In Case You Missed It … This Week in News

A lot happened in the world this week – Make sure you didn’t miss it with Liberty Nation GenZ’s weekly news roundup!

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Trump Directs Hegseth to Use ‘Available Funds’ to Pay Troops

President Donald Trump directed War Secretary Pete Hegseth to use all of the Pentagon’s “available funds” to pay military workers during the US government shutdown, now in its 12th day. Republican lawmakers have attempted to blame their opponents for the potential pay lapse, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stating that the GOP-backed continuing resolution “is the bill to pay our troops.”

Court Partially Restores Trump Control of National Guard in Chicago

A federal appeals court partially restored President Trump’s control of the National Guard in Chicago and across Illinois. The US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit authorized the White House’s request for an administrative stay but turned down a request to deploy the National Guard. US District Judge April Perry, a Biden appointee, had blocked the administration from using the National Guard on October 9 and granted state and local officials’ request for a temporary restraining order.

Zelensky Reiterates Hope for Peace Deal After Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on October 11 that he is hopeful President Trump will broker a peace agreement following this week’s ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. “If a war can be stopped in one region, then surely other wars can be stopped as well – including the Russian war,” Zelensky said on X. “I informed President Trump about Russia’s attacks on our energy system – and I appreciate his willingness to support us. We discussed opportunities to bolster our air defense, as well as concrete agreements that we are working on to ensure this. There are good options and solid ideas on how to truly strengthen us.”

Joe Biden Is Receiving Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Former President Joe Biden is currently receiving radiation therapy as he battles a form of prostate cancer, a spokesperson told The Hill and NBC News. The treatment is expected to span five weeks. “As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment,” the spokesperson said.

‘Annie Hall’ Star Diane Keaton Dead at 79

Hollywood icon Diane Keaton is dead at the age of 79. She passed away on Oct. 11 in her California home, her family confirmed. The Academy Award-winning actress, whose career spanned five decades, starred in such films as Annie Hall, The Godfather, The First Wives Club, and Manhattan Murder Mystery.

Monday, October 13, 2025

Vance Warns of ‘Deeper’ Federal Job Cuts as Shutdown Goes On

Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said more federal jobs will be slashed as the US government shutdown continues, but a leading Democrat senator says Republicans are ensuring the stalemate goes on.

Trump Confident Gaza Ceasefire Will Be Permanent

President Donald Trump told reporters Sunday while flying to the Middle East that he believes the ceasefire he helped negotiate between Israel and Hamas will last.

Trump: May Speak With Putin About Sending Tomahawks to Ukraine

President Donald Trump on Sunday said that he discussed sending long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but may have to take up the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin first.

Kamala Blasts Trump’s ‘Frontal Attack on the Rule of Law’

Former vice president and failed 2024 Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Sunday lashed out at President Donald Trump for what she termed as attempts to unlawfully prosecute political enemies, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Trump in Israel Declares ‘End of an Age of Terror’

An ebullient President Donald Trump on Monday hailed the official signing of a Gaza peace deal, telling the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem that “the long and painful nightmare is finally over.”

Mike Johnson Warns of ‘One of Longest Shutdowns in American History’

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) on Monday marked Day 13 of the US government shutdown by warning that the stalemate may go on for much longer unless Democrats agree to compromise.

Noem: Coast Guard Members Will Be Paid During Shutdown

As the Wednesday deadline to pay US military members approaches, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday stated that a path has been discovered to ensure US Coast Guard personnel continue to receive their paychecks despite the federal government shutdown.

NY AG Letitia James on Indictment: ‘I Will Not Bow’

Criminally indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday made her first public appearance since being charged with fraud over a residential mortgage, denouncing those who she says “weaponize justice for political gain.”

China Rounds Up Dozens of Pastors in Underground Church Crackdown

Is a new wave of religious repression hitting Asian communist superpower China? “Police in China detained dozens of pastors of one of its largest underground churches over the weekend, a church spokesperson and relatives said, in the biggest crackdown on Christians since 2018,” Reuters reports.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Netanyahu: Hamas Must Disarm to Ensure Peace

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday stressed that a key part of US President Donald Trump’s negotiated peace deal ending the Gaza War entails the complete disarmament of Hamas.

Trump Announces New Strike on Drug Boat Out of Venezuela

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that the US military has destroyed another boat suspected of smuggling drugs off the coast of Venezuela, killing six crew members on board.

Trump Awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Donald Trump on Tuesday posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, on what would have been the slain conservative activist’s 32nd birthday.

LA County Declares Local State of Emergency Over ICE Raids

Los Angeles County on Tuesday publicly declared a local state of emergency in response to ongoing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests of illegal aliens in the area. The move allows the county to offer financial aid, including rent relief, to residents impacted by the raids.

Cory Booker Won’t Rule Out 2028 White House Run

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) on Tuesday discussed his political future, saying he is concentrating on seeking re-election in 2026 but will not rule out a run for president in 2028. Booker ran a failed campaign for the Democrat White House nomination in 2020.

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Trump Authorizes CIA Action Inside Venezuela

President Donald Trump on Wednesday acknowledged that he has authorized covert CIA action inside Venezuela. He has accused the nation of fostering hostile actions against the US, including drug smuggling.

Judge Blocks White House From Firing Federal Workers During Shutdown

US District Judge Susan Yvonne Illston of the Northern District of California blocked the White House on Wednesday from firing federal workers during the government shutdown, ruling that the Trump administration isn’t following legal requirements and that officials are exceeding their authority.

Democrats Want Fired Workers Re-Hired

Democrats hinted on Wednesday that, as part of any deal to reopen the shuttered US government, they will seek a commitment from the White House to rehire the federal workers fired over the past month.

Bank of America Sued Over Alleged Jeffrey Epstein Ties

Bank of America was sued Wednesday on behalf of a Jane Doe over alleged activities that the plaintiffs claim aided and abetted late pedophile and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.