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What Happened Today – December 15, 2025

The Reiner headlines dominated today after the president twice blamed the murders of the director and his wife on his activism opposing Trump. But scroll past the front page coverage and you’ll find what isn’t getting clicks.

Three boat attacks killed 8 more people in the eastern Pacific today, bringing the death toll past 90 since September. Trump designated fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction and directed the Pentagon to enforce domestic drug laws. The military command structure is being reorganized from 11 headquarters to 8, pivoting toward Latin America while Congress is actively excluded. A sitting senator and decorated astronaut is being threatened with recall to active duty and court-martial for telling troops they can refuse illegal orders.

What was campaign rhetoric is now policy. Call your representatives and demand oversight of military operations against civilians.

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🚨 GovBrief Intensity Score 156
Extreme volume. Major political developments.
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Today's Quote
The governor of Colorado is a weak and a pathetic man who was run by Tren de Aragua. The criminals from Venezuela took over sections of Colorado, and he was afraid to do anything. But he puts Tina in jail for nine years because she caught people cheating. And when she walked over and got involved in it, they said she was cheating. She wasn’t cheating. She caught people cheating on the election—2020—along with a lot of other people that cheated on that election. You’ll see that coming out more and more.
Donald Trump writing on Truth Social about Colorado refusing to honor a federal pardon for state charges for an election denier.
Yesterday's Most Read

North Carolina's Randolph Co. commissioners dissolve library board with no plan to fill vacancies after board voted to keep children's book about transgender boy.

Today’s GovBrief News


Disaster Relief 1 of 19

Levee fails near Seattle five days after county installed emergency flood protection, prompting evacuation warning for 46,000 residents as National Guard deploys.

Long-term repair not expected until 2031

Source: USA Today

December 15, 2025

Foreign Relations 2 of 19

Kushner withdraws Trump hotel project from Serbia after cabinet minister indicted in connection with deal, ending two years of controversy over NATO-bombed site.

Cabinet minister indicted with 3 others

Source: Raw Story

December 15, 2025

Health 3 of 19

California hires two former CDC leaders who refused Kennedy's demands to fire scientists and approve vaccine recommendations without evidence.

Dr. Monarez refused to fire top scientists

Source: KTLA Los Angeles

December 15, 2025

Health 4 of 19

FDA expands approval of libido-boosting pill Addyi to postmenopausal women up to 65, a decade after rejecting the drug twice before initial approval.

Boxed warning about alcohol interaction

Source: The Associated Press

December 15, 2025

Health 5 of 19

Trump designates fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction, directing Pentagon to enforce drug laws as former prosecutor calls order a "political exercise."

Synthetic opioid deaths down 37% in 2 years

Source: UPI

December 15, 2025

Human Rights 6 of 19

Capitol unveils statue of Barbara Rose Johns, the 16-year-old who led 1951 school strike that became part of Brown v. Board, replacing Robert E. Lee after 111 years.

Lee statue removed December 2020

Source: The Associated Press

December 15, 2025

Military 7 of 19

Pentagon escalates investigation into Sen. Mark Kelly over video urging troops to refuse illegal orders, moving toward possible court-martial of the retired Navy captain.

Trump called video "punishable by DEATH"

Source: CBS News

December 15, 2025

Military 8 of 19

Pentagon proposes reducing military commands from 11 to 8, placing Europe, Middle East, and Africa under single new headquarters in shift toward Western Hemisphere focus.

Commands cut from 11 to 8

Source: The Washington Post [gift link]

December 15, 2025

Military 9 of 19

US military attacks three boats in eastern Pacific, killing eight, as campaign against alleged drug traffickers faces congressional scrutiny over possible war crimes.

At least 90 killed since September

Source: Deutsche Welle

December 15, 2025

Courts 10 of 19

Federal judge orders release of Iranian bodybuilder detained five months by ICE without progress on deportation, one of thousands of habeas petitions challenging immigrant custody.

Detained at routine check-in appointment

Source: KOAT Albuquerque

December 15, 2025

Courts 11 of 19

Former Instacart director sues company, alleging she was fired for running as Democrat after executives sought to curry favor with Trump administration.

Company donated $100K to Trump inaugural

Source: CNBC

December 15, 2025

Courts 12 of 19

Maine asks court to dismiss DOJ lawsuit demanding voter data including partial Social Security numbers, arguing request violates post-Watergate privacy law.

DOJ sued multiple states

Source: The Maine Morning Star

December 15, 2025

Courts 13 of 19

Trump administration claims national security requires White House ballroom construction to proceed, responding to lawsuit over East Wing demolition without congressional approval.

Addition nearly twice White House size

Source: The Independent

December 15, 2025

Courts 14 of 19

Wisconsin judge rules Trump attorneys Troupis and Roman will stand trial on felony forgery charges for roles in 2020 false electors scheme, despite federal pardons.

Federal pardon has no effect on charges

Source: Wisconsin Public Radio

December 15, 2025

Criminal Justice 15 of 19

FBI arrests four accused of planning New Year's Eve pipe bomb attacks at five Los Angeles locations, days after group allegedly tested explosives in Mojave Desert.

Tested explosives in Mojave Dec. 12

Source: CNN

December 15, 2025

Transportation 16 of 19

Ted Cruz introduces bill requiring military aircraft to use tracking technology after January collision that killed 67, when Army helicopter had its transponder turned off.

64 on plane, 3 on helicopter

Source: KRLD Dallas

December 15, 2025

Media 17 of 19

Trump sues BBC for $10 billion over edited Jan. 6 speech clip, adding to media lawsuits after settlements from CBS and ABC.

Documentary never aired in United States

Source: CTV News

December 15, 2025

Media 18 of 19

Trump suggests Rob Reiner provoked his own murder by his son through criticism of the president, drawing backlash from allies citing Charlie Kirk hypocrisy.

Wife photographed Art of the Deal cover

Source: Newsweek

December 15, 2025

Fighting Back 19 of 19

Denver City Council votes to reject Key Lime Air lease expansion at airport, refusing to profit from airline operating 11% of ICE deportation flights.

53% increase in flights since 2024

Source: KUSA Denver

December 15, 2025