Thursday, December 4, 2025
Day 319
2 documented wins
Record-low southwest encounters
The win
CBP said November continued historic lows: since January 21, 117,105 southwest encounters — less than one typical Biden month — with daily Border Patrol averages around 245, down ~95% from the prior daily average.
For Americans
This is what “the border is closed” looks like in a table. Over a year it means millions who would have crossed did not, which is the whole enforcement product.
Washington Accords for Congo and Rwanda
The win
Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame signed the Washington Accords at the U.S. Institute of Peace, reaffirming the June ceasefire. Trump announced the U.S. would buy rare-earth minerals from both nations — 'a great day for Africa, a great day for the world.'
For Americans
American manufacturers get cobalt and copper that is not a Chinese monopoly. That is EV plants, munitions, and a supply chain you can actually plan a shift around.
For people abroad
Congolese and Rwandan civilians get their presidents on the same stage, on the same paper, with American money riding on the peace holding. Miners, traders, and families in the east get a reason for the next year to be quieter than the last thirty.