Happy Wednesday! It's Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. I'm really missing warm weather and a nice long jog. |
Six Trump picks face the Senate in confirmation hearings |
Several picks for President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet are on the road to confirmation. Six appointees faced senators in confirmation hearings today where lawmakers asked about Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election, Project 2025 and more. Pam Bondi, Trump's potential attorney general, was considered the main event and is picking up much-needed support. Follow the hearings here. |
| • | Who had hearings? Bondi, Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, Sean Duffy for transportation secretary, Chris Wright for energy secretary and Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget. | | • | Who is Pam Bondi? Meet the ex-Florida Attorney General and corporate lobbyist | | • | Rubio already had broad bipartisan support ahead of his hearing. | |
With the confirmation process underway, those close to Trump are optimistic that his picks will be approved by Congress as Inauguration Day nears. Pete Hegseth, Trump's potential defense secretary, garnered some support from skeptical Republicans despite being hammered by Democrats over allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. Read more. | Pam Bondi delivers opening remarks during a Senate Judiciary committee hearing on her nomination to be Attorney General of the United States on Wednesday. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY |
Israel and Hamas reach deal on Gaza ceasefire, hostage release |
There's been months of stalled negotiations in the devastating Israel-Hamas war. But on Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced that Israel and the militant group Hamas reached a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The first phase of the deal begins Sunday, which includes a six-week initial ceasefire; a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the release of Hamas-held hostages, including Americans, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israel. Read more. |
How Biden's age and refusal to pass torch earlier hang over his exit |
Joe Biden's one term in the Oval Office ends on Monday. So what will his legacy be? The 82-year-old hopes it will include his sweeping legislative package that included historic infrastructure spending and investments in the microchip industry to challenge China. But will the president's legacy be tarnished by his unwillingness to pass the torch earlier? Read more. |
| • | Speaking of his legacy, Biden will give a farewell address on Wednesday evening from the Oval Office. Here's how you can watch. | | | | | On Wednesday, the federal Education Department approved $4.5 billion in student loan forgiveness for 261,000 former Ashford University students. | | | | A new USA TODAY/Suffolk University found a little more than half of Americans don't support Donald Trump's proposal to acquire Greenland. | | | | The 18-year-old received massive attention on social media after his father won a second term in office. Here's what you need to know. | | | | Trump's pick to have defense lawyers lead the Justice Department sparked some concerns. They will likely to be front and center at today's confirmation hearing. | | | | TikTok's reported plans include giving users a pop-message directing them to a website with information about the ban. | | | | | | | Sign up for the news you want | Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. | | | | | | |
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