Grand jury material in Epstein files
The Justice Department has asked a federal judge in Florida to reconsider whether to unseal grand jury materials related to an investigation into pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The judge ruled that the materials have to remain secret, which is the standard practice. In its filing the Justice Department cited the recent passage of the law mandating the release of all of its Epstein files within 30 days, arguing, “public production of the grand jury material is therefore required.” But the legislation, which Donald Trump signed into law last week does not specifically mention grand jury materials.
Immigrant enforcement in New Orleans
Trump administration Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and roughly 250 federal agents are expected to launch an immigration enforcement operation in New Orleans starting the first week of December, according to two sources familiar with the planning. New Orleans, a Democratic enclave in a Republican-led state, will be the latest target of the Department of Homeland Security’s operations, according to those two sources. In response to questions from CNN about the operation, DHS sent a statement from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin that said, “For the safety and security of law enforcement, we’re not going to telegraph potential operations.” CNN was told that immigrants are the backbone of New Orleans, helping maintain the service industry that welcomes millions of visitors each year.
Trump health care proposal
The Trump administration is planning to unveil a new proposal for addressing health care costs three people familiar with the matter told CNN. The plan is described as providing an alternative to Obamacare subsidies of premiums that are due to expire next month. If the subsidies expire, the premiums people pay are expected to more than double next year, according to KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research group. Republicans have for years been unsuccessful in their efforts to kill Obamacare.
Trump lashes out at Democrats again
Donald Trump over the weekend again took to the internet to blast six Democrats who made a video reminding members of the U.S. military of their obligation not to obey illegal orders. Trump previously said the lawmakers should be executed. The lawmakers again attacked by Trump are Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Representatives Jason Crow of Colorado, Chrissy Houlahan and Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire. In his posts, Trump again misrepresented what the lawmakers said, and claimed that they called on members of the military to disobey orders, when they actually were referring only to illegal orders.
Ukraine peace talks
Talks on a U.S. plan to end the war In Ukraine that began when Russia invaded the country were set to continue today after meetings with U.S. and Ukrainian officials that Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as productive. The U.S. said the Ukrainians believe the current draft amendment of a 28-point peace proposal “reflects their national security interests.” The U.S. proposal had previously attracted bipartisan criticism for its concessions to Russia. The Trump administration’s proposal would give Russia Ukrainian land it had captured and also throw in some parts of Ukraine that Russia has not yet captured.
Israel strikes Beirut
The Israeli military says it killed Hezbollah’s number two leader in a weekend airstrike on Beirut, Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces called Haytham Ali Tabatabai “a key operative and veteran in the terrorist organization.” Images showed smoke coming from an apartment building in a crowded part of southern Beirut. Five people were killed and 28 were injured in the attack, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The U.S. designated Tabatabai as a terrorist in 2016 — and offered a $5 million reward for information on him — saying he was a key Hezbollah military leader “who has commanded the group’s special forces in both Syria and Yemen.”
