The Pour Over Today - Strikes on Nigeria, New Epstein Files, Trump and Zelenskyy Meet, & More | 12.29.2025

Episode Date: December 29, 2025

Today, we’re talking about Christmas Eve strikes on ISIS in Nigeria; the DOJ finding a million more Epstein files; Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy meeting at Mar-a-Lago; and other top news for Monday, December 29th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Looking to support us? You can choose to pay ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out The Pour Over's Gift Guide!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our sponsors! We actually use and enjoy every single one. Cru Safe House Project Life Application Study Bible CCCU Upside Mosh LMNT Theology in the Raw Not Just Sunday Podcast She Reads Truth The Pour Over’s Newsletters: ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Pour Over⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Decaf⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠News Health⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Praying the News

Today's episode is brought to you by our lead sponsor, Safe House Project. Hey, it's George with the Porover. Today, we're talking about Christmas Eve strikes on ISIS in Nigeria, the DOJ finding a million more Epstein files, President Trump and Zelensky meeting at Mar-a-Lago, and other top news for Monday, December 29th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the Porover. Here's the quote of the day.

You are a steward of every moment, of every talent, of every gift, of every resource that God has given you. Choose wisely what you do today. Paul Washer Let's get started with some espresso shots. Nigeria had a not-so-silent night as the U.S. launched strikes against ISIS. On Christmas Day, a U.S. Navy warship launched 16 missiles at two ISIS. ISIS camps in northwest Nigeria, killing multiple militants. President Trump said the strikes were motivated by ISIS's killing of Nigerian Christians,

echoing his November warning that the U.S. military would come guns ablazing if the violence continued. Hours later, the Nigerian government issued a statement calling the strikes a joint operation to promote regional security. Africa's most populous nation has faced overlapping jihadist insurgencies, banditry, and mass kidnappings for more than a decade. Nigerian officials maintain the militant groups kill as many Muslims as Christians,

denying claims of a religious genocide and cautioning against simplistic labels. President Trump and Secretary Hegeseth signaled further strikes could follow if the killings persisted. God of Peace end the cycles of violence plaguing your world. In particular, this fraught stretch in West Africa.

The overlapping terror and suffering are overwhelming and tragic. We ask you to make it stop. Free people from fear, protect the vulnerable, and restore peace to the land. Amen. Psalm 9 8 and 9 says, And he judges the world with righteousness. He executes judgment on the nations with fairness. The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble.

On Christmas Eve, the DOJ announced it had checked the list twice and found over a million more Epstein-related documents. The DOJ received files from the FBI and prosecutors in New York and is working around the clock to review and release the documents but warned it could take weeks. Many people in D.C. are less than happy. Representative Massey, a sponsor of the Epsine File Transparency Act, accused the DOJ of breaking the law by making illegal redactions and missing the deadline.

Representative Kana, another co-sponsor, questioned why the new files were only revealed after a dozen senators called for an independent audit into the DOJ's handling of the files. Meanwhile, President Trump complained that the DOJ has been forced to spend all of its time on this Democrat-inspired. hoax. When discussing divisive topics such as the release of more Epsine files, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ.

James 317 says, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. President Trump had a call with Russian President Putin before hosting Ukrainian President Zelensky at Marlago yesterday, all in hopes of closing out a peace agreement. A key sticking point remains territorial issues. Moscow says any deal must give ownership of the contested Donbuss region,

which is largely under Russian control, while Ukraine refuses to cede any of its pre-war territory. Additionally, Zelensky has signaled willingness to stop trying to join NATO but has questions on how security guarantees will be enforced if Ukraine doesn't join the alliance. The presidential peace talks followed a deadly weekend in Ukraine. Russia launched strikes on Kiev and their surrounding region, killing two, injuring 46, and knocking out power for more than a million households.

Ukraine says private homes were targeted in the eastern city of Sloviansk, where one person died. War and its horrors so fear anxiety and hopelessness. Yet because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we can be confident that our joyful eternity is secure, no matter how dark earth's headlines become. Psalms 23-4 says, Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Human trafficking isn't just an over-their problem.

It's happening right here in the U.S. An estimated 300,000 people are being trafficked in America right now, and most were first sold as children. Even when they get a chance to run, sometimes there's no sense. safe way out, and they get pulled right back in. Safehouse project is helping children get to safety and stay there by equipping communities to spot trafficking and funding urgent escapes. They cover what's needed in those crucial moments, a way to escape, shelter, and resources for lasting freedom. Trafficking in the U.S. is at crisis levels and requests for help to escape are higher

than ever. Just $40 provides a safe ride that takes a child from captivity to freedom. Safehouse Project can't miss the moment when a child is ready to escape, and your gift makes sure they don't. Give a child the way out. Go to safehouseproject.org slash TPO or check the link in the show notes to give now. In other brews, here's a wrap-round of updates. Uncle Sam's latest economics exam is going on the fridge. The Commerce Department reported U.S. gross domestic product, the economy's total output of goods and services, grew at a 4.3% annual rate in quarter 3, July through September,

crushing the roughly 3% expectations. Triple A piled on the good news announcing gas prices stayed below $3 a gallon for most of the month. the cheapest December since 2020. The Supreme Court blocked President Trump's National Guard deployment to Chicago while litigation plays out, saying the administration failed to identify a legal authority for the decision. Three justices dissented. The White House has argued the National Guard is needed to protect federal immigration officers from violent resistance in Chicago, while Illinois says local officers have handled isolated protest activities.

A much too white Christmas created holiday travel chaos in New England. The Northeast's heaviest snowstorm in four years led to roughly 2,600 canceled post-holiday flights across Friday and Saturday. On the other coast, Southern Californians were drenched by the wettest winter storm in years, triggering dangerous mudslides, evacuations, and flooding roads. Two helicopters crashed mid-air in southern New Jersey yesterday, killing one pilot and critically injuring the other. Neither aircraft had any passengers. The FAA and NTSB are both investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred near a municipal

airport 35 miles from Philadelphia when winds were light and visibility was good. The FBI is moving HQs. Director Cash Patel announced Friday the Bureau is ditching the aging J. Edgar Hoover Building, which Hoover himself described as a monstrosity and was voted ugliest building in the country in 2023. The FBI will be moving into the Ronald Reagan building, occupying offices previously used by the recently dismantled U.S. agency for international development, U.S. aid. And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening, TPO fam. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast app, give us a five-star rating and drop a review.

If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We're grateful for your support and hope you have a great day. We'll see on Wednesday. The noise can be deafening in our chaotic world, but Jesus offers a better way to live. Each week on the Not Just Sunday podcast, pastors Keith Simon and Patrick Miller help you quit part-time Christianity and follow Jesus with every part of your life so that even in the chaos,

you can experience the beautiful life he offers every day, not just Sundays. Listen to Not Just Sunday wherever you get your podcasts.