1. White House weighs strikes on Iran: The administration is considering military action against Iranian assets as Tehran quietly seeks renewed nuclear talks.
2. Top federal prosecutor fired amid Comey controversy: Robert K. McBride, the first assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, has been ousted amid tensions over stalled confirmations, judicial intervention, and pressure to revive the James Comey case, an indictment that continues to go nowhere.
3. Republicans push back on targeting the Fed: Senior GOP lawmakers are denouncing President Trump's push to criminally investigate Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
4. Mark Kelly sues Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: The senator alleges retaliation over political speech after his military pension was cut. The lawsuit highlights growing dysfunction in Washington as both parties escalate provocations instead of restoring adult leadership.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

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1. Job creation collapses in 2025: The U.S. sees its worst year for job growth since COVID, driven by federal layoffs and weak manufacturing.
2. New York pushes January 6 education mandates: State lawmakers want schools to teach January 6 despite ongoing failures in reading, writing, and math.
3. Iran on the brink of revolution: Protests intensify as police side with demonstrators, regime figures seek exits, and symbols of the Islamic Republic are torched.
4. Escalating rhetoric against ICE: Progressive activists label ICE agents as Nazis while calling for armed resistance.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. Supreme Court signals surprise rulings: The Court unusually announces decisions will be issued tomorrow, fueling speculation over major cases involving presidential emergency powers, tariffs, and Louisiana redistricting that could reshape national political strategy.
2. U.S. eyes Greenland and Venezuela for critical minerals: The administration pushes rare earth mineral investments to counter China, with Greenland open to mining partnerships and Venezuela emerging as another strategic resource target.
3. Minnesota blocks ICE investigation: State officials complain about federal limits on cooperation after an ICE shooting, despite Minnesota's own restrictions on local law enforcement working with federal authorities.
4. Political hypocrisy on immigration enforcement: Tim Walz threatens National Guard involvement while Seattle's mayor moves to halt welfare and daycare fraud investigations, highlighting deep contradictions on federal authority and law enforcement.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

1. Trump targets defense contractors: The president announces plans to restrict executive compensation, dividends, and stock buybacks at publicly traded defense companies unless they invest in modernizing weapons manufacturing and improving maintenance and delivery timelines.
2. Minnesota ICE shooting controversy: A deadly encounter involving ICE agents sparks debate after video shows a suspect vehicle lunging forward before shots were fired, raising questions about self-defense and law enforcement accountability.
3. U.S. moves to control Venezuelan oil sales: Energy Secretary Chris Wright says the U.S. will oversee Venezuelan oil exports indefinitely, selling at market rates while directing proceeds back to the Venezuelan people instead of the Maduro regime.
4. White House moves to block institutional home buyers: President Trump signs an executive order aimed at limiting large investors from buying and renting homes, though questions remain about legality and whether tariffs and regulations are the real drivers of rising housing costs.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. Ukraine Peace Deal Framework Lacks Real Buy-In: Steve Witkoff claims a framework for a Ukraine peace deal is in place, with Britain and France even willing to deploy peacekeeping troops. But behind the scenes, European leaders do not believe Vladimir Putin wants peace and are deeply skeptical of Witkoff's role.
2. Venezuela Halts Oil Shipments to China: Venezuela has suspended oil shipments to China, cutting off roughly 4% of China's supply while continuing limited exports to the United States. The bigger impact may be on Cuba, which relied heavily on Venezuelan oil. With Iran also facing unrest, global energy dynamics are shifting rapidly.
3. Iranian Police Turn on the Regime: Protests in Iran have escalated as police in key cities, including Isfahan, begin siding with demonstrators.
4. Allies Alarmed by Greenland Rhetoric: U.S. allies are pushing back hard against Stephen Miller's aggressive rhetoric on Greenland, warning it is damaging NATO unity.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. Maduro Faces Federal Charges: Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro has pleaded not guilty in U.S. federal court to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, claiming he is the lawful president and a kidnapping victim.
2. Tim Walz and Minnesota Welfare Fraud Fallout: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faces growing political backlash over massive welfare fraud schemes tied to the Somali community, including funds allegedly redirected to terrorism abroad.
3. Cuba on the Brink as Venezuela Weakens: With Venezuela no longer supplying oil, Cuba is becoming increasingly unstable.
4. U.S. Scales Back Childhood Vaccine Recommendations: The federal government has reduced the number of vaccines it actively recommends for children, leaving more decisions to families.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. Brown & MIT Shooting Update: Federal authorities confirm the Brown University shooter was also responsible for the MIT killing.
2. Home Sales Tick Up Amid Rate Pressure: Home sales rose for the third straight month in November, though 2025 is still shaping up as one of the weakest housing markets in three decades. .
3. Green Card Lottery Suspended: The Department of Homeland Security has suspended the Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery) program following revelations that the Brown shooter entered the U.S. through that system.
4. A Christmas Reflection and Farewell for the Year: Erick reflects on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, written during personal tragedy in 1863. The message: despair is not the end, hope endures, and Christmas is a reminder that God is not dead, nor does He sleep.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. U.S. Approves $11B Arms Package to Taiwan: The Trump administration greenlights an $11 billion weapons sale to Taiwan, systems proven effective against Chinese technology on the Ukrainian battlefield. China is furious, but the move signals renewed U.S. commitment to Taiwan's defense, reportedly encouraged by quiet diplomacy with Japan's new prime minister.
2. The "Warrior Dividend" Explained: Washington melts down over the so-called "warrior dividend," a $1,776 payment to service members. The reality: the funds were already approved by Congress as a military housing subsidy. President Trump simply expedited the payout and rebranded it, something Democrats have done for years, now suddenly deemed controversial.
3. Marijuana Reclassified for Medical Use: President Trump signs an executive order easing federal restrictions on medical marijuana, allowing broader access and enabling banks to work with marijuana businesses. While supporters cite medical benefits, growing evidence links expanded marijuana use to rising schizophrenia diagnoses, particularly among young people, raising serious long-term societal concerns.
4. MIT Fusion Expert Murdered; Possible Link to Brown Shooting: A leading authority on fusion reactors at MIT, has been murdered in Massachusetts. ABC News reports a possible connection to the Brown University shooting. Speculation ranges from domestic motives to foreign involvement, including Iranian interest. Authorities have not confirmed details, but this remains a developing national security story.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Get the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite app.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. President Trump to Address the Nation Tonight: The president is scheduled to speak at 9 p.m. Eastern, with speculation centered on Venezuela. The administration is escalating pressure on Nicolás Maduro, including plans to seize oil tankers, signaling a broader effort to destabilize the regime and potentially accelerate the collapse of allied authoritarian governments.
2. Congress Passes National Defense Authorization Act: The Senate approved the $901 billion NDAA by a wide margin, codifying several Trump executive orders while imposing new limits on presidential authority overseas. Lawmakers are signaling they have enough votes to override a veto, marking a growing show of independence as Trump enters lame duck territory.
3. Senate Pressures FBI Over Epstein Investigation: Senators are demanding answers after learning the FBI never interviewed Jeffrey Epstein's lawyer or accountant. With statutory deadlines approaching, Attorney General Pam Bondi is expected to release remaining Epstein related records, raising new questions about accountability and transparency.
4. House Republicans Defy Leadership on Obamacare Subsidies: Four House Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. While the measure is unlikely to pass the Senate, it highlights growing fractures within the GOP as moderates seek political insulation ahead of future elections.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Get the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite app.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. Obamacare reform stalls: Top Republicans in Congress reject a centrist push to reform Obamacare, led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and a bipartisan group. With no consensus inside the GOP, Republicans again lack a unified health-care strategy, leaving Democrats with the messaging advantage.
2. Brown University shooting raises alarms: A masked gunman opens fire at Brown University, exposing serious security failures. Despite hundreds of surveillance cameras, images are too poor to identify the suspect, highlighting how masking culture and campus administrative failures are worsening public safety concerns.
3. Cuban migrants sent to Guantanamo Bay: The Trump administration transfers 22 Cuban illegal immigrants to Guantanamo Bay as part of an expansion plan. The move raises concerns among Cuban-American communities and highlights tensions between immigration enforcement and humanitarian risks.
4. White House power dynamics exposed: Chief of Staff Susie Wiles faces media scrutiny after extensive interviews detailing internal White House dynamics. Rather than distancing themselves, President Trump and senior staff rally around her, signaling a deliberate reset of internal power structures and bruised egos inside the administration.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Get the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite app.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.