Trump Administration Violates Hatch Act Over SNAP Benefits Being Gutted
Three mass shootings strike America, the Trump Administration violates the Hatch Act again, mass protests against Trump planned for South Korea, and much more
Good evening, everyone. Tonight, I’m tracking several major stories: in just the past 36 hours, America has endured three mass shootings. The Trump administration is openly violating the Hatch Act in its handling of SNAP benefits and the USDA, and in South Korea, mass protests are building ahead of Trump’s visit. And that’s just the beginning.
What’s clear is that this White House doesn’t seek to inform; it seeks to control the narrative. But facts still matter. And when those in power try to bury them, it’s our job to shine a light clearly, calmly, and completely.
Let me be blunt: attacking the free press has become a political strategy. I won’t back down. I report to you, not to them. If you believe in truth over spin, subscribe and support this work, because journalism that tells the truth must never be silenced.
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Here’s the news you missed today:
General news:
The Trump administration violated the Hatch Act when the USDA used its official government website to post partisan attacks blaming Senate Democrats for a potential SNAP funding lapse, accusing them of supporting “healthcare for illegal aliens” instead of reopening the government. This is what the website currently looks like:
Ahead of the APEC 2025 summit in Gyeongju, South Korea has raised security to its highest level as 16 anti-China and anti-Trump protests are planned by both left- and right-wing groups, prompting deployment of 18,500 police, 1,800 troops, and anti-drone defenses to prevent clashes and ensure safety during visits by Presidents Trump and Xi. Protests have already begun in Seoul:
Donald Trump is demanding that the DOJ look into the 2020 election despite there being no evidence of irregularities:
The U.S. and China have agreed on a trade deal “framework” to avert new 100% U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, adding that Presidents Trump and Xi are expected to meet this week and again early next year as part of efforts to ease tensions over trade, rare earth exports, and fentanyl control.
Trump’s $300 million White House East Wing ballroom project has sparked outrage after demolition began, revealing glaring design flaws—like stairs leading into a wall and misaligned windows—amid accusations that he’s turning a democratic symbol into a personal “presidential palace” while bypassing federal oversight.
The Washington Post defended Donald Trump’s ballroom destruction:
A new book reveals that Donald Trump called Mike Pence a “wimp” during a January 6, 2021 phone call, pressuring him not to certify Joe Biden’s election victory; Pence’s notes show he refused, citing his oath to uphold the Constitution, and prosecutors later used those notes as key evidence in Trump’s election interference case.
A drone firm partly owned by Donald Trump Jr., Unusual Machines, won its largest Pentagon contract to supply thousands of drone components amid Trump’s push to boost domestic drone production, sparking scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest as the company’s shares surged and it continues to face cost pressures from the administration’s own tariffs.
The Trump administration has barred gun violence prevention nonprofits from federal grants under the Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, shifting eligibility to local governments and redirecting funds toward law enforcement; advocates say the change dismantles a Biden-era lifeline for community-led groups that had effectively reduced homicides in major U.S. cities.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom allocated $140 million to keep 109 Planned Parenthood clinics open, making California the fourth state to publicly fund the organization after federal cuts imposed by the Trump administration; Newsom said the move protects reproductive healthcare access as Planned Parenthood faces clinic closures and financial strain from the loss of federal support.
California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed he is considering a 2028 presidential run, saying he’ll decide after the 2026 midterms; while his term ends in 2027, Newsom remains a prominent Trump critic, recently clashing with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over federal funding threats and maintaining strong support among Democrats in early polls.
A staffing shortage temporarily halted flights between LAX and Oakland on Sunday morning, causing nearly 900 minutes of cumulative delays before the FAA lifted the ground stop around 10:30 a.m.; officials confirmed the disruption stemmed from staffing issues at the Oakland air traffic control center, with no other airports affected.
Shootings this weekend:
One person was killed and six others injured in a shooting during Lincoln University’s homecoming celebration in Lower Oxford Township, Pennsylvania; authorities say it occurred outside the International Cultural Center after a football game, one person was detained with a firearm, and investigators are working with federal and state agencies to determine if another shooter was involved.
Two people were killed and 11 others injured when gunfire erupted at a Halloween party with about 300 attendees in Robeson County, North Carolina; authorities say alcohol, teenagers, and firearms were involved, and while several agencies are assisting in the investigation, no arrests have been made yet.
Five people — including a 13-year-old boy and a college student — were injured in a shooting near Howard University in Washington, D.C., during homecoming weekend; police say two suspects were taken into custody, three guns were recovered, and the victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
One person was seriously injured and a suspect arrested after an isolated shooting at Austin’s Central Library; police said the suspect fled but was captured in South Austin about an hour later, emphasizing it was not an active shooter situation and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
