy’s anti-vaccine views on recast website, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-cdc-says-claims-that-vaccines-do-not-cause-autism-are-not-evidence-based-2025-11-20/
[5] White House prepares executive order to block state AI laws, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/19/white-house-prepares-executive-order-to-block-state-ai-laws-00660719
[6] Trump Guts Federal Protections for Whistleblowers, https://newrepublic.com/post/203409/donald-trump-guts-federal-protections-whistleblowers
[7] Doug Burgum is charging Interior Department agencies a premium to subsume their employees, https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/11/doug-burgum-charging-interior-department-agencies-premium-subsume-their-employees/409637/?oref=ge-home-top-story
[8] Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/11/20/coast-guard-swastika-noose/
[9] Nursing is no longer counted as a ‘professional degree’ by Trump admin, https://www.newsweek.com/nursing-not-professional-degree-trump-admin-11079650

3. Justice System and High-Profile Investigations

3.1 The Epstein Saga: Bill Signed Amid New Allegations and Political Pressure

The Jeffrey Epstein case continues to intensify as President Trump signed a bill to release the Department of Justice’s files on the matter, an action taken after reports indicated he had previously “labored to kill” the legislation [1].

• The Document Release: Despite the signing, reports immediately highlighted a “glaring loophole” and “exceptions” that could limit the scope and timing of the disclosure, leading a group of GOP senators to publicly warn Attorney General Pam Bondi not to “slow-walk” the release [2, 3].
• New Allegations: Epstein’s brother, Mark Epstein, has publicly claimed that Donald Trump called the financier moments after the 2016 election [4]. In a parallel development, newly surfaced emails reportedly reveal a “plot” by former Trump ally Steve Bannon to “rehab Epstein’s image” prior to his 2019 arrest [5].
• Congressional Action: Congress is expanding its inquiry, with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) pressing for an investigation into JPMorgan Chase’s relationship with Epstein, and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) warning that any officials who impede the release “will be prosecuted” [6, 7].

3.2 Legal Troubles for Congress and Former Officials

A sitting member of Congress, U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), has been indicted on federal charges of stealing $5 million in FEMA disaster funds and making illegal campaign contributions [8]. In a separate matter, a former House GOP aide has been charged for allegedly faking a violent political attack against herself [9].

3.3 DOJ Investigations Under a Microscope

The Department of Justice’s own activities are under intense scrutiny. The high-profile prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey is reportedly on the verge of collapse due to the Department’s “stunning missteps” [10]. Simultaneously, the DOJ is reportedly probing the handling of a previous mortgage fraud investigation that had targeted Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), while a grand jury is said to be investigating “potential misconduct” in federal probes of other Trump critics [11, 12].

[1] Trump signs Epstein bill he once labored to kill, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/19/trump-signs-epstein-files-bill-00658418
[2] Glaring Loophole That Means Trump May Not Release All Epstein Files, https://www.thedailybeast.com/glaring-loophole-that-means-trump-may-not-release-all-epstein-files/
[3] GOP senators warn Bondi not to slow-walk release of Epstein files, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5614039-justice-department-epstein-documents/
[4] Trump Called Epstein Right After 2016 Election, Brother Says, https://newrepublic.com/post/203443/donald-trump-called-epstein-2016-election
[5] Emails reveal Trump ally Steve Bannon’s plot to rehab Epstein’s image, https://www.ms.now/top-stories/latest/steve-bannon-epstein-files-emails-released-trump-congress-rcna244975
[6] Wyden Presses for Investigation Into JPMorgan Chase and Epstein, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/us/politics/jeffrey-epstein-jpmorgan-chase-ron-wyden.html
[7] Congressman Ro Khanna warns officials not to impede Epstein files release: ‘They will be prosecuted’, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/20/ro-khanna-epstein-files-release-warning
[8] South Florida Congresswoman Charged with Stealing $5 Million in FEMA Funds and Making Illegal Campaign Contributions, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/south-florida-congresswoman-charged-stealing-5-million-fema-funds-and-making-illegal
[9] Former House GOP aide charged with faking a violent political attack on herself, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/former-jeff-van-drew-aide-charged-faking-violent-political-attack-rcna244905
[10] Trump’s Case Against James Comey Is Crashing and Burning, https://newrepublic.com/article/203419/botch-federal-prosecution-james-comey
[11] Justice Dept. probing handling of Sen. Adam Schiff investigation, sources say, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/justice-dept-adam-schiff-investigation/
[12] Grand jury investigating potential misconduct in probes of Trump critics, https://www.ms.now/news/grand-jury-trump-critics-ed-martin-bill-pulte-rcna244980

4. Foreign Policy and National Security

4.1 Ukraine: Draft Peace Plan Met with Battlefield Escalation

A U.S.-Russian draft plan to end the war in Ukraine has reportedly been formulated, with headlines stating it is based on “capitulation from Kyiv” and would force Ukraine to cede sovereign territory and significantly reduce its military [1]. This diplomatic development is dramatically juxtaposed with battlefield reality, as Ukraine has used U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to attack targets inside Russian territory for the first time this week [2]. The situation has led some analysts to question whether the proposal is a substantive peace plan or merely a “phantom” maneuver, with experts suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin will seek to “exploit Trump’s moment of weakness” for a one-sided deal [3, 4].

4.2 U.S. Alliances and Diplomatic Tensions

The administration has named Saudi Arabia a “major non-NATO ally,” a designation accompanied by “billions in arms deals” that has drawn sharp backlash over human rights concerns [5, 6]. Concurrently, U.S. relations with Canada and Mexico are showing signs of strain. Mexico has reportedly rejected an offer from President Trump to “strike cartels,” while a U.S. official has accused Canada of “meddling in U.S. politics” and linked the future of trade talks to Canada’s purchase of American fighter jets [7, 8].

[1] U.S.-Russian Peace Plan Would Force Ukraine to Cede Land and Cut Army, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/world/europe/us-russia-ukraine-peace-plan.html
[2] Ukraine launched US-supplied ATACMS missiles into Russian territory this week, https://nypost.com/2025/11/19/world-news/ukraine-strikes-russia-with-us-made-atacms-missilesfor-first-time/
[3] A Trump Peace Plan for Ukraine—or Just a Phantom?, https://www.thebulwark.com/p/a-trump-peace-plan-for-russia-ukraine-or-phantom-skepticism
[4] How Putin will exploit Trump’s moment of weakness for a one-sided Ukraine deal, https://inews.co.uk/news/how-putin-exploit-trump-moment-weakness-ukraine-deal-4054253
[5] Trump names Saudi Arabia “major non-NATO ally,” with billions in arms deals, https://truthout.org/articles/trump-names-saudi-arabia-major-non-nato-ally-with-billions-in-arms-deals/
[6] Dem Demands Transcript of Trump-MBS Call After Khashoggi Killing, https://newrepublic.com/post/203411/phone-call-trump-mbs-khashoggi-killing-saudi
[7] Warning signs appear on Mexican beach declaring area restricted by U.S. as Mexico rejects Trump offer to strike cartels, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/warning-signs-mexico-beach-us-department-of-defense-property/
[8] Hoekstra accuses Canada of meddling in U.S. politics, says restarting trade talks ’not going to be easy’, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/us-ambassador-trade-9.6985050?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar

5. Congress, The Economy and Judiciary

5.1 Congressional Gridlock and Intra-Party Conflict

Congress is embroiled in legislative gridlock and public infighting. In the Senate, Lindsey Graham (R-SC) blocked a House-passed bill to repeal a provision from a recent shutdown deal [1]. The House floor has been marked by acrimony, with members “trading censures and curse words” and a MAGA-led censure effort going “off the rails” [2, 3]. Meanwhile, early maneuvering for the 2028 presidential election is creating friction, as Vice President JD Vance declared “the Republican party of Bush and Cheney isn’t coming back,” while the White House is reportedly “stewing” over actions by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) [4, 5].

5.2 A Mixed Economic Picture Amid Sector-Specific Stress

A long-delayed September jobs report showed the economy added 119,000 jobs, exceeding expectations, but the unemployment rate simultaneously rose to 4.4% [6]. Despite the job growth, public sentiment is negative, with a Fox News poll finding that voters believe the “White House is doing more harm than good on economy” [7]. Specific sectors are showing signs of stress. The chief economist at Moody’s Analytics has issued a “default warning” on President Trump’s 50-year mortgage proposal [8], and Iowa farmers are reportedly facing “extreme financial distress” and rising bankruptcies [9].

5.3 Redistricting Battles and Supreme Court Outlook

Legal battles over election administration are intensifying, as a federal court has blocked Texas from using a new, Republican-backed congressional map [10]. At the highest level, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a potentially landmark case that “could redefine the limits of state power,” signaling a forthcoming ruling with potentially significant implications for American federalism [11].

[1] Lindsey Graham blocks House-passed bill to repeal shutdown deal provision allowing $500,000 lawsuits from senators, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lindsey-graham-blocks-bill-repeal-provision-allowing-lawsuits-senators/
[2] A mad House: Members of Congress trade censures and curse words, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mad-house-members-congress-trade-censures-curse-words-rcna244829
[3] MAGA Stars Clash on House Floor as Censure Vote Goes Off the Rails, https://www.thedailybeast.com/maga-stars-nancy-mace-and-cory-mills-trade-insults-on-house-floor-as-censure-vote-goes-off-the-rails/
[4] Vance: The Republican party of Bush and Cheney isn’t coming back, https://jewishinsider.com/2025/11/jd-vance-bush-cheney-reagan-breitbart-republican-party/
[5] An early 2028 fight erupts as the White House stews over Sen. Ted Cruz, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2028-election/early-2028-fight-white-house-ted-cruz-rcna244987
[6] US job growth beats expectations in September; unemployment rate rises to 4.4%, https://www.reuters.com/business/us-job-growth-beats-expectations-september-unemployment-rate-rises-44-2025-11-20/
[7] Fox News Poll: Voters say White House is doing more harm than good on economy, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-voters-say-white-house-doing-more-harm-than-good-economy
[8] Trump’s 50-Year Mortgage Gets Default Warning From Moody’s Chief Economist, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-50-year-mortgage-default-warning-from-moodys-chief-economist-11079861
[9] With falling profits, Iowa farmers facing ’extreme financial distress,’ more bankruptcies, https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2025/11/20/iowa-farm-bankruptcies-financial-distress/86951743007/
[10] Court blocks Texas from using new congressional map backed by Republicans, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/18/court-blocks-texas-from-using-new-congressional-map-backed-by-republicans.html
[11] Supreme Court could redefine the limits of state power, https://www.newsweek.com/supreme-court-could-redefine-limits-state-power-11076973?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit_influencers

==