Here are today's featured stories, posted by DU members and curated by the Administrators. More news items can be found in our Latest Breaking News forum, and for all the most up-to-the-minute stories that are being talked about by DU members, visit the Latest Discussions page.
October 12, 2025
'Why are they so scared?' Lawmaker accuses Mike Johnson of 'massive Epstein cover-up'
October 11, 2025 7:35PM ET Mike Johnson is a "liar" and Republican citizens are pushing for Jeffrey Epstein transparency amid Mike Johnson's "massive Epstein cover-up," according to a Democratic lawmaker. Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) appeared on MSNBC over the weekend, where he talked about what he is hearing from everyday voters. After saying he sees citizens pushing Republicans to negotiate on healthcare in connection with the shutdown, Garcia said, "The secon ...
Go to discussionHegseth Slammed By Critics For 'Clarification' On Qatar Deal: 'That's Not What You Said'
Oct 11, 2025, 06:10 PM EDT | Updated 10 hours ago Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued an “Important clarification” on Friday after enraging many in MAGA with the claim that Qatar, which gifted President Donald Trump a $400 million luxury jet earlier this year, will get its own airbase on American soil. “The U.S. military has a long-standing partnership w/ Qatar, including today’s announced cooperation w/ F-15QA aircraft,” he clarified on X. “However, to be clear, Qatar will not have their o ...
Go to discussionTrump slashes mental health agency as shutdown drags on
October 11, 2025 7:10 PM ET The Trump administration has laid off more than 100 employees at the nation's main mental health agency, NPR has learned. Current and former employees at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) told NPR about the layoffs, which were part of a government-wide reduction in force. The sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly about the agency, said the layoffs came late Friday, as the nation's government shutdown dragged on. Em ...
Go to discussionPressure growing on Johnson to call House back amid shutdown fight
10/12/25 6:00 AM ET House GOP leaders are facing increasing pressure to bring the chamber back to Washington amid a shutdown fight with no end in sight. A growing number of GOP lawmakers are voicing frustrations with their leadership for prolonging the House recess, warning that the optics surrounding that inactivity could backfire on the party to the benefit of Democrats. The rumbling is creating a headache for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and his leadership team, who have made canceling vot ...
Go to discussionCDC 'Not Functional' After Trump Administration Orders Mass Firings
Sat, 11 October 2025 at 3:19 pm Dozens of employees were fired from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) late on Friday, as the Trump Administration made good on its promise to begin mass firings in response to a prolonged government shutdown. The layoffs targeted leaders in departments related to respiratory diseases, chronic diseases, injury prevention and global health, the New York Times reported. Roughly 70 Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, also known as “disease de ...
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