Trump gives middle finger and mouths “fuck you” to Ford worker who yelled “pedophile protector” during Michigan plant tour, White House calls gesture “appropriate and unambiguous response.”
EPA says it will stop calculating health costs of pollution when setting regulations, a change legal experts say violates Supreme Court precedent and “will not survive court challenge.”
Trump announces 25% tariff on “any country doing business with Iran” via Truth Social, effective immediately, as Supreme Court weighs legality of his tariff powers.
Federal judge orders Energy Department to restore clean energy grants after administration admitted in court that blue-state location was “a primary reason” for cancellations.
Trump declares national emergency to shield $2.5 billion in Venezuelan oil revenue from private creditors, with officials saying US will manage sales “indefinitely.”
Trump threatens to block Exxon from Venezuela after CEO told him at White House meeting the country is “uninvestable” without legal reforms.
Justice Department threatens Fed Chair Powell with criminal charges over congressional testimony about building renovations; Powell calls it ‘pretext’ for resisting Trump on interest rates.
SBA announces relocation of Minneapolis office as retaliation for community “hostility” toward ICE, days after federal agent killed Renee Good.
Arkansas hospital closes maternity ward, the state’s seventh since 2020, leaving only 32 hospitals in 22 of 75 counties with labor and delivery units.
New York sues Trump administration over freeze on two offshore wind projects already under construction, citing need to power 1 million homes.
Pulte abandons 50-year mortgage idea after White House criticism; claims he’s also referred Republicans for mortgage fraud but won’t name any while publicly targeting Democrats.
Maryland audit finds state cannot recover $760 million in unemployment overpayments, yet continues sending collection letters to people who never received benefits.
Court forces Trump budget director to fund Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with $145 million after 11-month battle pushed agency toward insolvency.
Trump tells oil executives they have “total safety” to invest $100 billion in Venezuela; ExxonMobil CEO responds country is currently “un-investable” after company’s assets seized twice.
Trump posted jobs data 12 hours early on social media, repeating first-term violation of federal policy; White House admits “inadvertent public disclosure.”
Avelo Airlines ends ICE deportation flight contract after boycotts and protests, closing Mesa base where flights departed and laying off staff.
Trump directs unspecified “Representatives” to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds using Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac cash, though experts say it’s unclear whether this would lower rates.
Trump family crypto venture World Liberty Financial applies for national banking charter, months after Trump pardoned Binance founder whose exchange bought $2 billion in its stablecoin.
Trump signs executive order capping defense contractor executive pay at $5 million and banning stock buybacks, singles out Raytheon as “least responsive” to Pentagon.
Trump announces plan to ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes, triggering 5% drops in Blackstone and Invitation Homes stock. 21 words
White House declares US will “dictate” Venezuela’s government decisions as Rubio outlines American plan for the country’s stabilization, oil industry, and political future.
California loses $160 million in federal funds after refusing Trump administration demand to revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses held by immigrants with work authorization.
Trump calls for $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget, up from $901 billion, claiming tariffs will fund “dream military” days after invading Venezuela and threatening multiple countries.
Hilton removes Minnesota hotel from its booking system after independently owned franchise refused rooms to ICE agents conducting immigration raids.
Trump says Venezuela will hand over up to 50 million barrels of oil, with proceeds “controlled by me,” and invites Chevron, Exxon, ConocoPhillips to White House Friday.
Trump predicts Cuba “ready to fall,” threatens Colombia’s president won’t be “doing it very long,” promises “second strike” on Venezuela if they “don’t behave.”
Rubio says discussing elections in Venezuela is “premature” because higher priorities, including reinvigorating the oil industry, must be addressed first.
Venezuela’s Supreme Court names Delcy Rodríguez interim president as Trump declares US “in charge,” demands “total access” to oil, threatens she’ll “pay a very big price” for defiance.
Trump announces US will “run” Venezuela, promises American oil companies will “fix infrastructure” and “start making money for the country.”
Danish energy company Ørsted files legal challenge over Trump’s suspension of Revolution Wind project that is 85% complete with all federal permits secured since 2023.
Trump orders HieFo Corp. to divest $2.9 million defense chip technology within 180 days, citing owner’s Chinese citizenship in deal that closed during Biden administration.
SBA suspends 6,900 Minnesota borrowers over suspected COVID-era loan fraud totaling $400 million, a week after HHS froze child care payments citing YouTuber’s video.
Trump family business blames government shutdown for delayed delivery of $499 gold smartphone customers pre-ordered with $100 deposits in August.
IRS retirees who took government’s Deferred Resignation Program have received no income since September 30, with 29,000 retirement applications still pending at OPM.
Enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expire overnight, with 20 million subsidized enrollees facing average 114% premium increases in 2026.
Trump signs last-minute proclamation delaying his own tariff increases on furniture and kitchen cabinets for one year, hours before rates were set to rise to 50% and 30%.
Oil tanker fleeing U.S. Coast Guard for nearly two weeks painted a Russian flag on its hull in apparent attempt to claim Russian protection and complicate seizure.
Trump claims “real” approval rating is 64% despite Gallup showing him 23 points underwater and Fox News poll recording his lowest economy approval ever at 38%.
Federal judge orders Trump administration to fund Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, calling its claim that it cannot seek money a “transparent attempt” to circumvent earlier shutdown order.
Five states begin restricting SNAP benefits for soda and candy on New Year’s Day, affecting 1.4 million recipients as RFK Jr. pushes to reshape $100 billion program.
Trump threatens to sue Fed Chair Powell for “gross incompetence” over headquarters renovation project, says he will announce replacement in January.
Michigan loses $540 million in climate grants and $3 billion in canceled clean energy investments since January as automakers shift back to gas vehicles.
Kennedy announces $50 billion for rural hospitals under bill whose Medicaid cuts are projected to cost rural providers $50 billion in lost revenue.
Justice Department is using False Claims Act, traditionally for billing fraud, to investigate Google, Verizon and other federal contractors for maintaining diversity hiring programs.
Trump claims tariffs have produced “no inflation” despite November data showing food prices up 2.6% annually, as Supreme Court weighs legality of his trade policy.
Trump’s approval rating among Americans earning under $50,000 drops to 31%, with 65% disapproving, as consumer confidence hits lowest level since April.
Energy Department orders two Indiana utilities to keep coal plants running to “prevent blackouts,” overriding closure plans as residential electric bills spiked 17.5% this year.
Trump administration will begin garnishing wages of defaulted student loan borrowers in January, first seizures since pandemic pause began nearly six years ago.
Federal judge upholds Trump’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, rejecting U.S. Chamber of Commerce lawsuit challenging the September proclamation.
Interior Department suspends five East Coast offshore wind projects citing classified national security concerns weeks after Trump said “wind is the worst” and “we don’t approve windmills.”
