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Trump-Appointed Judge Overturns Biden-Era Rule on Medical Debt: What Happens to $49 Billion Now

A Texas federal court has struck down a regulation meant to wipe medical debt from millions of credit reports — a move with sweeping implications for 15 million Americans.

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Trump-Appointed Judge Strikes Down Biden Rule to Remove Medical Debt from Credit Reports
A gavel rests beside medical bills and a stethoscope — symbolizing the federal ruling to keep medical debt on Americans’ credit reports.

In a controversial ruling that’s already sending shockwaves through policy circles and consumer advocacy groups, a federal judge in Texas has sided with the Trump administration and key financial industry players to overturn a Biden-era regulation aimed at removing medical debt from credit reports.

The now-vacated rule, introduced in January during the final stretch of President Joe Biden’s term, sought to erase up to $49 billion in medical debt affecting nearly 15 million Americans. But U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan, a Donald Trump appointee from 2019, ruled on Friday that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) had exceeded its legal authority under a 2003 credit reporting law.

The statute does not grant the CFPB the power to eliminate medical debts from credit reporting databases,” Judge Jordan stated, calling his decision to vacate the rule “the appropriate remedy.

Kamala Harris’ Vision Faces Legal Roadblock

The regulation was one of the most high-profile financial equity measures spearheaded by Vice President Kamala Harris, who argued that medical debts — often caused by unpredictable emergencies — did not reflect a consumer’s ability or willingness to repay loans.

No one chooses to get sick or be in an accident,” Harris said earlier this year, “and it’s wrong to penalize people financially for conditions beyond their control.

Backed by CFPB research, the rule was intended to help Americans access mortgages, car loans, and credit cards without the burden of unexpected medical costs weighing down their credit scores.

Industry Praises the Rollback

Not everyone was mourning the rule’s death. Dan Smith, head of the Consumer Data Industry Association, cheered the court’s decision, stating that medical debt remains a “valid indicator” of a consumer’s financial responsibility.

This is the right outcome for protecting the integrity of the credit system,” Smith said in a statement.

Industry leaders have long argued that removing medical debt would water down credit scores, making it harder for lenders to assess risk — and potentially disrupting the balance of the financial system.

What’s Next for 15 Million Americans?

For millions, the ruling marks a sharp reversal of hope. Had the rule stood, it would have stripped an estimated $49 billion in medical debt from credit reports across the country, improving credit scores and access to essential loans.

Instead, those debts will stay — at least for now — and many worry this decision could set back efforts to address systemic inequities in the U.S. healthcare and credit systems.

Consumer advocates and some Democratic lawmakers are already exploring legislative avenues to revive the rule or challenge the decision, though legal experts suggest such efforts face an uphill climb.

The Legal Fine Print

At the heart of the case is the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, a law that governs how credit data must be reported. Judge Jordan ruled that the CFPB, under its current interpretation, cannot selectively remove categories of debt — even with evidence of unfair impact.

While the CFPB, led by Rohit Chopra, has not yet announced its next steps, pressure is mounting from both sides of the aisle to define how medical debt fits into the broader credit landscape moving forward.

A Defining Moment for Credit Reform?

Whether viewed as a win for fiscal responsibility or a setback for financial justice, this ruling has thrown a spotlight on the growing debate over what truly belongs on a credit report.

As millions continue to grapple with ballooning hospital bills and economic uncertainty, the question remains: should your ability to rent a home, buy a car, or apply for a job hinge on the cost of breaking a bone or beating cancer?

Politics

Trump Announces Donald Trump Jr.’s Engagement at White House Holiday Party

President reveals his eldest son’s engagement to Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson during festive White House gathering

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Trump Announces Donald Trump Jr.’s Engagement at White House Holiday Event
Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson, whose engagement was announced at a White House holiday party

President Donald Trump announced on Monday night that his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., is engaged, using a White House holiday party to share the family news. The engagement was later confirmed by a spokesperson for Trump Jr., who said the proposal took place over the weekend.

Trump Jr. is engaged to Bettina Anderson, a Palm Beach socialite who has drawn public attention over the past year as speculation about their relationship grew during the president’s election campaign.

The announcement, made in front of guests at the White House, immediately brought renewed focus to the couple, whose appearances together had previously fueled tabloid and political chatter.

Proposal confirmed, reaction shared online

A video of the moment, shared on social media by Trump ally Laura Loomer, captured Trump Jr. speaking shortly after the announcement.

Trump Announces Donald Trump Jr.’s Engagement at White House Holiday Event


“I’m not usually at a loss for words, because I’m usually doing the ranting and raving really well,” Trump Jr. said in the clip. “I want to thank Bettina for that one word: ‘Yes.’”

A spokesperson later confirmed that Trump Jr. proposed to Anderson over the weekend.

A relationship that gained public attention

Trump Jr. and Anderson were first seen together publicly earlier this year during a Trump family trip to Scotland, where they joined the president for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a new golf course and attended an event announcing a trade deal.

Anderson, who maintains an active social media presence, has described herself with characteristic humor in her Instagram bio as:
“Just your typical stay at home mom … only I don’t do household chores … or have a husband … or have kids.”

Trump Jr.’s previous marriages and engagements

Donald Trump Jr. has been married before. He proposed to his first wife, Vanessa Trump, in 2004, and the couple were married at Mar-a-Lago in 2005. Vanessa Trump filed for divorce in 2018 after more than a decade of marriage.

Trump Announces Donald Trump Jr.’s Engagement at White House Holiday Event


He was also previously engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News personality who later served as finance chair of the Trump campaign during the 2020 presidential race.

Despite their breakup, Guilfoyle has remained close to the Trump family. During the period of speculation surrounding Trump Jr.’s relationship with Anderson, then president-elect Trump named Guilfoyle as his choice for US ambassador to Greece, a role she currently holds.

Family moment at the White House

The engagement announcement added a personal note to the White House holiday celebrations, blending family milestones with the traditional end-of-year festivities.

While no wedding details have been released, the public confirmation marks a new chapter for Trump Jr., whose personal life has often played out in the public eye alongside his prominent political role and frequent media appearances.

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Donald Trump Jr. announces engagement at the White House… “I want to thank Bettina for one word: Yes”

From a quiet Palm Beach romance to a surprise White House moment, Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson make it official

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Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson announce engagement at the White House
Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson attend a gala in Palm Beach months before announcing their engagement

In a moment that blended politics, family, and personal celebration, Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson have announced their engagement — and the setting made it even more symbolic.

The news was revealed on December 15 at the White House, with President Donald Trump himself sharing the announcement publicly. A short video of the moment, later circulated on X, captured Donald Trump Jr. struggling — unusually — to find the right words.

“I’m not usually at a loss for words, because I’m usually doing the ranting and raving really well,” Trump Jr. said with a smile. “I want to thank Bettina for that one word: ‘Yes.’”

(Donald Trump Jr.)
(Donald Trump)

Standing beside him, Anderson appeared visibly emotional as she shared her own reaction.

“This has been the most unforgettable weekend,” she said. “I get to marry the love of my life, and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

From low-key beginnings to center stage

The couple’s relationship first came into public view in August 2024, when they were spotted together at a brunch in Palm Beach, Florida. At the time, the pairing raised eyebrows, as Trump Jr. was still publicly linked to Kimberly Guilfoyle.

By December 2024, sources confirmed that Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle had quietly parted ways, ending an engagement that began in 2020. Shortly afterward, Trump Jr. and Anderson’s relationship became more visible — and increasingly serious.

(Kimberly Guilfoyle)

Anderson joined Trump Jr. for key family moments, including New Year’s Eve at Mar-a-Lago and President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, signaling her growing role within the Trump family circle.

AA1SqmaL Daily Global Diary - Authentic Global News


(Mar-a-Lago)

A new chapter after a long personal journey

Donald Trump Jr., 47, was previously married to Vanessa Trump, with whom he shares five children — Kai, Donald III, Tristan, Spencer, and Chloe. The couple divorced in 2018 after 12 years of marriage.

(Vanessa Trump)

Sources close to the family have described Anderson as a stabilizing presence in Trump Jr.’s life, noting that the relationship developed gradually but with clear intention. One insider previously told PEOPLE that the two “could go the distance.”

Who is Bettina Anderson?

Bettina Anderson is no stranger to high-profile circles, but her public identity extends well beyond society events. She is the daughter of philanthropists Harry Loy Anderson Jr. and Inger Anderson, and is deeply involved in charitable and advocacy work.

(Bettina Anderson )
(Hope for Depression Research Foundation)

She is a prominent supporter of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation, founded by Audrey Gruss, and is actively involved in Project Paradise, a Florida-based conservation initiative. Anderson also volunteers weekly with the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, reflecting a long-term commitment to education and community development.

What comes next

While no wedding date has been announced, the engagement marks a significant new chapter for both Trump Jr. and Anderson — one that has unfolded under intense public scrutiny but appears grounded in mutual admiration and shared values.

For now, the couple has asked for privacy as they celebrate the milestone. But with a White House announcement and a presidential seal hovering over their engagement story, one thing is certain: this will remain one of the most talked-about political-society unions of the year.

For more Update – DAILYGLOBALDIARY

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“Egg on Their Face”: DOJ’s Failed Trump Revenge Prosecutions Trigger Legal Embarrassment

From dismissed indictments to grand jury rejections, the Justice Department’s attempts to prosecute Trump critics have unraveled in dramatic fashion

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“Egg on Their Face”: DOJ’s Failed Trump Revenge Prosecutions Trigger Legal Embarrassment
The U.S. Department of Justice faces mounting criticism after repeated legal failures in high-profile Trump-linked prosecutions

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is facing growing scrutiny and embarrassment after a string of high-profile failures tied to attempts to prosecute critics of President Donald Trump. What was meant to project strength and accountability has instead exposed deep cracks in federal prosecution strategy, according to legal experts and former prosecutors.

In a sequence of setbacks rarely seen in modern federal law enforcement, the DOJ has suffered dismissed indictments, blocked evidence, and, most strikingly, two federal grand juries refusing to indict one of its key targets — New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The most damaging blow came on December 11, when a second grand jury declined to issue charges against James, just days after another grand jury rejected the same effort. Her attorney, Abbe Lowell, called the outcome “unprecedented,” a sentiment echoed by multiple former federal prosecutors.

“Egg on Their Face”: DOJ’s Failed Trump Revenge Prosecutions Trigger Legal Embarrassment


Earlier indictments against both James and former FBI Director James Comey were thrown out after a federal judge ruled that the special prosecutor who brought the cases, Lindsey Halligan, had been unlawfully appointed. Adding to the DOJ’s woes, a judge also blocked prosecutors from using key evidence against Comey, citing possible constitutional violations.

“This is an embarrassment,” said Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor. “The last thing you want to be as a prosecutor is to be on the defensive — and that’s exactly what’s happening here.”

Trump’s Longstanding Vendettas

Trump’s hostility toward both Comey and James dates back years. He fired Comey in 2017 while the FBI was investigating potential links between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. James later sued Trump in 2022 for civil fraud related to his real estate business, a case that deeply angered the former president.

In a September 20 social media post, Trump openly called for the prosecution of Comey, James, and Sen. Adam Schiff of California. While investigations were launched, results have been deeply underwhelming.

An NBC News report revealed that the DOJ’s investigation into Schiff has stalled entirely, with internal probes reportedly underway to examine how the case was mishandled. The DOJ has declined to comment on its performance in these matters.

Loyalty Over Experience

According to multiple reports, career prosecutors — including the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia — had previously concluded the evidence against James and Comey was too weak to sustain charges. Trump publicly criticized and fired the U.S. attorney, later urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to appoint Lindsey Halligan, his former personal lawyer, despite her lack of prosecutorial experience.

Bondi acted swiftly, and Halligan secured indictments against both Comey and James. But the cases quickly collapsed.

In Comey’s case, Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick described a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps,” including possible violations of the Fourth Amendment. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, a Clinton appointee, ultimately dismissed all charges after ruling Halligan’s appointment unlawful.

“The prosecutions haven’t amounted to much in court,” said Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond. “Except to harass them — which may have been the point.”

Grand Jury Rejections: A Rare Humiliation

Perhaps the most humiliating moment for the DOJ came when two separate grand juries rejected efforts to re-indict Letitia James. Legal experts stress how extraordinary this is.

Former federal prosecutor Mitchell Epner said he sought hundreds of indictments in his career and failed only once. “To go before two grand juries in a week and fail both times is humiliating and a repudiation of the prosecution,” he said.

Barbara McQuade, former U.S. attorney under President Barack Obama, was even more blunt:
“When prosecutors are selected based on loyalty rather than experience and integrity, this is the sort of garbage we can expect.”

“Egg on Their Face”: DOJ’s Failed Trump Revenge Prosecutions Trigger Legal Embarrassment


Comey Case Still on Shaky Ground

The DOJ has suggested it may try to re-indict Comey, but significant hurdles remain. A federal judge has temporarily blocked prosecutors from using key evidence obtained during a separate 2017 investigation, ruling it may have been seized unconstitutionally.

Even if that hurdle is cleared, prosecutors face another problem: time. The original indictment was issued just days before the statute of limitations expired. Comey’s defense team argues that because the indictment was void, the government cannot rely on the usual six-month extension for refiling charges.

“The DOJ — and Halligan in particular — have egg on their face,” Rahmani said. “These are massive failures by the Justice Department.”

A Pattern of Collapse

What emerges from this saga is not just a legal defeat, but a broader institutional reckoning. From judicial rebukes to grand jury resistance, the DOJ’s efforts against Trump’s perceived enemies have collapsed under scrutiny.

Instead of delivering accountability, the prosecutions have raised uncomfortable questions about politicization, competence, and abuse of power — questions that now hang heavily over the Justice Department itself.

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