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Sign up for the Evening Report newsletter Subscribe ✌🏼Plus: Trump, Biden tussle over Gaza ceasefire credit{beacon} Evening Report © GettyBiden set to give final Oval Office address PRESIDENT BIDEN will give his fifth and final Oval Office address this evening, as he prepares to leave the White House at a time when his public approval rating is around the lowest of his presidency. Biden penned a letter Wednesday highlighting his accomplishments, saying he’s leaving behind a strong economy, lower inflation, new infrastructure projects and lower prescription drug prices.  “I hope you’ll do your part to build on the progress we’ve made,” Biden wrote. But Biden is leaving on the heels of a calamitous final year in office that saw his party suffer sweeping defeats at the ballot box. Biden dropped his reelection bid after a disastrous debate performance exacerbated concerns about his age. The news media has been increasingly emboldened to report on how Biden’s staff shielded him from scrutiny. And the president gave his son Hunter Biden a controversial and sweeping pardon, despite repeatedly promising he would not.  The damage can be seen in the numbers:  A CNN poll released Wednesday found Biden matching his all-time low, with only 36 percent approving and 64 percent disapproving. Those numbers are comparable to where President-elect Trump sat after the Jan. 6, 2021 riot. Biden’s approval rating sits at an all-time low in the 538 average, nearly 19 points underwater. Trump, meanwhile, has seen a reversal in fortunes as he prepares to be sworn into office for a second term. The president-elect’s approval rating has approached the break-even point for the first time since he burst onto the political scene in 2015, according to the 538 average.  TRUMP, BIDEN BATTLE OVER CREDIT FOR GAZA PEACE DEAL Trump on Wednesday was the first to announce a ceasefire in Gaza, which the Biden administration had been working to achieve for more than a year. The fighting will stop, and Hamas will release 33 hostages as part of the deal, which is expected to be finalized tonight — 5 days before Trump takes office.  Via The Hill’s Laura Kelly:  “Trump had warned of ‘all hell’ breaking loose in the Middle East if Hamas did not release hostages before he is sworn into office Jan. 20, and his special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, worked closely with Biden’s negotiators to reach a conclusion of the deal.” Trump is taking credit for the deal, which had eluded Biden’s negotiators for months. “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. Biden was asked by a reporter Wednesday if Trump should get credit.  "Is that a joke?" Biden responded.  In earlier remarks, Biden said: “This deal was developed and negotiated under my administration but its terms will be implemented, for the most part, by the next administration. For these past few days, we’ve been speaking as one team.”  The Washington Post reports: “A diplomat briefed on the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas credited progress in the talks in part to the influence of President-elect-Donald Trump, saying it was ‘the first there has been any real pressure on the Israeli side to accept a deal’.”   The Wall Street Journal quotes Dennis Ross, a senior official on Middle East issues for both Republican and Democratic administrations: “There is the Trump effect. It is not his threats that affected Hamas but his emphasis on ending this before he became president that did influence the Qataris, Egyptians, and quite possibly the Turks - and they individually and collectively have the ability to pressure Hamas.”  The war in Gaza was a long-running political problem for Biden, as he and Vice President Harris drew the fury of the progressive left for their handling of the war. A $320 million humanitarian pier the U.S. built to get supplies to Gaza fell apart before it could be effectively utilized. Biden and Harris at times tried to have it both ways, chiding Israel for the carnage in Gaza but standing behind the campaign against Hamas.  DEMS SEE ROOM TO WORK WITH TRUMPIn recent days, some elected Democrats have said they believe they can find common ground with Trump. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who has emerged as key swing vote in the Senate, traveled to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago.  Democratic governors, including Wes Moore in Maryland and Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan, have said they'll look for common ground with the incoming administration.  “I’m not the leader of the resistance…I will work with anybody who wants to be a good partner inside the work to make sure that Maryland is supported,” Moore told CNN.   “Michiganders elected both me and Donald Trump twice, just two years apart,” Whitmer will say in a speech, according to prepared remarks obtained by The Associated Press. “They expect us to find common ground, especially when it comes to lowering costs, creating good-paying manufacturing jobs, boosting research and innovation and cutting red tape.”  💡Perspectives: • The New York Times: Why Biden may matter. • The Hill: Biden uses remaining time in office to give the country what it rejected.• USA Today: Goodbye and good riddance. • The Hill: The podcast election. • The Liberal Patriot: Has the anti-establishment wave peaked?  Read more:  • Michelle Obama signals she’s done with Trump. • Biden White House holds final press briefing • Florida Dems rip Biden for lifting Cuba terror sponsor designation. • Ex-DNC member says she’s now raising money for Trump. • SEC sues Musk, alleging Twitter-related securities violation. Welcome to Evening Report! I'm Jonathan Easley, catching you up from the afternoon and what's coming tomorrow. Not on the list? Subscribe here.CATCH UP QUICK Inflation picked up again in December. An Arctic blast is headed for the U.S. that will bring dangerously low temperatures. The U.S. will ban red food dye over its links to cancer. NEWS THIS AFTERNOON ©  Photo CreditRubio, Bondi defend Trump priorities at hearings The second round of confirmation hearings got underway Wednesday for six of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees. The nominees who testified Wednesday: • Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), secretary of State • Pam Bondi, attorney general• John Ratcliffe, CIA• Sean Duffy, Transportation • Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget• Chris Wright, Department of Energy The confirmation hearing for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R), who is Trump's pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, was postponed by two days over a delay pertaining to her FBI background check.  Protesters once again disrupted the proceedings, but there was less drama than surrounded Pete Hegseth’s hearing to lead the Defense Department a day earlier, as all of those testifying Wednesday are expected to be confirmed. The highlights:  • Democrats pressed Bondi on whether the Trump administration would prosecute its political enemies.  Bondi made clear that she believes Trump was wrongly prosecuted by Democrats, but insisted she wouldn’t weaponize the government against dissenters.  “I will work to restore confidence and integrity to the Department of Justice – and each of its components,” she said. “Under my watch, the partisan weaponization of the Department of Justice will end. America must have one tier of justice for all.” Bondi was asked specifically about Kash Patel, who is Trump’s pick to lead the FBI. Patel reportedly has an “enemies list," although Bondi denied that claim.  “There will never be an enemy’s list within the Department of Justice,” Bondi said.  “It would not be appropriate for a prosecutor to start with a name and look for a crime.” Some Democrats took Bondi at her word. “You’ve satisfied me this is not an agenda you have,” Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said. Ratcliffe, who Trump picked to lead the CIA, echoed those sentiments in remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee, saying he wouldn't fire anyone based on their political views. "It's something that I would never do," Ratcliffe said.  • Bondi said she would evaluate pardons for those convicted of crimes pertaining to the Jan. 6, 2021 riots on a case-by-case basis  “Let me be very clear in speaking to you, I condemn any violence on a law enforcement officer in this country," she said.  • Bondi took the long route when asked by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) if Trump lost the 2020 election, walking a tightrope and avoiding saying outright something that could upset her likely future boss.   “President Biden is the president of the United States," she said. "He was duly sworn in, and he is the president of the United States. There was a peaceful transition of power. President Trump left office and was overwhelmingly elected in 2024.” Bondi said she believes there was voter fraud in Pennsylvania, which Biden won in 2020. “I saw firsthand when I went to Pennsylvania as an advocate for the campaign… I saw many things there. But do I accept the results? Of course, I do.”  Durbin responded: “I think that question deserved yes or no, and I think the length of your answer is an indication that you weren’t prepared to answer yes.”  • Rubio, who is expected to sail to confirmation to lead the State Department, sought to assure lawmakers that he and Trump believe the U.S. must maintain a strong alliance with NATO. Rubio warned that the U.S. must be more aggressive in its posture and policy toward China.  "If we stay on the road we are on right now, in less than 10 years, virtually everything that matters to us in life will depend on whether China allows us to have it or not."   • Wright, who is Trump's pick to lead the Energy Department, told lawmakers he believes climate change is a "real issue." Wright has in the past downplayed the significance of climate change. He was pressed by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), who noted that the wildfires in his home state were exacerbated by climate change.  Wright stood by his past remarks that “hype over wildfires is just hype to justify” bad policies.  • Vought, Trump’s pick to lead the OMB, said President Biden does not have the unilateral ability to cancel student loan debt.  “We believe that was not the right course of action, that the president did not have that authority, and I think an example of the Biden administration’s unwillingness to follow the law.”  The Biden administration canceled student loans for an additional 260,000 borrowers on Wednesday.  💡Perspectives: • The Hill: Every Senate Dem should vote against confirming RFK Jr.• The Hill: Hegseth is no more imperfect than the Dems trying to destroy him.• The Washington Post: GOP senators cover themselves in shame.• The Hill: Democrats disappoint yet again at Hegseth confirmation hearing.• Politico: By targeting Hegseth, Democrats open a path for Gabbard.• The Hill: Hegseth’s confirmation would be a victory for anti-‘wokeism.' Read more:  • Gabbard’s charm offensive draws skepticism from GOP senators. • Ernst will vote for Hegseth, handing Trump big win. • At OMB, some head for exit ahead of Trump, Vought. • What Elon Musk’s growing political clout could mean for 2025.  ON TAPThursday's hearings...  • Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency • Eric Turner, Housing and Urban Development • Pam Bondi, Attorney General • Scott Bessent, Department of Treasury IN OTHER NEWS ©  Eric Thayer, Getty Images Bass faces backlash as Congress debates aid conditions Firefighters are reporting some progress in combatting the multiple blazes that have devastated Los Angeles over the past week, but winds began picking up again Wednesday, creating new threats and difficulties for first responders. At least 25 people are dead and tens of thousands have been displaced by the fires. More than 12,000 structures — many of them homes in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods — have been completely destroyed.  The Palisades fire is only 18 percent contained, according to California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The National Weather Service warned about extreme weather conditions Wednesday that could further spread the fires, with winds reaching 55 mph in parts of the city. The political fallout is underway, with Mayor Karen Bass (D) absorbing the brunt of the criticism.  Via The Hill’s Julia Manchester: “Critics point to Bass’s decision to travel out of the country ahead of the wildfires after she vowed not to go abroad before taking office, as well as for approving a budget that decreased funding for the city’s fire department.”   California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) requested $2.5 billion in fire aid from state legislators, who were otherwise convened for a special session to determine how best to fight back against the incoming Trump administration.  In Washington, Republicans say that any aid that goes to California must come with conditions about how the state handles its water supply and forest management. Democrats are furious, arguing that disaster assistance must be free from partisan conditions.  💡Perspectives:• New York: Fires interfere with Newsom plan to ‘Trump-Proof California’ • The Hill: Insurance is the next burning issue in California.• The Wall Street Journal: The governance failures that fed the fires. • The Hill: Angelenos embrace connections.  Read more:  • California officials propose making looting during emergency a felony. • Senate Republicans eye changes to key insurance program after fires. • Wildfire smoke’s long-term health effects, explained. • Interactive maps show homes damaged, destroyed in Los Angeles.  Stay Engaged  Did I miss a story? Drop me a line. Follow TheHill.com for the latest and recommend us to others: TheHill.com/Evening. See you next time.