In this episode of the NPR Up First podcast, three key stories take center stage. First, there's the contentious confirmation process for President-elect Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who is facing several allegations. Next, we delve into the shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which is being treated as a targeted attack and is currently under investigation. Lastly, we explore the economic ramifications of mass deportations, revealing that these actions may not only fail to boost the U.S. job market but could actually harm it by reducing job opportunities and driving up food prices. These insights challenge some prevailing political narratives about deportation's benefits.