The Lead with Jake Tapper

A stunning murder for hire plot targeting a detective. The suspect is a dentist who is already in jail for poisoning his wife. Plus, fears of a target list for the world’s richest man. The names of government employees were shared online by Elon Musk. Could their jobs and safety now be on the line?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden speaks at the White House after the Israeli security cabinet approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon. We examine what this could mean for the region and a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. Plus, President-elect Trump vows new tariffs on his first day in office. Business owners warn the costs will be passed down to consumers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Special counsel Jack Smith drops two major cases against Donald Trump. We examine what this means for Trump and Jack Smith. Plus, what sources say about an internal investigation outing a character trying to make money off of his connection to Donald Trump.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former senator and WNBA team owner Kelly Loeffler is expected to be the next name in the Trump administration. Plus, Matt Gaetz is officially out of two jobs after announcing he will not return to Congress and withdrawing his name for consideration for attorney general.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former congressman Matt Gaetz will not be the next United States attorney general amid serious questions about statutory rape and other sexual misconduct allegations. The former congressman withdrew his name from President-elect Trump’s nomination process this afternoon. Plus, Donald Trump’s pick for education secretary is being sued for allegedly enabling the sexual abuse of children.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The House Ethics Committee spent hours behind closed doors and came out with no agreement on what to do about the report on Matt Gaetz. The fate of the committee investigation into allegations of sexual impropriety and statutory rape remain in limbo. Plus, for the first time in Russia’s war with Ukraine the U.S. fully closed its embassy in Kyiv.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect selects Mehmet Oz for a top health role. Plus, a deadly stabbing spree in New York City. Also, Trump was joined by Elon Musk for a SpaceX test flight of the most powerful launch vehicle ever built. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The president-elect is all in on Matt Gaetz as the attorney general, according to a source. But, what about that alleged sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl which Gaetz denies? Today, some unbelievable details emerged in a related civil lawsuit while members of the House Ethics Committee debate whether they will make their report about the former congressman public.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump tries to fill out the front lines of his incoming administration and named a communications director, an interior secretary, a personnel director, and pushed to fire FBI director Christopher Wray. Plus, House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks out after originally saying it would be inappropriate for him to weigh in on whether the House Ethics Committee should release its investigation of Matt Gaetz.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to several people close to the situation, Donald Trump is on the verge of announcing RFK Jr. as his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. A devout skeptic of childhood vaccines, RFK Jr. endorsed Trump since he suspended his own presidential campaign in August and has been advising Trump’s transition team.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices