President-elect Trump's transition team signed a memorandum of understanding with the Biden administration, months after the process was meant to start.
Why it matters: The agreement grants the incoming administration access to federal agency information it needs to prepare to take over the government.
All the time and effort poured into prosecuting Donald Trump only ended up putting him — and every future president — further above the law.
The big picture: Efforts to prosecute Trump for his first-term conduct are officially on ice,and he's entering his second term with the knowledge that it'll be extraordinarily difficult for anyone to prosecute him for anything he does this time around.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin made a pitch to incoming staffers for President-elect Donald Trump's administration: Move to Virginia, just across the Potomac from D.C.
Why it matters: The Republican governor wants the blue suburbs of Northern Virginia to welcome MAGA world.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that she would impose tariffs in retaliation to those proposed by President-elect Trump in a newly outlined plan for the start of his administration.
Why it matters: Leaders from Mexico, China and Canada have all argued that the U.S. and their countries mutually benefit from cooperative trade agreements.
A line of electric guitars endorsed by President-elect Trump mimic the design of Gibson's iconic Les Paul, the manufacturer said in a cease and desist notice.
Why it matters: Trump leaned into a branding bonanza ahead of his return to the White House, hawking everything from Trump Bibles to sneakers to perfume.
The Biden administration on Tuesday proposed requiring Medicare and Medicaid to cover anti-obesity drugs.
Why it matters: The rule would expand access to medications known as GLP-1 agonists for millions of Americans struggling with obesity, who are at higher risk of diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease, according to a White House fact sheet.
President-elect Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada after taking office, tying them to the flow of migrants and drugs into the United States.
Why it matters: Trump's tariff threats have already ignited fears of inflation and a trade war. Now he's committing to implementing tariffs right away.
President-elect Trump is considering naming an AI czar in the White House to coordinate federal policy and governmental use of the emerging technology, Trump transition sources told Axios.
Why it matters: Elon Musk won't be the AI czar, but is expected to be intimately involved in shaping the future of the debate and use cases, the sources said.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could use Health and Human Services' vast bureaucracy to put a distinct stamp on vaccine policy, drug approvals and food regulation if he's confirmed. But with so many legal requirements and bureaucratic layers baked into the process, it's hardly a foregone conclusion he will.
Why it matters: Experts say RFK Jr.'s public calls for more transparency and vows to shore up the trustworthiness of federal health agencies may translate into more requests for vaccine safety data and into appointing like-minded individuals to advisory panels that could influence coverage of drugs, services and devices.
As House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) prepares to push President-elect Trump's agenda in Congress, Trump is helping ensure the GOP has one of the smallest House majorities in American history.
Why it matters: The three House seats Trump vacated with his Cabinet choices could take months to fill, winnowing an excruciatingly small GOP majority for much of the first 100 days.
House Republicans' hunt for cold, hard cash threatens to further complicate Speaker Mike Johnson's majority — which is on track to be the narrowest since the Great Depression.
Why it matters: Johnson's power flows from his close bond with President-elect Trump. Keeping that power will depend on how many of Johnson's members he can convince to defer their big paydays until after 2025.
Leaders on Capitol Hill are nearing a deal to avoid a December holiday government shutdown. The likeliest outcome is a short-term spending stopgap to late February or early March, sources tell Axios.
Why it matters: Thiswould set a new deadline during Trump's first 100 days and quickly test whether House Republicans will rubber-stamp or oppose a Trump-endorsed budget.
President-elect Trump announced Monday that James Braid will be the next director of the Office of Legislative Affairs — a key role between Congress and the White House.
Why it matters: Braid worked on the Hill for years — including as policy director of the House Freedom Caucus.
