Christmas Bombs and Threats: GovBrief #329

Christmas brought bombs and threats.

The president spent the holiday ordering American forces to bomb Nigeria, the sixth country Trump has ordered attacks on this year. The Coast Guard is chasing an oil tanker across the Atlantic with elite boarding teams, ready to forcibly seize it. And Trump told Democrats to “enjoy what may be your last Merry Christmas.”

Meanwhile, three federal judges said no. One blocked ICE from ambushing asylum seekers at courthouses. Another stopped the administration from detaining a British anti-hate researcher with an American family. A third ensured the $400 million ballroom Trump wants to build with anonymous donor money will face public review after stripping the administration’s attempt to bypass oversight.

The courts are holding. The threats keep coming from our own government.

We’ve emailed 5,300+ stories over 329 straight nights. Stop hoping the algorithm shows them to you. govbrief.today

#GovBriefToday #Resist

🟢 GovBrief Intensity Score 32

Low activity. Things are quieter than usual.

Previous 5 Days
🟢32|🟢49|🟡92|🟡107|🟡90

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

This circumstance presents noncitizens in removal proceedings with a Hobson’s choice between two irreparable harms. First, they may appear in immigration court and face likely arrest and detention. Alternatively, noncitizens may choose not to appear and instead to forego their opportunity to pursue their claims for asylum or other relief from removal.

Federal judge P. Casey Pitts, writing in a decision issued late Christmas Eve that prohibits DHS and ICE from arresting non-citizens at courthouses in Northern District of California