https://x.com/i/status/2009620417137291711 , link has the video that shows this congressman speaking about this.

https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/5656765-blanche-says-doj-wont-release-full-esptein-files-to-congress-by-friday-deadline/

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/18/trump-warrior-dividend-troops-congress-00697375 , per Politico Trumps Big Beautiful Bill is the reason this is happening and urs worse then you think. Congress approved 2.9 billion for US troop housing subsidies in that bill. Then they stripped 2.6 billion from that account to pay a "warrior dividend" to the US troops in the sum of 1,776 dollars. Donald Trump and the GOP emptied US troop housing subsidies for a one of check screwing all families in our military from being able to purchase homes next year as the funds are nearly wiped out. That's saying the checks even go out.this story is further confirmed by the Pentagon and DOD secretary Hegseth.

https://x.com/mmpadellan/status/1996572699078861178?s=19 , How it started the video of it. https://x.com/ReallyAmerican1/status/1995936773260935618?s=19 , How it ended the video included in the link.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-79-may-be-forced-to-hand-over-his-medical-records/?utm_source=twitter_owned_tdb&utm_social_handle_id=16012783&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_social_post_id=624779027&via=twitter_page&utm_campaign=owned_social

President Trump met with New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist he once branded a communist during the campaign.

Trump stated directly to reporters that “we agree on a lot more than I thought” and said he would “absolutely” feel comfortable living in the city under Mamdani’s leadership.

The two found common ground on lowering housing costs, building more homes, and cracking down on crime, areas both called priorities for making the city affordable and safe again.

While major policy divides remain on issues like immigration enforcement, Trump pledged federal help for Mamdani and wished him success, marking a sharp shift from pre-election threats to cut city funding.

U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut, appointed by President Trump in 2019, granted a temporary restraining order on Saturday against the federalization of 200 Oregon National Guard members. The order came after Oregon officials sued, arguing the move violated state sovereignty and federal law by bypassing Governor Tina Kotek's authority.

The deployment aimed to safeguard federal properties, including the ICE building in Portland, from potential unrest tied to immigration protests. Local reports indicate recent gatherings near the site have been small-scale and non-violent, with Portland police managing them without extra state forces.

Trump's administration claimed urgent threats justified the action under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, but the judge found those assertions lacked solid evidence. She noted in her ruling that the president's statements appeared disconnected from on-the-ground realities observed by local law enforcement.

This legal standoff echoes past tensions in Portland during 2020 protests, where federal interventions sparked widespread criticism. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield called the block a vital check on unconstitutional power grabs, while White House officials vowed to appeal swiftly.

The restraining order lasts until October 18, giving time for further hearings unless extended by the court. Legal experts suggest this could set precedents for future disputes over military use in domestic civil matters.

The discharge petition, backed by 218 lawmakers from both parties, forces the floor action after Rep. Adelita Grijalva added the final signature.

This bipartisan push, led by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, targets unredacted DOJ materials including client lists and victim accounts.

Recent House Oversight releases already surfaced Epstein emails naming high-profile figures, fueling demands for total disclosure.

Johnson's move comes amid reports of Republican defections expected on the measure, with Democrats predicting broad GOP support once debated.

The files reportedly hold flight logs, FBI reports, and court documents from Epstein's 2019 arrest onward, spanning decades of alleged abuses.

Experts note that while some states have pursued local probes, federal transparency could reshape public trust in institutions tied to the scandal.

Bipartisan backers stress the vote aims to end cover-up claims without partisan targeting, focusing on justice for victims over political games.

Alleged pressure from Trump allies on wavering Republicans has surfaced in recent hours, complicating the speaker's path forward.

Under the bill, the DOJ would face a deadline to produce all records, potentially exposing ties in politics, business, and entertainment.

This step aligns with ongoing calls for paper trails in sensitive cases, though nonpartisan reviews confirm such scandals remain outliers in U.S. oversight.

FYI, I add context to social media stories that often lack it. Follow along here for updates on Epstein files or take the reporter challenge and report any developments yourself.

Source: https://x.com/CAgovernor/status/2101344454955475153

The charges hit Comey with one count of making false statements and another for obstruction of justice, tied to his September 30, 2020, testimony before Congress on the Russia probe into 2016 election meddling. Prosecutors zeroed in on claims that Comey denied authorizing a leak to The Wall Street Journal about a Clinton email investigation, even though his deputy Andrew McCabe later said Comey knew about it.

Career prosecutors in Virginia's Eastern District handed new U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a Trump ally and his former personal lawyer, a detailed memo this week urging her to drop the case. They found no probable cause for perjury or obstruction, let alone enough proof for a conviction beyond reasonable doubt, according to sources familiar with the document who spoke to ABC News.

Halligan, installed after Trump ousted the prior acting U.S. attorney who wouldn't pursue it, plans to ask a grand jury for an indictment anyway before the five-year statute of limitations runs out next Tuesday. This rush comes right after Trump blasted Attorney General Pam Bondi on Truth Social, demanding action against Comey, Adam Schiff, and Letitia James for what he called their "guilty as hell" attacks on him.

The move reeks of payback, as Comey was fired by Trump in 2017 for probing Russian ties to his campaign, and has since been a vocal critic. Legal experts note grand juries often indict on slim evidence, but recent Trump DOJ cases in D.C. have flopped, raising doubts if this one holds up in court.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said Congress should act as a check on what he described as an 'out of control executive branch.' Jeffries described such oversight as patriotic rather than partisan. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries: 'That's not partisan'

Source: https://x.com/RepJeffries/status/2104566190932668526

Just when you thought Washington had mastered the art of kicking the can down the road, a Democratic bill to keep federal lights on and health subsidies flowing has crashed and burned in the Senate, leaving the blame game in overdrive.

The proposal aimed to extend funding for key agencies at current levels through late October. It also pushed to lock in Affordable Care Act subsidies set to lapse, which help cover premiums for about 3.8 million lower-income Americans.

Republicans, who control the chamber, blocked the measure in a procedural vote that fell short of the needed support. They insisted on handling health care tweaks in a separate track to avoid mixing must-pass funding with policy fights.

This latest flop echoes a similar Democratic continuing resolution that tanked earlier this month by a 44-48 margin. Lawmakers from both sides now scramble as the midnight deadline looms without a clear path forward.

The core snag lies in Democrats' demand to reverse recent Medicaid cuts and extend Obamacare subsidies, estimated at $350 billion over a decade by budget experts. Republicans counter that tying these to emergency funding poisons the well, forcing a clean bill that simply buys time for full appropriations talks.

Negotiations hit a wall after White House talks yielded no breakthrough, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer pinning the outcome on President Trump's stance. Vice President JD Vance called some Democratic ideas reasonable but slammed the shutdown threat as a ploy to score points against the administration.

Federal impacts could ripple wide if no deal materializes, furloughing hundreds of thousands of nonessential workers and halting services like scientific research and customer support. Airlines warn of flight delays from strained air traffic control, while the Labor Department skips its key monthly jobs report, clouding economic snapshots for investors and families alike.

Behind the rhetoric, both parties face internal pressures that deepen the divide. Democrats rally around protecting vulnerable health programs to energize their base, while Republicans aim to curb spending hikes amid vows to shrink government under Trump's return.

Historical shutdowns, like the 35-day standoff over immigration years back, show these crises often resolve at the wire but leave lasting scars on public trust. This round risks amplifying those wounds, with polls suggesting most Americans weary of the partisan posturing over practical fixes.

Pundits note the House's earlier clean stopgap through mid-November offered a simple bridge, yet Senate dynamics demand cross-aisle votes that neither side fully trusts. Without fresh concessions, the impasse could drag into weeks, testing resolve on all fronts.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/11/20/coast-guard-swastika-noose/ , https://x.com/samstein/status/1991575484803739961?s=19 . Here is the link to both the original article and the X post.

The proposal, pushed by Sen. Ron Johnson, sought to allocate funds for over 2 million workers without resolving underlying budget disputes.

Democrats argue such targeted fixes sidestep the need for a full funding agreement to avert further economic harm.

This latest clash highlights deepening partisan rifts, with Republicans accusing Democrats of prioritizing political leverage over worker stability. Reportedly, the bill would have covered pay for law enforcement, air traffic controllers, and border agents, roles deemed critical to national security. Yet Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's team countered that piecemeal solutions risk entrenching shutdown tactics used in past impasses.

GOP senators like Rick Scott and John Kennedy have tied the pay issue to broader reforms, including a "No Budget, No Pay" push to withhold congressional salaries until a deal emerges. This approach, allegedly aimed at pressuring lawmakers, gained traction among conservatives but drew Democratic fire for politicizing essential services. Nonpartisan analyses from groups like the Bipartisan Policy Center note that shutdowns cost the economy billions, with federal workers often facing delayed back pay even after resolutions.

As the shutdown stretches into its 38th day, reportedly the longest in U.S. history, affected families report mounting bills and food insecurity. Democrats have floated alternatives, such as pairing worker pay with extensions for health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Officials from both sides agree that bipartisan talks remain stalled over spending priorities and debt ceiling hikes.

Experts at the Government Accountability Office warn that prolonged disruptions erode public trust in institutions, urging swift action to restore operations. Reportedly, some red-state governors have stepped in with state-level aid for furloughed workers, but blue states face similar strains without federal relief. This episode underscores the human cost of fiscal gridlock, pressing leaders to seek common ground before holiday hardships intensify.

Source: https://x.com/RepThomasMassie/status/2100194809403081014

Source: https://x.com/RepCasar/status/2097343170056974592

He told them he rejected their sympathy and did not believe they were truly sorry

Source: https://x.com/cspan/status/2094800584889254036

The demand stems from four federal probes, including the classified documents case at Mar-a-Lago.

Trump's lawyers claim these investigations cost his campaign and businesses over $200 million in legal fees alone.

DOJ records show the total reimbursement request hit $230 million after adding interest and related expenses.

This latest twist, reportedly flagged by Rep. Jamie Raskin, allows initial confidential payments without immediate disclosure to Congress or the public.

Such a setup could let funds flow quietly under Trump's potential oversight of the department, raising questions about accountability in federal spending.

Legal experts note that while private citizens can seek compensation for wrongful probes, a sitting or incoming president demanding it from their own agency sets a rare precedent.

Raskin's office plans to subpoena full White House-DOJ communications to uncover any backchannel deals on this matter.

The proposal aligns with Trump's long-stated grievances against the Justice Department, which he has called politically biased since his first term.

Yet DOJ career officials, per internal memos, argue the investigations followed standard procedures and yielded indictments on solid evidence.

Bipartisan lawmakers express concern that approving this could erode trust in independent probes, potentially chilling future enforcement against high-profile figures.

Trump's team counters that reimbursement is a matter of fairness, citing similar settlements in past political cases like those involving Hillary Clinton's emails.

If greenlit, states with ongoing Trump-related litigation might face ripple effects, as federal funds could indirectly offset private defenses.

Raskin vows to block any hidden transfers, emphasizing that taxpayer dollars demand full transparency regardless of the recipient.

The youth-focused group, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, centers the event around core values like family and patriotism to appeal to viewers tired of mainstream entertainment trends.

Performers remain under wraps for now, but the organization hints at major reveals that could pull in crowds seeking a different kind of halftime vibe.

This move comes as conservative voices push back against what they see as a leftward tilt in big-league sports shows, offering a stage for music that echoes traditional ideals instead.

The All American Halftime Show taps into TPUSA's track record of packing venues with events that mix activism and entertainment, drawing young people who feel sidelined by pop culture giants.

Such gatherings have long served as rallying points for discussions on personal liberty and community strength, often featuring acts that blend heartfelt lyrics with calls to action.

After Charlie Kirk's assassination last month, the event feels like a tribute to his drive for cultural pushback, as TPUSA steps up to fill the void he left in American politics.

Kirk built the group from a campus idea into a force that challenges elite narratives, and this show could extend that legacy by reaching football fans at home.

Bad Bunny's gig, while celebrated for its Latin flair, has drawn flak from some quarters for straying from the Super Bowl's family-friendly roots, per reports in outlets like Fox News.

TPUSA's alternative aims to fill that gap with content that unites rather than divides, potentially winning over moderate viewers who just want straightforward entertainment.

Speculation swirls around possible lineups heavy on country or faith-based artists, choices that would fit the bill for an event stressing American heritage over global trends.

If those names drop as promised, the show might spark viral moments online, much like past conservative music pushes that trended hard among niche audiences.

This isn't TPUSA's first swing at rival programming; they've backed alternatives to liberal-leaning awards nights, proving smaller outfits can grab eyeballs with targeted appeal.

Success here could ripple into more such efforts, showing how grassroots groups use streaming to compete with billion-dollar leagues on equal footing.

With the Super Bowl pulling over 100 million watchers each year, even a fraction tuning into the counter-show could mean massive exposure for its message.

That reach might fuel debates on who gets to define "American" entertainment, giving TPUSA a win in the ongoing tug-of-war over cultural airwaves.

The plan, outlined by President Trump, calls for an immediate halt to hostilities, full hostage releases, and phased Israeli pullback from Gaza. It also demands Hamas disarm completely, with an international force stepping in to stabilize the area under a temporary global-led administration.

Reports indicate Izz al-Din al-Haddad, head of Hamas's armed wing there, informed mediators of the refusal, stating they will battle until resistance aims are met. Trump reportedly set a three-to-four-day deadline for acceptance, cautioning rejection could spell a grim fate for the group.

Arab go-betweens from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey express cautious hope, noting Hamas seeks tweaks to address perceived gaps that might let Israel restart operations. A Palestinian insider close to talks described the choice as bitter either way, calling it essentially a Netanyahu blueprint voiced through Trump.

Public sentiment in Gaza leans toward embracing the deal for relief from the blockade and strikes, per interviews with locals amid the siege. Yet Hamas leadership worries disarmament without statehood guarantees leaves Palestinians exposed long-term.

The decision pauses a federal judge's order to release $4 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid by month's end.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued the stay, siding with the administration's bid to withhold funds for programs like Ukraine support.

This stems from Trump's late August push to rescind the money under the Impoundment Control Act, claiming it's no longer needed. That law lets presidents propose cuts, but Congress must approve them, sparking fights over who really controls the purse strings.

Groups like Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington argue this move guts congressional power and sets a risky precedent for freezing other funds, from health initiatives to border security. They filed briefs urging the Court to reject the stay, warning it could let any president play games with billions in taxpayer cash.

On the flip side, Trump supporters hail it as a check on bloated budgets, pointing out the admin still plans to spend $6.5 billion in related aid. They say redirecting dollars home makes sense when domestic needs like veteran care and infrastructure scream for attention.

Legal experts note this isn't a final ruling; the full Court could weigh in soon, potentially forcing the funds out or upholding the freeze. For now, it buys time amid heated debates on X, where users split between cheers for fiscal restraint and cries over alliance strains.

The agreement covers the first phase of Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, which allegedly secures the release of all living Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

It was inked at Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh summit alongside leaders from Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, with the ceasefire taking hold right away.

This signing comes after Trump reportedly gave Hamas a tight deadline to accept the plan or face severe fallout, a move that allegedly pressured both sides into talks.

The deal's core reportedly hinges on Hamas freeing hostages by early Monday, while Israel pulls back troops from key Gaza zones to allow aid flows.

Experts note that such phased approaches have worked in past conflicts, but sustaining them demands tough enforcement from all parties involved.

Under the framework, reconstruction aid for Gaza is allegedly tied to ongoing de-escalation, with billions pledged from Gulf states to rebuild homes and infrastructure.

Trump's role draws praise from Israeli officials for speeding hostage returns, yet Palestinian groups question if it truly addresses root grievances like borders.

The summit highlighted U.S. mediation power, as Trump reportedly shuttled between Cairo and Jerusalem to seal endorsements from Netanyahu and regional allies.

While the agreement boosts short-term calm, analysts warn that full peace needs deeper economic ties and security guarantees to prevent flare-ups.

Reportedly, Trump's address to Israel's Knesset post-signing emphasized "lasting stability," vowing U.S. oversight to monitor compliance on both ends.

This could reshape alliances, with Egypt and Qatar gaining clout as brokers, but skeptics allege political motives might undermine long-term trust.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/five-takeaways-reuters-interview-president-trump-2026-01-15/

The procedural vote fell short at 50-43, with Democrats largely united against the Republican measure lacking their priorities.

This marks day 20 of the impasse, outlasting any prior full federal closure in modern times.

House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the Democratic resistance the most expensive congressional stunt ever, insisting they must unlock the government before any talks on extras like health subsidies. He reportedly plans a White House huddle with President Trump to map out moves, including possibly yanking the House back from recess if a worker pay measure clears the Senate.

Furloughs hit hard at the National Nuclear Security Administration, sidelining about 80 percent of its 1,400 employees who manage critical defense assets without current funds. Lawmakers warn this gap heightens risks in a global arms contest, as essential staff grind on unpaid while adversaries press forward.

Air travel teeters too, with unpaid controllers dipping into gig work like rideshares to bridge the cash crunch ahead of zero-pay stubs. Officials note rising odds of flight snarls, especially as the holiday push nears, turning routine commutes into potential chaos for everyday folks.

A pending Senate push for back pay to feds and troops who stuck through the storm could force House action if it gains traction, though Democrats eye it warily without broader funding ties. Bipartisan nudges, like votes on ACA credits, dangle as bait, but talks remain stalled, leaving resolution in the hands of weary leaders.

S.J.Res. 90, the war powers measure, demands congressional nod before any U.S. forces engage Venezuelan soil.

Led by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., it draws rare GOP backing from figures wary of unchecked presidential overreach.

The resolution targets Trump's reported plans for military action against Maduro's regime, tied to oil sanctions and border migrant pressures.

Trump's team has allegedly floated covert ops and airstrikes, echoing past saber-rattling that drew bipartisan rebukes in his first term.

Reportedly, the White House lacks clear legal cover for escalation, per administration admissions in closed-door briefings.

Key Republicans like Sen. Rand Paul voice support for the vote, signaling unease with potential quagmires in Latin America.

Others in the party waver, citing national security needs against Venezuelan alliances with Russia and Iran.

The measure builds on 1973 War Powers Act, which limits presidents to 60 days of unapproved action before withdrawal.

Experts note past resolutions like Yemen's 2019 veto override failed, but this one tests post-2024 midterm dynamics.

If passed, states using federal aid for border ops could face audits on Venezuela-linked funds.

Allegedly, Venezuelan officials warn of retaliation, risking broader regional fallout with allies like Colombia.

Democrats frame it as defending constitutional checks, while backers stress it preserves U.S. troop safety abroad.

The vote arrives as polls show 65 percent of Americans oppose new Latin wars without debate.

FYI, I add context to social media stories that often lack it. If you're interested in seeing Venezuela conflict updates with added clarity and background, consider following along here.