12:30 Report — Hegseth presses ahead

Close

Thank you for signing up!

Subscribe to more newsletters here

The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the 12:30 Report newsletter

Subscribe

*{box-sizing:border-box}body{margin:0;padding:0}a[x-apple-data-detectors]{color:inherit!important;text-decoration:inherit!important}#MessageViewBody a{color:inherit;text-decoration:none}p{line-height:inherit}.desktop_hide,.desktop_hide table{mso-hide:all;display:none;max-height:0;overflow:hidden}.image_block img div{display:none}sub,sup{font-size:75%;line-height:0} @media (max-width:620px){.mobile_hide{display:none}.row-content{width:100%!important}.stack .column{width:100%;display:block}.mobile_hide{min-height:0;max-height:0;max-width:0;overflow:hidden;font-size:0}.desktop_hide,.desktop_hide table{display:table!important;max-height:none!important}} Plus: What we know about the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting

{beacon}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) { #thehillheader { background-color: #2a53c1 !important; color: white !important; } }

12:30 REPORT

It’s Tuesday. I learned this morning that season 3 of HBO’s “The White Lotus” will be airing in February! This is the best news all week. Here’s what else is happening:

Matt Gaetz is joining One America News to host a weekday show.Pete Hegseth’s nomination seems to be in better shape.Lawmakers haggle with 10 days left to fund the government.A suspect has been arrested in the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting. The 2024 D.C. Michelin Star restaurants have been announced.

I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. 

🎖️ Tracking the Transition

FWIW, Pete Hegseth is weathering the storm:

© The Hill, Greg Nash

A week ago, Pete Hegseth’s nomination to be Defense secretary was hanging on for dear life. Controversies surrounding an alleged 2017 sexual misconduct incident and reported excess drinking fueled talk of a potential withdrawal, and speculation about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) replacing Hegseth was gaining sea legs.

But Hegseth is weathering the storm. He has continued meeting with Republican senators — Sen. Joni Ernst (Iowa) said on Monday that she had an “encouraging” meeting with the Pentagon nominee.

Hegseth appeared on Fox News last night to defend himself. He relayed a message from President-elect Trump, who he says encouraged him to “keep on fighting,” despite the stream of negative headlines.

He also walked back earlier comments where he suggested........

© The Hill