•Judge Halts Trump's Federal Layoffs: A progressive federal judge temporarily blocks the administration's government-wide firings, pausing more than 4,000 layoffs across eight agencies.

•Pentagon Scare Abroad: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's plane makes an emergency landing in the UK after a cracked windshield mid-flight.

•CIA Targets Venezuela: President Trump expands covert operations against Nicolás Maduro's regime, reasserting the Monroe Doctrine as China, Russia, and Iran grow their presence in the Western Hemisphere.

•Shutdown Stalemate Deepens: Senate Democrats again block a Republican-backed continuing resolution — even as media coverage disappears and Americans barely notice the shutdown's effects.

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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Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.