Why it matters: The move allowsthe president-elect's intended aides and staffers to gain security clearances prior to his taking office so they can access classified materials — key for a seamless transition.
House Democrats are staring down a chain reaction of committee leadership drama in which each explosive development seems to spawn two more in its place.
Why it matters: Even as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) senior leadership team has remained largely static, there is growing agitation in his ranks to jettison some of the party's oldest panel leaders.
The powerful House GOP steering committee granted Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) a waiver to stay on as the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday, two sources confirmed to Axios.
Why it matters: Multiple sources said they did not expect waivers to be granted for the next Congress. House GOP rules require a waiver to be the top member on a committee for more than six years.
GOP leaders aredoubling down on their commitment to help President-elect Trump with a key — and controversial — component of his mass deportations plan: cooperation from local and state authorities.
Why it matters: The federal government doesn't have enough resources to carry out mass deportations — the country has an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants — without local police being involved.
President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter has renewed whispers about a rogue 11th-hour effort by right-wing House Republicans to impeach him, lawmakers told Axios.
Why it matters: Impeachment has been a white whale for Republicans in the 118th Congress, but many see the pardon of one of the central figures in their Biden investigations as a vindication of their efforts.
President-elect Trump called in and gave GOP senators a pep talk Tuesday as they met behind closed doors on how to rapidly pass his top priorities, three sources in the room told Axios.
Why it matters: Trump knows he has to work closely with the Senate to get things done. GOP congressional leaders are signaling they're raring to go.
China announced Tuesday that it was banning the export of certain rare minerals to the U.S. that have military and technological applications.
Why it matters: The move is seemingly a tit-for-tat response to the Biden administration's announcement Monday of a slate of export controls on chip manufacturing equipment and software as well as other curbs on the Chinese chip industry.
President Biden's extraordinary decision to pardon his son Hunter has exposed deep Democratic fissures that are spilling into public view, complicating the party's efforts to rebuild after a disastrous election.
Why it matters: For years, Democrats have responded to Donald Trump's brazen lying, shattering of norms and alleged corruption by emphasizing their own respect for the truth, institutions and the rule of law.
Raw Farm's distribution of raw milk products has been suspended due to the detection of the H5N1 bird flu virus, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced.
Why it matters: "H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers," per the CDC, which notes 31 of the 57 human cases in the U.S. were in California. All but one of California's cases were traced back to cattle as the exposure source.
This column by Axios CEO Jim VandeHei first appeared in our nightly newsletter, Axios Finish Line:
Trust in journalism fell far and fast. Elon Musk and millions more argue it is — and should be — buried forever.
They say anyone with unrestrained speech — anyone on X — can easily replace a discredited media. "You are the media now," Musk repeatedlytells his 206 million followers.
Republican senators are prepared to hear out Kash Patel, President-elect Trump's controversial pick to lead the FBI.
Why it matters: The FBIhas become enemy No. 1 among Trump allies because of its role in investigating Trump himself. Patel does not have the typical experience for FBI director and has harshly criticized the agency.
Conservative senators offered a full-throated defense of embattled Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth after a closed door meeting with him Monday night.
Why it matters: Hegseth is facing fresh reports of financial and sexual misconduct, which could threaten his confirmation.
The Biden administration announced a new $725 million security assistance package for Ukraine on Monday that includes a provision for more land mines and precision rocket launchers.
