The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown

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