30 DEC 25 SITREP

1. CIA Drone Strike Inside Venezuela

• President Donald Trump confirmed the CIA carried out a drone strike on a Venezuelan coastal port facility, marking what appears to be the first acknowledged U.S. land strike inside Venezuela.
• U.S. officials believe the strike hit a remote dock used by Tren de Aragua to store narcotics and stage maritime drug shipments, with no casualties reported.
• Trump said the operation destroyed boats and infrastructure tied to drug trafficking, describing a major explosion along the shoreline where drugs were loaded.
• The CIA declined to comment and Venezuela has not issued a public response, though Trump previously confirmed authorizing covert CIA operations inside the country.

2. Tyler Robinson Sealed Hearing Transcript Reveals Courtroom Shackling Dispute

• A transcript and audio from a sealed October hearing in the Tyler Robinson case were released with limited redactions by order of Judge Tony Graf, detailing arguments over whether Robinson should appear shackled while charged with assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
• Defense attorney Richard Novak argued Robinson should have at least one unshackled hand during the October 24 hearing to take notes, stating he saw no safety risk after spending hours with his client.
• Novak cited Deck v. Missouri, arguing routine shackling without an individualized security finding violates constitutional rights and undermines courtroom dignity and the presumption of innocence in public proceedings.
• Prosecutors pointed to Utah rules presuming restraints for in-custody defendants in non-jury hearings, referenced Deck dissents, and argued security decisions should defer to sheriffs and court security administrators.

3. Trans Covenant School Shooter Audrey Hale Used Student Loans to Buy Guns

• FBI records released Monday confirm transgender Covenant School shooter Audrey Hale used federal student aid funds, including a Pell Grant, to purchase firearms used in the March 27, 2023 mass shooting.
• Hale’s journals from late 2021 included detailed financial ledgers referencing FAFSA grants and multiple checks received while attending Nossi College of Art and Design in Nashville.
• The writings explicitly listed “Christian school (hate religion)” as the motive for targeting the Christian elementary school Hale previously attended.
• Hale killed six people during the attack before being fatally shot by responding police, with her mother previously confirming the weapons were purchased using grant money.

FINAL WORD

The developments reflect escalating legal, domestic security, and foreign policy flashpoints unfolding simultaneously. Each case underscores tensions over state authority, public transparency, and the use of force at home and abroad. These issues are likely to generate continued legal challenges, political scrutiny, and international repercussions.