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September 25, 2025
Billions in Taxpayer Dollars Have Become Virtually Untraceable
(Political Wire) Across federal agencies, the Trump administration’s aggressive slash-and-burn approach to federal programs, grants and contracts has repeatedly challenged Congress’ power of the purse. The administration has claimed it has the discretion to redirect funds to programs aligned with Trump’s agenda — and Republican congressional leaders have largely let them do it. The outcome: Billions in taxpayer dollars have become virtually untraceable — a level of opaqueness in government funds that’s raising questions around the legality of the administration’s actions.
Go to discussionRFK Jr. launches FDA review of abortion pill
(ABC News) Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Republican states this week that the FDA would conduct a new review of abortion pills, a move that abortion rights advocates say could lead to significant restrictions on the most common abortion method nationwide. Republicans and anti-abortion advocates have been pressing the Trump administration to change the FDA's rules around mifepristone, an oral drug typically used in combination with another drug, misoprostol, to induce an abortion or to help manage an early miscarriage.
Go to discussionDemocrats seize on Tom Homan bribery probe, seek access to FBI recording
(MSNBC) It’s been a few days since the public learned about the bribery controversy surrounding White House border czar Tom Homan, and this clearly has not escaped the attention of congressional Democrats. The New York Times reported that members from both chambers have already opened separate investigations into the matter. From the article: "In a letter on Monday, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee demanded that Attorney General Pam Bondi and Kash Patel, the F.B.I. director, provide ‘all recordings from Mr. Homan’s meeting,’ all of their investigative material and any communications between the White House and their agencies over the case."
Go to discussionDemocrats knock Trump for 'running away from negotiating table' after meeting cancellation
(The Hill) Democratic leaders on Tuesday criticized President Trump for canceling their planned meeting to prevent a governemnt shutdown next week, accusing the White House of “running away from the negotiating table,” in the words of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). “Trump is running away from the negotiating table before he even gets there,” Schumer said in a statement. “While Americans face rising costs and a Republican healthcare crisis, Trump would rather throw a tantrum than do his job. Democrats are ready to work to avoid a shutdown — Trump and Republicans are holding America hostage. Donald Trump will own the shutdown.”
Go to discussionTrump 'upping the ante' with new 'threat' if government shuts down next week: report
(Raw Story) Congressional leaders have until the end of the month to agree on a deal to keep government agencies funded. But according to a new report, President Donald Trump's administration is using the possibility of a government shutdown to carry out its plans of permanently hollowing out federal agencies. On Wednesday, Politico's Sophia Cai reported that agency heads have been handed memos from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructing them to submit reduction-in-force (RIF) plans in the event of a federal government shutdown. This effectively means that the administration is planning to carry out mass firings of federal workers, even though federal employees typically come back to work after Congress agrees on a funding bill.
Go to discussionNewly appointed US attorney will attempt to charge James Comey despite prosecutors finding no probable cause: Sources
(ABC News) Donald Trump’s handpicked U.S. Attorney in Virginia is planning to ask a grand jury in the coming days to indict former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress, despite prosecutors and investigators determining there was insufficient evidence to charge him, sources with direct knowledge of the probe told ABC News. Earlier this week, prosecutors presented Lindsey Halligan -- Trump’s former personal attorney whom he appointed to lead the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia -- with a detailed memo recommending that she decline to bring perjury and obstruction charges against Comey, the sources familiar with the memo said.
Go to discussionThune says to expect 'explosive' oversight hearings on Trump's powers
(The Hill) Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says that Senate Republicans will conduct thorough oversight of President Trump’s use of executive power and predicted there could be additional “explosive” Senate hearings with senior Cabinet officials, similar to the fiery exchanges between senators and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this month. Thune said Wednesday that Republicans senators “have a responsibility as an independent, coequal branch of the government to make sure that we’re doing appropriate oversight of these decisions.”
Go to discussionICE releases Oregon firefighter arrested last month during Bear Gulch Fire
(OPB) An Oregon firefighter who was arrested by immigration agents while battling a wildfire last month has been released and is back home, his attorneys announced Wednesday. Rigoberto Hernandez Hernandez, 23, said he is glad to be back home after multiple Border Patrol agents appeared at a work camp at the Bear Gulch Fire in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula on Aug. 27. Those agents then arrested Hernandez and another firefighter.
Go to discussionMore than 100 ABC News veterans urge Disney CEO Bob Iger to stand firm against Trump attacks
(CNN) A group of 100-plus former ABC News journalists has sent a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger urging him to make “a concerted effort to defend free speech and press freedom against political intimidation.” The letter, obtained by CNN on Wednesday, soon after it was delivered to Iger, was first drafted when ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last week.
Go to discussionJimmy Kimmel responds to Trump's threats
(Rolling Stone) Jimmy Kimmel acknowledged the threats made by Donald Trump after his late-night show returned on Tuesday night, describing the president as an “’80s movie-style bully.” On the latest episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kimmel did a line-by-line takedown of Trump’s Truth Social post, which suggested he planned to sue ABC and accused the comedian of being “yet another arm” of the Democratic party. “I can’t believe ABC fake news gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Trump wrote in the post. “You can’t believe they gave me my job back?” Kimmel responded. “I can’t believe we gave you your job back.”
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