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What Happened Today – November 3, 2025

Tuesday is Election Day and our chance to begin restoring the norms we once lived under.

In the less than ten months since he’s taken office, Donald Trump ordered attacks on 16 unarmed boats near South America that killed dozens of people. He has threatened Venezuela, Nigeria, Panama, Greenland, and Canada. The self-dealing and grift we’ve seen from Trump rivals that of the most corrupt times in our history.

Federal authoritarianism only works when it’s supported from below. That’s how 25% of ICE arrests happen in Texas and how Trump aide Stephen Miller got Virginia State Police to seize an activist’s phone over pamphlets she distributed to neighbors. Everywhere you see federal overreach, it’s enabled by local cooperation. You can change that starting today.

We see daily proof of all of these things and more. Today is the day to vote for the world you want to live in because the officials you elect today either cooperate with authoritarianism or stand against it.

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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🟡 GovBrief Intensity Score 107
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Previous 5 Days
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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
The votes aren't there.
Senate Majority Leader Thune explaining that the Senate would not support Trump's demand to do away with the filibuster requiring 60 votes.
Yesterday's Most Read

FDA's top drug regulator resigns after drugmaker sues him for bribery and defamation, as he claims retaliation for opposing fast-track approval process.

Today’s GovBrief News


Dissent 1 of 13

Stephen Miller has Virginia State Police seize 65-year-old activist Barbara Wien's phone in August over pamphlets distributed to neighbors criticizing Trump administration policies.

Phone held since August, search paused

Source: Raw Story

November 3, 2025

Human Rights 2 of 13

Federal judge hears testimony on alleged inhumane conditions and lack of attorney access at Broadview ICE facility with power to close it or halt all Chicago-area immigration enforcement.

2 meetings ended early, protest disruptions

Source: CBS Chicago

November 3, 2025

Human Rights 3 of 13

Trump administration chooses to fund only half of November food stamps to nearly 42 million Americans despite federal court orders and $17 billion in available tariff revenue.

$350 average household benefit

Source: CNN

November 3, 2025

Human Rights 4 of 13

USDA prohibits grocery stores from offering discounts to SNAP recipients during shutdown while providing only half of November benefits to more than 40 million Americans.

21,000 independent grocers nationwide

Source: The Hill

November 3, 2025

Voting Rights 5 of 13

Utah Legislature's congressional map architect used partisan election data legislators previously called disqualifying as judge faces November 10 deadline to choose 2026 district boundaries.

Deadline in 7 days

Source: The Utah News Dispatch

November 3, 2025

Censorship 6 of 13

Pentagon credentials far-right activist Laura Loomer for reconstituted press corps after major news organizations walk out over policy barring journalists from soliciting information not officially provided.

Only 60 journalists in new press corps

Source: Newsweek

November 3, 2025

Criminal Justice 7 of 13

Trial begins for Sean Dunn, fired Justice Department paralegal arrested by SWAT team after throwing sandwich at federal agent despite grand jury declining felony charge.

2 pending motions before trial

Source: WTOP Washington

November 3, 2025

Immigration 8 of 13

Texas accounts for 1 in 4 ICE arrests while 59% of those detained have no criminal convictions despite Trump administration pledges to pursue "the worst of the worst."

Daily arrests doubled: 85 to 176

Source: The Texas Tribune

November 3, 2025

Education 9 of 13

Government shutdown forces closure of Head Start centers serving at least 8,000 families as 140 programs await federal funding for 65,000 preschoolers and expectant parents.

2 meals daily, therapy services lost

Source: The Associated Press

November 3, 2025

Propaganda 10 of 13

Trump endorses former Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo over Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in New York mayoral race after Cuomo said he would reject Trump endorsement.

Cuomo resigned 2021, sexual harassment allegations

Source: NBC News

November 3, 2025

Grift 11 of 13

Fourteen of 24 White House ballroom donors face federal enforcement actions while collectively holding $279 billion in government contracts.

$1.6 billion spent on lobbying, contributions

Source: The Washington Post

November 3, 2025

Grift 12 of 13

Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao while claiming "no idea who he is" despite Binance involvement with crypto platform sending 75% of token revenue to Trump family company.

Zhao paid $50M fine, Binance $4.3B

Source: CNBC

November 3, 2025

Fighting Back 13 of 13

Twenty-one states and Washington DC sue Education Department over rule barring student debt forgiveness for public servants who "abet illegal immigration" or support gender transition for minors.

10 years of payments required

Source: The Hill

November 3, 2025