📢 Power to the People News — December 20, 2025 | Updates and Actions You Can Take Today
Stay informed with Power to the People News — December 20, 2025. Get the latest updates & actions you can take today to defend democracy & demand accountability. Power belongs to us—not billionaires.
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Power to the People News
🎓 Trump’s Education Dept. Just Axed Biden’s Student Loan Plan
The Education Department under Donald Trump has terminated a Biden-era student loan repayment and forgiveness initiative. Millions of borrowers who expected relief now face renewed uncertainty and higher financial burdens. It should be noted that “One in six adults in the country has federal student loan debt.” Advocates say the move disproportionately harms working-class borrowers and people of color. The decision intensifies political battles over the future of student debt relief. — Mother Jones
📉 Trump’s Global Tariffs Curtailed Trade, Data Shows
Recent data shows that President Trump’s expansive tariff policies have materially reduced U.S. trade flows, with imports dropping significantly in key months after steep duties were implemented. ”President Trump’s sweeping tariffs took a toll on trade in August, as imports of goods and services dropped 5.1 percent.” Commerce Department figures indicate that tariffs imposed on goods from dozens of countries led to a marked decline in imports in August, as international partners adjusted to higher costs. Critics argue that the tariffs have disrupted supply chains and slowed the movement of goods, while supporters maintain they protect domestic industries. The evolving trade picture reflects broader economic shifts tied to protectionist measures and ongoing legal and political debates about tariff authority. — The New York Times
🇺🇸 US House backs massive defense policy bill, Senate next
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a sweeping defense authorization bill that would allocate roughly $901 billion toward military spending, including a pay raise for service members and overhaul of Pentagon weapons procurement. The measure, passed with bipartisan support, also includes provisions boosting support for allies and enhancing oversight of controversial military actions. “The $901 billion in defense spending is $8 billion more than President Donald Trump’s request earlier this year.” — Reuters
🏛️ Trump’s Gilded White House Makeover Is All About Power
The Trump administration has demolished the East Wing of the White House to pave the way for an expansive new ballroom and related monument projects, triggering criticism from preservationists and historians. The initiative reflects a broader shift toward reshaping federal historic spaces in ways that some see as politically symbolic rather than functionally or historically grounded. Critics argue that bypassing standard federal review processes undermines preservation laws and excludes public input on nationally significant architecture. “The aesthetic is a way to make the political physically present,” Thompson says. “It’s a way to make it seem like things are changing and like Trump is keeping his promises when he’s actually not.” The project has ignited legal challenges and debates over executive authority and stewardship of historic government property. — Mother Jones
🇺🇸 Trump administration freezes federal funding for South Texas migrant shelter
Federal authorities have halted six years of federal funding to Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, which runs a migrant shelter in McAllen that aids undocumented immigrants released from custody. The shelter’s executive director, Sister Norma Pimentel, a prominent migrant advocate, said the organization remains committed to its humanitarian mission and is working to address issues to restore eligibility. The move highlights intensified federal scrutiny of migrant assistance programs and weaponization of congressionally approved programs for partisan purposes. — The Texas Tribune
🚓 San Diego City Council passes FLOCK surveillance ordinance
The San Diego City Council narrowly approved a controversial ordinance to continue using Flock’s automated license plate reader surveillance system after hours of debate and public comment. Supporters argued that the technology assists police with investigations, while critics raised concerns about privacy, data security, and potential misuse by law enforcement. The 5-to-3 vote reflects sharp divisions in the community over balancing public safety and civil liberties as surveillance tools become more widespread. — FOX 5 San Diego
🪧 Protesters call for feds to stop arresting immigrants at green card appointments
Around 40 demonstrators gathered in Salt Lake City outside a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office to protest the federal arrest of immigrants during routine green card interviews. Participants chanted that seeking safety should not be treated as a crime and held signs opposing deportations that they say separate families and push people into the shadows. Support from honking drivers and waves from inside the building underscored community solidarity against the recent enforcement actions. — Utah News Dispatch
🔎 Mass Deportations Will Rely on Authoritarian Surveillance
An analysis by the Project on Government Oversight argues that expanded surveillance infrastructure is being leveraged to support aggressive immigration enforcement and mass deportations. It details how data sharing, location tracking, and removal operations have been repurposed from broader national security uses toward identifying and targeting immigrants. The piece warns that the erosion of privacy protections and civil liberties enables deeply invasive monitoring far beyond traditional policing. The author suggests these trends signal a broader shift toward authoritarian practices under the auspices of immigration enforcement. — Project On Government Oversight
📹 Secretary Noem and FBI and Counterterrorism Officials Testify on Threats
The video footage from the House Homeland Security Committee hearing shows Secretary Kristi Noem responding to intense questioning from lawmakers about immigration enforcement, including difficult exchanges over deportation cases. The recording captures moments in which Noem is challenged about specific policies and individual cases brought up by representatives. Lawmakers pressed her on whether DHS has deported U.S. veterans and other long-time residents, creating visibly tense interactions. The testimony provides visual documentation of the hearings and the pushback from members of Congress. — C-SPAN
💥 Calls to Action:
Click here to Demand Congress Reject “Trump-Kennedy Center” Rename
Click here to Ban Members of Congress from Trading Stock While in Office
Click here to Tell Your Governor: Reject the Federal School Voucher Program
Click here to Tell Congress: An Oath to the Constitution Requires Saying No to Illegal Orders
Click here to Tell Apple & Google CEOs: End your contracts with ICE NOW.
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