Robust post-Thanksgiving sales defy economic doomsayers, White House's chief economist says

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) criticized the White House for lacking 'moral clarity' regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, urging the administration to take a stronger stance in support of Ukraine during peace negotiations. He expressed concerns that the current approach may undermine the democratic nation amidst the conflict.

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett highlighted the positive market response to a Bloomberg report indicating he is the leading candidate to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair. In an interview on CBS News, Hassett referred to the report as a mere rumor, emphasizing the speculative nature of the situation.

An Afghan immigrant, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly shot and critically injured two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House on November 26, 2025. Prior to this incident, advocates had raised concerns about Lakanwal's mental health, indicating he was 'not functional as a person' and that his mental health crisis had gone unaddressed for over a year.

A leaked phone call involving U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and a senior Russian official has raised significant concerns among U.S. lawmakers, particularly Rep. Mike Turner, who stated that the White House should be very concerned about the implications of this communication. The call reportedly involved discussions on how to present a peace proposal regarding Ukraine to President Trump.

The Trump administration has announced an indefinite halt on immigration from Afghanistan following a shooting incident near the White House that left one National Guard member dead and another critically injured. The suspected shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, reportedly entered the U.S. during the 2021 airlift. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding security and immigration policies.

Senator Mark Kelly is under investigation by the Pentagon for a video in which he and other Democratic lawmakers encouraged military personnel to disobey illegal orders, a stance he defends as non-controversial. The inquiry raises questions about potential breaches of military law and the implications of such directives on military conduct.

A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll indicates that nearly 60% of voters in Wisconsin believe President Trump's primary focus should be on lowering prices, reflecting a significant concern about affordability in this key swing state.

President Trump is encountering growing dissent from Republicans in Congress regarding various aspects of his agenda as he approaches the conclusion of his first year back in office. This resistance highlights a potential shift within the party, as lawmakers express concerns over aligning too closely with Trump's controversial proposals.