What to know today ...
- NETANYAHU BILATERAL: President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago this afternoon to discuss the ceasefire plan for Gaza and concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear enrichment programs. In remarks to reporters afterward, Trump issued warnings to Hamas and Iran.
- TRUMP-PUTIN CALL: Trump told reporters at the top of the meeting that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a call this morning following Trump's meeting yesterday with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy about a Russia-Ukraine peace plan. Trump confirmed that Putin raised what he said was a Ukrainian drone attack on one of Putin's presidential palaces that occurred after the Zelenskyy meeting. Zelenskyy called the Kremlin's claim "a complete fabrication."
- UKRAINE SECURITY: Zelenskyy told reporters today that Trump offered 15 years of security guarantees for Ukraine during their meeting yesterday, marking some progress in talks to end his country’s war with Russia.
- VENEZUELA STRIKE: Trump elaborated today on his remarks in a radio interview late last week that the U.S. had “knocked out” a facility involved in shipping illicit drugs from Venezuela. Asked about his remarks, he told reporters that the attack was on a dock "implementation area" where boats are loaded. The U.S. later announced a new strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing two people.
Judge rules basic Medicaid data can be shared with ICE
A federal judge in California ruled today that the federal government is allowed to share basic information about Medicaid participants with Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid a government push to locate those it believes are in the country unlawfully.
The plan to share information from the federally backed program had been blocked by a preliminary injunction that applied to 20 states that sued, including California.
U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria partly denied the preliminary injunction, writing that “basic biographical, location, and contact information” is legal under the law.
But he also granted the injunction as it pertains to any information beyond that.
More musicians cancel Kennedy Center concerts after board votes to add Trump’s name to the building
More musicians have canceled their upcoming concerts at the Kennedy Center after its board voted to rename the performing arts venue to include Trump’s name.
The canceled performances to date include shows previously promoted for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Jan. 14.
The Cookers, a jazz band that was scheduled to perform Wednesday night, did not cite a specific reason in announcing their decision, but their statement hinted at politics.
“Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice. Some of us have been making this music for many decades, and that history still shapes us,” the statement read. “Our hope is that this moment will leave space for reflection, not resentment.”
House Democrats to hold 'special hearing' on anniversary of Jan. 6 riot
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told House Democrats in a letter today that they would hold a "special hearing" on the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Jeffries said the hearing will “examine ongoing threats to free and fair elections posed by an out-of-control Trump administration, expose the election deniers who hold high-level positions of significance in the executive branch and detail the threats to public safety posed by the hundreds of violent felons who were pardoned on the President’s first day in office."
He added, "We will also present a panel of Members who wish to share their personal experiences from that horrific day.”
Since Republicans are in the majority, Democrats cannot hold a full committee hearing on their own. That means the hearing will consist of just Democrats.
FBI surged resources to Minnesota over day care fraud claims before video went viral, Patel says
The FBI went into overdrive to investigate suspected fraud involving more than a dozen Minnesota social services, according to FBI Director Kash Patel, who posted a statement on X after a YouTube video purporting to show day care facilities that aren’t operational but received state and federal funding went viral over the weekend.
Patel said on X that he was aware of the video, created by right-wing influencer Nick Shirley, 23, but insisted the FBI had already “surged” investigative resources and personnel to Minnesota as part of its ongoing fraud investigation that has largely targeted Somali immigrants.
“The FBI believes this is just the tip of a very large iceberg,” Patel posted yesterday on X.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s office defended its ongoing efforts to crack down on fraud when it was asked about the video.
U.S. announces another lethal strike on alleged drug-trafficking vessel
U.S. Southern Command announced on X today that the military carried out a new strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing two people.
The post said that the vessel was "operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations" and that intelligence "confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes" and "engaged in narco-trafficking operations."
It would be at least the 30th known strike on vessels in the region, bringing the total number of people killed to about 106.
Zelenskyy says he would want Congress to play a role in U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine
Zelenskyy said today that the U.S. Congress could help ratify any U.S. security guarantee proposals to end Ukraine's war with Russia.
“We respect President Trump, and his decision is powerful. But of course, we need Congress for this,” Zelenskyy said in an interview that aired on Fox News Channel’s "Special Report," expressing hope for a “legally binding” set of guarantees.
Zelenskyy said he spoke to Trump today and proposed security guarantees for 15 years, with the possibility for continuation. He said he had been open with Trump about his desire for that time to be longer and to have Congress’ backing.
Zelenskyy says remaining issue in peace plan is about territory
Zelenskyy said the remaining issue not agreed to in a Russia-Ukraine peace plan is about territory.
“This is a difficult question,” Zelenskyy said in an interview that aired on Fox News Channel’s “Special Report.”
“On this one point, we have different views with Russians,” he said.
Russia has demanded that Ukraine cede the Donbas region of the country. The U.S. has proposed a compromise of a free economic zone; Zelenskyy had said there was no detailed concept of how it would work.
In his interview with Baier, Zelenskyy said that such a zone would require both countries to withdraw some kilometers back and that the zone would operate with specific rules.
Judge orders release of transcript and audio from closed-door hearing in case of Charlie Kirk shooting suspect
A judge ruled today that transcript and audio be released from a previously sealed hearing in the murder case against the man accused of killing political activist Charlie Kirk this year.
Tyler Robinson, 22, is charged with aggravated murder in the shooting of Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus, where he was holding an event, in September. Kirk was killed in broad daylight while he was speaking to a crowd when a shot rang out and he began bleeding profusely, according to video and witness accounts.
Kirk was in Utah as part of a tour of college campuses with Turning Point USA, a conservative political organization he co-founded. High-profile politicians, including Trump, described the killing as a political assassination.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Robinson, who has not yet entered a plea.
Trump says U.S. and Israel aren't on the same page when it comes to the West Bank
Trump said the U.S. and Israel are not on the same page regarding Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Asked by a reporter whether settler violence could be undermining the peace plan, Trump said: “We have had a discussion, big discussion for a long time, on the West Bank. And I wouldn’t say we agree on the West Bank 100%.”
Asked what the disagreements are, Trump declined to elaborate but said he knows Netanyahu “very well” and that “he will do the right thing.”
Trump warns Iran of 'consequences' on nuclear program while saying he is open to talks with Tehran
Trump, suggesting it is trying to “build up again,” warned Iran that the U.S. would eradicate any such efforts.
While he said it has not been confirmed, Trump said that “Iran may be behaving badly.”
“If it’s confirmed, look, there will be consequences. Consequences will be very powerful, maybe more powerful than last time,” he said.
The U.S. launched strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran in July.
Trump said Iran should have made a deal, adding he “gave them the option.” Asked by a reporter whether the U.S. would be open to engaging in bilateral discussions with Tehran, he said yes.
