It’s Friday! And happy 35th birthday, Taylor Swift! Here's what's coming up today: Congress has one week to avert a government shutdown. Trump is changing tactics to get his nominees confirmed. Drone sightings in New Jersey have lawmakers concerned.
I’m Emily Martin, filling in for Cate, with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. |
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Trump team takes new tact:
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Over the last few weeks, President-elect Trump’s Defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth has been courting senators of both parties, trying to keep his nomination afloat despite allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. While his confirmation is not guaranteed, Hegseth appears to be on better footing now thanks to a broad effort by Trump's team to save his nomination. Vice President-elect JD Vance has been hammering away behind the scenes, meeting with lawmakers and making the case for Hegseth. Combine that with conservative media figures and outlets pushing for him on their platforms — and pressing senators like Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) to back him — and Hegseth has gotten a nice boost.
After senators tanked Trump’s pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), due to questions over an ethics probe, Trump and his inner circle worried other picks could also be jeapordized, The Hill’s Brett Samuels reports. “Allies of the president-elect described his decision to double down on Hegseth partly as a result of his nominee’s decision to fight for himself," Samuels wrote, noting one Trump ally said the president-elect was "happy with what he saw." “I think the other thing they realize is, let’s say he dumps Hegseth. What are they gonna do next? They’re going to go after Tulsi [Gabbard] and RFK Jr.,” one Republican strategist with ties to Trump’s team told The Hill. Where does Hegseth’s nomination stand?: Now, his path appears less arduous, with more lawmakers indicating support.
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SPEAKING OF TULSI GABBARD |
Gabbard, on the other hand, is facing a steeper climb to confirmation, The Hill’s Alex Gangitano and Al Weaver report. “She’s probably more vulnerable than Hegseth right now,” one source said.
Yikes: Many sources, including senators and others close to the situation, say Gabbard’s sit-downs with lawmakers are “not going well.” Some have said “she’s not very well prepared” and there have been “a lot of eyerolls” from those that have met with her. The main reported issue?: Her lack of experience, as well as her relationships with those considered to be U.S. adversaries.
“Gabbard has drawn scrutiny for her comments parroting Russian propaganda about its invasion of Ukraine and for her past comments about recently deposed Syrian leader Bashar Assad,” Samuels noted.
What does Trump's camp say?: The transition team is pushing back on claims that Gabbard is not doing well in her meetings.
“These cowardly anonymous sources are desperately trying to hold on to power, so they hide behind the media to spread these falsities that directly subvert the will of the American people. President Trump won with a mandate for change from the American people, and that’s one of the reasons he nominated Lt. Col. Gabbard for DNI,” transition spokesperson Alexa Henning said. |
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has also been meeting with senators.
He will most likely face intense questioning over his controversial stances on vaccines, raw milk consumption and removing fluoride from drinking water.
Tidbit: Kennedy’s lawyer has asked the Food and Drug Administration to revoke approval for the polio vaccine. His lawyer, Aaron Siri, specializes in vaccine lawsuits. |
The Hill’s Alex Gangitano has an article breaking down all of Trump’s appointees who have faced legal trouble. Read it here. |
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It’s the final countdown … again: |
Congress only has one week (!) left to fund the government and prevent a holiday shutdown.
It appears an agreement is close, with a bill expected over the weekend or early next week to fund the government into March. But lawmakers still have a lot of work to do, including determining which policies to include in the package, according to Axios.
What has been the biggest snag?: A disaster aid package included in the bill. The White House requested more than $98 billion in emergency funding following disasters like hurricanes Milton and Helene. Deficit hawks balked at the figure, which has led to some haggling over the final amount. |
Not a great note to end on: |
Senate Democrats are not happy with outgoing Sens. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) for voting to block President Biden’s nominee, Lauren McFerran, for another five years on the National Labor Relations Board, The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports.
What are Dems saying?: Some say Manchin and Sinema’s votes handed Republicans a big win and called it “pathetic” and “disappointing.” Others said they would not be sorry to see the two independent senators leave the Senate next month. Both senators have been thorns in the sides of Biden and the Democratic Party, often holding up votes or swinging to the right and siding with Republicans. According to one anonymous Democratic senator, “Overall, I think people are happy to see them move on.”
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Oh no: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has been hospitalized in Luxembourg after sustaining an injury while on a congressional delegation to mark mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Her spokesperson, Ian Krager, said Pelosi is “currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals.” It is unclear what type of injury she sustained.
Oh no, again: Senate Chaplain Barry Black has been hospitalized due to a brain bleed, his office shared on X. He is expected to make a smooth recovery. |
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What's going on with these drones?: |
Since mid-November, several drones have been spotted flying over various counties in New Jersey. No one knows where they came from or who they belong to, and it's putting lawmakers from New Jersey and neighboring states on edge.
Senators from New Jersey and New York have sent a letter to the FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) demanding a briefing on the drones “to identify and address the source of recent unmanned aerial system activity,” according to The Hill’s Brad Dress.
Excerpt: “The potential safety and security risks posed by these drones in civilian areas is especially pertinent considering recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites in and outside of the continental United States over the past year . … Protecting civilian infrastructure, safety, and privacy as well as military assets and personnel will require a comprehensive response from Congress and the executive branch.”
Who signed it?: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and New Jersey Sens. Cory Booker (D) and Andy Kim (D). The drones are reportedly larger than commercially available models, and in one instance the devices were responsible for preventing a medivac helicopter from transporting a “seriously injured patient,” according to the senators’ letter. There have even been sightings near military bases in New Jersey.
Is there an FBI investigation?: Yes, the FBI says it is looking into the matter but hasn’t been able to identify who owns the drones. The FAA also issued a temporary ban, according to CNN, on drone flights over President-elect Trump’s Bedminster, N.J., golf course, as well as Picatinny Arsenal Military Base in Wharton, N.J.
The White House said Thursday there is no reason to believe the drones are a public safety threat, with national security spokesperson John Kirby saying it appears “many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully. The Pentagon has dismissed any theories that they came from foreign adversaries, such as Iran.
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RESPONSE FROM INSIDE NEW JERSEY
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Lawmakers and other public officials in the Garden State are frustrated with the federal response and Kirby’s comments.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said he is taking the sightings “deadly seriously” and that he held a briefing last week to further “discuss reported drone activity over parts of North and Central New Jersey,” which included Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, DHS employees, New Jersey government officials and members of the state’s congressional delegation.
Shaun Golden, the sheriff of Monmouth County, N.J., has urged Murphy to declare a state of emergency and issue an executive order to ban the use of recreational drones at night. Sam Morris, the mayor of Mine Hill township in New Jersey, said Kirby’s comments were “ridiculous.” Morris also joined CNN this morning, saying New Jersey residents are “offended” by the lackluster federal response. 📹 Watch the clip
New Jersey Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R) called Kirby an “idiot” and a “fool.” |
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🍫 Celebrate: Today is National Cocoa Day!
🎵 Speaking of New Jersey: “U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer, who recently announced his candidacy for the governor of New Jersey, posted a questionable Spotify Wrapped that may have been boosting his love for Bruce Springsteen,” reports NJ.com’s Jeremy Schneider. H/t to Pluribus’s Reid Wilson.
☕ Spare a thought for your local journalists: Due to droughts across the world, the price of coffee is expected to reach a record high. From NewsNation: “Arabica coffee, a type of coffee bean largely grown in Central and South America, sold for $3.44 a pound earlier this week, beating the prior record high of $3.35 set in 1977.” |
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The House and Senate return Monday. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington. |
Today: First lady Jill Biden hosted a Toys for Tots event at the White House with the Marine Corps and local Marine families.
1:30 p.m. EST: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters. 💻 Livestream
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Because you made it this far, here is a very talented elephant … (did I choose this video because her name is Emily? Yes, yes I did.) |
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