They make up rules, punish the resisters, and defy the courts. Then a damning tape leaks.
Trump’s real estate buddy Steve Witkoff is on tape coaching Putin’s foreign policy adviser on how to pitch the president. “Maybe he says to President Trump…” He’s literally scripting Russia’s approach. Trump called it “standard negotiation.”
Meanwhile, Senator Mark Kelly faces FBI counterterrorism investigators AND the threat of court-martial for reminding troops they can refuse illegal orders. The Pentagon is threatening to recall a retired Navy captain and former astronaut because he cited U.S. law. And DOJ admitted today that Kristi Noem ordered deportations to proceed despite a federal judge’s order. The judge already found officials “likely engaged in criminal contempt.”
They’re not hiding it. They just don’t think you’re paying attention. Talk with your friends and loved ones tomorrow, but not about the culture war. Share your feelings about the hungry kids, the sick people who can’t afford insurance, and the seniors who depend on Medicare and Social Security.
Want to stop missing what matters? Get every brief in your inbox, 7 nights a week. You’ll get data, images, quotes, and links to help you get engaged. Sign up free at govbrief.today.
#GovBriefToday #Resist
🚨176|🟠112|🟢72|🟢64|🟢81
Trump launches Manhattan Project-scale AI initiative opening vast federal data troves about Americans to private AI companies including OpenAI, Google, and Palantir.
Today’s GovBrief News
Trump dismisses report that envoy Witkoff coached Kremlin officials on how to pitch Ukraine peace plan before briefing Kyiv, calling it "standard negotiation."
Source: Newsweek
November 25, 2025
Trump envoy Witkoff to meet Putin at Kremlin next week as Russia, still without copy of revised peace plan, warns it may reject changes to original proposal.
Source: BBC
November 25, 2025
Medicare will save $12 billion on 15 drugs through Biden-era negotiation program that Trump officials have sought to downplay, with Kennedy claiming Democrats lied about first-round results.
Source: CNN
November 25, 2025
Interior Department adds $100 per person fee for international visitors at 11 top national parks, designates Trump's birthday as one of six "patriotic fee-free days" for Americans.
Source: USA Today
November 25, 2025
Political consultant who sent AI robocalls mimicking Biden to suppress New Hampshire primary votes says he will defy federal court order to pay damages.
Source: The Associated Press
November 25, 2025
Wisconsin Supreme Court orders three-judge panels to hear challenges to congressional maps where Republicans hold six of eight seats despite divided electorate.
Source: The Wisconsin Examiner
November 25, 2025
Hegseth plans to sever century-old military ties with Scouting America, claiming support for "genderless" organization harms national security, as Navy secretary warns policy is "too restrictive."
Source: NPR
November 25, 2025
Hegseth sets Dec. 10 deadline for review of Sen. Kelly's comments urging troops to refuse illegal orders, threatening to recall retired Navy captain for prosecution.
Source: Reuters
November 25, 2025
Chief judge dismisses DOJ misconduct complaint against judge who blocked Trump's transgender military ban, says department should have sought recusal instead.
Source: The Associated Press
November 25, 2025
Federal judge orders DOJ to expedite FOIA request probing whether Trump's name in Epstein files prompted administration's July reversal on releasing them.
Source: ABC News
November 25, 2025
Rep. Swalwell sues housing official Pulte for allegedly accessing his confidential mortgage records, the fourth Trump critic Pulte has referred to DOJ for investigation.
Source: CBS News
November 25, 2025
Bureau of Prisons suspends operations at LA area prison over crumbling infrastructure, a year after assessment found facility needs $110 million in repairs.
Source: KABC Los Angeles
November 25, 2025
DOJ acknowledges Noem ordered deportation of 100 Venezuelans to El Salvador prison despite judge's order, as contempt proceedings resume and court seeks testimony from nine officials.
Source: Politico
November 25, 2025
Federal judge finds ICE "routinely" made unlawful warrantless arrests in Colorado, grants provisional class action and orders agents to document flight risk for each arrest.
Source: The Colorado Newsline
November 25, 2025
ICE agents crash into car during Mesa arrest as vehicle collisions become more common nationwide, with local police saying they were not notified of operation beforehand.
Source: The Arizona
November 25, 2025
University of Oklahoma professor detained by ICE while boarding flight despite holding valid H-1B visa, released after three days in custody.
Source: KOKH Oklahoma
November 25, 2025
House Education Committee launches antisemitism probe into Fairfax County Public Schools, one of three districts facing federal inquiry over alleged Title VI violations.
Source: The Virginia Mercury
November 25, 2025
FBI counterterrorism division opens inquiry into six Democratic lawmakers over video urging troops to refuse illegal orders, days after Trump accused them of sedition "punishable by death."
Source: NBC News
November 25, 2025
Senate Republicans target automatic braking and child-alert mandates as too costly ahead of $300B highway bill, as safety advocates point to 40,000 annual road deaths.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
November 25, 2025
Iowa public defender fired for posting Bible verses about Charlie Kirk's death sues state for First Amendment violation after appeals board ordered her reinstatement.
Source: The Iowa Capital Dispatch
November 25, 2025