CDC reports flu driven by new H3N2 variant has caused 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths so far this season, with only 42% of Americans vaccinated.
DOJ now says 5.2 million pages of potential Epstein files require review, up from “over a million” last week, with 400 lawyers working to meet January 20 target after missing December 19 deadline.
US and partner forces kill or capture nearly 25 ISIS operatives in Syria since December 19 retaliatory strikes, as hundreds of American troops continue mission after two soldiers killed.
Social Security backlogs hit 6 million pending cases and 12 million field office transactions after 7,000 employees left this year, with disability appointment scheduling down to 66% from 90%.
Federal judge issues administrative stay blocking Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status for 232 South Sudanese nationals while lawsuit proceeds.
HHS freezes $185 million in annual child care payments to Minnesota after viral YouTube video alleged fraud, despite state investigators finding no evidence at the 10 facilities.
California delays revoking 17,000 immigrant commercial driver’s licenses until March after lawsuit, as Transportation Secretary threatens $160 million funding cut over January 5 deadline.
Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa Senate special election with 71% of vote, blocking Republican supermajority and becoming first Black woman in chamber’s history.
Treasury sanctions 10 individuals and firms in Iran and Venezuela over weapons trade, including drone sales and ballistic missile chemical procurement.
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.
FOIA emails reveal Trump’s DEI orders prompted removal of panels honoring Black WWII soldiers at Netherlands American Cemetery, including story of 23-year-old who died saving a comrade.
Trump shares MAGA posts mocking Kennedy family on Truth Social hours after JFK’s granddaughter Tatiana Schlossberg died at 35 from leukemia.
ICE says it won’t re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia while judge’s order stands, as unsealed documents show DOJ leadership called his prosecution a “top priority” after Supreme Court loss.
Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) appeals partial denial of motion to dismiss assault charges from May ICE detention facility visit, citing selective prosecution and legislative immunity.
Trump falsely claims “none” of Israeli hostages “were released in the Biden administration,” though 138 of 178 hostages freed through negotiated deals came under Biden.
Federal judge dismisses with prejudice assault charges against TikTok streamer shot by ICE agent, citing constitutional violations including denied access to counsel and late release of body camera footage.
Office of Special Counsel resumes Hatch Act enforcement against former federal employees after Merit Systems Protection Board affirms jurisdiction, following April pause.
Justice Department sues Virginia over in-state tuition for unauthorized immigrants, third such lawsuit after California and Illinois cases this fall.
Jazz supergroup The Cookers cancels Kennedy Center New Year’s Eve shows, with saxophonist citing “overt racism” as subscription rates fall 50% below projections.
Trump confirms U.S. destroyed Venezuelan “dock area” used to load drug boats, which CNN and New York Times report was first known CIA operation inside Venezuela.
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.
Duke cuts $299 million through buyouts and building closures in response to federal funding cuts, with 599 staff taking buyouts and 45 laid off.
Kennedy announces $50 billion for rural hospitals under bill whose Medicaid cuts are projected to cost rural providers $50 billion in lost revenue.
National Guard begins patrolling New Orleans Tuesday for New Year’s and Mardi Gras, second federal deployment alongside ongoing immigration crackdown despite double-digit crime drop.
Trump warns Hamas faces “hell to pay” if militants don’t disarm quickly, says he and Netanyahu “don’t agree 100%” on West Bank after sixth meeting this year.
Zelenskyy says U.S. offered 15-year security guarantees after Mar-a-Lago talks, but Ukraine seeks longer commitment as territorial issues and nuclear plant control remain unresolved.
U.S. military kills two in 30th strike on alleged drug boat since September, bringing total death toll to 107 as critics question legal authority.
Georgia Republican Party files ethics complaint against anonymous group spending $5 million on attack ads targeting Trump-endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones without disclosing donors.
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 US “knocked out” drug facility in Venezuela last week, which would be first land attack in military campaign that has killed at least 105 people at sea since September.
State Department announces $2 billion for UN humanitarian aid, down from $17 billion historically, warns agencies to “adapt, shrink, or die” and excludes Afghanistan and Gaza from initial funding.
Man accused of placing pipe bombs at DNC and RNC headquarters on eve of January 6 confessed and said someone needed to “speak up” for those who believed 2020 election was stolen.
Trump says he “understands” Russia’s opposition to ceasefire that would let Ukraine hold referendum, calls Mar-a-Lago talks with Zelenskyy progress toward peace deal.
New reporting reveals cannabis CEO’s 18-month lobbying campaign and seven-figure donations led to Trump’s marijuana rescheduling, overriding Speaker Johnson and 22 senators.
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.
Niger, with population matching 17 smallest US states combined, permanently bans American visas in retaliation for Trump’s travel ban expansion.
NIH denies reappointment for Walter Koroshetz, director of neurological disorders institute since 2015, leaving 13 of 27 divisions with acting leaders.
Trump previews marble armrests for Kennedy Center, calling them “unlike anything ever done or seen before,” while lawsuit challenges disputed unanimous vote to add his name.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) calls on British royal family to personally compensate Epstein’s victims after new photos show former Prince Andrew lying across women’s laps at royal estate.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) becomes only Republican among 12 lawmakers asking inspector general to investigate whether Justice Department violated Epstein transparency law Trump signed in November.
Trump tells Politico that Zelenskyy “doesn’t have anything until I approve it” ahead of Sunday meeting, adding “They’re all coming. They all come,” as Netanyahu also visits this weekend.
HHS refers Seattle Children’s Hospital to inspector general over transgender youth care, the administration’s third action against the facility after a failed subpoena and stripped NIH grants.
Trump urges Justice Department to release names of any Democrats in Epstein files to “embarrass them,” while complaining DOJ is “forced to spend all of its time” on the release he signed into law.
FBI Director Kash Patel announces plan to permanently close J. Edgar Hoover Building and move headquarters to Reagan Building, despite pending Maryland lawsuit over scrapped Greenbelt facility.
Six federal departments posted explicitly Christian Christmas messages from official government accounts, with DHS declaring “Christ is Born!” and cabinet officials hailing “our Savior Jesus Christ.”
Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell threatens $1 million lawsuit against jazz musician who canceled 19-year Christmas Eve concert tradition after Trump’s name was added to building.
Federal judge blocks ICE from arresting immigrants at Northern California courthouses, ruling the practice forces asylum seekers to choose between detention and deportation.
