Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, featuring the latest updates on the Trump transition, exclusive interviews and more political content from Fox News.
Here’s what’s happening…
-Republican senator flips the script on Democrats for “hypocritically” grilling Hegseth: “So ridiculous”
–Massie removed from powerful House committee after vote against Johnson
-President Johnson announces the flags at fly at full throttle at the United States Capitol during the presidential inauguration
Grilled on the Hill
President-elect Donald Trump’s choice Defense Department chief Pete Hegseth faced questioning in the Senate on Tuesday as lawmakers determine whether they will vote for the nominee.
Hegseth faced intense questions from Democrats during his hearing before the Armed Services Committee, including his previous comments regarding women serving in military combat roles, and was also interrupted by protesters who disrupted the hearing at certain times.
Trump nominated Hegseth in November, just days after his decisive election victory against Vice President Harris, hailing him “as a warrior for the troops and for the country.”Learn more
Pete Hegseth, military analyst at Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. and nominee for United States Secretary of Defense for United States President-elect Donald Trump, during a Senate Services Committee confirmation hearing armed men in Washington, DC, United States, on Tuesday. Photographer: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Getty Images)
White House
“LEAD THE WORLD”: Biden issues second AI action in final week of his term with executive order accelerating US infrastructure…Learn more
FAR ANCHORS: Biden announces the names of future aircraft carriers: USS William J Clinton, George W Bush…Learn more
FEMA FUNDS: Biden announces $770 checks for residents affected by California wildfires…Learn more
Vehicles and a home burn as powerful winds fueling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area force people to evacuate, during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, United States, January 8, 2025 . (Reuters/David Swanson)
“CASH CASH”: ‘Incomplete’ Hunter Biden Report, Protection of ‘Biden Crime Family’ Shredded by Comer, IRS Whistleblowers…Learn more
World stage
Trump transition
COMFORTABLE AT THE WHITE HOUSE: Elon Musk prepares to take office at the White House: report…Learn more
LOUD NOISES: Hegseth interrupted by several protesters during Senate confirmation hearing…Learn more
U.S. Capitol Police officers clear a protester during a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, DC, U.S., Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Photographer: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Pictures (Getty Images)
ABSENT AGAIN: Michelle Obama will not attend Trump’s inauguration, 11 days after missing Carter’s funeral…Learn more
‘I WANT TO KNOW…’: GOP holdout Hegseth presses Defense Secretary nominee on her top 3 military issues…Learn more
“CLOWN SHOW”: The senator’s “lies and stupidity” during the Hegseth hearing were roasted on social media…Learn more
Capitol
SPORTY: Two House Democrats vote with GOP to ban biological males from girls’ school sports…Learn more
House GOP members and female athletes mark passage of the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) (C ) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-VA) (L) raise their hands when asked if they know a transgender woman during an event celebrating House passage of the Women and Women Protection Act girls in sports in front of the United States Capitol on April 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the legislation, which defines sex as “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth” and would ban all transgender women and girls from participating in women’s school sports. (Somodevilla chip)
POLICE NOVEL: World health agency set to cut as Republicans threaten to cut funds…Learn more
DOGE HOUSE: The House DOGE Caucus examines federal employees and government regulations in new memo setting goals…Learn more
Across America
“DISTRIBUTE SO THIN”: A Los Angeles city councilor whose wildfire-ravaged district seeks to hold leaders accountable for empty reservoirs…Learn more
People watch smoke and flames from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on January 7, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Fueled by intense Santa Ana winds, the Palisades Fire grew to more than 2,900 acres and 30,000 people were ordered to evacuate while a second fire broke out near Eaton Canyon. (Tiffany Rose/Getty Images)
COSTS OF THE BORDER CRISIS: Oklahoma Superintendent of Education Sues for Reimbursement of Illegal Aliens’ Education Costs…Learn more
JUMP INTO: The top lawmaker is the first Republican to launch a gubernatorial campaign in the race to succeed Michigan’s Whitmer…Learn more
Get the latest updates on Trump’s presidential transition, the upcoming Congress, exclusive interviews and more. FoxNews.com