[Wednesday, December 17] US News Headlines from r/politics

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare December 17, 2025

Executive Summary

• Venezuela Crisis Explodes: President Trump orders a naval blockade and “terrorist” designation, sparking bipartisan fury in Congress over a subsequent naval strike officials call legally unjustified.
• House GOP Leadership Humiliated: Speaker Johnson’s authority collapses as moderate Republicans revolt with Democrats, forcing a floor vote on ACA subsidies against leadership’s will.
• DOJ & FBI in Turmoil: Amid FBI leadership changes and threats to halt nominations over the Epstein files, former Special Counsel Jack Smith testifies to having “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” of a Trump criminal scheme.
• Economic Strain & Policy Shifts: The administration moves to reclassify marijuana while dismantling a climate center as the President’s economic approval hits a new low.

1. Foreign Policy & National Security: The Venezuela Crisis

1.1 U.S. Blockade and Military Strike Provoke Backlash

The Trump administration has dramatically escalated its posture toward Venezuela, prompting a major military and diplomatic crisis. President Trump ordered a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers and formally designated the Venezuelan government a “’terrorist’ regime,” while also issuing demands for U.S. access to the country’s crude oil reserves [1, 2]. The U.S. then released video reportedly showing the seizure of a tanker, signaling active enforcement [3].

The blockade was followed by a U.S. naval “boat strike” targeting Venezuelan tankers, an action that has ignited a firestorm of bipartisan condemnation on Capitol Hill. After a classified briefing, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) stated there was “’no fentanyl’ and ’no legal justification’” for the strike, directly contradicting the administration’s public narrative [4]. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) was even more blunt in his assessment of the Pentagon’s investigation, stating, “This is all a bunch of bulls—” [5]. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) characterized the policy as “the Iraq War 2.0 With a South American Flavor” [6]. The escalating military activity has not been without incident, with a “second near midair collision” reported near Venezuela involving a U.S. Air Force tanker [7].

International reaction has been swift, with Germany warning the U.S. that its actions could “jeopardize peace,” while Brazil and Mexico have jointly called for de-escalation [8, 9]. The crisis has created a direct confrontation with Congress, which passed a defense bill including a provision forcing the administration to share videos of the boat strikes [10]. The House is now set to vote on resolutions aimed at putting new limits on the President’s military campaigns [11].

References: [1] Trump orders ‘total and complete blockade’ of sanctioned oil tankers coming to and leaving Venezuela, https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/16/politics/blockade-venezuela-sanctioned-oil-tankers
[2] Trump designates Venezuela government a ’terrorist’ regime, orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/17/trump-orders-blockade-of-sanctioned-venezuelan-oil-tankers.html
[3] US releases video said to show seizure of tanker off Venezuela, https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idRW898910122025RP1/
[4] Sen. Chris Murphy after boat strike briefing: There’s ‘no fentanyl’ and ‘no legal justification’, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5651822-trump-administration-strikes-questioned/
[5] Kelly on Pentagon investigation: ‘This is all a bunch of bulls—‘, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5652723-kelly-blasts-hegseth-pentagon-probe/?tbref=hp
[6] Ruben Gallego Slams Trump Admin Over Campaign Against Venezuela: ‘This is the Iraq War 2.0 With a South American Flavor’, https://www.latintimes.com/ruben-gallego-slams-trump-admin-over-campaign-against-venezuela-this-iraq-war-20-south-592686
[7] Second near midair collision reported near Venezuela involving US Air Force tanker, https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/16/americas/venezuela-near-collision-intl-latam
[8] Germany warns against jeopardizing peace after Trump’s Venezuela tanker blockade, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/germany-warns-against-jeopardizing-peace-after-trumps-venezuela-tanker-blockade-2025-12-17/
[9] Brazil, Mexico call for de-escalation as US ramps up pressure on Venezuela, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexican-president-calls-un-avoid-bloodshed-venezuela-2025-12-17/
[10] Senate passes defense bill that defies Trump and forces sharing of boat strike videos, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/17/senate-ndaa-passage-trump-boat-strikes-00694738
[11] House to vote on resolutions to put limits on Trump’s campaign against Venezuela and drug cartels, https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-congress-trump-war-powers-99b1f29e3501b2dfc0e0bd0e16164aea

1.2 Other Diplomatic & Security Developments

Global tensions are evident on other fronts. In South Africa, U.S. government officials were reportedly detained, and immigration authorities raided a U.S. refugee processing center [1, 2]. Meanwhile, President Trump has issued a “new warning to Israel over its actions in Syria,” signaling friction with a key regional ally [3]. The administration has also expanded its official travel ban to include Syria and Palestine, bringing the total number of affected countries to 39 [4].

References: [1] US Gov officials detained in South Africa, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/16/politics/south-africa-afrikaner-us-refugees
[2] South African immigration authorities raid a US refugee processing center, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/south-africa-donald-trump-johannesburg-kenyan-foreign-ministry-b2886107.html
[3] Trump Issues new warning to Israel over its actions in Syria, https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-warning-israel-syria-ahmad-al-sharaa-11136610
[4] Trump expands US travel ban to include Syria, Palestine, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/16/trump-expands-us-travel-ban-to-include-syria-palestine

2. Congressional Affairs & Legislation

2.1 House GOP Leadership Humiliated by Bipartisan ACA Subsidy Revolt

Speaker Mike Johnson’s control over the House Republican conference has been profoundly challenged by a “stunning revolt” from his own members [1]. After GOP leadership blocked a quick vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, a group of four GOP moderates joined with Democrats to push a discharge petition past the 218-signature threshold, forcing a floor vote on the matter [2, 3]. The move, described as a “nuclear option,” has been widely labeled a public “humiliation” for Speaker Johnson, who publicly denied he has “’lost control’ of House,” attributing the defeat to having “the smallest majority in U.S. history, OK?” [4, 5].

References: [1] House Republicans help Democrats defy Johnson on ACA in stunning revolt, https://www.axios.com/2025/12/17/mike-johnson-moderate-republicans-fitzpatrick-health-care-aca
[2] 4 GOP moderates join Dems to force Obamacare tax credit vote, https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/17/republicans-health-plan-no-obamacare-aca-credits/
[3] Republicans Clinch Democrats’ Bid to Force Vote on Health Subsidies, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/us/politics/obamacare-subsidies-house.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9U8.mPVZ.ryVYfewgLUv6&smid=re-share
[4] GOP centrists choose nuclear option in fight with Mike Johnson over Obamacare, https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/politics/obamacare-subsidies-discharge-petition-johnson-healthcare
[5] Johnson denies he’s ’lost control’ of House after Republicans defy him to force vote on extending health care subsidies | “We have the smallest majority in U.S. history, OK?” he said after the revolt., https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/moderate-republicans-buck-leadership-back-democrat-effort-extend/story?id=128485292

2.2 Defense Bill Passage & Intra-Party Tensions

Congress has passed a $901 billion defense policy bill, which now heads to the President’s desk [1]. The bill not only includes support for Ukraine but also the previously noted provision that “defies Trump” by demanding videos related to the Venezuela boat strikes [2]. This legislative action occurs amidst open friction within the GOP. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene warned the “dam is breaking” on Trump’s influence and that the MAGA movement is “crumbling,” calling the President “tone deaf on multiple issues” [3, 4]. These comments came as Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), one of the last remaining House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Trump, announced his retirement [5].

References: [1] Senate Passes Defense Policy Bill, Clearing It for Trump, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/us/politics/senate-defense-bill-trump-military.html
[2] Senate passes $901 billion defense bill that pushes Hegseth for boat strike video, https://apnews.com/article/defense-bill-boat-strikes-hegseth-a0886906eb50432c38a4d5bf08e6a719?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2025-12-17-Breaking+News
[3] Marjorie Taylor Greene warns the “dam is breaking” in the GOP and slams Trump for being tone deaf on multiple issues, https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/16/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-dam-breaking-republican-party-trump
[4] Another Republican Retires as MTG Warns “Dam Is Breaking” | Donald Trump is losing control of his party., https://newrepublic.com/post/204546/republican-rep-newhouse-retires-mtg-warns-dam-breaking
[5] Rep. Dan Newhouse, one of the last remaining House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, won’t seek re-election, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rep-dan-newhouse-one-last-remaining-house-republicans-voted-impeach-tr-rcna249676

3. Justice System, Investigations & Legal Conflicts

3.1 FBI & DOJ Face Leadership Turmoil and Scrutiny

The nation’s top law enforcement agencies are grappling with significant instability. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed he is stepping down in January after less than a year in the post [1]. This follows a Reuters report alleging that “unprecedented errors” are eroding the credibility of the Justice Department under the Trump administration [2]. Credibility is further strained by a ProPublica investigation alleging Attorney General Pam Bondi dismissed charges against a surgeon who falsified vaccine cards [3], and a leaked memo reportedly showing Bondi “wants to put an FBI bounty on transgender people & their allies” [4].

References: [1] Dan Bongino Confirms He’s Quitting as FBI Deputy Director, https://www.notus.org/trump-white-house/trump-dan-bongino-quit-retire-leaving-fbi-podcast-kash-patel
[2] Unprecedented errors are eroding the credibility of Trump’s Justice Department, https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/unprecedented-errors-are-eroding-credibility-trumps-justice-department-2025-12-17/
[3] Pam Bondi Dismissed Charges Against a Surgeon Who Falsified Vaccine Cards. It Emboldened Others With Similar Cases, https://www.propublica.org/article/pam-bondi-fake-covid-vaccine-cards-kirk-moore
[4] Pam Bondi wants to put an FBI bounty on transgender people & their allies, leaked memo shows, https://www.advocate.com/politics/pam-bondi-trans-equality-bounties

3.2 Epstein Files Fallout Ignites Political and Legal Battles

The fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein case continues to convulse Washington. The Department of Justice faces a Friday deadline to release the Epstein files, with the law’s co-author warning of “repercussions” for non-compliance [1]. The pressure intensified after a Vanity Fair interview where senior Trump aide Susie Wiles confirmed President Trump is in the files, explaining they were “‘young, single playboys together’” [2]. In response, Senate Democrats are threatening to block all Senate nominations over what they call AG Bondi’s “‘failure’ on Epstein files” [3]. Separately, imprisoned Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell is seeking release from prison, citing “new evidence” [4].

References: [1] DOJ must release Epstein files by Friday or risk repercussions, law’s co-author says, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/doj-must-release-epstein-files-friday-risk-repercussions-laws-co-autho-rcna249574
[2] Susie Wiles confirms Trump is in the Epstein files: They were ‘young, single playboys together’, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/susie-wiles-trump-epstein-playboy-bondi-b2885561.html
[3] Democrats to block Senate nominations over Bondi’s ‘failure’ on Epstein files, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/16/democrats-epstein-files-pam-bondi
[4] Imprisoned Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell seeks release, citing ’new evidence’, https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-sex-trafficking-case-records-a4d5907d6eef420aefc79e9848cec953

3.3 Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Testifies on Trump Investigations

In high-profile and defiant testimony to Congress, former Special Counsel Jack Smith stated his team developed “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” against former President Trump and could prove he engaged in a “criminal scheme” to overturn the 2020 election [1, 2]. Smith told lawmakers he would “charge Trump again with election interference” under the same circumstances and asserted that Trump “Brought Charges On Himself” [3, 4].

References: [1] Jack Smith tells Congress he could prove Trump engaged in a ‘criminal scheme’ to overturn 2020 election, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/jack-smith-tells-congress-prove-trump-engaged-criminal-scheme-overturn-rcna249715
[2] Jack Smith tells lawmakers his team developed ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt’ against Trump, https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-congress-justice-department-d35557d525fcfe51a20d08c6abb7f71d
[3] Special counsel Smith: I’d charge Trump again with election interference, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/12/17/Jack-Smith-testimony-Congress/3451765993716/
[4] Jack Smith Tells Lawmakers Donald Trump Brought Charges On Himself, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jack-smith-donald-trump_n_6942c0d7e4b03e7c8e35d659?icb

4. The Presidency & Executive Branch Actions

4.1 Major Policy Changes on Climate, Marijuana, and Immigration

The Trump administration is pursuing a series of dramatic and often contradictory policy shifts. The President is reportedly expected to sign an executive order to reclassify marijuana, a move that would ease federal restrictions [1]. Simultaneously, OMB Director Russ Vought announced that the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a premier climate science institution, “will be dismantled” [2]. On immigration, the administration is reportedly aiming to “Strip More Naturalized Americans of Citizenship” and is expanding border surveillance with small drones [3, 4].

References: [1] Trump expected to sign executive order reclassifying marijuana, easing restrictions on the drug, https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/16/politics/marijuana-rescheduling-executive-order-trump
[2] Vought says National Center for Atmospheric Research will be dismantled, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/17/national-center-for-atmospheric-research-ncar-dismantled-00694685
[3] Trump Administration Aims to Strip More Naturalized Americans of Citizenship, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/us/politics/trump-immigration-citizenship-denaturalization.html?unlocked_article_code=1.9U8.k8H1.3b2Re9akVS_j&smid=re-nytimes
[4] Border Patrol Bets on Small Drones to Expand US Surveillance Reach, https://www.wired.com/story/border-patrol-bets-on-small-drones-to-expand-us-surveillance-reach/

4.2 Domestic Health Policy & Civil Rights Controversies

The administration is reshaping public health norms and civil rights definitions. The CDC ended its long-standing guidance that all newborns should receive a hepatitis B vaccine, a “major policy shift” [1]. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is reportedly moving to cut millions in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics and has proposed addiction “healing camps” [2, 3]. In a move that drew sharp criticism, a U.S. Coast Guard policy change means swastikas and nooses are no longer considered “overt hate symbols,” a decision an antisemitism watchdog called “disturbing” [4].

References: [1] US CDC ends guidance that all newborns should get hepatitis B vaccine, in major policy shift, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-cdc-accepts-advisers-recommendations-hepatitis-b-vaccine-major-policy-shift-2025-12-16/
[2] HHS cuts millions in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics, https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/hhs-cuts-millions-grants-american-academy-pediatrics-rcna249769
[3] RFK Jr. wants addiction ‘healing camps’ like San Patrignano. How the famous rehab works, https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/12/16/san-patrignano-addiction-treatment-rehab
[4] Trump decides that swastikas & nooses are no longer “overt hate symbols”. One antisemitism watchdog called the Coast Guard’s policy change "disturbing.", https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/12/decides-that-swastikas-nooses-are-no-longer-overt-hate-symbols/

5. U.S. Economy & Public Perception

5.1 Economic Warning Signs and Public Dissatisfaction

The U.S. economy is showing multiple signs of strain, driving public dissatisfaction to new highs. The unemployment rate has risen to its highest level in four years, an increase the White House has dismissed [1]. This coincides with polls showing that President Trump’s economic approval rating has sunk to a new low and that American dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy has reached an all-time peak [2, 3]. Some analysts see broad “warning signs” in new economic data, while one report attributes an “affordability crisis” directly to the administration’s tariff policies [4, 5].

References: [1] White House Dismisses Rise in Unemployment, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/us/politics/trump-administration-unemployment-rate-economy.html
[2] Donald Trump’s economic approval rating sinks to new low, https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trumps-economic-approval-rating-sinks-to-new-low-11226494?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit_influencers
[3] Americans are more dissatisfied with Trump’s handling of the economy than ever, poll shows, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/americans-are-more-dissatisfied-with-trumps-handling-of-the-economy-than-ever-poll-shows
[4] US economy flashes warning signs in new data, some analysts say, https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-economy-flashes-warning-signs-new-data-analysts/story?id=128463726
[5] The Affordability Crisis Is Real and Tariffs Caused It, https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-12-17/trump-tariffs-caused-the-affordability-crisis

6. U.S. Politics & Elections

6.1 GOP’s Midterm Strategy Reversal on Mail-In Voting

In a major strategic U-turn that directly contradicts the former President’s rhetoric, the Republican party is now actively encouraging supporters to vote by mail in the upcoming midterms [1]. The move is described in reports as a “desperate bid to avoid midterm disaster” and an embrace of the very practice President Trump has repeatedly urged be banned [2].

References: [1] Republicans push mail-in voting for the midterms in defiance of Trump, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/17/republicans-midterms-mail-in-voting-00693867
[2] GOP to Embrace Trump’s Worst Nightmare in Desperate Bid to Avoid Midterm Disaster - Republicans now want their supporters to use mail-in ballots, despite Trump wanting to have them banned., https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-to-defy-trumps-worst-nightmare-in-desperate-bid-to-avoid-midterm-disaster/

6.2 “Third Term” Speculation and 2028 Maneuvering

Talk of a potential 2028 presidential run is already generating controversy. President Trump recently claimed he was offered $250 million to run for what he termed an “unconstitutional third term,” prompting supportive chants from a White House crowd [1]. The topic has been amplified by reports that attorney Alan Dershowitz has advised Trump that the “Constitutionality of a Third Term Is Unclear” [2]. In a pre-emptive strike, potential Democratic contender Gavin Newsom has launched a website to track President Trump’s ‘Criminal Cronies’ [3].

References: [1] Trump claims he has been offered $250M for run for unconstitutional third term in office: The White House crowd then broke into chants of “Four more years!”, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-third-term-unconstitutional-running-2028-b2886250.html
[2] Trump Told by Alan Dershowitz Constitutionality of Third Term Is Unclear, https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/trump-told-by-alan-dershowitz-constitutionality-of-third-term-is-unclear-33133eb8
[3] Newsom Finds New Way to Troll Trump With Website Tracking President’s ‘Criminal Cronies’: ‘Gavin Newsom has launched a new site to ‘detail the criminal records, corruption cases, and extremist ties of the people Donald Trump elevates, protects, pardons, and surrounds himself with’, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/newsom-trolls-trump-website-criminal-cronies-b2885887.html

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