Topic: Tom Shannon

Undersecretary of State Tom Shannon appears on NPR to discuss the failure of various "tools" used by the US to flip the Venezuelan military against Nicolás Maduro. Shannon details strategies involving humanitarian aid confrontations and oil sanctions. He also explains the US effort to pressure China and Russia to withdraw their support for the Maduro regime to maintain regional stability.

CNN broadcasts a segment detailing the line of presidential succession in the event of a catastrophic attack during the inauguration. The report notes that because Trump's cabinet will not yet be confirmed, an Obama appointee like Tom Shannon could briefly become president. The hosts criticize the segment as fear-mongering and a "native ad" for the ABC show Designated Survivor.