Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and 11 Republican senators are calling for accountability after a Department of Defense (DoD) inspector general (IG) report revealed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin failed to notify the White House and Congress of multiple hospitalizations. The report concluded Austin violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act (FVRA) and left critical defense responsibilities unaddressed during his incapacitation.
Attorneys General from 20 states are calling on the U.S. Senate to quickly confirm three nominees proposed by President-elect Donald Trump for key national security positions. The nominees include Governor Kristi Noem (R-SD) for Secretary of Homeland Security, Pam Bondi for Attorney General, and Kash Patel for FBI Director. The officials emphasize the urgency of assembling a strong national security team given current challenges.
On January 15, 2025, Sweden announced plans to amend its constitution to allow the revocation of citizenship for individuals who obtained it fraudulently or pose a threat to national security.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a "last-minute crisis" with Hamas is holding up the ceasefire agreement that would release hostages.
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.
The governor of Puerto Rico has asked President-elect Donald Trump to intervene after Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro threatened to invade the U.S. territory.
