On Politics

Wed Jan 15 2025

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

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.

•	Takeaways from Hegseth Tuesday confirmation hearing
•	Sen. Joni Ernst says she will vote for Pete Hegseth for defense secretary

News Pam Bondi Attorney General Senate Nomination Hearing

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

A politics pit stop

•	Iran's president says his country won't try to assassinate Trump
•	Which former presidents will be attending the inauguration?
•	Why these people are following Trump around the country
•	In scathing report, Inspector General says Lloyd Austin risked national security
•	States with the strongest (and weakest) gun laws in 2025

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.

•	Photos: Hugging in the streets. People react to the deal in Tel Aviv and Gaza

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.