GovBriefToday Header

What Happened Today – December 12, 2025

Trump spent years claiming Biden weaponized the Justice Department. Then he promised to do it himself. Then he won.

At UCLA, DOJ political appointees ordered career lawyers to “find” evidence of antisemitism within one month to justify a lawsuit they’d already decided to file. Multiple attorneys left before they could be asked to sign. On Capitol Hill, House Oversight Committee Democrats released photos of both Clinton and Trump from Epstein’s estate. Within hours, the Republican chair threatened contempt proceedings against only the Clintons. When Judge Boasberg ordered testimony from a whistleblower who revealed the administration ignored his court orders, DOJ filed to remove him from the case.

They told us exactly what they would do. They were elected anyway. Call your members of Congress. Demand they defend the judges and whistleblowers holding the line.

We’ve emailed 5,100+ stories over 316 straight nights. Stop hoping the algorithm shows you. govbrief.today

#GovBriefToday #Resist

🟡 GovBrief Intensity Score 103
Normal range. Baseline political energy.
Previous 5 Days
🟡103|🔴130|🟡86|🟢81|🚨172
This is an indexed score based on news activity. 100 = our permanent historical baseline that is adjusted for weekdays and weekend days. Scores above 100 mean a busier-than-normal news day.
Today's Quote
[T]he top two positions at NSA and the four-star commander at Cyber Command will remain vacant for 8 months and counting. All because of infighting in the White House and the involvement of whacky Laura Loomer in hiring. We are at Cyber War everyday and the inability to get leaders in place is gross negligence.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), a retired general, writing on X.com on December 12, 2025.
Yesterday's Most Read

U.S. Forces Japan acknowledges "mistake" after video shows military police slamming American civilian to Okinawa pavement after he warned detaining him "would be an illegal act."

Today’s GovBrief News


Disaster Relief 1 of 19

FEMA releases $314 million in Hurricane Helene recovery funds to Georgia counties after Senator Warnock reported administration still owes state $600 million in promised aid.

$500 million unpaid as of September

Source: WJBF Augusta GA

December 12, 2025

Foreign Relations 2 of 19

Thailand says it will continue military strikes on Cambodia hours after Trump claimed both countries agreed to a ceasefire, with Thai prime minister stating "there was no ceasefire in place."

500,000 displaced, 20+ killed

Source: Deutsche Welle

December 12, 2025

Health 3 of 19

Illinois becomes 12th state to allow medically assisted suicide after Governor Pritzker signs law permitting terminally ill adults with six months or less to request end-of-life medication.

House passed 63-42, Senate 30-27

Source: WLS Chicago

December 12, 2025

Health 4 of 19

Speaker Johnson unveils House Republican health plan that lets enhanced ACA subsidies expire Dec. 31, as bipartisan discharge petitions gain signatures to force extension votes.

Premiums may double on average

Source: Newsweek

December 12, 2025

Human Rights 5 of 19

Justice Department appeals order requiring sign language interpreters at White House briefings, arguing Trump should not be forced to "share his platform" or compromise his "image."

Biden had interpreters at all briefings

Source: The Independent

December 12, 2025

Voting Rights 6 of 19

Justice Department sues Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Nevada for voter data and demands Georgia's Fulton County turn over all 2020 ballots, bringing total states sued to 18.

All states Trump lost in 2020

Source: NPR

December 12, 2025

Intelligence 7 of 19

Republican congressman calls White House "gross negligence" after Trump withdraws NSA deputy director nominee following Laura Loomer attack over $500 donation to Democrat.

Top 3 cyber positions vacant 8 months

Source: Mediaite

December 12, 2025

Courts 8 of 19

First Circuit reverses block on Trump law stripping Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood, one week after a separate 22-state challenge secured a different injunction protecting those states.

20 health centers closed since July

Source: Courthouse News Service

December 12, 2025

Courts 9 of 19

Judge Xinis bars ICE from re-detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia during check-ins, one day after ordering his release following four months of detention.

Lawyer: "legal fight far from over"

Source: WMAR Baltimore

December 12, 2025

Courts 10 of 19

Justice Department asks appeals court to remove Judge Boasberg from Alien Enemies Act case, claiming "retaliation and harassment," after he ordered testimony from whistleblower who disclosed ignored court orders.

GOP tried impeaching judge

Source: The Hill

December 12, 2025

Immigration 11 of 19

TSA is giving ICE lists of all airline travelers several times per week to match against deportation database.

Program led to 1 deportation already

Source: CNBC

December 12, 2025

Education 12 of 19

Justice Department ordered lawyers to "find" evidence UCLA tolerated antisemitism within one month to justify predetermined lawsuit, with career attorneys warning in internal memo the case was weak.

Multiple lawyers left before signing

Source: ProPublica

December 12, 2025

Education 13 of 19

Utah repeals ban on collective bargaining for teachers, firefighters, and police unions ten months after thousands rallied against the law Governor Cox signed in February.

Called most restrictive in country

Source: The Associated Press

December 12, 2025

Congress 14 of 19

House Democrats release 89 Epstein estate photos showing Trump, Clinton, Gates, and Prince Andrew, a week before DOJ must release investigation files.

95,000 total photos in collection

Source: USA Today

December 12, 2025

Congress 15 of 19

House Oversight chair threatens contempt proceedings against Bill and Hillary Clinton if they refuse depositions in Epstein inquiry, hours after Democrats released photos of Clinton and Trump.

No former president ever compelled to testify

Source: The Associated Press

December 12, 2025

Federal Personnel 16 of 19

National Park Service orders superintendents to cap top performance ratings at 5%, a move experts say violates federal code and could set up staff for layoffs.

Agency cut 4,000 staff this year

Source: The Washington Post

December 12, 2025

Transportation 17 of 19

Transportation Department threatens to withhold $73 million in highway funds from New York over immigrant commercial driver's licenses, the fourth Democratic-led state targeted this month.

53% reviewed licenses called "illegal"

Source: Spectrum Local News

December 12, 2025

Transportation 18 of 19

TSA announces it will dissolve union contract covering 47,000 airport screeners on Jan. 11, six months after federal judge blocked the agency's first attempt.

2024 contract lasted under a year

Source: Politico

December 12, 2025

Fighting Back 19 of 19

National Trust for Historic Preservation sues to halt White House ballroom construction, arguing Trump demolished East Wing without legally required public review.

Project now estimated at $300 million

Source: UPI

December 12, 2025