Key Updates
Trump's Ukraine "Peace Plan" Sparks a Firestorm
The Trump administration has officially tabled its 28-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, and it’s landing with all the grace of a lead balloon on Capitol Hill. The core of the deal, as it’s being reported, requires Ukraine to make some painful concessions: ceding territory currently occupied by Russia and formally abandoning its ambitions to join . In short, it’s a plan that looks a lot like rewarding Vladimir Putin for nearly four years of brutal invasion and a decade of occupation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is, understandably, playing his cards close to his chest. He’s cautiously stated he’s reviewing the plan and wants a "dignified peace," which is diplomatic language for "this is a tough pill to swallow." Ukrainian envoys are headed to Geneva to meet with a U.S. delegation, but the pressure is on, with Trump reportedly setting a deadline for a response.
The real drama, however, is Stateside. A cohort of U.S. lawmakers are openly criticizing the plan as a capitulation. The situation got messy when several senators claimed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio privately described the proposal as a Russian "wish list." Rubio is now publicly denying he ever said that, creating a classic "he said, they said" in the halls of power. This disagreement highlights the deep divisions, even within the administration’s own party, over how to handle the conflict.
Analytical Take: This is a high-stakes gamble by the Trump administration. They're aiming for a major foreign policy "win" by ending a protracted war, but the price appears to be the validation of military aggression. The accusation that this is just a Russian wish list—whether Rubio said it or not—is politically toxic because it rings true to many observers. The plan effectively trades Ukrainian sovereignty for a cessation of hostilities. Zelenskyy is in an impossible position: refuse the deal and risk being hung out to dry by his most critical ally, or accept it and go down in history as the leader who signed away parts of his country. The second-order effect to watch is how this plays with allies, who are likely watching this with extreme nervousness.
A Nation on Edge: Immigration, Crime, and Political Rhetoric Collide
A cluster of otherwise separate events are painting a picture of escalating domestic tension, fueled by a toxic brew of immigration policy, urban crime, and political polarization. The Department of Homeland Security is reporting a jaw-dropping 1,300% increase in vehicular attacks on agents since Trump took office, with a 58% spike against officers. is pointing the finger at what it calls inflammatory rhetoric from Democratic politicians.
This comes as former Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat, is publicly breaking with his party to slam the previous Biden administration's border policies. Meanwhile, President Trump is weighing in on the crime wave in Chicago, claiming residents are begging him to intervene after a riot erupted in the Loop on Friday. This, of course, puts Mayor Brandon Johnson on the defensive and pours gasoline on the national political fire.
The entire issue was thrown into stark, tragic relief by the death of 8-year-old Mora Gerety in Boise, Idaho. She was killed in a car crash caused by Elvin Elgardo Ramos-Caballero, an undocumented immigrant who had been released into the country, had an outstanding deportation order since 2019, and was driving legally thanks to a license from the sanctuary state of Oregon. This single incident galvanizes the entire debate, linking sanctuary policies directly to a tangible tragedy.
Analytical Take: These aren't isolated incidents; they're symptoms of a system under extreme stress. The attacks on federal agents are a serious escalation and a sign of fraying civil order. The Mora Gerety case is the kind of tragedy that political movements are built on. It provides a simple, powerful, and emotionally devastating narrative for critics of current immigration and sanctuary city policies, making nuanced debate nearly impossible. Expect Rep. Byron Donalds and others to leverage this story to push for a federal crackdown on states like Oregon. The broader pattern is one of feedback loops: real-world problems like crime and border crossings are amplified by political rhetoric, which in turn seems to be contributing to real-world violence and deeper polarization. It’s a vicious cycle.
Trump Targets Somali Community with Termination
In a move that caught many by surprise, President Trump has terminated Temporary Protected Status () for Somalis residing in Minnesota, effective immediately. is the program that allows migrants from countries deemed unsafe to live and work legally in the U.S. The administration’s justification is a cocktail of allegations, citing rampant welfare fraud and money laundering schemes in the state, with the explosive claim that some funds may have been funneled to the terror group Al-Shabaab.
The move is surgically targeted, affecting only the Somali holders in Minnesota, not the entire national population. There are only about 705 Somalis with in the entire U.S. as of March 2025, so the direct impact is numerically small, but the political signal is enormous. Governor Tim Walz and community leaders have condemned the action as a discriminatory attack on the state's large Somali population. Rep. Ilhan Omar responded by downplaying the move's impact, likely in an attempt to quell panic, but the threat of deportation is now very real for those affected.
Analytical Take: This is a classic Trump maneuver: a highly symbolic, headline-grabbing action that plays directly to his base's concerns about immigration and national security. The actual number of people affected is almost irrelevant. The story here is the linkage of immigration, welfare, and terrorism. By tying alleged local fraud to Al-Shabaab, the administration creates a powerful national security justification for a targeted immigration crackdown. The choice to single out Minnesota, a state with a prominent Somali-American congresswoman (Omar), is almost certainly not a coincidence. This is as much about political messaging as it is about policy. Expect legal challenges questioning the president's authority to terminate for a specific group in a specific state, rather than nationally.
The Unraveling of Marjorie Taylor Greene
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is calling it quits. The controversial Georgia Republican announced she will resign from Congress effective January 5, 2026, citing disillusionment with Washington and, more pointedly, a desire to avoid a primary challenge. This comes just days after President Trump, her former political patron, publicly withdrew his endorsement and signaled he would back a challenger.
Trump’s initial reaction was celebratory, though he later softened his tone. Greene's departure is a significant event, as it showcases a rare public break within the movement's inner circle. Her exit will also shrink Speaker Mike Johnson's already razor-thin Republican majority in the House, complicating his legislative agenda. The move seems to stem from Greene recently breaking with Trump on unspecified policy issues, including, apparently, his handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Analytical Take: This is a fascinating case study in the dynamics of loyalty and power in the Trump era. Greene built her entire political brand on being one of Trump's most ferocious defenders, but the moment she deviated, the kingmaker became the king-breaker. Her resignation is a clear signal to others in the party: absolute fealty is required, and there are no second chances. For Greene, it was likely a cold calculation; facing a Trump-backed primary challenger would be a costly, humiliating, and likely losing battle. By resigning, she gets to control her own exit narrative, framing it as a choice to leave a "broken" system. This episode demonstrates that while Trump's endorsement is gold, the withdrawal of that endorsement is a political death sentence.
A Glimmer of Pragmatism: The Trump-Mamdani Summit
Following up on their summit noted yesterday, the meeting between President Trump and New York City's socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani continued to be the most unexpected political story of the week. The Oval Office meeting was shockingly cordial. Trump, a man who has built a career railing against figures like Mamdani, offered praise and expressed a willingness to collaborate on fixing 's affordability crisis. For his part, Mamdani set aside the ideological chasm between them to focus on that shared goal.
The spectacle has left many, including staunch Trump critic Spike Lee, in a state of confused surprise. Of course, it's not all smooth sailing. Controversy is already swirling around Mamdani's association with activist Linda Sarsour, who claimed his anti-Israel stance was a key to his victory—a claim that is, to put it mildly, contested.
Analytical Take: Don't mistake this for a genuine political realignment. This is a moment of transactional pragmatism, and political theater, from both sides. Trump gets to look presidential and magnanimous, reaching across the aisle to a figure from the far left, which plays well with moderate voters. Mamdani, by meeting with the President, projects himself as a serious leader who will work with anyone to deliver for his city, a smart move for a new mayor. The cordiality is the message. However, the underlying ideological gulf is massive and will inevitably surface once actual policy decisions are on the table. The Sarsour controversy is a preview of the attacks Mamdani will face as he tries to govern. For now, it’s a temporary truce in the culture wars, but no one should be betting on it to last.
A Gruesome Discovery in the Hollywood Hills
A truly disturbing case is unfolding in Los Angeles. The body of a 15-year-old girl, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was discovered dismembered and frozen in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke). The car had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and was towed to an impound lot, where the grim discovery was made on September 8. Police believe she likely died sometime last spring.
D4vd is now being eyed as a suspect, and the situation is compounded by his reported refusal to cooperate with the investigation. Making matters even more complex, lawyer Mark Geragos has revealed that a second, unidentified person may be linked to the death. Due to the condition of the remains, the official cause of death has not yet been determined.
Analytical Take: This has all the hallmarks of a story that will dominate headlines for months. The combination of a young victim, the gruesome details of the crime, and the involvement of a celebrity suspect creates a perfect storm of media and public interest. The fact that the suspect is not cooperating is a major red flag for investigators and the public. The mention of a second person is a significant wrinkle; it could mean this is a more complex conspiracy than a single act. The 's task of triangulating phone and social media data from months ago will be painstaking. This case will inevitably raise difficult questions about the safety of young people who get drawn into the orbit of the entertainment industry.
Noteworthy Items
Holiday Violence in North Carolina
Yesterday we noted a pattern of violence marring the start of the holiday season. That trend continued in a horrifying way in Concord, North Carolina, where a shooting erupted at the city's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Four people were wounded, with three in critical condition. The event was immediately canceled, and police are now combing through footage and witness statements. No motive or suspect information has been released. It’s a grim reminder of how vulnerable public gatherings can be.
The Anna Kepner Cruise Ship Death Deepens
The investigation into the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner on a Carnival cruise ship, which we flagged yesterday, has taken a darker turn. Preliminary reports now suggest she may have been strangled, with evidence pointing to a chokehold. The is focusing on complex family dynamics, including a custody dispute involving her stepmother and allegations of a "creepy obsession" from her 16-year-old stepbrother, who was questioned by agents. This is shifting from a suspicious death to a likely homicide investigation with the family at its center.
School Board Politics Turn Menacing in New Jersey
A story out of Marlboro Township, New Jersey, perfectly encapsulates the toxic state of local politics. School board member Danielle Bellomo has been granted an extended protective order against Mitesh Gandhi, the husband of another board member. Gandhi is accused of sending threatening texts about Bellomo, including participating in a group chat titled "This Bitch Needs to Die." Despite the protective order, the county prosecutor has declined to press criminal charges, sparking public outrage. It's a microcosm of the national trend of political disputes at the school board level escalating into serious threats and harassment.
A Kennedy Family Tragedy, Again
In a poignant essay in The New Yorker, Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, has revealed she is battling a terminal case of acute myeloid leukemia. The diagnosis came in May 2024, shortly after the birth of her second child. The news adds another sad chapter to the long history of tragedies that have befallen the Kennedy family. The story also briefly touches on the political actions of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in his role as Secretary of Health and Human Services, adding a layer of public policy context to a deeply personal story.
Belichick's First Year at Complicated by Family Feud
And on a lighter, if more dramatic, note: Bill Belichick's transition to college football coach at is hitting some personal turbulence. His daughter-in-law, Jen Belichick, reportedly launched a profanity-laced tirade against his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, in his office following a game on November 8. The confrontation, first reported by the New York Post, allegedly included an ultimatum about Bill's relationship. It’s messy, public, and exactly the kind of distraction a high-profile coach doesn't need in his first season.