The White House has defended President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, stating that politics had tainted Hunter's cases and led to a miscarriage of justice. Both Republicans and some Democrats criticized the president for breaking his earlier promise not to pardon his son.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel as FBI director. Patel, who worked at the Pentagon during the first Trump administration, has vowed to reform the FBI.

In Syria, armed terrorists are continuing to fight against Bashar al-Assad's government, which is supported by both Russia and Iran. The U.S. State Department has urged deescalation and the implementation of democratic elections in the country.