President Trump will meet with his national security team Monday afternoon as bipartisan scrutiny mounted over a report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order in September to strike an alleged drug vessel a second time to kill any survivors.
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have opened investigations into US military strikes suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
Democrats have said that the allegations first reported by The Washington Post last week could amount to a war crime. Republicans have also voiced their concerns about the legality of the Sept. 2 attack in the Caribbean.
See a recap.
GOP senator says if an official ordered strike on survivors, they should ‘get the hell out of Washington’ — 8:51 p.m.
Associated Press
North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said he wants more information on a report that top military officials ordered an attack on survivors of a boat strike, calling the claim potentially “rage bait.” Still, he said “we need to get to the bottom of it,” and that, if true, it would amount to “a violation of an ethical, moral or legal code.”
“If it’s substantiated, whoever made that order needs to get the hell out of Washington,” Tillis said.
Tillis, who announced earlier this year he won’t seek reelection, was a deciding vote in confirming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Chair of Senate Armed Services Committee pledges boat strike investigation will be ‘by the numbers’ — 8:29 p.m.
Associated Press
Republican Sen. Roger Wicker says he wants vigorous oversight following a report that top military officials ordered an attack on survivors of a boat strike.
“We’ll find out the ground truth,” he said, adding that the ramifications of the report were “serious charges.”
Wicker added that he expected a briefing from U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Frank Bradley, who was overseeing the operation, but avoided saying whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be called to testify.
Trump strikes ‘renewable’ from National Renewable Energy Lab — 7:20 p.m.
Bloomberg
The Trump administration is renaming the National Renewable Energy Laboratory the National Laboratory of the Rockies, in its latest move to re-characterize federal entities associated with clean energy.
The Golden, Colorado-based Energy Department lab, one of 17 national laboratories managed by the agency, has been dedicated to the research, development, commercialization and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency, according to its website. The lab has spearheaded innovations in solar cell efficiency and wind energy.
Its renaming, effective Dec. 1, follows a series of wide-ranging attacks on wind and solar power as the Trump administration seek to reshape the US energy landscape and reverse the green agenda championed by the previous administration.
Experts explain what the law says about killing survivors of a boat strike — 5:57 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The US military would have committed a crime if it killed the survivors of an alleged drug boat after it was first attacked, legal experts say.
It doesn’t matter whether the US is in “armed conflict” with drug cartels as the Trump administration asserts. Such a fatal strike would have violated peacetime laws and those governing armed conflict, the experts say.
“I can’t imagine anyone, no matter what the circumstance, believing it is appropriate to kill people who are clinging to a boat in the water,” said Michael Schmitt, a professor emeritus at the US Naval War College.
The White House confirmed Monday that a second strike was conducted in September against a vessel accused of trafficking drugs off Venezuela and insisted it was legal.
Bill Cassidy celebrates Trump signing law on health care — 5:20 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The Louisiana senator, who is emphasizing his ties to Trump ahead of a tough primary, posted a video touting the president’s signature on a Senate bill.
“It’s all about making America healthy again,” Cassidy says in the video, taken from a car. The SUPPORT Act is meant to boost programs that treat substance use disorders, overdoses, and mental health.
Cassidy posted earlier today that he was invited to the White House for the bill signing. Trump has not made an endorsement in the 2026 Senate race in Louisiana, where Cassidy is up for reelection. Cassidy — highlighting what he’s previously called a “great working relationship” with Trump — drew multiple challengers from his own party after voting to convict Trump on an article of impeachment.
Schumer calls Hegseth a ‘national embarrassment’ and demands release of boat strike video — 5:18 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The Senate Democratic leader called the Defense secretary childish and insecure, and said Hegseth’s social media post of a cartoon turtle firing on suspected drug traffickers is “something no serious leader would ever think of doing.”
Schumer said the Armed Services committees conducting oversight should demand that Hegseth release the video of the strike and testify under oath about what happened.
Senate GOP Leader wants ‘all the particulars’ on Venezuelan boat strike — 5:17 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Senator John Thune says he’s glad the Armed Services committees in Congress will be conducting oversight of the boat strikes on alleged drug traffickers that critics have described as war crimes.
“I don’t have, at this point, an evaluation of the secretary,” Thune told reporters. “Others can make those evaluations.”
He said he expects the committee to look into “what happened when and what orders were given.”
“I don’t think you want to draw any conclusions or deductions until you have all the facts,” Thune told reporters. “We’ll see where they lead.”
Trump honors National Guard troops at White House Christmas party — 5:02 p.m.
By the Associated Press
In a video of the party posted online by White House aide Margo Martin, Trump noted that he spoke to the parents of US Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed in last week’s shooting in Washington.
“Her parents couldn’t believe it, what happened to their baby, what happened to their daughter,” Trump said Monday. “She’s gone.” He said another National Guard member — US Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, whom Trump called “a fabulous young man” — was “fighting for his life.”
“Maybe he’ll be OK, he’s going through a lot,” Trump said. “Maybe he’ll be OK.”
The press was not invited into the Christmas gathering, which an aide said was the first one at the White House this year.
“We have a little more than three years left, and three years for Trump is an eternity,” Trump said to applause and laughter, according to the video posted by Martin.
Senator Kelly says Trump is trying to bully him: ‘I won’t let it happen’ — 4:39 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Facing a Pentagon investigation after Trump accused him of sedition “punishable by DEATH,” Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona is showing little interest in backing down.
“For most of Donald Trump’s career, bullying people has worked out for him. But not now, because I won’t let it happen,” Kelly told reporters Monday.
The Pentagon launched its inquiry last week after Kelly appeared in a video with other Democratic lawmakers urging US troops to defy “illegal orders.” Kelly, viewed as a potential 2028 presidential contender, has stayed in the spotlight since by directly challenging the president.
“President Trump has crossed the line, and this time it’s not going to work. I will not be intimidated by this president,” Kelly said.
Chairman of vaccine committee leaves for new HHS job — 4:10 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial vaccine advisory committee will be meeting later this week under a new chairperson, federal officials announced Monday.
Martin Kulldorff is leaving the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to take a leadership role within the Department of Health and Human Services, officials said.
Dr. Kirk Milhoan, who has blamed vaccines for causing cardiovascular disease, will become the new chair. He had been appointed to the committee in September.
Top military officer talks with congressional leaders — 4:00 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held the weekend call following reports that the military conducted a second strike in September on the survivors of an attack on an alleged drug boat.
Caine spoke with the four bipartisan lawmakers leading the Senate and House Armed Services Committees “to share perspectives on ongoing operations” and reiterate “his trust and confidence in the experienced commanders at every echelon,” Caine’s office said.
The committees have opened reviews following the report.
The call focused on “addressing the intent and legality of missions to disrupt illicit trafficking networks which threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere,” the statement said.
Three of Schumer’s offices targeted with bomb threats — 3:31 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said three of his New York offices received emailed bomb threats from an email address alleging the “2020 election was rigged.”
Schumer said in a statement that local law enforcement received bomb threats referencing his offices in Rochester, Binghamton and Long Island with the email subject line “MAGA.”
“Local and federal law enforcement responded immediately and are conducting full security sweeps,” Schumer said. “Everyone is safe, and I am grateful for their quick and professional response to ensure these offices remain safe and secure for all New Yorkers.”
Trump and France’s Macron hold call to discuss Ukraine — 3:25 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The French president spoke with Trump by phone after he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Monday.
Trump and Macron “discussed the conditions for a robust and lasting peace in Ukraine and the next steps in the mediation efforts undertaken by the United States,” according to a French government statement. “The President of the Republic notably underscored the central importance of the security guarantees required for Ukraine and our determination to work on them together with the United States.”
Ukraine’s president spoke optimistically Monday about the progress of revising the Trump administration’s peace plan, saying “it looks better” and the work will continue during talks on how to end Russia’s nearly four-year war.
US and Ukrainian officials held talks in Florida about the US proposal.
White House physician says Trump is in ‘excellent overall health’ — 2:37 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Sean Barbabella said in a statement that Trump’s physical exam included “advanced imaging” that is “standard for an executive physical” in Trump’s age group.
Barbarella concluded that the cardiovascular and abdominal imaging was “perfectly normal.”
Trump to meet with his national security team to discuss strikes off of Venezuela — 2:11 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Leavitt said the meeting will take place Monday afternoon, and that strikes against suspected drug vessels off Venezuela — as well as other topics — will be discussed.
White House says second strike on suspected drug vessel followed armed conflict laws — 2:04 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said a second strike was conducted against an alleged drug vessel off Venezuela “in self-defense and “in accordance” with laws governing armed conflict.
“The president has the right to take them out,” Leavitt said of alleged drug vessels, if they are “threatening the United States of America.”
Leavitt’s comments came after reports that defense officials gave a verbal order to leave no survivors after a first US strike on a suspected drug smuggling boat in the Caribbean on Sept. 2 left survivors.
White House says Biden ‘recklessly released’ nearly 100,000 Afghans into the US — 1:50 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the pre-Thanksgiving shooting of two National Guard members in Washington shows it is “more important than ever to finish carrying out the president’s mass deportation operation.”
She said the Trump administration is “ensuring the monster responsible for this atrocity” is held accountable, and reckoning with what made the attack possible — including scrutinizing past immigration decisions involving Afghans and other migrants.
Leavitt blamed what she called Biden’s “historic failure in Afghanistan” and said it “continues to haunt this country and our men and women in uniform.”
Melania Trump and Usha Vance write holiday cards for deployed service members — 1:32 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The wives of the president and vice president spoke briefly to the roughly 100 military spouses, American Red Cross volunteers and others gathered inside a hangar at Joint Base Andrews near the nation’s capital for the event.
The first lady praised the spouses for carrying “the weight of family life” while their husbands or wives are away from home serving the country.
Usha Vance, whose husband, Vice President JD Vance, is a former Marine, said the holiday season is a time to “lift up” those who serve.
After speaking, both women took up positions at tables to help stuff “comfort kits” as they were being filled with Rice Krispies treats, peanuts, granola bars and handwritten notes. They also joined others who were writing holiday cards for deployed service members.
The first lady wrote in one of her cards: “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for your service. Our nation is proud of you!” and signed it, “With warm wishes, Melania Trump.”
Trump holds call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — 12:55 p.m.
By the Associated Press
“The two leaders stressed the importance and obligation of disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and discussed expanding the peace agreements,” according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The call comes a day after Netanyahu asked his country’s president to grant him a pardon from corruption charges, a move that would end a long-running trial that has bitterly divided the nation.
Trump has publicly urged Israel to pardon Netanyahu, turning to President Isaac Herzog during his speech to Israel’s parliament during an October visit. Trump also recently sent a letter to Herzog calling the corruption case “political, unjustified prosecution.”
UK secures 0 percent tariff rate on medicines exported to US for 3 years — 11:39 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Under the deal announced Monday, the Trump administration agreed to exempt U.K.-origin pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical ingredients, and medical technology from import taxes. In return, U.K. drugs firms committed to invest more in the U.S. and create more jobs. The U.K. government said it will invest around 25% more in new and effective treatments — the first major increase in such spending in over two decades.
“This vital deal will ensure U.K. patients get the cutting-edge medicines they need sooner, and our world-leading UK firms keep developing the treatments that can change lives,” Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the agreement “strengthens the global environment for innovative medicines and brings long-overdue balance to U.S.–U.K. pharmaceutical trade.”
Trump urges Israel to maintain dialogue with Syria amid growing tensions — 11:30 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The president in a social media posting said his administration is “very satisfied” with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s efforts to stabilize Syria as the Mideast nation nears the one-year anniversary of the ouster of Bashar al-Assad.
But Trump also underscored that it’s “very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous State.”
Trump’s comments come as Israel moves to secure its northern borders. Israeli military forces raided a Syrian village on Friday and opened fire when confronted by residents, killing at least 13 people in the deadliest Israeli attack since its troops seized a swath of southern Syria a year ago.
A Border Patrol-led immigration crackdown is coming to greater New Orleans — 11:24 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Around 250 federal border agents are aiming to arrest 5,000 people after Monday’s expected launch of what they’re calling “Swamp Sweep,” a monthslong immigration crackdown in southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi.
The deployment centered in liberal New Orleans is the latest to target a Democratic-run city as the Trump administration pursues its mass deportation agenda.
Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who has led aggressive operations in Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte, North Carolina, is expected to helm the campaign. Many people in the greater New Orleans area have been on edge since the planned operations were reported this month. Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he welcomes the federal agents.
What to expect in Tennessee’s special congressional election — 10:46 a.m.
By the Associated Press
After a string of Democratic victories last month, the next test comes Tuesday in a special congressional election in Tennessee.
Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftyn Behn are the nominees to replace former GOP Representative Mark Green, who resigned in July. Van Epps is a West Point graduate and former Army helicopter pilot who led the Tennessee Department of General Services and has Trump’s endorsement. Behn is a progressive state representative who has drawn comparisons to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
The GOP is looking to pad its narrow six-vote House advantage. Most of the 7th District has elected only Republicans to Congress for more than a dozen years, but it has more Democratic voters since Republicans redrew the lines in 2022 to include parts of Davidson County, which is home to Nashville.
Aiming for a 9-0 sweep, Republicans would split Indianapolis among 4 districts — 10:45 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Indiana House Republicans published a draft of a map on Monday morning with new boundaries designed to oust the state’s two Democratic US House members.
The city of Indianapolis would be split among four congressional districts, a major change to the current map where the city makes up the entirety of the 7th District that reliably backs Democrats.
Indiana’s other current Democratic district is in the state’s northwest corner near Chicago. The new map would instead group a large portion of Republican counties in northern Indiana with the cities of East Chicago and Gary to make a new 1st Congressional District.
Indiana lawmakers have been under mounting pressure from the White House to redistrict like Republicans in Texas, Ohio and North Carolina have. To offset the GOP gains, Democrats in California and Virginia have moved to do the same.
First lady Melania Trump reveals White House Christmas decorations — 10:05 a.m.
By the Associated Press
“Home is Where the Heart is” is the theme she chose for her family’s first Christmas back at the White House.
The decorations also nod to next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the founding of the United States of America.
The gingerbread White House, an annual highlight dating to the Nixon administration, showcases the South Portico and provides a glimpse into the Yellow Oval room as decorated by the Trumps.
The Yellow Oval is a sitting room in the president’s private living quarters on the second floor of the White House.
Public tours resume on Tuesday.
Venezuelan leader Maduro and his allies resist US pressure — 9:47 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Venezuelan opposition leaders hoped US military threats would weaken President Nicolás Maduro’s support. But the strategy of loyalty or punishment among the ruling party’s leadership continues to hold, despite the buildup off Venezuela’s Caribbean coast.
The Trump administration says the military operation aims to counter narcotics. But experts say these actions only strengthen Maduro and his allies and unites them against external threats.
Former Trump lawyer Alina Habba is disqualified as New Jersey prosecutor — 9:46 a.m.
By the Associated Press
A federal appeals court ruled Monday that the Trump administration’s maneuvers to keep the president’s former lawyer Alina Habba in place as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor were illegal and she is disqualified.
The panel of the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals comes amid the administration’s push to keep Habba as the acting US attorney for New Jersey. The judges questioned the government’s moves to keep Habba in place after her interim appointment expired and without her getting Senate confirmation.
Habba said after the Oct. 20 hearing that she was fighting on behalf of other candidates to be federal prosecutors who have been denied Senate hearings.
Everyone’s talking about a ‘K-shaped’ economy — 9:20 a.m.
By the Associated Press
So what does it mean? The upper part of the K refers to higher-income Americans seeing their incomes and wealth rise. The bottom points to lower-income households struggling with weaker income gains and steep prices.
The term helps explain an unusually muddy and convoluted period for the US economy. Growth appears solid, yet hiring is sluggish and unemployment has ticked up. Overall consumer spending is still rising, but Americans are less confident. AI-related data center construction is soaring while factories are laying off workers and home sales are weak. And the stock market still hovers near record highs even as wage growth slows, making affordability much more of a concern for middle and lower-income households.
Indiana lawmakers in state House to convene session with redistricting top of mind — 3:52 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Indiana House members are expected to push forward Monday with redrawing the state’s congressional districts in Republicans’ favor, increasing pressure on their defiant counterparts in the GOP-led Senate to meet President Trump’s demands.
Republicans who control the House chamber have said there’s no doubt that redistricting will pass that chamber. But the fate of any proposal to emerge remains uncertain in the Senate. Republicans also control that chamber but members of the caucus have resisted pressure to redistrict for months.
What to know about this week’s diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine — 12:02 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Diplomats face an uphill battle to reconcile Russian and Ukrainian “red lines” as a renewed US-led push to end the war gathers steam, with Ukrainian officials attending talks in the US over the weekend and Washington officials expected in Moscow early this week.
President Trump’s peace plan became public last month, sparking alarm that it was too favorable to Moscow. It was revised some following talks in Geneva between the US and Ukraine a week ago.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the revised plan could be “workable.” Russian President Vladimir Putin called it a possible “basis” for a future peace agreement. Trump said Sunday “there’s a good chance we can make a deal.”
Still, officials on both sides indicated a long road ahead as key sticking points — over whether Kyiv should cede land to Moscow and how to ensure Ukraine’s future security — appear unresolved.