[Wednesday, November 26] US News Headlines from r/politics

2025-11-26 2381 words 12 minutes

Contents

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare November 26, 2025

Executive Summary

Georgia Case Dropped: Georgia’s 2020 election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies has been formally dropped and dismissed by a judge.
U.S.-Russia Diplomatic Crisis: A leaked call showing a Trump envoy coaching a Putin aide on a Ukraine peace plan has triggered a diplomatic crisis.
FBI Probes Lawmakers: The FBI is seeking to interview Democratic lawmakers over public statements urging troops to defy potential “illegal orders.”
Immigration Policy & Enforcement: The administration ended TPS for Haiti and defied a court order on deportations amid a 2,000% surge in non-criminal ICE arrests.
Intra-Party Conflicts: A “Fight Club” challenges Senator Schumer’s leadership; the GOP is fractured over Russia policy and House resignations.
Executive Power Clashes: The Supreme Court blocked the president from firing one official, while DHS defied a separate judge’s deportation order.

1. Justice System and Legal Affairs

1.1 Georgia 2020 Election Interference Case Dismissed

The Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies has officially concluded. The newly appointed prosecutor formally ended the case, announcing the state would not pursue charges [1]. Following this, a judge formally dismissed the entire case, including the central racketeering (RICO) charges, bringing a definitive end to the high-profile legal battle stemming from the 2020 election [2].

References:
[1] Georgia prosecutor ends 2020 election interference case against Trump, allies, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/11/26/trump-georgia-election-case-dropped/
[2] Judge Dismisses Georgia Election Interference Case Against Trump, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/us/trump-georgia-election-racketeering.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

1.2 FBI Investigates Lawmakers Over “Illegal Orders” Rhetoric

The FBI is seeking interviews with several Democratic lawmakers whom President Trump has accused of ‘seditious behavior’ [1]. The inquiry targets Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, among others, over public statements urging U.S. troops to defy potential ‘illegal orders’ from the executive branch [2].

References:
[1] FBI seeks to interview Sen. Mark Kelly, other Democrats Trump accused of seditious behavior, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/trump-fbi-mark-kelly-democrats-pentagon-video.html
[2] FBI seeks interviews with Slotkin, others who urged US troops to defy ‘illegal orders’, https://www.mlive.com/politics/2025/11/fbi-seeks-interviews-with-slotkin-others-who-urged-us-troops-to-defy-illegal-orders.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=redditsocial&utm_campaign=redditor

1.3 Supreme Court Limits Executive Firing Power

In a ruling that curtails executive authority, the Supreme Court has barred President Trump from firing a Library of Congress official [1]. The decision establishes a precedent regarding the president’s removal powers over certain federal positions. In a separate legal matter, a Department of Justice misconduct complaint against a federal judge in D.C. was dismissed by a court official [2].

References:
[1] Supreme Court bars Trump from firing Library of Congress official, https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/26/politics/supreme-court-library-of-congress-copyright?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=missions&utm_source=reddit
[2] Court official dismisses Justice Department’s misconduct complaint against a federal judge in DC, https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-judge-complaint-transgender-executive-order-150dec66b471ecc3f6224d6324d44dbe

1.4 Legacy Legal Cases and Investigations

A federal appeals court upheld a penalty of approximately $1 million against Donald Trump for filing what reports describe as a ‘frivolous’ lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and others related to the 2016 election [1]. In separate matters, a specialized team under DNI Tulsi Gabbard has reportedly accessed a secret CIA warehouse containing files on John F. Kennedy [2]. Concurrently, it was revealed that the FBI conducted a ‘frantic special redaction project,’ spending nearly $1 million to scrub Jeffrey Epstein’s files ahead of a potential court-ordered release [3].

References:
[1] Appeals court upholds $1M penalty against Trump over ‘frivolous’ Hillary Clinton lawsuit, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/appeals-court-1-million-penalty-trump-bad-faith-hillary-clinton-rcna246067
[2] How Gabbard’s ‘hunters’ pounced on secret CIA warehouse for Kennedy files, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/how-gabbards-hunters-pounced-secret-cia-warehouse-kennedy-files-2025-11-25/
[3] Trump’s FBI Spent Nearly $1 Million on Redacting Epstein Files | A new report reveals the FBI’s frantic “special redaction project” when they thought the Epstein files would be released., https://newrepublic.com/post/203762/trump-fbi-redacted-epstein-files

2. Foreign Policy and National Security

2.1 Leaked Call with ‘Trump Envoy’ Sparks U.S.-Russia Diplomatic Crisis

A major diplomatic crisis is unfolding after leaked call transcripts showed a U.S. envoy, identified as Steve Witkoff, coaching a Putin aide on how to pitch a Ukraine peace plan to President Trump [1]. The leak has been condemned by Moscow as ‘hybrid warfare’ [2] and prompted some U.S. representatives to label Witkoff a ’traitor,’ though President Trump has publicly defended him [3]. The peace plan itself is described as giving Russia “nearly everything it wants” and is causing “deep misgivings” among some GOP lawmakers [4].

References:
[1] Report: US envoy coached Putin aide on how Russian leader should pitch Trump on Ukraine peace plan, https://apnews.com/article/trump-witkoff-putin-ukraine-bloomberg-3844a3721d92dd9ae9681547a0814d88
[2] Russia says leak of Witkoff call recording is unacceptable, amounts to hybrid warfare, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-aide-ushakov-says-he-witkoff-will-be-touch-about-their-leaked-call-2025-11-26/
[3] ‘Traitor’: US representatives call for Trump envoy Witkoff to be fired after leaked Kremlin call, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/26/republicans-steve-witkoff-leaked-call-russia-ukraine
[4] Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan Gives Russia Nearly Everything It Wants, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-ukraine-peace-plan-russia-1235470803/

2.2 Military Tensions and Unlawful Orders Debate

Tension between the administration and parts of the military community is apparent. Senator Mark Kelly declared Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “totally unqualified” after a dispute over military medals, adding that Trump and Hegseth “don’t ‘understand the Constitution’” [1]. This coincides with a public debate over the legal duty for soldiers to “disobey unlawful orders” under the current administration [2].

References:
[1] Sen. Kelly says Pete Hegseth ’totally unqualified’ after being bashed over display of medals, https://abcnews.go.com/US/sen-kelly-pete-hegseth-totally-unqualified-after-bashed/story?id=127894384
[2] Soldiers must disobey unlawful orders under Trump–it’s their legal duty, https://truthout.org/articles/soldiers-must-disobey-unlawful-orders-under-trump-its-their-legal-duty/

2.3 Global Diplomacy and Unverified Incursion Report

On the diplomatic front, an analysis of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s strategy describes him as a ‘hawk in Venezuela’ but a ‘dove in Ukraine’ [1]. Tensions are also reportedly escalating in a “showdown” between China and Japan, with the Trump administration in a mediating role [2]. Separately, a single report with the headline “U.S. Accidentally Invades Mexico 30 miles south of the Rio Grande” has emerged [3]. This claim is not corroborated by any other source in the provided news feed and remains unverified.

References:
[1] Marco Rubio’s dual role: A hawk in Venezuela, a dove in Ukraine, https://english.elpais.com/usa/2025-11-26/marco-rubios-dual-role-a-hawk-in-venezuela-a-dove-in-ukraine.html
[2] China and Japan Are in a Showdown, With Trump in the Middle, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/world/asia/japan-takaichi-trump-china-xi.html
[3] U.S. Accidentally Invades Mexico 30 miles south of the Rio Grande, https://people.com/military-mistakenly-declares-mexico-beach-us-property-11854600

3. Executive Action and Domestic Policy

3.1 Immigration: Enforcement Surge and Policy Shifts

The administration has announced that Haiti no longer meets the requirements for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), requiring thousands of U.S. residents under this status to leave [1]. This policy change coincides with Department of Homeland Security data reportedly showing a 2,000% surge in ICE arrests of non-criminal detainees [2]. In a direct challenge to the judiciary, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem personally made the decision not to turn around deportation flights to El Salvador, defying a judge’s order [3]. In other developments, a judge has ordered the administration to provide bond hearings to detained migrants [4], and DHS is seeking access to state driver’s license data for a “sweeping citizenship program” [5].

References:
[1] Trump says Haiti no longer meets requirements for TPS. Haitians have to leave, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article313163038.html
[2] The number of non-criminal detainees arrested by ICE has surged by 2,000% under Trump. These charts show who’s in detention., https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-detainee-data-fastest-growing-without-criminal-records-trump/
[3] Noem made decision not to turn around deportation flights bound for El Salvador after judge’s order, DOJ says, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/noem-decision-el-salvador-deportations-trump-judge-order/
[4] Judge orders Trump administration to provide bond hearings to detained migrants, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/25/judge-bond-hearings-detained-migrants
[5] Homeland Security wants state driver’s license data for sweeping citizenship program, https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/25/repub/homeland-security-wants-state-drivers-license-data-for-sweeping-citizenship-program/

The administration’s stance on healthcare is creating uncertainty, sending mixed signals on whether it will extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and running into “familiar GOP divisions” [1]. In public health, a new deputy director at the CDC, appointed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., reportedly favors ’natural immunity’ over vaccines [2]. On social policy, the Justice Department plans to create a gun rights office within its Civil Rights Division [3], and the administration has decided to end the official White House commemoration of World AIDS Day [4].

References:
[1] Trump opens the door to Obamacare subsidy extension, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/25/trump-obamacare-subsidy-extension-aca-00669491
[2] RFK Jr.’s new CDC deputy director prefers “natural immunity” over vaccines, https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/11/rfk-jr-s-new-cdc-deputy-director-prefers-natural-immunity-over-vaccines/
[3] US Justice Department plans gun rights office within civil rights unit, https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-justice-department-plans-gun-rights-office-within-civil-rights-unit-2025-11-25/
[4] Trump Administration Will No Longer Commemorate World AIDS Day, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/health/trump-us-world-aids-day.html?unlocked_article_code=1.4E8.fcn9.QH6thhKYUjX0&smid=url-share

3.3 Environmental Deregulation and Energy Policy

The EPA is moving forward with a plan to abandon a rule setting tough standards for deadly soot pollution [1]. The administration is also implementing “America-first” fee surges for international tourists visiting national parks, introducing new park passes featuring President Trump’s face in a move that has “outraged conservationists” [2]. In energy, the administration’s plan to open waters off California and Florida to offshore drilling is reportedly facing significant bipartisan opposition from lawmakers in those states [3].

References:
[1] Trump EPA moves to abandon rule that sets tough standards for deadly soot pollution, https://apnews.com/article/epa-soot-air-pollution-trump-zeldin-deregulation-d7df5b24a159284e96b12958a840c3d8
[2] Trump’s face on new national park passes outrages conservationists, https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/trump-face-new-national-park-passes-outrage-21208431.php
[3] Trump’s plan for drilling off California and Florida faces bipartisan opposition, https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/11/trump-order-offshore-drilling-california-florida-bipartisan-opposition/

4. The Presidency: Conduct and Communications

4.1 President Defends Health, Attacks Media Following Critical Report

President Trump has publicly reacted with anger to a New York Times story focusing on his age and a report alleging he has “drastically reduced” his public schedule [1]. He issued a statement claiming he passed a “perfect physical exam and a comprehensive cognitive test” [2]. In the same period, the President has continued verbal attacks on female reporters, with reports from multiple outlets noting he called one journalist “ugly” and another “piggy” [3].

References:
[1] Research Exposes How Trump, 79, Has Drastically Reduced Schedule, https://www.thedailybeast.com/research-exposes-how-trump-79-has-drastically-reduced-schedule/
[2] Trump rages about New York Times story on age: ‘Perfect Physical Exam And A Comprehensive Cognitive Test’, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/26/donald-trump-nyt-age-health-00669553
[3] Trump calls female reporter “ugly” after insulting another as “piggy”, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-calls-female-reporters-ugly-piggy/

4.2 Personnel Controversies and Executive Actions

Reports that President Trump was considering firing FBI Director Kash Patel prompted a joint public response from both individuals, though its content was not detailed [1]. In personnel appointments, a Louisiana official who has called COVID-19 vaccines “dangerous” was given a key post at the CDC [2]. Following a shooting, President Trump authorized 500 additional National Guard troops for Washington D.C., and he continues to publicly advocate for sending federal troops to Chicago [3].

References:
[1] Trump, Patel issue response after report claims the president may fire FBI director, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-fbi-kash-patel-firing-controversy-b2872454.html
[2] Louisiana official who called Covid-19 vaccines ‘dangerous’ given key CDC post, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/25/ralph-abraham-deputy-cdc-director
[3] Trump to send 500 more National Guard troops to DC after shooting, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/26/trump-deploy-500-national-guard-troops-dc-shooting/87487649007/

5. Congressional and Political Party Dynamics

5.1 GOP Internal Rifts Escalate Over Russia Policy and House Leadership

Significant fractures are apparent within the Republican party. Vice President JD Vance is publicly criticizing Senator Mitch McConnell and is reportedly “fighting the GOP establishment over Russia,” signaling a high-level split on foreign policy [1]. In the House, following the resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy predicted a wider “GOP exodus” [2]. Greene herself reportedly went on an “extraordinary rant” about Charlie Kirk and other “Republican men” in relation to her resignation [3].

References:
[1] Why JD Vance is fighting the GOP establishment over Russia, http://salon.com/2025/11/26/why-jd-vance-is-fighting-the-gop-establishment-over-russia
[2] “Canary in the coal mine”: McCarthy predicts GOP exodus following Greene resignation, https://www.salon.com/2025/11/25/canary-in-the-coal-mine-mccarthy-predicts-gop-exodus-following-greene-resignation/
[3] MTG goes on extraordinary rant about Charlie Kirk, Republican men and her resignation: ‘F*** you’, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-charlie-kirk-resignation-b2873166.html

5.2 Democrats Face Internal Leadership Challenge

Within the Senate Democratic caucus, an effort is underway to challenge the leadership of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are reportedly helping to form an internal “Fight Club” to push back against his authority [1].

References:
[1] Sanders, Warren Help Form Senate Democratic ‘Fight Club’ Challenging Schumer’s Leadership, https://www.commondreams.org/news/sanders-warren-senate-fight-club

5.3 Electoral Politics, Polling and Campaign Finance

President Trump’s approval rating has slipped to a second-term low and turned negative with every major pollster for the first time [1]. In a Tennessee special election, the left-wing Democratic candidate, Aftyn Behn, is reportedly “neck and neck” with the Republican in a “Trump Country” district [2]. In campaign finance, donors to Trump’s 2024 transition are just now coming to light, a year later [3], while Nike founder Phil Knight has reportedly made a “record-breaking donation to Republicans” [4].

References:
[1] Trump’s approval rating slips to second term low, new poll shows, https://www.newsweek.com/trumps-approval-rating-slips-to-second-term-low-new-poll-shows-11108644
[2] Left-Wing Democrat Aftyn Behn In Striking Distance Of Winning In Trump Country, Poll Shows, https://ijr.com/left-wing-democrat-aftyn-behn-in-striking-distance-of-winning-in-trump-country-poll-shows/
[3] A Year Later, Donors to Trump’s Transition Come to Light, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/us/politics/trump-transition-donors.html
[4] Nike founder Phil Knight makes record-breaking donation to Republicans, https://www.newsweek.com/nike-founder-phil-knight-makes-record-breaking-donation-to-republicans-11105549

6. State and Local Governance

6.1 State-Federal Conflicts and Local Political Tensions

Clashes between state and federal authorities are emerging. Colorado’s Department of Corrections is resisting federal pressure, backed by the President, to transfer former clerk Tina Peters to federal custody [1]. In Texas, Muslim groups are demanding Governor Abbott rescind his “terrorist” designation of the organization CAIR [2]. In New York, the transition of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is causing regional friction, with a neighboring suburb installing extra surveillance technology at the border after officials cited that Mamdani “talks like he’s pro-criminal” [3].

References:
[1] Tina Peters to remain in state custody despite federal request | The Colorado Department of Corrections is resisting federal pressure to transfer a former Mesa County clerk to federal custody, despite Trump’s backing., https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/colorado-news/tina-peters-not-going-into-federal-custody/73-183803a6-3334-4793-ac61-e186d70a94f4
[2] Muslim groups, other leaders demand Abbott rescind CAIR’s ‘terrorist’ designation: ‘Defamatory’, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/muslim-groups-other-leaders-demand-abbott-rescind-cairs-terrorist-designation-defamatory?intcmp=fb_fnc&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook
[3] NYC suburb makes major security move by city border after Mamdani victory: ‘Talks like he’s pro-criminal’, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nyc-suburb-makes-major-security-move-city-border-after-mamdani-victory

7. Economy and Technology

7.1 Waning Consumer Confidence Hits New Low

Consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest point since April, a drop driven by growing worries about the job market [1]. This sentiment aligns with polling showing widespread voter frustration with the economy as the holiday season begins [2].

References:
[1] Consumer confidence hits lowest point since April as job worries grow, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/consumer-confidence-lowest-point-since-april.html
[2] Voters frustrated with economic reality as holiday season hits: Poll, https://thehill.com/homenews/5622255-tariffs-impact-consumer-prices/

7.2 States Push Back on Federal AI Regulation

Dozens of state attorneys general are actively lobbying Congress, urging it not to pass legislation that would preempt state-level laws regulating artificial intelligence [1]. Youth safety advocates have joined this call, pressing for existing state AI rules to be upheld [2].

References:
[1] Dozens of state attorneys general urge US Congress not to block AI laws, https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/dozens-state-attorneys-general-urge-us-congress-not-block-ai-laws-2025-11-25/
[2] Youth Safety Advocates Urge Congress to Uphold State AI Rules, https://news.bgov.com/bloomberg-government-news/youth-safety-advocates-urge-congress-to-uphold-state-ai-rules