New Year's Eve Concerts at Kennedy Center Are Canceled  —  The jazz drummer Billy Hart said the decision was “evidently” connected to President Trump's name being added to the arts center.  — 1.1k  —  A veteran jazz ensemble and a New York dance company have canceled events …

Exclusive: CIA carried out drone strike on port facility on Venezuelan coast  —  South America Federal agencies National security Donald Trump  —  The CIA carried out a drone strike earlier this month on a port facility on the coast of Venezuela, sources familiar with the matter told CNN …

Border czar Tom Homan didn't receive normal background check during bribery probe  —  In early January, several days before Donald Trump's inauguration, a Justice Department lawyer passed an envelope across a wide desk to a top Trump transition official.  Enclosed was a bombshell …

Ukraine slams India's Modi for endorsing Putin home attack claims  —  Kyiv denies Moscow's accusation it targeted the Russian president's residence.  —  BRUSSELS — Ukraine on Tuesday criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani and Emirati officials for supporting Russia's claim …

Israel says it will halt operations of several humanitarian organizations in Gaza starting in 2026  —  Israel on Tuesday said it will suspend more than two dozen humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, for failing to meet its new rules to vet international organizations working in the Gaza Strip.

Federal judge allows HHS to share Medicaid data with ICE  —  A federal judge in California ruled Monday that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can share Medicaid data with immigration enforcement authorities, but he kept in place limits on what data the agencies can share and what can be used.

Trump Admin Scores Visa for Founder of Russian Propaganda Outlet  —  RIGHT-WING MEDIA PERSONALITY Lauren Chen left the United States in July in disgrace.  Her Tenet Media YouTube channel, which positioned itself as a sort of MAGA supergroup bringing together such popular commentators as Tim Pool …

Jan Crawford's attack on SCOTUS “corruption” narrative was its own substance-free narrative  —  On Face the Nation, CBS News's chief legal correspondent went after Supreme Court critics as “dangerous.”  And yet, her court defense was completely lacking in specifics.

How Social Security has gotten worse under Trump  —  Customer service has deteriorated by key measures as the agency enacted sweeping cuts in Trump's second term, internal data and interviews show.  —  Just now  —  The Social Security Administration — the sprawling federal agency …

Justice Department sues Virginia over tuition assistance for illegal immigrants  —  The Justice Department sued Virginia on Monday over a state law that allows illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition and financial aid at public colleges and universities, arguing …

Trump Upended the Federal Government.  The Full Scope of the Impact Is Still Unclear. … In his first year back in office, President Trump has made unparalleled changes to the federal government, shrinking its footprint both in the services it provides and the size of its work force.

How RFK Jr. upended the public health system  —  Interviews with almost 100 people reveal how Kennedy, as health secretary, has reshaped the vaccine and broader public health infrastructure in less than a year.  —  On his way to being confirmed as the nation's top health official …

Biden-era rental assistance included payments to dead tenants and noncitizens, new HUD report reveals  —  HUD report finds approximately 30,000 deceased tenants got taxpayer funds across all 50 states  —  A report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) …

MTG v. DJT  —  Yesterday, the New York Times published a detailed account examining Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene's rift with her one-time idol, Donald Trump.  It's a fascinating and frankly disturbing read, but I wanted to draw attention to two items that should figure heavily …

Quality ‘Learing’ daycare targeted in Minneapolis ‘fraud’ video blames designer for typo — as worker snaps at Post reporter: ‘Get the f-k out of here’  —  MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Quality “Learing” Center Minneapolis, a purported day care flagged in a viral video designed to expose fraud …

Homeland Security seeks emergency demolition of historic buildings in D.C.  —  DHS Secretary Kristi L. Noem, in a memo obtained by The Washington Post, said the buildings “constitute a present risk to life and property.”  Preservationists contend no evidence of an emergency exists.

US removal of panels honoring Black soldiers at WWII cemetery in the Netherlands draws backlash  —  Ever since a U.S. military cemetery in the southern Netherlands removed two displays recognizing Black troops who helped to liberate Europe from the Nazis, visitors have filled the guestbook with objections.

After quiet off-year elections, Democrats renew worries about Trump interfering in the midterms  —  If history is a guide, Republicans stand a good chance of losing control of the House of Representatives in 2026.  They have just a slim majority in the chamber, and the incumbent party usually gives up seats in midterm elections.

Time for Congress to find a new top watchdog for Trump to nominate … “We're going to look for someone who's honest,” Sen. Rand Paul said in an interview.  “I think it would be a mistake to get somebody who's been real active in political processes.”  —  As chair of the Homeland Security …

Court orders Vought to keep CFPB funded while case is underway … The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday issued an order rebuking the Trump administration's efforts to defund and shutter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  —  Earlier in the month, the court agreed to hear …

Donald Trump expected to impose new levies if Supreme Court strikes down tariffs  —  US administration has other ways to hit trading partners with duties  —  Donald Trump is set to launch a wave of new tariffs based on alternative legislation if the Supreme Court rules against his current levies, diplomats and trade lawyers say.

The Heritage Foundation Shows How MAGA Will Die  —  Even corrupt institutions can reach a tipping point  —  Will they change it to “The Trump Heritage Foundation”?  —  I have never, to put it mildly, been a fan of the Heritage Foundation.  Ever since I started paying attention to Heritage's work …

With Artillery and Warships, China Practices Blockading Taiwan  —  China's military also sent warships and aircraft during a second day of exercises designed to show its ability to claim the democratic island.  —  China intensified military exercises near Taiwan on Tuesday, firing long-range rockets into waters around the island.