Friday, 12 December 2025

Trump pardoned former Colorado elections clerk Tina Peters, but the pardon has limited practical effect since she was convicted of state crimes over which Trump has no legal authority. Peters remains incarcerated despite the symbolic pardon.

Trump commuted the sentence of David Gentile, a fraudster convicted in a $1.6 billion investment scheme that defrauded thousands. Victims have expressed outrage that Gentile spent only days in prison before receiving the commutation.

Trump launched a $1 million 'Gold Card' immigration application plan that would allow wealthy foreigners to apply for expedited immigration status. The program has been criticized as a pay-to-play scheme for rich applicants.

Indiana Republicans rejected a measure to redraw voting maps and add GOP-friendly seats, with 21 Republicans joining 10 Democrats to defeat it 19-31. Trump responded by expressing hope that the GOP state senate leader would lose his election.

Trump signed an executive order aimed at preventing states from regulating artificial intelligence, and created a taskforce whose 'sole responsibility' will be challenging state AI laws. The order was described as lacking the force of law.

Trump expanded sanctions on Venezuela, adding six oil supertankers and members of Nicolas Maduro's extended family to the sanctions list. The action followed the U.S. seizure of a dark fleet tanker and continued escalation of pressure on the Maduro government.

Trump announced that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to a new cease-fire after Thai Prime Minister urged him to pressure Cambodia to resolve a deadly border clash. A previous truce between the countries had broken down.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit to block Trump's $300 million White House ballroom project, claiming that Trump demolished historic parts of the East Wing without required permission. The lawsuit seeks to force Trump to submit his plans for public review.

The U.S. Treasury lifted sanctions on Brazilian Judge Alexandre de Moraes and his wife, who had been under Global Magnitsky sanctions following the conviction of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro. De Moraes had presided over Bolsonaro's case.

The White House released a new national security strategy document laying bare the president's foreign policy goals, described as a plan to reorder the world according to Trump's vision. The strategy marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities.