Week in politics: Crunch time for new health insurance plans, Trump sued over White House renovations, Americans killed by ISIS

A former official from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has raised concerns about a potential national security threat posed by compromised Chinese patient monitors in U.S. hospitals, which may be capable of streaming sensitive health data overseas, thereby transforming routine medical care into a security risk.

Former President Donald Trump has faced backlash for his comments regarding the death of director Rob Reiner, stating that Reiner had 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.' This statement has drawn condemnation from both Republican and Democratic politicians, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding public figures' responses to death.

Former President Trump has signed an executive order designating illicit fentanyl as a 'weapon of mass destruction,' highlighting the national-security risks associated with the drug crisis. This marks a significant shift in the federal government's approach to addressing the dangers posed by fentanyl, which has been linked to numerous overdose deaths across the United States.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the hiring of two former senior officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as public health consultants. One of these officials was previously dismissed by the Trump administration, highlighting a shift in the state's public health strategy.

The Senate has advanced a $901 billion defense bill as Congress accelerates its year-end legislative efforts. This extensive package includes provisions to end longstanding war powers authorizations and mandates the Pentagon to release unedited footage of military strikes, reflecting a significant shift in defense policy.

The remaining California National Guard troops under federal command were ordered to leave Los Angeles, following a federal judge's ruling that control of these forces must revert to Governor Gavin Newsom. This decision comes as appellate courts continue to evaluate challenges to former President Trump's authority over the deployment.

Representative Ilhan Omar reported that her son, a U.S. citizen, was stopped by ICE agents in Minnesota, raising concerns about racial profiling amid intensified immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The incident occurred after her son had been shopping, and he was released after presenting his identification.

President Trump has officially designated fentanyl as a 'weapon of mass destruction,' intensifying efforts to address the drug's influx from Latin America into the United States. This declaration underscores the administration's focus on the national security implications of the ongoing fentanyl crisis.