Federal judge rebukes Whitmer, Nessel’s bid to close Line 5

Pipeline safety and closure decisions rest with U.S. Congress, not Michigan, ruling says

December 22, 2025

A federal judge says that Michigan can’t shutter the Line 5 pipeline, possibly ending a five-year feud between Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who teamed with Attorney General Dana Nessel to shut down the pipeline.

In 2020, Whitmer and Nessel threatened to shut down the 645-mile pipeline that stretches from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Canada, and has carried 540,000 gallons of hydrocarbons daily underneath the Straits of Mackinac since 1953.

Whitmer and Nessel say that the pipeline is at risk for spilling oil, and have moved to revoke a 1953 easement.

https://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/news/federal-judge-rebukes-whitmer-nessels-bid-to-close-line-5

Democratic-led states sue to block US consumer watchdog's defunding under Trump

December 22, 2025 9:26 PM UTC

Summary

Democratic states argue defunding CFPB violates Constitution

CFPB has returned over $21 billion to consumers since 2011

Trump administration claims Fed's losses prevent CFPB funding

Dec 22 (Reuters) - A coalition of Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to prevent President Donald Trump's administration from defunding the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by refusing to request money from the Federal Reserve.

Democratic attorneys general from 21 states and the District of Columbia filed the lawsuit

, opens new tab in federal court in Oregon, arguing that the administration's decision not to seek additional funding for the U.S. consumer watchdog is unlawful and undermines Congress' authority under the U.S. Constitution.

https://www.reuters.com/world/democratic-led-states-sue-block-us-consumer-watchdogs-defunding-under-trump-2025-12-22/

https://archive.is/lGaIQ

>>24016635

9:53 PM EDT

State Attorneys General Announce Lawsuit Against Trump Administration

Democratic State Attorneys General from California, Oregon, New Jersey, and Colorado announce a new legal action against the Trump administration.

https://www.c-span.org/event/news-conference/state-attorneys-general-announce-lawsuit-against-trump-administration/439107

NEW

>>24016653

Judge orders HUD to halt changes to secure housing grant program

December 22, 2025

A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must maintain a program to provide secure housing, temporarily preventing thousands of vulnerable Marylanders from losing their homes.

“This ruling keeps roofs over the heads of more than 4,000 Marylanders who were at risk of going homeless under the administration’s inhumane policy,” Attorney General Anthony Brown, a Democrat, said of Monday’s ruling in a statement. “This is an important first step in this case, and we’ll keep fighting until these unlawful changes are permanently blocked.”

https://thedailyrecord.com/2025/12/22/hudcontinuum-of-care-grant-program-order/

>>24016666

2:19 PM EST

Kilmar Abrego-Garcia & Advocates Speak to Reporters in Maryland

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was joined by advocates outside of a Maryland courtroom where he faced an immigration judge for a hearing on whether he should return to federal custody. Mr. Abrego Garcia's lawyer, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, as well as incoming Executive Director of CASA George Escobar, spoke to reporters about the case and their critiques of the federal government's ongoing attempts at detaining Mr. Abrego Garcia.

https://www.c-span.org/program/news-conference/kilmar-abrego-garcia-advocates-speak-to-reporters-in-maryland/670853

Mark Carney

@MarkJCarney

I’m pleased to announce that Mark Wiseman will become Canada’s next Ambassador to the United States. Mark has a deep understanding of both countries’ economies, financial markets, and institutions. As a core member of our negotiating team, I know he will advance the interests of Canadian workers, businesses, and institutions while building opportunities for both Canada and the United States.

https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2025/12/22/prime-minister-announces-next-ambassador-canada-united-states

1:05 PM · Dec 22, 2025

https://x.com/MarkJCarney/status/2003164994918068508

Hegseth Makes Christmas Morale Calls to Service Members Across the Globe

Dec. 22, 2025

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made a series of Christmas morale calls from the Pentagon to service members in units representing several military branches, Dec. 19.

https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4366534/hegseth-makes-christmas-morale-calls-to-service-members-across-the-globe/