This quick briefing highlights several unfolding U.S. stories: a federal judge expressed doubt about the DOJ’s defense of Lindsey Halligan’s appointment in cases against James Comey and Letitia James; U.S. Catholic bishops issued a near‑unanimous rebuke of aggressive deportation policies. Military advisers presented Venezuela strike options to the White House while a carrier deploys to the region. SNAP benefits are being restored after a prolonged shutdown, Sen. John Fetterman was hospitalized after a fall tied to a cardiac episode, 17 transgender Air Force members sued over pension revocations, and reporting has questioned claims about Tren de Aragua in Chicago.
Maddow Blog — Thursday Mini‑Report: Key Developments, Nov. 13, 2025
This quick briefing highlights several unfolding U.S. stories: a federal judge expressed doubt about the DOJ’s defense of Lindsey Halligan’s appointment in cases against James Comey and Letitia James; U.S. Catholic bishops issued a near‑unanimous rebuke of aggressive deportation policies. Military advisers presented Venezuela strike options to the White House while a carrier deploys to the region. SNAP benefits are being restored after a prolonged shutdown, Sen. John Fetterman was hospitalized after a fall tied to a cardiac episode, 17 transgender Air Force members sued over pension revocations, and reporting has questioned claims about Tren de Aragua in Chicago.
06:28 AM, 11/14/2025Politics
Maddow Blog — Thursday Mini‑Report: Nov. 13, 2025
Today’s quick roundup of developments across law, faith, foreign policy and domestic affairs.
Judge skeptical of DOJ defense
A federal judge on Thursday expressed skepticism about the Justice Department’s argument that Lindsey Halligan was lawfully appointed as acting U.S. attorney. The hearing centered on whether cases Halligan brought against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James should be dismissed.
Faith leaders push back
America’s Roman Catholic bishops on Wednesday issued a near‑unanimous rebuke of the administration’s aggressive deportation policies, framing immigration as a moral crisis. The statement, approved at the bishops’ annual meeting in Baltimore, did not name President Trump but was widely read as a critique of current enforcement practices.
Venezuela options presented to White House
Senior military officials on Wednesday presented President Trump with updated options for potential operations in Venezuela — including possible strikes on land — according to multiple people familiar with the White House briefings. The plans have not been broadly confirmed and remain under close scrutiny.
Carrier deployment: In a related move, the U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier is expected to reach waters off Venezuela within days, a demonstration of American military presence in the region not seen in generations, according to officials.
SNAP benefits being restored
With the longest federal government shutdown now over, state agencies said Thursday they are working quickly to restore full SNAP food benefits to the millions who subsisted on little or no assistance during the interruption.
Sen. Fetterman hospitalized
Sen. John Fetterman (D‑Pa.) was hospitalized Thursday after a fall near his Pennsylvania home that caused minor facial injuries. His office said the episode included light‑headedness and involved a flare‑up of ventricular fibrillation, a cardiac condition, according to a statement posted on X.
Transgender veterans sue
Seventeen transgender members of the Air Force have filed suit against the U.S. government, alleging that the military unlawfully revoked their early‑retirement pensions and related benefits.
Chicago building claim questioned
The administration asserted that members of the Tren de Aragua cartel seized a building in Chicago. New reporting has raised doubts about that characterization, and the claim is now the subject of further investigation.
See you tomorrow.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com.