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It’s Thursday. Today is a day of mourning for the late former President Jimmy Carter. The stock markets and U.S. Postal Service are closed today. Here’s what’s happening:
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The social interactions on the Carter funeral livestream have been *fascinating.*
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Obama and Trump have been chatting and laughing together. Harris glanced back and then noticeably sighed.
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Trump and Pence shook hands.
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Republicans are testing their first immigration vote.
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The Los Angeles wildfires have been devastating.
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.
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The people-watching has been absolutely fascinating:
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Every former living president is in Washington today, to celebrate the life and legacy of former President Carter.
The most fascinating dynamic: Former President Obama and President-elect Trump were seated next to each other and chatted for a while before the service began. While we couldn’t hear what they were discussing, it looked cordial. Obama was visibly laughing at something Trump whispered into his ear. 📹 Watch the clip
^Keep in mind: Trump actively promoted the conspiracy about Obama’s birth certificate, and Obama repeatedly tore into his successor on the campaign trail in an effort to keep him out of the White House.
Another fascinating observation: At one point, Vice President Harris was seen looking back at Trump, while he chatted with Obama. Notice Harris sigh after seeing the interaction. 📹 Watch the clip
Another awkward dynamic: Trump shook hands with his ex-vice president, Mike Pence, who has been on the outs since he certified President Biden’s election win in 2021. 📹 Watch the clip
Who is missing from the bunch?: Former first lady Michelle Obama couldn’t attend due to a scheduling conflict, according to a spokesperson.
Why Trump’s attendance is notable: “Trump has long been an outsider among the living presidents and has sometimes skipped events attended by other members of the world’s most exclusive club.” For example:
- “He did not attend services in 2020 for civil rights icon and former Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), who was eulogized by former Presidents Obama, George W. Bush and Clinton.”
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Obama, Bush and Clinton also attended services for the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2018. Trump, who later complained he did not receive a proper thank you for the arrangements, was not invited.”
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“And Trump did not attend the funeral of former first lady Barbara Bush in 2018. Then-first lady Melania Trump joined the Obamas, the Clintons, George W. Bush and former President George H.W. Bush at the service.”
Read more on the funeral dynamics, via The Hill’s Brett Samuels: ‘Carter funeral brings Trump together with presidents he’s criticized’
💻 Funeral livestream
🗨️ Live blog
The order of events:
- 12:15 p.m.: Carter and his family members fly to Georgia
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3:45 p.m.: A private funeral service in Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga.
Full schedule of today’s events, via USA Today.
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Wildfires are devastating parts of Los Angeles.
What’s happening?: “The fires have killed at least five people, put tens of thousands under mandatory evacuation orders or warnings and burned more than 27,000 acres, equivalent to nearly 20,000 football fields. The largest ones, the Palisades and Eaton fires, have destroyed at least 2,000 structures and are already the two most destructive ever to hit Los Angeles.”
📸 Photos of the Eaton Fire
📸 The Malibu coast after a fire
Stay safe, Anderson: CNN’s Anderson Cooper reported live right in the middle of a wildfire. This is very scary to watch. 📹 Watch
📹 People evacuating their horses
Yikes, the wind gusts are terrifying: 📹 Watch the wind gusts carry the embers through the air.
Paris Hilton lost her house: “Heartbroken beyond words 💔 Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.” 🔎Hilton’s full post
Other celebrities to lose their homes: Actors Mandy Moore and Billy Crystal lost their homes.
Car lovers, this may be hard to watch: A bulldozer moved some abandoned cars to clear a path for an escape route. 📹 Watch
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➤ REACTION FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN:
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“This morning, I was briefed on the latest impacts of the Los Angeles wildfires,” Biden posted on X. “And later today, following President Carter’s service, I will convene my team for another briefing, and deliver remarks to the nation regarding our response.”
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Trump lashes out at Democratic leaders over fire:
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“President-elect Trump has sparked a political battle over the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles even as those fires are still far from contained,” reports The Hill’s Niall Stanage.
How so?: “Trump has taken verbal potshots at California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and President Biden, suggesting their actions are to blame for the failure to contain the fires.”
What’s the strategy?: “The purpose, aside from Trump’s general taste for political combat, seems to be to paint the current president and the California governor as weak leaders who have enfeebled a nation that the president-elect will soon return to the right track.”
Read Stanage’s column: ‘Trump sparks political fight as Los Angeles wildfires rage’
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Newsom hit back at Trump over his comments. “People are literally fleeing,” Newsom told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday. “People have lost their lives. Kids lost their schools, families completely torn asunder, churches burned down.”
“This guy wanted to politicize it,” Newsom added, talking about Trump. “I have a lot of thoughts, and I know what I want to say. I won’t. I stood next to a president of the United States of America today, and I was proud to be with Joe Biden, and he had the backs of every single person in this community, he didn’t play politics.” (The Hill)
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The first Senate vote of the year:
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The Senate is voting on an immigration bill today, the first bill to have a vote in the new GOP-controlled Congress.
The bill: The Laken Riley Act would mandate federal detention of immigrants without legal status accused of theft, burglary or related crimes.
It puts Senate Democrats in a tough spot: Some Democrats support the bill, but it’s an issue that proved to be difficult for them to handle throughout the 2024 election.
The Hill’s Al Weaver reports that a sizable number of Democrats could not only vote to advance the bill but could also support its final passage. Two Democrats are co-sponsors, four Democrats have said they will vote “yes” and one other is “inclined” to support it.
Read more on the early test Democrats face with today’s immigration vote
How many Democrats are needed to pass the bill?: At least eight Democrats would need to vote “yes” because West Virginia Gov. and Sen.-elect Jim Justice (R) will not be sworn in until Jan. 13.
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🍑 Celebrate: Today is National Apricot Day!
🍪 Two discontinued Girl Scout Cookies: Girl Scout S’mores and Toast-Yays will be discontinued. (NPR)
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The House and Senate are in. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington. (all times Eastern)
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To end this on something light, watch these dogs have a strategy session.
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View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time!
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