The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Fri Dec 12 2025

Nicole Fallert
Reporter & Newsletter Writer

Happy Friday! Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Finish the week with the news:

•	Denmark says the U.S. is a national security risk.
•	An atmospheric river is bringing flooding to the Pacific Northwest.
•	Make an AI video featuring Mickey Mouse and R2-D2.

Nicole Fallert here, bringing you the news to know on Friday. We're discussing how Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was grilled on Capitol Hill, whether party drugs are in fact getting stronger and the top moments from Taylor Swift's Eras Tour docuseries.

Kristi Noem grilled; Kilmar Abrego Garcia heads homes

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced questions Thursday related to her department's immigration actions.

Throughout the hearing, Democrats chastised Noem and her department's immigration enforcement efforts, including the secretary's decision to continue deportation flights to El Salvador despite a court order halting the flights earlier this year. At one point, Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-Rhode Island, asked the secretary how many military veterans have been deported.

"Sir, we have not deported U.S. citizens or military veterans," Noem responded. Magaziner went on to introduce a U.S. Army combat veteran who self-deported.

Noem, who left the hearing early to attend a FEMA review advisory council meeting (that was later canceled), was met with protestors outside the hearing room.

Meanwhile, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran migrant at the center of a case that has spotlighted Trump's hardline immigration policies, was freed from an immigrant detention facility Thursday after U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis of Maryland said the Trump administration had no legal basis to expel Abrego Garcia from the country and had misled her at a hearing last month.

More news to know now

•	Trump is targeting an Indiana GOP Senate leader. The president called out Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, who was among 21 Republican senators who voted to defeat a redistricting bill in the GOP-controlled Senate.
•	The latest involving an ex-Michigan coach. Sherrone Moore is expected to be arraigned in court Friday.
•	Party drugs are getting stronger. Experts told USA TODAY it's hard to get exact data on just how strong ecstasy has become today . That's because there is a lot of variability from pill-to-pill. Still, overall, he says it's definitely stronger, with some research suggesting the amount of MDMA — the synthetic psychoactive in ecstasy — has increased by about 50% over the past 15 years.

Take a look

Pitt, Kentucky sweep NCAA volleyball bracket

Ncaa Womens Volleyball Womens National Volleyball Regional Cal Poly Vs Kentucky

Kentucky Wildcats middle blocker Jordyn Dailey (5) celebrates with outside hitter Eva Hudson (7) during the third set against the Cal Poly Mustangs at Historic Memorial Coliseum.

Jordan Prather / Imagn Images

The 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament is down to 12 teams after Thursday's action. Two of the four top seeds in the tournaments — Kentucky and Pittsburgh — advanced to the Elite Eight. No. 3 seeds Purdue and Creighton also move on. Creighton will face Kentucky and Pitt plays Purdue Saturday for a Final Four bid.

Something to talk about

The biggest and best moments of the 'End of an Era' docuseries

Numerous strikingly unfiltered moments are featured in "The End of an Era," Taylor Swift's six-part docuseries on Disney+. The first two episodes are now available, with two more landing each Friday until Dec. 26. USA TODAY watched and here are the highlights from the first glimpses into Swift's magical, mystical Eras Tour.

Taylor Swift appears on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Dec.10, 2025.

Scott Kowalchyk, CBS

Before you go

•	This weekend marks a happy 100th birthday to Dick Van Dyke and 36th birthday to Taylor Swift.
•	Your beauty friends swear by "dry brushing."
•	Skip the clutter. Gift an experience for the holidays.