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What Happened Today – December 13, 2025

This week the Pentagon moved F-35 stealth fighters, electronic warfare planes, and notably, rescue helicopters to Puerto Rico.

Air Force doctrine is explicit: personnel recovery forces should be in place before combat operations begin. The administration calls Venezuela a “narco-state.” So are several other countries in the hemisphere we’re not surrounding with warships. Venezuela has oil. They don’t.

In Los Angeles, the Ninth Circuit ruled Friday that six months of National Guard troops on city streets is enough. The administration wanted to keep soldiers in America’s second-largest city indefinitely, but a court ordered them out by Monday.

Donald Trump promised to use the military against “the enemy from within.” That’s why a court had to order troops off American streets, and why others appear poised tonight to attack a smaller neighbor. Presidents don’t get to unilaterally declare war. Hit the phones. Make him stop.

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Today's Quote
What a terrible thing it is, And all we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt, it looks like. And we’ll inform you later as to what’s happening. But it’s a shame. It’s a shame. Just pray. Thank you very much.
Donald Trump speaking after a gunman shot 11 people at Brown University on Saturday, December 14, 2025.
Yesterday's Most Read

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."

Today’s GovBrief News


Economy 1 of 9

More than 47,000 people applied for 5,000 housing voucher spots in Maryland's Prince George's County during first waitlist opening in a decade.

Waitlist closed since 2015

Source: WUSA Washington

December 13, 2025

Military 2 of 9

Islamic State gunman kills two US soldiers and civilian interpreter in Syria ambush weeks after Syrian president's White House visit and new coalition membership.

5,000-7,000 IS fighters remain

Source: BBC

December 13, 2025

Military 3 of 9

Pentagon moves F-35 stealth fighters, electronic warfare planes and rescue helicopters to Puerto Rico this week as Trump weighs land strikes against Venezuela.

11 warships already in region

Source: The Wall Street Journal

December 13, 2025

Courts 4 of 9

Delaware acting U.S. attorney resigns after Democratic senators decline to support her nomination, days after Third Circuit ruled Trump unlawfully installed New Jersey counterpart.

Interim since July

Source: WDEL Wilmington

December 13, 2025

Criminal Justice 5 of 9

Nebraska legislative board unanimously recommends expelling freshman state senator after staffer alleged he groped her at end-of-session party, citing "pattern of behavior."

Elected 1 year ago

Source: The Nebraska Examiner

December 13, 2025

Immigration 6 of 9

Coast Guard promises to return rescue helicopter to Newport after senator held up commandant's confirmation, but door remains open for future ICE facility at Oregon coast site.

Moved with no explanation in October

Source: The Oregon Capital Chronicle

December 13, 2025

Immigration 7 of 9

Prairie Band Potawatomi chairman announces tribe will attempt to cancel $30 million ICE detention center contract after disavowing deal signed by affiliate.

Source: The Kansas Reflector

December 13, 2025

Grift 8 of 9

Interior Department issues default notice to nonprofit running DC's public golf courses without specifying violations or how to remedy them, with deadline next week.

50-year lease as stake

Source: The Independent

December 13, 2025

Fighting Back 9 of 9

Ninth Circuit orders Trump to end California National Guard deployment in Los Angeles by Monday, ruling six-month military presence outlasted any emergency justification.

~4,000 troops at peak in June

Source: The New York Times [gift link]

December 13, 2025

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