Overview

• Vice President JD Vance said he is confident hostages will be released and that the president is likely to travel to the Middle East this evening to greet them.
• He praised an unorthodox diplomatic effort led by figures including Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.
• Vance described goals of the deal as ending the war in Gaza, rebuilding the territory, ensuring Israel’s security, and returning hostages alive.
• CBS reported more than 4,000 reduction-in-force notices were issued Friday across seven agencies, including Treasury and Health and Human Services, and the president said some Democratic-favored programs would be cut.
• Vance blamed Senate Democrats for the shutdown, said the administration is prioritizing essential services and military pay, and expressed confidence the layoffs will withstand legal scrutiny.