New York Times: “A plutonium-packed generator disappeared on one of the world’s highest mountains in a hush-hush mission the U.S. still won’t talk about.”
Inside the North Carolina GOP’s Push to Seize Power
ProPublica: “These power shifts have left North Carolina’s governor ranked dead last among state chief executives.”
The Ongoing Shock of Trump’s Cocaine Kingpin Pardon
Bloomberg Businessweek: “Donald Trump’s pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, toppled the capstone of one of the most ambitious narcotics investigations in the history of the Department of Justice.”
Anonymous Money Fuel Attacks on Burt Jones
“It’s the biggest mystery in Georgia politics right now: Who’s paying for the attacks on Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones?,” the AP reports.
“Someone operating under the name ‘Georgians for Integrity’ has dumped around $5 million into television ads, mailers and texts. The attacks claim Jones, who already has… Trump’s endorsement in his run for governor next year, has been using his office to enrich himself. For any Georgian settling down to watch a football game, the ads have been nearly inescapable.”
“The Jones campaign is hopping mad, threatening legal action against television stations.”
Democratic Centrists Take on the Establishment
Wall Street Journal: “Centrist politicians are expected to be evenhanded, staid and boring—they are the ones who bridge the extremes of their party and turn ideas into something that can get passed, leaving the loudest folks unhappy. But a crop of centrist Democrats, like Kelly, is increasingly deciding to dig in their heels and fight. These centrists aren’t just confronting Trump, they also don’t want to cede control over the party’s agenda to progressives who have typically been the ones with the louder microphone.”
“The strategy comes with risks—it could appear inauthentic to voters or play into the hands of Trump, who relishes conflict. It could also turn off independent or moderate voters who are looking for people to be dealmakers. Some liberals say it is more style than substance, and Democrats need to embrace progressive policies.”
Russia Pummels Kyiv Before Trump-Zelensky Meeting
“Powerful explosions boomed in the skies over the Ukrainian capital on Saturday as Russia launched waves of missiles and attack drones. The hourslong assault came as President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine prepared to meet with President Trump on Sunday to discuss a plan to end the war,” the New York Times reports.
“Mr. Zelensky said the attack made clear that Russia was not serious about peace talks.”
Karoline Leavitt Is Expecting Her Second Child
“White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Friday she is expecting her second child, making her the first person to hold the position while pregnant,” Politico reports.
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Trump Says Midterms Will Be About ‘Pricing’
President Trump says he believes the 2026 midterm elections will center on “pricing” as Republicans head into a critical period with control of Congress on the line, Politico reports.
Said Trump: “I think it’s going to be about the success of our country. It’ll be about pricing. Because, you know, they gave us high pricing, and we’re bringing it down. Energy’s way down. Gasoline is way down.”
The Unexpected Winner of Rising American Tariffs
“When President Trump began raising tariffs earlier this year, government officials and economists feared Mexico’s export-led economy would take a devastating hit. Instead, Mexican exports to the U.S. have grown,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“Because Mexico’s ultimate tariff rate ended up lower than for most other countries, the disparity has helped Mexican exports fill some of the gap left by Chinese products subject to higher levies.”
“Producers seeking a foothold in the U.S. have said that Mexico still has all the inherent advantages it had before tariffs—proximity to the U.S., a low-cost manufacturing industry and a frayed but intact free-trade agreement.”
Trump Calls for Release of Epstein Files Naming Democrats
“As prosecutors contend with a massive trove of documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, President Trump suggested Friday the Justice Department is spending too much time on the issue — but said prominent Democrats linked to Epstein should be named,” CBS News reports.
Said Trump: “Release all of their names, embarrass them, and get back to helping our Country.”
Josh Shapiro Readies a Book Tour
Philadelphia Inquirer: “The tour and the book, set for release Jan. 27, will fuel speculation about a potential presidential run in 2028 as Shapiro works to expand his national profile as he also seeks reelection in Pennsylvania next year.”
“The forthcoming memoir is expected to detail his life and political career, including the attempted arson attack on the governor’s mansion while he, and his family, slept inside earlier this year on Passover.”
Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Shapiro, Josh (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 01/27/2026 (Publication Date) - Harper (Publisher)
Cancel Culture’s Boomerang Effect
Adam Serwer: “The reason so many of yesterday’s free-speech champions transitioned so easily into today’s pro-Trump censors is that their definition of free speech never included the right of others to talk back.”
Trump Says He’ll Decide Terms of Ukraine Peace Deal
President Donald Trump on Friday cast himself as the ultimate arbiter of any peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, Politico reports.
Said Trump: “He doesn’t have anything until I approve it. So we’ll see what he’s got.”
Trump Spent Christmas Posting on Truth Social
Mother Jones: “As the clock struck midnight on Christmas morning at one Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, at least one someone was stirring.”
“Starting in the early hours of December 25 and ending in the evening, President Donald Trump posted over a hundred times on his social media site Truth Social.”
One Relentless Year
“So much has happened since President Trump took office again that it can be hard to keep track of it all,” the New York Times reports.
“At home and abroad, he has driven change at warp speed, upending policy and challenging democratic norms. Along the way, he’s provided an often unfiltered narration of his own presidency, almost in real time.”
“Here, out of the blur of events, are some of the most consequential, illuminating or just plain remarkable moments from his first year back in the White House.”
Quote of the Day
“We want to make sure that he’s not infiltrating, that we’re not infiltrating into our country and ban Santa.”
— President Trump, speaking to a four year old and ten year old on Christmas Eve.
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