Political affairs

NY Times. Grand jury rebuffs Justice Dept. attempt to indict 6 Democrats in Congress

The rejection was a remarkable rebuke, suggesting that ordinary citizens did not believe that the lawmakers had committed any crimes. – PL

New Yorker. “If we don’t have free speech, then we just don’t have a free country”

Donald Trump’s attempt to criminalize political expression is crossing a line that’s held since 1798. – PL

Courthouse News Service. Defamation suit forces Alabama to define limits of reporter shield law

The state’s high court is weighing how far journalists can go to protect anonymous sources when plaintiffs seek discovery to prove faulty reporting. – PL

NY Times. Pentagon defends restrictions on media outlets

The purpose of the new rules is to “stop activity that could compromise national security,” the Defense Department said in response to a New York Times lawsuit. – PL

Courthouse News Service. Trump asks Iowa court to let suit against Des Moines Register proceed

Although Trump filed the suit, his lawyers say he should have "minimal" involvement in the discovery process to limit the burden on the president. – PL

Reuters Institute. How Ugandan reporters managed to cover the latest election despite a climate of fear

Six journalists explain how they reported on the vote under constant surveillance, the threat of arbitrary arrests and an internet shutdown. – PL

NY Times. U.S. failed to alert judge to press law in application to search reporter’s home

The Justice Department did not address a 1980 law that generally bars warrants for reporting material when it sought to seize a Washington Post reporter’s devices, an unsealed filing shows. – PL

Newsday. Vance says Insurrection Act not needed 'right now' in Minneapolis

That may seem temperate but strategically distances the administration from escalation without fully ruling out future use. The repeated framing of these statements — stressing order without martial authority — is an example of political language aimed at balancing public calm with assertive policy positioning. – PL

Financial Times. Iran delegates emergency powers as threat of conflict with US looms

Iran’s government has delegated emergency powers to provincial governors amid rising fears of conflict with the U.S. and Israel, emphasizing readiness for confrontation while also asserting a desire for diplomacy. The language of readiness without eagerness and emergency measures as stabilization is being used to signal both resolve and restraint — a dual message that reflects internal political pressures and external diplomatic posturing. – PL

Poynter. Trump misspoke at Davos. Karoline Leavitt told reporters not to believe their ears.

During a speech, Trump repeatedly referred to Iceland while talking about Greenland. Then the press secretary denied what the video plainly shows. – PL

CNN. Justice Department leadership pushed FBI to investigate campaign contributions to Minnesota officials

Top Justice Department officials pushed the FBI to investigate political campaigns in Minnesota over whether they illegally benefited from fraud in public service organizations, according to two people familiar with the internal discussions. – PL

Plynter. No, the US vaccine schedule doesn’t call for babies to get ’72 injections’

Under the 2024 schedule, which has been discontinued, babies could have received anywhere from 12 to 30 shots before their second birthday. – PL

NY Post. Bari Weiss’ ‘intense’ hands-on editing of Anderson Cooper ‘60 Minutes’ Trump story irks staffers: report

Veteran “60 Minutes” producer Michael Gavshon has reportedly been left “exasperated” after Weiss provided what sources described as “extensive editorial feedback,” with one person calling the level of review “abnormal.” – PL

PolitiFact. Investigation of Fed chief Jerome Powell: What Trump has said about him since April 2025

When Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell said Jan. 11 he is being criminally investigated by the federal government, President Donald Trump told NBC News, "I don’t know anything about it." But he has been clear about his desire to oust Powell. – PL

Defending Rights and Dissent. Journalist Seth Harp subpoenaed over “doxxing” allegations

A motion introduced by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., to subpoena Harp passed unanimously in the House Oversight Committee. Luna accused Harp of “leaking classified intel about Operation Absolute Resolve, including doxxing a Delta Force commander.” “Journalists don’t work for the government and can’t ‘leak’ government information — to the contrary, it’s their job to find and publish the news, whether the government wants it made public or not,” said Freedom of the Press Foundation Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern. – PL

EipcenterNYC. I’m a community journalist in New York City. Here’s why Mamdani’s ‘influencer presser’ stung.

Mayor Mamdani’s ‘new media’ strategy prioritizes content creators while locking out the community outlets that serve New York’s neighborhoods. – PL

The Hill. Will the oblivious establishment media finally learn its lessons in 2026?

The free press was established by the nation’s founders to serve a surrogate role for a free citizenry. Filling that role effectively, however, requires the news industry to understand and listen to news consumers. – PL

Washington Post. Stars and Stripes job applicants are asked if they back Trump policies

People seeking jobs at Stars and Stripes, which Congress guaranteed editorial independence, are being asked how they would advance administration priorities. – PL

TNR. Bari Weiss is dead wrong—good journalism isn’t about being pro-America

The CBS boss and her new evening anchor have released new “principles.” Among them: “We Love America.” They have no understanding of journalism—but they sure know ‘which side their bread is buttered on.’ – PL

NYT. Maduro says he is a prisoner of war, not a defendant. The words matter.

His simple statement in federal court was aimed directly at contradictions in the Trump administration’s actions in the Caribbean. – PL

CJR. Is holding a story the right thing to do?

Trump’s military attack on Venezuela was a social media spectacle. What made the Times and the Post bury the scoop?

New York Post. CBS News journalists to urge David Ellison to protect ‘independence’ after Bari Weiss pulled ‘60 Minutes’ report on Salvadoran prison

An anonymous group of “prominent journalists” are circulating the text – which they plan to send on Saturday, Jan. 3 – among all current and former CBS News employees, asking for their signatures. – PL

Daily Beast. MAGA-curious CBS boss plotting to overhaul ‘60 Minutes’

Bari Weiss is reportedly planning an overhaul of CBS News’ editorial rulebook amid outrage over her eleventh-hour call to shelve a ‘60 Minutes’ report. – PL

ProPublica. “I don’t want to be here anymore”: They tried to self-deport, then got stranded in Trump’s America

The administration has promoted an app to help immigrants leave the U.S. and promised to pay for flights and give them $1,000. Some haven’t gotten what was promised. – PL

Vanity Fair. Susie Wiles, JD Vance, and the “junkyard dogs”: The White House Chief of Staff on Trump’s second term

This insider’s account joins a portfolio of portraits for an unflinching, up-close look at power—and peril. – PL

AP. Judge refuses to grant Sarah Palin a new trial in her libel suit against NYT

Judge Jed S. Rakoff said in a written opinion that he was “scrupulous” in affording Palin a fair trial last April, when a jury concluded that the Times did not libel the former Alaska governor in a 2017 editorial. – PL

Reuters. Russia calls German broadcaster Deutsche Welle an 'undesirable organization'

Russia regularly designates entities it says undermine its constitutional order or national security as "undesirable." The law specifies prison terms of up to five years for funding such activity, or six years for organizing it. – PL

KARE. Puerto Rico gov. signs bill that critics say restricts access to public info

Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González has signed a controversial bill that critics say is a blow to democracy and will make it more difficult to access public information. – PL

Pen America. By suing the BBC, Pres. Trump exports anti-press tactics abroad

Lawsuit seeks to intimidate news organizations, thwart scrutiny, and silence critics. – PL

The New Republic. Revisiting federal interference in the battle for Civil Rights

Attacks on the Civil Rights Movement were far broader than COINTELPRO, they permeated the fabric of the 1960s justice system. Responding to nonviolence with nonviolence earned praise from Northern sympathizers, yet it also enabled authorities to undermine independence activists by orchestrating mass arrests, expanding surveillance, pressing felony charges, and portraying the oppressor as a reformed hero. -acs

Brennan Center for Justice. ICE's new fight against dissenters

ICE recently increased its surveillance spending, allocating $25 million toward social media monitoring systems, cell phone location tracking, facial recognition, remote hacking tools, and other technologies. According to agency director Todd Lyons, these tools will be used to monitor immigrants as well as “anti-fascist and anti-ICE protesters and those that support them,” raising concerns about infringements on Americans’ right to privacy. -acs

LA Public Press. What independent reporters risk when they cover ICE

Journalists across Los Angeles are working hard to report in ICE across the city, encountering violence along the way. According to the US Press Freedom Tracker, Law Enforcement attacked 72 journalists covering immigration in LA alone, raising concerns over journalist protections in the US. -acs

AP. Trump lashes out at ABC reporter after being asked about killing of Saudi journalist

Mary Bruce was targeted by President Trump and called a "terrible reporter" after questioning him about Prince Mohammed bin Salman's involvement in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and the implications of his presence in the US. -acs

The Guardian. President Trump under fire for calling reporter "piggy"

While on Air Force One, Trump called a Bloomberg News correspondent "Piggy" after she questioned him about Epstein. Critics are condemning the remarks, noting this isn't the first time he has demeaned female journalists.

See also: Gavin Newsom responds to Trump's "Piggy" comments -acs

Brennan Center for Justice. How congress can rein in surging political corruption

The answer may lie in one of the US’ oldest anti-corruption protections: the Foreign and Domestic Emoluments clauses. These clauses bar the president or, any other federal officials, from accepting “any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or Foreign State” without approval from congress, while the domestic clause applies to the president, enforcing a fixed salary and barring any other Emolument. -acs

ProPublica. The major Chicago raid that left dozens deported with no criminal charges

On September 30th, several government agencies raided a Chicago apartment building, claiming it was "filled" with Tren de Aragua members, arresting 37 immigrants and detaining several US citizens. The government refused to release detainee names, despite this, ProPublica located 21 and contacted 12, finding their arrests were unjustified. -acs

Wired. 30 days in, how are Federal workers getting through the shutdown?

From missed insurance reimbursements to food banks and side gigs, Federal workers are struggling to make ends meet. One Department of Labor employee said their family lost 65% of their income, leaving their livelihoods up in the air with the shutdown revealing no end in site. -acs

LA Public Press. LAPD is drowning in settlements, harming the city's budget

Police misconduct has cost Los Angeles $384 million since September 2019, stemming from 2,000 claims made against the department. Thirty-five cases, totaling $20 million in payouts, involved excessive force and other civil violations during protests. -acs

NPR. National Guard deployments are far from random

Taking cities by storm, testing politicians and precedents, and increasing instability among citizens, the National Guard's deployment is, unfortunately, no surprise. The White House's deployment of troops into democratic cities is part of a long-term plan introduced in 2023 by the Head of Homeland Security, Stephen Miller. -acs

ACLU. Pregnant and postpartum detainees facing abuse in ICE detention

Despite its own directive against detaining pregnant individuals, ICE has increasingly held pregnant immigrants in facilities across the country, where abuse and medical neglect are rampant. Lack of food and denial of adequate medical treatment have led many pregnant detainees to miscarry or face worse outcomes. -acs

Documented NY. Climate catastrophe is driving immigration

Climate change is ravaging landscapes, from constant flooding to droughts and destroyed farmland, making life unlivable and forcing many to leave their homelands. Climate-related disruption has become a quiet, yet consistent, driver of migration to the U.S., where many see crossing the US-Mexico border as their only viable option for survival. -acs

Brennan Center for Justice. Why Federal election reports may become more unreliable

After the Department of Homeland Security appointed election denier and conspiracy theorist Heather Honey as deputy assistant secretary for election integrity, questions about the future of honest reporting came to the forefront of many experts’ minds. Journalists, election officials, and other analysts who have examined her work have identified a consistent pattern of data misuse to support predetermined narratives. -acs

CJR. Who should teach our student journalists?

The largest college journalism conference in the US, MediaFest, originally featured some controversial panelists. One critical professor, Steven Sandberg, stated: “These speakers’ work doesn’t exist in a vacuum. LGBTQ students are feeling targeted by our administration, by the government, and by society. So, I was disappointed to see them bring in people who espoused anti-LGBT views.” While leaders of the conference felt it was more about what the speakers could teach about the essence of journalism than their personal views. In the end, a new panel has been formed, but not because of their beliefs. -acs

The Times. Madagascar's president flees after military joins revolt

Youth protests in Madagascar have been ongoing for weeks, triggered by chronic power and water shortages that spurred the population to rise up against their leader. The military ultimately joined the revolt on the side of the citizens, forcing President Andry Rajoelina to flee the country. Colonel Michael Randrianirina defended the military's actions, stating, "I can call it chaos, but it's not chaos caused by the army, it's chaos caused by the leader.” -acs

CalMatters. Gov Newsom signs bill to increase pay for CA's incarcerated firefighters

Pay for incarcerated firefighters has increased to Federal minimum wage while on active duty, making their hourly pay greater than what most used to make in a day. Additionally, the proposed 7-bill plan will support job opportunities upon their release. -acs

New Lines Magazine. Turkish journalist, Fatih Altaylı, continues to report from behind bars

Veteran Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı, jailed on charges of threatening President Erdoğan, continues to report and break scoops from prison through letters and his popular YouTube channel, where his empty chair has become a symbol of defiance. Despite censorship attempts and loss of sponsors, his audience has grown, demonstrating enduring public support for independent journalism in Turkey. -acs

NYT. Trump's university compact is closer to extortion than compromise

President Trump’s plan to require universities to sign federal “compacts” in exchange for funding is drawing sharp criticism, with legal experts warning it threatens academic independence and free expression. Critics argue the proposal represents a constitutional overreach that could erode universities’ ability to govern themselves. -acs

ProPublica. The Trump administration canceled 94 million pounds of USDA food aid

From meat and eggs to produce, Trump era budget cuts are depriving food banks and vulnerable communities of critical nutrition. ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the administration’s cuts. -acs

The Miami Herald. Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees unable to be located after facility shutdown

Immigration attorneys state that ICE officers are no longer following standard detention procedures. Consequently, with records not updated by officials, hundreds of detained men are now unaccounted for, their whereabouts unknown. -acs

CJR. Security experts say they are increasingly concerned about the risk of violence in the US

Experts at several news organizations are concerned about rhetorical escalation surrounding violence coming from citizens and US officials alike. Areas of particular concern are journalists and protestors who have been facing increased violence due to enhanced surveillance and military involvement. -acs

Reuters. Israel military killed 5 Reuters journalists in August after firing without approval

The Israeli military claimed they targeted a Hamas camera in an August strike that killed five journalists, but a Reuters investigation revealed the device belonged to them. Reuters reported that the camera had been placed in the same spot 35 times since May, broadcasting live from Khan Younis. -acs

The New Republic. A historic reminder for those entertaining the idea of a Civil War: let's not forget what a war looks like

Historian David W. Blight uses the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Antietam to caution against the growing use of civil war rhetoric in American politics, pinpointing figures like Donald Trump and reactions to Charlie Kirk’s death. -acs

Just Security. The UN declared Israel is committing a genocide, but how will justice be served?

A UN-commissioned inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, finding that its authorities have carried out four of the five acts defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention: killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, creating conditions calculated to bring about physical destruction, and imposing measures to prevent births. -acs

NYT. How China's history with censorship can give us insight into our future

Journalist Li Yuan asked a naturalized American lawyer from China about the state of our democracy, and whether or not we should be worried for the future. His response, “as long as late-night talk show hosts can still make fun of the president, American democracy is safe.” Now that we are on the other side of that remark, where do we go from here and what lessons can we learn from China? -acs

Dazed. Nan Goldin in conversation with Mahmoud Khalil

Mahmoud Khalil told Dazed that U.S. authorities detained him for more than three months despite his legal residency, saying the ordeal was retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism. Khalil detailed the harsh conditions he faced in detention and emphasized the importance of solidarity, resilience, and hope in sustaining the broader movement for Palestinian justice. -acs

The New Republic. DOJ deletes study on politics of domestic terrorists

The Justice Department removed a 2024 study by the National Institute of Justice that found right‑wing violence “continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism” in the U.S., including far more far‑right attacks since 1990 than from far‑left or radical Islamist extremists. Critics argue the removal reflects a political motive to reshape the narrative around which side is responsible for political violence. -acs

NYT. The American flag is being co-opted by foreign far-right movements

There has been a growing presence of the Stars and Stripes being co-opted by far-right groups in foreign countries. Most recently, a ginormous American flag acted as the centerpiece to a Brazilian independence day movement, where many participants praised President Donald Trump for attempting to intervene in ex-president, Bolsonaro’s, trial. -acs

The Washington Post. Bolsonaro sented to prison for coup and assassination plot

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to over 27 years in prison after Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted him of orchestrating a military coup following his 2022 election loss. The court found that Bolsonaro led a criminal conspiracy involving assassination plans against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other officials, aiming to dismantle democratic institutions and retain power. The ruling marks the first time a former Brazilian president has been convicted of such crimes, reflecting a significant step in the country's commitment to democratic accountability. Bolsonaro, who denies the charges and did not attend the trial, remains under house arrest and is expected to appeal the decision. -acs

ABC. Multiple HBCUs and other institutions on lockdown after receiving violent threats

Last week, several HBCUs were put on lockdown with nonessential activities after receiving threats from an anonymous source. The FBI is investigating, but so far says there is no indication the threats are credible, though the incidents renew concerns about racially motivated intimidation at HBCUs especially in the wake of American discussions regarding political violence. -acs

NPR. UK’s US ambassador fired due to connection with Epstein

Newly released emails show Peter Mandelson, Britain’s ambassador to the U.S., expressed support for Jeffrey Epstein during Epstein’s 2008 prosecution, calling him a “best pal” and urging him to “fight for early release.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has since dismissed Mandelson over the revelations, amid criticism that his ties to Epstein were not fully understood or disclosed at the time of appointment. -acs

The Atlantic. Will NATO stand strong?

Poland was hit by a swarm of Russian drones, which has triggered the enactment of Article 4 in a pivotal moment for NATO. The world must now see whether the United States will honor its commitment to defend Europe, or if it will opt out and let Europe act alone. -acs

Hoosier AG Today. Farm bankruptcies in 2025 already greater than 2024

As of July, 259 US farms filed for bankruptcy. Prices have gone up and value has decreased, now communities could face economic upheaval. A concern of ours is underreported stories of significance. Why aren’t larger outlets reporting on this issue? -acs

Brennan Center for Justice. The DOJ wants to know your voting status

What will the next US election look like? It's not a new question, given the country's dynamic election cycle, but minor voting details could be changing. President Donald Trump has shown disdain for the current process, especially mail-in ballots. Now, it's been publicly reported that the DOJ has requested information or meetings about election administration from at least 26 states, and has asked at least 21 of them for voter registration lists. So, what's really going on behind the scenes? -acs

Time. Utility bills could be the next hotbed political issue

According to environmental policy scholars, electricity has the potential to play a much larger role in US politics in the upcoming years. There are several factors being considered including the price of operating a business, environmental pollution, and the increase in electricity use with the advent of AI. All of these factors are definitely affecting the consumer, with data from the Energy Information Administration finding that “across the U.S., electricity-price increases have outpaced inflation, increasing 13% since 2022.” -acs

NYT. Trump wants to rename the Department of Defense to the War Department

Last week, President Donald Trump announced his intention to rename the "Department of Defense" the "War Department," claiming it would restore the US's glory, especially during this war-torn era. While this executive order may not fundamentally alter the institution's role, it suggests further action, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated, “We’re not just defense, we’re offense.” Will this name change be more than just a semantic shift, and what implications could it have for the future of US offense operations? -acs

Politico. Supreme Court lifts restrictions on ICE raids in Los Angeles

ICE raids are already tearing apart communities with unprecedented occurrences and midday abductions, yet minimal checks and balances from government officials have done little to mitigate their effects. Now, the Supreme Court has lifted restrictions that protected communities from outright racial profiling, leaving foreign language speakers and members of targeted ethnic groups even more vulnerable to ICE officers. -acs

AP. 80th anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing shows that hope in the hands of Japan’s youth

Survivors of the A-bomb continue their tireless efforts to ensure Nagasaki remains the last place on Earth ever hit with a bomb of that magnitude. As they age, they place their hope in the nation's youth to raise awareness about "the atomic bomb [that] brought invisible terror," and the lasting symptoms survivors battle. To keep their stories alive, some living survivors have "started to digitize the narratives of survivors for viewing on YouTube and other social media platforms with the help of a new generation," so that war and nuclear weapons can be abolished, and peace can prevail. -acs

The Citizen. Political suppression and the fight for Peachtree City's Planning Commission

Journalist and local politician, Kenneth Hammer, is under fire for his occupation, as political rivals use it to campaign against him in an upcoming election. But Hammer, as a dedicated reporter, has not let this slide, taking his case to the public in order to fight for a seat at the table. -acs

Ohio Capital Journalism. Ohio faith leaders call on governor to speak out for Chaplain at risk of deportation

Former chaplain of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Ayman Soliman, risks deportation amidst the Trump Administration’s crackdown on immigrants. Soliman was granted asylum in 2018 after being punished and beaten by the Egyptian government for his collaboration with journalists during the Arab Spring uprising. Now, prompted by the governments dedication to deporting as many people as possible, Soliman is at risk of being placed back in the hands of those who will surely harm him. According to OCJ, “more than a dozen faith leaders gathered at the Ohio Statehouse Monday to urge Gov. Mike DeWine to stand up” for Soliman as he did for Haitian immigrants last year. -acs

Reuters. Kilmar Abrego, detained by ICE soon after his return to the US, may be facing deportation to Uganda

After being wrongfully detained and deported to El Salvador, Abrego was returned to the US only to be arrested again. The arrest occurred during a scheduled interview at the Baltimore ICE office on the morning of August 25. Prosecutors have offered him deportation to Costa Rica if he pleads guilty, but his lawyers are fighting the charges, claiming vindictive prosecution by the administration. -acs

Brennan Center for Justice. Understanding and combatting political corruption in the modern era

From the abuse of public office for private gain, to lying and firing, systems big and small work hard to disrupt the hardened political system of the United States. Corruption is not purely a partisan issue, it has been seen on both ends of the spectrum, combatting it, no matter where it surfaces, is our duty as American citizens. The first step? Recognition. -acs

LA Times. UCLA's Jewish community condemns Trump's efforts to remove the university's funding

Jewish faculty members from UCLA came together to write a letter to Trump condemning his threats against the university as ‘misguided and punitive.’ The letter draws from people with views all across the board regarding the war in Gaza, but the consensus finds that cutting research funding does “nothing to make UCLA safer for Jews nor diminish antisemitism in the world.” -acs

The Washington Post. Trump nominates Heritage Foundation economist, E.J. Antoni, for BLS position

Despite receiving a PhD in Economics from Northern Illinois University, many find the prospective BLS nominee to be highly unqualified for the job. Their arguments center on the BLS's intended non-partisan role, where appointments are not tied to specific presidencies, and the nominee's status as a vocal BLS critic. It's clear that Antoni is a partisan candidate, partly responsible for Project 2025, a policy initiative adopted by the Trump administration. -acs

Columbia Journalism Review. Journalism can hold a mirror to power, or it can be an active force against it

How can ordinary people live so close to evil? Professor Lisa Armstrong investigates the parallels between journalism during the rise of the Nazis and journalism in the contemporary American age. Armstrong makes the claim “[modern journalism must not be] merely a mirror, but a moral force that actively resists the erosion of truth and democracy.“ -acs

Defense One. Understanding the new ways the government conducts citizen surveillance

By declaring a “crime emergency” in Washington D.C., President Trump has officially intertwined the U.S. military and law enforcement in ways that were previously unseen. The U.S. military has access to state-of-the-art weaponry and surveillance technology that could irreversibly change the freedom of civilians. The introduction of AI in these methods allows for an even deeper look into the average American, accessing data from multiple sectors of life. -acs