HeadlineSquare[Friday, November 28] US News Headlines from r/politics
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DAILY BRIEFING
By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare November 28, 2025
Executive Summary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under severe scrutiny following reports he ordered troops to “Kill them all” during a Caribbean boat strike, including survivors. President Trump announced a “permanent pause” on migration from “Third World Countries” and a “rigorous reexamination” of green cards following a fatal D.C. shooting. The suspect was reportedly granted asylum under the Trump administration. Reports allege the President plans to recognize occupied Ukrainian territories as part of Russia. He also plans to pardon a convicted ex-Honduran president and “cancel” autopen-signed Biden orders. The President faces a new bribery probe and a second-term low approval rating.
1. Foreign Policy and National Security
1.1. Crisis in the Caribbean: Defense Secretary Hegseth Under Scrutiny for Alleged ‘Kill Them All’ Order
A major crisis has erupted around the conduct of U.S. military operations in the Caribbean. Officials claim Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a direct order to “Kill them all” during an initial strike on a suspected drug boat [1]. Subsequent reports, citing official sources, allege this directive to “kill everybody” was also applied to survivors of the first attack [2], and sources state the U.S. military then carried out a second strike, killing those who remained [3]. This comes as the administration has signaled a tougher stance in the region, with President Trump hinting at ground action in Venezuela to counter “alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers” [4]. Analytics highlight the operational risks, with a New York Times report asserting that the “U.S. Has Limited Knowledge of Those It Kills in Boat Strikes,” a type of operation that has killed U.S. citizens in the past [5].
References:
[1] Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/11/28/hegseth-kill-them-all-survivors-boat-strike/
[2] Pete Hegseth’s order to ‘kill everybody’ included alleged drug boat survivors: report, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/pete-hegseth-drug-boat-survivors-order-b2874580.html
[3] US military carried out second strike killing survivors on a suspected drug boat that had already been attacked, sources say, https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/28/politics/us-military-second-strike-caribbean?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=missions&utm_source=reddit
[4] Trump hints at ground action in Venezuela to combat drug trafficking, https://www.euronews.com/2025/11/28/trump-hints-at-ground-operations-in-venezuela-to-combat-drug-trafficking
[5] U.S. Has Limited Knowledge of Those It Kills in Boat Strikes, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/us/politics/us-military-boat-strikes.html
1.2. Reported Plan to Recognize Occupied Ukraine as Russian; Moscow Signals Talks
A potentially monumental shift in U.S. policy regarding the war in Ukraine is being reported. According to The Telegraph, President “Trump [is] to recognise occupied Ukraine as part of Russia” [1]. This unconfirmed report emerges as Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled Moscow is now “ready for ‘serious’ talks” to end the conflict [2]. The timing of these developments suggests a highly fluid diplomatic situation, the full details of which remain unclear.
References:
[1] Trump to recognise occupied Ukraine as part of Russia, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/28/trump-to-recognise-occupied-ukraine-part-of-russia/
[2] Putin breaks his silence on Ukraine peace plan, says Moscow ready for ‘serious’ talks, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/27/putin-moscow-ready-for-serious-talks-on-ukraine-peace-plan.html
1.3. Domestic Security: National Guard Member Dies in D.C. Shooting
A “targeted shooting” in Washington D.C. has resulted in the death of a National Guard member. President Trump announced that one of two wounded service members died from their injuries [1]. The deceased has been identified as National Guard Member Sarah Beckstrom [2]. This incident has become the publicly stated catalyst for the administration’s new immigration policies.
References:
[1] 1 of 2 National Guard members wounded in ’targeted shooting’ has died, Trump says, https://abcnews.go.com/US/2-national-guard-members-remain-critical-condition-after/story?id=127924182
[2] Trump Administration Leads Tributes for Slain National Guard Member Sarah Beckstrom, https://time.com/7337339/killed-national-guard-sarah-beckstrom-tributes-trump-administration-response/
1.4. Strained Alliances and Global Tensions
The administration’s foreign policy is generating anxiety among key U.S. allies. A “Top EU official accuses US of ‘blackmail’ in trade talks,” signaling a serious deterioration in negotiations [1]. Meanwhile, the government of Denmark has created a dedicated “’night watch’” to monitor President Trump, an action reportedly driven by renewed “fears over Greenland” [2].
References:
[1] Top EU official accuses US of ‘blackmail’ in trade talks, https://www.politico.eu/article/top-eu-official-teresa-ribera-accuses-us-of-blackmail-in-trade-talks/
[2] Denmark creates ’night watch’ to monitor Donald Trump over Greenland fears, https://www.newsweek.com/denmark-trump-greenland-fears-11124683?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit_main
2. Immigration and Border Security
2.1. President Trump Announces ‘Permanent Pause’ on Migration, Orders Green Card Review
In the wake of the D.C. shooting, President Trump has declared a policy to “permanently pause migration” from nations he has characterized as “‘Third World Countries’” [1]. As part of a broader “sweeping crackdown,” the President has also demanded “‘Reverse Migration’” [2]. Concurrent with this announcement, the administration has ordered a “rigorous reexamination” of all green cards held by immigrants from any “country of concern” [3].
References:
[1] Trump says US will permanently pause migration from ‘Third World Countries’, https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-us-will-permanently-pause-migration-third-world-countries-2025-11-28/
[2] Trump Demands ‘Reverse Migration’ in Push for Sweeping Crackdown, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-28/trump-to-permanently-pause-migration-from-third-world?embedded-checkout=true
[3] Trump administration orders “rigorous reexamination” of all green cards for every immigrant from “a country of concern”, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dc-shooting-national-guard-green-card-review-trump-administration/
2.2. Focus on Afghan Suspect: Asylum History and Deportation Threat to Family
The administration has heavily linked the new policies to the suspect in the D.C. shooting. President Trump has “cast suspicion on refugees” [1] and stated he is “‘looking at’” the possibility of deporting the suspect’s wife and five children [2]. However, a Reuters investigation complicates the political narrative, reporting that while some officials criticize the “Biden vetting” process, the Afghan shooting suspect “was granted asylum under Trump” [3]. The news has reportedly left many Afghan refugees in the U.S. “fearing backlash” [4].
References:
[1] Trump Uses National Guard Shooting to Cast Suspicion on Refugees, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/us/politics/trump-national-guard-shooting.html
[2] Donald Trump Says He’s ‘Looking at’ Deporting Wife and 5 Kids of National Guard Shooting Suspect, https://people.com/donald-trump-says-hes-looking-at-deporting-wife-5-kids-of-national-guard-shooting-suspect-11858673
[3] Officials criticize Biden vetting, but Afghan shooting suspect was granted asylum under Trump, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/officials-criticize-biden-vetting-afghan-shooting-suspect-was-granted-asylum-2025-11-27/
[4] Many Afghan Refugees fearing backlash from President, https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-shooting-refugee-reactions-368d69586a28dabf47bf8e7025946068
2.3. International and Judicial Responses
The new policies have drawn swift reaction. The United Nations issued a plea, urging Washington to “keep doors open to asylum seekers” [1]. Domestically, the administration’s enforcement methods continue to face legal challenges, with one report stating “More than 220 judges have now rejected the Trump admin’s mass detention policy” [2].
References:
[1] UN urges Washington to keep doors open to asylum seekers after D.C. attack, https://www.reuters.com/world/un-urges-washington-keep-doors-open-asylum-seekers-after-dc-attack-2025-11-28/
[2] More than 220 judges have now rejected the Trump admin’s mass detention policy, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/28/trump-detention-deportation-policy-00669861
3. Legal Affairs and Presidential Powers
3.1. Expansive Use of Executive Authority: Pardons and Order Cancellations
President Trump has announced two significant uses of executive power. First, he stated his intent to “pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez,” who is serving a U.S. sentence after a 2024 drug trafficking conviction [1]. Second, the President declared he will “cancel all Biden orders ‘signed by autopen’” and has threatened his predecessor with “‘perjury’ charges” over the matter [2].
References:
[1] Trump to pardon ex-Honduras leader serving US sentence after drug trafficking conviction, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-says-he-will-pardon-former-honduras-president-serving-us-prison-sentence-2025-11-28/
[2] Trump says he will cancel all Biden orders ‘signed by autopen’ and threatens ex-president with ‘perjury’ charges, https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-biden-autopen-perjury-charges-b2874633.html
3.2. Investigations and Ethical Scrutiny
The President is facing scrutiny on multiple legal and ethical fronts. Swiss politicians are demanding an investigation into diplomatic gifts of a Rolex watch and gold bars, calling them a “possible bribe” and coining the term “Gold bar diplomacy” in connection to subsequent tariff cuts [1]. In a separate matter, a Newsweek report claims “Trump [is] no longer held criminally accountable for trying to overturn election,” though the legal basis for this is unclear in the headline [2]. Meanwhile, a “Key House Democrat” is reportedly moving “to put lawmakers on record against pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell” [3], and journalist Julie K. Brown has expressed fear that the “Trump administration will try to cover up for powerful men” [4].
References:
[1] “Gold bar diplomacy”: Swiss politicians call Trump gifts a possible bribe - Lawmakers say the “diplomatic gifts” look a lot like bribery, especially given the tariff cuts that followed, https://www.salon.com/2025/11/27/gold-bar-diplomacy-swiss-politicians-call-trump-gifts-a-possible-bribe/
[2] Trump no longer held criminally accountable for trying to overturn election, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-no-longer-held-criminally-accountable-trying-overturn-election-11121021
[3] Key House Democrat seeks to put lawmakers on record against pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, https://www.ms.now/news/key-house-democrat-seeks-to-put-lawmakers-on-record-against-pardoning-ghislaine-maxwell
[4] Julie K. Brown, the journalist who brought down Epstein: ‘I fear the Trump administration will try to cover up for powerful men’, https://english.elpais.com/usa/2025-11-28/julie-k-brown-the-journalist-who-brought-down-epstein-i-fear-the-trump-administration-will-try-to-cover-up-for-powerful-men.html
3.3. Judiciary and Rule of Law Under Pressure
Broader concerns are being raised about the U.S. legal system. A group of retired judges has issued a public warning that “the rule of law is unraveling” [1]. Additionally, the Supreme Court is facing criticism that its “Ethics Code Is a Joke” and is being exploited by corporate interests [2]. The court is also preparing to hear a case that, according to one report, “could rewrite Internet access” [3].
References:
[1] Retired judges warn that the rule of law is unraveling, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/11/28/judges-trump-administration-rule-of-law/
[2] The Supreme Court’s Ethics Code Is a Joke. Big Oil Knows That., https://newrepublic.com/article/203669/coney-barett-oil-climate-alito-conflicts
[3] The Supreme Court Is About to Hear a Case That Could Rewrite Internet Access, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/11/supreme-court-sony-cox-copryight-internet-case.html
4. The Presidency: Conduct, Rhetoric, and Public Standing
4.1. Combative Rhetoric Targets Governor, Reporters; Health Questioned
The President’s recent public statements have been marked by personal attacks. He targeted Governor Tim Walz in a “furious Thanksgiving message,” calling him “‘seriously retarded’” [1], which prompted Walz to hit back and challenge Trump to “‘Release the MRI results’” [2]. The President has also repeatedly attacked female reporters, asking “Are you stupid?” in response to questions on Afghan vetting and the D.C. shooting [3]. These events coincide with a “Top Doctor” publicly warning there is reason to be “‘Worried’ About Trump’s Cognitive Decline” [4].
References:
[1] Trump rages over ‘seriously retarded Governor’ Tim Walz in furious Thanksgiving message, https://nypost.com/2025/11/28/us-news/trump-rages-over-seriously-retarded-governor-tim-walz-in-furious-thanksgiving-message/
[2] Walz hits back at Trump over Thanksgiving tirade: ‘Release the MRI results’, https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5625629-walz-trump-somali-refugees-mri-results/
[3] ‘Are you stupid?’ Trump rebuffs reporter’s question on Afghan resettlement vetting, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-are-you-stupid-trump-rebuffs-reporters-question-on-afghan-resettlement-vetting
[4] Top Doctor Warns There’s Reason to Be ‘Worried’ About Trump’s Cognitive Decline, https://www.thedailybeast.com/top-doctor-warns-theres-reason-to-be-worried-about-trumps-cognitive-decline/
4.2. Approval Rating Hits New Low Amid Reports of Internal Turmoil
President Trump’s job approval has fallen to 36%, a “new second-term low” according to a new Gallup poll [1]. This comes as more Republicans are reportedly disapproving of “Trump’s economy” [2]. The polling data is mirrored by commentary describing internal administration turmoil, with one headline suggesting “The Great MAGA Crack-Up Has Begun” [3]. Scrutiny of presidential expenditures also continues, with one report claiming “Trump’s golf trips have cost taxpayers $71m since January” [4].
References:
[1] Trump’s Approval Rating Drops to 36%, New Second-Term Low, https://news.gallup.com/poll/699221/trump-approval-rating-drops-new-second-term-low.aspx
[2] More Republicans disapprove of Trump’s economy, https://www.axios.com/2025/11/24/trump-voters-economy-inflation
[3] There’s No Doubt About It: The Great MAGA Crack-Up Has Begun | Every single prominent member of the Trump administration has had a very, very bad week., https://newrepublic.com/article/203744/there-no-doubt-it-great-maga-crack-up-begun-trump
[4] Trump’s golf trips have cost taxpayers $71m since January and could eventually top staggering $300m, report says, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-golf-taxpayer-money-second-term-b2873986.html
5. Domestic Policy and Governance
5.1. Economic and Fiscal Policy Proposals
President Trump has floated a radical change to the U.S. tax system, stating he “may cut income tax ‘completely’” and fund the government with “tariff income” [1]. On a separate issue, Maine’s Governor Mills and Representative Pingree have publicly called on congressional Republicans to extend tax credits associated with the Affordable Care Act [2]. A report also notes a “new ‘cash law’” has passed that “could change shopping for millions,” but its specific implications remain unclear from the headline [3].
References:
[1] Trump says he may cut income tax ‘completely’ because of tariff income, https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-he-may-cut-income-tax-completely-because-of-tariff-income-2025-11-28/
[2] Gov. Mills, Rep. Pingree call on Republicans to extend ACA tax credits, https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-governor-janet-mills-representative-chellie-pingree-call-on-republicans-to-extend-aca-tax-credits-health-insurance
[3] New ‘cash law’ could change shopping for millions, https://www.newsweek.com/new-cash-law-could-change-shopping-for-millions-11124739
5.2. Cultural Battles Escalate in States and Federal Government
Contentious social policies are being enacted across the country. In Tennessee, reports describe alarms from librarians and publishers as libraries shut down for a GOP “‘Book Purge’” [1]. The Florida GOP is reportedly making another attempt to pass a ban on Pride flags in a “direct attack on LGBTQ visibility” after failing in previous years [2]. In Ohio, the state House passed the “‘Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act’,” allowing the “teaching of religion’s influence on U.S. history” [3]. At the federal level, the U.S. government has “quietly canceled World AIDS Day after nearly four decades of recognition” [4].
References:
[1] Librarians and Publishers Alarmed as Tennessee Libraries Shut Down for GOP ‘Book Purge’, https://www.commondreams.org/news/tennessee-gop-book-bans
[2] Florida GOP trying to ban Pride flags in “direct attack on LGBTQ visibility”. After three consecutive years of failing to pass a ban, Florida is trying yet again., https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/11/florida-gop-trying-to-ban-pride-flags-in-direct-on-lgbtq-visibility/
[3] Ohio House passes ‘Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act’ allowing teaching of religion’s influence on U.S. history, https://www.fox19.com/2025/11/27/ohio-house-passes-charlie-kirk-american-heritage-act-allowing-teaching-religions-influence-us-history/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOV_QxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFCQnFoZ2haaDBGd2pCeTVLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvV9QF-lQ_2j1Co69oES2bYhdHxbroMOYiCjb1TFiJ9VA_HWKkAOfI5vKu-q_aem_5TwtjG9iXgyytbKbCRiNbQ
[4] The US government just quietly canceled World AIDS Day after nearly four decades of recognition, https://www.masslive.com/politics/2025/11/the-us-government-just-quietly-canceled-world-aids-day-after-nearly-four-decades-of-recognition.html
6. U.S. Politics and Elections
6.1. Congressional and Intra-Party Dynamics
The Republican leadership appears split between managing internal strife and external political campaigns. House Speaker Mike Johnson described the state of his Speakership by saying, “‘We’re kind of in survival mode right now’” [1]. Despite this, he and President Trump are planning a joint tele-rally for a GOP candidate in a “tight Tennessee House race” [2]. Meanwhile, reports suggest internal conflicts are brewing, with a “conservative media war” erupting and different factions vying for the President’s support [3].
References:
[1] Johnson on life amid Speakership: ‘We’re kind of in survival mode right now’, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5625424-house-speaker-mike-johnson-struggles/
[2] Trump and Johnson to hold tele-rally for GOP in tight Tennessee House race, https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/trump-mike-johnson-tele-rally-tennessee-house-race?utm_campaign=editorial&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_social_handle_id=800707492346925056&utm_social_post_id=610127915&utm_source=x
[3] A conservative media war erupts. Both sides hope Trump is in their corner., https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/28/a-conservative-media-war-erupts-with-both-sides-hoping-trump-is-in-their-corner-00669920
6.2. 2028 Political Outlook
Early speculation on the 2028 presidential election is emerging. For Republicans, a new poll finds that Vice President “JD Vance’s chances of becoming [the] 2028 Republican nominee are falling” [1]. A separate poll points to a potential “MAGA voter split” that could create challenges for the party [2]. For Democrats, a report identifies Governor Gavin Newsom, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and former Vice President Kamala Harris as potential contenders [3].
References:
[1] JD Vance’s chances of becoming 2028 Republican nominee are falling, new poll finds, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/jd-vance-donald-trump-jr-polls-b2874175.html
[2] Poll: The MAGA voter split that could spell trouble for 2028 Republicans, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/28/maga-trump-voters-divide-00670647
[3] Newsom, AOC, Harris? Potential Democratic contenders for 2028 run, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/28/potential-democratic-2028-presidential-contenders
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