Legislators and attorneys who should know better showed the world an ugly, lawless side of politics today.
Trump’s inexperienced handpicked prosecutor didn’t show the indictment of former FBI director James Comey to the full grand jury. On the Hill, a Democrat was indicted for stealing $5 million in FEMA funds for her campaign while a Republican faces an ethics probe over domestic violence. A GOP rep’s staffer was charged with paying $500 to be cut, then staging a fake anti-Trump assault.
But be hopeful. A federal judge said he’s continuing his contempt investigation into DOJ officials who allegedly told prosecutors they might need to tell a court “fuck you” and kept deportation planes flying to a hellish El Salvador prison. The Comey prosecution is collapsing on procedural basics.
The work right now is documentation. Screenshot everything. Save the receipts. These cases are building records that matter, and every piece of evidence makes the next case stronger.
Notice you’re seeing less news on social media? We track the data – you’re right. Social media networks are suppressing news stories more every day. Want to stop missing what matters? Get every brief in your inbox, 7 nights a week. Data, images, searchable archive. Free and private at govbrief.today.
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Trump-appointed federal judge approves new Alabama Senate map after finding Legislature violated Voting Rights Act by packing Black voters into one district, Gov. Kay Ivey declined special session to fix it.
Today’s GovBrief News
U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll arrives in Ukraine to "discuss efforts to end the war" as reports surface of 28-point peace plan requiring Ukraine to cede territory, weapons, and significantly reduce Armed Forces.
Source: BBC
November 19, 2025
Trump nominates Stuart Levenbach for CFPB director three weeks before Russ Vought's 210-day acting limit expires, with OMB spokesperson calling it a "technical nomination" and saying "Vought's not going anywhere."
Source: Roll Call
November 19, 2025
Trump urges Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for second time in two days to take Federal Reserve chair job despite Bessent's repeated refusals, with Bessent leading search to replace Jerome Powell.
Source: The Associated Press
November 19, 2025
9th Circuit orders Oregon National Guard troops to remain under federal control but blocks deployment, an hour after Gov. Tina Kotek announced all 200 troops would be demobilized by Friday.
Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting
November 19, 2025
DOJ admits grand jury that indicted James Comey never saw final charges, with lead prosecutor Lindsey Halligan bringing altered version for foreperson signature after Comey's attorneys argue lapse warrants dismissal.
Source: Newsweek
November 19, 2025
Judge James Boasberg resumes criminal contempt probe into Trump officials after two planes carrying alleged Venezuelan gang members continued to El Salvador despite his order to turn them around.
Source: CBS News
November 19, 2025
Former GOP rep aide charged with fake personal attack blamed on anti-Trump assailants with cuts and "Trump whore" written on body.
Source: WKQW New Jersey
November 19, 2025
Trump signs Epstein files bill he calls a "hoax" after directing Bondi to investigate Democrats despite DOJ previously finding no evidence for such probe.
Source: NBC News
November 19, 2025
SSA abandons disability benefits overhaul that experts estimated could affect 500,000 people over 10 years.
Source: NextGov
November 19, 2025
CBP commander Greg Bovino blames NC Gov. Josh Stein for "violent rhetoric" after Stein urged residents to record federal agents' "inappropriate behavior" during operation that arrested 250 people in four days.
Source: ABC News
November 19, 2025
Trans woman deported to Mexico despite court order finding she would likely face torture, with administration calling it "inadvertent" after trying four other countries.
Source: The Guardian
November 19, 2025
House Ethics Committee opens investigation into Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) as Rep. Nancy Mace introduces censure resolution, with Mace calling the probe a "naked attempt" to kill her measure.
Source: The Hill
November 19, 2025
White House releases press release calling ABC News "a Democrat spin operation" day after Trump threatened network's license over Mary Bruce's Jamal Khashoggi question to Saudi Crown Prince.
Source: Deadline
November 19, 2025
GSA agrees not to paint 137-year-old Eisenhower Executive Office Building before 2026 after preservation groups sue, three days after Trump called the National Historic Landmark "ugly" and said "gray is for funerals."
Source: The Washington Post
November 19, 2025
House votes 426-0 to repeal Senate-inserted provision allowing only senators to sue DOJ for up to $500,000 over seized phone records, with Johnson saying he learned of it after Senate passage.
Source: Axios
November 19, 2025
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) indicted for stealing $5 million FEMA COVID vaccination overpayment, laundering it through multiple accounts to fund her 2021 congressional campaign.
Source: WPLG Miami
November 19, 2025
Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA), witness in Trump's first impeachment, calls for release of Trump call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about Jamal Khashoggi's murder.
Source: The Hill
November 19, 2025