It's Wednesday. The weather for Inauguration Day is already looking pretty brutal. Wind chills could be in the single digits. Too bad we can't restructure the Constitution to make it in a more temperate month … Here's what's happening today: - Breaking: Israel and Hamas just reached a ceasefire deal.
- The Supreme Court did *not* rule on TikTok today, despite speculation.
- Six of Trump's Cabinet nominees are in the hot seat today.
- Pam Bondi's hearing fireworks.
- Biden will give a prime-time farewell address.
Filing with so many C-SPAN windows open on my laptop, I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. |
Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire deal: |
"Israel and Hamas are zeroing in on a ceasefire and hostage release deal, with an Israeli official telling The Hill that Hamas has agreed to terms." President-elect Trump celebrated on Truth Social: "WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!" Keep in mind: There has been no official announcement made by the Biden administration. What happens now?: "The Israeli security cabinet will have to vote to accept the terms of the deal, and then a second vote will go before Israel's parliament, the Knesset. If the deal passes both those votes, there will also be time for appeals against the deal to be brought to the Supreme Court." Read Laura Kelly's reporting on the ceasefire |
Can we split that screen six ways?: |
© GIPHY/Chicago Dance Crash |
Six of President-elect Trump's Cabinet nominees are appearing for their Senate confirmation hearings today. The two highest-profile Cabinet nominees up to bat today are Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for secretary of State and Pam Bondi for attorney general. 💡 How are they going?: Rubio's confirmation hearing has gone as expected, and he should have an easy time gliding through. Bondi's hearing has been splashier, but she hasn't said anything that would disqualify her among Republicans. 🗨️ Follow today's live blog for updates |
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) asked Bondi if she believes Trump lost the 2020 election: She told Durbin she "accepts the results" but she would not say Trump lost. "Biden is the president of the United States. He was duly sworn in, and he is the president of the United States," Bondi said. She then referred to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol as a "peaceful transition of power." Bondi defends Kash Patel: "I don't believe he has an enemies list," Bondi said about Patel, Trump's pick to lead the FBI. In Patel's book, he lists 60 people he says are part of the "executive branch deep state." She also said she wouldn't have an enemies list, but she did attack the cases against Trump. |
➤ TUNE IN FOR THE HEARINGS: |
- Attorney general: Pam Bondi is testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee. 💻 Livestream
- Secretary of state: Marco Rubio is testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 💻 Livestream
- CIA director: John Ratcliffe testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee. 💻 Livestream
- Transportation secretary: Sean Duffy is testifying before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. 💻 Livestream
- Energy secretary: Chris Wright is testifying before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. 💻 Livestream
- Office of Management and Budget director: Russell Vought will testify at 1 p.m. before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. 💻 Livestream
📆 Full schedule of this week's confirmation hearings |
LA's mayor is taking some heat:
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) has been facing increasing scrutiny over her handling of the wildfires that have ravaged her city and taken at least 24 lives. This was a very specific promise that she broke: Before taking office, Bass vowed that she would not travel abroad. "Not only would I of course live here, but I also would not travel internationally — the only places I would go would be D.C., Sacramento, San Francisco and New York, in relation to L.A." Well, Bass was out of the country when the fires broke out. She was on an official trip to Ghana for its presidential inauguration. "She failed the leadership test," a California Democratic strategist told The Hill's Julia Manchester. "This is the kind of moment that can be really devastating for a politician." Read more on what this means for Bass's political future: 'Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces mounting backlash over wildfire response' | The devastating Palisades Fire is still just 18 percent contained, according to California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Eaton Fire: 45 percent contained Hurst Fire: 97 percent contained Auto Fire in Ventura County: 47 percent contained AccuWeather estimates the cost of rebuilding from the fires is expected to be between $250 billion and $275 billion. Check out our partner KTLA's interactive map showing the homes that have been damaged or destroyed. |
➤ THIS IS TERRIFYING AND SAD TO SEE:
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A Tesla camera captured a timelapse: A man's Tesla was parked outside of his home when the wildfires reached it. He watched remotely while his family's house burned. 📹 Video posted by ABC 7 News |
- The Los Angeles Times: What (or who) sparked L.A. County wildfires? Here's where investigations stand
- KTLA: The wildfires have created an entirely new housing crisis in Los Angeles
- The Los Angeles Times: For uninsured fire victims, the Small Business Administration offers a rare lifeline
- The New York Times: Economic Toll of Los Angeles Fires Goes Far Beyond Destroyed Homes
- Los Angeles Daily News: Free and discounted accommodations for wildfire evacuees
- KQUED: How Pasadena Humane Mobilized to Take in Pets and Wildlife Escaping the Eaton Fire
- The Hill: California officials propose making looting during emergency a felony
- The Weather Channel: Evac POV: '34 Minutes Of Pure Terror'
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No TikTok ban decision today: |
The Supreme Court did not rule on the TikTok ban this morning, despite some speculation. What does that mean for timing?: The ban will take effect Sunday if nothing is done. The court's decision is expected before that date. The Hill's Zach Schonfeld points out that the justices may intervene by an emergency order. That means the decision could come any time, not just around the usual 10 a.m. decision announcements. The Supreme Court's options: - The Supreme Court could strike down the ban entirely, though that scenario seems unlikely.
- The court could uphold the ban, greenlighting it to take effect Sunday.
- It could delay Sunday's divest-or-ban deadline.
- The court could do nothing. An opinion seems likely, but justices aren't required to weigh in before the deadline.
🔎 Full explainer for each scenario |
Inflation is wearing out its welcome …: |
Inflation sped up in December, closing out 2024 at 2.9 percent. The numbers: Consumer prices rose 0.4 percent in December (economists had predicted a 0.3 percent rise.) But the annual inflation rate was 2.9 percent, which is exactly what economists had expected. Are interest rate cuts expected?: "The Fed ended 2024 with three consecutive rate cuts meant to bring borrowing costs down from two-decade highs. But as the job market rallied and inflation picked up to close out the year, the Fed signaled it would not cut rates as quickly in 2025." (The Hill) |
Do Jill and Nancy have beef?: |
First lady Jill Biden sat down with The Washington Post's Kara Voght as she heads for the exit as first lady. She mentioned former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whom she has known for decades. Pelosi got the ball rolling over the summer to pressure President Biden into stepping down at the top of the presidential ticket. How Jill Biden feels about that: "'It's been on my mind a lot lately, and —.' Jill pauses. 'We were friends for 50 years.' She is using her teacher's voice now. 'It was disappointing.'" Voght's interview has some interesting nuggets: 'Jill Biden still hopes for a good ending' |
- Axios: Trump aims for $500 million war chest in post-election windfall
- NOTUS: Trump Said He'd Solve Ukraine on Day One. Republicans Say He Didn't Mean 'Day One.'
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🥯 Celebrate: Today is National Bagel Day! 📺 The actual "Severance" cast showed up in character at Grand Central: The cast of Apple TV+'s "Severance" showed up at Grand Central Station on Tuesday, appearing to work in a cubicle set up in a glass box. Why?: To promote the show's upcoming second season. 📹 Watch the footage; 📸 Ben Stiller at the pop-up 🐼 I love anything themed to these goofy creatures: Duke's Counter in Washington, D.C., set up a panda-themed pop-up bar. (Washingtonian) |
The House and Senate are in. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington. (all times Eastern) |
- 1:30 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters. 💻 Livestream
- 4 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆 Today's agenda
- 8 p.m.: Biden delivers his farewell address from the Oval Office. 💻 Livestream
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Let's help this puppy get its Rover rating up. What an excellent horse walker in training. |
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