Trump’s grip only looks strong.
He told Politico that Zelenskyy, the wartime president who held off Russia for three years, “doesn’t have anything until I approve it.” The Kennedy Center threatened the musician who canceled his Christmas Eve concert with a million dollar lawsuit. Even Senate Republicans are making bipartisan noises, with Murkowski joining Democrats to demand answers on the Epstein files.
Trump is a thin-skinned bully, but his threats sound more hollow by the day.
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Trump tells Democrats to "enjoy what may be your last Merry Christmas" while deflecting Epstein scrutiny by claiming he dropped the financier "before it became fashionable."
Today’s GovBrief News
Trump tells Politico that Zelenskyy "doesn't have anything until I approve it" ahead of Sunday meeting, adding "They're all coming. They all come," as Netanyahu also visits this weekend.
Source: Politico
December 26, 2025
HHS refers Seattle Children's Hospital to inspector general over transgender youth care, the administration's third action against the facility after a failed subpoena and stripped NIH grants.
Source: The Hill
December 26, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel announces plan to permanently close J. Edgar Hoover Building and move headquarters to Reagan Building, despite pending Maryland lawsuit over scrapped Greenbelt facility.
Source: WUSA Washington
December 26, 2025
Trump urges Justice Department to release names of any Democrats in Epstein files to "embarrass them," while complaining DOJ is "forced to spend all of its time" on the release he signed into law.
Source: USA Today
December 26, 2025
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) becomes only Republican among 12 lawmakers asking inspector general to investigate whether Justice Department violated Epstein transparency law Trump signed in November.
Source: KTUU Anchorage
December 26, 2025
Six federal departments posted explicitly Christian Christmas messages from official government accounts, with DHS declaring "Christ is Born!" and cabinet officials hailing "our Savior Jesus Christ."
Source: The Washington Post
December 26, 2025
Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell threatens $1 million lawsuit against jazz musician who canceled 19-year Christmas Eve concert tradition after Trump's name was added to building.
Source: Newsweek
December 26, 2025