President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C., Thursday evening – kicking off the holiday season in the nation’s capital.
In keeping with decades of tradition, the president and first lady lit the 35-foot red spruce tree at The Ellipse. This year’s tree was from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.
Trump gave a speech at the ceremony, where he touched on religion.
“During this holy season, Christians everywhere rejoice at the miracle in Bethlehem, more than 2000 years ago, when the Son of God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, came down from heaven to be with us,” Trump said with Melania standing next to him.
He also paid his respects to the two National Guard members who were shot in D.C. just before Thanksgiving.
The National Christmas Tree will be open to the public on Saturday.
Since taking back the Oval Office in January, Donald Trump has used his administration to emphasize Christian values by establishing an anti-Christian bias task force in the Justice Department, and announced they will allow churches and houses of worship to endorse political candidates without losing IRS tax-exempt status.
KEY POINTS
- Administration asks embassies to prioritize visas for World Cup attendees
- Admiral told lawmakers Hegseth did not give a kill order
- ‘Most troubling things I’ve seen:’ Dem says of boat strike video after briefing
- Republican Senator Cotton says boat strike was ‘entirely lawful’
- Man accused of planting pipe bomb before January 6 charged with using explosive device
- Trump kicks off National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Admiral set to provide classified briefing to lawmakers today on lethal attacks on 'drug boats'
Thursday 4 December 2025 10:49 , Rhian Lubin, APThe Navy admiral who reportedly issued orders for the U.S. military to fire upon survivors of an attack on an alleged drug boat is expected Thursday on Capitol Hill to provide a classified briefing to top congressional lawmakers overseeing national security.
The information from Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, who is now the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, comes at a potentially crucial moment in the unfolding congressional investigation into how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth handled the military operation in international waters near Venezuela. There are mounting questions over whether the strike may have violated the law.
Lawmakers are seeking a full accounting of the strikes after The Washington Post reported that Bradley on Sept. 2 ordered an attack on two survivors to comply with Hegseth's directive to “kill everybody.” Legal experts say the incident amounts to a crime if the survivors were targeted, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are demanding accountability.
Watch: Hegseth says he has 'the backs of all commanders'
Thursday 4 December 2025 11:05 , Rhian LubinSpeaking at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, sat beside President Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth claimed he has “the backs of all commanders.”
Recap: How did we get here?
Thursday 4 December 2025 11:10 , Rhian Lubin- Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley is appearing in front of lawmakers behind closed doors today following intense scrutiny of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s handling of the lethal strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats on Sept. 2.
- Last week the Washington Post dropped a report alleging that Hegseth gave a directive to “kill everybody.” After the first airstrike did not kill everyone aboard the vessel, which the Trump administration claimed was a “narco vessel,” a second strike was ordered to comply with Hegseth’s directive.
- The White House shifted the blame to Bradley, while Hegseth said he “did not personally see survivors” before the second hit was carried out.
- Hegseth has since said that Bradley made “the correct decision to ultimately sink the boat and eliminate the threat.”
- Both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees pushed the administration and Pentagon for the legal rationale for the military campaign against supposed “narco terrorists.”
Hegseth endangered troops by sharing war plans in Signal chat, report says
Thursday 4 December 2025 12:00 , Rhian LubinDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been fighting battles on two fronts this week.
Aside from the boat strikes controversy, he is also doing damage control after a report found that he risked endangering U.S. troops by sharing highly-sensitive information about military operations on a Signal group chat earlier this year.
The classified report, conducted by the Inspector General, was sent to Congress Tuesday night, and first detailed by CNN.
An unclassified version of the report is due to be released publicly Thursday.
Earlier this year Hegseth sent multiple messages about airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen to a group chat on the private messaging app which included other senior members of the administration including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It also included Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, who was added accidentally by a National Security Advisor.
The Pentagon has painted the report as an exoneration of Hegseth.
Mike Bedigan has more details...
Pete Hegseth endangered troops by sharing war plans in Signal chat, report says
Senators want to know why Hegseth wasn't in the room for the second strike
Thursday 4 December 2025 12:20 , Rhian LubinSenators are eager to find out from Pete Hegseth why he wasn’t in the room for the second strike on the vessel.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that “if someone knowingly launched a second missile at that boat, which led to the deaths of the other two, then they have to be held accountable.”
Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine also said, “I want to know how long he was, where he was.”
Tillis: If someone knowingly launched a second missile at that boat which led to the deaths of the other two, then they have to be held accountable and they shouldn't be in whatever role they're in. pic.twitter.com/ZbJx7ZFFpf
— Acyn (@Acyn) December 4, 2025
Sen. Angus King on Secretary Hegseth saying he wasn’t in the room for the second strike: “I want to see his calendar for that day. I want to know what meeting he went to. I want to know how long he was, where he was.” pic.twitter.com/4bj19nt5Ln
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) December 3, 2025
Family of man killed in US ‘drug boat’ strike files complaint over ‘extrajudicial killing’
Thursday 4 December 2025 12:45 , Rhian LubinThe family of a Colombian man killed in a U.S. military boat strike has filed the first formal challenge to the attacks on alleged drug-carrying boats.
Their lawyer argues in a petition to the premier human rights watchdog in the Americas that his death was an extrajudicial killing.
The petition from the family of Alejandro Carranza says the military bombed his fishing boat on Sept. 15, when he was sailing off Colombia’s Caribbean coast, in violation of human rights conventions.
Read on...
Family of man killed in US boat strike files complaint over ‘extrajudicial killing’
Hegseth says Admiral is 'an American hero' ahead of briefing with lawmakers
Thursday 4 December 2025 13:15 , Rhian LubinPete Hegseth said Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley has his “100 percent support” ahead of the probe with lawmakers due to take place later today.
He shared the post in praise of Bradley on December 1, when the White House shifted the attention onto the admiral’s apparent role in the operation.
Let’s make one thing crystal clear:
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 1, 2025
Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support. I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made — on the September 2 mission and all others since.
America is fortunate to have such men protecting…
Pete Hegseth faces growing criticism from conservatives over ‘kill everybody’ strike
Thursday 4 December 2025 13:40 , Justin BaragonaIt isn’t just the left that is outraged about Pete Hegseth’s role in the lethal “double-tap” airstrike of a suspected drug boat that killed all remaining survivors.
A growing chorus of conservatives has joined them in describing the defense secretary as a potential “war criminal” who is “incompetent” and should be prosecuted.
The reliably conservative and hawkish editorial board of the Wall Street Journal, which is owned by Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch, applauded the bipartisan push for answers in an op-ed on Tuesday. On top of that, the editors called on Hegseth – a former Fox News morning talk show host – to take questions in a Congressional hearing.
Former colleagues of Hegseth’s, meanwhile, were far more forceful in their repudiation of the one-time Fox & Friends Weekend anchor.
Judge Andrew Napolitano, who spent nearly a decade working alongside Hegseth at Fox, didn’t mince words Tuesday over Hegseth’s alleged actions. “This is an act of a war crime, ordering survivors who the law requires be rescued instead to be murdered,” Napolitano said on Newsmax. “There's absolutely no legal basis for it.”
In Photos: Admiral Bradley arrives for closed-door hearing
Thursday 4 December 2025 13:57 , Ariana Baio
Admiral 'expected to tell lawmakers survivors were actively continuing drug operation'
Thursday 4 December 2025 14:20 , Rhian LubinAdmiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley is planning to tell lawmakers at today’s closed-door session that the surviving targets killed in a second strike “were attempting to continue their drug run,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
The claim that they were legitimate targets for the second attack could rebut allegations that the killing of the survivors may have constituted a war crime.
Bradley is likely to be pressed on how he reached the reported conclusion that survivors were legitimate targets and if a rescue mission was considered, according to the WSJ.
FBI announces arrest of suspect who left pipe bombs in DC before January 6 riots
Thursday 4 December 2025 14:30 , Mike BediganThe FBI has arrested a male suspect over the placement of pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the January 6 riots in 2021.
An arrest was announced Thursday, following an investigation that has spanned almost five years, and only added fuel to the numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the violent insurrection at the Capitol by Trump supporters.
Read more here:
FBI announces arrest of suspect who left pipe bombs in DC before January 6 riots
Hegseth forced out US Navy admiral who had legal concerns over Trump’s drug boat strikes: report
Thursday 4 December 2025 14:45 , Rhian LubinDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked a top U.S. Navy admiral to step down after the military chief expressed concern about the “murky” legality of the lethal strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, according to a report.
The shock departure of Admiral Alvin Holsey one year into his tenure as head of U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in the Caribbean, was announced by Hegseth on Oct.16.
It followed “months of discord” between the pair that intensified in the summer when the Trump administration began bombing the alleged drug boats, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing two Pentagon officials and former officials.
Read on...
Hegseth forced out US admiral who had legal concerns over drug boat strikes: report
Senator Rand Paul fears boat strikes are ‘prelude to invasion’
Thursday 4 December 2025 14:48 , Ariana BaioRepublican Senator Rand Paul raised concerns Thursday morning that the Pentagon’s boat strikes were a “prelude” to invading Venezuela and appealed to President Donald Trump not to escalate an “offensive war.”
“I hope that’s not what’s coming, but it certainly looks like it’s a possibility,” Paul told Fox Business.
Paul has publicly broken from his party multiple times this year, becoming a target of Trump’s.
"I don't like the idea of an offensive war; I like the idea of a regime change. It was one of the things I liked about Donald Trump, was that he was against the Iraq war, he was against the war in Libya," Paul added.
What is Trump doing today?
Thursday 4 December 2025 15:00 , Ariana BaioWhile members of Congress await a closed-door meeting with Admiral Mitch Bradley, President Donald Trump will be greeting the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
At the White House, the president will be meeting with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and signing a peace agreement that aims to tamp down a long-running conflict in the region.
Thursday’s ceremony is largely symbolic because the agreement was already signed over the summer.
Later, Thursday evening, the president and first lady will participate in the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
Democrat on Armed Services Committee calls Signalgate report ‘troubling’
Thursday 4 December 2025 15:35 , Ariana BaioDemocratic Senator Jack Reed, a ranking member on the Armed Services Committee, reiterated concerns about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s “judgment” after reading the inspector general’s report on Signalgate.
The report, released Thursday, concluded that Hegseth could have put U.S. troops in danger by sharing sensitive information about an imminent military operation in Yemen in a Signal group chat in which a journalist was inadvertently added.
“This report validates the serious concerns I hold about Secretary Hegseth's judgment, competence, and fitness to lead our nation's military,” Reed said in a statement Thursday.
Although the report concluded Hegseth shared sensitive information, he did not share classified information because Hegseth is able to declassify information.
“The IG's findings reinforce a troubling pattern: there appear to be two standards in Mr. Hegseth's Pentagon: one for himself, and one for everyone else. If any other military servicemember or Defense Department employee engaged in similar conduct, they would face severe consequences, including potential prosecution.”
‘Most troubling things I’ve seen:’ Dem says of boat strikes briefing
Thursday 4 December 2025 15:40 , Ariana BaioRepresentative Jim Himes, a ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters Thursday the briefing by Admiral Bradley was “one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service.”
“You have two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel, who are killed by the United States,” Himes said, according to CNN.
Himes told CNN that Admiral Bradley confirmed there was no “kill them all order” nor “grant no quarter” order.
Rep. Himes says US was 'not in the position' to continue boat strikes
Thursday 4 December 2025 15:54 , Ariana BaioSpeaking with reporters after Admiral Bradley’s briefing, Himes said the video showed two “shipwrecked sailors” and that the US was not in a position to continue its mission.
“Any American who sees the video that I saw, will see the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors – bad guys, bad guys, but attacking shipwrecked sailors,” Himes told reporters, according to CNN.
“Now there’s a whole set of contextual items that the admiral explained. Yes, they were carrying drugs. They were not in the position to continue their mission in any way.”
New York Times sues Pentagon and Hegseth over new press restrictions
Thursday 4 December 2025 16:17 , Ariana BaioThe New York Times is suing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the Department of Defense over the Pentagon’s new restrictions on press access, which require journalists to pledge to only report on pre-approved information.
The lawsuit from the Times is set to be filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., and will name Hegseth, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell and the DOD as defendants.
Read more here:
Pentagon sued over press restrictions ‘that attempt to exert control’ on reporting
Trump's Jan 6 pardon will not apply to alleged pipe bomber
Thursday 4 December 2025 16:50 , Andrew FeinbergThe White House says President Donald Trump's blanket pardon of thousands of crimes committed during the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol won't apply to the alleged pipe bomber who FBI agents arrested on Thursday.
The man was arrested after a long-running probe into the placement of explosive devices outside the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee headquarters buildings before the riot.
A White House official told The Independent that Trump's grant of "a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021" won't get the alleged bomber off the hook because the pipe bombs were hidden on January 5.
The official also said the president's sweeping grant of clemency "pertained to events at or near Capitol and does not cover planting bombs at the places that aren’t the Capitol."
House Intelligence Committee chairman says he is ‘confident’ in Hegseth after briefing
Thursday 4 December 2025 17:00 , Ariana BaioRepublican Rep. Rick Crawford, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, maintained confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after receiving a classified briefing from Admiral Bradley Thursday.
“I feel confident and have no further questions of Hegseth,” Crawford told CNN.
Crawford said he believes the second strike was justified and said it was his understanding that Admiral Bradley ordered the second strike – not Hegseth.
White House lowers flags in honor of National Guard member killed
Thursday 4 December 2025 17:27 , Ariana BaioThe White House, Thursday, lowered flags in honor of Sarah Beckstrom, the National Guard member who was fatally shot on November 26.
Beckstrom, a West Virginia National Guard member, was mortally shot in the nation’s capital right before Thanksgiving.
Another National Guard Member, Andrew Wolfe, was also critically injured in the shooting.
All flags at the White House, in the nation’s capital, and on federal buildings across the United States are at half-staff.
Senator Coons calls on Hegseth to resign after Signalgate report
Thursday 4 December 2025 17:50 , Ariana BaioDemocratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should resign following a report from the Defense Department’s Inspector General that he may have endangered U.S. troops when he put sensitive information in a Signal group chat.
“Any service member who acted with such disregard for our national security would be dismissed,” Coons the vice chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, said.
“Our nation’s highest ranking defense official should not be held to a lower standard than the men and women he oversees. I once again call on Secretary Hegseth to resign.”
The report indicated Hegseth did not reveal classified information – however, as defense secretary, Hegseth is able to declassify information where he sees fit.
Any service member who acted with such disregard for our national security would be dismissed. Our nation’s highest ranking defense official should not be held to a lower standard than the men and women he oversees. I once again call on Secretary Hegseth to resign. https://t.co/Z9m0eo1PMc
— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) December 4, 2025
Republicans offer no comment on briefings
Thursday 4 December 2025 17:56 , Ariana BaioRep. Mike Rogers, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, did not give any comment about the briefing on the “double tap” boat strikes briefing with Admiral Mitch Bradley Thursday.
Similarly, Senator Roger Wicker, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, declined to comment on information shared in the briefing.
Watch live: DoJ holds press conference after arrest in DNC RNC pipe-bombing case
Thursday 4 December 2025 18:05 , Independent VideoSmith wants briefing with full House Armed Services Committee
Thursday 4 December 2025 18:15 , Ariana BaioRep. Adam Smith, a Democrat ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, offered little comment on the briefing with Admiral Bradley but responded affirmatively when asked if he wanted an additional briefing with the full committee, according to CNN.
Senator Cotton says boat strike was ‘entirely lawful’
Thursday 4 December 2025 18:24 , Ariana BaioRepublican Senator Tom Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Thursday that the “double tap” boat strikes conducted in September were “entirely lawful and needed.”
"The first strike, the second strike, and the third and the fourth strike on September 2nd were entirely lawful and needful, and they were exactly what we'd expect our military commanders to do,” Cotton told reporters after being briefed by Admiral Bradley.
Cotton said he did not see anything “disturbing” in the video – drawing a contrast to his Democratic colleague Jim Hines.
"I saw two survivors, trying to flip a boat loaded with drugs bound for the US back over so they could stay in the fight – and potentially, given them all the context we heard, other narco-terrorist boats in the area coming to their aid.”
Rand Paul calls for the full video of the Venezuela boat strike to be released
Thursday 4 December 2025 18:30 , Eric GarciaRand Paul told The Independent that he wants the video of the strike in Venezuela released.
“I think you know our military code is pretty clear that when people are wounded or left in a shipwreck, left in the debris of a shipwreck, that they're considered to be out of combat and are not not to be killed,” Paul said.
Paul said he would take action to release the video
“I'm not sure exactly what yet, but we will be working with anybody that wants to have the video available,” he said.
“And I think if the public sees images of people clinging to boat debris and being blown up, I think that there is a chance that finally, the public will get interested enough in this to stop this.”
Trump has said the US is at war with Venezuela.
Paul also added that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needed to testify before Congress under oath.
Democrat senator says his ‘worst fears’ about Trump administration were confirmed after boat strike briefing
Thursday 4 December 2025 18:46 , Ariana BaioDemocratic Senator Jack Reed, a ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, raised alarm bells about the lawfulness of the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug boats, claiming his “worst fears” had been “confirmed.”
“I am deeply disturbed by what I saw this morning,” Reed said in a statement released Thursday afternoon after being briefed on the September 2 “double strike.”
Reed called on the Defense Department to release “complete, unedited footage” of the strike.
“ This briefing confirmed my worst fears about the nature of the Trump Administration’s military activities, and demonstrates exactly why the Senate Armed Services Committee has repeatedly requested – and been denied – fundamental information, documents, and facts about this operation.”
Man accused of planting pipe bomb before January 6 charged with using explosive device
Thursday 4 December 2025 18:55 , Ariana BaioThe man accused of planting pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters on January 5, 2021, has been charged with using an explosive device, the Justice Department announced Thursday.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest was not made on any new information.
Trump hosts signing event with presidents of Rwanda and the DRC
Thursday 4 December 2025 19:00 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump is hosting the president of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a largely symbolic peace signing event that is also serving as a venue for an economic agreement.
At the US Institute of Peace, which has been renamed for Trump, the president touted that “everybody” would make money from a rare earth deal with the two countries.
“We’re going to take out some of the rare earth,” Trump said. “Everybody’s going to make a lot of money.”
Admiral told lawmakers Hegseth did not give a kill order
Thursday 4 December 2025 19:10 , Ariana BaioAdmiral Bradley made clear to lawmakers Thursday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not give any kill order that led to a second lethal strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean.
“No. Admiral Bradley was very clear that he was given no such order to, to give no quarter or kill them all,” Cotton reiterated to reporters.
White House will submit ballroom plans to planning commission
Thursday 4 December 2025 19:30 , Ariana BaioThe White House is expected to submit its ballroom construction plans to the National Capital Planning Commission later this month, the Trump-appointed head of the commission said Thursday.
“Once plans are submitted, that’s really when the role of this commission, and its professional staff, will begin,” Will Scharf, the chair of the National Capital Planning Commission and White House Staff Secretary, said.
Bongino takes victory lap over pipe bomb arrest, despite once sharing theory
Thursday 4 December 2025 20:00 , Ariana BaioFBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino boasted about the Justice Department arresting a man accused of planting pipe bombs outside of political headquarters on the eve of January 6, 2021 – despite, at one point, sharing a theory that it was an “inside job.”
“We were going to track this person to the end of the earth. There was no way he was getting away,” Bongino said at the press conference Thursday.
The Justice Department arrested 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr., from Woodbridge, Virginia – years after the incident occurred.
Officials did not provide details about a potential motive.
Administration asks embassies to prioritize visas for World Cup attendees
Thursday 4 December 2025 20:15 , Ariana BaioThe Trump administration is asking embassies and consulates to prioritize processing visa applications for foreigners coming to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, according to cables seen by the Associated Press.
Despite Trump’s massive rollback on immigration, asylum and visa applications, the president is making an exception for tourists interested in attending global sporting events.
The U.S. is asking embassies to prioritize visas for those hoping to attend the 2028 Olympics.
Analysis: How Donald Trump’s pardon wave is ‘normalizing corruption’
Thursday 4 December 2025 20:30 , Alex WoodwardIn more than a dozen cases, Trump even issued pardons for people who were prosecuted or convicted within his first and second terms, only to unravel those cases entirely this year. An entertainment executive accused of public corruption was pardoned this week, only four months after he was indicted for conspiracy.
Read more here:
How does the FIFA draw work?
Thursday 4 December 2025 21:00 , Ariana Baio, Associated PressFriday, the president will join other heads of state in the 2026 World Cup draw – which will determine groups for the tournament next year.
Next year, 48 nations will be represented via teams. During the draw, they will be divided into 12 groups.
Pot one will contain the three host nations, the United States, Canada and Mexico, plus the nine top countries in the FIFA world ranking.
Already, Mexico has been assigned Group A, Canada to Group B and the USA to Group D.
Pots two, three and four will contain the next 12 best-ranked sides in order.
Teams from the same confederation will be kept apart in the group stage, except for Europe where there are more teams than groups.
Watch: Kash Patel blames Biden administration for delay in arrest of 'DC pipe bomber'
Thursday 4 December 2025 21:20 , Ariana BaioTrump hires new architect for White House ballroom
Thursday 4 December 2025 21:45 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump reportedly hired a new architect to take on the project of designing the White House ballroom, an announcement that comes just as the White House is preparing to notify the National Capital Planning Commission of its design.
People familiar with the change told CBS News that the original architect, James McCrery III, will remain on the project but that Shalom Baranes Associates will be brought on as well.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump expected to appear for National Christmas tree lighting
Thursday 4 December 2025 22:00 , Ariana BaioThe president and first lady are expected to attend the tree lighting ceremony Thursday evening on the National Ellipse, kicking off the holiday season.
The 35-foot spruce tree is from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.
Viewers can expect performances by the Beach Boys, Alana Springsteen and Brett Young.
A third of Americans believe Trump’s rise to power is part of God’s plan as he leans further into MAGA evangelicalism
Thursday 4 December 2025 22:20 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump’s second term has been peppered with more Christian rhetoric and policies — a strategy he’s seemingly taken to strengthen and expand his loyal base of evangelicals.
Read more here:
A third of Americans believe Trump’s presidency is part of God’s plan
JD Vance’s Hanukkah invitation says ‘Celebrating 50 years of Christmas’ in embarrassing blunder
Thursday 4 December 2025 22:40 , Brendan RasciusIn an apparent oversight, Vice President JD Vance has reportedly sent out invitations for a Hanukkah party that said “Celebrating 50 years of Christmas.”
The holiday mix-up was noted by Gabby Deutch, a reporter for Jewish Insider, who shared a photo of the invitation on X Wednesday.
The invite states: “The vice president & the second lady request the pleasure of your company for a Hanukkah reception at the vice president’s residence.” The event is scheduled for December 15.
Above this, in large cursive lettering, it reads: “Golden Noel,” followed by “Celebrating 50 years of Christmas at the vice president’s residence.”
A spokesperson for Vance didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.
Melania's D.C. Christmas
Thursday 4 December 2025 23:00 , Rachel DobkinFirst Lady Melania Trump is expected to join President Donald Trump at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C., Thursday evening, after decorating the White House for the holiday season.
The theme for Melania’s Christmas decorations is “Home Is Where The Heart Is.” The first lady and designer Hervé Pierre decked the halls with a tree covered in blue butterflies in the Red Room and Lego portraits of Trump and America’s first president, George Washington, in the Green Room.
Brittany Miller has more details about the festive White House decorations:
Melania Trump unveils grand White House Christmas decorations with Lego portraits
In Pictures: JD Vance arrives at D.C. Christmas tree lighting
Thursday 4 December 2025 23:15 , Rachel DobkinVice President JD Vance has arrived at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania are also expected to attend.
Trump kicks off National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Thursday 4 December 2025 23:35 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump kicked off the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony Thursday night with a religious speech.
“During this holy season, Christians everywhere rejoice at the miracle in Bethlehem, more than 2000 years ago, when the Son of God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, came down from heaven to be with us,” Trump said with first lady Melania Trump standing next to him.
BREAKING: Texas can use Trump-backed congressional map in midterms following Supreme Court ruling
Thursday 4 December 2025 23:43 , Alex WoodwardThe Supreme Court will let Texas use a new congressional map in next year’s crucial midterm elections that could determine the balance of power in Congress.
A redistricting war among states to maximize Republican victories in a Donald Trump-backed campaign to maintain control of Congress got a significant boost from the nation’s highest court Thursday, with the court’s conservative majority agreeing to block a lower-court order that found the map unlawful.
The court’s three liberal justices dissented.
In August, Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved a map drawn up by Texas Republicans that is expected to add up to five GOP seats in the House of Representatives, a move that sparked an arms race and legal battles among Republicans and Democrats across the country to reshape their states’ political boundaries ahead of 2026 elections.
More to follow...
Supreme Court lets Texas use Trump-backed congressional map in midterm elections
Trump pays respects to National Guard members who were shot in D.C.
Thursday 4 December 2025 23:56 , Rachel DobkinDuring a speech at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony Thursday evening, President Donald Trump paid his respects to the two National Guard members who were shot in D.C. just before the Thanksgiving holiday.
“And thank you to the men and women of the United States military, including the brave heroes of our National Guard here in Washington, D.C.,” Trump said. “I want to pay my highest respects to those two great Guardsmen.”
“Sarah, unfortunately, is watching from heaven,” the president said. “Andrew is hopefully getting better.”
On November 26, Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot near the White House.
Beckstrom died from her injuries, and Wolfe is still fighting for his life.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who was granted asylum earlier this year, has been accused of carrying out the horrific attack.
Read the latest on the shooting from Josh Marcus:
Taliban may have been blackmailed suspected DC National Guard shooter, report claims
In pictures: Trump and Melania attend D.C. Christmas tree lighting
00:20 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump and first lady Melania attended the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C., Thursday evening.
Trump meets with family of National Guard member who was shot in D.C.
00:40 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump met with the family of Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who was shot in Washington, D.C., just before Thanksgiving, along with another National Guard member.
“Our wonderful National Guardsman who was badly injured protecting the Capital of the United States of America. He is in the process of healing,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday night. “His parents, brother, and all of his friends are praying. I just met them in the Oval Office — They are fantastic American Patriots!”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 5, 2025
On November 26, Wolfe, 24, and Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, were shot near the White House. Beckstrom later died from her injuries.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who was granted asylum earlier this year, has been accused of carrying out the horrific attack.
Letitia James reacts to grand jury failing to re-indict her of mortgage fraud: 'The charges against me are baseless'
00:59 , Rachel Dobkin and APNew York Attorney General Letitia James has reacted to news that a grand jury failed to re-indict her on mortgage fraud.
“As I have said from the start, the charges against me are baseless. It is time for this unchecked weaponization of our justice system to stop,” James said. “I am grateful to the members of the grand jury and humbled by the support I have received from across the country. Now, I will continue to do my job standing up for the rule of law and the people of New York.”
The Associated Press reported, citing a person familiar with the matter, that the Justice Department tried and failed to indict James on Thursday.
A federal judge dismissed a previous indictment against James, determining that the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, was illegally appointed.
James had pleaded not guilty to bank fraud and making false statements in connection with a loan for a Virginia property she bought in 2020.
Read on...
Mortgage fraud indictment against Letitia James rejected by grand jury
Mayor says D.C. expects first snowfall of the season Friday
01:00 , Rachel DobkinWe're expecting DC's first snowfall of the season early tomorrow morning.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) December 4, 2025
1. Extreme Cold Alert at 8PM tonight
2. Est. 1" of snow
3. Heaviest snow starting 6-7AM
Plan for extra time in tomorrow morning's commute, give plows plenty of space on the roads, and look out for…
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Hegseth orders strike that kills 4 on alleged drug boat amid ‘double tap’ controversy
