Washington, DC

1. GOP pushes back
2. Witkoff in Russia
3. Awaiting tariff ruling
4. Eyes on Tenn. vote
5. Defense bill fights

PDB: Appeals court disqualifies Trump attorney in NJ

Trump holds Cabinet meeting … OECD releases economic outlook … WSJ: Apple shakes up AI division

Republicans question strikes, drug pardon

President Donald Trump is facing fresh GOP skepticism of both his administration’s double-tap strike on suspected narco-traffickers and his pardon of former Honduran president — and convicted drug trafficker — Juan Orlando Hernández, Semafor’s Burgess Everett and Shelby Talcott report. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., said it’s “not acceptable” to hit survivors in the water, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s competence after an initial denial of details about the strike: “Was he incompetent enough not to know that it happened? Or was he lying?” Paul said. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said he couldn’t sit idly by while Hernández received leniency: “I’m a doctor, I have worked in a hospital for the uninsured. I have seen people die of cocaine that this guy may have helped bring in.” The Trump administration is defending itself on both fronts as Congress probes the strikes.

Witkoff leads high-stakes talks with Putin

The Trump administration faces a critical test in its push to end the Ukraine war, as US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia today alongside Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The duo helped seal the fragile peace deal between Israel and Hamas, and they’re hoping to recreate that and add to Trump’s wins on the global stage. But a long road remains, with territory proving to be one of the toughest topics to parse. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the administration “feels very optimistic” about the prospect of a deal, but offered no timeline. Europeans are nervous about the US push favoring the Russians. Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Trump and stressed the “importance of the security guarantees required for Ukraine,” the French government said.

— Shelby Talcott

Businesses await SCOTUS tariff ruling

Businesses are preparing for a ruling from the Supreme Court on the legality of Trump’s tariff regime any day now. Costco joined a growing cadre of companies suing the administration to make sure they are eligible for refunds should the justices rule against Trump, Bloomberg reported, acting on uncertainty about whether businesses shouldering the costs would be repaid. The high court has signaled it will rule swiftly, possibly before the year ends. In the meantime, it’s still business as usual for Trump’s trade team. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the US would retroactively lower tariffs on South Korean autos to 15% after the country moved forward with a bill to make good on US investment pledges. And the UK reached a deal to avoid potential US pharmaceutical tariffs; US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer suggested deals with other countries could follow.

Tennessee vote seen as bellwether for GOP

Today’s special election in Tennessee will offer another clue about the political climate less than a year from the midterms. The race to replace former GOP Rep. Mark Green appears close, despite Trump winning Tennessee’s 7th congressional district by double digits in 2024. A recent Emerson College survey had Democrat Aftyn Behn within two points of Republican Matt Van Epps. “The whole world is watching Tennessee right now,” Trump said by phone at a Monday rally for Van Epps, adding that the results would show “the Republican Party is stronger than it’s ever been.” A GOP victory would have Republicans breathing a sigh of relief after Democrats dominated in the off-year elections; a loss, or even a narrow victory, would send them panicking. Republicans’ current 219-213 majority in the House also depends on them keeping the seat.

Democrats push back in defense bill talks

A mini-trend is developing as Congress pushes to wrap up its annual defense policy bill: Democrats are pushing back hard on the GOP, despite its full (but narrow) control of the Capitol. It started with a moratorium on state regulation of artificial intelligence, which we first reported that Democrats were trying to keep out of the defense bill — and now a member of House Republican leadership says her party’s speaker is “getting rolled” by Democrats on a separate topic. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said Monday that she is a “HARD NO” unless Republicans can ensure the final defense legislation includes her proposal to require congressional notification of FBI counterintelligence investigations into candidates for president and other federal office. Stefanik’s provision got attached to the annual intelligence authorization bill, which is often a part of the “must-pass” defense policy legislation.

Blindspot: Patel and Kelly

Stories that are being largely ignored by either left-leaning or right-leaning outlets, curated with help from our partners at Ground News.

What the Left isn’t reading: The New York Post’s Miranda Devine penned a column about the “withering criticism” FBI Director Kash Patel faces at the bureau.

What the Right isn’t reading: Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said his family has received more death threats since President Trump accused him of sedition “punishable by DEATH.”

As the AI boom intensifies pressure on America’s energy systems and infrastructure, lawmakers across the aisle are pursuing permitting reform to unlock new opportunities and cut through the political and regulatory barriers standing in the way of viable solutions. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, join Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pa., and Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., for on-stage conversations examining what’s at stake and potential bipartisan solutions to the challenges emerging from this greater technological revolution.

Dec. 9 | Washington, DC | Request Invitation

Beltway Newsletters

Punchbowl News: “I don’t think anything will pass without the president’s approval,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who has been in talks over extending expiring health care subsidies. “There’s lots of ideas out there. Let’s see if we can’t put something together and take it to him.”

Axios: Honduras’ former president Juan Orlando Hernández sent President Trump a four-page letter praising him and begging for clemency, ahead of his likely pardon for drug trafficking.

Playbook: Trump has developed a surprisingly close working relationship with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Of the Democrats, she is the one who we have spent the most time with, who has reached out to us the most, who has wanted to work with us,” one White House official said.

WaPo: Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said today’s special election in the state’s 7th Congressional District — redistricted after the 2020 election — should serve as a cautionary tale on how redrawing political maps can backfire.

White House

• President Trump warned Israel not to “interfere” in Syria shortly before speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
• Trump received what the White House called a “preventative” MRI of his heart and abdomen, which found his organs were “normal.”

Congress

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune said his chamber may not have time to pass another government funding package before the holiday recess.
• Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., are expected to appear at a “Crypto Christmas” event in Washington this evening hosted by a PAC aligned with Scott.

Outside the Beltway

• Hedge fund manager and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen cleared a regulatory hurdle to build a casino in New York City.
• A “legislative showdown” over anti-corruption reforms is brewing in New Jersey. — Politico

Inside the Beltway

• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his department is investigating alleged welfare fraud by Somali migrants in Minnesota.

Campaigns

• Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., is considering running for a seat in Texas if courts uphold California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Democratic map redraw. — Punchbowl
• Newsom is starting to line up support for a 2028 presidential run. — Deadline

Economy

• Bitcoin suffered its worst day since March amid a broader crypto selloff.
• Online shoppers have been dismayed to find they’re now responsible for paying tariffs once waived under the de minimis exemption. — NYT

Travel

• TSA will start charging US travelers a $45 fee if they forget their Real ID or passport.

Courts

• A federal appeals court backed