Judge Orders Release of Grand Jury Materials to Comey; New Republican Law to Strip SNAP Benefits
Key Takeaways
- Judge orders Justice Department to release grand jury materials to James Comey amid misconduct claims.
- New Republican law to strip SNAP benefits from millions through stricter work requirements.
- Warren urges Trump to halt $1.6T student loan sale, citing borrower protection risks.
- House Democrats release emails between Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, raising questions.
- Trump Organization in talks with Saudi Arabia for real estate project, Diriyah.
Top Stories
Judge orders Justice Department to release grand jury materials to Comey.
On November 17, 2025, a federal judge ordered the Justice Department to provide grand jury materials to former FBI Director James Comey, citing potential government misconduct. Comey faces charges from 2020 testimony and has pleaded not guilty, with a trial set for January 5.
New Republican law to strip SNAP benefits.
On November 16, 2025, a new Republican law is set to strip millions of Americans of SNAP benefits by imposing stricter work requirements and shared costs. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is pushing states to comply, potentially affecting 42 million people.
Warren urges Trump administration to halt student loan sale.
On November 17, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren urged the Trump administration to halt plans to sell the $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio to private companies. Warren, along with over 40 Democratic lawmakers, claims the sale would strip borrowers of protections.
House Democrats release emails between Epstein and Trump.
On November 9, 2025, House Democrats released emails between Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, raising questions about Trump's knowledge of Epstein's sex trafficking.
Trump Organization in talks with Saudi Arabia for real estate.
On November 17, 2025, the New York Times reported that the Trump Organization is in talks with Diriyah, a Saudi Arabian real estate project, to introduce Trump-branded properties. This reflects the increasing intersection of business and diplomacy during Trump's presidency.
Capitol Hill Buzz
Marjorie Taylor Greene apologizes for toxic rhetoric.
On November 16, 2025, Marjorie Taylor Greene apologized for toxic political rhetoric during an interview on CNN's State of the Union. Greene expressed regret for her past actions and denied being antisemitic.
Warren calls for Harvard to cut ties with Larry Summers.
On November 17, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren called on Harvard University to cut ties with Larry Summers due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Warren criticized Summers' judgment and questioned his ability to advise or teach.
Rep. Khanna on Trump's comments on Epstein files.
On November 17, 2025, Democratic lawmaker Rep. Ro Khanna spoke with NPR's Scott Detrow about President Trump's recent comments and apparent reversal on the potential release of files from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Election Updates
Texas special elections announced.
On January 31, 2026, Texas will hold special elections for Texas Senate District 9 and U.S. House District 18. Early voting begins January 21, 2026.
Ted Cruz prepares for 2028 presidential bid.
On November 17, 2025, Texas Senator Ted Cruz is preparing for a 2028 presidential bid by feuding with Tucker Carlson and positioning himself as a pro-interventionist Republican.
Policy Insights
Trump's increased involvement in the Venezuela standoff.
On November 17, 2025, Ishaan Tharoor of the Washington Post reported on President Trump's increased involvement in the Venezuela standoff.
International student enrollment drops due to Trump policies.
New international student enrollment in U.S. colleges and universities dropped by 17 percent this fall, according to a survey released on November 17, 2025. The decrease is linked to the Trump administration's policies aimed at curbing international student enrollment.
Millions at risk of losing health insurance subsidies.
Approximately 22 million Americans are at risk of losing their health insurance subsidies by the end of December 2025. These subsidies are set to expire unless Congress intervenes.
Trump supports Senate bill for tariffs on countries trading with Russia.
On November 17, 2025, President Trump announced his support for a Senate bill that would impose tariffs on countries trading with Russia, specifically targeting China and India, with a potential inclusion of Iran.
Supreme Court to hear Trump's asylum policy defense.
On November 17, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the Trump administration's defense of its policy limiting asylum claim processing at the U.S.-Mexico border. The court is expected to rule by June.
Public Opinion
Joe Rogan criticizes Trump's election claims amid voting restrictions.
In November 2025, Joe Rogan criticized President Donald Trump's unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election was stolen. Trump's post-2024 return to power involves appointing election deniers and cutting cybersecurity funding.
Opinion piece blames Democrats for Obamacare failures.
On November 17, 2025, RealClearPolitics published an opinion piece arguing that Democrats are responsible for the failures of the Affordable Care Act.
Anti-Trump protestors gather in D.C.
On November 16, 2025, hundreds of anti-Trump protestors gathered in Washington, D.C., demanding President Trump's resignation.
White House Watch
Trump signals willingness to meet with NYC's new mayor.
On November 17, 2025, President Trump signaled his willingness to meet with New York City's newly elected left-leaning mayor, Zohran Mamdani, despite previous criticisms.
Mamdani's security clearance to test relationship with Trump.
Before taking office in January 2026, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani needs a top-level security clearance from the federal government, which will test the relationship between the democratic socialist and President Trump's administration.
Trump changing the pardon process.
On November 16, 2025, a former pardon attorney from the Justice Department reported that President Trump is changing the pardon process, using his pardon powers in an unprecedented way.
Trump press conference on Venezuela, tariffs, and Epstein files.
On November 17, 2025, President Donald Trump held a press conference to answer questions from reporters about escalating pressure on Venezuela, tariffs, and his call for Republicans to vote for the release of files concerning Jeffrey Epstein.