Mini‑Report — Dec. 4, 2025: Caribbean Strike Briefing, CDC Turmoil, FDA Appointment, Ukraine Diplomacy, Legal Battles, and Trump’s Posting Spree

07:03 AM, 12/05/2025

This quick roundup highlights key developments: congressional leaders were briefed on a Caribbean "double‑tap" strike linked to Adm. Frank Bradley; the CDC’s reconstituted vaccine advisory panel delayed a hepatitis B vote amid misinformation; the FDA named Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg to head its drug division; and Vladimir Putin rejected parts of a U.S. Ukraine proposal. Legal disputes intensified as The New York Times sued the Pentagon and Jan. 6 civil litigation continued, while Democrats urged the removal of a GSA appointee and former President Trump posted more than 150 late‑night messages.

Thursday Mini‑Report — Dec. 4, 2025

Today's rapid roundup covers developments in national security briefings, public‑health oversight, federal appointments, international diplomacy and high‑profile legal battles — plus a late‑night social media barrage by a former president.

Members Of Congress Briefed On Caribbean "Double‑Tap" Strike: Top congressional leaders received a Thursday briefing from Adm. Frank Bradley, whom the White House and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have identified as responsible for the so‑called "double‑tap" strike. Initial reactions on Capitol Hill split sharply along party lines.

Another Chaotic CDC Meeting: In a Thursday session marked by widespread misinformation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory panel — whose previous members were dismissed in June by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and replaced with a group that has expressed skepticism about vaccines — again delayed a scheduled vote on hepatitis B vaccine recommendations.

New FDA Drug Chief Draws Attention: The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that it selected Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg, a sports medicine physician and epidemiologist who has served as a senior adviser, to lead the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. The center oversees prescription medicines, over‑the‑counter products and generics.

Putin Says Parts Of U.S. Peace Plan Are Unacceptable: Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on Thursday that some elements of a U.S. proposal to end the war in Ukraine are unacceptable to the Kremlin, indicating that negotiations remain distant.

New York Times Sues Pentagon: The New York Times filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging that a fresh set of Pentagon reporting restrictions infringes on journalists’ constitutional rights, setting up a legal clash over press freedoms and national security reporting.

Jan. 6 Civil Case Still Active: Although less prominent in daily headlines, civil litigation tied to Jan. 6 remains unresolved. President Donald Trump has asserted executive privilege to block certain evidence from being disclosed in a long‑running suit that alleges he encouraged violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Senate Democrats Seek GSA Appointee’s Removal: Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee sent a Tuesday letter to the White House requesting the "immediate removal" of Paul Ingrassia, President Trump’s appointee at the General Services Administration.

Trump’s Late‑Night Posting Spree: On Monday night, President Donald Trump posted or shared more than 150 items on Truth Social between 9 p.m. and midnight. While many were routine political messages, several posts promoted unfounded conspiracy claims to his more than 11 million followers.

See you tomorrow.