Kornacki: Democrats look to overperform in Tennessee special election

The Trump administration, led by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, has threatened to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from several Democratic-led states unless they provide requested immigration data. This comes after a judge ruled against the administration's ability to condition food assistance on such data.

The Capitol Christmas tree was officially lit in Washington, D.C., marking the beginning of the holiday season in the nation's capital. This annual event draws attention from locals and visitors alike, celebrating the spirit of the holidays with a beautifully adorned tree.

President Trump convened his Cabinet amid controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's authorization of military strikes in the Caribbean that resulted in the deaths of two survivors from an initial attack on their boat. Hegseth defended the operations, asserting that the U.S. is committed to targeting drug traffickers.

Tonight, a special House election is taking place in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, featuring Democrat Aftyn Behn and Republican Matt Van Epps. NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki highlights the critical areas where Behn must overperform to flip the seat, while Sahil Kapur notes the lack of optimism in Congress for a deal on health insurance premiums.

The Pentagon's Inspector General has completed an investigation into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding his sharing of sensitive military information on a Signal group chat in March. The final report has been delivered to Hegseth, marking the conclusion of this inquiry into potential misconduct.

A driver was successfully rescued from a truck that was dangling precariously from an overpass in West Virginia. The incident drew significant attention and required swift action from emergency responders to ensure the safety of the individual involved.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) expressed concerns about the Trump administration's immigration policies during an appearance on Meet the Press NOW, emphasizing that the U.S. should not serve as a 'dumping ground' for immigrants. He also addressed the legality of a recent military strike on a drug cartel boat, which has raised significant legal and ethical questions.

The suspect in the shooting of two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. The incident, which occurred on November 26, 2025, resulted in one Guardsman dead and another critically injured, prompting significant legal action against the accused, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national.