FOX News Radio’s National Correspondent Jared Halpern along with a team of FOX News reporters & contributors look at the week that was inside the beltway.

THIS WEEK:

For weeks a government shutdown has been looming over lawmakers on Capitol Hill, threatening to disrupt the holiday season over funding for President Trump’s border wall.  But that wasn’t the only notable event happening this week, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) delivered his farewell speech in the Library of Congress. FOX’s Senior Capitol Hill producer, Chad Pergram, breaks it down for us.

On Tuesday,  a Federal Judge unexpectedly postponed the sentencing of President Trump’s former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.  General Flynn was on trial for lying to the FBI about his communication with a Russian official during the 2016 Presidential transition.  FOX News Channel’s DOJ Producer, Jake Gibson, was in the courtroom and explains.

Defense Secretary James Mattis announced on Thursday he will step down from his position in February.  Reportedly the turning point for General Mattis was President Trump’s decision to begin a rapid withdrawal of troops from Syria, within 30 days.  Jennifer Griffin, FOX News Channel’s National Security Correspondent, discusses why his resignation surprised so many.

The Democratic National Committee announced their first debate for Democrats planning to run for President in 2020 is just six months away.  Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, explains the pros and cons of having debates early and often.

Listen to the latest “From Washington”:

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