News of the Week for December 30th, 2025
- Abortion
- Gun Rights
- Hide the Decline
- Socialized Medicine
- War & Terror
- National News
- Economy & Taxes
- International News
- Opinion
Abortion
Court Cases & Legislation
10 states voted on abortion rights in the 2024 election. Here’s what’s changed over the past year
After Roe v. Wade was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2022, ending the federal right to an abortion, 10 states seized on the opportunity to impact state-level abortion policy through election measures last November.
Gun Rights
SCOTUS to take up key Second Amendment challenges in 2026
The United States Supreme Court is set to take up major gun rights cases in 2026 with decisions that could reshape access to firearms for millions of Americans.
Hide the Decline
Environment &“Green Energy”
Climate activists v. the U.S. energy industry: Cases to watch in 2026
Anti-oil and gas advocates across the country have pursued litigation in recent years attempting to force the fossil fuel industry to pay for decades of financial damages the advocates claim were caused by climate change.
Socialized Medicine
Government in Healthcare
Bioethicist: Let Surgeons Kill Patients During Organ Harvesting
The “dead donor rule” (DDR) is a legal and ethical mandate that requires vital organ donors to be truly dead before their body parts are procured. A corollary to the rule holds that people cannot be killed for their organs. The DDR promotes trust in the system and protects the vulnerable — but is flexible enough to permit living donations of one kidney and parts of a liver from altruistic donors.
War & Terror
Japan Halting Photoresist To China?
I haven’t been able to verify this yet, but according to China Observer, “Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry may have escalated export controls on November 20-21, adding 12 types of core semiconductor materials and related services to its “End User List,” placing about 110 semiconductor-related entities from mainland China under heightened scrutiny. Mainland China is more than 60% reliant on imports for photoresist, with ArF/EUV almost entirely dependent on Japan and the Netherlands.”
All the President’s Ships
President Trump announced yesterday that the Navy would be fielding a new “Trump-class” battleship as the centerpiece of his planned “Golden Fleet.” Set aside those silly names, which obviously serve Trump’s insatiable hubris. Behind them is the most momentous effort to modernize the U.S. Navy’s aging force structure in decades.
The Golden Fleet’s Battleship Will Never Sail
On December 22, President Trump announced a new class of “battleships” that will be 100 times more powerful than previous battleships and larger than any other surface combatant on the oceans. The ship’s purported characteristics are so extraordinary that the announcement will surely spark immense discussion. However, there is little need for said discussion because this ship will never sail. It will take years to design, cost $9 billion each to build, and contravene the Navy’s new concept of operations, which envisions distributed firepower. A future administration will cancel the program before the first ship hits the water.
Trump Targets the Islamic State in Nigeria
President Trump sent special Christmas tidings to Islamic militants in Nigeria. While Americans were celebrating the holiday, President Trump announced that he had followed through on his threats to take action against terrorist groups in Nigeria that were persecuting Christians.
Thailand Shows The West Has Already Lost Southeast Asia – Analysis
It doesn’t begin with tanks. It begins with a fiber-optic cable. With a battery production facility. With a data center in Thailand’s heartland, owned by Chinese interests. While the West talks about “values,” China invests—systematically, irreversibly.
Chinese military simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows
Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated
Lights Out? Wargaming a Chinese Blockade of Taiwan
Since 2022, China has conducted numerous military drills and exercises simulating blockades of the island of Taiwan, a democracy of 23 million that sits astride one of the world’s maritime chokepoints. What would happen if China initiated a blockade of Taiwan in the coming years? To understand the military challenges in countering a blockade, CSIS ran 26 wargames using a wide variety of scenarios.
Turkey detains dozens of ISIS suspects allegedly planning attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations
Istanbul police launched scores of simultaneous raids on Thursday, detaining over a hundred suspected members of the militant Islamic State group who were allegedly planning attacks against Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, authorities said.
Chinese Cargo Ship Packed Full Of Modular Missile Launchers Emerges
China has packed a deck of a medium-sized cargo ship with 60 containerized vertical launch cells, radar, and close-in weapons.
DC pipe bomb suspect Brian Cole Jr.’s possible motive revealed: ‘Something just snapped’
DC pipe-bomb suspect Brian Cole Jr. told authorities he wanted to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen and target the country’s political parties for being “in charge” after his arrest earlier this month, prosecutors said Sunday.
No, Vladimir Putin Does Not Want to See Ukraine ‘Succeed’
On the menu today: President Trump, hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, assures the world that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin “wants to see Ukraine succeed.” This is like saying that Trump wanted to help Kamala Harris succeed in the last presidential election, or that the Death Star wanted to help Alderaan succeed, or that the New England Patriots wanted to see the New York Jets succeed yesterday. Also, an appreciation of former Senator Ben Sasse, while he’s still with us.
‘An Unbearable Cost’
The state trooper who was killed: Werner Foerster.
What Is Somaliland, and Do We Have to Care About It?
Israel’s recognition of the breakaway state could upend a sclerotic status quo in the region.
See How a Chinese Attack on Taiwan Would Be Japan’s Problem
In a conflict, Taipei’s fate would become quickly intertwined with the U.S.-Japan security alliance
China’s Largest Live-Fire Naval Exercise Simulates a Blockade of Taiwan
On the menu today: This is the last Morning Jolt until next year — Friday, January 2, to be specific. The Chinese Navy is currently running its largest live-fire exercise ever, surrounding the island nation of Taiwan and simulating a blockade. President Trump assures us that nothing worries him and that he has “a great relationship with President Xi.” Meanwhile, our support for the Japanese government standing up against Chinese aggression is intermittent at best, and announcements of arms sales to Taiwan are not the same as actual delivery of weapons to Taiwan. Read on.
National
Elise Stefanik, Over and Out
The Republican exodus on Capitol Hill continues, as New York GOP Representative Elise Stefanik ends her bid for governor. A whole lot of Republicans who spent 2024 telling us they couldn’t wait to represent us are suddenly announcing their intention to be somewhere besides Capitol Hill in 2027. Meanwhile, President Trump declares who he wants to be the GOP nominee for governor of Minnesota in 2026, ensuring that Democratic incumbent Tim Walz can sleep easily in the coming year. Finally, all the reasons we are extremely unlikely to invade Venezuela.
My Resignation From The Heritage Foundation
I sent this letter this evening to Dr. Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation.
Top Heritage Officials Flee to Mike Pence’s Nonprofit as Think Tank Fractures
Conservative movement continues to splinter about how to deal with its most controversial voices
Heritage Foundation Undergoes Mass Staff Exodus as Cracks Open on the New Right
The divisions are no longer just between pro-Trump and anti-Trump conservatives.
Resignations Continue at Heritage Foundation amid Frustrations with Leadership
Staffers in the Heritage FouStaffers in the Heritage Foundation’s economic, legal, and data centers resigned over the weekend to join a conservative advocacy group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, National Review has learned, adding to the list of employees who have departed in recent weeks over disagreements with the conservative think tank’s leadership.
The Latest “Stolen Election” Story
I am beyond tired of people spreading stolen election mythologies and I know many of you are convinced 2020 was stolen. I am not here to disabuse you of the notion, but I do have to set the record straight on the latest claim.
Former GOP Senator Ben Sasse Announces Advanced Cancer Diagnosis
Former Republican Senator Ben Sasse announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, calling the diagnosis “a death sentence.”
State Dept. Bars Five Europeans for ‘Extraterritorial Censorship of Americans’
“These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states—in each case targeting American speakers and American companies.”
UC Irvine purges webpage with racial quota, but archive shows the published goal
Following the filing of a civil rights complaint against the University of California, Irvine, a problematic webpage has been removed.
New York Public School Introduces BIPOC Affinity Group for Parents
The effort of a public school in New York to build an antibias, anti-racist community includes implementing what appears to be a BIPOC-exclusive affinity group, according to a school-wide email provided to National Review by advocacy group Defending Education.
House Republicans Aren’t Having Any Fun
They’re blaming their leader, House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Md. woman facing deportation is a citizen, lawyer says. ICE disagrees.
A 22-year-old woman was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers this month and is facing deportation despite her lawyer’s insistence that she is a U.S. citizen born in Maryland. ICE says the woman is in the country illegally and is not a citizen.
The great unchurching of America
The U.S. is undergoing its fastest religious shift in modern history, marked by a rapid increase in the religiously unaffiliated and numerous church closures nationwide.
New airport ‘DNA’ law now in effect at US airports – see how it could impact your holiday travel
The new rule comes one day before one of the busiest travel days of the year
FBI director hints at bureau’s quiet expansion of global biometrics reach
Top law enforcement agency is scaling a long-running biometric screening architecture that operates far beyond U.S. borders out of public sight
They Wanted a Conservative State. They Might Get a Democratic Representative Instead.
The passage of Proposition 50, which redrew California’s congressional map, means that all of the state’s conservative north is likely to be represented by Democrats.
Estonia’s Man on Capitol Hill Is on a Charm Offensive
The Baltic nation’s congressional liaison is using candy, an American flag outfit and “Die Hard” jokes to make friends in Congress as the Trump administration turns against Europe.
‘South Park’ writer Toby Morton owns Trump–Kennedy Center websites
A “South Park” writer anticipated President Donald Trump would rename the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts after himself, so he bought domain names connected to the Trump-Kennedy Center.
Tiny Pacific nation to take up to 75 deportees as Trump administration accelerates mass removals
Palau will accept up to 75 deportees in exchange for $7.5M as nation of 18,000 cites labor shortages
Judges who ruled against Trump say harassment and threats have changed their lives
More than 100 pizzas were delivered to the homes of judges and their families this year, some with signs of foreign involvement. Judges say the message is clear: We know where you live.
Trump-Kennedy Center filing $1M lawsuit against musician who pulled out of Christmas Eve concert over name change
The jazz musician who abruptly backed out of hosting a Christmas Eve concert at the Trump-Kennedy Center will face a $1 million lawsuit for the “political stunt,” the head of the performing arts venue revealed Friday.
Democrats spy rare opening in rural America
President Donald Trump’s unpopular tariff and health care decisions have created an opportunity for the Democratic Party to court a GOP-loyal bloc.
Republican behind Epstein files act responds to Trump ‘lowlife’ taunt
Kentucky’s Thomas Massie used the president’s insult to raise funds to run against a Trump-endorsed candidate
How Hungry Fat Cells Could Someday Starve Cancer to Death
Scientists transformed energy-storing white fat cells into calorie-burning ‘beige’ fat. Once implanted, they outcompeted tumors for resources, beating back five different types of cancer in lab experiments.
“We have to reject that with every fiber of our being”: DeSantis emerges as a chief AI skeptic
His opposition to AI has little to do with cultural grievances or “woke” ideology — and far more to do with economic disruption, labor displacement and the scale of the technology itself.
‘I Like How Racist Everyone Is’: Streamers Flock to the New York Young Republican Gala
Behind the velvet rope of the VIP section at Cipriani on Saturday night, as members of Congress and European dignitaries sipped champagne and nibbled on pigs-in-a-blanket, some of America’s most prominent internet bigots stood beside them, live-streaming about their affection for blackface and disdain for non-white people.
The Palisades Fire Scandal Is Still Smoldering
It was a little odd when Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass abruptly fired L.A. Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley on February 21. The mayor had praised Crowley’s conduct during the wildly destructive Palisades Fire that began on January 7 of this year and eventually consumed over 23,000 acres, taking more than 6,800 structures and twelve lives with it. Bass had even approved a merit-based pay hike for her city’s fire chief just weeks before Crowley got the boot.
Economy & Taxes
The US economy expanded at the fastest pace in two years as wealthier Americans kept spending
An initial reading of third-quarter gross domestic product showed the US economy expanded at an inflation-adjusted annualized rate of 4.3%, a far faster pace than the 3.8% recorded in the second quarter, according to Commerce Department data released Tuesday. That’s the fastest growth rate in two years.
Consumer Confidence Falls as Jobs, Economic Worries Persist
The Conference Board says its consumer confidence index inched down to 89.1 from 92.9 in November
The Quiet Way the Fed Is Creating a Coin Shortage
The end of the penny was a long time coming. Yet, the Federal Reserve is causing unnecessary harm by refusing to distribute existing pennies—135 out of 192 coin distribution centers have halted penny distribution. In doing so, the Federal Reserve is forcing many Americans to relive the COVID-19 Coin Shortage. Making matters worse, the Treasury has yet to offer any formal guidance for businesses as they see less and less of the penny.
Bankruptcies soar as companies grapple with inflation, tariffs
Corporate bankruptcies surged in 2025, rivaling levels not seen since the immediate aftermath of the Great Recession, as import-dependent businesses absorbed the highest tariffs in decades.
Three in four Americans say groceries are so expensive they’ve been forced to cut down on other spending
Echoing its data throughout the year, Toast found that menu prices continued to climb in November, often exceeding the current inflation rate of 2.7%.
U.S. Alcohol Industry Faces Crisis: 7 Distilleries File for Bankruptcy Amid Historic Drop in Consumption
Beyond domestic consumption issues, American distillers are facing challenges abroad.
Elon Musk’s DOGE tally: The federal workforce is down while government spending is up
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — formerly run by Elon Musk — ends 2025 with strikingly divergent results around its two primary goals.
America’s Housing Crunch Has the Wrong Villain
Here’s an economic myth that should be left behind in 2025 as we move into the new year. From Washington to state capitals across America—and across social media—large institutional investors are accused of hoarding homes, crowding out first-time buyers, and inflating prices. The political logic of this blame game is clear: No one ever cries for the bankers.
International
The War on Christmas (Eating, Drinking, Fun)
In a report for CapX that has so far survived the U.K.’s energetic censors, Reem Ibrahim details some of the ways in which Britain’s overmighty state — empowered by the Tories, Labour, and rent seekers from the public health “community”— are making Christmas treats more expensive or, quite literally, harder to find.
Israel Becomes First Country to Recognize Somaliland; Move Seen as ‘Game Changer’ in Countering Houthi Terror Threat
Somaliland “crucial in tackling the Houthi threat in the Red Sea and Strait of Aden where Iranian-sponsored Houthi terrorists have been attacking shipping.”
Opinion
Vanz kant danz
“Vanz Kant Danz” was the workaround title to the song John Fogerty wrote condemning Fantasy Records owner Saul Zaentz. It was originally “Zanz Kant Danz.” Forgerty was protesting Zaentz’s ownership of the publishing rights to the Creedence Clearwater Revival catalog. Fogerty altered the title and lyrics of the song to avoid a defamation lawsuit by Zaentz.
JD Vance Picks a Side
Vance will pretend as though he is disinterestedly arbitrating a political dispute on the right, but he’s not.
There Are No ‘Heritage Americans’
It’s a notion of national identity at odds with our history and traditions.
Rediscovering Order in an Age of Populism
An existential identity crisis now grips the American right. A political movement once united by a commitment to limited government, moral order, and a robust defense of American ideals now appears fractured, its purpose clouded by populist grievances and ideological drift. The urgency of this moment demands a return to first principles, along with a reexamination of what conservatism means and what it seeks to achieve in an age marked by cultural upheaval and political polarization.
Vance Wants Open Borders in the MAGA Coalition
The vice president says all are welcome on the right, including figures who promote conspiracy theories.
Sorry, Santa Claus, you belong on Trump’s trade naughty list
St. Nick dumps low-priced foreign goods in American living rooms. Why is this allowed to persist?
The Heritage Foundation Blows Up
Its conservative scholars jump to Mike Pence’s policy shop after being stifled at the think tank.
Mike Pence, (Heritage) Foundation President
Shortly after he left office in 2021, I gave a TV interview and was asked about Vice President Pence’s future. I said I suspected he’d wind up leading the Heritage Foundation or some other institution committed to keeping the principles and values of conservatism alive in the wilderness.
How strife and realignment on the right will set the tone for 2026
From conservative personalities taking stunning swipes at each other at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest conference to a mass exodus from the Heritage Foundation, the ideological civil war over the future of the post-Trump right has shifted into a new stage that will set the tone for 2026.
Without free markets, American conservatism comes apart
Battles among think tanks on the right demonstrate the vitality of free markets as a U.S. value.
A conference of clowns
Turning Point USA’s year-end event was like WrestleMania with podcasters.
The shadow presidency
There are two foreign policies being run out of the White House
Democrats’ hopes lie in a House win. But how much would it slow Trump?
Denying the president legislation isn’t likely to thwart him because that’s not how he does things.
Heritage Doesn’t Make Somebody an American
American identity is based on belief in a broad creed, not on ethnicity, religion, or ancestry. That point should be uncontroversial. Yet a small, ultra-online nationalist subculture now disputes it. The dispute publicly surfaced recently after Vivek Ramaswamy’s New York Times op-ed and his speech at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest conference, which basically made that point.
The Heritage Foundation Implodes
In an email to staff after the mass departure of Heritage Foundation policy analysts over the weekend, the think tank’s president, Kevin Roberts, touted what he calls “Heritage 2.0.”
What’s happening at Heritage?
The institution can return to its roots or watch its credibility crumble
How the Heritage Foundation Lost Its Way
A think tank should love ideas, not power.
What Is the American Heritage?
The static American bloodline that nationalists wish to defend against immigration has always been a fiction.
Crazy like a psychopath
Is Candace Owens crazy like a fox or crazy like a psychopath? She appears to have developed a huge online audience for several varieties of insanity on her pocast. That’s quite an accomplishment. However, she will beat a retreat when called on one or another variety of her insane bull. That would suggest she is crazy like a fox. On the other hand, she obviously has no capacity for shame or embarrasment. Her evident lack of a social conscience makes me lean toward crazy like a psychopath.
And Tucker too
Is Tucker Carlson crazy like a fox or crazy like a psychopath? Following his descent into the gutter of anti-Semitic claptrap, I have long gone with crazy like a fox. I think his shtick is entirely calculated. He’s appealing to a particular audience.
The Collapse of Heritage Was Inevitable When Kevin Roberts Refused to Resign
I don’t think Kevin Roberts is an antisemite; at least I have no evidence that he is. But he made a grave mistake by producing and publishing a “town hall” video declaring that he would stick by Tucker Carlson after his flattering podcast with Nick Fuentes. Tucker basically gave Fuentes, who calls Hitler “cool” and celebrates Josef Stalin’s birthday, a stamp of approval.
Multiculturalism and Free Speech
A “community” that needs censorship to keep it going is not, in any positive sense of the word, a community.
Ben Sasse is exiting the stage far too soon
The former Republican senator from Nebraska announced last week he has Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Reforms We’re Cheering For in 2026
Here’s how higher ed can keep changing for the better.
FDR and California’s ‘Wealth Tax’
If Thiel were to move to, say, Texas or Florida, it is highly unlikely that it would make him miss California’s taxes.
The Red Dream That Won’t Stay Buried
Lessons from the Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror.
