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What Happened Today – November 7, 2025

The shutdown in the Republican-controlled federal government continues to expose systemic problems, including millions of hungry people missing food aid and a severely compromised air transportation system.

Systems crack, splinter, then fall apart, and we’re somewhere in the middle of that. Justice Jackson stood on formality and allowed an appeals court to fully consider whether the Trump administration can cut off food aid to millions. While it may be her job to do so, that doesn’t help hungry people.

FAA-mandated flight cuts broke the system today and more than 1,000 flights were canceled. More cancellations come next week. Thanksgiving travel looms in just two weeks.

There are still people resisting without waiting for a march. Fourteen suburban Chicago moms jumped the barricades at the Broadview ICE facility and sat down in a circle. They were arrested in less than 60 seconds. They said they wanted to use their privilege and voice. We can join them by finding local actions and participating this weekend.

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Today's Quote
I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book, boys.
Border Patrol agent Charles Exum, in text messages to fellow agents revealed during court testimony this week about his October shooting of Marimar Martinez in Chicago.
Yesterday's Most Read

Sixth Circuit rules 10 to 7 that Ohio school district cannot punish students for using biological pronouns when referring to transgender classmates.

Today’s GovBrief News


Foreign Relations 1 of 21

Trump administration skips mandatory UN human rights review, leaving US seat empty as countries urge return and reschedule for next year.

Only Israel skipped review, in 2013

Source: The Associated Press

November 7, 2025

Foreign Relations 2 of 21

Trump bans all US officials from G20 summit in South Africa over false white farmer genocide claims, will host 2026 summit at his Doral resort.

International conference begins in 2 weeks

Source: USA Today

November 7, 2025

Foreign Relations 3 of 21

Trump grants Hungary one-year exemption from Russian oil sanctions after Orban meeting, securing $600 million US gas purchase commitment.

3 Mar-a-Lago visits last year

Source: AFP

November 7, 2025

War 4 of 21

US-led coordination center takes control of Gaza aid from Israel's COGAT, plans new crossings as 800 trucks enter daily.

800 trucks entering Gaza daily

Source: ABC News

November 7, 2025

DEI 5 of 21

Labor Department launches social media campaign with AI-generated images almost exclusively showing white men, which experts compare to Nazi and New Deal propaganda.

White men are 1/3 of US workforce

Source: The Washington Post

November 7, 2025

Economy 6 of 21

Government shutdown means no October jobs report released, but economists expected 60,000 job loss and 4.5% unemployment based on alternative data showing weak hiring.

153K cuts, highest October in 22 years

Source: CNBC

November 7, 2025

Economy 7 of 21

Trump orders Justice Department to investigate meatpacking industry for price fixing as beef prices rise 15% and elections underscore cost-of-living concerns.

3% inflation, 15% beef increase

Source: The Hill

November 7, 2025

Military 8 of 21

Multiple people fall ill after suspicious package opened at Joint Base Andrews, evacuating two buildings before investigation finds no immediate threat.

Stable condition, all released

Source: UPI

November 7, 2025

Military 9 of 21

Trump-appointed judge blocks National Guard deployment to Portland, rules president exceeded authority despite governor's objections and no federal request.

Source: The Salem Statesman Journal

November 7, 2025

Intelligence 10 of 21

Justice Department issues 30 subpoenas targeting Obama intelligence officials in fresh investigation of 2016 Russia probe preparation.

2017 Steele Dossier summary targeted

Source: The Associated Press

November 7, 2025

Courts 11 of 21

California Supreme Court unanimously upholds law forbidding nursing home employees from misgendering LGBT residents, rejecting First Amendment challenge.

7-0 vote by Justices

Source: Cal Matters

November 7, 2025

Courts 12 of 21

Justice Jackson temporarily freezes full SNAP payment order to give appeals court time to rule on Trump administration emergency request during shutdown dispute.

$4 billion more needed for full benefits

Source: CBS News

November 7, 2025

Criminal Justice 13 of 21

Trump pardons former NYPD sergeant convicted of helping China intimidate ex-official to return home while two Chinese co-defendants remain in prison.

2 Chinese co-defendants remain imprisoned

Source: NBC New York

November 7, 2025

Immigration 14 of 21

Federal magistrate judge plans Thursday visit to ICE Broadview facility where detainees testified to being held 100-plus in cells with no beds or hot meals.

3 meals, twice-daily cell cleaning required

Source: The Chicago Sun-Times

November 7, 2025

Education 15 of 21

Cornell pays $30 million settlement and invests $30 million in agricultural research to restore $250 million in frozen federal funding and close investigations.

4th Ivy League settlement with Trump

Source: Inside Higher Ed

November 7, 2025

Education 16 of 21

Paxton sues Galveston ISD for delaying Ten Commandments display while federal appeals court weighs constitutionality of state law requiring classroom posters.

11 districts blocked by federal judge

Source: Houston Public Media

November 7, 2025

Congress 17 of 21

Senate Democrats propose one-year ACA subsidy extension to end shutdown, but Republicans reject offer as "political terrorism" and nonstarter.

22 million rely on expiring credits

Source: NBC News

November 7, 2025

Federal Personnel 18 of 21

Energy Department names Dawn Zimmer as third permanent CIO in 10 months after predecessors left within months of appointment.

1 & 4 month previous tenure

Source: NextGov

November 7, 2025

Federal Personnel 19 of 21

Judge rules Education Department violated employees' First Amendment rights by changing automatic email replies to blame Democrats for shutdown without workers' knowledge.

38 days, longest shutdown ever

Source: FedScoop

November 7, 2025

Transportation 20 of 21

Over 1,000 flights canceled as FAA orders cuts at 40 major airports after unpaid air traffic controllers call out during 38-day shutdown.

16% cancellations at Washington's National

Source: PBS

November 7, 2025

Fighting Back 21 of 21

Cook County deputies arrest 14 suburban mothers who jumped barricades for sit-in at Broadview ICE facility protesting Operation Midway Blitz raids.

Arrested under <1 minute

Source: The Chicago Sun-Times

November 7, 2025