Politics

Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly "disappointed" by President Joe Biden's recent assertion that he could have defeated President-elect Donald Trump in the 2024 election, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. Harris’s frustration comes after years of publicly defending Biden, particularly against concerns over his mental acuity, while maintaining loyalty to the administration's messaging.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that she plans to launch a state Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut government spending.

A new Rasmussen Reports poll highlights dissatisfaction among Los Angeles voters with Mayor Karen Bass's leadership, showing her approval rating at 42% and disapproval at 44%. The survey, conducted January 13-15 among 809 likely voters in Los Angeles County, has a margin of error of 3.5%. The results reflect a Democratic-leaning electorate, aligning with the area’s typical political composition.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) picked the state's attorney general, Ashley Moody, to fill Senator Marco Rubio's seat.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a "last-minute crisis" with Hamas is holding up the ceasefire agreement that would release hostages.

L.A. Times columnist Sammy Roth has attributed the recent Palisades Fire and other devastating wildfires in Los Angeles to climate change, framing the issue as a result of fossil fuel dependence and global warming. In his column titled “Los Angeles is a climate disaster. The fires will change nothing,” Roth called for systemic changes, such as reducing fossil fuel use, supporting green businesses, and prioritizing climate action in public policy and personal decisions.

An alleged intruder in Fairfax, Virginia, is in critical condition after being shot by a homeowner during an attempted break-in early Wednesday morning. According to police, the homeowner called 911 at approximately 2:30 a.m. to report the intruder’s attempt to force entry into the home. The homeowner remained on the line with emergency services as the situation unfolded.

Scott Bessent, nominee for Treasury Secretary under the incoming Trump administration, is set to outline a bold economic agenda during his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday. According to prepared remarks, Bessent will emphasize the need to permanently extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act while advancing new policies to reduce the tax burden on manufacturers, service workers, and seniors.

The Vatican City State has enacted stricter penalties for unauthorized entry and violations of its security regulations, threatening offenders with steep fines and prison sentences. The updated rules were announced through a decree signed by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, and aim to enhance security within the world’s smallest sovereign state.

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow shared her reaction to President Joe Biden’s farewell address on Wednesday, describing the president’s stark warning about the state of American democracy as chilling. Maddow highlighted Biden’s focus on the dangers of concentrated power, misinformation, and attacks on the press, noting the gravity of his message as a significant departure from traditional farewell speeches.