Chicago Residents Demand Federal Intervention After Deadly Shootings Expose Urban Crime Crisis
President Trump highlighted the desperate pleas of Chicago residents for federal assistance to combat rampant violence following a chaotic weekend that left one teenager dead, seven others wounded in a mass shooting outside the Chicago Theatre during the city’s Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, and an additional victim critically injured in a nearby plaza, as reported in his social media post decrying “massive crime and rioting” with 300 juveniles involved, multiple police officers attacked and hospitalized, and local leaders like Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson rejecting offers of help despite deploying 700 extra officers and arresting 18 individuals while recovering five weapons. Trump emphasized chants of “Bring in Trump” from the public, tying the incidents to a broader push for Operation Midway Blitz—a federal initiative targeting crime and illegal immigration that has already detained over 600 individuals in the city, though a federal judge recently blocked the deployment of 500 National Guard troops from Texas and Illinois amid ongoing enforcement efforts that have faced resistance and legal challenges.
Sources: The Washington Times, The Daily Caller
DOGE Disbands Early After Delivering Federal Spending Cuts
President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, established in January 2025 under the leadership of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to trim federal bureaucracy and redirect resources toward core priorities, has effectively disbanded with eight months remaining on its July 2026 charter, as confirmed by Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor, who stated it “doesn’t exist” as a centralized entity, with its functions now absorbed by the OPM and other agencies. Launched with high-profile fanfare—including Musk brandishing a chainsaw at the February Conservative Political Action Conference to symbolize slashing waste—the initiative implemented a government-wide hiring freeze, dismantled parts of agencies like foreign aid programs, and relocated key personnel such as former Acting Administrator Amy Gleason to Health & Human Services, Zachary Terrell to chief technology officer at HHS, and Rachel Riley to the Office of Naval Research, while claiming tens of billions in savings though without detailed public accounting. Following a public feud between Musk and Trump in May that prompted Musk’s departure from Washington, administration signals of DOGE’s wind-down emerged over the summer, culminating in November’s quiet transition, as White House spokeswoman Liz Huston affirmed ongoing commitments to reduce waste and fraud; meanwhile, Republican-led states like Idaho and Florida are adopting similar efficiency models locally, and former DOGE staff contribute to new ventures like the August executive order-created National Design Studio under Joe Gebbia to modernize government websites.
Sources: The Straits Times, Reuters
Appeals Court Restricts Trump’s Expedited Deportation Efforts Amid Border Security Push
A federal appeals court panel on November 22nd, upheld a lower court injunction limiting the Trump administration’s expansion of expedited removal procedures to illegal immigrants apprehended within 100 miles of the U.S. border, effectively blocking the Department of Homeland Security’s January 2025 policy change that sought to apply rapid deportations nationwide to those unable to prove two years of continuous U.S. residence, as part of broader efforts to enforce immigration laws and deter unlawful entries; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit’s 2-1 decision, with Trump appointee Judge Neomi Rao dissenting on grounds of judicial overreach, maintains the status quo pending a December 9 merits hearing, following U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb’s August 29 ruling that cited due process protections for migrants in the country’s interior, underscoring ongoing legal scrutiny of executive actions aimed at strengthening border control and public safety.
Sources: The Epoch Times, Reuters
Trump Signals Imminent Terrorist Designation for Muslim Brotherhood
President Trump said that the formal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization stands imminent, with final documents under preparation to impose the strongest sanctions available under U.S. law. The announcement follows Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s recent executive order labeling the Brotherhood and its affiliate, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, as terrorist and criminal entities, thereby barring them from land acquisition in the state and enabling enhanced penalties for related activities. Founded in Egypt in 1928, the Brotherhood maintains global branches and has faced terrorist designations from nations including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates due to its historical promotion of jihad and support for groups like Hamas, as documented in congressional reports and internal Brotherhood memoranda. Bipartisan lawmakers, including Senators Ted Cruz and Tom Cotton, have pressed the State Department to advance the federal listing, citing the organization’s infiltration efforts into American institutions and its role in financing terrorism, a process Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed is underway amid legal complexities from the group’s extensive network.
Bipartisan Senate Stand Against Trump’s Ukraine Concessions to Russia
Bipartisan leaders in the U.S. Senate, including Republicans like Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Roger Wicker of Mississippi alongside Democrats Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and independents such as Angus King of Maine, issued a unified rebuke this weekend against a 28-point peace plan advanced by the Trump administration that demands Ukraine yield major territorial and defensive concessions to Russia in exchange for halting the war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed senators that the proposal originated as a Russian “wish-list” relayed through U.S. channels, while American envoys delivered it to Ukrainian officials as a non-negotiable ultimatum, warning of severed military aid and intelligence support if rejected. With Russia’s unprovoked invasion having inflicted over one million casualties and occupied Ukrainian land for more than a decade, the senators’ joint statement asserts that such concessions would degrade Ukraine’s defenses, reward Vladimir Putin’s aggression, and signal weakness to adversaries including Beijing, insisting instead on strength-backed diplomacy, consultation with NATO allies, and pressure on Moscow to negotiate genuinely rather than through coerced terms that echo failed historical appeasements.
Sources: NewsMax, The Washington Times
Tennessee Special Election Draws National Spotlight with Heavy Fundraising for Republican Hold
The special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District on December 2nd underscores the fierce determination of Republicans to defend a reliably conservative stronghold vacated by Rep. Mark Green, who resigned in June to pursue opportunities in the private sector after steadfast service in Congress. Republican nominee Matt Van Epps, a decorated Army helicopter pilot and former state commissioner under Gov. Bill Lee, has secured powerful backing from President Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC, which has committed over $1 million to his campaign amid reports of the group raising nearly $177 million through mid-year filings, emphasizing Van Epps’ combat experience and commitment to traditional values. Facing him is Democrat Aftyn Behn, a Nashville state representative drawing liberal reinforcements including a $1 million ad blitz from the House Majority PAC and mailers from the $16 million-funded Your Community PAC that attempt to peel off GOP voters by labeling Van Epps a “RINO,” alongside high-profile visits from Kamala Harris and DNC Chair Ken Martin to rally progressive turnout in the redrawn district where Trump won by 21 points in 2024. With external spending already surpassing $3.1 million from the primaries and independents like Courtney Thorp in the mix, this contest tests the resilience of Republican majorities against Democrat incursions, with Van Epps positioned to preserve the seat’s red integrity through disciplined grassroots efforts and national conservative support.
Housing Affordability Hits Three-Year Peak on Lower Mortgage Rates
U.S. housing affordability climbed to its strongest level in three years during October, as the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped to 6.25 percent—the lowest monthly average in more than a year—while home values held steady year-over-year at a typical $362,117, according to Zillow’s latest market report. This combination trimmed monthly mortgage payments by 1.8 percent from the prior October, easing the burden on middle-income households that would otherwise devote 32.9 percent of their earnings to a typical home purchase with a 20 percent down payment, though costs remain elevated compared to historical norms. The rate relief spurred a 5 percent year-over-year rise in both new listings and pending sales, defying seasonal slowdowns and signaling robust buyer demand in markets like Tampa, Orlando, and Miami, while total inventory expanded 12.8 percent annually to narrow the supply gap to 17.3 percent below pre-pandemic averages—the smallest deficit since early 2020. Sellers reentered the market after a quiet summer, capitalizing on heightened activity, as Zillow senior economist Kara Ng observed that buyers are poised to act swiftly when financing eases, underscoring the sector’s sensitivity to interest rate shifts amid ongoing Federal Reserve policy adjustments.
Sources: Zillow Group, AZ Big Media
AOC’s Turkey Giveaway Redirects Donor Funds to Campaign Coffers
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s recent email solicitation for a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in New York City directs contributions through ActBlue to her congressional campaign account, rather than to charitable organizations, as disclosed on the fundraising page stating it is “paid for by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress” with no tax-deductible status for donations. This approach contrasts with her 2021 effort, where she raised $33,589.64 specifically for three local charities via direct contributions to community groups, and differs from the practices of over a dozen other New York politicians who coordinate turkey drives through partnerships with food banks or businesses without routing public funds through campaigns. Former City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli highlighted the distinction, noting a campaign should not serve as a pass-through for charitable work, while City Councilman Robert Holden, a Democrat, observed that such methods often result in soliciting funds from working people under the pretext of community support. The shift comes amid ongoing congressional investigations into ActBlue’s fraud prevention measures, including subpoenas issued in March and September 2025 to its employees over allegations of fraudulent domestic and foreign donations, underscoring broader concerns about the platform’s operations.
Sources: The New York Post, The Post Millennial
Soros Funds Democrat Lawmakers’ Latin American Communist Outreach
Congressional disclosures reveal that the George Soros-linked Foundation to Promote Open Society provided thousands of dollars to finance a weeklong August 2023 trip for House Democrats Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rep. Nydia Velázquez of New York, Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida, and Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas, organized by the left-leaning Center for Economic and Policy Research to engage U.S.-Latin America relations amid concerns over democratic erosion. The delegation visited Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, meeting self-identified communists and socialists including Santiago’s Communist Party Mayor Iraci Hassler, who advocated communist local governance to transform lives; Chilean Communist Party members and Minister Camila Vallejo on campus activism; Brazilian Workers’ Party officials and Landless Workers’ Movement representatives tied to Marxist land reform; and Colombian President Gustavo Petro alongside Historic Pact coalition partners from the Colombian Communist Party and Maoist Labour Party. Accommodations included luxury stays at the Mandarin Oriental in Santiago and the B Hotel in Brazil, with meals at upscale spots like Fogo de Chão and Liguria Lastarria, which features Che Guevara and Mao Zedong imagery, while the itinerary covered discussions on food insecurity, migrant issues, indigenous policies, and labor rights, alongside mourning Chile’s late Soviet-aligned President Salvador Allende.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, The Washington Free Beacon
Chinese Spy Cortizan Swalwell Pushes Phone Voting Amid California Gubernatorial Bid
Democrat Representative Eric Swalwell, fresh off announcing his candidacy for California governor in the 2026—and who notoriously had an agffaiot with a communist Chinese spy as he sat on sentitive House committees, has proposed allowing voters to cast ballots by phone to “max out democracy,” drawing sharp scrutiny over potential security risks in an already expansive field of contenders including Katie Porter and Xavier Becerra. Swalwell likened phone voting to routine online tasks such as filing taxes or banking, insisting it could be made “safe and secure” while already occurring in parts of the United States, and suggested fining counties for excessive in-person voting lines exceeding 30 minutes alongside modernizing the DMV for fully virtual operations. This pitch arrives as Swalwell emphasizes tackling high living costs and instability in the Golden State, though critics highlight vulnerabilities like phone spoofing, SIM swaps, and unverifiable voter identity that could undermine election integrity, especially given California’s ongoing debates over absentee and mail-in processes without robust safeguards.
Sources: Legal Insurrection, RedState.com
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The Dangerous Sedition of Urging Military Disobedience Over Policy Disagreements
“In a stunning display of partisan desperation, six Democrat lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds—led by Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ)—released a video entitled “Don’t Give Up the Ship” on November 18th. In it, they directly addressed active-duty service members and intelligence personnel, reminding them of their oath to the Constitution and their duty to refuse “unlawful orders”…To wit: those who cloak their political opposition in faux concern for the Constitution while actively undermining civilian control of the military are the real threat to the Republic…”
Read and listen to more of this article at UndergroundUSA.com
China’s Manufacturing Flight Signals Deeper Economic Woes
As China’s economy falters under the weight of sluggish growth, persistent deflation, and escalating trade barriers from the United States, manufacturers are hastening their departure to more stable locales in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, and emerging hubs in Central Asia, fundamentally altering global supply chains that once depended heavily on Chinese production, according to industry observers and economic data released in late 2025. Factory output expanded at its slowest pace in over a year in October, while retail sales and new export orders contracted for months on end, with the manufacturing purchasing managers’ index dipping below 50 for the longest streak in nearly a decade, underscoring a broad industrial slowdown that threatens Beijing’s targeted 5 percent GDP growth for the year. U.S. tariffs, now reaching up to 145 percent on select goods, have compounded rising labor costs—more than doubling over the past decade in key provinces—and regulatory uncertainties, prompting firms in electronics, textiles, and automotive sectors to relocate operations, evidenced by U.S. imports from Mexico surging to $219.5 billion against just $148.5 billion from China in 2025 figures. Government efforts, including front-loaded fiscal stimuli and looser monetary policies, have waned in effectiveness by the year’s close, leaving local authorities scrambling to redirect exports domestically amid factory closures and climbing unemployment, as private sector surveys reveal employment sub-indices deteriorating further and experts forecasting GDP expansion cooling to 4.6 percent, well short of official ambitions.
Airlines Suspend Venezuela Routes Amid FAA Alert on Maduro Regime’s Instability
Six major airlines—Iberia from Spain, TAP from Portugal, LATAM from Chile, Avianca from Colombia, GOL from Brazil, and Caribbean Airlines from Trinidad and Tobago—suspended all flights to Venezuela on November 22nd, following a Federal Aviation Administration advisory issued the prior day that cited a deteriorating security environment and elevated military operations in and around the country, potentially endangering civilian aircraft at any altitude through advanced Venezuelan fighter jets, air defense systems, and anti-aircraft artillery. The FAA’s 90-day notice, which mandates 72-hour advance reporting for any U.S. carrier overflights, underscores persistent threats including increased Global Navigation Satellite System interference since September and the Maduro government’s ties to the Cartel de los Soles, designated a foreign terrorist organization effective November 24, amid U.S. naval deployments in the Caribbean to combat drug trafficking from Venezuelan shores. This action reflects broader regional strains, with U.S. strikes since early September targeting over 20 suspected smuggling vessels linked to Maduro allies, resulting in more than 80 fatalities, as American forces including an aircraft carrier strike group maintain readiness to address narcotics flows and regime-enabled criminal enterprises destabilizing hemispheric security.
Bolivia Ends Corrupt Justice Ministry in Bold Reform
In a decisive move to dismantle two decades of leftist politicization in Bolivia’s judiciary, newly elected President Rodrigo Paz Pereira abolished the Ministry of Justice on November 21st, just one day after dismissing Minister Freddy Vidovic over his undisclosed three-year prison sentence for corruption, an institution Paz branded as a “ministry of persecution” and “injustice” that had weaponized legal verdicts against political opponents during the long rule of the Movement for Socialism party. Fulfilling a core campaign pledge after his recent electoral victory that ousted the MAS regime, Paz redistributed the ministry’s functions to other agencies, appointing a temporary replacement in Jorge García before dissolving the entity entirely, a step he described as burying “state terrorism” to protect Bolivians from further abuse and restore impartial rule of law amid widespread celebrations in opposition strongholds like Santa Cruz, though the national human rights ombudsman cautioned about potential disruptions to legal aid for vulnerable groups. This reform arrives as Paz’s administration navigates internal tensions, including clashes with Vice President Edmundo Lara over appointee controversies, and broader efforts to secure billions in international loans while addressing economic woes inherited from prior governance.
Sources: The Brussels Times, Rio Times Online
Vietnam Floods Claim 90 Lives Amid Relentless Rains and Government Aid Efforts
Severe flooding and landslides triggered by days of torrential rain since late October have devastated south and central Vietnam, claiming 90 lives and leaving at least 12 people missing, with 63 fatalities concentrated in the mountainous Dak Lak province where tens of thousands of homes were inundated. The disaster has struck five provinces—Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, and Binh Thuan—causing over 80,000 hectares of crops to be destroyed and more than 3.2 million livestock lost, alongside economic damages estimated at $343 million. In coastal Nha Trang and highland areas near Da Lat, entire blocks were submerged and roads blocked, prompting the Vietnamese government to mobilize tens of thousands of personnel for rescue and relief operations, including helicopter airdrops of essentials like clothing, water purification tablets, and instant noodles. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh allocated emergency funds totaling over $41 million to the hardest-hit provinces for home repairs by November 20 and new constructions by January’s Lunar New Year, while over 129,000 households remain without power as recovery continues.
Sources: The Guardian, The Hindu
Swiss Museum Hit by Daring Heist of Roman Gold Coins
In the latest in a string of unrelated museum robberies, Swiss authorities are pursuing two unidentified robbers who brazenly assaulted a 64-year-old security guard at the Roman-era museum in Lausanne on Tuesday, restraining him before smashing a display case and fleeing with dozens of ancient gold coins of significant archaeological value. The perpetrators, who had purchased tickets like ordinary visitors, bided their time until the facility nearly emptied near closing, then overpowered the lone guard without causing him injury, though he promptly activated a panic alarm that summoned police. This calculated theft, occurring amid surging global gold prices and recent high-profile museum breaches such as the October Louvre jewelry robbery in Paris, underscores ongoing threats to cultural treasures, with Lausanne officials filing complaints for damages while the cantonal government prepares criminal charges; no arrests have been made, and the coins’ exact monetary worth remains undisclosed pending expert assessment.
Sources: The Washington Times, The Daily Mail