[Saturday, November 29] US News Headlines from r/politics

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare November 29, 2025

Executive Summary

• Pentagon Crisis: Defense Secretary Hegseth faces a bipartisan Senate investigation over reports he gave an illegal “kill everybody” order during a Caribbean strike, an allegation he denies.
• Venezuela Tensions: President Trump declared Venezuelan airspace “closed” and halted migrant repatriation flights, escalating tensions as the Maduro government decries the move as a “colonial threat.”
• Immigration Overhaul: In response to a deadly D.C. shooting, the administration paused asylum decisions and halted all Afghan passport visas, citing security failures.
• Foreign Policy Shift: A new “Make Money Not War” Ukraine strategy strains alliances, as Secretary Rubio plans to skip a key NATO meeting.
• Legal Bombshell: A Georgia prosecutor has dropped the 2020 election interference case against President Trump and his co-defendants.

1. National Security

1.1. Hegseth Faces ‘Legal Peril’ Over Alleged ‘Kill Everybody’ Order

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is at the center of a rapidly escalating crisis following reports of his conduct during a Caribbean counter-narcotics operation. According to an initial story from The Washington Post, which has been widely reported, Hegseth allegedly gave an order to “kill everybody” on a boat suspected of smuggling drugs [1]. This was reportedly followed by a second missile strike explicitly intended to kill any survivors of the first attack, a detail that has placed the Secretary in what one headline terms “legal peril” [2, 3]. In a direct public response, Secretary Hegseth has vigorously denied the allegations, specifically the “kill everybody” order. He has defended the legality of the military strikes and dismissed the story as “fake news,” creating a stark contradiction between media reporting and the Pentagon’s official stance [4].

References: [1] Hegseth defends strikes after WaPo ‘kill everybody’ story: ‘Fake news’, https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5626054-defense-secretary-defends-drug-strikes/
[2] Hegseth Ordered Second Strike to Kill Caribbean Boat Survivors, https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/11/28/hegseth-ordered-second-strike-kill-caribbean-boat-survivors-report.html
[3] Pentagon Pete in Legal Peril Over ‘Kill Them All’ Orders: A follow-up missile allegedly killed survivors of a U.S. strike on a drug boat., https://www.thedailybeast.com/pentagon-pete-in-legal-peril-over-kill-them-all-orders/
[4] Pete Hegseth denies that he gave orders to ‘kill everybody’ on alleged ‘narco-boat’, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/29/pete-hegseth-denies-ordering-deaths-narco-boat

1.2. Bipartisan Congressional Demands for Investigation

Congressional reaction to the allegations against Secretary Hegseth has been swift, serious, and bipartisan. The leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), issued a joint demand for Hegseth to immediately provide all orders related to the Caribbean strike [1]. Underscoring the gravity of the situation, the committee has publicly pledged to conduct “vigorous oversight” into the incident [2]. The push for a full investigation is crossing party lines, with multiple reports indicating that GOP senators are prepared to join Democrats in probing the “kill everybody” allegations [3]. Furthering the call for transparency, Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) has explicitly demanded the full declassification and public release of all information pertaining to the administration’s lethal airstrikes [4]. Beyond the specific conduct, broader questions are also emerging from Democrats about the fundamental legality of the military strikes directed at the Venezuelan boat [5].

References: [1] Wicker, Reed demand Hegseth share Caribbean strike orders, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5584325-reed-wicker-trump-caribbean-strikes/
[2] Senate committee vows ‘vigorous oversight’ in killing of boat strike survivors, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/11/29/hegseth-caribbean-strikes-kill-order-reaction/
[3] GOP senators to join Democrats in investigating Pete Hegseth ‘kill everybody’ allegations, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/pete-hegseth-drug-boat-investigation-b2875013.html
[4] Slotkin Demands Declassification and Public Release of Information on the Trump Administration’s Lethal Airstrikes, https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/2025/11/24/slotkin-demands-declassification-and-public-release-of-information-on-the-trump-administrations-lethal-airstrikes/
[5] Are Trump’s Venezuelan boat strikes legal? Why Dems want answers., https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/28/trump-venezuela-boat-strikes-legal-illegal/87470197007/

2. Foreign Policy And International Relations

2.1. US-Venezuela Tensions Escalate with Airspace Closure

The Trump administration has dramatically escalated tensions with Venezuela, directly linking the move to ongoing anti-drug strikes [1]. President Trump declared that the airspace “above and surrounding Venezuela” should be considered “closed in its entirety” [2]. This unilateral declaration was immediately condemned by the Maduro government, which described the move as a “colonial threat” [3]. The U.S. action has had immediate diplomatic consequences; according to the Venezuelan government, the U.S. suspended migrant repatriation flights in the direct aftermath of the President’s announcement, severing a key channel of migration management [4]. The situation is sufficiently tense that one headline, citing an unnamed Republican, claims the U.S. is “about to go in” to Venezuela, identifying “oil a key reason,” though the claim lacks further attribution and should be viewed with caution [5]. This occurs as the administration plans to expand its interdiction efforts, with the President stating land-based attacks will start “very soon” [6].

References: [1] Trump: Airspace above Venezuela ‘closed in its entirety’ as tensions grow over drug strikes, https://thehill.com/policy/international/5626218-trump-venezuela-airspace-caribbean-strikes/
[2] Trump says airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-says-airspace-above-surrounding-venezuela-be-closed-its-entirety-2025-11-29/
[3] Trump says Venezuelan airspace should be viewed as closed. Maduro government slams ‘colonial threat’, https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-airspace-faa-maduro-pressure-campaign-39d624a0f5d5422cdfb62826a5a56373
[4] Venezuela says U.S. unilaterally suspended migrant repatriation flights after Trump called for airspace to be viewed as closed, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venezuela-trump-airspace-migrant-repatriation-flights
[5] Republican says US “about to go in” to Venezuela, with oil a key reason, https://www.newsweek.com/gop-rep-says-us-may-go-in-to-venezuela-11102970
[6] Trump Says Land Attacks Against Alleged Drug Smugglers Are Set To Start ‘Very Soon’, https://www.latintimes.com/trump-says-land-attacks-against-alleged-drug-smugglers-are-set-start-very-soon-592043

2.2. New “Make Money Not War” Ukraine Strategy Strains Alliances

A significant shift in the U.S. approach to the war in Ukraine is reportedly underway, centered on a profit-driven peace strategy. A Wall Street Journal report outlines the administration’s new plan as “Make Money Not War” [1]. Another report expands on this, detailing a leaked “$2 Trillion Plan to Cash in on Ukraine ‘Peace’” and noting that profit is at the center of the talks [2]. As this new doctrine emerges, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly planning to skip an upcoming NATO meeting, a notable absence at what sources describe as a “key moment” for the alliance and its support for Kyiv [3]. This development coincides with reports of a growing sentiment in Europe, as captured by a Guardian headline, that it “stands alone against Russian expansionism” [4]. A broader analysis from The Wall Street Journal suggests Russia and China are actively capitalizing on the administration’s transactional “dealmaking” approach to foreign policy, rattling security partners to disrupt traditional U.S. alliances [5].

References: [1] Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine, https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-u-s-peace-business-ties-4db9b290
[2] Trump’s $2 Trillion Plan to Cash in on Ukraine ‘Peace’ Leaks - A Wall Street Journal report details how profit is at the center of Trump’s “peace” talks., https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-2-trillion-plan-to-cash-in-on-ukraine-peace-leaks/
[3] Rubio plans to skip NATO meeting at key moment for Ukraine, sources say, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/rubio-plans-skip-nato-meeting-key-moment-ukraine-sources-say-2025-11-28/
[4] The week Europe realised it stands alone against Russian expansionism, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/29/the-week-europe-realised-it-stands-alone-against-russian-expansionism
[5] Where Trump Sees Deals, Russia and China See a Chance to Disrupt U.S. Alliances | Moscow and Beijing have played to president’s dealmaking, rattling America’s security partners, https://www.wsj.com/world/trump-china-russia-deals-allies-1b26393d?st=KbcwyM&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

3. Immigration And Border Policy

3.1. Asylum ‘Pause’ and Visa Halt Follow D.C. National Guard Shooting

The Trump administration has enacted sweeping immigration policy changes in response to a deadly shooting involving National Guardsmen in Washington D.C. The White House announced an immediate “pause on asylum decisions” [1], a move The New York Times characterizes as demonstrating an “intensified anti-immigration stance” [2]. Concurrently, the State Department “immediately” halted all passport visas for Afghan nationals [3]. This follows reports that the suspected shooter was an Afghan who had likely been vetted by the U.S. before being granted asylum, placing that process under intense renewed scrutiny [4, 5]. The incident has prompted a plea to President Trump from the U.S. Afghan community after what they termed a “tragic” event, while Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz has publicly blamed the President for the crackdown that led to the shooting [6, 7].

References: [1] Trump administration announces pause on asylum decisions after National Guardsmen shooting, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-permanently-pause-migration-countries-after-national-guard/story?id=127942078
[2] Trump’s Response to Shooting Shows Intensified Anti-Immigration Stance, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/us/politics/trumps-response-to-shooting-shows-intensified-anti-migrant-stance.html
[3] State Department ‘immediately’ halts all Afghan passport visas following deadly National Guard attack, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/state-department-immediately-halts-all-afghan-passport-visas-following-deadly-national-guard-attack?%3Fintcmp=fb_pols&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=Iwb21leAOXSwJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR673sfqbD4pBYnGorlbG7WG0fylRgPzB5MRVEk7G-_loXqaY8BT4hrt4OmIOg_aem_mRiLSyT_0U2Xn5FVUYFsKA
[4] National Guard shooting suspect was likely vetted by US before being granted asylum, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/national-guard-shooting-suspect-vetted-us-granted-asylum/story?id=127930034
[5] Afghan vetting process under renewed scrutiny following National Guard shooting in DC, https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/28/politics/afghan-vetting-process-scrutiny
[6] Afghans in US issue plea to Trump after ’tragic’ Washington DC shooting, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q5w8l88dvo
[7] Rep. Wasserman Schultz blames Trump for National Guard shooting in DC crackdown, https://www.foxnews.com/media/rep-wasserman-schultz-says-trump-should-blame-self-putting-national-guard-harms-way-dc-crackdown

3.2. Legal Conflicts Intensify Over Deportation and Detainee Conditions

The administration’s immigration enforcement methods are facing significant legal challenges. A federal judge is pursuing a “rare, high-stakes contempt probe” against Trump officials over deportation flights to El Salvador, creating a direct confrontation between the executive and judicial branches [1]. In a separate incident highlighting the administration’s aggressive posture, a college freshman was reportedly deported while flying home, an action that occurred “despite a court order” to prevent it [2]. Simultaneously, new reports are detailing allegations of “miscarriages, infections, [and] neglect” among pregnant women being held in ICE detention facilities, raising humanitarian concerns [3].

References: [1] Trump officials and judge face off over flights to El Salvador in rare, high-stakes contempt probe, https://apnews.com/article/trump-judge-flights-el-salvador-contempt-probe-e40a0249ba747668957ef66ffd63d5ae
[2] College freshman is deported flying home for Thanksgiving surprise, despite court order, https://apnews.com/article/babson-student-deported-thanksgiving-467393d8d9b9ae6351f99de7b9cbfb98
[3] Miscarriages, infections, neglect: The pregnant women detained by ICE, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/pregnant-women-detained-ice-miscarriage-b2859964.html

4. Executive Actions And Presidential Conduct

4.1. President Pardons Honduran Ex-President Convicted of Drug Trafficking

President Trump has announced his decision to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández [1]. This is a highly controversial exercise of clemency, as Hernández was convicted in a U.S. court and sentenced in 2024 for his role in a major drug-trafficking case [2, 3]. The decision to pardon a foreign leader convicted of narcotrafficking stands in stark contrast to the administration’s concurrent military actions against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean and its escalating rhetoric toward Venezuela over the same issue. A New York Times commentary piece explicitly highlights the “contradictions” displayed by the administration’s policy approach [4].

References: [1] Trump Announces Pardon for Honduran Ex-President Convicted in Drug Case, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/world/americas/trump-pardon-honduras-hernandez.html
[2] Trump says he will pardon former Honduran president serving sentence in drug-trafficking case, https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/28/politics/trump-honduran-president-juan-orlando-hernandez-pardon
[3] Trump says he plans to pardon former Honduran President Hernandez for 2024 drug trafficking sentence, https://www.nbcnews.com/world/latin-america/trump-says-plans-pardon-former-honduran-president-hernandez-2024-drug-rcna246397
[4] In Announcing Pardon of Drug Trafficker While Threatening Venezuela, Trump Displays Contradictions, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/us/politics/trump-honduras-venezuela.html?unlocked_article_code=1.408.lB94.JzD6ebca7utk

4.2. Executive Orders, Public Approval, And Media Strategy

President Trump has declared his intent to cancel a wide swath of his predecessor’s actions, stating he will nullify all executive orders signed by Joe Biden that utilized an autopen and may cancel “most of Biden’s executive orders” altogether [1, 2]. Alongside these policy moves, the President’s approval rating has reportedly fallen to a “second-term low,” driven in part by a dip in support among Republicans [3]. In an effort to control the political narrative, the White House has launched a new website with the stated purpose of excoriating media outlets for what it deems “biased” stories [4]. In a separate policy change, it has been reported that the U.S. government will not officially commemorate World AIDS Day for the first time since 1988 [5].

References: [1] Trump says he’s canceling all Biden orders that were signed using an autopen, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-cancels-biden-orders-signed-autopen/
[2] Trump says he plans to cancel most of Biden’s executive orders, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/28/trump-canceling-biden-executive-orders-autopen
[3] Trump’s approval rating hits second-term low as Republican support dips, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/29/trump-approval-rating-low-gallup/87524482007/
[4] White House launches website to excoriate media for ‘biased’ stories, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/29/white-house-media-website-trump
[5] U.S. will no longer commemorate World AIDS Day for first time since 1988, https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/11/u-s-will-no-longer-commemorate-world-aids-day-for-first-time-since-1988/

4.3. Scrutiny of Presidential Finances

The President’s financial activities continue to draw scrutiny. One report from HuffPost alleges that President Trump is “funneling money from political committees he runs into his own pocket,” reviving longstanding concerns about potential conflicts of interest [1]. Meanwhile, a separate headline from The Independent focuses on tracking the total amount that taxpayers have spent on the President’s golf trips since he returned to office [2]. On a related note, the recent crash in the cryptocurrency market is reported by Bloomberg to be “eroding wealth for Trump’s family and followers” who have invested in related digital assets [3].

References: [1] Trump Again Funneling Money From Political Committees He Runs Into His Own Pocket, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-political-money_n_6928c95ee4b08a35c1af4737
[2] The amount taxpayers have spent on Trump’s golf trips since he became president, https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/donald-trump-golf-trips-taxpayer-costs-b2874212.html
[3] Crypto Crash Is Eroding Wealth for Trump’s Family and Followers, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-23/bitcoin-crash-hits-crypto-wealth-of-donald-trump-s-family-and-followers

5. Legal And Judicial Affairs

5.1. Georgia Prosecutor Drops 2020 Election Case Against Trump

In a landmark legal resolution, the Georgia state prosecutor has officially dropped the 2020 election interference case against President Trump and his co-defendants [1]. This decision concludes a major legal battle that has been pending since before the 2024 presidential election, removing a significant source of legal jeopardy for the President and other individuals who had been charged in the wide-ranging indictment.

References: [1] Georgia prosecutor drops election interference case against Trump, others, https://abcnews.go.com/US/georgia-prosecutor-drops-election-interference-case-trump/story?id=127898245

6. U.S. Domestic Politics And Elections

6.1. Congressional And State-Level Political Developments

In the House, Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX), described as a Trump ally, has announced he will not seek reelection, becoming the sixth Texas Republican to declare an exit from Congress this term, suggesting a notable trend [1]. In the Senate, James C. “Jim” Justice (R-WV) has reached an agreement to pay nearly $5.2 million in overdue taxes, settling a significant financial issue [2]. At the state level, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a longtime “defender of states’ rights,” is now reportedly embracing President Trump’s campaign to expand presidential power, including over state authority in elections, policing, and deployment of the National Guard [3].

References: [1] U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls won’t seek reelection, becoming sixth Texas Republican to announce exit from Congress, https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/29/troy-nehls-retiring-congress-texas-republican-delegation/
[2] West Virginia Sen. Justice agrees to pay nearly $5.2 million in overdue taxes, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/west-virginia-sen-justice-agrees-to-pay-nearly-5-2-million-in-overdue-taxes
[3] Gov. Greg Abbott, long a defender of states’ rights, embraces Trump’s push to expand presidential power | Defending Texas sovereignty has been central to Abbott’s political identity. Yet he has helped Trump erode states’ authority over elections, policing and deploying the National Guard., https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/24/greg-abbott-trump-presidential-power-state-rights/

6.2. Early Outlook for 2026 and 2028 Elections

Initial maneuvering for future elections is already beginning. For the 2026 midterms, Doug Jones has officially entered the race for governor of Alabama [1]. Looking further ahead to the 2028 presidential contest, a Wall Street Journal article profiles a Democratic politician who is winning in “Red America” and is reportedly eyeing a run [2]. On the Republican side, a Guardian analysis has identified potential contenders for the 2028 nomination, including Vice President JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., and Ron DeSantis, signaling the early stages of post-Trump succession planning within the party [3].

References: [1] Doug Jones enters 2026 Alabama governor’s race, https://alabamareflector.com/2025/11/24/doug-jones-enters-2026-alabama-governors-race/
[2] This Democrat Wins in Red America. He Has Advice for His Party as He Eyes 2028., https://www.wsj.com/politics/andy-beshear-governor-2028-president-82208794?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqemF2I66BpkIX6aX6we7CeyplThGRDNyKIh2BXrst5BaIjeUourjIhW&gaa_ts=692b3269&gaa_sig=KIdAeeUb9KHX6ODCOvZQEAWXKD6sDYjwQ-DNl_VvN6910SolXZW2vw4Id3w7859p4HagRDrDuDs-VCKr4L8nPg%3D%3D
[3] JD Vance, Trump Jr, DeSantis? Possible Republican contenders for 2028 run, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/29/vance-desantis-republican-2028-presidential-contenders

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