Politics

• Netanyahu Thanks Trump for Securing Hostages Deal
  
  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked in a phone call on Wednesday U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for securing a hostages deal and putting an "end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families," according to a statement by his office.Netanyahu...
• Trump and Biden Both Claim Credit for Gaza Ceasefire Deal
  
  President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump are both claiming credit for Israel and Hamas agreeing to a ceasefire deal in Gaza on Wednesday after the White House brought Trump's Middle East envoy into negotiations that have dragged on for months.Trump wasted no...
• Pentagon Watchdog: Defense Chief Violated Protocol
  
  Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his deputy violated protocol by keeping his emergency hospitalization last year a secret from congressional officials, the Pentagon's internal watchdog found in a report released Wednesday.
• Pence Group Opposes RFK Jr. Nomination for HHS Secretary
  
  Former Vice President Mike Pence's conservative advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom (AAF), is urging senators to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination for Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, citing his inconsistent abortion record, Politico reported.
• Insulted Rep. Mace to Rep. Crockett: Can 'Take It Outside'
  
  Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., asked Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, if she wanted to "take it outside" after the Lone Star State Democrat referred to her as "child" during a Tuesday meeting of the House Oversight Committee.
• Zuckerberg to Host Reception For Trump on Inauguration Day
  
  Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is co-hosting a black tie reception to celebrate President-elect Donald Trump's election victory on the day of his inauguration, The Hill reported on Wednesday.
• Second Gentleman Emhoff Seen Scoping Out Luxury NYC Condo
  
  Vice President Kamala Harris might be nursing bruises from her loss for the White House in a luxury condo in New York City's Upper West Side after next week, according to sources who saw her husband, Doug Emhoff, scoping a $20,000-a-month residence there last week.
• Trump USDOT Pick Says Tesla Safety Probe Will Continue
  
  President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the Transportation Department said Wednesday he will not stop an ongoing government investigation into Tesla's advanced driver assistance system.
• Rasmussen: Plurality Say Trump's Ukraine Policy to Best Biden's
  
  A plurality of voters say President-elect Donald Trump's policy concerning the Russia-Ukraine war will be better than that of his predecessor, Rasmussen Reports found.
• Biden: 'Thrilled' Hostages Are Being Released
  
  President Joe Biden on Wednesday afternoon issued a statement regardng the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
• 13 State Attorneys General to Walmart: Keep DEI Going
  
  The attorneys general of 13 states are calling on Walmart to reverse its decision to end diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and explain how the company plans to protect the civil rights of its workers.
• Diplomat: Trump's Influence Led to Israel, Hamas Ceasefire
  
  Israel and Hamas on Wednesday reached a deal to release hostages being held in Gaza and establish a ceasefire, an agreement pushed through mostly because of President-elect Donald Trump's influence, a diplomat briefed on the negotiations told The Washington Post.
• Fmr Trump Aide: Biden 'Playing Dirty' Against Transition
  
  President Joe Biden is "playing dirty" against President-elect Donald Trump by enacting a series of last-minute actions designed to thwart the incoming administration, according to a former Trump aide.
• AG Nominee Bondi: DOJ Won't Have 'Enemies List'
  
  With Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats picking up Vice President Kamala Harris' "enemies list" campaign hit against President-elect Donald Trump, Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi rejected that narrative repeatedly Wednesday.
• Sens. Warren, Coons Push for IRS Tax Filing Tool to Stay
  
  The IRS's direct file program Republicans are trying to get rid of is "efficient, cost effective, user friendly and secure," Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Chris Coons, D-Del., wrote in a letter to Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent and IRS Commissioner nominee Billy Long.
• Trump Team Asks 3 Career Diplomats to Resign
  
  Aides to President-elect Donald Trump asked for the resignations of three senior career diplomats who oversee the U.S. State Department's workforce and internal coordination, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said.
• Trump Hails Hostage Release, Israel-Hamas Ceasefire
  
  A deal reached between Israel and Hamas that will see some hostages freed and pause the war in Gaza, three U.S. officials confirmed to Reuters after President-elect Donald Trump announced the breaking news.
• Ceasefire Deal: 33 Hostages To Be Freed in 6-week Phase
  
  The reported ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas announced Wednesday requires 33 hostages to be released duing an initial six-week phase.
• AG Pick Bondi Refuses to Say Biden Won 2020 Election
  
  During a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Attorney General repeatedly refused to say Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
• Calif. Dems: Won't Tie Fire Aid to Trump Resistance
  
  The California Legislature's top two Democrats agreed not to link aid for the fires in Los Angeles to funding to resist the second Trump administration, according to a report from Politico.
• Rep. Donalds to Newsmax: Expect 'Smooth Sailing' for Trump Noms
  
  It will be "pretty smooth sailing" for President-elect Donald Trump and his nominees moving forward through the Senate confirmation hearings, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., predicted on Newsmax Wednesday.
• Harrison: Harsh on Victims, Social Justice Reforms Persist
  
  As long as evil exists our work will never be done but as we move forward, I remain focused on honoring Kevin's legacy through our efforts for change.
• Sen. Rounds to Newsmax: Hegseth Will Be Confirmed
  
  Pete Hegseth will be confirmed as secretary of defense after he did a very good job at his confirmation hearing in the Senate yesterday, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., told Newsmax on Wednesday.
• House Judiciary Releases Hunter Probe Transcripts
  
  The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday released transcripts from interviews concerning conflicts of interest and deviations from standard processes in the Justice Department's investigation into Hunter Biden.
• Sen. Cramer to Newsmax: Hegseth Could 'Sail Through' Armed Services Panel
  
  Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., told Newsmax on Wednesday that former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Department of Defense, could "sail through" the Senate Armed Services Committee following his confirmation hearing.

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