The Playbook Podcast

With his nomination for Defense secretary teetering on the brink, Pete Hegseth will soon learn whether his 11th-hour offensive yesterday to save his nomination has succeeded. As Republican senators — notably including combat veteran Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) — express concerns about some of Hegseth’s views as well as the allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse, which he has denied, the nominee has remained resolute: “We’re not going anywhere,” he told Hill reporters yesterday. But it might not entirely be his call. National correspondent Betsy Woodruff Swan and Playbook co-author Rachael Bade discuss what to watch for now. Plus, President-elect Donald Trump announces another flurry of key administration officials, and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) rises in the ranks.

With Matt Gaetz gone, Pete Hegseth may be next on the chopping block. The Secretary of Defense nominee has to reckon with—and explain to Republican senators—the recent allegations of fund mismanagement, drinking on the job, and sexual promiscuity. President-elect Donald Trump is said to be eyeing an unlikely candidate for the role if his first choice doesn’t pan out: his longtime Republican rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Plus, Republicans on Capitol Hill are embroiled in internal debate over two policy bills, while Democrats in the House are dealing with their own internal conflict between Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Jerry Nadler of New York.

Lawmakers have a lot to get through in the roughly three weeks left in the year’s congressional session. Among the major responsibilities are the annual defense policy bill and a plan to fund the government. But each party is also dealing with internal politics. Democrats are reckoning with a call for new blood in leadership, and Republicans are planning their approach to President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees in the new year. Congress reporter Anthony Adragna joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through what’s left on the year’s to-do list.

Late Sunday, President Joe Biden issued a “full and unconditional” pardon to his son Hunter for any crime he "has committed or may have committed" in the previous 11 years. In a statement, Biden described Hunter as the victim of "politically weaponized prosecution." The move isn't surprising, but it does mark a 180 for the president, who had repeatedly said he wouldn’t issue a pardon for his son. National correspondent Betsy Woodruff Swan joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss.

A cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by France and the United States, is not the exact one Biden was hoping to be touting as a capstone to his presidency. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels and National Security Daily's Eric Bazail-Eimil discuss the agreement's impact on the region and why the president is still looking to end hostilities in Gaza. That, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Plus — happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday, special counsel Jack Smith announced that he would move to drop both federal criminal cases against president-elect Donald Trump due to a long-standing DOJ policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Judge Tanya Chutkan too dismissed a pending federal election interference case. Could things pick back up once Trump leaves office? Senior legal reporter Kyle Cheney joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, Trump takes to Truth Social to share his proposed tariffs.

When a new presidential administration prepares to take office, it typically signs transparency and ethics agreements with the White House, the Justice Department and the General Services Administration to ensure access to important government information and otherwise facilitate a smooth transition. But this time, President-elect Donald Trump’s team has been reluctant to sign them. White House reporter Adam Cancryn walks Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels through the reasons for the Trump team’s hesitation and the implications. Plus, the president-elect dominates the conversation at the Halifax Security Forum, and what we know about Kamala Harris’ next moves.

After a tumultuous eight days as Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration yesterday. While Senate Republicans cheered the move, the implications for Trump’s second administration are immense. Hours after the announcement, Trump nominated former Florida AG Pam Bondi for the role — a move cheered by Senate Republicans. But in the post-Gaetz landscape, other Trump nominees are likely to face increased scrutiny around their own imbroglios. What are the lessons of Gaetz’s fall, and where do things head from here? Playbook co-authors Eugene Daniels and Rachael Bade discuss.

Matt Gaetz has dominated the spotlight in Washington since President-elect Donald Trump announced him as nominee for attorney general. But Gaetz is far from Trump’s only contentious pick. On Capitol Hill, concerns are mounting about Pete Hegseth, the Fox News personality Trump picked to run the Department of Defense. There are concerns about Hegseth’s experience — he served in the military, but has never run a complex and vast organization. There are concerns about his controversial views — including that women should not be able to serve in combat roles. And then there are concerns about alleged sexual misconduct stemming from an encounter he maintains was consensual but which the woman in question maintains was not. What should we expect as Washington’s gaze turns to Hegseth? Defense reporter Joe Gould joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to discuss.

Today, the House Ethics Committee will meet to discuss is the findings of its investigation into Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz. Because the committee has an equal number of Republican and Democratic members, only one Republican would need to vote with Democrats to release the report. So how will this play out? Congress reporter Daniella Diaz and Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels walk through the possibilities. Plus, with the additions of Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Linda McMahon to be Education secretary, President-elect Donald Trump reinforces his affinity for reality tv politicians. That, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

Correction: An earlier version of this episode stated that DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray would testify before the Homeland Security Committee at 10 a.m.