Nobel Peace Prize: Awarded to María Corina Machado of Venezuela for promoting democracy and human rights.

Trump’s lobbying for the prize failed; his team accused the committee of “politics over peace.”

Putin criticized the Nobel Committee’s credibility; Trump thanked him publicly. Attacks on Journalists:

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order barring agents from attacking journalists.

Despite this, WGN-TV producer Debbie Brockman was violently arrested while filming Border Patrol agents; later released without charges.

Homeland Security falsely claimed she assaulted an officer — viewed as an intimidation tactic.

Opposition to National Guard Deployments: Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R) joined Illinois’s governor in condemning Trump’s use of federalized Guard troops in Chicago and Portland as unconstitutional.

ICE Oversight Blocked: Senators Durbin and Duckworth denied access to an ICE facility in Illinois for the fourth time, violating congressional oversight rights.

Durbin questioned what the administration is hiding from the public. Stephen Miller’s Role: Reuters reported Miller is orchestrating the crackdown on political opponents.

The administration is targeting funding for groups it labels “domestic terror networks” based on alleged anti-American or anti-Christian beliefs.

Rhetoric Against Opposition: House Speaker Mike Johnson and Whip Tom Emmer smeared Democrats and protestors at the upcoming “No Kings” rally as “anti-American” and “terrorists.”

Legal scholars noted the irony that defending constitutional separation of powers is being portrayed as unpatriotic.

Officials joke about ruling Congress with an “iron fist”; Steve Bannon compared Congress to Russia’s Duma.

House Shutdown & Governance Crisis: Johnson canceled another House session — fourth consecutive week — halting work on: The federal budget, Healthcare premium tax credit extensions, and The swearing-in of Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), whose vote could force release of Epstein investigation files.

Propaganda & Hatch Act Violations: GOP officials’ automatic emails falsely blame Democrats for the shutdown.

TSA lines now feature a video of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accusing Democrats — clear misuse of government resources for partisan messaging.

Commentators noted such propaganda is typical of authoritarian regimes.

Shutdown Escalation: Administration refuses to negotiate with Democrats.

New illegal firings target workers seen as supporting Democrats. Labor unions filed lawsuits after OMB head Russell Vought threatened mass cuts during the shutdown.

Trade and Market Chaos: Trump bypassed Congress to raise tariffs (a congressional power) and threatened 100% tariffs on Chinese goods starting Nov. 1. Triggered sharp stock market declines both during and after trading. Move followed China’s restriction of rare earth exports, worsening global economic tension.

ChatGPT provided this as bulletproof points summary of a write up by Professor of American History who has taken on a role as the preserver and journalist reporting on history being made.

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