The FBI has opened an inquiry into six Democratic members of Congress after they posted a video urging service members to refuse unlawful orders — a clip President Trump labeled “seditious.” All six lawmakers are military or intelligence veterans and say they did not assert that any unlawful orders had been issued. The FBI told congressional leaders it wants to interview the members. Separately, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launched an inquiry into retired Navy Captain and Senator Mark Kelly and warned of potential court-martial proceedings. Justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane described the situation as an escalating standoff between the White House and the Democrats who recorded the video, noting that while an inquiry does not necessarily mean someone is a criminal target, the investigations create real consequences for those questioned, including security risks and legal exposure.
Travelers are facing a volatile holiday weekend as airlines scramble to move surges of passengers amid storm threats on many routes. United Airlines expects to carry about 6.6 million people over the holiday period, roughly 300,000 more than last year. Airport workers and mechanics emphasized the importance of on-time departures to protect holiday connections, and the TSA projects it will screen more than 3 million passengers during a busy post-Thanksgiving return period. Meteorologist Lonnie Quinn warned of a dangerous Midwest blizzard with winds near 50 mph and snowfall totals up to 30 inches in parts of Minnesota and Michigan, while severe storms and tornado watches are possible in the South. Organizers of New York’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade were monitoring wind gust thresholds closely for balloon safety.
Other headlines:
– Robert Tucker, the outgoing New York City Fire Department commissioner, resigned following the election of new mayor Zohran Mamdani, citing ideological differences.
– The Coast Guard rescued four fishermen off Clearwater, Florida, including a man celebrating his 70th birthday and his 90-year-old father after their boat capsized; all are reported stable.
– French authorities arrested four additional suspects linked to a $100-million jewel heist at the Louvre; the crown jewels are still missing.
– The San Diego Zoo announced the death of Grandma, a Galapagos tortoise believed to have been about 141 years old.
Ukraine peace talks and U.S. diplomacy remained a major focus. President Trump said he believes negotiators are “very close” to a deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, though key details are still in dispute. CBS News previously reported that a U.S.-authored 28-point plan prompted bipartisan concern because of concessions it would ask of Ukraine, including territorial and military reductions. Ukraine’s Security Council said negotiators reached a “common understanding” on core terms but stopped short of confirming a final agreement. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll met with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi as shuttle diplomacy continued; senior Democrats urged the president to abandon what they called a pro-Russian deal. Negotiators planned additional travel to meet both sides, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted any final agreement must include strong security guarantees.
The White House marked Thanksgiving with the annual turkey pardons. President Trump spared two birds, Gobble and Waddle, continuing a tradition that in its modern form dates to George H.W. Bush. The National Turkey Federation and producers such as Butterball supply the birds, which are raised by family farms. A lighter segment explored the Great Thanksgiving Debate — turkey or ham — with butchers and shoppers weighing in. Turkey held an edge for many because of its versatility and leftover sandwiches, while ham appealed for its simplicity and flavor.
Eye on America: college composting competition. Campus sustainability teams at large universities, including Michigan and Ohio State, are competing to divert game-day waste from landfills by ramping up recycling and composting in stadiums. Ohio State reported diverting 94% of game-day waste last season; Michigan diverted 79%. Students and volunteers sort recyclables and compostable items, then return the compost to campus farms, demonstrating that large-scale waste diversion is practical and educational.
Feature and human-interest segments included profiles of the farmers who raise presidential turkeys — highlighting family-run operations and the care that goes into the birds — and the student-led stadium waste diversion efforts that emphasize behavior change, education and practical sustainability.
What to watch next:
– The congressional video and ensuing federal inquiries remain active stories, with potential interviews and further developments expected in Washington.
– Weather updates will be critical for holiday travelers as blizzard warnings in the Upper Midwest and severe storm watches in the South continue to evolve.
– Peace negotiations over Ukraine warrant close attention as shuttle diplomacy and meetings among U.S., Russian and Ukrainian envoys could change the diplomatic landscape.
From CBS News headquarters, the Evening News rounded up the day’s national and international headlines, offered travel and weather guidance, covered political developments in Washington and presented Thanksgiving traditions and seasonal features.