The House Ethics Committee will unveil its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz following this year's final votes, scheduled for Thursday. This concludes a multi-year investigation into allegations against Gaetz, including accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor and drug use. The investigation ended abruptly last month when Gaetz resigned from Congress, shortly after being nominated by President-elect Trump for Attorney General.

Representatives Matt Gaetz and Andy Ogles outside Manhattan Criminal Court during Trump's trial. (Angela Weiss-Pool/Getty Images)

Key Political Developments

White House

• West Virginia Democrats criticize Biden's pardon decisions, comparing them to Trump's actions.
• Energy industry leaders express disapproval of the Biden administration's report on natural gas exports.

Supreme Court

• A legal expert questions Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's participation in a Broadway musical while the court deliberates on a transgender case.

Justice Jackson appeared in '& Juliet.' (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for The Atlantic | Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

World Stage

• A last-minute government funding extension includes renewed counter-drone authority and measures addressing China.
• Trump questions US subsidies to Canada and suggests Canadians might desire statehood.

Trudeau and Trump met at Mar-a-Lago. (Justin Trudeau X)

Trump Transition

• Trump appoints Herschel Walker and Nicole McGraw as ambassadors, while also issuing a caution to GOP senators.
• Pete Hegseth reports no contact from West Point after an employee error regarding his acceptance.
• Farm state Republicans express reservations about RFK Jr.'s HHS nomination.
• Herschel Walker embarks on a new role within the Trump administration.

Walker speaking at a rally with Trump. (REUTERS/Dustin Chambers)

• A key Trump ally voices opposition to a significant emergency spending plan.
• A senator claims RFK Jr. assured him of agreement with Trump on abortion and a less regulatory approach to farming.

Capitol Hill

• Recent health incidents and threats underscore the increasing vulnerabilities of lawmakers.
• Rep. Massie uses a vivid analogy to oppose foreign aid and satirizes Speaker Johnson with an AI-generated image.
• Congress approves full funding for the Baltimore Key Bridge rebuild in a government shutdown aversion plan.
• Lawmakers identify potential areas for government efficiency following the initial DOGE Caucus meeting.

Musk and Ramaswamy to lead Department of Government Efficiency. (Getty Images)

• Speaker Johnson presses the Biden administration for answers on New Jersey drone sightings.
• Republican lawmakers criticize a spending bill while Mike Johnson defends its necessity.
• Senator Mike Lee seeks to block welfare benefits for undocumented immigrants through the budget process.
• Senator Fetterman commits to an open-minded approach to Trump's nominee confirmations.

Across America

• Drones observed over Camp Pendleton deemed non-threatening.
• The EPA authorizes California's ban on new gas car sales by 2035.
• Several states challenge the Biden administration's handling of border wall materials.
• A Montana judge temporarily suspends rules restricting transgender individuals from modifying gender on state documents.
• The defense attorney for the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case anticipates a potential reduction in charges.

Luigi Mangione after an extradition hearing. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

• The FBI cautions New Jersey residents against targeting drones or aircraft with lasers.
• A leading Democratic Party chair candidate acknowledges the party's current struggles.
• Governor DeSantis criticizes media coverage of Florida's immigration policies, citing economic growth.
• Lawmakers propose naming several highways after Trump.