NTD Evening News

President Trump this evening signed an executive order establishing a national rulebook for regulating artificial intelligence. He previewed the move earlier this week on Truth Social, saying that if the U.S. wants to lead in AI, it cannot have 50 states each making their own rules.

The Indiana Senate today voted down a new congressional map that would have likely given Republicans two additional House seats. Despite holding a 40-to-10 supermajority, 21 Republicans joined Democrats in rejecting the proposal. Indiana is now the first Republican-led state to vote down a redrawn map in the nationwide redistricting battle.

Proposals from Senate Republican and Democratic leadership to address the expiring ACA health care credits both failed today. Rank-and-file Republicans say they’re open to a short-term extension, but only if Democrats commit to pursuing long-term reforms. The subsidies expire at the end of the year, and the House is expected to vote on a bill before the Christmas break.

The White House says the administration will follow a legal process regarding the oil tanker that was seized off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday, and is planning for it to be brought to an American port, where U.S. authorities intend to take possession of its oil cargo. The administration also imposed new sanctions today on three nephews of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, businessmen close to his regime, and six companies involved in shipping oil.

The Federal Reserve today lowered borrowing costs for the third time this year. In its final decision of 2025, the central bank cut interest rates by a quarter point as strategists and investors predict significant market gains in 2026.

The United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, saying “other things are happening.” The president also spoke with top European leaders today as he continues efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.

A federal judge today ordered the Trump administration to temporarily halt its deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles and return control of the Guard to the state of California. Meanwhile, the administration is proposing new rules that would require Visa Waiver Program travelers to submit five years of social media history before entering the United States.

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President Donald Trump is in Pennsylvania tonight, touting his administration’s economic message. It's the first of several domestic trips the White House is planning around what it sees as a defining issue in next year’s midterms.

The Supreme Court today heard a high-profile case on campaign financing. Vice President JD Vance is among those challenging limits on how much party committees can spend in coordination with candidates. Meanwhile, the Department of Education announced a settlement agreement to end a student loan forgiveness program launched under President Joe Biden.

As Australia becomes the world's first country to ban social media for children under 16, lawmakers and experts on Capitol Hill held a hearing today on protecting minors from online predators. They warn that criminals are getting bolder, more brazen, and harder to track.

President Trump today unveiled a $12 billion farm aid package during a roundtable with Cabinet members and American farmers. The announcement comes as Beijing has pulled back on purchases of key commodities like soybeans, leaving some U.S. farmers struggling to sell their crops.

The Supreme Court is set to decide whether to scale back restrictions on a president’s ability to fire certain agency officials — including FTC Chair Rebecca Slaughter, whom President Trump removed in March. Oral arguments in Trump v. Slaughter began today, with the Court appearing poised to lift some of those limits.

Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba announced today she is stepping down. Earlier this month, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower-court ruling disqualifying the Trump appointee on the grounds that she had not been confirmed by the Senate.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth says the United States is increasing its focus on defending its own interests. He accuses previous administrations—that were in office after the cold war—of not putting America first in their policies.

Israel’s prime minister and Germany’s chancellor reaffirmed their security partnership in a press conference today. Meanwhile, residents in Bethlehem attended a Christmas tree lighting ceremony for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war began.

The White House has unveiled its new National Security Strategy. An expert joins us to unpack what the document means for China, Taiwan, and Europe.

We all have our little daily routines and preferences, but when do they cross into OCD territory? A clinical psychologist breaks down the line between quirks and a true anxiety disorder.

President Donald Trump is also rolling back Biden-era fuel efficiency standards. A car expert joins us to unpack what this means for the car industry and if cars will become cheaper.

And, the road to the winter Olympics has begun. Details on how more than 10,000 torch bearers are carrying the flame across Italy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump held a lengthy phone call on the progress of peace negotiations. The discussion comes as Russia launched a wide-ranging overnight attack on Ukraine, striking power stations and other energy infrastructure.

A suspect has been charged in a stabbing aboard a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Court documents show the individual is in the country illegally.

The National Park Service is updating its free-admission calendar. The agency has released the dates when U.S. citizens and residents can enter national parks at no cost in 2026.

The White House unveiled a new national security strategy, framing China as America’s primary competitor. The policy emphasizes economic and technological competition and calls on Indo-Pacific allies to take on greater defense responsibilities. The president also urged Europe to reclaim its identity, secure its borders, and take the lead in its own security, with Washington providing support.

President Trump’s effort to restrict birthright citizenship is headed to the Supreme Court, which announced it will hear the case in the coming months. The high court also approved a new congressional map for Texas, improving Republicans’ chances to pick up five seats in the midterms. Meanwhile, the Indiana House approved a new map that would give Republicans a two-seat advantage in the 2026 elections.

The man suspected of placing two pipe bombs near the RNC and DNC buildings on the eve of Jan. 6, 2021, made his first court appearance today. The 30-year-old from Northern Virginia was arrested Thursday and is charged with interstate transportation and attempted use of an explosive device.

The Trump administration shortened the work permit duration for asylum-seekers from five years to 18 months. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Thursday said this was due to security concerns with immigrant populations.

U.S. Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley testified privately before Congress on the controversial follow-up strike on a drug boat in the Caribbean in September. He said War Secretary Pete Hegseth did not issue a “kill them all” order, but some lawmakers remain concerned.

The FBI arrested a suspect for placing pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., the night before the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. Brian Cole Jr. of Virginia has been charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and malicious destruction by means of explosion.

President Donald Trump today pardoned Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and his wife, Imelda. Cuellar was indicted last year on more than a dozen federal charges. The president also announced a historic reset of fuel economy standards and touted an estimated $109 billion in projected savings.

A new immigration enforcement operation was launched today in New Orleans, aiming to arrest 5,000 illegal immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security says the effort is prioritizing individuals who were released after previously being held in local jails.

Trump praised the progress made by the U.S. negotiating team during its Tuesday meeting in Moscow. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said advances were made regarding security guarantees for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Kremlin described the talks as constructive but noted that no compromises have yet been reached.

President Donald Trump today hosted the ninth Cabinet meeting of his second term amid questions over a deadly strike on a drug-carrying vessel from Venezuela. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the Pentagon’s operations in the Caribbean, saying the strikes have “only just begun.”

The man accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., has been formally charged with murder and assault with intent to kill. He pleaded not guilty to all counts. Meanwhile, the Treasury Department is investigating allegations that Minnesota taxpayer funds were stolen through fraudulent nonprofits and funneled to a terrorist group in Somalia.

A U.S. delegation was in Moscow today meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Just before the talks, Putin issued a stark warning to Europe, saying Russia is ready for war if European nations are seeking that outcome.

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