The Senate begins confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet ahead of his Jan. 20 inauguration. Pete Hegseth (Defense Secretary) faces scrutiny Tuesday, with hearings also set for John Ratcliffe (CIA), Kristi Noem (Homeland Security), and Marco Rubio (State). Hearings for Kash Patel (FBI) and Tulsi Gabbard (DNI) are unscheduled.

Wildfires in Los Angeles have killed at least five people, destroyed over 1,100 buildings, and forced evacuations in areas like Pacific Palisades and Runyon Canyon. Celebrities such as Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, and Eugene Levy have lost their homes as fires continue to devastate the region.

House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that Social Security and Medicare cuts will not be included in the funding plans for President-elect Donald Trump's agenda, emphasizing the Republican Party's commitment to preserving these benefits.

Congress certified Donald Trump’s presidential victory without incident, a stark contrast to 2021 when a pro-Trump mob disrupted Biden's confirmation. The session, completed in under an hour, proceeded smoothly despite a snowstorm, with no objections or evacuations. Tensions over the events of January 6, 2021, still linger.

On Thursday, Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, criticized American culture for embracing mediocrity. Backed by Elon Musk, he called for skilled immigrants to fill tech jobs, clashing with the MAGA faction's anti-immigration stance. Musk urged removing immigration opponents from the Republican Party.

An Emerson College Polling survey shows 41% of young adults (18-29) find the actions of UnitedHealthcare CEO Bryan Thompson’s alleged killer "acceptable," while 40% disagree. The case, involving 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, highlights dissatisfaction with the U.S. healthcare system. Overall, 68% of respondents called the act "unacceptable," with Democrats (22%) more approving than Republicans (12%), and men (19%) slightly more supportive than women (14%).

Former CIA targeter Sarah Adams warned of an impending attack but faced pushback from the Pentagon for bypassing “proper channels.” Now she's raise the alarm, and challenging officials who dismissed her warnings. Bureaucratic failure or a courageous stand?

Leftover border wall materials were auctioned off following a Republican-led bill passed in December 2023. The law required the defense secretary to create a plan within 75 days to dispose of "excess construction materials" and implement it within 100 days, aiming to eliminate storage and maintenance costs.

Three federal judges, including Judge James Andrew Wynn, have rescinded their retirements to prevent former President Trump from appointing their replacements. This unprecedented move highlights ongoing political battles over control of the federal courts, which decide key issues like same-sex marriage, transgender rights, and immigration policies.

Federal authorities, including the FBI and Homeland Security, have reassured residents that most reported drone sightings are likely cases of mistaken identity, often involving manned aircraft or facilities.