In a lengthy post on Truth Social this morning, President Donald J. Trump again lashed out at Republican Rep. Thomas Massie—one of the authors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act—while announcing his backing of Ed Gallrein as a primary challenger to Massie for his Kentucky congressional seat.

The U.S. Department of Justice says it has reviewed “less than 1%” of the Epstein Files ahead of their release, disclosing just 12,285 documents out of more than 2 million. This comes despite the deadline mandated by the “Epstein Files Transparency Act” having already passed on December 19, 2025.

Talks held today in Paris between Israel and Syria were described as “positive,” with both sides agreeing to accelerate negotiations and meet more frequently, according to an Israeli official. The official told Axios that both countries expressed interest in reaching a security agreement aligned with President Trump’s vision for the Middle East.

President Trump speaking this morning in front of House Republicans:

President Donald J. Trump, speaking to House Republicans this morning, criticized Democrats by saying they had “the worst president,” pursued failed policies, and governed poorly. He argued that running against them should not even be necessary, adding that any suggestion he wants elections canceled would be misrepresented by the media. Trump rejected claims that he is a dictator, instead directing criticism at former President Barack Obama and those around President Joe Biden, while saying he does not believe Biden himself was fully aware of what was happening.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said after a roughly two-hour closed-door briefing tonight on Capitol Hill for senior members of Congress about the operation to capture Nicolás Maduro that he does not anticipate U.S. troops being deployed on the ground in Venezuela. “We don’t expect direct involvement beyond coercing the interim government to move the process forward,” Johnson said, adding that he expects an election to be called in Venezuela.

Speaking on her SiriusXM show this morning, American commentator and media personality Megyn Kelly criticized Fox News’ coverage of events in Venezuela, saying it resembled “Russian propaganda” and lacked skepticism. Kelly said the network’s reporting was dominated by uncritical cheerleading, adding that while she supports the U.S. military and believes in President Trump, the situation warrants caution. She explained that she is deliberately remaining in a “yellow-light” position—not fully supportive or opposed—drawing on her own past experience as a Fox News anchor. Kelly acknowledged the strategic arguments behind U.S. actions, particularly concerns over Russian, Chinese, and Cuban influence in Venezuela and its oil sector, which she called the most compelling rationale. However, she warned against repeating past mistakes, noting that enthusiastic support for U.S. interventions has often led to long-term quagmires such as Iraq and Libya. Kelly also raised concerns about the possibility of U.S. troops on the ground, questioning whose children would be asked to serve. Speaking as a parent, she said many families share her apprehension and emphasized that she will not join what she described as Fox News’ “cheerleading brigade” until more is known.

Video footage from earlier shows much of the gunfire being aimed skyward over Caracas, lending support to claims that military and security forces were attempting to shoot down a drone near the Miraflores Presidential Palace complex.

Police on the ground say the gunfire heard earlier near the Miraflores Presidential Palace complex in Caracas was caused by military and security forces firing at a drone flying in the area—possibly one of their own. It remains unclear whether the drone was successfully brought down over the capital.