Key Events (10)
Trump vetoed two bills on December 31, including a water project affecting Colorado and legislation involving a Florida tribe. Critics accused him of using vetoes as a retaliatory tool against Democratic-led states and jurisdictions.
Trump announced he is withdrawing the National Guard from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland after the Department of Justice ceased challenging a California court ruling that returned control of the guard to the state's governor.
The Trump administration froze all childcare payments to states, claiming to find 'rampant fraud' in the industry. The administration subsequently froze Minnesota specifically, while Trump attacked Governor Tim Walz and Representative Ilhan Omar with critical comments.
Closed-door testimony from former Special Counsel Jack Smith was released by House Republicans after his Judiciary Committee deposition. Smith testified he had 'proof beyond reasonable doubt' in cases against Trump before the prosecutions were aborted.
A federal appeals court reversed an injunction that had blocked the Trump administration's efforts to defund Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood in 22 states, allowing the defunding to proceed.
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration's attempt to revoke deportation protection for thousands of migrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, ruling the cancellation was illegal.
Burkina Faso and Mali announced retaliatory travel bans on U.S. nationals in response to Trump's visa restrictions on their countries, marking the latest escalation in tensions between West African military governments and the United States.
Tonga will face U.S. visa restrictions beginning in January following Trump administration claims of excessive visa overstays. Community leaders expressed concern that the small Pacific nation posed no security threat and raised alarm over study links and Polynesian diaspora ties.
The number of American citizens detained in Venezuela has increased amid growing U.S. military and economic pressure against President Nicolás Maduro's government.
The Trump Media firm announced plans to issue new cryptocurrency to shareholders, part of the broader network of business ventures involving the Trump family.