What we’re watching: Upheaval in Syria puts Gabbard in the spotlight

Here’s what we’re watching in transition world today:

 🗓️ What we’re watching

• Following the rebel victory in Syria over the Assad regime, President-elect Donald Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin that “this is his time” to start making cease-fire deals with Ukraine. 
• After a few weeks under the radar as other nominees were on the hot seat, Tulsi Gabbard is facing renewed scrutiny over her past sympathies for Assad. 
• Democratic governors got together on Friday and Saturday in Los Angeles to discuss how they plan to “Trump-proof” their states going into the second Trump administration.
• Trump said on “Meet the Press” that he plans to end birthright citizenship in the United States on day one of his presidency “through executive action,” though he did not go into specific details. In the same interview, he also said he “can’t guarantee” that Americans won’t pay more if tariffs are enacted. 

🚨What’s up with the nominees?

• Defense Secretary designate Pete Hegseth has 21 Hill meetings set for this week, Joe Gould reports for POLITICO Pro’s Morning Defense. On Monday, he’ll meet with Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). 
• Ernst, who holds an important swing vote in Hegseth’s path to being confirmed as defense secretary, has spoken out about her concerns over the president-elect’s pick. As a survivor of sexual assault herself, she noted in an address to the Reagan National Defense Forum that she would like to hear more about the allegations against Hegseth.
• Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department, is getting some help from Chad Mizelle, formerly acting general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security under the first Trump administration, to prepare for her confirmation.

📝ICYMI: Here are the latest Cabinet picks 

• Alina Habba is joining the White House as counselor to the president, Trump announced Sunday. 
• Trump announced a few hires who will serve in the State Department with Marco Rubio if he’s confirmed. Christopher Landau is Trump’s pick for deputy secretary of state, Michael Needham was tapped as counselor and Michael Anton is the prospective director of policy planning.