Happy Wednesday, readers! Welcome to today's On Politics. I'm Kathryn Palmer. If anyone has some restaurant recommendations for Vegas, I'm knee-deep in itinerary planning for a trip and feeling a bit overwhelmed. Anyway, on to today's news. |
Trump admits to 's---hole' insult, doubles down |
The president went to Pennsylvania yesterday to hold one of his first domestic rallies in months. It was supposed to focus on the economy, but true to form, Donald Trump jumped around, touching on many topics, including his recent anti-immigrant remarks. While touting his pause on immigration from what he calls "Third World" countries, the president admitted he did call Haiti, El Salvador and African nations 's---hole' countries in 2018. The comments were widely reported at the time and sparked international condemnation. Trump previously denied making this remark. But in his second term, as he ramps up incendiary language to describe immigrants and immigrant communities, he's embraced the insult. | President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the U.S. economy and affordability at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 9, 2025. Jonathan Ernst, Reuters |
Judge OKs release of Epstein case documents |
A judge in Manhattan ruled today that records from a grand jury investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein may be released to the public. It's possible in part due to the newly passed Epstein Transparency Act by Congress, which gave the Department of Justice until Dec. 19 to release nearly all of the files it possesses about the convicted sex offender. The legislation has also allowed several other similar rulings, including a request to release case files related to Ghislaine Maxwell, who is in prison for sex trafficking an underage girl with Epstein. |
Is Trump's ballroom doubling in size? |
In the months since Trump announced plans for the new White House ballroom, the parameters of the project have shifted. At first, the price tag was $200 million. Now it's $300 million. The size, too, has also changed quite a bit. The White House said it would seat 650 people, but the president has said it would "double" in size and accommodate close to 1,000 people. A White House spokesman told USA TODAY that the room's capacity could change based on the layout of each event. But until plans are finalized, the project could continue to change. The National Capital Planning Commission is expected to consider the latest proposal early next year. |
That's it for today's top headlines. Scroll down for other politics news. You can reach me at kapalmer@usatoday.com. | | The Army charged an OB-GYN at Fort Hood with 'indecent visual recording' of his patients and other charges. | | The letter says an investigation into Mark Kelly following a Nov. 18 video telling military members to refuse illegal orders is 'patently political.' | | | | The 'Gang of Eight' met with top brass on Dec. 9 to discuss much-scrutinized September boat strikes. | | | | Decades ago, the Supreme Court said inmates who are intellectually disabled can't be executed. Now, it weighs the use of IQ tests in close calls. | | | | Dozens of people arrived at Indianapolis Union Station thinking they'd become U.S. citizens only to learn their participation was "canceled." | | | | | Sign up for the news you want | Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. | | | | | |
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