morning! Welcome to the daily briefing. This morning’s breaking news is:
nicole farato here! I know it’s late, but it’s time to take down the Christmas tree. From the future of the Republican-held House to Venezuelan oil, we’ve got Wednesday’s news for you. Plus, the latest turn in the NFL’s coaching carousel.
Oil executives meet about investments
Energy Secretary Chris Wright is scheduled to meet oil executives at a conference in Miami on Wednesday, days after the United States captured the head of Venezuela, home to the world’s largest oil reserves.
Background: President Donald Trump said earlier this week that U.S. companies may invest in Venezuela to help rebuild low output. Chevron is currently the only major U.S. oil company operating in Venezuela. Many U.S. oil companies withdrew in 2007 when then-leader Hugo Chávez tried to seize assets as part of a nationalization drive. The country’s crude oil production has been in sharp decline since 2012.
The talks came a day after President Donald Trump said Venezuela would “deliver” between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, as the Venezuelan regime detained the country’s president and began to pressure new leadership.
More news you need to know right now
- LA residents can’t go home. A year after deadly wildfires ravaged this once-bustling road lined with colorful houses, the scars on the landscape and the struggles of its residents remain. Few people have rebuilt their homes. There are ongoing battles with insurance companies and bureaucratic hurdles to rebuilding. More than 70% of Eaton and Palisades residents remain displaced by the fires, and many told USA TODAY they are worried about how they will fare financially next year.
- Balanced home: President Donald Trump’s slim Republican majority in the House has become even smaller, making the path to passing a Republican-centered agenda in 2026 even more complicated. “It’s not a majority, but it’s a united majority,” President Trump said during a recess with House Republicans on Tuesday, acknowledging the difficult political calculation.
- Will the US use force against Greenland? “Using the U.S. military is always an option,” White House press secretary Caroline Levitt said in a statement on January 6, after President Donald Trump and administration officials renewed interest in annexing Greenland.
Let’s take a look
ICE in Minnesota
Federal immigration agents are “swarming” into Minnesota, officials said, as a fraud scandal engulfing state and national politics deepens. The move comes after Hilton announced it had severed ties with the Minneapolis hotel franchise. The hotel franchise reportedly canceled reservations for ICE agents working in the area.
I want to talk to you about something.
Where will John Harbaugh land?
John Harbaugh’s 18-year run with the Baltimore Ravens has come to an end. The Ravens announced Tuesday that they have fired Harbaugh, ending the winningest coach in franchise history and the second-longest tenure of any active NFL coach. That means there are currently seven head coaching vacancies in the NFL. USA TODAY Sports is following a game of musical chairs in a league that doesn’t know where everyone will end up when the music stops.
before you go
Have feedback about the daily briefing? Email Nicole at NFallert@usatoday.com.
