Washington Today

President Trump speaks to the World Economic Forum about tariffs and trade, war in Ukraine and U.S.-China relations; Senate confirms John Ratcliffe for CIA Director and advances Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary; Senate confirmation hearing for Agriculture Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins; interview with The Hill's Zach Schonfeld on a federal judge putting a hold on President Trump's Executive Order to restrict birthright citizenship. (41) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House passes Laken Riley Act requiring detention of undocumented immigrants for theft-related crimes, sending it to President Trump; Senate does not advance a bill requiring doctors to provide medical care to an infant that survives an abortion; Speaker Johnson says he does not "second guess" President Trump's decision to pardon more than 1,500 January 6thrioters, including those who assaulted police; new allegations of abusive behavior by Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth; Senate Transportation committee unanimously approves Sean Duffy to be Transportation Secretary; White House Budget Director nominee Russell Vought testifies before the Senate Budget Committee; Iran's Vice President says at the World Economic Forum, "I hope that this time around, a 'Trump 2' will be more serious, more focused, more realistic." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump announces up to $500 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure investment and talks about his first day Executive Orders, including pardoning January 6 attack rioters; Senate hearings for UN Ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik and Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee Doug Collins; Senate committee approves Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent; Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks about America First foreign policy agenda; Episcopal Bishop pleads with President Trump at National Prayer Service at to have mercy on transgender children and undocumented immigrants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time since 1985, a presidential inauguration was held inside the Capitol Rotunda due to frigid temperatures and biting wind chills in Washington, D.C. Despite the scaled-back setting; the event maintained the pomp and circumstance expected of such a momentous occasion. Today's edition of Washington Today highlights President Trump's inauguration, President Joe Biden's final acts, including last-minute pardons, and Martin Luther King III's reflections on his father’s enduring legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, a discussion about the incoming Trump Administration's trade and tariff policies with Republican Congressman Adrian Smith of the Ways & Means Committee. Then, we discuss House legislation passed earlier this week – that bans transgender athletes in women’s sports with former college athlete and Massachusetts representative Lori Trahan (D-MA). Finally, Quincy Institute's Ben Freeman joins us to discuss his organization's new report on "think tank" funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President-elect Trump moves indoors due to cold weather, Supreme Court upholds ban on TikTok if parent company does not sell, DHS Secretary nominee Kristi Noem asked about border security at her Senate confirmation hearing, Senate advances Laken Riley Act immigration bill, President Biden says Equal Rights Amendment is part of the Constitution, Gov. DeWine (R-OH) appoints Lt. Gov. Husted (R-OH) to vacant U.S. Senate seat, latest on Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release agreement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More Trump Cabinet confirmation hearings: Scott Bessent (Treasury), Doug Burgum (Interior), Lee Zeldin (EPA); Gov. DeSantis says he will appoint FL Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill Senate seat that will be vacant when Sen. Rubio is confirmed as Secretary of State; last-minute maneuvering to try to prevent TikTok ban in U.S. starting Sunday; Secretary of State Blinken's final news conference interrupted by journalists upset at policy towards Israel; President Biden honored at Defense Department Commander in Chief farewell ceremony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden & President-elect Trump both claim credit for Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release agreement; Senate confirmation hearings for Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi, Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, CIA Director nominee John Ratcliffe; Vice President Harris on L.A. wildfire misinformation; Supreme Court case challenges pornography website age verification law in Texas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, debate over adding conditions to federal disaster aid for California wildfires, House passes bill banning transgender girls and women in K-12 and college sports, reaction to special counsel Jack Smith's report on charges against Donald Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release deal said to be close. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his final foreign policy speech today, President Biden said the US is winning the worldwide competition…Speaking at the State Department, the president reflected on his administration’s accomplishments around the world…He talked about the Afghanistan withdrawal…Russia's invasion of Ukraine…and said his administration is working urgently to reach a cease-fire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas terrorists…We'll hear from the president's speech coming up… The Pentagon said today US military aircraft dropped more than 16,000 gallons of fire suppressant on the Los Angeles wildfires over the weekend…They've also more than doubled the number of National Guard troops to assist in the fire response… Meanwhile, Firefighters say the return of dangerous wind and weather conditions predicted for this week could hamper their efforts… Already, at least 24 people have died as a result of the fires… with dozens still missing… The first confirmation hearings for the Trump cabinet kick off this week. Thirteen of the president-elect's nominees are scheduled to appear before Senators… Two are scheduled for tomorrow—Georgia Rep. Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs Secretary …and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary… Allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking, and poor organizational management have followed Pete Hegseth since Donald Trump nominated him… Punchbowl News senior Congressional reporter Andrew Desidiero will tell us what to watch for this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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President-elect Trump is given an unconditional discharge sentence in his hush money case with no punishment, The Hill's Zach Schoenfeld on the Supreme Court oral argument in a case challenging the law that could ban TikTok in the U.S. (20), President Biden on the response to the Southern California wildfires, Biden Administration sanctions Russia's energy industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden emphasizes former President Carter's 'character' at state funeral at Washington National Cathedral, President Biden gets briefing on response to Los Angeles wildfires, Senate advances Laken Riley Act immigration bill, House passes bill to sanction ICC over arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, Defense Secretary Austin urges U.S. continued military support for Ukraine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden & Gov. Newsom briefed on the LA wildfires; President-elect Trump meets with Senate Republicans in Washington, DC on agenda; departing leaders of FTC, CFTC, CDC discuss policies under new administration; more reaction to Donald Trump saying U.S. should take Greenland; possibly final meeting this week of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President-elect Trump news conference on energy policy, presidential transition, his legal cases, and whether he would use military force to accomplish his goals of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada. We talk with Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau Chief Tonda MacCharles. (32) President Biden postpones national monument land-protection announcement in California due to windstorm. Speaker Johnson on budget reconciliation and debt limit increase plans. The House passes Laken Riley Act to require detention of migrants arrested for theft. Former President Carter lies in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congress has officially certified Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election….with Vice President Kamala Harris presiding over counting the Electoral College votes from each state…. The final electoral count: 312 votes for Donald Trump…226 for Kamala Harris… And as the 2024 US presidential election closed, new leadership appeared on the horizon in Canada….As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation today… The three-term leader said he plans to resign once his Liberal Party chooses his successor…. And today is the 4th anniversary of the attack on the US Capitol…It's a day that means different things to different people… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First, As the Nation gets ready to say its final goodbye to former President Jimmy Carter, a conversation with Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s chief White House domestic policy adviser and the author of “President Carter: The White House Years." Next, Henry Olsen of the Ethics and Public Policy Center discusses his recent New York Post op-ed in which he argues Donald Trump's White House win signals a historic "realignment" favoring the Republican party. Plus, Investigative journalist Dave Levinthal discusses his reporting into who is contributing large sums of money to President-elect Trump's inaugural committee - and why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Speaker Johnson wins another term in dramatic fashion by the bare minimum, Senate Majority Leader Thune promises to protect the legislative filibuster, President Biden blocks Nippon Steel's purchase of U.S. Steel, President Biden & First Lady Jill Biden to travel to New Orleans next week after deadly truck attack, briefing on increased security in Washington ahead of high-profile events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden and FBI updates on the deadly New Orleans truck attack and Las Vegas truck explosion, Speaker Johnson confident he will remain as Speaker, interview with The Center Square Congressional reporter Thérèse Boudreaux on Speaker's race and proposed House Rules changes from Republicans (33), President Biden celebrates 235 judges confirmed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Year's Eve celebrations underway around the world and in space; world leaders post New Year messages, Speaker Johnson's bid to continue as Speaker still uncertain; Sen. Cotton, incoming Republican Conference Chair, on judge nominations; C-SPAN 2024 Year in Review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices