Elon Musk, preparing to step back from his work leading the Department of Government Efficiency, had a request of the reporters gathered at the White House to interview him: Before he would answer any questions, he wanted someone to tell him a joke. The tech billionaire’s request in the Roosevelt Room on Wednesday underscored the surreal and idiosyncratic presence of the world’s richest man at the highest echelons of American power. Over the past few months, his work of downsizing the workforce has sent shocks through the federal government and drawn intense pushback, including protests of his electric vehicle company, Tesla. Musing about his and DOGE’s incongruous role in the U.S.

Democrat Rep. Al Green says he’s “proud” of Rep. Shri Thanedar for filing articles of impeachment against Donald Trump.

Israel President Isaac Herzog honored 120 outstanding IDF officers and soldiers for their pursuit of excellence, demonstrated dedication, professionalism, responsibility, and significant contributions that serve as a model and example for the entire IDF.

The IDF has intercepted a drone attempting to smuggle assault rifles into Israel from Egypt.

Up close video of an airplane dropping fire retardant on the fires near Beit Shemesh.

REPORTER: “CBS News is reporting that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is going to step down. What are your thoughts on that and should other people follow him?” HAKKEM JEFFRIES: “Yes.”

BREAKING: CBS News is reporting that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Deputy National Security Advisor Alex Wong will be leaving their roles at the White House National Security Council.

Trump administration National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and other staffers are out at the National Security Council, all major media outlets are confirming. Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong were purged Thursday. Waltz, who previously served as a Florida congressman and as a decorated combat Green Beret, has come under fire from Democrats and critics since March, when the Atlantic magazine’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg published a firsthand account of getting added to a Signal group chat with top national security leaders, including Waltz, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, while they discussed strikes against Yemen terrorists.

Politico reports that White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is the leading contender to replace Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor.

Senate Democrats plan to force a vote in the coming weeks on a resolution to require more transparency from President Donald Trump’s administration about deportations to El Salvador. The resolution, which Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine expects to introduce on Thursday, comes after two votes on Democratic resolutions challenging Trump’s tariffs. It is part of a larger strategy by Democrats to continue using mechanisms under the law to take floor time from majority Republicans and vote on reversing parts of Trump’s agenda. “These votes are all about curbing executive power,” said Kaine, who was also a lead sponsor on the two tariff bills.