President Joe Biden will deliver his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. ET. The president leaves office with a low approval rating — though higher than his predecessor and successor did.
Stay tuned for live coverage and analysis of his remarks.
Meanwhile, Pam Bondi and Marco Rubio, Donald Trump’s nominees for the next US attorney general and secretary of state respectively, led a group of his cabinet picks who attended Senate confirmation hearings on Wednesday.
Bondi was evasive about Trump’s false claims about the 2020 presidential election. She confirmed that Biden was president but said little more than that. She also clashed with Democrats over the fate of January 6 rioters and whether she would refuse hypothetical orders from the incoming president.
Senator Rubio, once a bitter rival to the president-elect for the Republican presidential nomination, outlined his America-first vision of foreign policy during his opening remarks. twice being interrupted twice by protesters.
Chris Wright (secretary of energy), John Ratcliffe (director of the CIA), Sean Duffy (secretary of transportation), and Russell Vought (director of the Office of Management and Budget) also appeared before their relevant committees.
Key Points
- Biden leaves office with higher approval rating than Trump after first term, new poll shows
- Biden ends term with ceasefire deal — but it wasn’t soon enough to save Kamala Harris
- Pam Bondi refuses to say Trump lost 2020 election at confirmation hearing
- Pete Hegseth endures torrid Senate confirmation hearing
- Who is performing at Trump’s inauguration?
Pence’s organization comes out swinging against RFK Jr.
22:38
Oliver O'Connell
The organization of former Vice President Mike Pence is pushing senators not to confirm Robert Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services because of his views on abortion.
Advancing American Freedom (AAF) outlines five questions for Kennedy to answer in a letter first obtained by The Daily Wire. The letter notes that Kennedy has previously said that a woman should have the right to an abortion “even if [the baby] is full term.”
That position is “completely out of step with the strong, pro-life record of the first Trump Administration,” AAF President Tim Chapman and Chairman of the Board Marc Short wrote in the letter.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Trump team asks three US senior career diplomats to resign, sources say
22:32
Reuters
Aides to President-elect Donald Trump have asked three senior career diplomats who oversee the U.S. State Department's workforce and internal coordination to step down from their roles, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said, in a possible signal of deeper changes ahead for the diplomatic corps.
The team overseeing the State Department's transition to the new administration, the Agency Review Team, has requested that Dereck Hogan, Marcia Bernicat and Alaina Teplitz leave their posts, the sources said.
While political appointees typically submit their resignations when a new president takes office, most career foreign service officers continue from one administration to the next. All three officials have worked in both Democratic and Republican administrations throughout the years, including as ambassadors.
Trump, who will be inaugurated Jan. 20, pledged during his presidential campaign to "clean out the deep state" by firing bureaucrats that he deems as disloyal.
"There's a little bit of a concern that this might be setting the stage for something worse," one of the U.S. officials familiar with the matter said.
In response to a request for comment, a spokesperson for Trump's transition team said: "It is entirely appropriate for the transition to seek officials who share President Trump's vision for putting our nation and America's working men and women first. We have a lot of failures to fix and that requires a committed team focused on the same goals."
A State Department spokesperson said the department has no personnel announcements to make. Hogan, Bernicat, Teplitz did not respond to requests for comment.
Reuters
New poll: Biden leaves office with higher approval rating than Trump after his first term
22:20
Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden is leaving office with a slightly higher approval rating than Donald Trump after his first term, a new poll shows.
The outgoing president’s final approval rating is 36 percent compared to Trump, who had a rating of 34 percent when he left the White House in 2021, the CNN poll conducted by SSRS found.
However, Biden’s four years in office are regarded by Americans more as a failure (61 percent) than a success (38 percent), the poll found.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Key takeaways: Trump’s energy secretary pick sits for confirmation hearing
22:00
AP
Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for energy secretary, told senators during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that he would promote all sources of American energy, while also acknowledging the burning of fossil fuels causes climate change.
Wright, a fossil fuel executive, has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He believes that more fossil fuel production can lift people out of poverty around the globe. His nomination went before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for a confirmation hearing. Protesters interrupted it multiple times.
Here are the most interesting moments:
What will a second term for Donald Trump mean for the Middle East?
21:45
Oliver O'Connell
The Independent’s Richard Hall will be taking all your questions on what Donald Trump's presidency will mean for the Middle East.
After today’s ceasefire news, it feels more timely than ever...
What will a second term for Donald Trump mean for the Middle East?
— The Independent (@Independent) January 14, 2025
Join @_RichardHall, senior US correspondent, for a Reddit AMA starting at 12 pm EST/ 5 pm GMT
Link to AMA coming soon! pic.twitter.com/MMG1f8BaYb
US officials who resigned over Gaza war slam Biden’s inaction as Trump credited for ceasefire breakthrough
21:30
Oliver O'Connell
Richard Hall reports:
U.S. officials who resigned over the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza slammed the outgoing president for failing to broker a ceasefire sooner, after President-elect Donald Trump played a key role in securing an end to the devastating 15-month conflict.
“This is a deal that, in its basic form, has been on the table for many months, and it is an absolute travesty that the Biden administration never used any of the massive leverage it had to push it over the finish line,” Josh Paul, who resigned from the State Department’s in opposition to America’s policy of providing lethal arms to Israel for use in Gaza, said.
The agreement “demonstrates clearly that Biden could have achieved a ceasefire all along if his people were really serious about it,” Annelle Sheline, who resigned from the State Department in February 2024, told The Independent.
Read on...
Watch: Duckworth shares fond memory of Rubio during confirmation hearing
21:15
Oliver O'Connell
Tammy Duckworth to Rubio: "When I first got to Senate I was pregnant with my daughter and trying to change Senate rules so I could bring her onto the floor so I could do my job and vote...not accessible to wheelchairs...You came running down to me 'I'm with you! I support you!" pic.twitter.com/z7rdGGLOfS
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) January 15, 2025
After Trump takes credit, Biden pointedly notes that he ‘introduced’ Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal
21:00
Oliver O'Connell
Hamas and Israel have reached a ceasefire deal brokered by the United States with the aid of the Egyptian and Qatari governments, ending 15 months of violence that began with the October 7, 2023, terror attacks, President Joe Biden announced Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking from the White House not long after news of the agreement became public, Biden said it was “a very good afternoon” because he could announce the deal had finally been reached. The inking of a ceasefire deal brings to a halt more than a year of war in Gaza, during which the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 100,000 wounded.
The three-phase deal will begin with “a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women and elderly and the wounded” over a period of six weeks, Biden explained. The second phase, which is still being negotiated, would see a “permanent end to the war,” he added.
Andrew Feinberg reports from the White House.
Watch: Rubio laughs as protester interrupts him in Spanish
20:45
Oliver O'Connell
“I get bilingual protesters,” says Senator Marco Rubio at his confirmation hearing to be Donald Trump’s secretary of state.
Marco Rubio laughs at being interrupted by a protester speaking Spanish.
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) January 15, 2025
“I get bilingual protesters.” pic.twitter.com/Kf9Dvw3oj7
Danish PM had 45-minute call with Trump following his Greenland comments
20:27
Oliver O'Connell
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark had a 45-minute-long phone conversation with Donald Trump today following his widely publicized remarks about wanting to buy Greenland.
The prime minister referred the president-elect “to the statements of the Chairman of the Greenlandic Parliament ... that Greenland is not for sale.”
Frederiksen also argued “that it is up to Greenland itself to make a decision on independence"
Here’s the full readout of the call:
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had a telephone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
In the conversation, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening security in the Arctic, and that the Kingdom of Denmark is ready to shoulder even greater responsibility for this.
In the conversation, the Prime Minister referred to the statements of the Chairman of the Greenlandic Parliament, Múte B. Egede, that Greenland is not for sale, and the Prime Minister has argued that it is up to Greenland itself to make a decision on independence.
The Prime Minister has emphasized that Danish companies contribute to growth and jobs in the United States, and that the EU and the United States have a common interest in strengthened trade.
The conversation also discussed the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the relationship with China.
The conversation lasted 45 minutes. The Prime Minister and the incoming President have agreed to continue the dialogue.
DeSantis says his pick to replace Rubio in the Senate is coming soon
20:22
Oliver O'Connell
Governor Ron DeSantis told me his pick to replace Senator Marco Rubio is coming very soon.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) January 15, 2025
Watch: Bondi won’t say Trump lost 2020 election
20:15
Oliver O'Connell
Bondi hearing adjourns
20:02
Oliver O'Connell
Pam Bondi’s confirmation hearing adjourns for the day. Written questions can be submitted by the committee until 5pm tomorrow.
The committee will reconvene tomorrow to hear from a panel of outside witnesses concerning Bondi’s nomination.
Chairman Chuck Grassley thanks Bondi and says she “performed very well” today — “admirably” he adds.
Coca-Cola presents Trump with inaugural diet coke
20:00
Oliver O'Connell
Coca-Cola has presented President-elect Donald Trump with an inaugural Diet Coke bottle, becoming the latest company to fall in line with the new Trump era.
This comes after the company slammed Trump and his supporters following the January 6 Capitol riot. The company said at the time that the assault on Congress was “an offense to the ideals of American democracy.”
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Democrat Judiciary senator says Bondi did a ‘good job'
19:52
Oliver O'Connell
Peter Welch, one of the Senate Judiciary Democrats, gave positive feedback about Pam Bondi’s performance before the committee.
CNN’s Manu Raju reports that Welch said she did a “good job” as her confirmation hearing nears its end.
About other Democratic concerns concerning her independence from Trump, Welch said: “The president is always going to have somebody that he or she feels comfortable with.”
“My concern is the threats Donald Trump has made about going after his political opponents.”
Peter Welch, Dem on Senate Judiciary, sounding positive about Pam Bondi. Said she did a “good job.”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 15, 2025
He says about other Dem concerns about her independence from Trump: “The president is always going to have somebody that he or she feels comfortable with,” Welch told me.
“My…
Watch: Bondi asked about hypothetical Trump directive ‘outside boundaries of ethics or law'
19:45
Oliver O'Connell
Sen. Coons (D-DE): “Imagine…Trump issues a directive or order to you or to the FBI director that is outside the boundaries of ethics or law. What will you do?”
— The Recount (@therecount) January 15, 2025
Pam Bondi: “I’ll never speak on a hypothetical, especially one saying that the president would do something illegal.” pic.twitter.com/OqAYTmguIM
Schiff rips Bondi over answer to whether she would speak truth to power
19:40
Oliver O'Connell
Senator Adam Schiff of California had a fiery exchange with Pam Bondi during the first round of questioning at her confirmation hearing. He then posted on X: “An Attorney General needs to speak truth to power.
“I asked Pam Bondi if she could speak a simple truth. That Donald Trump lost the 2020 election.
“Her response tells you everything you need to know.”
An Attorney General needs to speak truth to power.
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) January 15, 2025
I asked Pam Bondi if she could speak a simple truth. That Donald Trump lost the 2020 election.
Her response tells you everything you need to know. pic.twitter.com/JrnFVTpCmo
Full story: Bondi refuses to say Trump lost 2020 election
19:30
Oliver O'Connell
Pam Bondi, Donald Trump’s nominee for the next U.S. attorney general, repeatedly refused to explicitly state that the president-elect lost the 2020 presidential election while she was grilled under oath during her Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
Bondi evaded a direct answer when asked by Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Dick Durbin whether she can say Trump lost in 2020.
“President Biden is the president of the United States, he was duly sworn in, and he is the president of the United States,” she replied.
She said Trump “left office and he was overwhelmingly elected in 2024” but suggested the 2020 results were fraudulent.
Alex Woodward reports.
Ratcliffe looks set for confirmation as CIA director
19:19
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s pick for CIA director, John Ratcliffe, looks set to be confirmed — and with support from Democrats.
Things looking quite good for Ratcliffe to get confirmed — and with a solid amount of Dem support potentially.
— Al Weaver (@alweaver22) January 15, 2025
Mark Warner says he is looking “favorably” on Ratcliffe nom. Mark Kelly says he is going to vote for him.
Biden scoffs at Trump taking credit for Middle East ceasefire deal
19:18
Oliver O'Connell
Asked about President-elect Donald Trump taking credit for the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, President Joe Biden responds: “This is the exact framework of the deal I proposed. We got the world to endorse it. I told my team to coordinate with the incoming team to make sure we are all speaking with the same voice.”
Reporter: How much credit do you give to the Trump team for this deal?
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 15, 2025
Biden: This is the exact framework of the deal I proposed. We got the world to endorse it. I told my team to coordinate with the incoming team to make sure we are all speaking with the same voice pic.twitter.com/DG2jVG3BsV
Pressed again about “who gets credit for this deal, you or Trump,” Biden, walking away from the lectern, replies: “Is that a joke?”
The president said the ceasefire will be in place as long as Israel and Hamas remain at the negotiating table on a long-term truce.
Reporter: Who gets credit for this? You or Trump?
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 15, 2025
Biden: Is that a joke? pic.twitter.com/mca4y6HVyL
Bondi says going after the media for being the media is ‘wrong’
19:15
Oliver O'Connell
Senator Amy Klobuchar asks if Bondi will “respect the importance of a free press.”
“Absolutely,” she replies.
Klobuchar asks how she would respond if Kash Patel does go after the media were he to be confirmed to lead the FBI.
“Clearly he’s made some statements … but going after the media just because they’re the media is wrong, of course.”
Jill Biden ‘disappointed’ in Nancy Pelosi for abandoning president as party’s nominee
19:11
Oliver O'Connell
“Disappointing” is the word First Lady Dr. Jill Biden used to describe how she feels about the way her husband, President Joe Biden, was treated by Democratic Party leaders during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Reflecting on the contentious election – which has led to Biden’s final year in office – Jill Biden said she wasn’t pleased with longtime allies, such as former speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is widely believed to have abandoned Biden’s campaign after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump.
Ariana Baio reports.
Vought says no problem with Trump refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress
19:09
Alex Woodward
Meanwhile, in Russell Vought’s confirmation hearing, the Project 2025 co-author and OMB nominee says he doesn’t have a problem with Donald Trump unilaterally refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress (which was the focus of his first impeachment). That’s illegal, but Trump says he thinks it’s unconstitutional and should be overturned.
“The president has run on that issue. He believes it is unconstitutional,” he said.
“For 200 years, presidents had the ability to spend less than an appropriation, if they could do it for less. We have seen the extent to which this law has contributed to waste, fraud, and abuse. But as it pertains to the parameters of how we would use that, that’s something that his team will have to consider when they are confirmed in these roles.”
Biden hails Israel-Hamas ceasefire
18:54
Oliver O'Connell
The White House released the following statement from President Joe Biden on the news that a ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas:
Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.
I laid out the precise contours of this plan on May 31, 2024, after which it was endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council. It is the result not only of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under and the changed regional equation after a ceasefire in Lebanon and weakening of Iran — but also of dogged and painstaking American diplomacy. My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.
Even as we welcome this news, we remember all the families whose loved ones were killed in Hamas’s October 7th attack, and the many innocent people killed in the war that followed. It is long past time for the fighting to end and the work of building peace and security to begin. I am also if thinking of the American families, three of whom have living hostages in Gaza and four awaiting return of remains after what has been the most horrible ordeal imaginable. Under this deal, we are determined to bring all of them home.
I will speak more about this soon. For now, I am thrilled that those who have been held hostage are being reunited with their families.
Full roster of performers for Trump’s second inauguration released
18:50
Oliver O'Connell
The Trump-Vance inaugural committee has released the full list of performers for Monday’s inauguration and related events celebrating the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term.
In addition to Carrie Underwood and Christopher Macchio, the list includes Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Village People, and Jason Aldean, as well as a... “surprise musical guest.”
Trump/Vance inaugural committee announces performers for the inauguration and related events
— Allan Smith (@akarl_smith) January 15, 2025
Includes Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Village People and Jason Aldean, as well as a — wait for it — "surprise musical guest." pic.twitter.com/oo0sAasLxJ
Schiff and Bondi clash over Trump’s desire to jail Liz Cheney
18:45
Alex Woodward
Bondi gets mad and accuses Schiff of "trying to engage me in a gotcha" when he asks her if Trump lost the 2020 election pic.twitter.com/zVoaGf7vUk
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 15, 2025
Adam Schiff, who went after Bondi during Trump’s first impeachment, just grilled her for over her loyalty to Trump and got a bunch of nonanswers in response.
Schiff: “Are you aware of a factual predicate to investigate Jack Smith? … You seem reluctant to answer a simple question … The president also wants to investigate Liz Cheney … Are you aware of any factual predicate [to investigate her]?”
“That’s a hypothetical,” she replied.
“No it’s not a hypothetical” — Trump has openly supported prosecuting them, he said. “The president has called for this — you are aware of this aren’t you?”
She fired back with a series of accusations against Schiff himself, saying that “crime is through the roof” in his home state of California. “That’s what I want to focus on, Senator.”
“Can you tell us, can you tell him, that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election?” Schiff asked. “Can you say that? Do you have the independence … the intestinal fortitude?”
“What I can tell you is I will never play politics. You’re trying to get me in a gotcha,” she said.
Full story: Trump takes full credit for ‘EPIC’ ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas
18:30
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump claimed full credit on Wednesday for the “EPIC” ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
The president-elect argued in a Truth Social post that the agreement, expected to be formally confirmed later today, “could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November.”
Josh Marcus reports.
Trump encouraging Ramaswamy to take vacant Ohio Senate seat — but what about DOGE?
18:11
Oliver O'Connell
SCOOP: President-elect Donald Trump is encouraging Vivek Ramaswamy to take the Ohio Senate seat vacated by JD Vance's departure, per sources
— Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) January 15, 2025
Unclear what this would mean for DOGE, which Trump picked Ramaswamy & Musk to lead in November
Senate decision up to Ohio's governor
Bondi clashes with Padilla over 2020 election claims
17:58
Oliver O'Connell
California Senator Alex Padilla attacks Bondi for her 2020 election claims. The day after Election Day, she was with Giuliani in Pennsylvania and declared Trump “won” the state, even though there were still 1 million ballots left to be counted.
Bondi then went on Fox News the next day claiming was “evidence of cheating” and “fake ballots.” None of that was true.
“Do you have evidence? It’s a yes or no,” Padilla says.
She keeps deflecting, first offering her sympathies to California, Padilla’s state. He keeps pressing her for evidence.
wow -- Bondi is being straight up disrespectful to Sen. Padilla, claiming he didn't do his "homework" (she seems to be mad about his line of questions exposing her election denialism) pic.twitter.com/EiZniJ5o8n
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 15, 2025
Watch: Energy secretary nominee asked about climate change and California wildfires
17:50
Oliver O'Connell
.@SenAlexPadilla reads past social media posts from the nominee and asks about climate change and Southern California wildfires: "Do you think it's just hype or not?"
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 15, 2025
Energy Secretary Nominee Chris Wright: "Climate is a real and global phenomenon...I stand by my past comments." pic.twitter.com/sSoD066j3S
DC hotels roll out VIP packages for Trump inauguration
17:40
Oliver O'Connell
Washington D.C. hotels are offering a series of lavish exclusive VIP packages ahead of the second inauguration of Donald Trump.
President-elect Trump is set to be sworn in on the Speaker’s Balcony on January 20 overlooking the National Mall. It’ll be the start of his presidential term and a week of inaugural festivities across the city.
To prepare for the event, hotels are offering exclusive and expensive packages totaling tens of thousands of dollars to VIP guests flying in for the occasion.
Here’s Michelle Del Rey with a round-up of what they are offering.
Trump takes credit for Israel-Hamas ceasefire
17:30
Oliver O'Connell
A jubilant Donald Trump has taken credit for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, claiming that it only happened because of his election victory in November.
The president-elect wrote on Truth Social:
This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.
With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!
We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!
Harris reportedly snubs Vance by declining to invite him on pre-inaugural tour of VP residence
17:28
Oliver O'Connell
Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly snubbed Vice President-elect JD Vance by not inviting him for a tour of the vice president’s residence before the inauguration.
While the tour for the incoming family has become a recent norm, Harris was never at the vice president’s residence before her inauguration amid the Covid-19 pandemic and President-elect Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
17:24
Oliver O'Connell
The fundamental question is not whether his family is involved in business. The fundamental question is whether that is in any way impacting the conduct of our foreign policy in a way that’s counter to our national interest. And the president’s made it abundantly clear that every decision he makes and every decision we are to make at the State Department should be driven by whether or not it serves the core national interests of the United States.
Bondi and Patel still missing nomination paperwork
17:21
Oliver O'Connell
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley told CNN’s Manu Raju that the committee is still waiting for all of Pam Bondi’s paperwork to decide when to hold a vote on her nomination.
They are also still waiting for all of Kash Patel’s paperwork to schedule a hearing for his nomination as FBI director.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley told me that they are still waiting for all of Pam Bondi’s paperwork to decide when to hold vote on her nomination. And they are still waiting for all of Kash Patel’s paperwork to schedule a hearing
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 15, 2025
Rubio defends Trump Organization’s ability to do deals in foreign countries
17:17
Oliver O'Connell
In Marco Rubio’s confirmation hearing, Senator Chris Murphy brings up the Trump Organization's foreign entanglements and business deals, and the potential conflicts of interest once Donald Trump returns to the White House.
“The Trump Organization is going to be signing new business deals in the Middle East with private companies that have connections to foreign governments at the very moment that you are going to be conducting sensitive diplomacy in these countries. That's just extraordinary. Never before in the history of this country has a president been I mean literally receiving cash from foreign governments and from foreign companies that are backed by foreign governments in the middle of their term. If you or I had done this as senators, we would be in violent violation of Senate Ethics Rules. That's not permitted on the Foreign Relations Committee. And so I guess my question to you is a pretty simple one: Do you see how this fundamentally compromises your diplomatic efforts, do you have an issue, will you raise an issue with the president about his growing financial connection with the governments that you're going to be negotiating with?”
Rubio defends the company’s ability to do business deals abroad, including with Middle Eastern governments while Trump is in office: “The president doesn't manage that company. His family members do, and they have a right to be in the business. I mean that's the business they're in ... They have properties in multiple countries.”
Rubio further says, for instance, that Jared Kushner, who is doing business in Saudi Arabia, is “a private citizen” but also notes on the Middle East that Trump envoy Steve Witkoff just worked “cooperatively and together with the Biden administration” on today’s Gaza ceasefire.
Rubio says, for instance, that Jared Kushner who is doing business in Saudi Arabia is "a private citizen" but also notes on the Middle East that Steve Witkoff just worked "cooperatively and together with the Biden admin" to get a Gaza ceasefire.
— Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) January 15, 2025
BREAKING: Hamas accepts ceasefire deal with Israel
17:07
Oliver O'Connell
Hamas has accepted a ceasefire deal with Israel, according to reports, with Qatar set to give an update this evening after days of intense negotiations.
A Hamas source said the group’s leader, Khalil Al Hayya, has delivered approval for the ceasefire agreement to mediators in Qatar, a source told Sky News. It came shortly before an Axios reporter quoted a US official as saying a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal has been reached.
President-elect Donald Trump posted the following to Truth Social:
WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!
Senator James Risch of Idaho took a moment during Senator Marco Rubio’s confirmation hearing to be secretary of state to announce the news.
Risch takes a moment in the Rubio hearing to announce he understands there's a ceasefire deal in Gaza
— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) January 15, 2025
Barak Ravid of Axios notes that it was partly the cooperation between envoys from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration that made the ceasefire deal possible.
.@BarakRavid saying right now on CNN how incredible it was that Biden and Trump's envoys worked hand in hand during transition toward ceasefire negotiations and that made this deal possible.
— Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) January 15, 2025
17:00
Oliver O'Connell
Cruz claims DOJ protected Biden allies — but what about the ones it prosecuted?
16:53
Oliver O'Connell
Sen @tedcruz just said the DoJ “systemically protected” Biden’s friends and allies. That must be news to Hunter Biden, Robert Menendez, Henry Cuellar and all the other Democrats the DoJ prosecuted in the last four years.
— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) January 15, 2025
Bondi again challenged over 2020 election
16:46
Oliver O'Connell
Senator Mazie Hirono once again tried to get Bondi on the record admitting that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election.
Bondi’s answer: “Joe Biden is the president of the United States.”
Hirono says there’s a difference between acknowledging who is president and who won.
“You can’t say who won the 2020 election. It’s disturbing.”
Bondi doesn’t respond.
Hirono: Who won the 2020 presidential election?
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 15, 2025
Bondi: Joe Biden is the president of the United States. pic.twitter.com/D8mS4X66mX