What's Happening

Politics

Going, Going, Gaetz. Trump Nominates a New Candidate for AG

What's going on: The sun has set on Gaetz-Gate — for now. Yesterday, former Rep. Matt Gaetz announced he’s withdrawing from consideration for attorney general, citing his confirmation as “a distraction” (which, fair). Shortly after his nomination, Gaetz resigned from Congress and quickly became one of President-elect Donald Trump’s most controversial Cabinet picks in a crowded field. (Trump’s defense nominee has been accused of sexual assault, and his education secretary pick faces lawsuits alleging she enabled sexual abuse of minors. Both deny the claims.) In Gaetz’s place, Trump has tapped another (slightly more conventional) loyalist: former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi, who served on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment, is now poised to take on the AG role.

What it means: This marks the first blow for Trump as he prepares to take office. He's been pushing to install loyalists in key cabinet roles, with AG topping the list as he aims to overhaul the DOJ and expand his influence over it. Gaetz’s withdrawal may also embolden Republican senators to challenge Trump’s other contentious Cabinet choices. However, analysts say Bondi, a longtime Trump ally and former head of the America First Policy Institute, is more likely to win Senate confirmation. Announcing her appointment, Trump said, “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime, and Making America Safe Again.”

Related: Trump’s National Intelligence Pick Tulsi Gabbard Is Scrutinized Over Her Comments on Russia (ABC News)

International

International Court Issues Warrants for Israeli, Hamas Leaders

What's going on: The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and senior Hamas leader Mohammed Deif for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The court accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of “starvation as a method of warfare” for depriving Gaza civilians of basic survival necessities like food, medicine, and electricity. Hamas’s Military Chief (who Israel says was killed in an IDF strike in July) is charged for his part in orchestrating the October 7 attacks that included murder, torture, kidnapping, and sexual violence. This is the first time the ICC has issued arrest warrants for a leader of a major US ally. Israel rejected the charges, calling them “false and absurd.” Netanyahu said the warrant will not stop him from “continuing to defend” Israel.

Tell me more: Analysts largely see the warrants as both a symbolic move and a diplomatic landmark, likely to increase international pressure on Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza. Technically, Netanyahu and Gallant now face the risk of arrest if they travel to any of the 124 countries that are party to the statute establishing the court — many of which are Israel’s Western allies. However, they would be safe on US soil, since the US is not a member of the ICC. In response, the White House rejected the court's decision, saying, “We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision.” Some US lawmakers, including incoming Senate majority leader John Thune (R-SD), have also threatened sanctions against the ICC.

Related: What Trump’s Pick for Ambassador to Israel Could Tell Us About His Israel Policy (BBC)

Entertainment

‘Glicked’ Has Some Big ‘Barbenheimer’ Shoes to Fill

What's going on: After what feels like years of press promo and boyfriend drama (yes, we're talking about the SpongeBob guy), Wicked finally hits the big screen today. Also entering the arena: Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, which comes 24 years after its Oscar-winning predecessor. Fans and industry experts are already drawing parallels to last year’s “Barbenheimer” frenzy when the simultaneous release of Barbie and Oppenheimer gave us viral memes and pink-branded everything. Dubbed “Glicked” (hey, it's better than "Wadiator"), the Wicked and Gladiator II opening weekend is expected to bring in strong numbers, though experts say it likely won't defy gravity and match the “Barbenheimer” $240 million combined debut. 

What it means: It’s no accident that Wicked and Gladiator II are premiering on the exact same day. Studio executives are trying to capture movie magic twice (after spending an estimated $145 million on Glinda and Elphaba’s story and a reported $310 million to build Rome), even moving up Wicked's release by a week, presumably in hopes of making “Glicked” a thing. The formula checks out, considering the two blockbusters couldn’t be more different: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo bring peak theater kid energy, while Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal fight to the death in skirts. The struggling box office could certainly use the bump, and theaters are doing everything they can (just see: these insane Gladiator popcorn buckets and this questionable Defying Gravi-Tea drink) to make it happen. But it’s unclear whether movie studios can manufacture another cultural phenomenon, or if they’ll just prove that sequels never live up to the original.

Related: Wicked Is Officially Reviving the Movie-Musical (The Verge)