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What Happened Today – December 19, 2025

The country that rebuilt Europe after WWII is now pitching condo developments on mass graves.

Jared Kushner’s “Project Sunrise” promises beachside resorts on Gaza’s coastline. Where do 2 million displaced Palestinians go? His PowerPoint doesn’t say.

On Friday, we bombed Syria. The Pentagon called it a “declaration of vengeance.” This year, we’ve also bombed Iran and Yemen without declarations of war. We’ve launched 28 attacks on boats, killing 104 people the Pentagon claims, without proof, were drug smugglers. And now we’re copying Denmark’s childhood vaccine schedule while refusing to build Denmark’s universal healthcare. We want their outcomes without their commitments.

The world is watching. They don’t recognize us. Neither do I.

Have these conversations at your holiday tables, when you gather with friends and loved ones. If they need convincing of our cruelty, a middle-aged asylum seeker remains in ICE lockup tonight despite his governor’s protests. He’s developmentally disabled and doesn’t know he’s in custody. Tell them about him.

We’ve emailed 5,200+ stories over 323 straight nights. Stop hoping the algorithm shows them to you. govbrief.today

#GovBriefToday #Resist

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Today's Quote
There’s never been a case like this. Donald Trump sues the United States of America. Donald Trump becomes president. And now Donald Trump has to settle the suit. I hereby give myself $1 billion. Actually, maybe I shouldn’t give it to charity. Maybe I should keep the money. No? A lot of people say do it. I don’t wanna do it. But whatever happens, it’s all going to good charities. Is that ok? All going to good charities. But isn’t that a strange position to be in? I’ve gotta make, I’ve gotta make a deal. I negotiate with myself.
Donald Trump, at a speech in Rocky Mount, NC, on December 19, 2025, explaining that he sued the government for executing a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago.
Yesterday's Most Read

EEOC chair asks white men to report workplace discrimination on social media, promising the agency will help them "recover money under federal civil rights laws."

Today’s GovBrief News


Health 1 of 23

HHS planning to reduce childhood vaccine recommendations to match Denmark, a country with universal healthcare that experts say was "cherry-picked" for having fewest vaccines in the West.

Denmark has 95% prenatal screening; US does not

Source: CNN

December 19, 2025

Health 2 of 23

Nine more drugmakers agree to Trump pricing policy as administration keeps deal details confidential and experts say Medicaid impact may be negligible.

14 of 17 targeted companies now signed

Source: The Hill

December 19, 2025

Human Rights 3 of 23

Disabled man detained by ICE for three months thinks he's on vacation; Delaware governor calls arrest "ridiculously egregious" and demands immediate release.

Waved at agent in parking lot looking for work

Source: News From The States

December 19, 2025

Environment 4 of 23

Energy Secretary declares fake "emergency" to block Washington coal plant closure mandated by state law for 15 years; governor says "there's no emergency here."

"The workers have moved on"

Source: Ars Technica

December 19, 2025

Voting Rights 5 of 23

Federal judge orders special elections for Mississippi Supreme Court after ruling electoral map violates Voting Rights Act by diluting Black voter power.

Source: ABC News

December 19, 2025

Economy 6 of 23

Trump touts "economic boom" in Rocky Mount, NC, where unemployment rose and a factory collapsed, while attacking Roy Cooper as "radical left" in the former governor's home region.

72% view economy negatively

Source: NC Newsline

December 19, 2025

Military 7 of 23

Trump nominates special operations general to lead Southern Command after previous commander retired amid concerns about boat strikes that have killed over 100 people.

Wiles: Trump wants to blow up boats

Source: Defense Scoop

December 19, 2025

Military 8 of 23

U.S. military attacks more than 70 ISIS targets in Syria with 100+ munitions after ambush killed three Americans, as Hegseth calls it "declaration of vengeance."

3 Americans killed December 13

Source: BBC

December 19, 2025

Courts 9 of 23

DOJ appeals ruling that dismissed Comey and James prosecutions after judge found Trump's personal attorney, with no prosecutorial experience, was illegally appointed to bring charges.

2 grand juries refused to re-indict James

Source: Politico

December 19, 2025

Courts 10 of 23

Texas judge unseals Ken Paxton divorce records as media argued his finances, central to repeated corruption allegations, are a matter of public interest.

$20,000 each from blind trust for attorneys

Source: The Texas Tribune

December 19, 2025

Courts 11 of 23

University of Kentucky law professor challenging use of IHRA antisemitism definition after removal from classroom; university's investigator is Project 2025 contributor.

Author: don't use to "sacrifice free speech"

Source: The Kentucky Lantern

December 19, 2025

Criminal Justice 12 of 23

Antioch, California agrees to police reforms including independent review board after scandal that sent three officers to prison for excessive force and falsifying reports.

45 officers shared racist texts

Source: The Associated Press

December 19, 2025

Criminal Justice 13 of 23

Justice Department misses legal deadline to release all Epstein files, drawing bipartisan criticism from Massie, Greene, Schiff, and Schumer for "moving the goalpost."

Law required ALL files by Friday

Source: CBS News

December 19, 2025

Immigration 14 of 23

Army lawyer fired as immigration judge after five weeks for granting asylum in 6 of 11 cases, as administration sends military attorneys to serve as "Deportation Judges."

Military judges deport 78% vs. 63% for civilian judges

Source: The Guardian

December 19, 2025

Immigration 15 of 23

ICE deports Chinese father and 6-year-old son after separating them at Manhattan federal building, holding them apart for weeks, then reuniting them for removal.

151 children under 18 arrested by ICE this year

Source: The City

December 19, 2025

Congress 16 of 23

Rep. Elise Stefanik drops New York governor bid and won't seek re-election, joining growing GOP exodus ahead of 2026 midterms.

Trailing Hochul by 19% in polls

Source: USA Today

December 19, 2025

Congress 17 of 23

Sen. Cynthia Lummis, who raised concerns about Trump's private meetings with $TRUMP meme coin investors, announces she won't seek re-election after one term.

"I do not have six more years in me"

Source: NBC News

December 19, 2025

Propaganda 18 of 23

Transportation Secretary's daughter, who arrived an hour late by TSA standards, says her father would "lobby Congress to abolish" the agency just days after he launched "Golden Age of Travel" civility campaign.

Arrived 1 hour 10 minutes before flight

Source: The Independent

December 19, 2025

Propaganda 19 of 23

Widow of slain Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk endorses JD Vance for president in 2028, giving him early backing of influential conservative group she now leads.

Trump: Vance "most likely" heir to movement

Source: USA Today

December 19, 2025

Grift 20 of 23

Jared Kushner pitches $112 billion "Riviera" plan for Gaza that doesn't specify where 2 million displaced Palestinians would live during decades of construction for beachside resorts.

10,000 bodies under 68 million tons of rubble

Source: The Wall Street Journal

December 19, 2025

Grift 21 of 23

Trump tells North Carolina rally he will settle his own lawsuit against the government, saying "I hereby give myself $1 billion" from taxpayers.

Original claim was $230 million

Source: Mediaite

December 19, 2025

Grift 22 of 23

Workers add Trump's name to Kennedy Center façade despite legal experts saying the name, established by Act of Congress in 1964, cannot be changed without Congressional action.

Memorial created 8 weeks after JFK murder.

Source: Variety

December 19, 2025

Fighting Back 23 of 23

Supreme Court rejects Trump request to block case challenging policy that bars immigration judges from speaking publicly about immigration.

"First real loss" at SCOTUS since April

Source: SCOTUS Blog

December 19, 2025

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