President Donald Trump on Thursday called several Democratic veterans and national security specialists "traitors" who should face the death penalty for releasing a joint video in which they said that U.S. service members could refuse illegal orders.
This week, the House and Senate overwhelmingly approved a measure to force the Department of Justice to release all files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump signed the legislation on Wednesday night, starting the clock on the 30 days the DOJ has to release the documents.
Elon Musk to return to White House Tuesday: Source
Elon Musk will be attending Tuesday night's dinner at the White House with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, a source with knowledge of the plans told ABC News.
This will be the first time since May that Musk has officially been at the White House since he left the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and had a falling out with Trump.
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in the Saudi Pro League, will also be at the White House Tuesday, a White House official confirmed to ABC News.
-ABC News' Will Steakin and Hannah Demissie
Donald Trump delivers remarks at the McDonald's Impact Summit at the Westin DC Downtown on November 17, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Win Mcnamee/Getty Images
Nov 17, 2025, 6:18 PM EST
Trump celebrates UN approval of international stabilization force in Gaza
Trump celebrated the United Nations Security Council vote Monday approving the U.S. plan for an international stabilization force in Gaza.
"Congratulations to the World on the incredible Vote of the United Nations Security Council, just moments ago, acknowledging and endorsing the BOARD OF PEACE, which will be chaired by me, and include the most powerful and respected Leaders throughout the World. This will go down as one of the biggest approvals in the History of the United Nations, will lead to further Peace all over the World, and is a moment of true Historic proportion!," Trump said a post on his social media platform.
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with the White House task force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Oval Office of the White House, Nov. 17, 2025, in Washington.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
The Security Council voted to approve the U.S.-drafted Gaza resolution, propping up Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan that would authorize an international force to stabilize the Gulf region, run by a Board of Peace headed by Trump. The resolution provides international legal authority for the multinational security mission.
Trump thanked the many countries who backed the vote and who have worked with the U.S. to secure the peace deal. Trump added that "members of the Board, and many more exciting announcements, will be made in the coming weeks."
-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart
Nov 17, 2025, 5:00 PM EST
FBI Director Kash Patel's girlfriend has protective detail
FBI Director Kash Patel’s “country music sensation” girlfriend Alexis Wilkins now has an FBI protective detail.
"Ms. Wilkins is receiving a protective detail because she has faced hundreds of credible death threats related to her relationship with Director Patel, whom she has been dating for three years," an FBI spokesperson said in a statement on Monday. "Out of respect for her safety, we will not be providing additional details."
Patel previously described Wilkins as a “true patriot” and a “rock-solid conservative and country music sensation who has done more for this nation than most will in ten lifetimes.”
Those comments came after Patel received criticism for using FBI resources to fly to Pennsylvania, where he saw Wilkins perform at a wrestling event during the government shutdown.
FBI Director Kash Patel, speaks during a press conference related to arrests of NBA players and coaches for illegal gambling schemes, at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, New York, October 23, 2025.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
Before becoming FBI director, Patel was a vocal critic of then-FBI Director Christopher Wray’s use of the FBI plane for travel.
The FBI director is required by regulation to use an FBI plane for travel and is required to reimburse the government for personal travel for the equivalent cost of a coach fare to a given destination.
--ABC News' Jack Date
Nov 17, 2025, 3:31 PM EST
Trump doesn't rule out US troops on the ground in Venezuela
Taking reporter questions in the Oval Office during an event on FIFA, President Donald Trump was asked about Venezuela.
"I understand you don't want to tip your hand, but is there anything you're ready to rule out at this point? Are you ruling out U.S. troops on the ground?" the reporter asked.
"No, I don't rule that out. I don't rule out anything," Trump said. "We just have to take care of Venezuela."
Trump has been briefed on updated options for potential military operations in Venezuela, including a strike on land, ABC News reported on Friday. On Sunday, Trump suggested his administration may be open to conversations with President Nicolas Maduro.
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with the White House task force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Oval Office of the White House, Nov. 17, 2025, in Washington.
