December 1

Trump administration fires eight immigration judges at New York's 26 Federal Plaza

The Trump administration fired eight immigration judges based at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City, including Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Amiena A. Khan. The fired judges were part of a broader national purge of immigration court personnel. The New York court employs just over 30 judges; the firings cut roughly a quarter of the docket. Critics called it a "Monday Afternoon Massacre." The dismissals followed earlier waves of firings and came amid an administration push to accelerate deportation proceedings.

Afghan asylum holders fear targeting after National Guard shooting triggers nationwide case review

The Trump administration halted all asylum decisions and suspended Afghan immigration processing after Rahmanullah Lakanwal — a 29-year-old Afghan national who worked with the CIA and was granted asylum under Trump — allegedly shot and killed one National Guard member and wounded another near the White House on Thanksgiving Eve. The administration ordered a review of green card cases from 19 countries and indefinitely suspended Afghan immigration requests, affecting tens of thousands of legal Afghan residents awaiting status.

Federal Reserve cuts interest rates in December, establishing easing bias

The Federal Open Market Committee cut the federal funds rate in December 2025 and included language signaling that the next policy move would likely be toward lower rates. This December decision established an "easing bias" that guided Fed policy into 2026, signaling the Committee's expectation that additional rate cuts might follow as economic conditions evolved. (Investment Executive, Apr. 29, 2026)

California voters approve Democratic-drawn map targeting 5 Republican House districts

California voters approved a ballot measure on November 4, 2025 (65%-35%) allowing the Democratic-controlled legislature to bypass the independent redistricting commission and enact a partisan congressional map. The new lines could allow Democrats to flip up to five seats by making it harder for Reps. Doug LaMalfa, Darrell Issa, Ken Calvert, Kevin Kiley, and David Valadao to win re-election. The move was a direct Democratic response to the Texas GOP redistricting that Trump had championed.

Operation Relentless Justice rescues 205 children and arrests 293 offenders

The FBI completed Operation Relentless Justice in December 2025, its largest child exploitation enforcement action to that point, rescuing 205 children and arresting 293 child sex abuse offenders across all 56 field offices. The operation followed Operation Enduring Justice in August 2025, which had rescued 133 children and arrested 234 offenders. The series of named monthly operations demonstrated a sustained enforcement escalation strategy that would culminate in Operation Iron Pursuit in May 2026.

Stephen Miller follows up with state lawmakers in December regarding immigration benefit bills

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller conducts follow-up meetings with Republican state legislators from Oklahoma, Tennessee, and other states in Dec. 2025 to advance immigration benefit-verification legislation modeled on federal enforcement priorities. The meetings serve to coordinate state-level efforts with Trump administration immigration policies. (NPR, Apr. 23, 2026)

Trump pardons former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez on a drug-trafficking conviction

Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez on December 1, 2025, releasing him from a 45-year sentence for using his presidency to facilitate over 400 tons of cocaine into the United States while accepting millions in bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel and El Chapo's organization. Hernandez was the first sitting head of state extradited to the United States for drug trafficking. Trump announced the pardon days before Honduras's national election to benefit Hernandez's political ally, and Honduras's attorney general subsequently sought Hernandez's domestic arrest.

Third Circuit rules Alina Habba unlawfully serves as acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled on December 1, 2025 that Alina Habba — Trump's former personal attorney — was unlawfully serving as acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. A three-judge panel led by Judge D. Michael Fisher held her appointment violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and separation of powers. The ruling was the first appellate decision holding that Trump could not bypass statutory processes to install loyalists in U.S. attorney roles. Habba resigned by December 8, 2025 following the ruling.

Noem recommends expanding travel ban to 30 to 32 countries after National Guard shooting

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recommended expanding the travel ban from 19 to 30–32 countries days after an Afghan national allegedly shot and killed one National Guard member and wounded another near the White House on Thanksgiving Eve 2025. The recommendation came before the December 16 proclamation that ultimately expanded the ban to 39 countries — exceeding Noem's initial proposal. The shooting by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a CIA-era Afghan ally granted asylum under Trump, triggered the policy push.

North Carolina, Missouri, and Florida file new congressional maps as Virginia and Maryland eye redistricting

By December 2025, North Carolina enacted a new GOP-favored congressional map (October), Missouri signed its map into law (September 28), and Florida announced a special redistricting session. Virginia's General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment enabling redistricting, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore formed a redistricting advisory commission. All five states responded to a Republican-led national strategy to redraw House maps ahead of 2026 midterms.

+2 others

USCIS Freezes All Immigration Cases From 19 Countries, Leaving 1.4 Million Asylum Seekers in Limbo

USCIS halted processing of all immigration applications from 19 countries on December 1, 2025, citing security-vetting review requirements. The freeze affected approximately 1.4 million pending cases, including asylum claims, green card applications, and family reunification petitions. No timeline for resumption was given. Immigration attorneys said applicants faced indefinite status uncertainty with no legal recourse.

+1 others

Fired federal workers file a class action over Miller's anti-DEI purge

On December 3, 2025, four former federal employees filed the first major class action lawsuit in D.C. federal court challenging Trump's anti-DEI executive orders. Plaintiffs Stephanie Fell, Stephanie Gilliard, L.L. Smith, and Mahri Stainnak — represented by the ACLU — alleged they were fired despite no longer working in DEI roles, targeting employees for perceived political affiliation and violating Title VII and the First Amendment. Stephen Miller's Office of Personnel Management directed agencies to eliminate all DEI positions. The suit estimated thousands of federal workers were affected.