[Tuesday, December 16] US News Headlines from r/politics

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare December 16, 2025

Executive Summary

Today’s news is dominated by a political firestorm ignited by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’s explosive interviews, where she detailed plans for “retribution.” This internal turmoil coincides with new data showing a significant weakening economy and a drop in President Trump’s approval rating.

• White House Firestorm: Wiles’s unfiltered interviews revealed the administration’s intent to pursue “score settling” and offered candid, critical assessments of top officials, creating widespread fallout.
• Economic Downturn: The U.S. unemployment rate hit a four-year high of 4.6%, with job creation falling short of expectations.
• ACA Crisis: House GOP leadership blocked a vote on extending ACA subsidies, a move ensuring insurance premium hikes for millions.
• Controversial Policies: The administration initiated a cash bounty program for reporting promoters of “Radical Gender Ideology” and a U.S. General declared the military’s willingness to attack designated terrorist groups within the United States.

1. The Executive Branch: Internal Turmoil and Policy Actions

1.1. The Susie Wiles Interviews: White House in Damage Control Amidst Explosive Revelations

The White House is engaged in urgent “damage control” following the release of a series of “shocking” interviews with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in Vanity Fair [1, 2]. Wiles acknowledged that some of the administration’s prosecutions are motivated by “score settling” [3] and declared that President Trump “‘will go for it’” when an “opportunity” for “retribution” arises [4].

Her comments extended to frank, critical assessments of top administration figures. Wiles is reported to have described President Trump as having an “‘alcoholic’s personality’,” referred to Vice President JD Vance as a “‘conspiracy theorist’,” and called former DOGE head Elon Musk a “drug user” [5, 6]. She also disparaged Attorney General Pam Bondi’s public review of the Jeffrey Epstein files as “binders full of nothingness” and claimed that President Trump himself is in “’the Epstein File’,” characterizing their past association as that of “‘Young, Single Playboys Together’” [7, 8].

In the fallout, Wiles attacked the articles as a “hit piece” [9]. President Trump has since defended Wiles and reportedly agreed with an interviewer’s characterization that he has an “‘alcoholic’s personality’” [10], while VP Vance embraced the “conspiracy theorist” label, stating, “I only believe the ones that are true” [11].

Citations for Topic 1.1: [1] Susie Wiles, JD Vance, and the “Junkyard Dogs”: The White House Chief of Staff On Trump’s Second Term (Part 1 of 2), https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/trump-susie-wiles-interview-exclusive-part-1
[2] Axios: White House launches damage control over unfiltered Wiles interviews, https://www.axios.com/2025/12/16/susie-wiles-trump-interviews-white-house
[3] Trump’s Top Aide Acknowledges ‘Score Settling’ Behind Prosecutions, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/us/politics/trump-susie-wiles.html
[4] White House chief of staff Susie Wiles says Trump ‘will go for it’ when there’s an ‘opportunity’ for retribution, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-susie-wiles-vanity-fair-james-comey-letitia-james-retribution-rcna249466
[5] Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles says president ‘has an alcoholic’s personality’ and much more in candid interviews, https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/16/politics/susie-wiles-interview-trump?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=missions&utm_source=reddit
[6] White House Chief Calls Musk Drug User, VP ‘Conspiracy Theorist’, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-16/white-house-chief-calls-musk-drug-user-vp-conspiracy-theorist
[7] Wiles panned Bondi’s ‘binders full of nothingness’ during Epstein files stunt, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/3919279/susie-wiles-pam-bondi-binders-full-nothingness-epstein-files-stunt/
[8] Trump’s Chief of Staff Says He’s in ’the Epstein File’: They Were ‘Young, Single Playboys Together’, https://people.com/susie-wiles-confirms-trump-in-epstein-files-11870309?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com&utm_content=post
[9] Susie Wiles attacks Vanity Fair article on Trump admin: “hit piece”, https://www.newsweek.com/susie-wiles-vanity-fair-article-donald-trump-11220835?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit_influencers
[10] Trump defends Susie Wiles, agrees he has an ‘alcoholic’s personality’, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/16/trump-susie-wiles-vanity-fair-alcoholics-personality/87797812007/?tbref=hp
[11] JD Vance Responds to Susie Wiles Calling Him a ‘Conspiracy Theorist’, https://www.newsweek.com/vanity-fair-jd-vance-susan-wiles-donald-trump-11222161?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit_influencers

1.2. Presidential Conduct, Actions, and New Policies

President Trump’s public conduct has drawn widespread, bipartisan rebuke after he made “loathsome” comments about the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife [1]. The remarks drew public criticism from former First Lady Michelle Obama [2] and from within Republican ranks. Rep. Thomas Massie called the post “‘disrespectful’” and said, “‘I challenge anyone to defend it’” [3].

In major policy moves, the President has expanded the international travel ban to include five more countries and has designated street fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction” (WMD) [4, 5]. The fentanyl designation has been met with skepticism by experts, who called it “more optics than action” [6]. Separately, President Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC for a reported $10 billion, alleging the broadcaster selectively edited his January 6th speech [7]. He also announced plans to deliver a prime-time address to the nation on Wednesday [8].

Citations for Topic 1.2: [1] Trump under fire for ‘loathsome’ post about death of Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/rob-reiner-trump-post-death-wife-son-nick-latest-updates-b2885314.html
[2] Michelle Obama pushes back on Trump’s Rob Reiner comments, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/16/michelle-obama-rob-reiner-trump-comments-00692813
[3] Massie blasts Trump’s ‘disrespectful’ Reiner post: ‘I challenge anyone to defend it’, https://thehill.com/homenews/5649458-massie-challenges-trump-reiner/
[4] Trump expands travel ban, adding 5 more countries and imposing new limits on others, https://apnews.com/article/trump-travel-ban-countries-immigration-visas-border-9dde0aecb3ffe418266700d9eefef937?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2025-12-16-Breaking+News
[5] Donald Trump classifies fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, https://www.ft.com/content/14cd5918-4894-46f7-b684-3c75d57a8059?segmentid=c50c86e4-586b-23ea-1ac1-7601c9c2476f
[6] Experts assess Trump’s declaration of fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction | Designation appears to be more optics than action, researchers say, https://www.statnews.com/2025/12/15/trump-declares-fentanyl-terrorist-weapon-experts-question/
[7] Trump files $10B defamation lawsuit against the BBC over editing of his Jan. 6 speech in documentary, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-files-10-billion-lawsuit-against-the-bbc/
[8] Trump says he’ll deliver prime-time address to the nation on Wednesday, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-prime-time-address-wednesday/

2. Congress and The Legislative Agenda

2.1. House GOP Blocks ACA Subsidies, Sparking Severe Infighting

A major healthcare crisis is escalating as House Republican leadership has definitively decided against a vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance subsidies, a move reports say will “all but ensure” premiums will rise for millions [1]. The decision has triggered severe “bipartisan blowback,” with critics labeling it “political malpractice” [2]. The backlash from within the GOP has been sharp, with one moderate House Republican calling the refusal to hold a vote “absolute bulls—” [3].

This conflict adds to growing discontent with House leadership. Reports indicate that “Republican women in Congress are tired of Mike Johnson” [4], contributing to a narrative of his declining influence, with one analysis labeling him “Speaker Irrelevant” and noting that the chamber is now moving legislation “without GOP leadership’s blessing” [5].

Citations for Topic 2.1: [1] House Republican leaders ditch vote on ACA funding, all but ensuring premiums will rise, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna249521
[2] “Political malpractice”: Johnson faces bipartisan blowback for nixing ACA subsidies vote, https://www.salon.com/2025/12/16/political-malpractice-johnson-faces-bipartisan-blowback-for-nixing-aca-subsidies-vote/
[3] Moderate Republican erupts on House GOP leaders, says not holding Obamacare vote is ‘absolute bulls—’, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/moderate-republican-erupts-house-gop-leaders-says-not-holding-obamacare-vote-absolute-bulls
[4] Republican women in Congress are tired of Mike Johnson, https://www.vox.com/politics/472434/republican-women-revolt-house-mike-johnson
[5] Mike Johnson, Speaker Irrelevant: The atrophied chamber is moving legislation without GOP leadership’s blessing., https://www.thebulwark.com/p/mike-johnson-discharge-petition-brian-fitzpatrick-congress-house

2.2. Bipartisan Actions and Member Activities

On the Democratic side, Senator John Fetterman has broken with his party, slamming its platform on Palestinian statehood as an “‘absolute betrayal’” [1]. In a moment of direct confrontation, Senator Mark Kelly clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a hearing over a Pentagon investigation into the senator [2]. A bipartisan group of all 25 Jewish House members issued a statement condemning an antisemitic attack in Australia [3]. Separately, Rep. Jamie Raskin is introducing a bill to require a formal review of all future White House renovation plans [4].

Citations for Topic 2.2: [1] John Fetterman breaks with Democrats, slams party’s Palestinian statehood stance as ‘absolute betrayal’, https://www.foxnews.com/media/john-fetterman-breaks-democrats-slams-partys-palestinian-statehood-stance-absolute-betrayal
[2] Sen. Mark Kelly clashes with Hegseth over Pentagon’s investigation into him, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sen-mark-kelly-clashes-hegseth-pentagons-investigation/story?id=128458026
[3] Bipartisan Statement from All 25 Jewish House Members on Antisemitic Attack in Australia, https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-statement-all-25-jewish-house-members-antisemitic-attack
[4] Raskin to introduce bill to require review of White House renovation plans, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/raskin-bill-require-white-house-renovation-plans-review/

3. Economic Affairs

The economic outlook is facing significant headwinds, as a delayed November jobs report delivered a “blow to Trump’s economic message” [1]. The U.S. economy added only 64,000 payrolls after October’s numbers were revised to a loss of 105,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate climbed to a four-year high of 4.6% [2, 3].

This economic data coincides with a measurable drop in presidential support. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds President Trump’s approval rating has slipped to 39%, with the report citing widespread voter “dissatisfaction over the economy” as a primary factor [4]. This sentiment is echoed by new research showing ex-Trump voters in New Jersey and Virginia “swung hard to Democrats over costs” in recent elections [5].

Citations for Section 3: [1] Delayed jobs report is blow to Trump’s economic message, https://www.newsweek.com/delayed-jobs-report-is-blow-to-trumps-economic-message-11219508?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit_main
[2] Payrolls rose by 64,000 in November after falling by 105,000 in October, delayed jobs numbers show, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/16/jobs-report-november-2025-.html?__source=androidappshare
[3] US unemployment rate hits four-year high of 4.6%, https://www.ft.com/content/17a1674d-0e6b-4e9b-9c0d-82de5887be15
[4] Trump’s approval rating slips to 39%, economy weighs, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-approval-rating-slips-39-economy-weighs-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2025-12-16/
[5] Ex-Trump voters swung hard to Democrats over costs in NJ & VA, new research shows, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/16/economy-voters-new-jersey-virginia-midterms-trump-00693015

4. National Security and Military Affairs

4.1. General States Military Willingness to Attack Domestic Terrorist Groups

In a statement raising profound constitutional questions, a U.S. General has asserted that the “U.S. Military [is] Willing to Attack ‘Designated Terrorist Organizations’ Within America” [1]. The available headline does not specify the General’s identity, the context of the statement, or the legal framework that would authorize such an extraordinary use of military force on U.S. soil.

Citations for Topic 4.1: [1] U.S. Military Willing to Attack “Designated Terrorist Organizations” Within America, General Says, https://theintercept.com/2025/12/16/trump-domestic-attack-dtos/

4.2. Military Operations and Congressional Oversight

The administration’s use of military force abroad is facing scrutiny on multiple fronts. In the eastern Pacific, the U.S. military conducted lethal strikes on three alleged “drug-trafficking boats,” killing eight people, which has prompted a bipartisan effort in Congress to “Pull War Powers Back From the White House” [1, 2].

Separately, in the Caribbean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Pentagon will not release the full video of a “double-tap boat strike” that killed two people [3]. In response to the controversy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary Hegseth are scheduled to brief Congress on the military campaign’s objectives [4]. In other developments, a “top secret document” has reportedly warned that China could destroy the U.S. military in a fight over Taiwan, while U.S. officials have agreed to give Ukraine security guarantees in future peace talks [5, 6].

Citations for Topic 4.2: [1] US military says strikes on 3 boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean kill 8 people, https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-us-military-drugs-pacific-108d10bbd3d19c34b8959602222e22e6
[2] Congress Tries to Pull War Powers Back From the White House After Venezuela-Linked Boat Strikes, https://www.military.com/feature/2025/12/12/congress-tries-pull-war-powers-back-white-house-after-venezuela-linked-boat-strikes.html
[3] Pentagon won’t release full video of Caribbean strike that killed two people, Hegseth says, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/16/pentagon-wont-release-full-video-caribbean-attack
[4] Rubio, Hegseth to brief Congress on Caribbean military campaign amid criticism, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/venezuela/article313743919.html
[5] China would destroy US military in fight over Taiwan, top secret document warns, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/12/10/china-will-destroy-us-military-fight-over-taiwan/
[6] US officials say Washington has Agreed to give Ukraine security guarantees in peace Talks, https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-berlin-talks-zelenskyy-5b99faff949ee1ba6212433be2d54b88?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

5. Justice System and Civil Rights

5.1. DOJ and ICE Implement Controversial New Policies

The Justice Department is implementing a highly contentious policy. Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed the FBI to offer a “cash bounty” for information on individuals promoting what the administration calls “Radical Gender Ideology,” a move critics frame as an attempt to turn in “trans equality activists” [1].

Meanwhile, immigration enforcement tactics are drawing legal challenges. In New York City, ICE agents have reportedly entered city shelters “armed and without judicial warrants” [2]. In Memphis, a heavy ICE presence has led to an atmosphere of fear, with one report detailing an immigrant family “hiding out” in what the source calls an “ICE-occupied Memphis” [3]. In response, the ACLU has condemned a false claim by Trump officials that citizens must carry papers, calling it a “‘Chilling Assertion’” [4].

Citations for Topic 5.1: [1] Pam Bondi Directs FBI to Offer Cash Bounty for Promoters of “Radical Gender Ideology”. The memo teases out a directive from President Donald Trump., https://www.them.us/story/pam-bondi-doj-fbi-cash-bounty-radical-gender-ideology-nihilistic-violent-extremists
[2] ICE enters NYC shelters armed and without judicial warrants, reports show, https://gothamist.com/news/ice-enters-nyc-shelters-armed-and-without-judicial-warrants-reports-show
[3] “I’ve Never Seen So Many Police Cars” – Hiding out with an immigrant family in ICE-occupied Memphis., https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/12/memphis-safe-task-force-trump-ice-crime-immigration-mass-deportations-287g/
[4] ‘A Chilling Assertion’: Trump Officials Falsely Claim Citizens Must Carry Immigration Docs to Prove Their Status: “There is no legal requirement that US citizens carry papers or have proof of their citizenship on them,” said an attorney at the ACLU of Northern California., https://www.commondreams.org/news/bovino-papers-please

5.2. Legal System, Investigations, and Civil Rights

In Alabama, a prominent civil rights organization has added Senator Tommy Tuberville to its “extremist list” for his “anti-Muslim attacks” and calls for the forced deportation of American Muslims [1]. At the state level, Texas is reportedly using its driver’s license database to create a “list of transgender Texans” [2].

In legal news, a new report finds that 85% of individuals who received federal pardons or clemency this year are white [3]. Separately, the Pulitzer Board has demanded President Trump’s tax and psychological records as part of an ongoing lawsuit [4], and Rep. James Comer has warned of potential contempt proceedings as the Clintons face January deposition dates in the ongoing Epstein probe [5].

Citations for Topic 5.2: [1] Tommy Tuberville’s anti-Muslim attacks land senator on civil rights group’s extremist list | Alabama’s senior senator has accelerated attacks on Americans of the Islamic faith and called for their forced deportation., https://alabamareflector.com/2025/12/16/tommy-tubervilles-anti-muslim-attacks-land-him-on-civil-rights-groups-extremist-list/
[2] The state is making a list of transgender Texans. It’s using driver’s licenses to help., https://www.kut.org/politics/2025-12-15/texas-trans-transgender-drivers-license-id-list-privacy
[3] 85% of people given federal pardons or clemency this year are white, House lawmaker’s report says, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/85-people-federal-pardons-clemency-year-are-white-house-lawmakers-repo-rcna248867
[4] Pulitzer Board Demands Trump’s Tax and Psych Records in Lawsuit Twist | Donald Trump isn’t going to be happy about this one., https://newrepublic.com/post/204475/pulitzer-board-trump-tax-psych-records-lawsuit
[5] Comer warns contempt as Clintons face January dates for Epstein-probe depositions, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/comer-warns-contempt-clintons-face-january-dates-epstein-probe-depositions?fbclid=Iwb21leAOuYNRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4mQUbyNlZoSlXLZorl0EVp1abK91yTgkrq0WJzcByNcpHV9TDt0z7M-YOnCw_aem_rINUhKhQWxJnBRdztop6HQ

6. Political Landscape and 2026 Outlook

Early maneuvering for the 2026 midterms is well underway. Elon Musk is reportedly now “diving into 2026 midterms for the GOP,” a move described as a “humiliating U-turn” from his earlier threat to fund a third party [1, 2]. Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama has advised House Democrats to focus on the midterms and not get sidetracked by “ideological divides” [3].

At the state level, California is the site of multiple political battles. The state GOP has filed a lawsuit to overturn new congressional maps, while Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a state website tracking figures he has labeled “Trump’s top 10 criminal cronies” [4, 5]. In New York, an early poll for the 2026 gubernatorial race shows Governor Kathy Hochul leading Rep. Elise Stefanik by 19 points [6].

Citations for Section 6: [1] Scoop: Elon Musk diving into 2026 midterms for the GOP, https://www.axios.com/2025/12/16/elon-musk-donations-midterms-republicans-trump?utm_campaign=editorial&utm_social_post_id=624411376&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_social_handle_id=800707492346925056&utm_source=x
[2] Musk Makes Humiliating U-Turn as His Threat to Take on Trump Crumbles, https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musk-makes-humiliating-u-turn-as-his-threat-to-take-on-donald-trump-crumbles/
[3] Barack Obama tells House Democrats that party should focus on the midterms, not ideological divides, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/barack-obama-tells-house-democrats-party-focus-midterms/story?id=128416320
[4] Republicans ask federal court to overturn California’s new Prop. 50 maps, https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/12/proposition-50-republican-lawsuit-hearing/
[5] Newsom launches website tracking Trump’s top 10 criminal cronies as new data shows California crime continues to drop, https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/12/16/trumpcriminals/
[6] Poll: Hochul leads Stefanik by 19 points in 2026 race, https://www.news10.com/capitol/hochul-improves-favorability-rating/

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