Democrats targeted by Trump over ‘illegal orders’ video say Hegseth boat strikes prove their point

Monday, December 8, 2025

Good evening and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent.

Donald Trump insists he did not say he would release footage of the double-tap boat strike, his former attorney Alina Habba is resigning from the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey, and a judge ordered the release of the mother of Karoline Leavitt's nephew from ICE custody

Top stories

1 | Trump rips into female reporter as 'most obnoxious' and insists he never said he'd release double-tap boat strike video

Read more

2 | Former Trump lawyer Alina Habba 'resigns' as acting US attorney for NJ after court gave her the boot

Read more

3 | Mom of Karoline Leavitt's nephew released from ICE detention

Read more

4 | Mother and six-year-old twins found dead in Arkansas mansion after her divorce finalized

Read more

5 | Florida man threatened to decapitate Ilhan Omar and 'eat' her kids after Charlie Kirk remark

Read more

The Big Question 

Rep. Jasmine Crockett shook up Texas politics when she filed to run for the Democratic nomination for one of the two Lone Star State seats in the U.S. Senate.

Almost immediately, everyone in Washington could hear Texas Republicans' boot-heels clicking.

Read more

Editors' picks

Don't forget to complete your registration

You haven't completed your registration with The Independent. It's free, quick, and helps support our journalism while tailoring your experience.

Register now to enjoy benefits including access to limited Premium articles, The Independent app, more than 20 newsletters and commenting on independent.co.uk.

Complete your registration today to unlock access.

WATCH 

Hegseth warned about Trump issuing illegal military orders as a Fox contributor in 2016

STAT OF THE DAY

7.5

More than 20 people were injured after powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan, triggering a tsunami in Pacific coastal communities.

Read more

"At The Independent, we've always believed journalism should do more than describe the world – it should try to improve it.

This Christmas, we're asking for your help again as we launch our new campaign with the charity Missing People – the SafeCall appeal.

Every year, more than 70,000 children in the UK are reported missing. The misery that follows – for the child, for the family, for the community – is often hidden. Too many of these young people have nowhere to turn when they need help most. SafeCall will change that. Our goal is to raise £165,000 to help Missing People launch this new, free service – designed with the input of young people themselves – offering round-the-clock support, advice and a route to safety."

QUOTE OF THE DAY

 'THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP'

Marjorie Taylor Greene's newsmaking interview on 60 Minutes prompted Donald Trump to lash out at CBS after David Ellison's Skydance takeover

Read more

Other stories you might like

Join the conversation and follow us

Download the free Independent app

Please do not reply directly to this email

You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Evening Headlines newsletter.

To unsubscribe from The Independent's Evening Headlines newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.

This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345

Read our privacy policy and cookie policy