Trump-backed Republican touts 'great turnout for us' in must-win special election for GOP

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.

A special 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, which has been historically Republican. This election is viewed as a significant indicator for the upcoming 2026 midterms.

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee has approved a bill that would introduce a citizenship question to the 2030 census, with the aim of allocating U.S. House seats based solely on the number of citizens. This decision reflects ongoing legislative efforts by the GOP to influence demographic data collection.

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 GOP is experiencing internal divisions regarding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's authorization of a controversial 'double-tap' military strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean, which has prompted Congress to investigate the legality of such actions. The Senate Armed Services Committee is preparing for hearings to address these concerns.

Former President Donald Trump has criticized the Democrats' affordability platform while the Tennessee special election between Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftyn Behn gains national attention. Trump labeled the Democrats' approach as 'fake affordability,' indicating a significant political divide as the election approaches on December 2.

Tennessee's 7th District special election is set for December 2, featuring Democrat Aftyn Behn and Republican Matt Van Epps, making it a focal point for congressional control as both parties invest heavily in the race. The district has historically favored Republicans, having supported Donald Trump in the 2024 elections.