On December 25th, the United States accused Iran of being "deeply involved" in a drone attack on an Iraqi military base that left three U.S. service members wounded. In response, President Joe Biden ordered retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed militia groups and the U.S. has long accused Iran of supporting militant groups in the Middle East. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the President was briefed and held a call with his national security team before ordering the strikes.
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Ukrainians celebrated Christmas on December 25th for the first time this year, after the government changed the date from January 7th. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a Christmas message praising Ukraine’s “capabilities in negotiations with partners” and referring to the country’s claim to have destroyed three Russian fighter planes on Friday. Ukrainians celebrated with church services, prayer, and a Christmas dinner, and are hopeful that the new year will bring further progress in the fight for freedom.
Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition politician, has been located in a prison colony in the Yamalo-Nenetsk region, about 1,200 miles northeast of Moscow, after contact with him was lost for three weeks. His allies and supporters have expressed relief at the news of his whereabouts and are calling for his immediate release, citing his unjust imprisonment and the lack of due process in his case.
Former President Donald Trump is facing a federal election interference case and has demanded that the D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals toss the case, arguing that presidential immunity protects him from prosecution. His lawyers have argued that no President, current or former, can be criminally prosecuted for official acts without first being impeached and convicted by the Senate. They also argued that Trump was acting within his role as President when he pressed claims about the 2020 election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and the court will decide whether he can successfully argue his immunity.
Wisconsin's Supreme Court has ruled that the state's GOP-drawn legislative maps are unconstitutional and ordered the legislature to draw new maps for the 2024 general election. The court ruled 4-3 in favor of Democrats who argued that the legislative maps are unconstitutional, and if the current gerrymandered legislature can’t agree on a plan with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, the court said it’s prepared to create its own. This ruling could have a significant impact on the 2024 election, as it could shift the balance of power in the state legislature.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) is facing a significant financial deficit heading into the 2024 presidential election year, with only $7.6 million available, barely a tenth of the $21.3 million it had four years ago. This has caused anxiety among party leaders, and is compounded by former President Donald Trump's refusal to take part in any GOP debates so far. Trump has implied he may not debate any Republican challengers, but has said he looks forward to debating President Biden if both men are their party's nominees.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled in a 4-3 decision along ideological lines that the state's heavily gerrymandered legislative maps are unconstitutional and must be redrawn ahead of the 2024 elections. This is the first major case to be heard and decided by the court's new liberal majority, and could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has declined to take up a case regarding former President Donald Trump's immunity from prosecution for alleged crimes committed while in office. This decision allows the appeals process to play out first, and the question of Trump's immunity will be decided by the appeals court. The Supreme Court's decision is the latest development in the ongoing legal battle over Trump's alleged crimes, and it remains to be seen how the appeals court will rule.