GovBriefToday Header

What Happened Today – November 26, 2025

Today is issue #300 of GovBrief Today, the publication I started ten days into Trump’s second term when I was horrified at the speed with which our norms, rules, and laws were battered.  We will cross 5,000 curated news stories within the week, and I’m not stopping until we get our country back. 

If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to the always free email.  If you subscribe already, please share this today with a friend or relative who would appreciate a free, private, and consistent summary of the day’s news with direct links to the stories they choose to read.

Happy Thanksgiving.

🟠 GovBrief Intensity Score 112
Heated day. Volume above normal.
Previous 5 Days
🟠112|🚨176|🟠112|🟢72|🟢64
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
You’re all full of shit. Everybody who raised your hands. Think about it. And here’s how I know that every single one of you who raised your hand is lying to me. How many times do you roast an 18-pound turkey just randomly? Just, you know, a nice summer afternoon, we’re gonna go get an 18-pound turkey. Nobody does it because turkey doesn’t actually taste that good.
JD Vance speaking to soldiers about Thanksgiving turkey dinners at Fort Campbell in Kentucky on the day before Thanksgiving, November 26, 2025.
Yesterday's Most Read

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.

Today’s GovBrief News


Extremism 1 of 14

US halts Afghan immigration processing after two National Guard members shot near White House.

76,000 refugees face reinvestigation

Source: The Associated Press

November 26, 2025

Extremism 2 of 14

Virginia brothers charged with plotting to kill ICE agents and police; one is high school assistant principal.

DHS claims 8,000% rise in death threats

Source: The Virginia Mercury

November 26, 2025

Foreign Relations 3 of 14

Dominican Republic grants US military access to bases for drug interdiction as strikes in region have killed 83 since September.

First Caribbean nation to agree

Source: PBS

November 26, 2025

Foreign Relations 4 of 14

EU moves to seize $225 billion in Russian assets frozen in Belgium, rejecting Trump bid for US control.

Belgium summit Dec 18 pivotal

Source: The Associated Press

November 26, 2025

Foreign Relations 5 of 14

Trump bars South Africa from 2026 G20 summit over disputed "white genocide" claims; meeting to be held at Trump-owned resort.

Source: NBC News

November 26, 2025

Voting Rights 6 of 14

Colorado refuses federal request to transfer election crimes convict Tina Peters, blocking Trump pardon path.

Her attorney floated military extraction

Source: NBC Denver

November 26, 2025

Voting Rights 7 of 14

Federal judges allow North Carolina to use redrawn map targeting state's only swing district ahead of 2026 midterms.

Black voting-age population drops 40% to 32%

Source: CBS News

November 26, 2025

Courts 8 of 14

Appeals court allows Florida to enforce social media ban on minors while lawsuit continues; dissent calls law "plainly unconstitutional."

Under 14 banned; 14-15 need consent

Source: The Florida Phoenix

November 26, 2025

Courts 9 of 14

Georgia prosecutor dismisses Trump election case, ending last active criminal prosecution over 2020 election interference.

Prosecutor: effort "culminated in Capitol attack"

Source: Axios

November 26, 2025

Courts 10 of 14

Supreme Court defers ruling on Trump's firing of Copyright Office head, bundling case with pending FTC and Federal Reserve challenges.

Fired day after AI report released

Source: SCOTUS Blog

November 26, 2025

Immigration 11 of 14

ICE arrests mother of press secretary Leavitt's nephew; DHS claims criminal record, attorney says none exists.

Former DACA recipient; green card pending

Source: UPI

November 26, 2025

Immigration 12 of 14

ICE removes spending cap on private immigrant-tracking program, guaranteeing surveillance firms $7.5 million minimum with up to $281 million per contractor.

50,000 cases monthly from 1.5M docket

Source: Wired

November 26, 2025

Immigration 13 of 14

Trump administration terminates Temporary Protected Status for 350,000 Haitians, setting February 3 deportation deadline despite ongoing gang violence.

2nd attempt after courts blocked first

Source: CBS News

November 26, 2025

Fighting Back 14 of 14

21 states sue USDA over guidance stripping SNAP benefits from refugees and asylum recipients, calling it unauthorized by Congress.

States given 1 day to comply, not 120

Source: Newsweek

November 26, 2025