Read Time: 5 min 59 sec | Listen to Podcast

ICE is spreading into Louisiana and Minnesota.

Hundreds of federal border agents arrived in New Orleans Wednesday, targeting “criminal illegal aliens” arrested for serious crimes then released from the sanctuary city’s jail. 

Next, ICE will reportedly head to the Twin Cities to target Somali immigrants in the U.S. illegally. President Trump ended “temporary protected status” for immigrants from the East African nation (and 18 other third-world countries) last week after the shooting of two National Guard service members; #47 said “their country stinks and we don’t want them” here. Governor Tim Walz (D) criticized Trump for “demonizing an entire community” that contributes to Minnesota. 

Critics say ICE’s expanding operations scare residents, violate civil rights, and chill tourism. DHS and its supporters say Democrat-run sanctuary cities have “ignored the rule of law” and are endangering Americans. 

__

ABOVE ALL, LOVE
While you probably play a small role in affecting U.S. immigration policy, you play a significant role in Christ's mission to demonstrate His love to the world. As you seek justice, remember compassion, knowing what it’s like to live as a sojourner in a land that’s not your home.

“Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.” 
1 Peter 2:11-12 (CSB) (read full passage)

Small businesses had big job losses last month.

Payroll processor ADP reported that the U.S. lost 32K jobs in November; medium and large companies added workers at a steady clip, but not enough to offset the 120K losses from the little guys, who are struggling with higher costs from tariffs and cautious consumers. A separate report showed that announced layoffs have climbed to their highest levels since 2020—adding to concerns about a cooling labor market.

Reactions have been mixed. Some economists are worried these mom-and-pop shops are the “canaries in the coal mine” and predict rising unemployment. Others say the data suggests a slowdown in hiring but not a sharp drop off.

ADP’s report is getting extra attention because shutdown-related delays mean official government data™ hasn’t been released since September.

__

BE DOERS
Economic headlines may look like numbers on a spreadsheet, but real people feel the weight of job loss and economic strain. Do you know someone who’s recently lost a job or whose business is struggling? Consider encouraging them with a simple text, meal, or act of generosity.

“If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him ​— ​how does God’s love reside in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.” 
1 John 3:17-18 (CSB) (read full passage)

The sun may be hibernating, and your sweaters have probably replaced your tank tops, but your hydration needs don’t take a snow day. 

That’s where LMNT comes in. Whether you’re shoveling the driveway, winning snowball fights, or spending hours next to a toasty oven, LMNT’s got everything you need to replenish the electrolytes you’re still sweating away. No sugar, no junk––just a science-backed blend of sodium, potassium, and magnesium to help you feel clear-headed, energized, and actually hydrated. 

Stick with the classics (Raspberry Salt, anybody?), or warm up with a mug of Chocolate Salt—you’ve earned it!

TPO readers get a free 8-count Sample Pack with any order. Stay warm and salty (in the best way). 

Curious how we choose sponsors?  Learn more  |  Advertise with us

Spotify users got their Christmas bonus from the music streaming service: Spotify Wrapped 2025. 

Every December, Spotify shows its users their listening habits—total minutes streamed, top songs and artists, thank-you videos from top-streamed artists, and now their listening age—with highly Instagrammable infographics. It’s a merit badge for both music super-fans and parents of toddlers who love “Baby Shark.” (Want to only see your music preferences next year? Here’s how to exclude the car-ride jams.)

Taylor Swift was again the most-streamed artist in the U.S., but Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny dethroned her from the global top spot. Meanwhile, podcast charts featured The Joe Rogan Experience in spot #1 for the sixth year in a row (surely 2026 is the year for The Pour Over’s podcast). 

__

Verse to consider whether you’re jamming to your top songs from 2025, putting on your favorite Christmas playlist, or just trying to get the Bluey theme song out of your head… “But be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” 
Ephesians 5:18-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

Pete Hegseth is playing defense. A recent third-party investigation into March’s Signalgate incident (see our writeup) found that the DOW secretary could have endangered troops’ lives if the info he shared via group chat had been intercepted. Hegseth says the info he shared wasn’t sensitive, and that he acted within his rights as deputy Commander-in-Chief. 

Wednesday, President Trump pardoned a Democratic lawmaker accused of bribery. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and his wife had been indicted (but not yet tried) in a bribery case alleging that they accepted ~$600K to lobby for legislation benefitting Azerbaijan. President Trump accused the Biden admin of targeting Cuellar for “bravely” opposing “open borders.” Cuellar immediately promised to seek reelection.

The House airdropped new Epstein photos and videos to the public this week. The images from Epstein’s infamous Caribbean island compound show a “no trespassing” sign, a dentist’s chair, and a blackboard with words like “deception” and “power” scribbled on it. House Dems called the visuals ”disturbing” and said they “won’t stop fighting” to “end this cover-up and deliver justice for survivors.”

The FBI arrested a suspect in its 5-year investigation into undetonated pipe bombs planted outside the DNC and RNC on Jan. 5, 2021. A 30-year-old Virginia man was taken into custody after years of stalled leads that fueled frustration and fervent speculation among lawmakers about a cover-up. Investigators say a clear motive is still unknown.

The FDA issued a recall for over 1.5 million bags of shredded cheese after metal fragments were accidentally bagged with mozzarella. The company, which supplies store brands at Walmart, Target, and Aldi, says all affected products have been pulled and replaced. So, grate news! Check the back of your fridge, but what’s on shelves now should be gouda to go!

We're still confused by this one...

How We’re Saving Money
Upside*

I just saved $0.25 off every gallon when I filled up my gas tank, and all I did was download an app!

Upside earns money by recommending gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores, including the gas station I already frequent near my house. So now, every time I need to fill up, I just redeem the offer, pay as usual, and earn cash back. They’ve made it remarkably easy… maybe even easier than remembering which side of the car my gas cap is on. 

Download the free Upside App and use promo code POUROVER to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas.

Steph Juliot | Writer

What We’re Praying For
30 nations over 30 days*

A guard threw a Bible out the window of a moving train in communist Eastern Europe… and no one could have guessed how God would transform this act of hostility into a miracle of multiplication. 

For over 60 years, Eastern European Mission has been delivering free Bibles—in 30+ languages across 35+ nations in Europe and Asia—so stories like this can keep happening. 

Be a part of the story by praying. Enter your email to get a free 30-day devotional resource to guide you in prayer for 30 hard-to-reach places across Europe, Asia, and beyond.