Donald Trump and his White House have blasted “Fake News” journalists and negative polls as the president tries to quell Americans’ concerns about affordability.
“Affordability, just 13 months ago, was a DISASTER for the American People, but now, it’s totally different!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday, adding, “When will Polls reflect the Greatness of America at this point in time, and how bad it was just one year ago?”
A new AP-NORC poll found that Trump’s approval rating on the economy has declined substantially since March. Now, 31 percent of Americans approve of how the president is handling the economy, while 67 percent disapprove.
The White House has also continued its scrutiny of the media with an AI-generated video of Santa Claus looking at a “Naughty List” of journalists from MS NOW, CNN, CBS News, Axios, The Bulwark and even the conservative publication the New York Post.
“The Fake News just earned a spot on the naughty list. No gifts. Just receipts,” the video was captioned.
Trump went to Pennsylvania earlier in the week to convince voters that his economic agenda was working. During the rally, he said, the word affordability is a “hoax” perpetuated by Democrats.
Key Points
- Venezuelan vessel was seized for carrying black market oil: White House says
- Donald Trump announces US military has seized Venezuelan supertanker
- Democrats utilize hearings to highlight instances of improper deportation or detention
- 'Beginning of a war:' Senators express concern over dramatic escalation
- Tanker taken for sanctions violations and role in ‘illicit oil shipping network,’ Bondi says
Trump welcomes Democrats at the Congressional Ball
01:21 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump welcomed Democrats at the Congressional Ball in the White House Grand Foyer Thursday night.
“What a nice group of Democrats,” Trump said. “We have a lot of Democrats, and we welcome you honestly.”
“I think we're going to start working together in health care,” the president said after the Senate failed to advance a Republican bill and a Democrat bill to lower healthcare costs that are expected to skyrocket next year.
Trump then joked, “I see some very friendly faces. I see some faces that are friendly, but they could be friendlier.”
Trump says he's pardoning official convicted of tampering with voting machines
01:15 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump said Thursday evening he is pardoning a Colorado county clerk convicted of tampering with voting machines after the 2020 presidential election.
“Democrats have been relentless in their targeting of TINA PETERS, a Patriot who simply wanted to make sure that our Elections were Fair and Honest,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Tina is sitting in a Colorado prison for the ‘crime’ of demanding Honest Elections. Today I am granting Tina a full Pardon for her attempts to expose Voter Fraud in the Rigged 2020 Presidential Election!”
Peters was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison and six months in county jail in 2024.
She was convicted on state charges, and presidential pardons are only for federal crimes, so, according to the Constitution, Trump cannot grant such a pardon.
Watch: Chuck Schumer rails against Republicans after Democrat healthcare bill fails to advance
00:50 , Rachel Dobkin and John BowdenThe Senate failed to advance two bills to address the imminent spiking of healthcare costs for millions of Americans.
Republicans once again decided to favor special interests and turn their back on the American people. pic.twitter.com/PAD3TQN9OL
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 11, 2025
The two proposals included a Republican plan that would have morphed expiring federal subsidies that currently address those annual premium costs into payments to health savings accounts (HSAs) for Americans seeking to buy insurance, as well as a Democratic plan that would have extended those subsidies for two years.
Democrat group responds to Indiana redistricting failure
00:30 , Rachel DobkinThe Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which helps elect Democrats to statehouses, has issued a fiery response to the Indiana state Senate's rejection of new congressional maps.
Trump pushed for the redistricting effort, which would have favored Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections.
“Trump and Republicans’ gerrymandering schemes have backfired as their latest gambit in Indiana failed,” Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said in a statement.
Williams continued: “Indiana Democrats stood firm in their fight against this GOP power grab designed to silence voters. But redistricting battles are far from over, and state Democrats must continue to fight extreme Republicans across the country who are rushing to rig maps to keep themselves in power.
“The DLCC is leading the national strategy to win battleground chambers and put the party on offense around redistricting now and in 2030. We won’t allow Republicans to go unchallenged – not in Indiana, not anywhere.”
Trump has added a ‘militarized zone’ to the southern border wall in California
00:10 , Rachel DobkinDonald Trump’s administration has added a so-called militarized zone to the southern border wall in California as the president continues his crackdown on immigration.
The Department of the Interior announced Wednesday that it will transfer jurisdiction of about 760 acres of land in San Diego and Imperial Counties to the Navy for three years.
“By working with the Navy to close long-standing security gaps, we are strengthening national defense, protecting our public lands from unlawful use, and advancing the President’s agenda to put the safety and security of the American people first,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.
The Interior Department says the region — which stretches from the western boundary of the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area to about one mile west of the California–Arizona state line — is a hot spot for illegal border crossings.
Read on...
Trump has added a ‘militarized zone’ to the southern border wall in California
Trump says he 'wasn't very much involved' in failed Indiana redistricting effort hours after he threatened Republicans who didn’t support it
00:06 , Rachel DobkinAfter the Indiana state Senate rejected new congressional maps that would have favored Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday evening, “I wasn't very much involved.”
Reporter: The senate in Indiana voted against the redistricting effort.
— Acyn (@Acyn) December 11, 2025
Trump: I wasn't working on it very hard. I wasn't very much involved pic.twitter.com/omJ6lg6Gw7
But just hours earlier, Trump threatened Republicans who didn’t support the redistricting effort.
“Anybody that votes against Redistricting, and the SUCCESS of the Republican Party in D.C., will be, I am sure, met with a MAGA Primary in the Spring,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday night. “If Republicans will not do what is necessary to save our Country, they will eventually lose everything to the Democrats.”
Trump said Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray “and his friends won’t be in Politics for long, and I will do everything within my power to make sure that they will not hurt the Republican Party, and our Country, again.”
Bray was one of the 21 Republicans to join 10 Democrats in voting against the new maps.
In a statement following the vote, which was shared by CNN, Bray said: “Indiana Senate Republicans want to see a Republican majority in congress at the midterms. The issue before us today was how to get there, and many of my caucus members don’t think redrawing our Congressional map mid-cycle is a guaranteed way for Indiana – or our country – to achieve that outcome.”
Trump signs order to 'protect' AI innovation after railing against report about China leading in electricity
23:40 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday night to “protect” AI innovation, as the White House puts it, after railing against a report about China leading the world in electricity.
The Wall Street Journal published an article Wednesday titled, ‘China’s AI Power Play: Cheap Electricity From World’s Biggest Grid,’ which reported that Beijing now has the biggest power grid in the world.
Earlier Thursday, Trump called the report “ridiculous” in a Truth Social post.
“They’re WRONG, as usual! Every AI plant being built in the United States is building its own Electric Generating Facilities,” Trump said. “In other words, AI has far more Electricity than they will ever need because, they are building the facilities that produce it, themselves. We are leading the World in AI, BY FAR, because of a gentleman named DONALD J. TRUMP!”
Watch: Trump signs executive order to 'protect American AI innovation'
23:20 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald J. Trump signs an Executive Order to protect American AI innovation from an inconsistent and costly compliance regime resulting from varying state laws.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 11, 2025
"We have to be unified. China is unified..." pic.twitter.com/II9gz5yDx7
Conservative activist group claimed Trump would pull federal funding if Indiana redistricting effort failed. A White House official said that's not the case.
23:10 , Rachel DobkinConservative activist group Heritage Action said earlier Thursday, “President Trump has made it clear to Indiana leaders: if the Indiana Senate fails to pass the map, all federal funding will be stripped from the state.
“Roads will not be paved. Guard bases will close. Major projects will stop. These are the stakes and every NO vote will be to blame.”
Jasmine Wright, White House correspondent for NOTUS, said when she asked a senior White House official about Heritage Action’s claim, they said, “Never heard POTUS say that or direct it."
I asked a senior White House official whether Trump has formally said he would withhold funds from Indiana if they didn't vote to redistrict.
— Jasmine Wright (@JasJWright) December 11, 2025
"Not that I've seen or heard of," the official said in a text. "Never heard POTUS say that or direct it."@NOTUSreports https://t.co/Lfm6BvcMl0
The Indiana state Senate ended up rejecting the new congressional maps that Trump pushed for.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from ICE custody after judge’s orders as he fights criminal charges
22:50 , Alex WoodwardKilmar Abrego Garcia has been released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after a federal judge granted his release.
Thursday’s ruling from Maryland District Judge Paula Xinis ordered his release “immediately” as the Salvadoran immigrant continues to fight criminal charges brought by Donald Trump’s administration.
Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to a brutal prison in his home country in March, igniting a high-profile legal battle for his return at the center of the Trump administration’s anti-immigration agenda.
Government lawyers admitted he was removed due to a procedural error, and several federal judges and a unanimous Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” his return after his “illegal” arrest.
Judge grants Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from ICE as he fights criminal charges
Watch: White House asks about bandages on Trump's hand
22:30 , Rachel DobkinQ: Can you explain what's going on with the bandages on Trump's hand?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 11, 2025
LEAVITT: We've given you an explanation. The president is literally constantly shaking hands. pic.twitter.com/np2SYrUgsD
White House quietly moves to get Senate confirmation for Lindsey Halligan
22:15 , Alex WoodwardAfter a judge disqualified her from office and tossed out two of her politically charged cases against Donald Trump’s longtime foes, Lindsey Halligan is making another push to serve as a top federal prosecutor in Virginia, with support from the White House.
Halligan has submitted a questionnaire to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will consider her nomination for U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia before a full Senate vote.
Read more from Alex Woodward:
White House quietly moves to get Senate confirmation for Lindsey Halligan
Senate fails to advance bills to avert massive Obamacare premiums hike for millions of Americans
22:00 , John BowdenSenators on Capitol Hill failed to advance two pieces of legislation on Thursday that would have addressed the imminent spiking of healthcare costs for millions of Americans.
The two proposals included a Republican plan that would have morphed expiring federal subsidies that currently address those annual premium costs into payments to health savings accounts (HSAs) for Americans seeking to buy insurance, as well as a Democratic plan that would have extended those subsidies for two years.
Senate fails to advance bills to avert massive Obamacare premiums hike
Indiana's redistricting effort fails
21:52 , Ariana BaioIndiana Republicans chose to vote against a Trump-backed measure to redistrict the state to help Republicans pick up more seats in the midterms.
The vote failed 19-31, despite pressure from the president to vote in favor of it.
ICE has hours until it needs to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia
21:45 , Alex WoodwardICE has until 5 p.m. to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia from its custody. The White House has said the administration intends to appeal the order.
DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent that the judge’s ruling for his release is “naked judicial activism.”
“This order lacks any valid legal basis and we will continue to fight this tooth and nail in the courts,” she said. It does not appear that any appeal has been filed.
Trump to sign executive orders and congressional bills
21:20 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump will sign congressional bills and executive orders at 4:45 p.m. ET, according to the White House schedule.
It is unclear at this time what the signings will be for.
White House caught flat-footed when asked how billionaire Trump can tell average Americans to limit kids’ Christmas gifts
21:00 , Andrew FeinbergWith an estimated net worth of between five and seven billion dollars and a penchant for coating every surface in the White House with what he claims to be 18-karat gold leaf paint, President Donald Trump isn’t exactly an expert on cost-cutting.
But after the uber-wealthy ex-real estate developer claimed that record-high toy prices caused by his tariffs are just fine because young girls “don’t need 37 dolls” and can make do with “two or three” instead, his top spokesperson was left scrambling when asked to defend the eyebrow-raising remarks.
Read more here:
WH confronted over Trump’s suggestion to limit kids’ Christmas gifts
Watch: Barack Obama receives haircut from old barber during Chicago trip
20:45 , Holly BishopGrand jury declines to indict Letitia James for second time: report
20:32 , Ariana BaioFor the second time, a grand jury in Virginia has refused to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud, according to reports.
Justice Department officials presented their case to another grand jury after the first refused to indict James earlier this month.
James was indicted on mortgage fraud charges in October after former acting US Attorney Lindsey Halligan was put in charge of the Eastern District of Virginia.
However, a judge dismissed the case against James in November after finding Halligan to be acting unlawfully in her position.
Trump nominates ousted Lindsey Halligan for US Attorney
20:05 , Alex WoodwardDespite a federal judge disqualifying her and tossing out two politically charged cases against Trump’s longtime foes, the White House is still backing Lindsey Halligan for a top prosecutor role in Virginia.
She filled out a questionnaire for the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.
“She’s the President’s nominee. It is our hope that she is confirmed and submitting her questionnaire is part of that process,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to The Independent.
US government sanctions Maduro's nephews
19:34 , Ariana BaioThe U.S. government is sanctioning three nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the Treasury said.
The sanctions will extend to Panamanian businessman Ramon Carretero Napolitano and six companies that ship oil from Venezuela.
Nicolas Maduro and his criminal associates in Venezuela are flooding the United States with drugs that are poisoning the American people. These sanctions undo the Biden Administration’s failed attempt to make a deal with Maduro, enabling his dictatorial and brutal control at the… https://t.co/8wc9KjEfw7
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) December 11, 2025
Masked agents didn’t have ‘any evidence’ to snatch a Tufts scholar off the street. ICE is still trying to deport her
19:15 , Alex WoodwardFederal agents had no basis to grab a Tufts University scholar off the street and send her to an immigration detention center in Louisiana more than 1,000 from her home in Massachusetts.
But more than seven months after a federal judge granted her release, Donald Trump’s administration is still trying to deport Turkish academic Rumeysa Ozturk, whose arrest by masked officers has been a defining image of the president’s campaign against international students for their Palestinian activism.
Read more:
ICE is still trying to deport Tufts scholar without ‘any evidence’ after March arrest
Leavitt brushes over concerns about Trump’s wealth amid affordability concerns
18:55 , Ariana BaioLeavitt brushed aside any concerns that Trump telling families to spend less this holiday season could be interpreted badly, claiming the public already knows about his wealth.
The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg asked: “Is it a good look for him to be telling parents, ‘oh you should buy two or three dolls for your kids’ when he’s one of the wealthiest people in the country.
Leavitt responded, “Do you think the people in that room in Pennsylvania whom the president was speaking to don’t know the president’s a billionaire?”
“I think that’s a very well-established fact and actually, I think it’s one of the many reasons they re-elected him back to this office. Because he is a businessman who understands the economy and knows how to fix it.”
Trump administration intends to 'seize' oil
18:46 , Ariana BaioThe U.S. “does intend to seize the oil” that was seized on a tanker off the coast of Venezuela through a “legal process”
The oil, Leavitt said is “black market oil.”
Trump 'sick' of Russia-Ukraine meetings, Leavitt says
18:42 , Ariana BaioAsked about the ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Leavitt said ongoing talks have been “extremely” frustrating.
“The President is extremely frustrated with both sides of this war, and he is sick of meetings just for the sake of meeting,” Leavitt said.
“He doesn't want any more talk. He wants action. He wants this war to come to an end, and the administration has spent more than 30 hours this just in the past couple of weeks, meeting with the Russians and the Ukrainians and the Europeans and speaking with them as well. So we'll see about the meetings this weekend, and stay tuned.”
Leavitt says the Venezuelan vessel was seized for carrying black market oil
18:31 , Ariana BaioAsked about the Venezuelan crude oil vessel seized Wednesday, Leavitt said the Department of Justice “requested and was approved” to conduct a warrant because it was carrying black mark sanctioned oil.
“It's a sanctioned shadow vessel known for carrying black market sanctioned oil to the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], which you know is a sanctioned entity,” Leavitt said.
“So the President is committed to stopping the illegal flow of drugs into our country. He's also fully committed to effectuating this administration's sanction policy. And that's what you saw and the world saw take place yesterday.”
Leavitt begins press briefing, hitting at Democrats' affordability messaging
18:22 , Ariana BaioWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted President Donald Trump’s accomplishments by touting that gas prices and inflation are down, while claiming Democrats did not have any policies to make America more affordable.
“Democrats don’t have a single clue about how to make America more affordable,” Leavitt said.
The administration has been trying to revoke affordability messaging from Democrats, who won big with it in November.
Senate votes against Democrats’ healthcare extension bill
18:09 , Ariana BaioThe Senate voted against the Democrats’ bill that aimed to extend healthcare tax credits for three years, to prevent millions of Americans’ premiums from rising next year.
Without intervention, it’s likely those using the Affordable Care Act will see healthcare costs rise in 2026.
The issue was central to the historic government shutdown in October.
Watch Live: White House briefing with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt
18:02 , Independent VideoSenate rejects Republican health care bill
17:55 , Ariana BaioSenators voted against a Republican bill that would have replaced expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies with a new health savings account.
The bill was an alternative to the Democrats pitch to extend ACA tax credits which are set to expire at the end of the year
Judge grants Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from ICE custody as he fights criminal charges
17:49 , Alex WoodwardA federal judge has granted Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody as the Salvadoran immigrant continues to fight criminal charges brought by Donald Trump’s administration.
Thursday’s ruling from Maryland District Judge Paula Xinis grants his release “immediately.”
Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to a brutal prison in his home country in March, igniting a high-profile legal battle for his return at the center of the Trump administration’s anti-immigration agenda.
Read more here:
Judge grants Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from ICE as he fights criminal charges
Noem leaves congressional hearing and faces angry protesters
17:35 , Ariana BaioNoem had to leave the congressional hearing early to attend a meeting for the Federal Emergency Management Administration.
As she left, a group of angry anti-ICE protesters could be heard shouting at her in the hallway.
Watch: FBI's Michael Glasheen Struggles To Provide Details On Group He Calls 'Primary Domestic Security Concern'
17:30 , Independent VideoNoem say seized oil tanker was part of US efforts to stop drug trafficking
17:25 , Ariana BaioWhen asked about the seized Venezuelan oil tanker during the congressional hearing, the secretary said it was part of a larger operation to put pressure on Venezuela.
“It was a successful operation directed by the president to ensure that we’re pushing back on a regime that has systematically covering and flooding our country with deadly drugs and killing our next generation of Americans,” Noem said.
Noem said the Coast Guard, under the Trump administration, has intercepted enough cocaine that could kill 177 million Americans.
Noem faces questions about DHS ignoring deportation flight orders
17:00 , Alex Woodward, Ariana BaioThroughout the hearing, multiple representatives have asked Noem about DHS ignoring a court order to stop deportation flights to El Salvador.
Noem has defended DHS’s actions, saying the U.S. Supreme Court has sided with them.
Noem’s decision to ignore court orders about those El Salvador flights will be the subject of upcoming testimony as a judge considers whether to hold Trump administration officials in contempt.
Next week, Judge James Boasberg will hear testimony from Erez Reuveni — the now-former DOJ lawyer who blew the whistle on the administration’s resistance to the court orders — and Drew Ensign, the chief DOJ attorney representing high-profile immigration cases.
After the judge said he was hauling him to court, Ensign submitted a sworn statement outlining what happened.
Democrats utilize hearings to highlight instances of wrongful deportation
16:47 , Ariana BaioAt various points during Noem’s hearing, Democrats have utilized their time to highlight the deportations or detentions of people they believe were wrongfully targeted by immigration law enforcement.
Rep. Seth Magaziner told Noem the department had deported a combat veteran who lives with PTSD to Korea earlier this year. Magaziner brought in an iPad with the veteran on Zoom and asked Noem to review his case, believing he should not have been deported.
Magaziner also highlighted a case about a woman from Ireland, married to a veteran, who was detained for having a record of writing two bad checks amounting to $80 decades ago. Noem said she would also review her case.
Noem indicates immigrants let in during Biden admin are most significant concern
16:26 , Ariana BaioWhen asked what the Department of Homeland Security’s “most significant concern” for the U.S. is, Noem responded, immigrants who entered the country under the Biden administration.
“What keeps me up at night is that we don't necessarily know all of the people that are in this country, who they are and what their intentions are."
Venezuela thanks Russia for support after US seizes oil tanker
15:50 , Ariana BaioVenezuela officials praised the Russian government Thursday after Russia issued a statement in solidarity with Venezuela because the U.S. seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.
“On behalf of President Nicolas Madura, we express our gratitude and support for the statement issued by the Russian government, through Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, who expressed concern regarding the neocolonial intentions of the North American imperialism manifested through a new national security strategy," Venezuela’s top diplomat wrote.
Thune says Trump’s request to get rid of ‘blue slips’ likely won’t happen
15:25 , Ariana BaioSenator John Thune, the Senate Majority Leader, said Thursday morning it was unlikely that Trump’s request for him to get rid of “blue slips” would happen – reminding the president that the practice had been in place for years.
On Truth Social Thursday, Trump asked Thune to “get something done, ideally the termination of Blue Slips.”
The president is referring to the long-standing practice of allowing the senators from a state to approve or disapprove the nomination of a US Attorney
"This is a procedure that has been in place for a long time that both Democrats and Republicans support because it gives them some input, in particular, those judges the judicial appointments that are made in their individual states,” Thune explained.
“I don't think it's going to change it's been in place for a long time."
Durbin says Trump is preparing for 'invasion of Venezuela'
15:03 , Ariana BaioSenator Dick Durbin, the Senate Minority Whip, accused Trump of preparing to invade Venezuela and said he needed Congress’s permission to do so.
Appearing on CNN Thursday morning, after the administration announced it seized a crude oil tank off the coast of Venezuela, Durbin said Americans were likely not in favor of an alleged invasion.
“The Constitution makes it clear that any president, before he engages in an act of war, has to have the authorization of the American people through Congress,” Durbin said.
“This president is preparing for an invasion of Venezuela. Simply said. And if the American people are in favor of that, I'd be surprised."
ICE partnered with FBI and DOJ in seizing crude oil tanker
14:35 , Ariana BaioImmigration and Customs Enforcement said they partnered with the U.S. Central Command, FBI, the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice in seizing the crude oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.
ICE HSI was proud to partner with the USCG, FBI, DOW and the DOJ in the seizure of this crude oil tanker.
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) December 11, 2025
Under the leadership of President @realDonaldTrump and @Sec_Noem, America is respected once again. https://t.co/xSvKkTuCYx
Watch: Trump admin releases video of US seizure of Venezuelan oil tanker amid buildup of forces in region
14:13 , Independent VideoKristi Noem to testify before Congress about immigration
13:45 , Ariana BaioSecretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem will testify before the House Homeland Security Committee Thursday for a hearing about the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement agenda.
The hearing comes as the administration reshapes the path to citizenship for foreigners from various countries, restricts entry from specific countries, deploys federal agents to cities with a large presence of immigrants, but allows wealthy foreigners entry to the U.S.
Maduro dances to ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’
13:26 , Joe SommerladWithout addressing the ongoing tensions with the U.S., Venezuela’s president took part in a street party in Caracas yesterday at which he danced to Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 reggae-pop hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” sending an apparent message of reassurance to his public.
Explainer: Will the US go to war with Venezuela?
12:45 , Joe SommerladJames C Reynolds and Maira Butt have this look at how we got here and what might happen next.
Will the US go to war with Venezuela? Trump ramps up attacks with seizure of ship
Jon Stewart draws parallels between Iraq War and MAGA’s Venezuela pitch
12:11 , Joe SommerladIf you missed The Daily Show on Monday evening, here is its host explaining how the language used by George W Bush-era hawks in the early 2000s maps neatly onto the rhetoric currently being expressed by the Trump administration and many in conservative media to justify action against Maduro.
Democrat senators fail in attempt to block unauthorized war with Venezuela
12:05 , Joe SommerladSen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon took to the floor of the Senate yesterday to try to pass a bill preventing the administration from launching into a conflict without congressional approval, to no avail.
BREAKING: @SenJeffMerkley just took to the Senate floor to try to pass a bill prohibiting Trump from taking unauthorized military action in Venezuela.
— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) December 11, 2025
Senate Republicans blocked it. pic.twitter.com/DWxhda9Kp2
This is what his Maryland counterpart Sen. Chris Van Hollen had to say during the same session:
As Trump continues to manufacture a cover story for armed conflict with Venezuela, I'm calling on Congress to block him from using taxpayer dollars to launch a regime change war. Tune in: https://t.co/zlFewzXVeL
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) December 10, 2025
Chuck Schumer won’t say he opposes regime change in Venezuela
12:00 , Joe SommerladSpeaking to Jake Tapper on CNN yesterday, the Senate minority leader declined the opportunity to say he objected to U.S. military intervention in Venezuela to topple Nicolas Maduro, preferring to portray the president as too chaotic to be taken seriously.
Vessel was falsely flying Guyana’s flag, maritime authority says
11:25 , Joe SommerladGuyana’s maritime authority has said the supertanker was falsely flying its country’s flag.
“The Maritime Administration Department has observed the proliferation and unacceptable trend of the unauthorised use of the Guyana flag by vessels that are not registered in Guyana,” it said in a statement.
The authority, which was informed by the U.S. government of the Skipper’s seizure, has said it plans to take action against the unauthorized use of the flag.
Oil futures rise in response to heightened Venezuela tensions
11:12 , Joe SommerladNews of the seizure caused a spike in oil futures on Wednesday amid short-term supply concerns.
After trading in negative territory, Brent crude futures rose 27 cents, or 0.4 percent, to settle at $62.21 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 21 cents, also 0.4 percent, to close at $58.46 per barrel.
Venezuela exported more than 900,000 barrels per day last month, the third-highest monthly average so far this year, as PDVSA imported more naphtha to dilute its extra-heavy oil output.
Even as Washington has ramped up the pressure on Maduro, Trump’s administration has not previously moved to interfere with oil flows.
Venezuela has had to deeply discount its crude to its main buyer China, due to growing competition with sanctioned oil from Russia and Iran.
The American oil major Chevron, which partners with PDVSA, said its operations in the country are currently normal and continuing without disruption.
Chevron is responsible for all Venezuelan crude exports to the U.S. and last month increased those shipments to 150,000 bpd from 128,000 bpd in October.
Nicolas Maduro regime hits out at ‘international act of piracy’
11:05 , Joe SommerladVenezuela has accused the U.S. of engaging in an “international act of piracy” and “blatant theft” after the seizure of the very large crude carrier Skipper.
The country’s government issued a statement that read:
“Under these circumstances, the true reasons for the prolonged aggression against Venezuela have finally been revealed... It has always been about our natural resources, our oil, our energy, the resources that belong exclusively to the Venezuelan people.”
According to the BBC, the country’s interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, has called the Trump administration “murderers, thieves, pirates,” invoking the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise but saying that, unlike the series’ “hero” Jack Sparrow, “these guys are high seas criminals, buccaneers.”
Cabello added that actions of this sort were how the U.S. had “started wars all over the world.”
Iran’s embassy in Caracas also condemned the action as a “grave violation of international laws and norms” in a post on X.
The Skipper left is believed to have left Venezuela’s main oil port of Jose between December 4 and 5 after loading some 1.8 million barrels of Merey heavy crude.
It transferred about 200,000 barrels near Curacao to the Panama-flagged Neptune 6 bound for Cuba before the seizure, according to satellite information analyzed by TankerTrackers.com and internal data from Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, according to Reuters.
The vessel had also transported Venezuelan oil to Asia between 2021 and 2022, the PDVSA data showed.
Tanker taken for sanctions violations and role in ‘illicit oil shipping network,’ Bondi says
10:50 , Joe SommerladThis was how the attorney general announced the news yesterday:
Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple… pic.twitter.com/dNr0oAGl5x
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) December 10, 2025
“This administration’s efforts to crush foreign terrorist organizations and cut off their resources will continue day and night,” pledged FBI Director Kash Patel.
Today the @FBI and our partners executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela - used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. The tanker has been used in recent years in an illicit shipping network supporting foreign terrorist… pic.twitter.com/32w0tG93jy
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) December 10, 2025
“America rules the waves,” added Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
America rules the waves.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) December 11, 2025
Today @USCG in collaboration with @ICEgov,@FBI, @DeptofWar and @TheJusticeDept led a targeted operation to seize a crude oil tanker sanctioned by the U.S. government for transporting oil from Venezuela and Iran in support of foreign terrorist…
‘Beginning of a war:’ Senators express concern over dramatic escalation
10:14 , Joe SommerladThis is how lawmakers on Capitol Hill reacted to the news, with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul was expressing dismay and telling NewsNation the development “sounds a lot like the beginning of a war.”
He also declared that it was not “the job of the American government to go looking for monsters around the world, looking for adversaries and beginning wars.”
Paul has been sounding the alarm about precisely this coming to pass all week.
The last thing America needs to do is get involved in regime change in Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/tPmhJdt3rR
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 9, 2025
Another senator, who has expressed his concern is Delaware Democrat Chris Coons, featured among the politicians reacting here:
Here’s Graig Graziosi on his earlier warning that the Trump administration is “sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela” for its oil.
Democratic Senator fears Trump is ‘sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela’
Donald Trump announces U.S. military has seized Venezuela oil tanker
10:05 , Joe SommerladPresident Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the U.S. military has seized a Venezuelan oil tanker, a dramatic escalation of the existing tensions that began in September when his administration began blowing up alleged drug boats.
“We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela,” Trump told reporters during a business roundtable event at the White House.
“Largest one ever seized actually. And other things are happening.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel subsequently published footage of American forces landing on the deck of the vessel from a helicopter, with Bondi alleging that the ship had been involved “in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations.”
The U.S. has killed at least 87 people in missile strikes on alleged narco-boats in the Caribbean and Pacific over the last four months but has faced repeated criticism for failing to provide evidence to justify its lethal actions.
It has also moved military forces towards Central America, including the world’s largest aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R Ford, from which the chopper used in yesterday’s mission was reportedly launched, as part of a concerted pressure campaign against Venezuela and its leader Nicolas Maduro.
Brendan Rascius and Graig Graziosi have this full report.
US seizes Venezuelan oil tanker in latest ramp up against nation
Good morning
09:41 , Joe SommerladHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of President Donald Trump and his administration as the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker by the U.S. military marks a major escalation of the tensions between the two nations that have rumbled on since September.
