Ed Baxter Newsteria

Democrats are saying no more money for funding ICE after another killing in Minneapolis. This could lead lead to another partial shutdown. Who will get the blame? Should there be a full ICE investigation? Should ICE pull back?

President Trump threatens a 100% tariff on Canada if it signs a trade deal with China. PM Carney says Canada will not subordinate itself to the US. Trump actions there and Minneapolis are costing him politically.

New research says Americans are paying for the Trump tariffs. It also says inflation is expected to rise to the 4% range. Will Americans see the promised elimination of income taxes or is this a really big con game?

Former Special Prosecutor Jack Smith has appeared before Congress. He says his evidence would have gotten Donald Trump convicted. Republicans on the committee tried to show that his investigation broke laws. It brought back to surface January 6th.

President Trump went into Davos threatening NATO tariffs and potential force in acquiring Greenland. He has now backed off both. Has he blinked or was it all part of his grabbing the spotlight and then announcing a deal?

Does President Trump’s letter to Denmark’s Prime Minister show that not getting the Peace Prize has led him to threats against Greenland and NATO? It’s time for Congress to stand up and say enough. Do something!

The end of year one of Trump 2.0. It has been a blizzard of activity. The country is more divided than ever. Has it been constructive or distraction from something Trump doesn’t want us to focus on?

President Trump has slapped 10% tariffs on eight EU countries for opposing US ownership of Greenland. He says it will go up to 25% in June if a deal isn’t done. This comes at the same time the EU completes a trading deal with South American countries. Is this backfiring?

Trump threatens tariffs on countries not supporting his Greenland desires. GOP congress people split with him saying acquisition is not going to happen. Lawmakers visit Denmark to make assurances.

Federal prosecutors have filed charges against over 20 men in what they call an international fixing and point shaving scheme. Has institutional betting on apps and sports franchise partnerships played a part in this?

High level US-Denmark talks regarding Greenland highlight vast differences of opinion. Denmark will bring more military in. Congress works on limiting President Trump’s powers, and the US might have to find a path without NATO.

The Clintons are refusing to testify before Congress regarding Jeffrey Epstein. They claim it is part of Trump’s efforts to prosecute enemies. Trump has not been called to testify. Should Congress hear from both?

Does President Trump want to control US monetary policy? He is threatening criminal charges against Fed Chair Powell. The Fed regulates interest rates and attempts to control inflation. Is this another move toward Trump autocracy?

Secretary Noem says more ICE agents will be sent to Minneapolis. Mayor Frey says there are over 400,000 residents on ICE watch. Noem reiterates domestic violence. Frey says just watch the video.

Does Donald Trump saying he is guided by his own morality, harken back to a time of Neo Royalism? Is this a better explanation of his actions toward Venezuela and Greenland? Not Monroe Doctrine, but royal rule?

President Trump has pulled out of 65 agreements including climate. The only nation in the world out. He also says that his international actions and military action are guided only by his own morality. Is this the right direction?

The US has seized two oil tankers out of Venezuela. One flying a Russian flag and another headed for China. It also has put surplus oil from Venezuela on the open international trading market. Is there any doubt this has been about oil all along?

Sec Hegseth has formally censured Senator Kelly which will lead to reduction in retired rank and pay. Kelly says he will fight it and says Hegseth is not qualified for the job, and that President Trump suffers from lack of self esteem.

The US legislature is back in session. It has major issues like health care, averting a shutdown, the Epstein files, and now a President’s boundaries in conducting war. Will that distract from all the others?

Is the Trump administration now seriously considering taking Greenland away from Denmark? Its Prime Minister says make no more threats. And was the Venezuela attack constitutional? Rubio says notification would have been impossible. Schumer threatens legislation.

The US has carried out a massive joint forces mission in Venezuela to remove President Maduro. The US says the largest mission of its kind ever carried out. President Trump says the US now runs Venezuela and its oil industry.

Tesla is no longer the globe’s number one EV maker. China’s BYD has the crown. It is due to multiple factors. Trump environmental policies have really hurt. No need to throw a Tesla Pity Party.

The Trump administration has quietly relinquished control of troops in California in a major victory for Governor Newsom. It goes back to a lower court. Newsom calls it a victory over Trump and his occult cabinet.

Huge investigation into fraud in Somali community pre schools. There are threats of stripped citizenship and deportation. The politics between President Trump and Rep Ilan Omar is involved as well. Lots of questions.

President Trump is ending the year meeting with leaders involved in wars. He wants to be the peace president. Meanwhile AP has checked the facts on his saying he has ended 8 wars and found the claim untrue.

Ron Desantis has become a major fighter against uncontrolled AI development. It puts him at odds with Donald Trump and the huge AI developers. He argues it hurts communities and threatens jobs. Trump says it is necessary for economic development.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has a very interesting decision this year if he wants to be President. Should he raise taxes on the wealthy to fill budget hole caused by federal money cuts? He has rejected them in the past.

ICE is buying $300 million in new surveillance technology to track Americans. It says for immigration issues, but it sets up the ability to track and follow all US citizens. Does this track more toward autocracy or not?

The Trump administration’s effort to send troops into Chicago has been rejected by a federal judge. As well the Supreme Court has rejected the effort to punish states with sanctuary cities. And another million Epstein files found?

The second release of Epstein files details emails from law enforcement of potential crimes. Names include Epstein and Trump. While no ties to Trump illegal activity, it starts to paint a very dark picture, if true. This goes through it.

The Trump administration has halted production of east coast wind farms. It says security concerns. Wind proponents say the projects have been carefully vetted and reviewed. How badly will this damage the alternative energy initiative?

The US is escalating the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers. President Trump says he will also not rule out an invasion. Is the US ready for war and what are the President’s motivations?

The first official release of Epstein files does not focus on Trump, but on Clinton. Further information will come in the form of a drip drip. Is this just an attempt at deflection from Trump? Will there be more on Trump or Clinton?

Former Special Prosecutor Jack Smith has testified behind closed congressional doors about his investigation into the January 6 riots. He wants to testify in public. Could the Trump retribution effort backfire?

A New York Times investigation reports the Trump/Epstein relationship was much closer than Trump has admitted, although it says there are no reports of Trump illegal activity. Its sources say the two used women like currency through ego and dominance. Troubling?

More defections in the GOP caucus on getting a vote on health care subsidies. And Congressman Tim Roy, in frustration, says maybe voters should vote all of them out. Is this the quintessential do nothing Congress?

Defense Secretary Hegseth says he will not release the second attack video to the full Congress or the public. Congressional members who have seen it say it does not contain top secret information.

President Trump is getting blowback for his comments about Rob Reiner just hours have he was allegedly murdered. Trump says Reiner was murdered because of his comments about him. Blowback from both parties.

Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Corina Machado says she would welcome a US blockade of waters surrounding Venezuela. She says it would hurt dictators around the world. What will the Trump administration do?

Two US soldiers and an interpreter have been killed in Syria. President Trump says ISIS. He vows retaliation. What kind and how strong should it be?

Release of new photos show Epstein connections with some powerful men including Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. One photo shows images of “Trump condoms” for sale. None shows illegal activity.

The Senate has failed to advance both the GOP and Democratic health care plans. ACA subsidies are due to expire the end of the year. Who is to blame? Trump economy polling is down.

A friend of mine says “ignore Trump”. She is obviously not a fan. But there are a dozen stories out there today that should not be ignore whether you are a Trump believer or not. Is the republic at stake?

The New York Catholic Archdiocese says it is working toward a settlement with victims of sexual abuse by priests. Is it time for the Vatican to change policy to allow priests to enter into relationships and marriage to prevent further abuse?

Paramount says it will challenge the Netfilx deal with Warner. Paramount is owned by the Ellison family with close ties to the President. Trump says he will be involved in regulation of the Netflix deal. Conflicts?

Is US health policy going to trend toward what has been thought as fringe medicine. RFK Jr. is gaining more and more traction in change. Let’s try to understand what it means.

President Trump has been awarded the FIFA Peace prize. It is NOT the Nobel prize he has been seeking. It is the inaugural, made for him. Does it mean anything or is it just a sham?

President Trump is calling Somalis garbage and asking them to leave. This at the same time as his self deport program seems to be disorganized and can lead to these immigrants facing ICE detention. Is the President right to use this language?

Donald Trump has complained again about not getting the Nobel Peace Prize. Critics say he is starting wars on the high seas and at home. How is it decided? Does he deserve it?

One month until ACA subsidies run out and millions of people either start paying more for health insurance or go without it. Legislators are saying the chances of getting anything done are not good at all. Should we wish them Happy Holidays?