The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer

An ominous sign for Trump’s pick for defense secretary Pete Hegseth. Senator Lindsey Graham just now calling the allegations against Hegseth disturbing and telling reporters that his confirmation fight will be difficult. Plus, major political turmoil is shaking a major United States ally as South Korea’s president declares and then rescinds martial law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New fallout from President Biden’s controversial pardon of his son Hunter. That decision is sparking bipartisan backlash as sources tell CNN the president bypassed the United States Justice Department when he made the call. Plus, Donald Trump’s picks for attorney general Pam Bondi and defense secretary Pete Hegseth hold meetings with Capitol Hill senators today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stunning developments out of Syria where rebels have just entered the major Syrian city of Aleppo for the first time in eight years. The surprise offensive is catching Bashar al-Assad’s government forces off guard in a drastic escalation in the country’s civil war. Plus, we are tracking new threats of political violence, this time against Democrats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some residents are returning to their homes in Lebanon as the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah seems to be holding nearly 24 hours after taking effect. Plus, the Trump transition team says some of the president-elect’s cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted with bomb threats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After an 11th hour round of attacks, a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is expected to take effect in Lebanon within just hours. President Biden is touting the United States backed deal and promising a new push for a pause in the fighting in Gaza as well. Also, fears of a global trade war are rising as Trump vows to slap big tariffs on goods from Mexico, China, and Canada as soon as he’s back in the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A judge has just granted special counsel Jack Smith’s request to dismiss the 2020 election subversion case against Donald Trump. Smith is also seeking an end to the classified documents case. Also, the Israeli cabinet is preparing to vote on a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New reporting on Trump’s choice to be the nation’s next top intelligence official. Plus, Trump’s second choice for attorney general is winning praise from key Senate Republicans who will consider her confirmation. We take a closer look at Pam Bondi and what the former Florida attorney general would bring to the Justice Department. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Gaetz is out and Donald Trump’s search for the next United States attorney general is back on. We have new reporting on a phone call with Trump that prompted Gaetz to withdraw. Plus, a newly released police report reveals graphic details about a 2017 sexual allegation against Trump’s pick for defense secretary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Republicans on the House Ethics Committee vote to block the release of the panel’s report on Matt Gaetz. Trump’s embattled choice for attorney general has been on Capitol Hill trying to shore up support among GOP senators. Plus, the United States just reopened its embassy in the Ukrainian capital where fears of a significant air attack by Russia briefly prompted it to close. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect and Elon Musk are standing by for the splashdown of the most powerful rocket ever built. We are tracking the SpaceX test flight as well as Elon Musk’s growing influence over Trump and his incoming administration. Plus, someone gained unauthorized access to confidential files including a deposition from a woman who said she had sex with Matt Gaetz when she was 17-years-old. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new account of damning testimony against Trump’s pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz. The lawyer for two women questioned by the House Ethics Committee says one of them told the panel she personally witnessed Gaetz having sex with a minor. We break down what the lawyer said and the potential impact of Gaetz’s confirmation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump has his eye on yet another controversial firebrand to take on a critically important role. Sources say Trump is considering one of his fiercest allies Kash Patel to become the next FBI director. Plus, House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing back on calls to release an ethics investigation into Trump’s choice for attorney general, Matt Gaetz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Trump chooses RFK Jr. to be his Health and Human Services secretary. Public health officials are sounding the alarm over RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine activism and other provocative views after Trump vowed to let him go wild. Plus, pressure is building for the House of Representatives to release its ethics report on Matt Gaetz as the now former congressman faces a tough confirmation fight to become Trump’s attorney general. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Trump chooses controversial congressman and MAGA-firebrand Matt Gaetz to be the attorney general of the United States. We break down Trump’s most jaw-dropping picks yet and how these loyalists might use their power on his behalf. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Trump just revealed his choice for CIA director as he is rapidly expanding his team of loyalists and MAGA die-hards. Also, a new report suggests Trump is being presented with a way to purge United States military generals after he has openly expressed concern over their loyalty and fitness to serve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump team of loyalists is taking shape as more of the president-elect’s choices are revealed with former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin added to the list to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Also, we are expecting the architect of Trump’s mass deportation policy to make a major White House comeback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Democratic blame game is reaching new heights after Donald Trump’s stunning victory and Nancy Pelosi is pointing the finger at President Biden for not dropping out sooner. Plus, sources tell CNN that critical White House positions could be announced as soon as today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump has just made his first announcement on who he will be bringing with him to the White House. He has revealed his campaign manger Susie Wiles will be his White House chief of staff. We bring you what this may mean for his administration. This as President Biden promises the American people that there will be a peaceful transition of power in Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her concession speech after Donald Trump recaptured the office he lost four years ago. As of tonight, the president-elect has 291 electoral votes and Harris has 223 with states still outstanding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All across the United States, from Arizona to Pennsylvania, Michigan to Georgia, and battlegrounds in between, the final hours are underway in one of the closest and most consequential presidential races ever. The American people will decide whether to elevate Kamala Harris to the top job or return to former President Donald Trump. We are getting closer to the first major round of poll closings and the CNN’s first chance to make projections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices